Synthesis of both syn and anti diastereoisomers of Boc-dolaproine from (S)-proline through DKR using ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation: a dramatic role of N-protecting groups

The natural (2R,3R)-Boc-dolaproine and its unnatural (2S,3S) diastereoisomer were synthesized involving as key transformation the Ru(II)-promoted hydrogenation of the β-keto-α-methyl ester derived from (S)-N-Boc-proline. Interestingly, the asymmetric hydrogenation of this β-keto ester N-protected as an amine hydrochloride salt, provided the corresponding anti (2S,3R)- and (2R,3S)-β-hydroxy-α-methyl esters with significant level of selectivities through dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Diterpenes from Euphorbia antiquorum Growing in Vietnam

Bioactive-guided phytochemical investigation of Euphorbia antiquorum L. growing in Vietnam led to the isolation of five ent-atisanes, one seco-ent-atisane, and one lathyrane (ingol-type). The structures were elucidated as ent-1α,3α,16β,17-tetrahydroxyatisane (1), ethyl ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylate (2), ent-atisane-3-oxo-16β,17-acetonide (3), ent-3α-acetoxy-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane (4), ent-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane-3-one (5), calliterpenone (6), and ingol 12-acetate (7). Their chemical structures were unambiguously determined by analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with literature data. Among them, 1 is a new compound while 2 is an ethylated artifact of ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylic acid, a new compound. Isolates were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Compound 3 showed the most significant inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 69.62 µM. Further study on mechanism underlying yeast alpha-glucosidase inhibition indicated that 3 could retard the enzyme function by noncompetitive.     

Establishment of absolute stereostructure of falcarindiol, algicidal principle against Heterocapsa circularisquama from Notopterygii Rhizoma

Falcarindiol (1) was isolated as an algicidal principle against the harmful red tide dinoflagellate, Heterocapsa circularisquama, from Notopterygii Rhizoma through bioassay-guided separation. In order to determine the ambiguous absolute structure of this active principle, all three stereoisomers as well as falcarindiol (1) were synthesized. As a result of intensive analysis of their physicochemical properties, the configuration of 1 was revealed to be 3R,8S. On the other hand, (3S,8S)- and (3S,8R)-isomers were found to exhibit more potent algicidal activity than (3R,8S)-falcarindiol (1) isolated from Notopterygii Rhizoma. In addition, the diyne moiety of 1 was established as the crucial structural requirement for algicidal potency.     

Enantiomerically pure 4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids

(1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)- and (1S,2R,3R)-4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids were synthesised. The synthetic strategy involved preparation of the respective 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose, addition of dialkyl phosphites, separation of C-1 epimeric O,O-dibenzyl phosphonates, the reduction of azides and the removal of the protecting groups. The (2R,3S) and (2R,3R) configurations in the final products were secured by employing diethyl l-tartrate and d-isoascorbic acid as starting materials. The stereochemical course of the addition to the carbonyl groups in 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose followed that established earlier for 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde and similar (3:1-4:1) diastereoselectivities were achieved.     

3DOM InVO4-supported chromia with good performance for the visible-light-driven photodegradation of rhodamine B

Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) monoclinic InVO₄ and its supported chromia (yCrO_x/3DOM InVO₄, y denotes as the weight percentage of Cr₂O₃, y = 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) photocatalysts were fabricated using the ascorbic acid-assisted polymethyl methacrylate-templating and incipient wetness impregnation methods, respectively. Physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized by means of a number of analytical techniques. Photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of H₂O₂ under visible-light illumination. Compared to 3DOM InVO₄ and 15CrO_x/bulk InVO₄, yCrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ showed much better visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation, with the 15CrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ sample performing the best. It is concluded that the CrO_x loading, higher surface area and surface oxygen vacancy density and lower bandgap energy as well as the better quality of 3DOM structure were responsible for the good photocatalytic performance of 15CrO_x/3DOM InVO₄ for the degradation of RhB.     

