Synthesis of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[3-H1]-proline via highly stereoselective hydrolysis of a silyl enol ether

A straightforward synthesis of (2S)-[3,3-²H₂]-proline 1c and (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[3-²H₁]-proline, 1b and 1a, respectively, has been devised. The key step of the route to the latter compounds involves highly stereoselective hydrolysis of the silyl enol ethers 3 and 3a, respectively, with protonation (deuteriation) from the re-face of the silyl enol ether.     

Synthesis and absolute configuration of two diastereoisomeric (1R,2S,3R)-and (1S,2S,3R)-2-amino-1-(2-furyl)-1,3-butandiols

The synthesis of (1R, 2S, 3R) and (1S, 2S, 3R)-2-(N-benzoylamino)-1-(2-furyl)-1, 3-butandiols (15) and (16) from D-threonine is described. The assignment of absolute configuration of the newly formed asymmetric center at C-1 was based on the ¹H-NMR spectra of O-isopropylidene derivatives 17 and 18.     

Addition of tert-butylcuprate to (2S)-N-acyl-Δ-dehydroprolinates as a diastereoselective synthetic procedure for obtaining (2S,5S)-5-tert-butylproline

The synthesis of (2S,5S)-Boc-5-tert-butylproline ethyl ester via the addition of tert-butylcuprate to (2S)-N-Boc-Δ⁵-dehydroproline ethyl ester, formed from (2S)-N-Boc-5-methoxyproline ethyl ester, gives an excellent yield of 94% and a high diastereoselectivity (2S,5S):(2S,5R) 78:22. This synthesis opens up a new synthetic route to (2S,5S)-5-tert-butylproline, which is a useful, conformationally rigid, analogue of l-proline.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (3S,4S)- and (3R,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

Facile chemoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of (3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine, a key intermediate for a new quinolone antitumor compound AG-7352 has been described. This methodology illustrates the preparation of 3-azido-1-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from diallylamine via 1-benzyloxycarbonyl-3-pyrroline obtained by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) employing Grubbs’ catalyst. Enzymatic transesterification employing PS-C lipase gave (3S,4S)-3-azido-1-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine in >99% ee, which upon methylation of the hydroxyl group followed by sequential reactions gave the desired intermediates, (3S,4S)-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-methoxypyrrolidine.     

Synthesis of (+)-(3S,7S,10S)- and (+)-(3S,7S,10R)-3,7,10-trimethylboratrane. Amplification of enantiomeric purity in the reacti

The synthesis is described of the two enantiomerically pure isomers (+)-(3S,7S,10S)- and (+)-(3S,7S,10R)-3,7,10-trimethylboratr The structures were determined by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. A method for increasing the enantiomeric purity by trimerization reactions of partially-resolved (S) propylene oxide is proposed. The reaction was studied from the kinetic viewpoint and interpreted according to a binomial probability scheme. The experimental findings point to a rapid growth in enantiomeric purity for the (SSS) trimer compared with the starting material, whilst no increase was found for the (SSR) trimer.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline

The asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline was achieved in 8 steps from commercially available starting materials using the diastereoselective conjugate addition of the novel lithium amide reagent lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methyl-p-methoxybenzyl)amide to methyl cinnamate to install the correct stereochemistry. Subsequent functional group manipulation of the resultant β-amino ester and Sb(OEt)₃-mediated macrolactamisation was followed by homodimerisation to give (−)-(S,S)-homaline in 18% overall yield, representing the first asymmetric, and by far the most efficient synthesis of this natural product reported to date.     

Mononuclear ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the (S,S)-Pr-pybox ligand

The complexes trans-[RuCl₂(L){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}] ((S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox = 2,6-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine, L = PMe₃ (1), P(OMe)₃ (2), PPh₂(CH₂CHCH₂) (3), CNBn (5), CNCy (6) and MeCN (7)) have been synthesized by substitution of ethylene on the precursor trans-[RuCl₂(η²-C₂H₄){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}]. This complex also reacts with cyclooctadiene (cod) or norbornadiene (nbd) and NaPF₆, in refluxing methanol, giving the coordination compounds [RuCl(η⁴-cod){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (8) and [RuCl(η⁴-nbd){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (9). The structures of complexes [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(H-pybox)][BF₄] (H-pybox = 2,6-bis(dihydrooxazolin-2′-yl)pyridine) (4), 6 and 8, have been resolved by X-ray diffraction methods. The catalytic activity of the new complexes in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone has also been examined.     

Diastereoselective route to (2R,5S)- and (2S,5S)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, a pheromone component of the wasp Paravespula vulgaris

A diastereoselective approach to (2R,5S)- and (2S,5S)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1 and 1a is described. The route starts with an alkylation reaction among the cyclopentanone N,N-dimethylhydrazone 6 and the chiral iodides (R)-3 or (S)-3, derived from the enantiomers of ethyl β-hydroxybutyrate, controlling the estereocenter at C-2 of the molecules. The alkylated products 7 and 7a were easily transformed into the 1,8-O-TBS-1,8-dihydroxy-5-nonanones 9 and 9a in four steps, and a subsequent stereoselective spiroketalization, in acidic media, afforded a Z:E mixture (1:2) of compounds 1 and 1a.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of ceramide B, (2S,3R,4E,6R)-N-(30-hydroxytriacontanoyl)-6-hydroxy-4-sphingenine, a new ceramide in human epidermis

(2S,3R,4E,6R)-N-(30-Hydroxytriacontanoyl)-6-hydroxy-4-sphingenine (1) and its (6S)-isomer (1′) were synthesized by starting from pentadecan-15-olide, the enantiomers of 1-pentadecyn-3-ol, and (S)-Garner's aldehyde. Comparison of the ¹H NMR spectra of the tetraacetyl derivatives of 1 and 1′ with that of ceramide B, a new protein-bound ceramide in human stratum corneum, revealed it to be (2S,3R,4E,6R)-1.     

