Bismuth(III) triflate-catalyzed rearrangement of 16α,17α-epoxy-20-oxosteroids. Synthesis and structural elucidation of new 16α-substituted 17α-alkyl-17β-methyl-Δ-18-norsteroids

The use of bismuth(III) triflate for the rearrangement of 16α,17α-epoxy-20-oxosteroids is reported. The reactions occur under truly catalytic conditions to afford novel 17α-alkyl-17β-methyl-Δ¹³-18-nor products bearing different O-containing substituents at C16. When the reaction is performed in the absence of acylation agent a mixture of isomeric 16α- and 16β-hydroxy derivatives is obtained, whereas when carried out in the presence of such reagents, the reaction selectively affords the corresponding 16α-acyl rearranged products. The chemoselective rearrangement of 5β,6β;16α,17α-diepoxy-20-oxopregnan-3β-yl acetate to afford a ‘backbone’ rearranged product bearing the 16α,17α-epoxide group is also reported. Some mechanistic considerations are provided. All rearranged products were the subject of comprehensive structural elucidation, by the use of X-ray crystallography and 2D NMR.     

Ionic liquid-promoted Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of 16α,17α-epoxyandrostanes and 16α,17α-epoxyestranes

Ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim](+)[PF(6)](-)) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim](+)[BF(4)](-)) were found to promote an unusual Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of steroidal 16α,17α-epoxides leading to unnatural 13-epi-18-nor-16-one derivatives as the main products. These compounds were isolated in good to excellent yields. 16α-Hydroxy-Δ(13)-18-norsteroids, the results of the usual rearrangement, were obtained as minor components of the reaction mixtures. The ionic liquid [bmim](+)[PF(6)](-) was shown to induce C-ring aromatization of 16α,17α-epoxyestranes due to the formation of HF, the hydrolysis product of [PF(6)](-). Increasing amounts of HF and [PO(2)F(2)](-) were detected by (19)F and (31)P NMR when the ionic liquid was reused. The structures of the steroidal products, 16-oxo-18-nor-13α-steroid derivatives, 16α-hydroxy-Δ(13)-18-norsteroids, and C-aromatic compounds were determined by two-dimensional NMR techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The ionic liquids were recirculated efficiently.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-beta,20(R)-dihydroxy-protost-24-ene

The possible lanosterol precursor, 3β, 20(R)-dihydroxy-protost-24-ene ( 1 a ) has been prepared, in thirteen steps, from 3α-hydroxy-4α, 8, 14-trimethyl-18-nor-5α, 8α, 9β, 13ξ, 14β-androstan-17-one (mixture of 2 and 3 ). In vitro experiments with rat liver homogenates failed to convert 1 a to lanosterol.     

A concise methodology for the synthesis of (−)-Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol and (−)-Δ-tetrahydrocannabivarin metabolites and their regiospecifically deuterated analogs

The availability of tetrahydrocannabinols (Δ⁹-THC), tetrahydrocannabivarins (Δ⁹-THCV), and their metabolites in both their undeuterated and deuterated forms is critical for the analysis of biological and toxicological samples. We report here a concise methodology for the syntheses of (−)-Δ⁹-THC and (−)-Δ⁹-THCV metabolites in significantly improved overall yields using commercially available starting materials. Our approach allowed us to obtain the key intermediates (6aR,10aR)-9-nor-9-oxo-hexahydrocannabinols in four steps from (+)-(1R)-nopinone. This was followed by an optimized Shapiro reaction to give the (−)-11-nor-9-carboxy-metabolites, which were converted to their respective (−)-11-hydroxy analogs. The synthetic sequence involves a minimum number of steps, avoids undesirable oxidative conditions, and incorporates the costly deuterated resorcinols near the end of the synthetic sequence. This methodology enabled us to synthesize eight regiospecifically deuterated (−)-Δ⁹-THC and (−)-Δ⁹-THCV metabolites in a preparative scale and high optical purity without deuterium scrambling or loss.     

