Pyranosides with 2,3‐trans Carbamate Groups: Exocyclic or Endocyclic Cleavage Reaction?

Pyranosides with 2,3‐trans carbamate groups exhibit high 1,2‐cis selectivity in glycosylation reactions. Using glycosyl donors with N‐benzyl 2,3‐trans carbamate groups, an anti‐Helicobacter pylori oligosaccharide was synthesized in an efficient manner. Moreover, pyranosides with 2,3‐trans carbamate groups readily undergo anomerization from the β to the α configuration under mild acidic conditions via endocyclic cleavage. Acyclic cations generated during the endocyclic cleavage reaction were captured using reduction and intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction. By exploiting this anomerization, multiply aligned 1,2‐trans glycosyl bonds can be transformed to 1,2‐cis glycosyl bonds in a single operation.     

SmI2-induced cyclization of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones with aldehydes

SmI₂-induced reaction of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones onto an aldehyde function afforded 2,6-syn-2,3-trans- and 2,6-syn-2,3-cis-tetrahydropyran-3-ols, respectively, via stereoselective cyclization. This reaction was applied to the synthesis of 2-methyl-tetrahydropyran, corresponding to the N-ring of gymnocin-A, and 2-exo-methylene-tetrahydropyran, a key intermediate for convergent synthesis of polycyclic ethers based on the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.     

Stereodivergent synthesis of cyclic γ-aminobutyric acid – GABA analogues

A novel synthetic route towards two series of enantiomerically pure cyclic analogues of 2,3-cis- and 2,3-trans-γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was developed. The route is based on the elongation and stereodivergent manipulation of a readily accessible enantiomerically pure γ-substituted α-aminolactone. The five-step route towards the 2,3-cis-substituted GABA analogues was achieved via straightforward carbon chain extension of the lactone using a non-classical Wittig reaction followed by chemoselective reduction and a protecting group switch. The five-step route towards the 2,3-trans-substituted GABA analogues employed elongation of the same aminolactone using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and highly stereoselective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition as the key synthetic manipulations. Altogether this chemistry has allowed the stereodivergent preparation of a novel class of GABA analogues in two diastereomeric series.     

Smiles rearrangement for the synthesis of 5-amino-substituted [1]benzothieno[2,3-b]pyridine

The Smiles rearrangement was successfully applied to 4-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophene furnishing a facile entry to the 4-amino derivative. The rearrangement was extended to 5-methoxy-4-methoxycarbonyl[1]benzothieno[2,3-b]pyridine obtained via aza-Wittig/electrocyclization reaction of novel N-(4-methoxybenzothiophen-2-yl)iminomethyldiphenylphosphorane with methyl trans-4-oxo-2-pentenoate. The preparation of a novel 5-amino-4-methoxycarbonyl[1]benzothieno[2,3-b]pyridine, which is of interest as a potential secondary peptide structure mimic, was successfully achieved.     

SmI2-induced cyclization of optically active (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfoxides with aldehydes

SmI₂-induced reaction of (E)-β-alkoxyvinyl (R)- and (S)-sulfoxides with aldehydes effected a highly stereoselective intramolecular cyclization to give 2,6-anti-2,3-cis- and 2,6-syn-2,3-trans-tetrahydropyran-3-ols, respectively. The reaction of (Z)-(R)-isomer gave 2,6-syn-2,3-cis-tetrahydropyran-3-ol and a ring-opened product, and that of (Z)-(S)-isomer yielded many products.     

First green protocols for the large-scale preparation of γ-diisoeugenol and related dihydro(1H)indenes via formal [3+2] cycloaddition reactions

Trans-isoeugenol and related styrenes (trans-isohomogenol or O-benzylated isoeugenol), important components of the essential oil of various tropical plants, dimerize easily in the presence of catalytic amounts of BF₃·OEt₂ in poly(ethylene glycol) with M_n = 400 (PEG-400) or SiO₂-OSO₃H in MeCN via formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction to give respective natural products (diisoeugenol and its O-substituted analog) with the 1,2-trans-2,3-trans-configuration in excellent yields. γ-Diisoeugenol scale-up preparation has also been described.     

