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.     

Traceless chirality transfer from a norbornene β-amino acid to pyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole enantiomers

The synthesis of two enantiomeric pairs of pyrimidoisoindoles 9a, 9b and 10a, 10b is reported. During a domino ring-closure reaction, followed by cycloreversion, the chirality of diendo-(?)-(1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxamide [(?)-1] was successfully transfered to heterocycles (+)-9a, (+)-10a, (?)-9b, (?)-10b and (?)-10c.     

New Balfourodendron 4-quinolone alkaloids

New tertiary alkaloids with a 4-quinolone skeleton, (±)-ribalinine (3b), (?)-ribalinidine (3c), (±) and (+)-ribaline (2b), have been obtained from Balfourodendron riedelianum. During isolation, 3c and 3b were found together with the quaternary alkaloidal fraction. The structure elucidations were in part based on spectrometric data. Furthermore, 2b and 3c were chemically correlated with the known ribalinium whilst the structure of 3b was confirmed by total synthesis. The configuration of 3c is S as determined by the Korean's method.     

Quinolizidines—V : A novel synthetic route to Ipecac alkaloids through chemical incorporation of ethyl cincholoiponate derived from the cinchona alkaloid cinchonine

A new synthetic route to (?)-emetine (1) and related Ipecac alkaloids has been exploited in terms of the synthesis of the tricyclic ester (?)-30 from ethyl cincholoiponate [(+)-4], a degradation product of the Cinchona alkaloid cinchonine (7). The steps involved are those in the sequence (+)-4→(+)-8→9→10→(?)-12-→(?)-13→ (+)-21→(+)-22→28→29→(?)-30. In the Hg(OAc)₂-EDTA oxidation of the amino alcohol 9 to the 6-piperidone 10, the cis- and the trans-2-piperidone isomers 11 were the minor products. The successful conversion of the cis-lactam acid (?)-13 into the trans-lactam acid (+)-21 was effected on the basis of the fact that (±)-13 and (±)-21 are convertible to each other through cis-trans equilibration (13:21 = 33:67) at 180° in 75 min. When this isomerisation step was skipped in the above reaction sequence, the 2,3-cis-tricycle (+)-33, synthetic precursor for chiral 2,3-cis-emetines, was obtained.     

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of some asymmetric planar cisoid dienes

The synthesis and CD spectra of (+)-5α-androsta-14,16-diene (2), (?)-bornol[2,3-b]cyclopenta-1,3-diene (3), (+)-2,3-dimethylenebornane (4b), (?)-borno[2,3-c]-2,5-diphenylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one (9a), and related compounds are reported. A significant role is attributed to substituent chirality effects in these comparatively rigid, essentially planar cisoid conjugated diene systems.     

Quinolizidines—IV: Total syntheses of (±)-ankorine and (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol

The first total synthesis of ankorine (4), an Alangium lamarckii alkaloid, has been accomplished in the form of a recemic modification by means of an initial condensation of 2-benzyloxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenacyl bromide with the lactim ether 6, derived from ethyl (±)-trans-5-ethyl-2-oxo-4-piperidineacetate (5), and succeeding steps proceeding through the intemediates 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a (X=Cl), 11a, and 12a. A parallel synthetic route starting with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl bromide and 6 gave (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol (12c) via the intermediates 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c (X =I,ClO₄), and 11c. The trimethyl ether 12c did not match the O-Me derivative (type 12e) of natural ankorine. Thus, the formula 4 defines the structure and relative stereochemistry of ankorine.     

Two pairs of new alkaloid enantiomers with a spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton from the bark of Juglans mandshurica

(±)-Juglanaloid A (1) and B (2), two pairs of novel naturally occurring alkaloid enantiomers bearing an unprecedented spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton, were isolated from the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The unusual 6, 5, 7, 6-cyclic system with a rare spiro cyclic center at C-4 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Chiral separation of 1 and 2 yielded two pairs of enantiomers, 1a/1b and 2a/2b. The absolute configurations were established by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. The potential anti-AD properties of 1a/1b and 2a/2b were evaluated by the Thioflavin T assay.     

Microbial reduction of 2-(6-m-methoxyphenyl-3-oxohexyl)-2,4-dimethylcyclopenta-1,3-dione with Schizosaccharomyces pombe (NRRL Y-164)

A mixture of cis- and trans-2-(6-m-methoxyphenyl-3-oxohexyl)-2,4-dimethylcyclopenta-1,3-dione (±)-10 was synthesized and incubated with Schizosaccharomyces pombe (NRRL Y-164) to give (+)-11, (+)-12, (−)-13, and (−)-14 in 19, 13, 22, and 16% yields, respectively. Chromic acid oxidation of these microbiologically reduced products gave (−)-10a, (+)-10b, (+)-10a, and (−)-10b, respectively.     

Protecting-group-free catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-rosmarinecine

The protecting-group-free asymmetric total synthesis of (?)-rosmarinecine was achieved in only four steps from the commercially available (±)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine hydrochloride (2a). The key steps include the direct oxidation of (±)-2a to (±)-3-hydroxy-1-pyrroline N-oxide (1a) using the Davis reagent and the domino reaction; viz., the lipase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of (±)-1a with 1-ethoxyvinyl ethyl maleate followed by the intramolecular [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the generated optically active ester. Some insights into the mechanism of the racemization of the optically active 1a, observed during the enzymatic process, were also obtained.     