Preparation of the novel fluorine-18-labeled VIP analog for PET imaging studies using two different synthesis methods

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors are expressed on various tumor cells in much higher density than somatostatin receptors, which provides the basis for radiolabeling VIP as tumor diagnostic agent. However, fast proteolytic degradation of VIP in vivo limits its clinical application. With the aim to develop and evaluate new ligands for depicting the VIP receptors with positron emission tomography (PET), the structure modified [R^8,15,21, L¹⁷]-VIP analog was radiolabeled with ¹⁸F using two different methods. With the first method, N-4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzoyl-[R^8,15,21, L¹⁷]-VIP ([¹⁸F]FB-[R^8,15,21, L¹⁷]-VIP 7) was produced in a decay-corrected radiochemical yield (RCY) of 33.6 ± 3%, a specific radioactivity of 255 GBq/μmol (n = 5) within 100 min in four steps. Similarly, N-4-[¹⁸F](fluoromethyl)-benzoyl-[R^8,15,21, L¹⁷]-VIP ([¹⁸F]FMB-[R^8,15,21, L¹⁷]-VIP 8) was synthesized in a RCY of 34.85 ± 5%, a specific radioactivity of 180 GBq/μmol (n = 5) within 60 min in only one step. The two products 7 and 8 were both shown good stability in HSA. Moreover, the low bone uptakes of 7 and 8 in vivo of mice showed good defluorination stability.     

Comparison of [18F]F-CNBI and [18F]F-CNPIFE as Positron Emission Tomography Probes for Noninvasive Imaging of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 in Normal Mice

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 α/β is involved in dysregulation of neuronal tau protein in Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is an unmet clinical need for a blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeable positron emission tomography (PET) probe for imaging of GSK-3α/β in the brain to understand the pathogenesis of AD. Herein, we synthesized two PET probes, [¹⁸F]F-CNBI and [¹⁸F]F-CNPIFE, and evaluated their BBB permeability and affinity towards GSK-3α/β. [¹⁹F]F-CNPIFE showed higher in-vitro binding towards GSK-3α/β (IC₅₀=19.4±2.5 nM; n=3, for GSK-3α, IC₅₀=19.4±3.8 nM; n=3, for GSK-3β) compared to [¹⁹F]F-CNBI (IC₅₀=107.6±26.0 nM; n=4, for GSK-3α, IC₅₀=105.3±18.2 nM; n=3, for GSK-3β). [¹⁸F]F-CNPIFE showed 9.5-fold higher brain uptake than [¹⁸F]F-CNBI, in normal FVB/NJ mice, which was increased by additional 1.5-fold on co-administration of [¹⁹F]F-CNPIFE with respect to [¹⁸F]F-CNBI. Overall, [¹⁸F]F-CNPIFE is a promising PET probe for GSK-3α/β imaging and warrants further evaluation in an AD mouse model.     

Synthesis, characterization, and detection of new oxandrolone metabolites as long-term markers in sports drug testing

The discovery and implementation of the long-term metabolite of metandienone, namely 17β-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-18-norandrost-1,4,13-trien-3-one, to doping control resulted in hundreds of positive metandienone findings worldwide and impressively demonstrated that prolonged detection periods significantly increase the effectiveness of sports drug testing. For oxandrolone and other 17-methyl steroids, analogs of this metabolite have already been described, but comprehensive characterization and pharmacokinetic data are still missing. In this report, the synthesis of the two epimeric oxandrolone metabolites—17β-hydroxymethyl-17α-methyl-18-nor-2-oxa-5α-androsta-13-en-3-one and 17α-hydroxymethyl-17β-methyl-18-nor-2-oxa-5α-androsta-13-en-3-one—using a fungus (Cunninghamella elegans) based protocol is presented. The reference material was fully characterized by liquid chromatography nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry. To ensure a specific and sensitive detection in athlete’s urine, different analytical approaches were followed, such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ and Q-Orbitrap) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, in order to detect and identify the new target analytes. The applied methods have demonstrated good specificity and no significant matrix interferences. Linearity (R ²?>?0.99) was tested, and precise results were obtained for the detection of the analytes (coefficient of variation <20 %). Limits of detection (S/N) for confirmatory and screening analysis were estimated at 1 and 2 ng/mL of urine, respectively. The assay was applied to oxandrolone post-administration samples to obtain data on the excretion of the different oxandrolone metabolites. The studied specimens demonstrated significantly longer detection periods (up to 18 days) for the new oxandrolone metabolites compared to commonly targeted metabolites such as epioxandrolone or 18-nor-oxandrolone, presenting a promising approach to improve the fight against doping.     