SYNTHETIC APPROACH TO TETRAHYDROFURAN UNITS AND FIVE-MEMBERED RING LACTONES FUSED TO HEXOPYRANOSIDES *

A stereoselective synthesis of the miharamycin sugar moiety epimer at C-3′ was accomplished in high yield starting from an appropriate (Z)-Wittig product, synthesized by Wittig reaction of a 4,6-O-benzylidene protected hexopyranosid-3-ulose with [(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]triphenylphosphorane followed by iodine promoted isomerisation of the (E)-Wittig product formed. Reduction of the (Z)-isomer obtained in quantitative yield, cyclisation and dihydroxylation with osmium tetroxide, gave the target molecule containing a cis-fused tetrahydrofuran ring in its structure. Synthesis of five-membered rings trans-fused to the hexopyranosidic units succeeded via two different synthetic pathways. Stereoselective Reformatsky reaction of a 2,6-di-O-pivaloyl protected hexopyranosid-3-ulose, followed by cyclisation with dimethylzinc gave a 3,4-trans-fused lactone. The approach using the reaction of 2,3-and 3,4-epoxides with the dianion of phenylselenoacetic acid led to low yield but novel phenylseleno derivatives of trans-fused five-membered rings, namely a phenylselenolactone 2,3-trans-fused to a 4,6-O-benzylidenehexopyranoside and a phenylselenolactenol 3,4-trans-fused to a 6-O-pivaloyl-hexopyranoside.     

Evidence for Endocyclic Cleavage of Conformationally Restricted Glycopyranosides

2,3‐trans‐carbamate‐ and ‐carbonate‐carrying pyranosides were very easily anomerised from the β to the α direction in the presence of a Lewis acid compared to other pyranosides. This reaction is caused by endocyclic cleavage of the pyranosides. Evidence for endocyclic cleavage of conformationally restricted pyranosides in the chair form was obtained by intra‐ and intermolecular Friedel–Crafts reactions, chloride addition, and reduction of the generated cation. On the other hand, pyranosides with the distorted conformation were never cleaved in an endocyclic manner.     

Rearrangement with oxide ion transfer in reactions of 4-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbaldehyde with ureas. cis-(Z)-trans-(E) isomerism of N-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)ureas

4-Chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbaldehyde reacted with monosubstituted ureas to give cis-(Z)-and trans-(E)-N-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)ureas via rearrangement involving oxide ion transfer, cis (Z) Isomers were formed in methanol or dimethylformamide, while both individual cis (Z) and trans (E) isomers and their mixtures were isolated in the reaction performed in acetic acid.     

A practical approach to the fused β-carboline system. Asymmetric synthesis of indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones via a diastereoselective intramolecular α-amidoalkylation reaction

Fused β-carboline systems, as indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones, indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidinones, their 2-oxa analogues, and benzo[a]indolo[2,3-a]indolizidinones are prepared efficiently via an RLi addition-N-acyliminium ion cyclisation sequence on readily available imides. In an enantioselective variant of these α-amidoalkylation reactions, the addition of MeLi to a chiral non-racemic imide derived from tryptophan yielded an oxo amide, which was cyclised diastereoselectively upon treatment with BF₃·OEt₂, to afford 5,11b-trans-indoloindolizidinone in moderate yield and high ee (99%).     

Trading N and O: asymmetric syntheses of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids via α-hydroxy-β-amino esters

Both diastereoisomers of 2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid have been prepared from enantiopure α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via the intermediacy of the corresponding cis- and trans-aziridines. Aminohydroxylation of two α,β-unsaturated esters produced enantiopure 2,3-anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. Subsequent epimerisation at the C(2)-position via a sequential oxidation/diastereoselective reduction protocol gave the corresponding enantiopure 2,3-syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. These syn- and anti-substrates were then converted into the corresponding N-Boc protected cis- and trans-aziridines, respectively, via a three step reaction sequence: (i) hydrogenolysis and in situ N-Boc protection; (ii) OH-activation; and (iii) aziridine formation. Subsequent regioselective ring-opening of the C(3)-methyl-aziridines with Cl₃CCO₂H proceeded with inversion of configuration to give the corresponding 2-amino-3-trichloroacetate esters, whereas the analogous reaction with the C(3)-phenyl-aziridines resulted in rearrangement to the corresponding oxazolidin-2-ones with retention of configuration. In each case, hydrolysis of the products from these ring-opening reactions produced the corresponding enantiopure β-hydroxy-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers.     

New analogues of fosfomycin—synthesis of diethyl (1R,2R)- and (1S,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1R,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised via the intramolecular Williamson reaction from 3-O-protected (trityl or TBDMS) or even unprotected diethyl (1S,2R)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-mesyloxypropylphosphonate, which was obtained from the known diethyl (1S,2R)-2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-1,2,3-trihydroxypropylphosphonate. On the other hand, the cis-analogue, diethyl (1S,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, could only be prepared from diethyl (1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-mesyloxy-3-trityloxypropylphoshonate.     

