A carbohydrate-based total syntheses of (+)-pyrenolide D and (-)-4-epi-pyrenolide D

Efficient total syntheses of (+)-pyrenolide D (5) and (-)-4-epi-pyrenolide D (6) have been achieved from a known 5-deoxy-d-xylose derivative 9 in ten steps with 19% overall yield either exclusively as 5 or as pure 5 and 6 in a 3:2 ratio. Key steps involved are one-pot epoxidation-cyclization by Corey-Chaykvosky reagent, reductive Barton-McCombie deoxygenation, and per-acid mediated oxidative spiroketalization.     

Scalable preparation of both enantiomers of 2-(1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclohexyl)acetic acid

The efficient, scalable preparation of both enantiomers of 2-(1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclohexyl)acetic acid in enantiomerically pure form is reported using environmentally benign conditions in 30% overall yield (6 steps) for the (S)-isomer, in 27% (7 steps) for the (R)-isomer, from cyclohexanone.     

Highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of fluvirucinine A1 via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA)-lipase-catalyzed acetylation tandem process

ZACA-lipase-catalyzed acetylation tandem process has been shown to proceed satisfactorily with either TBS-protected 4-penten-1-ol or 3-buten-1-ol to provide the corresponding enantiomerically pure (R)-2-ethyl-1-alkanols. Either (R)-5 or (R)-6 was converted to 3 in seven steps. The other fragment 4 was synthesized in nine steps from (-)-(S)-citronellol. Conversion of 3 and 4 into 99% pure fluvirucinine A1 was achieved in four steps via amidation-ring closing metathesis, the overall yield in the longest linear sequence being 34% (13 steps).     

Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-(-)-xylopinine. Use of the sulfinyl group as an ipso director in aromatic SE

Optically pure (S)-(-)-xylopinine 2 was prepared in three steps in 52% overall yield. Thus, condensation of the carbanion derived from (S)-4 with the (S)-(E)-sulfinylimine 5 gave a 2:1 mixture of tetrahydroisoquinolines 6a and 6b, differing only in configuration at sulfur. N-Desulfinylation of this mixture gave the diastereomeric sulfoxides which, without separation, were converted into (S)-(-)-xylopinine (2) with loss of the sulfinyl moieties under Pictet-Spengler conditions. This unprecedented ipso electrophilic substitution of a sulfinyl group may have synthetic implications beyond that described in this work.     

Efficient and selective synthesis of (S,R,R,S,R,S)-4,6,8,10,16,18-hexamethyl-docosane via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA reaction)

(S,R,R,S,R,S)-4,6,8,10,16,18-Hexamethyldocosane (1) was synthesized in 11% yield in 11 steps in the longest linear sequence from > or =98% pure (S)-beta-citronellal and 6 additional steps for the preparation of 11 in 23% yield from propene. Five of the six asymmetric carbon centers were generated catalytically and stereoselectively by the ZACA reaction (5 times), one lipase-catalyzed acetylation, and two chromatographic operations.     

Total syntheses of (-) epilupinine and (-)-tashiromine using imino-aldol reactions

Short routes to enantiomerically pure indolizidine and quinolizidine alkaloids have been developed using imino-aldol reactions of enolates derived from phenyl 5-chlorovalerate. High levels of syn selectivity (dr ～13-16:1) were obtained using lithium enolates of phenyl esters in combination with tert-butylsulfinyl imines. The imino-aldol adducts were deprotected and cyclized to afford (-)-epilupinine ((-)-2) and (-)-tashiromine ((-)-1) in two further steps.     

Synthesis of (-)-morphine

The preparation of the diastereomerically pure beta-tetralone ketal 4 is reported. Intramolecular alkylidene C-H insertion followed by hydrolysis of 4 proceeded to give the enantiomerically pure cyclopentene 15. The key step in this synthesis was the bis-intramolecular cyclization of keto aldehyde 2 to give the tetracyclic intermediate 20. Enone 20 was converted over several steps to (-)-morphine 1.     

光学纯反式-(+)-水合蒎醇的新方法合成

以3,5-二羟基-4-甲基苯甲酸甲酯为原料,通过7步反应,高产率地合成了反式-(+)-水合蒎醇[(+)-1],其结构通过IR,MS和NMR等技术进行了确认,该化合物的光学纯度e.e.高达99%.     

Simple and practical routes to enantiomerically pure 5-(trialkylsilyl)-2-cyclohexenones

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically pure chiral 5-silylated 2-cyclohexenones are easily prepared in high yield using as a key step kinetic resolution with a commercially available lipase. Fully active enzyme can be recovered very efficiently for reuse. The synthetic steps are outlined in Schemes 1 and 3. Enantiomerically pure 2-cyclohexenones such as 1 and 2 are versatile intermediates for the synthesis of a multitude of chiral targets by means of a variety of diastereoselective reactions such as those illustrated in Scheme 2.     

