Samarium diiodide-mediated reductive couplings of chiral nitrones with aldehydes/ketones and acyl chlorides

The SmI₂-mediated and H₂O-promoted reductive cross-coupling reactions of the l-tartaric acid derived nitrone (3S,4S)-8 with aldehydes/ketones, and the l-malic acid derived nitrone (S)-6 with aliphatic acyl chlorides have been investigated, respectively. (2R,3S,4S)-1,3,4-Trihydroxyprolinol derivatives 9a-f were obtained with high C-2/C-3 trans-selectivities, and 72:28-85:15 diastereoselectivities at the carbinol center from aromatic ketones/aldehydes, while low diastereoselectivities for aliphatic aldehydes. Conditions have been established for the syntheses of (2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyprolinol derivatives such as 18, by N-O bond cleavage of the corresponding N-hydroxyprolinol derivatives 9b-f, or more conveniently by a one-pot reductive coupling of nitrone 8 and in situ N-O bond cleavage of the resultant coupling product. The 2-acyl-3-benzyloxy-1-hydroxypyrrolidines 10a-f were formed in 48-82% yields, and in 74:26-78:22 diastereoselectivities. It was revealed that the amount of water required for the reaction is substrate-depending.     

The combined use of stereoelectronic control and ring closing metathesis for the synthesis of (−)-8-epi-swainsonine

A novel and efficient synthesis of (−)-8-epi-swainsonine 2 is reported. Stereocontrolled diol formation from the bicyclic alkene 3 followed by a stereoselective vinylation of the aldehyde and ring closing metathesis gave the indolizidine ring system, which was converted into (−)-8-epi-swainsonine 2.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 8. Enantiospecific synthesis of looking-glass analogues of hyacinthacine A5 from DADP

(1R,2S,3S,5R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine[(−)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1a] and (1S,2R,3R,5S 7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine[(+)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1b] have been synthesized either by Wittig's or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmond's (HWE's) methodology using aldehydes 4 and 9, both prepared from (2S,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (2, partially protected DADP), and the appropriate ylides, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the resulting α,β-unsaturated ketones 5 and 10, respectively, and total deprotection.     

Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-8-epi-swainsonine starting with a chiral aziridine

An efficient synthesis of (?)-8-epi-swainsonine, starting from a commercially available 1-(R)-α-methylbenzylaziridine-2-methanol, was developed. The synthetic route utilizes stereocontrolled Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation governed by AD-mix-β followed by an aziridine ring opening-cyclization sequence to generate the five membered N-heterocyclic ring system present in the bicyclic target. A subsequent stereoselective allylation and piperidine ring forming cyclization then produced a precursor that was converted into (?)-8-epi-swainsonine.     

Sartorymensin,a new indole alkaloid,and new analogues of tryptoquivaline and fiscalins produced by Neosartorya siamensis (KUFC 6349)

Seven new indole alkaloids including a new indoloazepinone derivative (2), two new quinazolinone derivatives (7, 8) and four new pyrazinoquinazolinone derivatives: epi-fiscalin C (10), epi-fiscalin A (12), neofiscalin A (13), epi-neofiscalin A (14) were isolated, together with 4-dihydroxy-3-methylacetophenone (1), tryptoquivaline (3), tryptoquivalines L (4), H (5), F (6) as well as fiscalins A (11) and C (9), from the culture of the fungus Neosartorya siamensis (KUFC 6349). The absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbons of the previously reported tryptoquivalines F, H, L was revised using the data obtained from an X-ray analysis of tryptoquivaline l and the NOESY correlations. The structures of the new pyrazinoquinazolinone derivatives (10, 12, 13, 14) were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis, and the absolute configuration of their stereogenic carbons was determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of fiscalin C (9) and a new compound epi-fiscalin C (10), in conjunction with the correlations observed in their NOESY and long range COSY spectra. Compounds 2–8 and 12 were evaluated for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity on the human U373 and Hs683 glioblastoma, the A549 non-small cell lung cancer, the MCF-7 breast cancer and the SKMEL-28 melanoma cell lines by MTT colorimetric assay.     

