Totally selective synthesis of enantiopure (3S,5S)- and (3R,5R)-4-amino-3,5-dihydroxypiperidines from aminodiepoxides derived from serine

The transformation of enantiopure (2R,4R)- and (2S,4S)-N,N-dibenzyl-1,2:4,5-diepoxypentan-3-amine, 1 and 2, into the corresponding enantiopure (3S,5S)- and (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxy-3-aminopiperidines, 3 and 4 respectively, is described. The opening of the two epoxide rings with a range of amines takes place with total regioselectivity and high yields, in the presence of LiClO4. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed.     

The dioxanone approach to (2S,3R)-2-C-methylerythritol 4-phosphate and 2,4-cyclodiphosphate, and various MEP analogues

Efficient syntheses of the non-mevalonate pathway intermediates 2-C-methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) and 2-C-methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (ME-2,4-cycloPP), as well as the parent tetrol 2-C-methylerythritol, in enantiopure form from (2S,4R)-cis-2-phenyl-4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-1,3-dioxan-5-one are reported. The 2S configuration of the C-methyl group was installed by highly axial-face selective addition of CH3MgBr (20:1) to the chiral dioxanone carbonyl group. Primary selective mono-phosphorylation and 2,4-bis-phosphorylation, followed by desilation and hydrogenolysis to the free mono- and diphosphates, and, in the latter case, cyclization to form the eight-membered phosphoryl anhydride, afforded MEP and ME-2,4-cycloPP in good yields. The C2 epimeric analogues, 2-C-methylthreitol and its 4-phosphate, were accessed by LiAlH4 reduction of the cis,cis epoxide of (2S,4R)-4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl-5-methylene-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane, primary-selective phosphorylation, and cleavage of the silyl, benzylidene, and benzyl protecting groups. Regioselective cleavage of the acetal ring of 1,3-benzylidene 2-C-methylerythritol silyl ether by ozonolysis afforded a 1,2,3-triol 3-monobenzoate intermediate that was converted to the novel amino sugar, 1-amino-1-deoxy-2-C-methylerythritol.     

Nonracemic Betti base as a new chiral auxiliary: application to total syntheses of enantiopure (2S,6R)-dihydropinidine and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsins

Total syntheses of enantiopure alkaloidal natural products (2S,6R)-dihydropinidine (as hydrochloride) and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsins (as hydrochlorides) were achieved in four steps and in 80-82% total yields by using a synthetic strategy of the formation-cleavage of 1,3-oxazinane. (S)-Betti base was proved to be an excellent chiral auxiliary and a novel Pd/C catalyzed N-debenzylation straightforward to amine hydrochloride was developed in the presence of CH2Cl2.     

Enantioselective total syntheses of the Ipecacuanha alkaloid emetine, the Alangium alkaloid tubulosine and a novel benzoquinolizidine alkaloid by using a domino process

The first enantioselective syntheses of the Ipecacuanha alkaloid emetine (1) and the Alangium alkaloid tubulosine (2) is described employing a domino Knoevenagel/hetero-Diels-Alder reaction and an enantioselective catalytic transfer hydrogenation of imines as key steps. Thus, hydrogenation of the imine 15 with the catalyst (R,R)-16 gives the tetrahydroisoquinoline 14 with 95 % ee which was transformed into the aldehyde (1S)-7. The three-component domino reaction of (1S)-7 with 6 and 8 led to 19, which in a second domino process was treated with K(2)CO(3) in methanol followed by a hydrogenation to give the benzoquinolizidine 4 together with the diastereomers 22 and 23 in a overall yield of 66 %. Further transformation of 4 with the amines 3 and 5 yielded enantiopure emetine (1) and tubulosine (2), respectively. In addition, starting from 19 the novel benzoquinolizidine alkaloid 34 was synthesised; this compound resembles the vallesiachotamine alkaloid dihydroantirhin 31, which has not been isolated so far but probably must also exist in nature.     

Tandem cyclisations involving alpha-ketenyl alkyl radicals. New syntheses of the natural triquinanes pentalenene and modhephene

New synthetic approaches to the angular and propellane sesquiterpene triquinanes (+/-)-pentalenene 2 and (+/-)-modhephene 3, respectively, are described. The syntheses are based on tandem cyclisations involving alpha-ketene alkyl radical intermediates produced from alpha,beta-unsaturated acyl radical species, as highlighted in Schemes 2 and 4.     