Expeditious syntheses of (+/-)-5-oxosilphiperfol-6-ene and (+/-)-silphiperfol-6-ene

[reaction: see text]Stereocontrolled syntheses of 5-oxosilphiperfol-6-ene (1) and silphiperfol-6-ene (2) have been accomplished in four and five steps, with overall yields of 32% and 26%, respectively, from 1-acetyl-3-methylcylopentene. The strategy features two pivotal reactions: (a) a Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-dimethylcyclopentadiene and 1-acetyl-3-methylcyclopentene, which proceeds with remarkable regio-, endo-, and diastereofacial selectivities, and (b) an intramolecular Paterno-Büchi reaction to snap together the triquinane framework.     

Synthesis of chiral 1-(imidazol-2-yl)alkanamines using neomenthanethiol as a chiral auxiliary

Diastereomeric N-(imidazol-2-ylmethylidene)neomenthane-3-sulfinamides were obtained from enantiomerically pure neomenthanethiol in three steps. The compounds obtained added Grignard reagents at the C=N bond. After separation of diastereomers, an acid resolution gave enantiomerically pure primary 1-(imidazol-2-yl)alkanamines. In this scheme, the neomenthane fragment played the role of a chiral auxiliary.     

Synthesis of 1-[6-Fluoro-(2S)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2- ethanediol and 1-[6-Fluoro-(2R)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]- (1R)-1,2-ethanediol

Benzopyran compounds possess diverse pharmacological properties such as β-blockade, anticonvulsant and antimicrobial.[1,2] Our interest has been focused on the synthesis of 1-[6-Fluoro-2S]-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2-ethanediol (6) and 1-[6-fluoro-(2R)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2-ethanediol (7) which are particularly convenient precursor to (S,R,R,R)-NE (8). 8 containing four asymmetrical carbon atoms was reported to be the most active isomer.[3] Chandrasekhar[4] has reported on the synthesis of 8. The key step to synthesize this compound is to obtain the chiral chromanone 6 and 7. 6 was accomplished in 8 steps by the Clasien rearrangement and a one-pot Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, but the compound 7 was accomplished in 10 steps. Johannes[5] used Zr-catalytic kinetic resolution of allylic ethers and Mo-catalyzed chromene formation to synthesize 8 in 14 steps. However both of the methods request many synthetic steps and expensive reagents.     

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).     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-codeine and (-)-morphine

A new synthetic strategy for the synthesis of the opiate and amaryllidaceae alkaloids emerges employing a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to set the stereochemistry. The pivotal tricyclic intermediate is available in six steps from 2-bromovanillin and the monoester of methyl 6-hydroxycyclohexene-1-carboxylate, the latter available from glutaraldehyde and the Emmons-Wadsworth-Horner phosphate reagent. This intermediate requires only two steps to convert to (-)-galanthamine. Using a Heck vinylation, we found that the fourth ring of codeine/morphine is formed. The final ring formation involves a novel visible light-promoted hydroamination. Thus, six steps are required to convert the pivotal tricyclic intermediate into codeine, which has been demethylated in high yield to morphine.     

One-pot parallel solution-phase synthesis of 1-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ols

Two variations of enaminone-based parallel solution-phase synthesis of 1-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols 8 and their NH-tautomers 8' were developed. The synthetic strategy comprises a two step preparation of the N-protected alpha-enamino lactams 3a and 3b from 2-pyrrolidinone (1), "ring switching" transformation of 3a, b with monosubstituted hydrazines 4a-u, and acidolytic removal of the N-protecting group. In order to ensure a clean and fast conversion, reactions of Cbz-enaminone 3a with hydrazines 4a-k were carried out under microwave irradiation to afford the "ring-switched" intermediates 7a-k. Deprotection of 7a-k with HBr-AcOH at 50 degrees C gave a library of 11 analytically pure 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols (di)hydrobromides 8/ 8'a-k in 16-75% yields over two steps. The other reagent, Boc-enaminone 3b, was more reactive and ring switching transformations with hydrazines 4b, d, k proceeded smoothly and cleanly under conventional heating. Finally, a parallel one-pot transformation of the Boc-enaminone 3b with hydrazines 4a-u followed by subsequent deprotection of the intermediates 9a-u with HCl-EtOAc furnished a library of 21 analytically pure 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols (di)hydrochlorides 8/ 8'a-u in 40-100% yields.     

