Stereoselective Total Synthesis of the Natural Oxylipin (6R,7E,9R,10S)‐6,9,10‐Trihydroxyoctadec‐7‐enoic Acid

The stereoselective total synthesis of the natural oxylipin, (6R,7E,9R,10S)‐6,9,10‐trihydroxyoctadec‐7‐enoic acid, has been accomplished using nonanal and hexane‐1,6‐diol as the starting materials. The synthesis involves Sharpless kinetic resolution, asymmetric epoxidation, and olefin cross‐metathesis as the key steps.     

Total Synthesis of (R,R,R)‐γ‐Tocopherol through Cu‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,2‐Addition

Based on the asymmetric copper‐catalyzed 1,2‐addition of Grignard reagents to ketones, (R,R,R)‐γ‐tocopherol has been synthesized in 36 % yield over 12 steps (longest linear sequence). The chiral center in the chroman ring was constructed with 73 % ee by the 1,2‐addition of a phytol‐derived Grignard reagent to an α‐bromo enone prepared from 2,3‐dimethylquinone.     

The First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Naturally Occurring,Bioactive (3R,5R)‐1‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐phenylheptane‐3,5‐diol and the Synthesis of Its Enantiomer

The first stereoselective total synthesis of the naturally occurring anti‐emetic diarylheptanoid (3R,5R)‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐phenylheptane‐3,5‐diol ( 1 ) was accomplished starting from 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and involving a Sharpless kinetic resolution and an asymmetric epoxidation as the key steps (Scheme 2). The enantiomer 1a of this compound was also simultaneously prepared.     

Efficient Synthesis of a Styryl Analogue of (2S,3R,4E)‐N2‐Octadecanoyl‐4‐tetradecasphingenine via Cross‐Metathesis Reaction

The first total synthesis of sphingolipid (2S,3R,4E)‐N²‐octadecanoyl‐4‐tetradecasphingenine ( 1a ), a natural sphingolipid isolated from Bombycis Corpus 101A, and of its styryl analogue 1b was achieved in good overall yield (Schemes 1 and 2). The key step involved the installation with (E) stereoselectivity of a long lipophilic chain or phenyl group on allyl alcohol derivative 3 via a cross‐metathesis reaction (→ 5a or 5b ). The N‐Boc protected 3 was easily accessible from (S)‐Garner aldehyde.     

An Efficient Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Bioactive (3R,5R)‐1‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐phenylheptane‐3,5‐diol via Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

An efficient stereoselective total synthesis of (3R,5R)‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐7‐phenylheptane‐3,5‐diol ( 1 ) is reported based on the Mukaiyama aldol reaction. The total synthesis of compound 1 was accomplished with 30% overall yield in simple eight steps from commercially available trans‐cinnamaldehyde.     

Asymmetric Mannich‐Type Synthesis of N‐Phosphinyl α‐Aminophosphonic Acid Monoesters

A convenient diastereoselective synthesis of diisopropyl (2R,3R)‐3‐{{{(R/S)‐aryl[(diethoxyphosphinyl)amino]methyl}hydroxyphosphinyl}oxy}‐2‐hydroxybutanedioate through Mannich‐type reactions is reported. The reactions take place under mild conditions in good yields, and this makes it possible to introduce various substituents at the α‐position to the P‐atom of α‐aminophosphonates. The chiral diisopropyl (4R,5R)‐2‐chloro‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane‐4,5‐dicarboxylate ( 3 ) was found to be a good phosphonylating agent in this stereoselective reaction.     

Alkyne‐Mediated Approach to the Synthesis of (4R,5R)‐5‐Hydroxy‐4‐decanolide and (−)‐Muricatacin

The asymmetric synthesis of two naturally occurring 5‐hydroxy‐γ‐butyrolactones, (4R,5R)‐5‐hydroxy‐4‐decanolide ( 1a ) and (?)‐muricatacin ( 2 ), is described using a general alkyne‐mediated strategy. The key steps involved are Sonogashira coupling for the desired carbon‐chain extension followed by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation to construct the hydroxy‐lactone framework.     

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Iso‐Cladospolide B and the 12 Membered‐Macrolactone (6S,12R)‐6‐Hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecane‐2,5‐dione

Total syntheses of iso‐cladospolide B ( 1 ) and the 12‐membered macrolactone (6S,12R)‐6‐hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecane‐2,5‐dione ( 2 ), a non‐natural product, were achieved from a common intermediate starting from commercially available 1,9‐nonane diol.     