Carbocyclic nucleosides from enantiomeric, α-pinane-based aminodiols

Starting from (1R,2S,3S,5R)- and (1S,2R,3R,5S)-6,6-dimethylspiro[bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-2,2’-oxiran]-3-ol (?)-8 and (+)-8, two comparative syntheses were developed for pinane-based chiral carbocyclic nucleosides. The regioselective ring opening of the spiro-oxirane ring of (?)-8 and (+)-8 with NaN₃ resulted in azidodiols (?)-9 and (+)-9. Catalytic reduction of (?)-9 and (+)-9 furnished chiral aminodiols (?)-10 and (+)-10, which were transformed by linear synthesis to purine-type nucleosides 16–18 through pyrimidine intermediates. Regioselective ring opening of the oxirane ring of (?)-8 and (+)-8 resulted in adenine-, cytosine- and uracil-based carbocyclic nucleosides 19–21 in a single-step synthesis.     

A facile synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-ribitol (LRB) and (−)-8a-epi-swainsonine from d-glutamic acid

A facile synthesis of (−)-8a-epi-swainsonine 2 and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-ribitol (LRB) 4 has been achieved by using the versatile building block 3, which was available from cheap d-glutamic acid. The new forming stereogenic center in synthesis of 2 was constructed by highly selective reduction of the ketone 13 with Li(t-BuO)₃AlH in THF (dr=95:5).     

An unexpected high erythro-selection in the Grignard reaction with an N,O-acetal: a concise asymmetric synthesis of indolizidine alkaloid (−)-2-epi-lentiginosine

Starting from commercially available lactone 10, a concise and highly diastereoselective synthesis of (?)-(lS,2R,8aS)-2-epi-lentiginosine (2) is described. The synthesis featured an unexpected highly erythro-selective reaction of Grignard reagent 7 with the protected N,O-acetal 8. The stereochemical outcome of this reaction is contrary to the known results involving the reactions with O-benzyl protected aminofuranosides and aminoglycosides. Thus, this method constitutes an extension of the threo-diastereoselective C–C bond formation methodology.     

Synthesis of (+)-1-epi-castanospermine from l-sorbose

Diastereoselective synthesis of 1-epi-castanospermine (2) from l-sorbose is described. The successful approach involved the use of 8-azido-2,8-dideoxy-α-l-gulo-oct-4-ulo-4,7-furanosononitrile intermediate (17). This compound was easily made in five steps from 3-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-4,5:6,8-di-O-isopropylidene-α-l-gulo-oct-4-ulo-4,7-furanosononitrile (7) previously synthesized from l-sorbose. Catalytic hydrogenation of the azido intermediate 17 with Pd-C afforded with total stereocontrol one of the two possible piperidine diastereomers. Acid-catalyzed internal reductive deamination of the nitrile derivative completed the total synthesis of (1R,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidine [(+)-1-epi-castanospermine, 2].     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 4: Total asymmetric synthesis of unnatural hyacinthacines from a protected derivative of DGDP

(1R,2R,3S,5R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-3-epi-hyacinthacine A₃] 1 and (1R,2R,3S,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine [(+)-3-epi-hyacinthacine A₂] 2 have been synthesized by Wittig's methodology using aldehyde 6, prepared from (2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl) pyrrolidine 3 (a partially protected DGDP), and the appropriated ylides, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the resulting α,β-unsaturated ketone 7 and aldehyde 8, respectively, and total deprotection.     

Humulene derivatives from Saharian Asteriscus graveolens

Three new sesquiterpene-humulenes, (?)- asteriscunolides I (1), J (2) and (?)-(2Z,6E,9Z)-8-oxo-1α-acetoxy-2,6,9-humulatrien-12-oic acid (3) were isolated from the leaves-flowers of the Saharan medicinal plant Asteriscus graveolens along with six known compounds. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic mono and bidimensional NMR, mass spectrometry and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for cytotoxic assay, no significant activity was detected.     

Total synthesis of natural (+)-hyacinthacine A6 and non-natural (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A1 and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A6

Naturally occurring (1S,2R,3R,5R,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-hyacinthacine A₆, 2] together with unnatural (1S,2R,3R,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine [(+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁, 3] and (1S,2R,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆, 4] have been synthesized from a DALDP derivative [5, (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine], as the homochiral starting material. The synthetic process employed took advantages of Wittig methodology followed by internal lactamization, in the case of (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁ (3), and reductive amination for (+)-hyacinthacine A₆ (2) and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆ (4).     

