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

An efficient and a convenient enantioselective synthesis of (3R,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine has been carried out by a lipase-mediated resolution protocol. This method describes the preparation of (±)-1-Cbz-cis-3-azido-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from commercially available diallylamine followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) via S_N2 displacement reactions. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase immobilized on diatomaceous earth (Amano PS-D) provides (3R,4S)-11 and (3S,4R)-12 in an excellent enantiomeric excess.     

Stereodivergent approach to both syn- and anti-isomers of γ-amino-β-hydroxy acids: (3S,4S)- and (3R,4S)-AHPPA derivatives

A stereodivergent approach employing an N-hydroxymethyl group has been utilized to produce both diastereomeric derivatives of (3S,4S)-AHPPA 3 and (3R,4S)-AHPPA 4, via an intramolecular conjugate addition and an intramolecular epoxidation, respectively. The selectivity of the intramolecular conjugate addition was more than 10:1 while that of the intramolecular epoxidation was more than 1:20.     

[MoFe3S4]3+ and [MoFe3S4]2+ cubane clusters containing a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum moiety

A series of organometallic molybdenum/iron/sulfur clusters of the general formula [Cp¹MoFe₃S₄L_n]^m (Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅; L = S^tBu, SPh, Cl, I, n = 3, m = 1−; L_n = I₂(P^tBu₃), m = 0; L = 2,6-diisopropylphenylisocyanide (ArNC), n = 7, m = 1+) have been synthesized. A cubane cluster (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(S^tBu)₃] (2) was isolated from a self-assembly reaction of Cp¹Mo(S^tBu)₃ (1), FeCl₃, LiS^tBu, and S₈ followed by cation exchange with PPh₄Br in CH₃CN, while an analogous cluster (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃] (3) was obtained from the Cp¹MoCl₄/FeCl₃/LiSPh/PPh₄Br reaction system or from a ligand substitution reaction of 2 with PhSH. Treatment of 2 with benzoyl chloride gave rise to (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄Cl₃] (4), which was in turn converted to (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄I₃] (5) by the reaction with NaI. A neutral cubane cluster Cp¹MoFe₃S₄I₂(P^tBu₃) (6) was generated upon treating 5 with P^tBu₃. Although reduction of 4 by cobaltocene under the presence of ArNC resulted in a disproportionation of the cubane core to give Fe₄S₄(ArNC)₉Cl (7), a similar reduction reaction of 5 produced [Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(ArNC)₇]I (8), where the MoFe₃S₄ core was retained. The crystal structures of 4–6, and 8 were determined by the X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of diarylheptanoids, (5S)-5-acetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-heptanone and (3S,5S)-3,5-diacetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptane

The total syntheses of the first examples of diarylheptanoid natural products (5S)-5-acetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-heptanone 1, and (3S,5S)-3,5-diacetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptane 2 isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale were accomplished using Sharpless epoxidation and cross-metathesis reactions as the key steps.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

Porcine pancreatic lipase mediated regio- and stereoselective hydrolysis: chemoenzymatic synthesis of (2S,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid

Porcine pancreatic lipase was used in the chemoenzymatic hydrolysis of 2-azido-3-hydroxy-4-methylcarbonyloxybutyl acetate. The reaction occurred with high regio- and stereoselectivity to give enantiomerically pure (2S,3R)-3-azido-2,4-dihydroxy butyl acetate 5 (e.e. >99%) which was easily converted to (2S,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid 1, an important synthetic intermediate in the synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics and phytosiderophores.     

Stereospecific synthesis and absolute configuration of the (2S,3S,4S)-isomer of 2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (MCCG)

The conformationally restricted metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (2S,3S,4S)-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine 1 (MCCG) has been synthesized in a stereoselective manner (>99% ee) with the (2S,3S,4S) absolute configuration of this molecule being confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Subsequent physico–chemical studies were undertaken and the data are at odds with those of the commercially available product.     

Stereospecific synthesis of differentially protected (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acid suitable for incorporation into peptides

The first synthesis of differentially protected (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acids 2 and 3 suitable for incorporation into peptides has been accomplished in a completely stereospecific manner in seven steps (overall yield 25–28%) from tert-butyl (2S,4S)-4-azido-N-tert-butoxycarbonylprolinate 5.     

