Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (+)-alpha-polypodatetraene and methyl (5R,10R,13R)-labda-8-en-15-oate

The reported enzymatic resolution products {acetate of (1S,4aS,8aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal} (8aS)-5 (>99% ee)] and [(1R,4aR,8aR)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aR)-4 (98% ee) were converted to (+)-alpha-polypodatetraene (1) and methyl (5R,10R,13R)-labda-8-en-15-oate (2), respectively. For the synthesis of (5R,10R,13R)-2, chiral isoprene congener (3S)-26 corresponding to the right part of 2 was synthesized based on the lipase-assisted resolution of (+/-)-2-methyl-3- (p-methoxyphenyl)propanol (17).     

Natural product synthesis from (8aR)- and (8aS)-bicyclofarnesols: synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol A, (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester and (−)-subersic acid

Both enantiomers (8aR)-7 and (8aS)-7 of bicyclofarnesol were synthesized from the enzymatic resolution products (1R,4aR,8aR)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aR)-5 (98% ee) and acetate of (1S,4aS,8aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aS)-6 (>99% ee), respectively. The formal synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol 1 was achieved via a coupling reaction of an ate complex derived from 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene with allyl bromide (8aS)-8 derived from (8aS)-7. The total synthesis of (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester 2 was achieved, based on the synthesis of (13E,10S)-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 12, derived from (8aS)-7, followed by the selective construction of the (3E,5E)-diene moiety including a C(2)-stereogenic centre in (+)-2. The total synthesis of (−)-subersic acid 3 was carried out based on a Stille coupling between allyl trifluoroacetate congener 25c, derived from (8aR)-7, corresponding to the diterpene part, and aryl stannane congener 26 in the presence of Pd catalyst and CuI as an additive.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 3: A new and short enantiospecific synthesis of (+)-hyacinthacine A2

(1R,2R,3R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine (+)-Hyacinthacine A₂ 1 has been synthesized by Wittig's methodology using [(2′S,3′R,4′R,5′R)-3′,4′-dibenzyloxy-N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-5′-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylpyrrolidin-2′-yl]carbaldehyde 3, prepared from a partially protected DMDP 2, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization by an internal reductive amination process of the resulting unsaturated aldehyde 4 and total deprotection.     

Synthesis of 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] and derivatives: precursors of long-chain polyketides

Racemic 1,1′-methylene[(1RS,1′RS,3RS,3′RS,5RS,5′RS)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] ((±)-6) derived from 2,2′-methylenedifuran has been resolved kinetically with Candida cyclindracea lipase-catalysed transesterification giving 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] (−)-6 (30% yield, 98% ee) and 1,1′-methylenedi[(1S,1′S,3S,3′S,5S,5′S)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-yl] diacetate (+)-8, (40% yield, 98% ee). These compounds have been converted into 1,1′-methylenedi[(4S,4′S,6S,6′S)- and (4R,4′R,6R,6′R)-cyclohept-1-en-4,6-diyl] derivatives.     

Determination of absolute configuration of a metabolite (−)-hydroxyhexamide from acetohexamide, syntheses of (−)- and (+)-hydroxyhexamides and (−)- and (+)-acetoxyhexamides

Enantioselective acetylation of (±)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzenesulfonamide 6 with ‘Acylase I’ (No. A 2156) from Aspergillus melleus in the presence of vinyl acetate gave (R)-4-(1-acetoxyethyl)benzenesulfonamide 7 (98% ee) and (S)-6 (98% ee). Both (S)-6 and (R)-7 were individually converted to the (S)-hydroxyhexamide 2 (>99% ee) and (R)-hydroxyhexamide 2 (>99% ee), respectively. The absolute configuration of a metabolite (−)-hydroxyhexamide 2 from acetohexamide 1 was found to be S based on unequivocal chemical methods including X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of (+)-carpamic acid from (+)-alanine

(+)-Carpamic acid [(2′R,5′S,6′S)-8-(5′-hydroxy-6′-methylpiperidin-2′-yl)octanoic acid, 1] was synthesized from (S)-alanine, employing intramolecular and reductive amination of acyclic amino ketone 8 as the key step to generate the piperidine ring.     

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butenes. Synthesis of (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol in >97% ee

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butene, using (−)-diisopinocampheylborane at −25°C in THF solvent, followed by oxidation using H₂O₂/NaOH, gave (−)-[2R,3R]- and (+)-[2R,3S]-3-methoxy-2-butanols in >97 and 90% ee, respectively. (−)-[2R,3R]-3-Methoxy-2-butanol was converted to (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol (>97% ee, in an overall yield of 65%).     