Antiplasmodial Securinega alkaloids from Phyllanthus fraternus: Discovery of natural (+)-allonorsecurinine

The chemical investigation of the antimalarial plant Phyllanthus fraternus G. L. Webster (Phyllanthaceae) resulted in the discovery of the Securinega alkaloid (+)-allonorsecurinine (1), previously reported as a synthetic compound, together with the known ent-norsecurinine (2), nirurine (3), bubbialine (4), epibubbialine (5) and the lignan phyllanthin (6). The structure and absolute configuration of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, and GIAO NMR shift calculation followed by CP3 analysis. The antiplasmodial activity of these compounds was evaluated against chloroquine-resistant (W2) and -sensitive (3D7) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Among them, ent-norsecurinine (2) and (+)-allonorsecurinine (1) showed the strongest activity (IC₅₀: 1.14 ± 0.32 and 2.57 ± 0.53 µM) respectively, against W2 but one of the weakest against 3D7.     

One-step,stereoselective synthesis of octahydrochromanes via the Prins reaction and their cannabinoid activities

Novel, functionalized octahydrochromane derivatives were synthesized in a single step via the Prins reaction. Enantiomerically pure (+)-isopulegol was reacted with benzaldehyde to stereoselectively yield the corresponding octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ol derivative containing five stereocenters. A total of 10 compounds were synthesized by altering the enantiomer of isopulegol and the substituted benzaldehyde, and the resulting enantiopure octahydrochromanes were screened in vitro against the cannabinoid receptor isoforms CB1 and CB2. Compounds containing an olefin at the C4 position [(+)-3c, (?)-3c, (?)-7c, (?)-9c and (?)-11c] of the octahydrochromane scaffold were found to exhibit reasonable displacement of [³H] CP55,940 from the CB receptors, whereas the corresponding hydroxy analogs [(+)-3a, (+)-3b, (?)-3a, (?)-3b and (+)-5a] had very little or no effect.     

Studies on fungal metabolites—XXXII: A renewed investigation on (−) flavoskyrin and its analogues

1-Oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthraquinone (4a), and its 8-hydroxy-(4b) and 8-hydroxy-6- methyl (4c) derivatives were dimerized to the compounds formulated as (6a), (6b) and (6e), respectively. The structure of 6a was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.By the analogy with these dimers and NMR spectral analysis, a revised structure (7) was proposed for (?) flavoskyrin, a yellow metabolite of Penicillium islandicum NRRL 1175. A biosynthetic scheme involving Diels-Alder type cyclo-addition (π4s + π2s) was proposed for (?) flavoskyrin.     

(±)-Quassidine K,a pair of cytotoxic bis-β-carboline alkaloid enantiomers from Picrasma quassioides

Abstract

(±)-Quassidine K (1), a pair of new bis-β-carboline alkaloid enantiomers, were isolated from Picrasma quassioides. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configurations of (+)-S-quassidine K (1a) and (?)-R-quassidine K (1b) were determined by comparing with the reported experimental ECD spectra after chiral separation. The cytotoxicity assay showed activity against HeLa cells with IC50 values of 15.8 and 20.1?μM, respectively.     

Studies on fungal metabolites—XXXI: Anthraquinonoid colouring matters of Penicillium islandicum sopp and some other fungi (−)luteoskyrin, (−)rubroskyrin, (+)rugulosin and their related compounds

The structures of (+)rugulosin, (?)luteoskyrin and (?)rubroskyrin have been reexamined by NMR and new structures 18, 19 and 20 proposed respectively. Their absolute structures were established on the basis of the X-ray analysis of (+)dibromodehydrotetrahydrorugulosin (27). The minor analogous metabolites, (?)4a-oxyluteoskyrin (31) of P. islandicum and (+)4a-oxyrugulosin (32) of P. brunneum, have been formulated. On oxidation of (?)luteoskyrin and (+)rugulosin with pertrifluoroacetic acid (?)4a,4a′-dioxyluteoskyrin (33) and (+>4a,4a′-dioxyrugulosin (34) were formed, while with MnO₂ (+)4a,4a′-dehydrorugulosin (35) was obtained. The structures of lumiluteoskyrin (37), and deoxylumiluteoskyrin (38), photooxidation products of luteoskyrin and deoxyluteoskyrin, respectively, have been elucidated.     

Palladium catalyzed insertion of carbon monoxide into benzyl-tetrahydroisoquinolines : A new synthesis of berbine alkaloids

A new total synthesis of the berbine alkaloid ring system has been achieved. Palladium catalyzed insertion of carbon monoxide into the 1 - (2 - bromobenzyl) - substituted - 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydroisoquinolines (1a–1d) by the use of catalytic amounts of palladium diacetate and triphenylphosphine in the presence of tri-n-butylamine afforded the berbin-8-ones (2a–2d) which, on reduction with lithium aluminium hydride gave the berbines (±)-berbine 3a, (±)2,3-dimethoxyberbine 3b, (±)-xylopinine 3c and (±)-pseudoepitetrahydroberbine 3d.     