High kinetic resolution in the addition of a racemic allenylzinc onto enantiopure N-tert-butanesulfinimines: concise synthesis of enantiopure trans-2-ethynylaziridines

Enantiopure trans-ethynyl N-tert-butanesulfinylaziridines (R(S))-6 were prepared in good to excellent yields by the condensation of the racemic allenylzinc species 1 derived from 3-chloro-1-trimethylsilylpropyne onto the corresponding enantiopure N-tert-butanesulfinimines (R(S))-5. The absolute stereochemistry of enantiopure N-tert-butanesulfinylaziridines (R(S))-6 was shown to be (R(S),2R,3R) and results from a chelate-type transition state in which the zinc atom of allenylzinc 1 is coordinated by both the nitogen and the oxygen atoms of the imine. Further removal of the N-tert-butanesulfinyl auxiliary of alkyl 3-substituted and 3,3-disubstituted ethynyl N-tert-butanesulfinylaziridines (R(S))-6 could be achieved by treatment with HCl in MeOH affording the corresponding deprotected aziridines (2R,3R)-9 and (2R)-9 respectively as enantiomerically pure compounds.     

Efficient synthesis of phospholipids from glycidyl phosphates.

New efficient routes to enantiopure phospholipids, starting from (S)-glycidol, are described. Lysophosphatidic acids and phosphatidic acids were obtained in good overall yields from (S)-glycidol, in only three and four steps, respectively. Moreover, the strategy can also be used to produce phosphatidylcholines in three steps. Using dialkylphosphoramidites, (S)-glycidol was phosphorylated to give (R)-1-O-glycidyl dialkyl phosphates. Regiospecific epoxide opening, using hexadecanol or cesium palmitate, followed by phosphate deprotection, provided lysophosphatidic acids. 2-O-Esterification prior to phosphate deprotection provided 1,2-O-diacyl and 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acyl phosphatidic acids. Phosphorylation of (S)-glycidol using phosphorus oxychloride followed by in situ treatment with choline tosylate produced (R)-glycidyl phosphocholine. Subsequent nucleophilic opening of the epoxide using cesium palmitate produced 1-O-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, which has been used in syntheses of phosphatidylcholines.     

Highly diastereoselective and stereodivergent dihydroxylations of acyclic allylic amines: application to the asymmetric synthesis of 3,6-dideoxy-3-amino-L-talose

Aminohydroxylation of tert-butyl sorbate [tert-butyl (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate] using enantiopure lithium (R)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide and (-)-camphorsulfonyloxaziridine gives tert-butyl (R,R,R,E)-2-hydroxy-3-[N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amino]hex-4-enoate in >99:1 dr. Subsequent dihydroxylation under Upjohn conditions (OsO(4)/NMO) gives tert-butyl (2R,3R,4S,5S,αR)-2,4,5-trihydroxy-3-[N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amino]hexanoate (in 95:5 dr) while dihydroxylation under Donohoe conditions (OsO(4)/TMEDA) proceeds with antipodal diastereofacial selectivity to give the (R,R,R,R,R)-diastereoisomer (in 95:5 dr). The amino triols resulting from these dihydroxylation reactions are useful for further elaboration, as demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of 3,6-dideoxy-3-amino-L-talose.     

Regioselective ring opening of amino epoxides with nitriles: an easy synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols with differently protected amine functions

[reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2 into the corresponding (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols 3 or 4 is described. The opening of the epoxide ring with different nitriles (Ritter reaction) takes place with total selectivity and in high yields in the presence of BF3.Et2O. Interestingly, the two amine groups are differently protected. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed.     

Highly diastereoselective epimerization: stereodivergent synthesis of alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino isopentanoic acid

The high diastereoselectivity of the base-catalyzed epimerization of oxazolidin-2-ones 7 and 8 is shown to depend on the nature of the N-substituent (R group); when R = Bn, the 4,5-trans-product (4S,5R)-9 is formed, whereas when R = H the 4,5-cis-product (4S,5S)-10 is formed, both with >99:1 dr. The successful hydrolysis of the oxazolidin-2-one group in both cis- and trans-derivatives show this to be a stereodivergent route to enantiopure alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino isopentanoic acids (2R,3S)-1 and (2S,3S)-2.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic gamma-aryl-delta-oxoesters. Enantioselective synthesis of 3-arylpiperidines

Cyclodehydration of racemic gamma-aryl-delta-oxoesters with (R)- or (S)-phenylglycinol stereoselectively affords bicyclic delta-lactams, in a process that involves a dynamic kinetic resolution. Subsequent reduction of these lactams leads to enantiopure 3-arylpiperidines. Starting from racemic aldehyde esters, this short sequence has been applied to the synthesis of (R)-3-phenylpiperidine and the antipsychotic drug (-)-3-PPP (an (S)-3-arylpiperidine), whereas starting from racemic ketone esters enantiopure cis-2-alkyl-3-arylpiperidines are prepared.     