Stereoselective synthesis of swainsonines from pyridines

An efficient synthesis of (−)-swainsonine and (−)-2,8a-di-epi-swainsonine was developed starting from readily available 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde and 3-hydroxypyridine. In particular, it was demonstrated that the mixture of simple indolizidines, i.e. lentiginosine and epi-lentiginosine, being readily available by a number of different synthetic routes, can be directly converted to swainsonine.     

Chemoenzymatic route to optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; precursors for decalin-based bioactive natural products

The development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for the synthesis of optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; (+)-1,4a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-10 and (+)-1,8a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-11 is described. Different lipases and esterases were tested in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates (±)-4a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-8, (±)-8a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-9, CRL (Candida Rugosa Lipase) and PLE (Pig Liver Esterase) were found to be the most effectual enzymes; for (?)-8 by 47% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy; (+)-10 by 98% ee in the presence of CRL; whereas, (?)-8 was obtained with 40% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy, (+)-10 with 58% ee in the PLE hydrolysis. It was concluded that CRL was the best biocatalyst for the substrate (±)-8. Moreover, enzymatic resolution in the presence of CRL yields, (?)-9 with 46% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 98% ee; however, in the presence of PLE, yields (?)-9 with 36% ee as well as the related dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 49% ee respectively. The study concluded that CRL is the best biocatalyst for compounds (±)-8 and (±)-9.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines and piperidines from Garner's aldehyde: total synthesis of (−)-swainsonine, (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine, (+)-8,8a-di-epi-castanospermine,pentahydroxy indolizidines, (−)-1-deoxynojirimycin, (−)-1-deoxy-altro-nojirimycin,and related diversity

Diastereoselective and diverse synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines and piperidines have been described, where a common chiral intermediate 2-(hydroxymethyl) piperidine-3-ol is converted into (−)-swainsonine, (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine, (+)-8,8a-di-epi-castanospermine, pentahydroxy indolizidines, (−)-1-deoxynojirimycin, (−)-1-deoxy-altro-nojirimycin, and related diversity. The key steps were hydroxy directed intramolecular aminomercuration, Mitsunobu cyclization, and diastereoselective dihydroxylation.     

Structure reassignment and absolute configuration of 9-epi-presilphiperfolan-1-ol

Reevaluation of ¹³C NMR data in combination with X-ray diffraction and VCD studies led us to reassign the structure of (−)-epi-presilphiperfolan-1-ol (1), isolated from Anemia tomentosavar.anthriscifolia, to (−)-9-epi-presilphiperfolan-1-ol (2) and to establish its absolute configuration as 1S,4S,7R,8R,9S.     

Efficient synthesis of 3,4- and 4,5-dihydroxy-2-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid enantiomers

An efficient method for the synthesis of (1S,2R,4R,5S)- and (1R,2R,4R,5S)-2-amino-4,5-dihydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acids (?)-6 and (?)-9 and (1R,2R,3S,4R)- and (1S,2R,3S,4R)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acids (?)-15 and (?)-18 was developed by using the OsO₄-catalyzed oxidation of Boc-protected (1S,2R)-2-aminocyclohex-4-enecarboxylic acid (+)-2 and (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclohex-3-enecarboxylic acid (+)-11. Good yields were obtained. The stereochemistry of the synthesized compounds was proven by NMR spectroscopy.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of enantiomerically pure unsaturated analogues of 2,6-DAP. Part 5

An efficient new stereocontrolled synthesis of (2R,6R)-(+)- and (2S,6S)-(−)-2,6-diamino-4-methylene-1,7-heptanedioic acid 8a and 9a, respectively, has been accomplished starting from the glycine-derived chiral synthon 1. The enantiomerically pure α-alkyl derivatives 8b–d and 9b–d have also been synthesized. The absolute configuration of the new stereocenters was assigned on the basis of ¹H NMR spectra.     

Traceless chirality transfer from a norbornene β-amino acid to pyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole enantiomers

The synthesis of two enantiomeric pairs of pyrimidoisoindoles 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b is reported. During a domino ring-closure reaction, followed by cycloreversion, the chirality of diendo-(?)-(1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide [(?)-1] was successfully transfered to heterocycles (+)-9a, (+)-10a, (?)-9b, (?)-10b and (?)-10c.