Studies related to the total synthesis of the sesquiterpene core of the pyrrolobenzoxazine natural products CJ-12662 and CJ-12663

A highly effective procedure is reported to synthesize a substituted bicyclo[4.2.0]octenol derivative by regioselective cycloaddition of phenyl-1-propynyl sulfide with cyclohexenone followed by selective reduction of the ketone group and reductive elimination of phenylsulfonyl group. The strained cyclobutene ring was then engaged in a ring-opening/cross metathesis sequence in the presence of Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst. The synthesis serves as a model study toward the synthesis of the sesquiterpene diol portion of the terpenoid pyrrolobenzoxazine alkaloids, CJ-12662 and CJ-12663.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist

An asymmetric synthesis of a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist 1b is described. Asymmetric conjugate addition of aryllithium derived from 18 to the chiral oxazoline 17 followed by hydrolysis afforded 15 in 96% ee via purification as (S)-(-)-1-phenylethylamine salt. Pd(OAc)(2)/dppf (1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) catalyzed carbonylation followed by chemoselective addition of aryllithium derived from 23 which gave ketone 24. Diastereoselective reduction of the ketone with catecholborane followed by concomitant activation of the resulting alcohol and cyclization gave the late intermediate 26. Introduction of amino moiety on the pyridine ring by imidoyl rearrangement followed by deprotection and purification by crystallization furnished the enantiomerically pure target molecule 1b in 8% overall yield from 16.     

Total synthesis of (−)-bis-8,8′-catechinylmethane isolated from cocoa liquor

An efficient synthesis of bis-8,8′-catechinylmethane, a dimeric flavanol linked through a methylene bridge, is described. Our strategy involved a regioselective coupling via a trifluoroacetic anhydride condensation reaction followed by ketone reduction to the methylene employing new conditions (lithium aluminum hydride and hexafluorophosphoric acid).     

α,ω-Glycols from copolymers of isobutylene and 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene

Isobutylene has been copolymerized with 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene using a boron trifluoride catalyst in petroleum ether solution. Ozonization of the products followed by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride has furnished polyisobutylene glycols in good yield.     

Synthesis of bioactive indolocarbazoles: synthesis, nucleophilic ring-opening and chiral base desymmetrisation of a cyclic sulfate intermediate

A number of new functionalised bridged indolocarbazole systems have been prepared by ring-opening reactions of a key cyclic sulfate intermediate, prepared from the corresponding diol by the action of sulfuryl diimidazole and DBU. The same cyclic sulfate also undergoes an unprecedented asymmetric rearrangement to a chiral ketone, on treatment with a chiral lithium amide base.     

Cascade cyclization, dipolar cycloaddition to bridged tricyclic amines related to the Daphniphyllum alkaloids

A tandem one-pot reaction of an aldehyde with a primary amine involving condensation and then cyclization (N-alkylation), followed by intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition of the resulting nitrone or azomethine ylide, provides a synthesis of bridged tricyclic amines. The reaction was most successful using hydroxylamine, and when the dipolarophile was an unsaturated ester, subsequent reduction of the N-O bond and cyclization to the lactam provided the core ring system of the yuzurimine, daphnilactone B, and bukittinggine type Daphniphyllum alkaloids.     

A formal synthesis of ezetimibe via cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade reaction

A formal synthesis of a powerful cholesterol inhibitor, ezetymibe 1, is described. The crucial step of the synthesis is based on Cu(I)-mediated Kinugasa cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade reaction between terminal acetylene derived from acetonide of L-glyceraldehyde and suitable C,N-diarylnitrone. The adduct with (3R,4S) configuration at the azetidinone ring, obtained with high stereoselectivity, was subsequently subjected to deprotection of the diol side chain followed by glycolic cleavage and base-induced isomerization at the C3 carbon atom to afford the (3S,4S) aldehyde, which has been already transformed into ezetimibe by the Schering-Plough group.     