Two additional 1,9-diarylnonanoid 3-glucosides from Erica cinerea among which an unusual α-dione in conformational equilibrium

Continuation of the phytochemical analysis of Erica cinerea fresh aerial parts resulted in the isolation of two new compounds with a very close chromatographic behavior. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence (UV, MS and NMR), the structures were established as (−)-(3S,6E)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynon-6-en-5-one 3-O-β-d-glucoside named 6,7-anhydroericaone 3-O-β-d-glucoside and (−)-(3S)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynonan-5,6-dione 3-O-β-d-glucoside named α-ericadione 3-O-β-d-glucoside. Unanticipated by its α-alkadione type structure —a very unusual feature in the plant kingdom— the latter metabolite was found as a mixture of the minor s-cis and the major s-trans conformers. Moreover, the GC-MS analysis of the aglycone moieties of such glucosides, pointed out the permanent absence of the molecular ion and the constant hydroxybenzylium base peak, as well as the conversion of the α-dione into the major α-keto-enol tautomer.     

Two xanthones and two rotameric (3⟶8) biflavonoids from the Cameroonian medicinal plant Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Guttiferae)

Two xanthones, 2-(3-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyldihydroallyl)-dihydro-6-deoxyisojacareubin (1) and dihydro-6-deoxyjacareubin (2), and two 3 ⟶ 8 rotameric biflavonoids, (2R,3S)-volkensiflavone-7-O-β-acetylglucopyranoside (3) and (2S,3S)-morelloflavone-7-O-β-acetylglucopyranoside (4), together with fifteen known compounds, were isolated from a dichloromethane/methanol (1:1, v/v) extract of the bark of the plant Allanblackia floribunda. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopic techniques and those of the known ones were deduced by comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated biflavonoids were obtained as mixtures of conformers exhibiting duplicate NMR signals in solution at 25 °C and their respective absolute configurations were assigned using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Selected isolated compounds were assessed for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.     

The extraction of Yb(III) and Lu(III) with chloroform from aqueous solutions in the presence of cupferron

The equilibrium of distribution of Yb(III) and Lu(III) between chloroform and the aqueous phase in the presence of cupferron (the ammonium salt of N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine) were studied as apH function of the aqueous phase and the concentration of N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine (HL). The stability constants for theLnL _n ^3–n ) complexes (n=1÷3) being formed in the aqueous phase were established, as well as the equilibrium constants of the extraction reaction $$Ln(H_2 O)_m^{3 + } + 3HL_{(O)} \mathop \rightleftharpoons \limits^{K_{ex} } LnL_{3(O)} + 3H^ + + mH_2 O(Ln^{3 + } = Yb,Lu),$$ two-phase stability constants for theLnL ₃ complexes,pH _0.5 and the separation factor Lu(III) from Yb(III).     

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.     

Reductive coupling of hydantoins with benzophenones by low-valent titanium: Synthesis of 4-substituted 1H-imidazol-2(3H)-ones and unusual two-to-two coupled products

The reductive coupling of 1,3-dimethyhydantoin with benzophenones by TiCl₄-Zn in THF gave 4-diarylmethyl-1H-imidazol-2(3H)-ones as four-electron reduced one-to-one coupled products and their dimers as two-to-two coupled products predominantly by controlling the reaction conditions. The reductive coupling of 5-alkyl-1,3-dimethyhydantoins with benzophenones produced 5-alkyl-4-diarylmethyl-1H-imidazol-2(3H)-ones as the sole products irrespective to the reaction conditions. On the other hand, the reductive coupling of 1,3-dimethyhydantoin with cyclic benzophenones selectively 4-arylhydroxymethyl-1H-imidazol-2(3H)-ones as two-electron reduced one-to-one coupled products and they were further reduced to 4-diarylmethyl-1H-imidazol-2(3H)-ones.     

Chiral terpene auxiliaries IV: new monoterpene PHOX ligands and their application in the catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

New PHOX ligands, derived in three steps from (1R,2S,3R,5R)-3-amino-apopinan-2-ol 1 and (1R,2R,3S,5R)-3-amino-pinan-2-ol 2 were applied as chiral ligands for the formation of ruthenium catalysts. The catalysts were used in asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of prochiral ketones producing the corresponding alcohols in moderate to high yields and enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Methyl (3)5-(N-Boc-piperidinyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates

Series of methyl 3- and 5-(N-Boc-piperidinyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates were developed and regioselectively synthesized as novel heterocyclic amino acids in their N-Boc protected ester form for achiral and chiral building blocks. In the first stage of the synthesis, piperidine-4-carboxylic and (R)- and (S)-piperidine-3-carboxylic acids were converted to the corresponding β-keto esters, which were then treated with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal. The subsequent reaction of β-enamine diketones with various N-mono-substituted hydrazines afforded the target 5-(N-Boc-piperidinyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates as major products, and tautomeric NH-pyrazoles prepared from hydrazine hydrate were further N-alkylated with alkyl halides to give 3-(N-Boc-piperidinyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates. The structures of the novel heterocyclic compounds were confirmed by ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy and HRMS investigation.     

Synthesis of 3-arylisocoumarins, including thunberginols A and B, unsymmetrical 3,4-disubstituted isocoumarins, and 3-ylidenephthalides via iodolactonization of methyl 2-ynylbenzoates or the corresponding carboxylic acids

3-Aryl-4-iodoisocoumarins, which were readily and efficiently prepared by regioselective iodolactonization of methyl 2-ynylbenzoates or the corresponding carboxylic acids, were used as precursors either to 3-arylisocoumarins, including naturally-occurring thunberginols A and B, or to unsymmetrical 3,4-disubstituted isocoumarins. On the other hand, (Z)- and (E)-3-iodomethylidenephthalides, which were regioselectively prepared by iodolactonization of methyl 2-ethynylbenzoate, were employed as starting materials for the stereospecific synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-3-ylidenephthalides, respectively. Some 3-arylisocoumarins and unsymmetrical 3,4-disubstituted isocoumarins showed certain cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines in vitro.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates

The synthesis and ee determination of diethyl 3-azido-2-hydroxypropylphosphonates from 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates have been optimised. Enantiomerically enriched diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates (R)-3a–j and (S)-3a–h as well as (S)-3j were synthesised from diethyl (R)- and (S)-2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates in a reaction sequence including azidolysis followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with selected alkynes.     

Marked difference in singlet-chemiexcitation efficiency between syn-anti isomers of spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] for intramolecular charge-transfer-induced decomposition

Spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] syn-3 bearing a hydroxy group at the 6-position (as a model syn-rotamer of parent dioxetane 4 bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl group) and its isomer anti-3 (as a model anti-rotamer of 4) were synthesized. When these spiro-dioxetanes were treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in DMSO, anti-3 emitted light with high efficiency (Φ^CL = 0.41), while the respective value for syn-3 was only 1/10 for anti-3. This significant difference in Φ^CL between syn-3 and anti-3 was attributed to the difference in their singlet-chemiexcitation efficiencies.     

Arthrobacter sp.: a lipase of choice for the kinetic resolution of racemic arylazetidinone precursors of taxanoid side chains

The native strain of Arthrobacter sp. (MTCC 5125) bearing a lipase has been found to be the most effective in the kinetic resolution of racemic arylazetidinones for producing cis-(3R,4S)-3-acetoxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-2-azetidinone, cis-(3R,4S)-3-acetoxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(2-furanyl)-2-azetidinone, cis-(3R,4S)-3-acetoxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(2-thienyl)-2-azetidinone, and cis-3-acetoxy-4-(t-butyl)-2-azetidinone products. The resolved compounds, which were obtained in high enantiopurity are important intermediates of amino acid side chains of paclitaxel as well as a new generation of taxanoids. The use of co-solvents dramatically improved the resolution efficacy of the lipase.     