Synthesis of the enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene,one of the major components of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout

Both enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene, one of which is the major component of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout, were synthesized in 23% overall yield for the (?)-(6S,7R)-enantiomer and 18% yield for the (+)-(6R,7S)-isomer. This protocol uses a sequential regioselective ring-opening strategy and provides a convenient and reliable access to other structurally related insect sex pheromones. Preliminary biological studies revealed that (?)-(6S,7R)-2a was roughly as active as the natural pheromone, while racemic (±)-2 was less bioactive and (+)-2b was much less bioactive.     

Die absolute konfiguration des (+)-corynolins

From Corydalis incisa (+)-corynoline (2) was isolated together with (±)-corynoline (2'), which has been reported to be the major alkaloid. Optical resolution of 2' was achieved by resolving the corresponding diastereomeric esters with (-)-menthoxyacetic acid. The quaternary hydroxide of (+)-corynoline-O-acetate (3) was subjected to Emde degradation to afford the hydromethine base (5), the methiodide of which was converted by further Emde degradation into the optically active nitrogenfree product (6). This product was identical with the nitrogen-free product resulting from Emde degradation of (+)-14-epicorynoline (1), whose absolute configuration has been determined by means of an X-ray analysis. This result shows the absolute configuration of (+)-corynoline (2) to be 11S, 13R and 14R.     

Preparation of optically active bridged biphenyls via a stereoselective synthesis of their mono (tricarbonylchromium) complexes. Chiroptical properties and absolute chiralities of the complexes and ligands12

Reaction of the mono(tricarbonylchromium) complex 3 of diphenic acid anhydride with chiral amines gave the optically active imides 9-11. 10 and 11, from (S)-(?) and (R)(+)-phenylalaninol, respectively were separated by chromatography into exo- and endo-diastereomers (a and b) with opposite metallocene chiralities but with the same axial chirality. The (S)-(?) amino-alcohol induces (S)_a-chirality and vice versa. The absolute configurations of the metallocene and axial-chiral parts of the biphenyl system were deduced from the circular dichroism spectra, the former [(R)_m or (S)_m] by comparison with the CD of benchrotrenes of known absolute configuration, the latter [(R)_a or (S)_a] by applying the exciton model of coupled oscillators to the optically stable biphenyl ligands [i.e. the imides (?)- and (+)-8 easily accessible from 10 and 11 by photochemical decomplexation]. (R)_m-(S)_a for the complex (+)-10a (exo) and (S)_m-(S)_a for the endo-isomer (?)-10b, and vice versa for the complex 11. The parent ligands have the configurations (S)_a(?)-8 and (R)_a(+)-8, respectively.Photochemical cleavage of the optically active bis(tricarbonylchromium) complex (?)-13 of the biphenyl lactone 12 at ?60°C afforded optically labile 12 with a half-life time of racemization of ca 10 min at ?20°. On the basis of its CD the configuration (R)_a is tentatively proposed for 12.The work described represents the first example of the preparation of optically-active biphenyls via benchrotrene precursors.     

Arylnaphthalide lignans from Saussurea medusa and their anti-inflammatory activities

Five new arylnaphthalide lignans (1 ? 4a/4b), together with five known analogues (5–9), were isolated from whole plants of Saussurea medusa. Compound 4 was characterized as an aryltetralin lignan with an unusual C-7′-C-9 oxygen bridge group, and a chiral HPLC analysis was carried out to afford one pair of enantiomers (4a/4b). Structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All compounds were firstly isolated from S. medusa, and compounds 1–5, 7 and 8 had never been obtained from the genus Saussurea previously. Furthermore, this is the first report of arylnaphthalide lignans isolated from S. medusa. anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds were evaluated by determining their inhibitory activities on the production of NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds (?)-4a and 5 exerted the significant inhibition activities with IC₅₀ values of 13.4 ± 1.5 and 15.7 ± 1.1 μM, respectively, which even exceeded the positive control quercetin (IC₅₀ = 15.9 ± 1.2 μM). Compounds 2, (+)-4b, 6 and 9 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 19.7 ± 1.9 to 47.4 ± 3.1 μM. Further analysis by molecular docking showed that almost all the active compounds could interact with the amino acid residues of iNOS proteins, which also supported their anti-inflammatory activities.     

Stereoselective total syntheses of (+)-exo- and (−)-exo-brevicomins, (+)-endo- and (−)-endo-brevicomins, (+)- and (−)-cardiobutanolides, (+)-goniofufurone

Stereoselective total syntheses of aggregation pheromones (+)-exo-brevicomin (9a), (−)-exo-brevicomin (9b), (+)-endo-brevicomin (9c), (−)-endo-brevicomin (9d) and styryllactones (+)-cardiobutanolide (14a), (−)-cardiobutanolide (14b), and (+)-goniofufurone (19a) were achieved in good yields from enantiomerically pure highly functionalized furanoid glycal building blocks (1a-d) involving similar synthetic strategies, thus making these furanoid glycals highly useful building blocks in diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS).