Second-generation synthesis of protected phosphonothiodifluoromethylene analogues of nucleoside-3′-phosphates

A practical, eight-step synthesis of the key intermediate 14 in 19% overall yield from α-d-xylose is described. The preparation can be carried out on multi-gram scale and involves the use of the organomagnesium reagent 2d. The capability of derivative 14 to be transformed into the title compounds is examplified by the preparation of 15. Additionally, X-ray crystallography of intermediate 12 provided the first structural data on difluorophosphonothioates.     

Synthetic study of hetisine-type aconite alkaloids. Part 1: Preparation of tetracyclic intermediate containing the C14-C20 bond

Full details for the total synthesis of (±)-nominine, a hetisine-type aconite alkaloid, are presented in three parts. Here (part 1), we describe the preparation of the key tetracyclic intermediate 6. Our palladium-catalyzed intramolecular α-arylation was adopted for preparation of the intermediate 4 with an angular formyl group. An acetal-ene reaction was then employed for C14-C20 bond formation to secure 6 from 5. The reaction mechanism of the acetal-ene reaction is discussed, and a method for removal of the 2-hydroxyethyl group from 6 is developed.     

Regiocontrolled synthesis of highly-functionalized fused imidazoles: a novel synthesis of second generation LFA-1 inhibitors

A new and reliable route to a new class of LFA-1 inhibitors such as (2) has been developed. A key aspect of this route is the transformation of amino amide 5 into iodide 3 in four steps. Iodide 3 is a key advanced intermediate used in the synthesis of all second-generation 1H-imidazo[1,2-α]imidazol-2-one LFA-1 inhibitors.     

Synthetic studies of kampanols, novel p21 farnesyltransferase inhibitors: an efficient synthesis of the tetracyclic ABCD ring system of kampanols

An enantioselective synthesis of the tetracyclic ABCD ring system (4) of kampanols, novel Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors from a microorganism, was efficiently achieved for the first time starting from the known trans-decalone derivative 9. The synthetic method involves the following two key steps: (i) a conjugate addition reaction between the α-methylene ketone 6 and the Grignard reagent (7) of the ortho-disubstituted bromobenzene derivative 8 to deliver the coupling product 21 with stereoselectivity at the C9 position and (ii) a phenylselenium-mediated cyclization reaction of the phenol derivative 5 to stereoselectively construct the requisite tetracyclic intermediate 25 possessing the cis-fused connectivity of the B/C rings.     

Expeditious synthesis of nitrogenated spongianes: 4-methyldecarboxyspongolactams

Herein, the synthesis of 4-methyldecarboxyhaumanamide (9) and 4-methyldecarboxyspongolactams A (11) and C (13) is presented. (−)-Sclareol is the starting material and the chloroderivative 7 is the common intermediate. Moreover, this synthesis represents a new strategy for the preparation of pyrrolinones.     

A glycal approach towards an efficient and stereodivergent synthesis of polyhydroxypyrrolidines

A stereo-defined synthesis of two diastereomers of polyhydroxypyrrolidines from 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal 4 involving a cleavage-recyclization strategy is reported. Hemiacetal 7 obtained from glucal 4, upon reduction with LiAlH₄ afforded diol 8. Selective acetylation of 8 to 11, followed by Mitsunobu cyclization yielded the diversely protected polyhydroxypyrrolidine 12. Oxidation of 11 and subsequent stereoselective reduction led to 20, the C-5 epimer of 11, which upon Mitsunobu cyclization gave polyhydroxypyrrolidine 21. Selective deprotection of the acetyl groups of 12 and 21 were carried out using Na₂CO₃ in MeOH. Polyhydroxypyrrolidines 12 and 21 upon heating with an excess of Mg in MeOH underwent simultaneous N-detosylation and deacetylation to afford amino alcohols 15 and 24, respectively, in quantitative yield. Catalytic hydrogenation of 15 and 24 provided quantitatively the polyhydroxypyrrolidines 2 and 3, respectively.     

Synthesis of vinca alkaloids and related compounds. Part 110: A new synthetic method for the preparation of pandoline-type alkaloid-like molecules

A practicable synthesis of a pandoline-type alkaloid-like molecule is reported through an efficient preparation of carbinolamine ether intermediates (9a and 9b). The key step of the synthesis consists of an intramolecular cycloaddition of the secodine-type intermediate (2), which was formed from the tryptamine derivative (3) and lactol (4). The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction was investigated by quantum chemical calculations and it was found to follow a step-wise mechanism involving a zwitterionic intermediate (15). By employing this strategy, other members of the family of pandoline alkaloids or alkaloid-like molecules could be synthesized by reacting the tryptamine derivative with appropriately functionalized aldehydes.     

Stereoselective synthesis of a fully protected C13-C23 fragment of tedanolide

The combination of a high-yielding dienyllithium addition and a highly diastereoselective 1,2-reduction allows the preparation of the completely protected C₁₃-C₂₃ fragment 3 of the potent cytotoxic agent tedanolide 1. A convergent approach was used, namely a late stage coupling of the dienyllithium 16 with the selectively protected aldehyde 5 followed by oxidation-reduction and final epoxidation to give 3. The dienylstannane 4 was prepared from the dibromide 6 in five steps, the key step being the highly regio- and stereoselective stannylcupration of the alkyne 7. The commercially available hydroxy ester 10 was converted in 11 steps to the aldehyde 5. The compound 3 could potentially be a key intermediate for the synthesis of tedanolide 1.     

A new synthesis of the orally active renin inhibitor aliskiren

A convergent synthesis of the orally active renin inhibitor aliskiren (1) is described. The synthesis was accomplished in 12 steps starting from the known chloride 2. The key step involves the Curtius rearrangement of the advanced intermediate 15, which provides lactone/carbamate 17 containing the correct stereochemistry and all of the functionality required for the preparation of the drug substance.     

Total syntheses of hyacinthacine A2 and 7-deoxycasuarine by cycloaddition to a carbohydrate derived nitrone

Practical syntheses of nitrone 8 by two different approaches from sugars are reported. Its use as a versatile intermediate in highly selective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions constitutes the key step for novel total syntheses of hyacinthacine A₂ (3) and 7-deoxycasuarine (20) by simple transformations of a common isoxazolidine adduct.     

Structure elucidation of EI-1941-1 and -2, novel interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibitors produced by Farrowia sp. E-1941

EI-1941-1 (1a) and EI-1941-2 (2a) accompanied by EI-1941-3 (3) have been isolated from culture broth of Farrowia sp. E-1941 as the inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme. The structures of 1a, 2a, and 3 were elucidated by the analysis of NMR and MS data, and finally the absolute stereochemistries of 1a and 2a were confirmed by optical rotation data, or X-ray crystallographic analysis of p-bromobenzoate, 2b, respectively.     

Syntheses and bioactivities of tricyclic pyrones

In search of compounds that ameliorate the toxicity of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, new derivatives of tricyclic pyrones (1-7) were synthesized and their biological activities evaluated. The carboxylic ester and amide derivatives 1-4 were synthesized from a selective carboxylation of C3 methyl of (5aS,7S)-{7-Isopropenyl-3-methyl-1H,7H-5a,6,8,9-tetrahydro-1-oxopyrano[4,3-b][1]benzopyran (8) with LDA followed by benzyl chloroformate or carbon dioxide to provide ester 1 and carboxylic acid 9, respectively. Three isomeric tricyclic pyrone, 5-7, containing adenine moiety at C7 side chain were synthesized from the alkylation of mesylate 13 with adenine, and displacement of chloropurine 15 with amine 14. Although C3-benzyloxycarbonylmethyl analogs 1-3 have marginal ACAT and CETP activities, their modified aspartate analog 4 and C3-methyl-C7-(N3-adeninyl)-2-propyl analog 6 show a significant effect in protecting against neuron-cell death from the toxicity of intracellular accumulation of Aβ or Aβ-containing C-terminal fragments (CTF) of amyloid β precursor protein (APP). N9-Adenine analog 5 is 20-fold less effective than N3-adenine derivative 6 in the protection of neuron-cell death induced by Aβ, while N10-adenine analog 7 was inactive. As a result of this study, compounds 4 and 6 will well serve as lead compounds for further studies of the mechanism of action of Aβ-and CTF-induced neuron-cell death, studies which should enhance the future development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of AD.     

Simple entry into isonucleosides: synthesis of 6-amino-9-[(3S,4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]purine

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of isonucleoside 7 is described. The preparation of 1,4-anhydroxylitol 4, a key intermediate, is described by intramolecular cyclization of (2S,3R,4R)-3,5-dibenzyloxypentan-1,2,4-triol 3 using diethyl carbonate and NaH.     

Exploration of a proposed biomimetic synthetic route to plumarellide. Development of a facile transannular Diels-Alder reaction from a macrocyclic enedione leading to a new 5,6,7-tricyclic ring system

A concise synthesis of the macrocyclic vinylbutenolide 19 is described, based on a facile RCM reaction of the substrates 16/18. Treatment of 19 with TFA containing water led to the 5,6,7-tricyclic compound 27, in a single step, in >90% yield, rather than to the alternative ring system 23 found in plumarellide (1). A rationale for the formation of 27 is presented, involving initial acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the furanmethanol intermediate 20 to the furanoxonium ion 21, which is next hydrolysed to the enol ether cyclic hemiketal 22. The intermediate 22 undergoes rapid tautomerisation and isomerisation producing enedione 24, which then takes part in a transannular Diels-Alder cyclisation to 26. Dehydration of 26 finally produces the tricyclic compound 27.     

Process development of a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, TAK-603, based on optimization of Friedel-Crafts reaction and selective substitution of a triazole ring

A practical method for the preparation of TAK-603, an antirheumatic drug, has been developed. As a result of optimizing the Friedel-Crafts reaction in the presence of SnCl₄/POCl₃, 2-aminobenzophenone skeleton, the key intermediate of TAK-603, was formed with good yield. The selective substitution reaction of 1,2,4-triazole was accomplished using 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole and deamination.     