The conversion of pentoses to 3,4-dihydroxyprolines

The synthesis of two naturally-occurring isomers of 3,4-dihydroxyproline is reported. l-2,3-cis-3,4-trans-3,4-Dihydroxyproline was synthesized from l-arabinose in 10 steps and 31% overall yield. The same series of reactions was employed to convert l-xylose to l-2,3-trans-3,4-trans-3,4-dihydroxyproline. Orthogonally protected versions of these amino acids were produced on gram scale, en route to the free amino acids, and these will serve as versatile intermediates in peptide synthesis. This synthetic strategy involved Nα-Fmoc protection and protection of the C3 and C4 secondary alcohols as methoxyethoxymethyl (MEM) ethers.     

4,5-Unsubstituted 2,3-dihydroisoxazoles in the synthesis of racemic 4-substituted isoxazolidine-5-carbonitriles

The synthesis of novel types of the 4-hydroxy- and 4-bromosubstituted isoxazolidines is described. Dihydroxylation reactions of 4,5-unsubstituted 2,3-dihydroisoxazoles proceed from the less hindered side and provide the major 3,4-trans-isoxazolidine-4,5-diols in good yields. On the other hand, the hydroxybromination reaction of the model 3-phenyl-2,3-dihydroisoxazole predominantly proceeds with 3,4-cis selectivity. Isoxazolidine-5-carbonitriles have been prepared from isoxazolidines possessing a good leaving group at C5 by treatment with TMSCN in the presence of TMSOTf.     

A facile domino protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and cis-5,6-dihydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines

A facile protocol for the stereoselective construction of trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and cis-5,6-dihydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines from the reactions of 2,2′-sulfonylbis(1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones) with cyclic 1,3-diketones, viz. cyclohexane-1,3-diones, barbituric acid, and 2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione in the presence of DBU in ethanol is described. This transformation presumably occurs via domino Michael addition-proton exchange-annulation via intramolecular displacement sequence.     

Stereospecific functionalization of the heterocyclic ring systems of flavan-3-OL and [4,8]-biflavan-3-OL derivatives with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ)

Efficient stereospecific 4-methoxylation of both 2,3-trans- and 2,3-cis-flavan-3-ol methyl ethers with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) in CHCl₃-MeOH solution is of both synthetic and degradative significance in oligomeric flavanoid chemistry.     

Stereoselective synthesis of dihydrothiadiazinoazines and dihydrothiadiazinoazoles and their pyrolytic desulfurization ring contraction

Intramolecular base catalyzed C-C bond formation led to exclusive stereoselective syntheses of trans-6,7-dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines, trans-7,8-dihydro-6H-[1,2,4]triazino[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazin-4-ones, and trans-3,4-dihydro-2H-[1,3,4]thiadiazino[2,3-b]quinazolin-10-one. trans-6,7-Dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines isomerize slowly in CDCl₃ and more rapidly in DMSO-d₆ into the corresponding cis-stereoisomers. The other trans-6,7-dihydro-[1,3,4]thiadiazines isomerize also in DMSO-d₆ into the corresponding cis-stereoisomers. Pyrolytic conversion of these heterocyclic condensed dihydrothiadiazines into their corresponding pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,2,4]triazoles, pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4-ones and pyrazolo[4,3-b]quinazolin-9-ones via desulfurization ring contraction is described.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation of Endocyclic 1-Azaallyl Anions: Concise Synthesis of Unprotected Enantioenriched cis-2,3-Diarylpiperidines

Unprotected cis-2,3-diarylpiperidines are synthesized through an unprecedented palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between aryl halides and elusive endocyclic 1-azaallyl anions. These intermediates are generated in situ by the deprotonation of 2-aryl-1-piperideines, precursors that are readily prepared in two operations from simple piperidines. An asymmetric version of this reaction with (2R, 3R)-iPr-BI-DIME as the ligand provides products in moderate to good yields and enantioselectivities. This study significantly expands the synthetic utility of endocyclic 1-azaallyl anions.     

RuCl3/SnCl2 mediated synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazoles and consequent preparation of indolo[2,3-c]carbazoles

A simple method for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazoles from N-alkylated-3-aminocarbazole derivatives and ethylene glycol has been developed via heteroannulation reaction using RuCl₃/SnCl₂ system. Moreover indolo[2,3-c]carbazoles were prepared from various pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazoles in good yields.     

Significant solvent effect in anomerization reaction of pyranosides with 2,3-trans carbamate and carbonate

A pronounced solvent effect was observed in the anomerization reaction of pyranosides carrying 2,3-trans carbamate or carbonate. While significant anomerization from the β- to α-direction was observed in CH₃CN, none was observed in ether.