Stereospecific microbial reduction of ethyl 1-benzyl-3-oxo-piperidine-4-carboxylate

Microbial reduction of ethyl 1-benzyl-3-oxo-piperidine-4-carboxylate by the majority of evaluated microorganisms gave the ethyl cis-(3R,4R)-1-benzyl-3R-hydroxy-piperidine-4R-carboxylate as the major product in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The 3R,4R-hydroxy ester was produced in 97.4% diastereomeric excess (de) and 99.8% enantiomeric excess (ee) by Candida parapsilosis SC16347, while 99.5% de and 98.2% ee were obtained from reduction by Pichia methanolica SC16415. A few of the evaluated microorganisms gave 10–40% of the ethyl trans-(3R,4S)-1-benzyl-3R-hydroxy-piperidine-4S-carboxylate as the minor product.     

Synthesis and characterization of 2-phosphonoethanesulfonic acid and a barium-hydrogenphosphonatoethanesulfonate — BaH(O3P-C2H4-SO3)

Following the strategy of using polyfunctional phosphonic acids for the synthesis of new metal phosphonates, the organic linker molecule 2-phosphonoethanesulfonic acid, H₂O₃P-C₂H₄-SO₃H (1) (H₃L), was synthesized and characterized in detail. The acid was used in a high-throughput (HT) investigation of the system BaCl₂/H₃L/NaOH/H₂O. The HT experiments comprising 48 individual hydrothermal reactions were performed to systematically investigate the influence of pH of the starting mixture as well as the molar ratio Ba²⁺: H₃L. Only two reaction products were observed: small amounts of BaCO₃ under basic conditions and BaH(O₃P-C₂H₄-SO₃) (2). For compounds 1 and 2 the crystal structures were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (H₂O₃P-C₂H₄-SO₃H: trigonal, P3₂, a=814.58(1), c=861.20(2) pm, Z=3, R1=0.0254, wR₂=0.0758 for I>2σ(I); BaH(O₃P-C₂H₄-SO₃): orthorhombic, Ibam, a=953.39(19), b=855.55(17), c=867.82(17) pm, Z=4, R1=0.0162, wR₂=0.0417 for I>2σ(I)). The structure of H₃L (1) is stabilized exclusively by strong hydrogen bonds. Compound 2 is built up by chains of edge sharing BaO₈ polyhedra. These chains are connected to a three-dimensional network by the -CH₂CH₂- linker of the ligand. Thermogravimetric investigation of compound 2, as well as IR spectra of 1 and 2 are presented.     

Studies towards the synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates and (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised by the intramolecular Williamson reaction of diethyl (1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate. The cis-analogue was obtained as O-ethyl or O,O-diethyl (1R,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates, when (1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate or its 3-O-trityl derivative were used as starting materials, respectively. The intramolecular Williamson cyclisations of diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonates led to diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, respectively, with the concomitant formation of diethyl (E)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-phosphonate. From diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, while diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-3-acetamido-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were produced after epoxide ring opening with dibenzylamine, acetylation and hydrogenolysis.     

Highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines: an improved asymmetric synthesis of tadalafil from l-tryptophan

An efficient and general method for the highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THBCs) into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs is described. The method contains the following three steps: the enantiomerically pure (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 1 were first converted into (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 2 by N-1-naphthylmethylation/benzylation; (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs2 were then converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 in high yields and with high stereoselectivities via a base-catalyzed epimerization at C-3; (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 were subsequently converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 4 after reductive removal of the 1-naphthylmethyl/benzyl group. In addition, as an application of this method, an improved and highly stereoselective synthesis of the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil (Cialis®) starting from natural and less expensive l-tryptophan was developed.