Total synthesis of (+)-ambruticin S

A convergent total synthesis of the novel antifungal agent ambruticin S (1) has been completed from the assembly of intermediates 18, 33 and 52 that served as the respective A-, B-, and C-ring precursors. The first generation approach to a potential A-ring intermediate eventuated in the synthesis of 9a via a route that featured oxidation of the dihydroxy furan 2 and elaboration of the dihydropyranone 3 derived therefrom. Although 9a served as a precursor of 31E to complete a formal synthesis of 1, there were several inefficiencies associated with the preparation of 9a. A more expedient and efficient route to an A-ring subunit was devised that commenced with the carbohydrate-derived bisacetonide aldehyde 10 and produced 18 in five steps and 46% overall yield. The synthesis of the cyclopropyl sulfone 33 was initiated with the enantioselective cyclopropanation of 19 catalyzed by Rh₂[5(S)-MEPY]₄. Ring opening of the resultant lactone 20 followed by a series of refunctionalizations gave 33 in a total of seven steps and 46% yield from 19. Coupling of the A- and B-ring precursors 18 and 33 was then achieved via a modified Julia coupling followed by deprotection and oxidation to furnish the key intermediate 35. The dihydropyran core of the C-ring subunit precursor 49 was formed from the ring closing metathesis of the diene 48, which was prepared in three steps from the known epoxide 45, followed by oxidation. A chelation-controlled addition to the methyl ketone 49 set the stage for a stereoselective [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement that delivered the alcohol 51 that was then transformed in two steps to the sulfone 52. A traditional Julia coupling of 52 and 35 proceeded with excellent stereoselectivity, and subsequent removal of the various protecting groups gave ambruticin S (1). The longest linear sequence was 13 steps and proceeded in 4.3% overall yield.     

Chemoselective asymmetric synthesis of C-3a-(3-hydroxypropyl)tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole and C-4a-(2-aminoethyl)-tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole derivatives

The asymmetric synthesis of new tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole 19 and tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole 20 rings, substituted in position C-3a and C-4a with a hydroxy- and an amino functionalized chain, respectively, was performed starting from the racemic spiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-indoline]-2′,4-diones 7. The enantiopure spiro oxo-azepinoindolinone (+)-10, obtained from (±)-7 by the way of an asymmetric ring enlargement, and the amino acid (+)-14, obtained by the hydrolysis of 10, were prepared as key intermediates for the synthesis of enantiopure compounds (−)-19 and (−)-20. Since the amino acid 14 is the common intermediate for the chemoselective preparation of derivatives 19 and 20, experimental and computational studies were performed in order to selectively obtain these compounds and to provide a mechanistic rationalization for their formation.     

A new approach to 2,2-disubstituted 1-(methylsulfanyl)vinyl phosphonates via an intermediate thiocarbonyl ylide

The reaction of methyl (diethylphosphoryl)dithioformate (6) with diaryldiazomethanes 7a-d in THF at −60 °C to room temperature followed by desulfurization is shown to be a convenient method for the preparation of 2,2-disubstituted 1-(methylsulfanyl)vinyl phosphonates 8a-d. The analogous reactions with 2-diazoacenaphthen-1-one (7f) or 2-diazocamphor (7g) in refluxing THF yield selectively the corresponding (Z)- and (E)-vinyl phosphonates 8f and 8g, respectively. These products can be easily oxidized to the vinylsulfoxides 13 and vinylsulfones 14. On the other hand, methyl (diethylphosphoryl)dithioformate (6) and 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone (7e) in boiling THF react to give the 1,3-oxathiole 12. All these reactions occur via an intermediate thiocarbonyl ylide 11 followed by 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization and sulfur extrusion or 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization.     

Preparation of new pyrido[3,4-b]thienopyrroles and pyrido[4,3-e]thienopyridazines

Two new types of pyrido-fused tris-heterocycles (1a,b and 2a,b) have been prepared from 3-aminopyridine in five/six steps. A synthetic strategy for the preparation of the novel pyrido[3,4-b]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-d]pyrroles (1a,b) and pyrido[4,3-e]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-c]pyridazines (2a,b) has been studied. The Suzuki cross coupling of the appropriate 2- and 3-thienoboronic acids (3,4) and 4-bromo-3-pyridylpivaloylamide (9) afforded the biaryl coupling products (10,11) in high yields (85%). Diazotization of the hydrolysed (2-thienyl)-coupling product (12) and azide substitution gave the 3-azido-4-(2-thienyl)pyridine intermediate (72%, 14). 3-Azido-4-(3-thienyl)pyridine (15) was prepared by exchanging the previous order of reactions. The desired β-carboline thiophene analogues (1a,b) were obtained via the nitrene by thermal decomposition of the azido precursors (14,15). By optimising conditions for intramolecular diazocoupling, the corresponding pyridazine products (72-83%, 2a,b) were afforded.