Synthesis of helianane, an unusual marine sesquiterpene employing ring-expansion by flash vacuum thermolysis

A total synthesis of the marine sesquiterpene helianane 1 is described involving the thermal rearrangement of the benzoxabicyclo[4.2.0]octenone 4 to generate the dienone 5 incorporating the benzoxocane ring system of 1. This dienone was converted to the key ketone 11, which on interaction with methylmagnesium iodide followed by hydrogenation of the resulting alkene 18 furnished helianane 1.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-cannabisativine

The asymmetric total synthesis of natural (+)-cannabisativine 1 was completed in 19 steps and 7% overall yield. The key synthetic intermediate 29 was prepared with a high degree of stereocontrol in 12 steps starting from chiral 1-acylpyridinium salt 10. Addition of zinc enolate 11 to pyridinium salt 10 furnished dihydropyridone 12 containing two contiguous stereocenters of the correct absolute configuration. Luche reduction of ketone 16 afforded diol 17 in high yield (96%) and excellent diastereoselectivity. The Mukaiyama-Michael reaction of pyridones 27a/b with O-silyl ketene acetal 32 gave phenyl selenyl ketones 33a/b with complete stereoselectivity. Elimination of cis-beta-hydroxyselenides 34 and 35 effected the regiocontrolled preparation of tetrahydropyridine derivative 29. Several approaches to the macrocyclic ring closure of the 13-membered ring were investigated, ultimately leading to the completion of an asymmetric synthesis of the target compound with a high degree of stereocontrol.     

Synthese de sesquiterpenes tricycliques—I: Etude d''un modele derive de la (−)Δ trimethyl 1,1,7β octalone-3 (pulegone acetone)

Photochemical cycloaddition of ethylene on (−)Δ⁴-1,1,7β-trimethyl-octal-3-one leads to a mixture of two isomers. The rearrangement of the major ketone in the presence of toluene-p-sulphonic acid has been studied. Solvolysis of the tertiary alcohols related to the major cycloaddition product gives the same mixture of five substances which have been separated and whose structures have been determined.     

Application of furanyl carbamate cycloadditions toward the synthesis of hexahydroindolinone alkaloids

A convenient synthesis of various substituted hexahydroindolinones has been achieved by an intramolecular Diels--Alder cycloaddition reaction (IMDAF) of furanyl carbamates bearing tethered alkenyl groups. The initially formed [4 + 2]-cycloadduct undergoes nitrogen-assisted ring opening followed by deprotonation of the resulting zwitterion to give the rearranged ketone. The stereochemical outcome of the IMDAF cycloaddition has the sidearm of the tethered alkenyl group oriented syn with respect to the oxygen bridge. A synthetic route to (+/-)-mesembrane and (+/-)-crinane was accomplished using this methodology. It was possible to carry out a stereoselective reduction of the initially formed hexahydroindolinone ring to produce the cis-3a-aryl-hydroindole skeleton. A related [4 + 2]-cycloaddition/rearrangement sequence was also used for a formal synthesis of the Chinese ornamental orchid (+/-)-dendrobine. The tricyclic alkaloid core was formed stereoselectivity from the thermolysis of N-[(2-methyl-2-cyclopentenyl)methyl]-N-(4-isopropyl-furan-2-yl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. Kende's advanced intermediate 33 was prepared in seven additional steps by standard transformations, thereby completing a formal synthesis of (+/-)-dendrobine.     

4,5-Dibenzyloxybenzyne as a synthon for diels-alder reactions. The synthesis of 6,7-dihydroxy-1,4-ethano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines as rigid analogs of adrenergic agents. Assignment of proton and carbon-13 NMR parameters using homonuclear and heteronuclear two-dimensional chemical shift correlation NMR spectroscopy

The synthesis of several rigid analogs of catecholamine type of adrenergic agents is reported. Their synthesis began with a Diels-Alder cycloaddition of 4,5-dibenzyloxybenzyne (generated from 4,5-dibenzyloxyan-thranilic acid) to 1-(2-trans-phenylvinyl)-2-pyridone and 1-benzyl-3-benzyloxy-2-pyridone. The unsaturated amides so produced were reduced first with hydrogen and palladium and then with lithium aluminum hydride to provide 6,7-dihydroxy-1,4-ethano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines. Homonuclear and heteronuclear two-dimensional chemical shift correlation nmr spectroscopy confirmed the structure of the bridged tetra-hydroisoquinolines and led to the unambiguous assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C nmr chemical shifts of key compounds.     