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of Spodoptera litura was carried out. Substrate was converted to three new terpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S)-10-hydroxyfenchol, (+)-(1R,2R,3S)-8-hydroxyfenchol and (−)-(1S,2S,6S)-6-exo-hydroxyfenchol, and one known terpenoid, (−)-(1R,2R,3R)-9-hydroxyfenchol. These structures were established by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectral studies.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid

A synthetic route to (2S,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid was achieved from readily available nonchiral pool starting material cis-2-butene-1,4-diol and involved Claisen orthoester rearrangement, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and intramolecular lactamisation of azido lactone as the key steps.     

An efficient stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate

An efficient stereoselective syntheses of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acid and (2R,3S)-2-hydroxymethylpiperidin-3-ol were achieved from p-anisaldehyde via the regioselective and diastereoselective introduction of an N-protected amine group using chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, ring-closing methathesis, and oxidation of p-methoxyphenyl group as the key steps.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (1S,2S)-1,2-di-tert-butyl and (1R,2R)-1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamines

An enantioselective synthesis of sterically congested 1,2-di-tert-butyl and 1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamines has been developed. Thus, diastereomerically pure trans-1-apocamphanecarbonyl-4,5-dimethoxy-2-imidazolidinones 6 and 7 were successfully prepared by optical resolution of (±)-trans-4,5-dimethoxy-2-imidazolidinone using apocamphanecarbonyl chloride (MAC-Cl) followed by stereospecific and stepwise substitution of the dimethoxyl groups using tert-butyl or 1-adamantyl cuprates to provide (4S,5S)-4,5-di-tert-butyl and (4R,5R)-4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 15, respectively. Furthermore, N-acetyl 4,5-di-tert-butyl and 4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 16a,b were enantioselectively deacetylated using a catalytic oxazaborolidine system to provide enantiopure 1-p-tolylsulfonyl-4,5-di-tert-butyl-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 19 and 1-p-tolylsulfonyl-4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 18 and 20, respectively. Finally, N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 15 were treated with 30 equiv of Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O to achieve ring cleavage and to provide (1S,2S)-1,2-di-tert-butylethylenediamine 3 and (1R,2R)-1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamine 4.     

Synthesis of trimethyl (2S,3R)- and (2R,3R)-[2-H1]-homocitrates and the corresponding dimethyl ester lactones—towards elucidating the stereochemistry of the reaction catalysed by homocitrate synthase and by the Nif-V protein

Trimethyl (2S,3R)- and (2R,3R)-[2-²H₁]-homocitrates, 10b and 10c respectively, and dimethyl (2S,3R)- and (2R,3R)-[2-²H₁]-homocitric lactones, 11b and 11c respectively, have been synthesised from shikimic acid and [2-²H]-shikimic acid by a route which defines the stereochemistry of the two chiral centres in each compound. The NMR spectra of these products will enable the stereochemistry of the biological reaction catalysed by homocitrate synthase and by the protein from the nifV gene to be elucidated.     

An efficient stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-phenylpiperidine

A concise enantioselective synthesis of N-Boc-(2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-phenylpiperidine 1 is described starting from l-phenyl-glycine and using a Grignard reaction as a key step.     

Analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone from (2S,3S)- and (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylic acids

Reaction of dialkyl (2S,3S)- or (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylates with POCl₃ in pyridine followed by diazomethane resulted in the isolation of dialkyl 2S-4-methoxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-2,3-furandicarboxylates, which are analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone (3-hydroxy-4,5-(R)-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone). An unusual α-hydroxylation of γ-butyrolactone takes place involving POCl₃ in pyridine. When the dehydration was facilitated with methanesulfonyl chloride in triethylamine, instead of POCl₃, aromatic dialkyl 5-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]-2,3-furandicarboxylates were obtained.     

Absolute configuration of (−)-4-methylheptan-3-ol,a pheromone of the smaller european elm bark beetle,as determined by the synthesis of its (3R,4R)-(+)- and (3S,4R)-(+)-isomers

Nerol and geraniol were stereoselectively converted to (±)-threo- and (±)-erythro-4-methylheptan-3-ol respectively. (R)-(+)-Citronellic acid was converted to a mixture of (3R,4R)-(+)-threo- and (3S,4R)-(+)-erythro-isomers which was separable by GLC. These syntheses established the absolute configuration of the naturally occurring (?)-4-methylheptan-3-ol to be 3S,4S.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone

A stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone as a new fluorine-containing intermediate towards β-lactams, is described. The synthetic key step relies upon the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of ethyl 2-benzamidomethyl-4-fluoro-3-oxo-butanoate via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by [Ru(η⁶-arene)(S,S)-R₂NSO₂DPEN].     

Synthesis of (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrone

To synthesize (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine [(+)-1], the main metabolite of nicotine (2), cycloaddition of C-(3-pyridyl)nitrones 3a, 3c, and 15 with (2R)- and (2S)-N-(acryloyl)bornane-10,2-sultam [(2R)- and (2S)-8] was examined. Among them, l-gulose-derived nitrone 15 underwent stereoselective cycloaddition with (2S)-8 to afford cycloadduct 16, which was elaborated to (+)-1.     

Concise and practical synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-iminosugars

The syntheses of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6 iminosugars 1a and 1b, respectively, from d-glucose are described. The key transformations in this reaction sequence include regio-selective epoxide ring opening with N-benzylamine followed by intramolecular reductive amination of amino-aldehyde.