Highly Enantioselective Microbial Hydrolysis of cis‐2‐Arylcyclopropanecarbonitriles

Hydrolysis of racemic cis‐2‐arylcyclopropanecarbonitriles catalyzed by Rhodococcus sp. AJ270 whole cells proceeded enantioselectively to afford the corresponding amide and acid with enantiomeric excess higher than 99%.     

Isocyanide‐Based Three‐Component Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,6‐Dihydro‐6,6‐dimethylpyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile, 3,4‐Dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine,and 3,4‐Dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine Derivatives

A novel and efficient isocyanide‐based multicomponent reaction between alkyl or aryl isocyanides 1 , 2,3‐diaminomaleonitrile ( 2 ), naphthalene‐2,3‐diamines ( 6 ) or benzene‐1,2‐diamine ( 9 ), and 3‐oxopentanedioic acid ( 3 ) or Meldrum's acid ( 4 ) or ketones 7 was developed for the ecologic synthesis, at room temperature under mild conditions, of 1,6‐dihydropyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitriles 5a – 5f in H₂O without using any catalyst, and of 3,4‐dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine and 3,4‐dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine derivatives 8a – 8g and 10a – 10e , respectively, in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) in EtOH, in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1).     

Indirect enantioresolution of (R,S)‐mexiletine by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography via diastereomerization with [(S,S)‐O,O'‐di‐p‐toluoyl tartaric acid anhydride], (S)‐naproxen and nine chiral reagents synthesized as variants of Marfey's reagent

Eleven chiral derivatizing reagents (CDRs) were used for preparation of diastereomers of (R,S)‐mexiletine containing a primary amino group in close proximity to the stereogenic center. One anhydride, namely [(S,S)‐O,O'‐di‐p‐toluoyl tartaric acid anhydride] was synthesized and (S)‐naproxen was used as such as the chiral derivatizing reagent. The other nine CDRs were synthesized by substituting one of the fluorine atoms in 1,5‐difluoro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene with six amino acid amides and three amino acids. The diastereomers were separated by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification. The limit of detection was found in the range of 10–30 pmol. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design,Synthesis, Antifungal Activities and SARs of (R)‐2‐Aryl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole‐4‐carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Based on the structure of natural product 2‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid, a series of novel (R)‐2‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS. The single crystal structure of compound 9b was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The antifungal activities were evaluated for the first time. The bioassay results indicated that most compounds exhibited moderate to good antifungal activities. The antifungal activities of compound 13a (against Cercospora arachidicola Hori), 13d (against Alternaria solani), and 16e (against Cercospora arachidicola Hori) were 61.9%, 67.3% and 61.9%, respectively, which are higher than those of the commercial fungicides chlorothalonil and carbendazim. Moreover, compound 13d exhibited excellent antifungal activities against 7 kinds of the fungi tested (66.7%, 77.3%, 63.0%, 87.9%, 70.0%, 70.0% and 80.0% at 50 µg?mL). Therefore, 13d can be used as a new lead structure for the development of antifungal agents.     

Conformational analysis of some 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation

Based on ¹H NMR spectral analysis combined with molecular simulation, conformational states of the cyclohexanone ring were studied for some 1R,4S‐2‐(4‐X‐benzylidene)‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones (X = COOCH₃ or C₆H₅) in CDCl₃ and C₆D₆. The co‐existence of chair conformers with an axial orientation of both alkyl substituents and twist‐boat forms was established for the compounds studied at room temperature (22–23° C). The substituent X does not influence appreciably the ratio of these conformers, but the fraction of twist‐boat forms increases noticeably in benzene solutions as compared with CDCl₃ solutions. Rotameric states of the isopropyl fragment were also characterised for the compounds studied. Distinctions in conformational states for the 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones and (?)‐menthone were revealed and are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Activities of S-[α-（ 4-Methoxyphenylcarbonyl ）-2-（1,2,4-triazole-l-yl） ethyl-N, N-dime-thyldithiocarbamate

The title compound was prepared by reaction of N, N‐dimethyldithiocarbamate sodium with l‐bromo‐l‐(4‐methoxyphenylcarbonyl)‐2‐(1, 2, 4‐triazole‐l‐yl) ethane. Its crystal structure has been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to triclinic with space group Pī, a = 0.7339(2) nm, b = 1.1032(2) nm, c = 1.1203(2) nm, a = 90.27(3)°, β = 102.03(3)°, γ = 104.91(3)°, Z=2, V = 0.8556(3) nm³, D_c = 1.360 g/cm³, μ =0.325 mm^?1, F(000)=368, final R₁ =0.0475. The planes of 4‐methoxybenzyl group and triazole ring are nearly perpendicular to each other. The dihedral angle is 83.97°. There is an obvious π‐π stacking interaction between the molecules in the crystal lattice. The results of biological test show that the title compound has fungicidal and plant growth regulating activities.     