A novel and convenient route for the construction of 5-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indoles and its application in the synthesis of Rizatriptan

In this study, a novel and convenient route for the construction of 5-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indoles (8) is presented starting from (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methanol (5) and indolines (6) under 98% H₂SO₄ at room temperature for 4–24 h, followed by deacetylation and dehydrogenation. Based on this finding, a novel route to synthesize Rizatriptan starting from tryptamine was designed and accomplished with 48.5% overall yield in 6 steps. Compared with operational art, the new route afforded higher yield and more pure products requiring no chromatographic purification, which may further be applied in industrialization.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-flustramines A and C, (+/-)-flustramide A, and (-)- and (+)-debromoflustramines A

Here we describe the efficient total synthesis of the three title hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole alkaloids and debromo derivative from readily available indolin-3-ones using key domino reactions, olefination-isomerization-Claisen rearrangement (OIC), and reductive cyclization (RC). (+/-)-Flustramine C (5) was synthesized in five steps from 6-bromoindolin-3-one 9 via a key intermediate 13a. (+/-)-Flustramine A (1) has been obtained by reduction of flustramide A (6), which has been prepared in five steps from 13a. (+/-)-Debromoflustramine A (19) was provided in a similar manner from 13b. The (-)- and (+)-enantiomers of 19 were synthesized through optical resolution of (+/-)-carboxylic acid 17b using (R)-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one.     

Enantioconvergent synthesis of (-)-(2R,5S)-1-allyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazine,an intermediate to delta-opioid receptor ligands

A convenient, high-yield enantioconvergent synthesis of (-)-1-allyl-(2S,5R)-dimethylpiperazine from trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazine has been developed. This compound is an important intermediate in the synthesis of delta-opioid receptor ligands. The process allows for the laboratory preparation of 100 g quantities of this enantiomerically pure diamine without chromatography. The key steps in the sequence were an efficient optical resolution using relatively inexpensive resolving agents, followed by interconversion of the unwanted (+)-enantiomer into the desired (-)-enantiomer.     

Enzyme-assisted asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin and (-)-picropodophyllin

Described is the first catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin and its C(2)-epimer, (-)-picropodophyllin. Asymmetry is achieved via the enzymatic desymmetrization of advanced meso diacetate 20, through PPL-mediated ester hydrolysis. A second key feature of the synthesis is the strategically late introduction of the highly oxygenated natural ring E through an arylcopper species. The successful implementation of this approach augers well for the introduction of other functionalized rings E for future SAR work. The synthesis begins from piperonal, which is fashioned into isobenzofuran (IBF) precursor 14 in three steps (bromination, acetalization, and halogen-metal exchange/hydroxymethylation). Interestingly, treatment of 14 with HOAc in commerical dimethyl maleate (contains 5% dimethyl fumarate) leads to a nearly equimolar mixture of fumarate- (15) and maleate-IBF Diels-Alder adducts (16 and 17), indicating that IBF 11 reacts about 15 times faster with dimethyl fumarate than with dimethyl maleate. With scrupulously pure dimethyl maleate a 2.8:1 endo:exo mixture of maleate DA adducts is still obtained. On the other hand, the desired meso diester 16 is obtained pure and in nearly quantitative yield by employing neat dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate as the dienophile, followed by catalytic hydrogenation. Reduction (LiAlH(4)) of 16 provides meso diol 19, which is then treated with Ac(2)O, BzCl, and PhCH(2)COCl to provide the corresponding meso diesters, 20-22. Screening of these meso benzoxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl substrate candidates across a battery of acyl transfer enzymes leads to an optimized match of diacetate 20 with PPL. Even on 10-20 g scales, asymmetry is efficiently introduced here, yielding the key chiral intermediate, monoacetate 25 (66% isolated yield, 83% corrected yield, 95% ee). Protecting group manipulation and oxidation (Swern) provide aldehyde 27b, which undergoes efficient retro-Michael ring opening to produce dihydronaphthalene 30, in which the C(3) and C(4) stereocenters are properly set. Following several unsuccessful approaches to the intramolecular delivery of ring E (via Claisen rearrangement, Heck-type cyclization, or radical cyclization), a highly diastereoselective, intermolecular conjugate addition of the arylcopper reagent derived from (3,4,5-trimethoxy)phenylmagnesium bromide and CuCN to acyl oxazolidinone 50 was developed (85% yield, only the required alpha-stereochemistry at C(1) is observed). The conjugate addition product is converted to (-)-picropodophyllin in two steps (lactonization, SEM deprotection) or to (-)-podophyllotoxin, in three steps, through the introduction of a C(2)-epimerization step, under Kende conditions, prior to the final conjugate addition.     

Total synthesis of (+)-dihydrocuscohygrine and cuscohygrine

The first enantioselective synthesis of (+)-dihydrocuscohygrine 1 and cuscohygrine 2 is presented. 1 was obtained in nine steps and 30% overall yield with a ruthenium-catalyzed tandem ring rearrangement metathesis key step starting from enantiomerically pure cycloheptene-1,3,5-triol derivative 6. The unknown absolute configuration of natural dihydrocuscohygrine 1 could be determined as (S,S)-(-). Cuscohygrine 2 was obtained by Jones oxidation of 1 in quantitative yield but unfortunately with complete epimerization.