Synthesis of the nonproteinogenic amino acid (2S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline,a constituent of echinocandins

An enantioselective synthesis of the unusual 3,4-disubstituted proline 2, a constituent of antifungal echinocandins, has been achieved through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-methylnitrone to the α,β-unsaturated lactam 4 derived from (S)-pyroglutaminol.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Total,asymmetric synthesis of ethyl d-ido-4-heptulosuronate derivatives starting from diethyl 4-oxopimelate

Bromination of diethyl 4-oxopimelate, followed by double elimination of HBr and ketalization provided diethyl (E,E)-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)hepta-2,5-dienedioate 4. Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 4 produced diethyl (2S,3S)-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)-2,3-dihydroxyhept-5-enedioate (+)-5, with 78% e.e. The corresponding tetrol could not be obtained in one step. Silylation of (+)-5 and a second asymmetric dihydroxylation, followed by silylation led to 20% of meso-diester 9 and 60% of diethyl (2S,3S,5S,6S)-2,3,5,6-tetrakis[(t-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)heptanedioate (−)-10. Reductive desymmetrization of (−)-10 with DIBAL-H furnished, after selective oxidation, ethyl (2S,3S,5S,6S)-2,3,5,6-tetrakis-[(t-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)-7-oxoheptanoate (+)-13 which was then converted into ethyl 1,2,3,6-O-tetraacetyl-4,4-ethylidenedioxy-α- and β-d-ido-heptapyranuronate (−)-15α,β and into the corresponding 3-(α-d-pyranosyl)propene (−)-16.     

Highly stereoselective preparation of (3R,4S)-3,4-chromanediol by deracemization of (±)-3-hydroxy-4-chromanone by Trichosporon cutaneum

Deracemization of (±)-3-hydroxy-4-chromanone 2 through stereoselective bioreduction to the corresponding (3R,4S)-3,4-chromanediol 3, with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%), mediated by resting cells of the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum CCT 1903, is reported. In addition, 3-hydroxychromone (7) was obtained as a secondary product.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

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.     

Xanthate complexes of {Nb2S4}4+

Alkyl xanthate complexes [Nb₂S₄(S₂COR)₄] (R = Et (I), iso-Pr (II), n-Bu (III), and iso-Am (IV)) are synthesized by the ligand exchange reaction in solutions from (Et₄N)₄[Nb₂S₄(NCS)₈] and the corresponding potassium salts in satisfactory yields. The X-ray diffraction analyses are carried out for the isopropyl xanthate (II) and butyl xanthate (III) complexes. From the view point of mutual arrangement of chelate cycles, complexes II and III exist in crystals as ΛΔ isomers. The niobium-niobium distances are 2.8789(4) Å in complex II and 2.8856(3) Å in complex III. The first example for the formation of short S...S contacts between the disulfide ligands of the {Nb₂S₄}⁴⁺ fragments in the crystal structure of III is found (3.146 Å).     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 4-substituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones. A new approach to methyl l-(2S,4S)-4-methyl-6-oxopipecolate

The sulfoxide-mediated diastereoselective Michael reaction of homochiral α-sulfinylketimines 1a–d and β-substituted ene esters 2a–d (Hua's reaction) was explored. Straightforward cyclization of the open-chain adducts take place under the reaction conditions to provide the 4-substituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones 3 and 7–12, whose stereochemistry is formed in the prior step. Furthermore, the role of the metal ion of the aza-enolate reagents and the steric demands of the O-alkyl ester group have been examined. It seems that the anti-diastereoselectivity depends on metal chelation by the oxygen of the ester as well as the oxygen of the sulfinyl group and the nitrogen in the aza-enolate ((Z)-configuration). In addition, the synthesis of methyl l-(2S,4S)-4-methyl-6-oxopipecolate has been achieved from the suitably functionalized 2-sulfinylketimine 1a (five steps; overall yield: 53–65%).     

Concise, enantiospecific synthesis of (3S,4R)-3-amino-4-ethylpiperidine as partner to a non-fluoroquinolone nucleus

An enantiospecific, eight-step synthesis of (3S,4R)-3-amino-4-ethylpiperidine 3 starting from readily available (S)-(−)-α-methyl-4-pyridinemethanol 6 has been achieved utilizing an Overman rearrangement of a chiral allylic trichloroacetimidate 13 as the key step. A diastereoselective hydrogenation of the resulting chiral allylic amine 15 afforded predominantly the desired trans-substituted piperidine. The conformation of the piperidine along with the directing nature of the amino function are implicated in the selectivity observed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of conformationally constrained (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine

A convenient and efficient route is described for the highly stereoselective synthesis of δ-amino protected and conformationally restricted (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine through the N-benzylnitrone adduct to the α,β-unsaturated bicyclic lactam 2 derived from (S)-pyroglutaminol.     

An efficient and stereospecific synthesis of (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acid

An efficient and stereospecific synthesis of (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acid 1 starting from trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline 2 is presented. The key step involves the combined application of ruthenium tetroxide (RuO₄) oxidation of 4-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)proline derivatives 7 and 8 followed by regioselective ring opening of the resulting lactams 9 and 10 with 1 M LiOH.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S,3R)-2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazole

Two different methods for preparing the thiazole analogue 3 of the biologically active compound (1R,2S,3R)-2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4- tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole 1 are reported.