Indirect reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic and direct thin‐layer chromatographic enantioresolution of (R,S)‐Cinacalcet

Enantioresolution of the calcimimetic drug (R,S)‐Cinacalcet was achieved using both indirect and direct approaches. Six chiral variants of Marfey's reagent having l ‐Ala‐NH₂, l ‐Phe‐NH₂, l ‐Val‐NH₂, l ‐Leu‐NH₂, l ‐Met‐NH₂ and d ‐Phg‐NH₂ as chiral auxiliaries were used as derivatizing reagents under microwave irradiation. Derivatization conditions were optimized. Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography was successful using binary mixtures of aqueous trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile for separation of diastereomeric pairs with detection at 340 nm. Thin silica gel layers impregnated with optically pure l ‐histidine and l ‐arginine were used for direct resolution of enantiomers. The limit of detection was found to be 60 pmol in HPLC while in TLC it was found to be in the range of 0.26–0.28 µg for each enantiomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anionic polymerization of N,N‐dialkyl‐2‐methylenebut‐3‐enamide: Effect of alkyl substituents on polymerization behavior

Anionic polymerizations of three 1,3‐butadiene derivatives containing different N,N‐dialkyl amide functions, N,N‐diisopropylamide (DiPA), piperidineamide (PiA), and cis‐2,6‐dimethylpiperidineamide (DMPA) were performed under various conditions, and their polymerization behavior was compared with that of N,N‐diethylamide analogue (DEA), which was previously reported. When polymerization of DiPA was performed at ?78 °C with potassium counter ion, only trace amounts of oligomers were formed, whereas polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained in moderate yield when DiPA was polymerized at 0 °C in the presence of LiCl. Decrease in molecular weight and broadening of molecular weight distribution were observed when polymerization was performed at a higher temperature of 20 °C, presumably because of the effect of ceiling temperature. In the case of DMPA, no polymer was formed at 0 °C and polymers with relatively broad molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 1.2) were obtained at 20 °C. The polymerization rate of PiA was much faster than that of the other monomers, and poly(PiA) was obtained in high yield even at ?78 °C in 24 h. The microstructure of the resulting polymers were exclusively 1,4‐ for poly(DMPA), whereas 20–30% of the 1,2‐structure was contained in poly(DiPA) and poly(PiA). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3714–3721, 2010     

The Chemistry of Tetrafluoroallene： One－pot Synthesis of Trifluoromethylindolizines from 1,3－Diiodo－1,1,3,3－tetrafluoropropane by 1,3－Dipolar Cycloaddition

Heating a mixture of 1, 3-diiodo-1, 1, 3, 3-tetrafluoropropane (2), K2CO3, pyridinium bromides (3) in CH3CN at 65℃ for 10 h gives the corresponding trifluoromethylindolizines.     

Synthesis of 4‐Aryl‐8‐fluoro‐3a,4,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐3H‐cyclopenta[c]quinolines and Their Ozonides

4‐Aryl‐8‐fluoro‐3a,4,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐3H‐cyclopenta[c]quinolines are synthesized by acid‐catalyzed (CF₃CO₂H) three‐component cyclocondensation of 4‐fluoroaniline with aromatic aldehydes and cyclopentadiene. Stable ozonides with (1R*,4S*,5aR*,6S*,11bS*)‐configurations are obtained by ozonolysis of corresponding trifluoroacetyl derivatives.     

X‐Ray Structure Analyses of syn/anti‐Conformers of N‐Furfuroyl‐, N‐Benzoyl‐, and N‐Picolinoyl‐Substituted (2R)‐Bornane‐10,2‐sultam Derivatives

The synthesis and the X‐ray structure of the three new N‐(arylcarbonyl)‐substituted derivatives 2a – 2c of (2R)‐bornane‐10,2‐sultam are presented and discussed. Direct comparison of the solid‐state analyses shows that the dipole‐directed SO₂/C?O anti‐/syn‐conformations may be very sensitive to weak electronic/electrostatic repulsions of the heteroatom lone pairs. The optimum interactions are reached when the lone pair of the β‐positioned heteroatom is oriented in the O(3)?C(11)? N(1) plane. Such rare syn‐conformations may be observed with at least up to 1.8 kcal/mol higher energy as compared to their ground states. Additionally, these anti/syn‐conformations are also very sensitive to external influences such as, for example, the crystal‐packing forces.