Steroidal analogues of unnatural configuration—X : Synthesis of 9-methyl-19-nor-9β,10α-progesterone

The reaction of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-9-methyl-9β-oestr-5(10)-en-17-one (4) with tosylmethyl isocyanide and base afforded the 17β- and 17α-carbonitriles (5 and 6). Treatment of the 17β-epimer (5) with methyl lithium gave, after hydrolysis, 9-methyl-19-nor-9β-pregn-5(10)-ene-3,20-dione (8). The same reaction sequence employed on 3,3; 5,5-bisethylenedioxy-9-methyl-4,5-seco-9β,10α-oestr-17-one (12), with subsequent cyclization, yielded the 5β-hydroxy-3,20-diketones (17 and 18) as well as 9-methyl-19-nor-9β,10α-progesterone (19) and its 17α-epimer (20).     

Steroids and sex hormones. Quassinoid bitter principles. I. 1-oxo-2-methoxy-4 alpha-methyl-17 beta-hydroxy-delta2-5 alpha-androstene as a model for the ring a structure of quassine]

Starting from 3-oxo-17β-hydroxy-Δ¹-5α-androstene (2b) the preparation of 1-oxo-2-methoxy-4α-methyl-17β-hydroxy-Δ²-5α-androstene (9), a compound with the ring A structure of quassine (1) is described. The key problem of the reaction sequence is shown to be the monomethylation at C(4).     

Synthesis of (-)-11 Hydroxy-delta8-6a, 10a-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol

When (?)-Δ⁸-6a, 10a-trans-THC (THC = Tetrahydrocannabinol), in the form of its diacetate, was irradiated in the presence of oxygen and a sensitizer, followed by reduction with NaBH₄, three allylic alcohols were formed: (?)-8α-and (?)-8β-hydroxy-Δ^9,11-THC (proportion 3:1) and (?)-9α-hydroxy-Δ^7,8-THC. Acetylation of the epimeric 8-hydroxy-compounds with Ac₂O/pyridine gave the corresponding diacetates. When (?)-Δ⁸-6a, 10a-trans-THC, in the form of its tetrahydropyranyl derivative, was heated with m-chloroperbenzoic acid, the two epimeric 8,9-epoxides were formed in equal amounts. These compounds, on treatment with butyllithium, afforded (?)-8α- and (?)-8β-hydroxy-Δ^9,11- 6a, 10a-trans-THC-tetrahydropyranylether. After removing the protecting group and treatment with Ac₂O/pyridine the same diacetates, as formed by photooxygenation of (?)-Δ⁸-THC-acetate, were obtained as a 1:1-mixture. On heating these epimeric diacetates to 290° they underwent allylic rearrangement to (?)-11-acetoxy-Δ⁸-THC-acetate. From this (?)-11-hydroxy-Δ⁸-6a, 10a-trans-THC was obtained by treatment with LiAlH₄.     

Isolation and structure of eucosterol and 16beta-hydroxyeucosterol, two novel spirocyclic nortriterpenes, and of a new 24-nor-5alpha-chola-8, 16-diene-23-oic acid from bulbs of several Eucomis species.

Eucosterol and 16 β-hydroxy-eucosterol which have been isolated from several Eucomis species have been shown to be (23S)-17,23-epoxy-3β,31-dihydroxy-27-nor-5α-lanost-8-ene-15,24-dione ( 1 ) and (23 S)-17,23-epoxy-3β,16β,31-trihydroxy-27-nor-5α-lanost-8-ene-15,24-dione ( 2 ) by chemical transformations and spectral data. The spiro-fused furanoic ether linkage of both metabolites represents a novel structural element for natural nortriterpenes. The structure of another metabolite ( 16 ), 3β-hydroxy-4β-hydroxymethyl-4,14α-dimethyl-15-oxo-24-nor-5α-chola-8,16-diene-23-oic acid, from Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. was elucidated by chemical correlation of its methyl ester 17 with a degradation product of eucosterol ( 1 ).     