In situ generation of vinyl allenes and its applications to one-pot assembly of cyclohexene, cyclooctadiene, 3,7-nonadienone, and bicyclo[6.4.0]dodecene derivatives with palladium-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

A novel tandem Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and [4 + 4] cycloaddition sequence allows the rapid synthesis of eight-membered carbocycles starting from alpha-bromovinyl arenes and propargyl bromides in one reaction vessel. It is noteworthy that four components are assembled into one molecule via this procedure. In contrast to alpha-bromovinyl arenes, alpha-bromovinyl alkanes afforded tandem cross-coupling and homo [4 + 2] cycloaddition products. Subjecting an equimolar mixture of alpha-bromostyrene and 2-bromo-1-octene to propargyl bromides furnished the tandem Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and hetero [4 + 2] cycloaddition product. Exposure of equimolar mixtures of alpha-bromovinyl arenes to allenylindium resulted in tandem a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and hetero [4 + 4] cycloaddition products. Synthesis of vinylallene from the reaction of vinyl triflate with allenylindium followed by Pd-catalyzed carbon monoxide insertion reaction gave the corresponding 3,7-nonadienone product via tandem Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and [4 + 4 + 1] annulation. Tandem Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling, [4 + 4] cycloaddition, and [4 + 2] cycloaddition provided the rapid synthesis of bicyclo[6.4.0]dodecene derivatives starting from alpha-bromovinyl arenes, propargyl bromides, and dienophiles in one operation, in which five components were integrated into one molecule.     

Reduction studies on benzaza[3.3.3]propellanc derivatives

Sodium borohydride reduction of 3-methyl-2,3-dioxo-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-one (1b) gave 2,4-dioxo-3-methyl-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-ol, while lithium aluminum hydride reduction gave 3-methyl-7,8-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellan-6-ol, which on oxidation, gave the corresponding ketone. This ketone formed the corresponding thioketal upon reaction with 1,2-ethanedithiol. Raney nickel desulfurization of the thioketal provided 3-methyl-6,7-benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellane. The same compound was also obtained in poor yield by forming the thioketal of Ib followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction and Raney nickel desulfurization of the product. Desulfurization of the thioketal of Ib gave 2,4-dioxo-6,7-Benzo-3-aza[3.3.3]propellane.     

A new route for the construction of the AB-ring core of Taxol

A new method for the construction of the AB-ring core of Taxol was developed utilizing a new skeletal transformation protocol as a pivotal step. The acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the cyclopentenone-allene photoadduct gave a bridged seven-membered ketone, which was easily transformed, using the intramolecular Suzuki reaction and the oxidative cleavage of the vicinal diol, to the bicyclic diketone.     

A Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of Lipoxin B4 and its Biological Activity as a Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediator of Neuroinflammation

Two stereocontrolled, efficient, and modular syntheses of eicosanoid lipoxin B4 (LXB₄) are reported. One features a stereoselective reduction followed by an asymmetric epoxidation sequence to set the vicinal diol stereocentres. The dienyne was installed via a one-pot Wittig olefination and base-mediated epoxide ring opening cascade. The other approach installed the diol through an asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction followed by a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to afford the common dienyne intermediate. Finally, a Sonogashira coupling and an alkyne hydrosilylation/proto-desilylation protocol furnished LXB₄ in 25 % overall yield in just 10 steps. For the first time, LXB₄ has been fully characterized spectroscopically with its structure confirmed as previously reported. We have demonstrated that the synthesized LXB₄ showed similar biological activity to commercial sources in a cellular neuroprotection model. This synthetic route can be employed to synthesize large quantities of LXB₄, enable synthesis of new analogs, and chemical probes for receptor and pathway characterization.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 4-aza-5α-sitostane and the 4-methyl derivative

Synthesis of 4-aza-5α-sitostane (IX), and 4-methyl-4-aza-5α-sitostane (XII) were accomplished through a set of reactions involving oxidative opening of ring A of α,β-unsaturated ketone, ring closure, followed by catalytic hydrogenation and lithium aluminum hydride reduction, respectively. The antimicrobial activity for X and XII is reported.     