Synthesis of enantiopure (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)-beta-amino alcohols by complete regioselective opening of aminoepoxides by organolithium reagents LiAlH4 or LiAlD4

The reaction of chiral (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides, 1 or 2 with a variety of organolithium compounds to obtain the corresponding (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)- beta-amino alcohols in enantiopure form is reported. In both cases, the opening of the oxirane ring at C-3 proceeded with total regioselectivity. Moreover, the ring opening of aminoepoxides 1 or 2 by hydride (utilizing LiAlH4) to obtain the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-aminoalkan-2-ols is also described. The reaction of 1 or 2 with LiAlD4 in place of LiAlH4 gave the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-amino-1-deuterioalkan-2-ols.     

beta-Sulfinyl alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds from enantiomerically pure sulfenic acids.

The addition of enantiopure sulfenic acids to oxoalkynes constitutes a new and efficient methodology for the synthesis of beta-sulfinyl alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Sulfenic acids 3 and 4 were generated by thermolysis of suitable precursors and trapped in situ by oxoalkynes 5, affording (R(S),E)- and (S(S),E)-3-alkylsulfinyl-1-phenyl-2-propen-1-ones, 4-alkylsulfinyl-3-buten-2-ones, and 3-[(1S)-isoborneol-10-sulfinyl]-2-propenoates 6 and 7 in good yields and in enantiomerically pure form after simple column chromatography. (R(S),E)-3-[(1S)-isoborneol-10-sulfinyl]-1-phenyl-2-propen-1-one (6(R)a) was involved as a heterodiene in inverse-electron-demanding Diels-Alder reactions with readily available electron-rich dienophiles 14 and 15, corroborating in each case the sulfinyl auxiliary capability in controlling the stereochemical outcome of these cycloadditions. Furthermore, the addition of methylmagnesium iodide to the carbonyl moiety of 6(R)a demonstrated that the chiral sulfur atom exerts a remote stereocontrol in this reaction if assisted by the hydroxy group being part of the isoborneol substituent.     

Enantioselective Michael reactions of chiral secondary enaminoesters with 2-substituted nitroethylenes. Syntheses of trans, trans-2,4-disubstituted pyrrolidine-3-carboxylates

The Michael reaction of chiral 3-substituted secondary enaminoesters with 2-substituted nitroethylenes leads to (Z)-adducts, with good to excellent diastereoselectivity. The nitro group of these adducts was catalytically reduced to give, after cyclization and chiral amine elimination, pyrrolines or pyrrolidines after further reduction. In particular, the syntheses of ethyl (2R,3S,4S)-2,4-dimethylpyrrolidine-3-carboxylate and ethyl (2R,3R,4S)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carboxylate are described.     

A general enantioselective approach to jasmonoid fragrances: synthesis of (+)-(1R,2S)-methyl dihydrojasmonate and (+)-(1R,2S)-magnolione

Methyl dihydrojasmonate 1 and magnolione 3 are of both academic and industrial interest. In this paper, we describe a flexible, high-yielding route to diastereomerically pure (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-methyl dihydrojasmonate 1 and the first synthesis of (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-magnolione 3, both with enantiomeric excesses up to 93%. The two syntheses diverged from the same advanced intermediate 5, readily available from the enantioenriched hydroxymethyl delta-lactone (-)-(3aS,4S,6aR)-6. The olfactory properties of (1R,2S)-1 and (1R,2S)-3 are reported.     