Steroids and sex hormones, 231. The synthesis of N-acetyl-3-aza-A-homo-5-beta, 10-alpha-andostran and its 5-alpha-isomers

A synthesis of N-acetyl-3-aza-A-homo-5β, 10α-androstane ( 14 ) and N-acetyl-3-aza-A-homo-5α, 10α-androstane ( 15 ) is described, starting from 2-oxo-17β-acetoxy-Δ⁵-10α-androstane ( 4 ).     

Glykoside von Marsdenia erecta R. Br. 2. Mitteilung: Versuche zur Strukturbestimmung der Genine. Glykoside und Aglykone, 330. Mitteilung

Structures for the genins of the ester glycosides of Marsdenia erecta are suggested. They are based on the behaviour in alkaline hydrolysis of these ester glycosides, their NMR. and mass spectra and ORD. data. All genins are derived from three acyl-free pregnane derivatives, i.e. drevogenin-P ( 1 ), 17 β-marsdenin ( 3 ) and marsectohexol ( 7 ). The structure of 1 is known, 3 and 7 are new compounds, i.e. 3 = 3β,8β,11α,12β,14β-pentahydroxy-Δ⁵-pregnen-20-one and 7 = 3β,8β,11α,12β,14β,20ξ-hexahydroxy-Δ⁵-pregnene. Formulae 13–17 were attributed to the acyl-genins A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5, but only two of them were pure compounds, i.e. acyl-genin A-3 = 11,12-di-O-tiglyl-17β-marsdenin ( 15 ) and acyl-genin A-5 = 11,12-di-O-acetyl-marsectohexoi ( 17 ). Acyl-genin A-1 is a mixture of the two esters 13a + 13b derived from drevogenin-P, and similarly acyl-genin A-2 is a mixture of the esters 14a + 14b derived from 17β-marsdenin. The poorly characterised acyl-genin A-4 is most probably a mixture of the esters 16a + 16b , also derived from 17β-marsdenin.     

Three New Clerodane Diterpenoids from the Bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa

From the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var. sativa, three new clerodane diterpenoids, bafoudiosbulbin C (=methyl (2β,8α,12S)‐17‐oxo‐2,19 : 8,19 : 12,17 : 15,16‐tetraepoxycleroda‐3,13(16), 14‐triene‐18‐carboxylate; 1 ), bafoudiosbulbin D (=methyl (2β,6β,12R)‐17,19‐dioxo‐2,19 : 6,17 : 8,12 : 15,16‐tetraepoxycleroda‐13(16),14‐diene‐18‐carboxylate; 2 ), and bafoudiosbulbin E (=methyl (2β,3α,4α,6β,12R)‐17,19‐dioxo‐2,19 : 3,4 : 6,17 : 8,12 : 15,16‐pentaepoxycleroda‐13(16),14‐diene‐18‐carboxylate; 3 ) were isolated, together with the known compounds bafoudiosbulbins A and B, 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐sitosterol, and 6′‐stearoyl‐3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐sitosterol. Their structures were established by high‐field NMR techniques (¹H,¹H‐COSY, ¹³C‐DEPT, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), MS analyses, as well as by comparison of their spectral data with those of related compounds.     

Synthesis of the 2,5-dioles of A-nor-5-alpha-cholestanes and A-nor-5-beta-cholestanes

Treatment of A-nor-Δ³⁽⁵⁾-cholestene-2-one ( 1 ) with alkaline hydrogen peroxide gave 3β,5-epoxy-A-nor-cholestane-2-one ( 2 ) and the epoxylactone 3 (BAEYER -VILLIGER reaction). LiAlH₄-reduction of 2 yielded A-nor-5β-cholestane-2β,5-diol( 4 ) (main product) and A-nor-5β-cholestane-2α,5-diol ( 5 ). LiAlH₄-reduction of 1 led mainly to A-nor-Δ³⁽⁵⁾-cholestene-2α-ol ( 8 ). Catalytic hydrogenation of 8 gave the known A-nor-5α-cholestane-2α-01 ( 10 ), A-nor-5β-cholestane-2α-01 ( 11 ) (main product), A-nor-5β-cholestane ( 9 ) and A-nor-5β-cholestane-2-one ( 12 ). By LiAlH₄-reduction of the ketones 12 and 13 the two additional alcohols 14 and 15 were obtained.     

Steroids and sex hormones. The synthesis of 1-beta, 4-beta-oxido-3-aza-17-beta-hydroxy-A-homo-5-alpha-androstane

A sterically controlled transformation of 3-oxo-17β-acetoxy-Δ^1?-α-androstene ( 2 ) into 1β,4β-oxido-3-aza-17β-hydroxy-A-homo-5α-androstane ( 16 ) is described. With the exception of two conversions [ 14 → 15 (60%); 15 → 16 (50%)], the yields of the remaining seven steps are higher than 75% each. The reaction sequence will serve as a model for an analogous partial synthesis of samandarine ( 1 ).     

Herstellung von 3-Oxo-17β-hydroxy-1,19-cyclo-5α-androstan. Über Steroide, 219. Mitteilung

Under the influence of radical anions generated from lithium and biphenyl, 3-oxo-17β-acetoxy-19-mesyloxy-Δ¹-5α-androstane was converted into 3-oxo-17β-acetoxy-1, 19-cyclo-5α-androstane.     

Steroids and sexual hormones. Synthetic experiments in the limonin series lV. A new Westphalen-Lettré rearrangement in the 4,4-dimethyl-steroid series]

Applying the HgCl₂/ClCH₂SCH₃-reaction 1. to 4,4-dimethyl-Δ⁵-7-oxo-19-hydroxy-androstene (9) one observes an intramolecular rearrangement of the «Westphalen-Lettré»-type (→11). A related rearrangement is observed by treating 3-oxo-4,4-dimethyl-17β-acetoxy-Δ⁵-androstene (12) with HgCl₂/ClCH₂SCH₃-reagent (→13). Reaction of 3β, 17β-diacetoxy-4,4-dimethyl-19-(methoxymethyl)-Δ⁵-androstene (7) with hydrogenfluoride/urea-reagent gives rise to a similar rearranged product (→15).     

Complexation of hydroxylated ent-kaurane diterpenoids with boric acid as an aid to the assignment of the 13C NMR spectra

The ¹³C NMR spectra of some hydroxylated ent-kaurane diterpenoids were measured in CDCl₃-Py-d₅ (1:1) solution and also after addition of boric acid. Complexation of ent-3β,18-, ent-7α,15β-, ent-7α,15α-, ent-15β,16β- and ent-16β,17-dihydroxy derivatives with boric acid produced considerable chemical shift changes and marked broadening of the signals of the hydroxy-bearing and neighbouring carbon atoms. This behaviour provides a useful and reliable method for assigning the ¹³C NMR spectra of these compounds.     

The Course of the Catalytic Hydrogenation/Isomerization Reaction of Steroidal Ring B Olefins in the 13β- and 13α-Series

The course of the catalytic hydrogenation and isomerization (H₂/Raney-Ni/dioxane or H₂/Pd/C/EtOH) of Δ^5.7-, Δ⁷-, Δ⁸-, and Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-steroid olefins was shown to depend strongly on the configuration at C(13). The known hydrogenation/isomerization of reactions of Δ^5.7-dienes in the 13β-series to Δ⁷-(H₂/Raney-Ni/dioxane) and Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-olefins (H₂/Pd/C/EtOH) were also confirmed in the 3β, 19-epoxy-13β- and 3-Oxo-19-acetoxy-13β-steroid series (e.g. 32 → 35 → 37 , Scheme 3). On the other hand, in the corresponding 13α-steroid series the same reactions afforded the Δ⁷-. and the Δ⁸-olefins (mixture of products with H₂/Raney-Ni/dioxane; quantitatively the Δ⁸-compounds with H₂/Pd/C/EtOH; s. e.g. Scheme 3). A similar dependence on the C(13) configuration was observed in the allylic oxidation of these olefins with SeO₂ (Fieser's test, see Table), and in the acid catalyzed opening of the 7α, 8α-epoxides (e.g. 60 → 62 + 63 in the 13β-series, and 56 → 64 + 65 in the 13α-series, Scheme 8).