An expedient route to Montanine-type Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: total syntheses of (-)-brunsvigine and (-)-manthine

The first total syntheses of (-)-brunsvigine (1) and (-)-manthine (2) were accomplished in 10 and 18 steps, respectively. (-)-Quinic acid was converted to enone 12 in five steps. Iodination of enone 12 followed by stereoselective reduction yielded alpha-iodo allylic alcohol 16. Conversion of alcohol 16 into Weinreb amide 11 followed by anionic cyclization gave bicyclic enone 10. Stereoselective reduction of enone 10 and subsequent protection afforded pivaloate 9. Grignard addition of 8 to 9 and detosylation afforded amine derivative 19. Pictet-Spengler cyclization of 19 with Eschenmoser's salt and subsequent hydrolysis gave enantiomerically pure (-)-brunsvigine (1). For the total synthesis of (-)-manthine (2), the key intermediate 7 was hydrolyzed to diol 21. Conversion of 21 into 22 followed by regioselective cleavage with DIBAL furnished alcohol 25. Alcohol 25 was converted to the corresponding triflate 26, which on treatment with CsOAc and 18-crown-6 gave stereoinverted acetate 27. Hydrolysis of acetate 27 followed by methylation afforded compound 29. Detosylation of 29 afforded amine derivative 30. Pictet-Spengler cyclization of 30 followed by debenzylation gave alcohol 33. Finally, methylation of alcohol 33 afforded (-)-manthine (2).     

A Highly diastereoselective synthesis of (1R)-(+)-camphor-based chiral allenes and their asymmetric hydroboration-oxidation reactions

Synthesis of camphor derived chiral allenes and their hydroboration-oxidation reactions are described. Reaction of (1R)-(+)-camphor with alkynyllithium followed by the reduction of the resulted propargyl alcohol derivatives using AlH3 furnished chiral allenes 2a-g in excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity. Reduction of the propargyl alcohols with aluminum hydride proceeded through selective intermolecular anti-addition of hydride ion. The stereochemistry of the chiral allenes 2 was assigned based on lanthanide shift studies and chemical correlations. Diastereoselectivity was observed in the hydroboration-oxidation of 2 which produced a mixture of (E,R) and (E,S) stereoisomers in a ratio of 6:1 to 18:1.     

Total synthesis of (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin, a toxic metabolite of the freshwater cyanobacterium aphanizomenonovalisporum, and assignment of its absolute configuration

[reaction: see text] The Z and E nitrones 38 and 39 from condensation of aldehyde 20 with hydroxylamine 36 underwent intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition to give the substituted 1-aza-7-oxobicyclo[2.2.1] heptanes 40 and 41 in a ratio of 2:1, respectively. Reductive N-O bond cleavage of 40 followed by carbonylation gave cyclic urea 47 in which inversion of the secondary alcohol was effected via an oxidation-reduction sequence. After conversion of the p-bromobenzyl ether 50 to azide 54, activation of the cyclic urea as its O-methylisourea and reduction of the azide led to spontaneous cyclization to afford the tricyclic nucleus 59 of cylindrospermopsin. Global deprotection, including hydrolysis of the 2,4-dimethyoxypyrimidine appendage to a uracil, and then monosulfation of the resultant diol 60 afforded a substance identical with natural (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin (1). The asymmetric synthesis of (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin defines its absolute configuration as 7S,8R,10S,12S,13R,14S.