Stereoselective syntheses of 4-hydroxy 4-substituted glutamic acids

The 4-hydroxy 4-substituted glutamic acid moiety is a common substructure of biologically important natural products such as monatin [(2S,4S)-2], lycoperdic acid (3), and dysiherbaine (4). To develop methodology for syntheses of these natural products, cycloadditions of nitrone 5 with 2-substituted 2-propen-1-ols 6 and 2-substituted acrylates 8 were investigated. Reactions of nitrone 5 with alcohols 6 in the presence of MgBr2OEt2 gave cycloadducts 7 in a highly stereoselective manner, whereas noncatalyzed reactions of 5 with acrylates 8 afforded adducts 9. Using the former reaction, syntheses of monatin [(2S,4S)-2], monatin derivative 18, and lycoperdic acid (3) were accomplished. The C4-epimer of monatin [(2S,4R)-2)] was also synthesized by employing the latter cycloaddition.     

Novel metal complexes containing a chiral trinitrogen isoindoline-based pincer ligand: in situ synthesis and structural characterization

The first synthesis and characterization of metal coordinated complexes containing in situ prepared chiral trinitrogen 1,3-bis(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-ylimino)isoindoline-based pincer ligands are reported. Two zinc complexes, isolated as Zn(L)(2), where L = 1,3-bis(4,5-dihydro-4-(R)-phenyloxazol-2-ylimino)isoindoline ((R,R)-5) or 1,3-bis(4,5-dihydro-4-(S)-iso-propyloxazol-2-ylimino)isoindoline ((S,S)-6), respectively, are reported. Complexes Zn((R,R)-5)(2) and Zn((S,S)-6)(2) were prepared in situ through the condensation of phthalonitrile with enantiopure 2-amino-4-(R)-phenyloxazoline ((R)-3) or 2-amino-4-(S)-iso-propyloxazoline ((S)-4) in the presence of ZnCl(2) at 80 °C in dry toluene over 3-4 days. The characterizations of Zn((R,R)-5)(2) and Zn((S,S)-6)(2) in both the solid (X-ray crystallography) and solution (multinuclear NMR spectroscopy) states are reported.     

Convenient asymmetric synthesis of beta-trifluoromethyl-beta-amino acid, beta-amino ketones, and gamma-amino alcohols via Reformatsky and Mannich-type reactions from 2-trifluoromethyl-1,3-oxazolidines

The stereoselective syntheses of beta-trifluoromethyl-beta-amino ester, beta lactams, and beta-amino ketones starting from an oxazolidine derived from trifluoroacetaldehyde hemiacetal and (R)-phenylglycinol are reported. The Mannich-type reaction involving a chiral fluorinated iminium ion occurred in a good yield and with a higher stereoselectivity (dr up to 96:4) than that of the Reformatsky-type reaction. This straightforward strategy was applied to the short syntheses of (R)-3-amino-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid, a series of novel enantiopure unprotected fluorinated beta-amino ketones, and their corresponding gamma-amino alcohols.     

Trifluoromethyl- and difluoromethyl-β-lactams as useful building blocks for the synthesis of fluorinated amino acids, dipeptides, and fluoro-taxoids

Enantiopure 1-acyl-3-hydroxyl-4-CF₂H-azetidin-2-ones and 1-acyl-3-hydroxy-4-CF₃-azetidin-2-ones serve as versatile intermediates for the syntheses of CF₂- and CF₃-containing α-hydroxy-β-amino acids, dipeptides, and taxoid anticancer agents. Both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-4-CF₂H-β-lactams can be obtained in high yields through the diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) reaction of the corresponding enantiopure 4-formyl-β-lactam that is prepared through [2+2] cycloaddition of acetoxyketene to a 3-methyl-2-butenaldimine, followed by enzymatic optical resolution and ozonolysis. (+)-3-Hydroxy-4-CF₃-β-lactams and (−)-3-hydroxy-4-CF₃-β-lactams can also be readily obtained in enantiopure form through [2+2] cycloaddition of a CF₃-imine with a ketene, followed by enzymatic optical resolution. Practical processes for the preparations of these enantiopure 3-hydroxy-4-R_f-β-lactams as well as their synthetic applications are described.     

Totally selective ring-opening of amino epoxides with ketones: a general entry to enantiopure (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols

[Reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure diastereoisomers (2R,1'S)- and (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides into the corresponding 4-(1-aminoalkyl)-1,3-dioxolanes is achieved by reaction with different ketones in the presence of BF3.Et2O. The conversion takes place in very high yields, total selectivity, and without epimerization. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed. The obtained 1,3-dioxolanes can be deprotected, and (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols were isolated.