Synthesis of decalin type chiral synthons based on enzymatic function

Enzymatic monobenzoylation of (+/-)-2-hydroxy-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-1-naphthalenemethano l derivatives (1-4) using vinyl benzoate in organic solvent gave the optically active diols (1-4) and monobenzoates (16-19). The enantiomeric excess (ee) of the enzymatic reaction products were found to be in the range of 11% to 49%. On the other hand, enzymatic hydrolysis of the acetoxybenzylidene acetal (+/-)-25d, e was found to give more than 90% ee of (10aS)-25d, e in moderate yield. Finally, the 90% ee of (10aS)-25e was converted to the 90% ee of the desired (8aS)-1.     

A short, practical synthesis of the ant venom alkaloid, three (3R,5S,8aS)-3-alkyl-5-methylindolizidines

A short, practical and diastereoselective method for preparing the ant venom alkaloid, three (3R,5S,8aS)-3-alkyl-5-methylindolizidines (1–3), has been developed. The stereoselective intramolecular amidomercuration of the N-alkenylurethane 4 followed by oxidative demercuration provides the piperidine alcohol cis-6 as a major product. Thereafter, oxidation of cis-6 followed by the Horner-Emmons elongation of the ring appendages affords the enones 8, 10, and 11, which are stereoselectively converted into 1, 2, and 3, respectively, by catalytic hydrogenation.     

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.     

Total, asymmetric synthesis of (1r-1-c-(6′-amino-7′h-purin-8′-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-d-erythro-pentitol.

The “naked sugar” (+)-(1R,2R,4R)-2-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl acetate ((+)-3) was converted in ten synthetic steps into the new C-nucleoside (1R)-1-C-(6′-amino-7′H-purin-8′-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-azido-2,3-dideoxy- D-erythro-pentitol ((+)-2) in 19% overall yield.     

Inokosterone, an insect metamorphosing substance from Achyranthes fauriei : Absolute configuration and synthesis

Inokosterone, a phytoecdysone isolated from Achyranthes fauriei (Amaranthaceae), has been partially acetylated to give the 2,26-diacetate (4) which has been converted into methyl 5 - acetoxy - 4 - methylpentanoate (7), showing no apparent []_D, and 2β - acetoxy - 3β,14 - dihydroxy - 5β - pregn - 7 - ene - 6,20 - dione (8). Chemical and physiochemical studies have shown the configurations at C-20 and C-22 to be R. Inokosterone has thus been concluded to be a mixture of C-25 epimers of (20R,22R) - 2β,3β,14,20,22,26 - hexahydroxy - 5β - cholest - 7 - en - 6 - one (1). After the synthesis of the model compound, a C-25 epimeric mixture of (20R,22R) - 3β,20,22,26 - tetrahydroxy - 5 - cholestane (23), inokosterone has been synthesized via (20R) - 2β,3β,14,20 - tetrahydroxy - 20 - formyl - 5β - pregn - 7 - en - 6 - one (25) by Grignard reaction with 4 - (tetrahydrofuran - 2 - yloxy) - 3 - methylbutynylmagnesium bromide (15) followed by hydrogenation and hydrolysis. The use of an NMR shift reagent with the inokosterone acetates (9, 29) and the optical activity measurement of - methylglutaric acid (3) derived from inokosterone have established that inokosterone is a 1:2 mixture of the C-25 R and S epimers.     

Total asymmetric syntheses of 3- and 4-deoxy-hexoses and derivatives

(1S,4S)-7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one ((−)-5, a “naked sugar”) has been converted to (−)-(1R,4S,6S)-6-endo-benzyloxy-2-bromo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ((−)-12) in a highly stereoselective fashion. Double hydroxylation of the C=C double bond of (−)-12, followed by acetylation and Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the resulting -acetoxyketone (−)-14 afforded (−)-5-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-3-deoxy-β-D-arabino-hexofuranurono-6,1-lactone ((−)-15). This compound was converted readily into (+)-methyl 3-deoxy--D-arabino-hexofuranoside ((+)-6 and (+)-methyl 3-deoxy-β-L-xylo-hexofuranoside ((+)-7) and partially protected derivatives. (−)-15 was also converted into 4-deoxy-D-lyxo-hexopyranose (34) and several partially protected derivatives such as (+)-methyl 4-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene--D-lyxo-hexopyranoside ((+)-8).     

Tris-chelate complexes with chiral ligands: In search of diastereoisomeric selectivity with remote stereogenic centres

The chiral ligands, 4,4′-bis{(1S,2R,4S)-(−)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1S,2R,4S)-1, and 4,4′-bis{(1R,2S,4R)-(+)-bornyloxy}-2,2′-bipyridine, (1R,2S,4R)-1, have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and, for (1S,2R,4S)-1, by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Despite the use of enantiomerically pure ligands, the formation of the complexes [Fe((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)₃]²⁺, [Ru((1S,2R,4S)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ and [Ru((1R,2S,4R)-1)(bpy)₂]²⁺ proceeds without preference for either the Δ or Λ-diastereoisomers.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols from (R)-cyanohydrins

Vinyl substituted (1R,2S)-amino alcohols 5 were obtained by addition of vinyl magnesium bromide to the corresponding cyanohydrin O-trimethylsilyl ethers (R)-2. The O- and N-protected vinyl amino alcohols 6 were ozonized at −78°C in methanol yielding (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols7 in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses. For purification, compounds 7 in some cases were acetylated to give the derivatives (1R,2S)-8. Racemic 6a was converted by oxidative ozonolysis at −78°C in methanolic NaOH solution to the corresponding methyl N-acetyl-β-hydroxy propanoate 9a. The configuration of (1R,2S)-8a was confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Regio- and enantioselective hydrosilylation of 1-arylalkenes by use of palladium-MOP catalyst

Hydrosilylation of styrenes bearing β-substituents with trichlorosilane was catalyzed by a palladium complex (0.1 mol %) coordinated with (R)- 2-methoxy-2′-diphenylphosphino-1,1′-binaphthyl ((R)-MeO-MOP) to give high yields of optically active 1-aryl-1-silylalkanes (80–85% ee) as single regioisomers. The resulting silanes were readily converted into the corresponding optically active alcohols (80–99% yield).     

Asymmetric reduction and hydrogenation over heterogenous catalysts prepared by reacting nickel-boride with norephedrine

The reduction of acetophenone with borane–THF over heterogeneous catalysts prepared by reacting nickel-boride with (1R,2S)-(−)-norephedrine, afforded (R)-(+)-1-phenylethanol with high enantioselectivity (ee=90%). The catalysts can be recycled two times with little or no loss of performance. The excellent enantioselective properties resulted from the formation of 1,3,2-oxazaborolidine which is strongly anchored at the surface of the nickel-boride. Used for the hydrogenation of acetophenone, 4-methylpentan-2-one and isophorone, the catalyst hydrogenated with a slight predominance of the S configuration. The ee was poor but it remained constant when the catalyst was reused.     

Total asymmetric syntheses of d-lividosamine and 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-d-arabino-hexose derivatives.

The “naked sugar” (+)-(1R, 4R)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-one((+)-2) has been converted to D-lividosamine ((+)-1: 3-deoxy-D-glucosamine) and derivatives via (+)-2-chloro-2,3-dideoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-D-arabino-hexono-1,4-lactone ((+)-33) and (+)-2-azido-2,3-dideoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-D-ribo-hexono-1,4-lactone ((+)-34) in a highly stereoselective fashion. Similarly, 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-arabino-hexose and derivatives were derived from the “naked sugar” (−)-(1S,4S-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-5-en-2-one ((−)-2) via the double hydroxylation of the C=C double bond in (−)-N-benzyl-N-[(1R,2S,4S)-6-bromo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl] amine ((−)-40).     

Oligomeric flavanoids. Part 13. Synthesis of profisetinidins based on (−) robinetinidol and (+) -epifisetinidol

Acid-catalyzed condensation of (+)-mollisacacidin-[(2R, 3S, 4R)-2, 3-trans-3, 4-trans-flavan-3,3′,4,4′,7-pentaol] with an excess of (−)-robinetinidol[(2R,3S)-2,3-trans-flavan-3,3′,4′,5′,7-pentaol] afforded a novel series of bi-, tri-, and tetraflavanoid profisetinidins. They are accompanied by (−)-fisetinidol-(4,2′)-(−)-robinetinidol which results from the pyrogallol B-ring of (−)-robinetinidol serving as nucleophile competing with its resorcinol A-ring in coupling with a C-4 carbocationic intermediate. Similar condensation with (+)-epifisetinidol[(2S,3S)-2,3-cis-flavan-3,3′,4′,7-tetraol] led to the exclusive formation of [4,6]-interflavanyl bonds, these units being ‘linearly’ arranged in the tetraflavanoid analogue in contrast to the ‘branched’ nature of the (−)-robinetinidol homologue.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones: chirality transfer in the enantioselective synthesis of ethyl (+)-(3S,4aS,7aS)-1-oxo-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-3-carboxylate

The base-mediated reaction of enantiomerically pure -sulfinylketimine (+)-1 with (E)-,β-disubstituted propenoate esters afforded 3,4-disubstituted-5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones 9-13 and 14 with high or complete diastereoselectivity. A sole diastereomer of the four possible ones, with regard to the nature of ester, was isolated, which revealed the stereocontrol of the chiral sulfinyl group in the Michael reaction and transenolization steps. In addition, the enantioselective synthesis of ethyl (+)-(3S,4aS,7aS)-1-oxo-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-3-carboxylates (+)-17 is described (five steps; 47% yield; ee 97%). The absolute configuration of stereocentres introduced in (+)-17 was assigned on the basis of ¹H NMR data.