Synthetic studies aimed at the elucidation of the stereostructure of the aggregation pheromone, 2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol,produced by the male stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi

The male-produced aggregation pheromone of the stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi Distant was shown to be one of the two diastereomers of (2Z,6R)-2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol by synthesizing and bioassaying (2E,6R)-, (2E,6S)-, (2Z,6R)-, and (2Z,6S)-isomers. These were synthesized from the enantiomers of citronellal by employing an intramolecular α-ketocarbene addition to a double bond and the E-selective or Z-selective olefination of a formyl group as the key steps. A reliable method was developed for the preparation of ethyl 2-(di-o-tolylphosphono)propanoate, Ando’s reagent for Z-selective olefination.     

Synthesis of methyl (5Z,8Z,10E,12E,14Z)-eicosapentaenoate

The first total synthesis of methyl (5Z,8Z,10E,12E,14Z)-eicosapentaenoate has been achieved in seven steps and in 16% overall yield. The synthesis confirmed the assigned structure of this polyunsaturated natural product.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of the male aggregation pheromone, 2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol, of the stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi (Distant) as 2Z,6R,1′S,5′S by its synthesis

Lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acetylation of a mixture of (6R,1′S,4′S,5′R)- and (6R,1′R,4′R,5′S)-7′-norsesquisabinen-4′-ol (3) afforded a separable mixture of the recovered former and the acetate of the latter. The recovered alcohol was oxidized to (6R,1′S,5′R)-sesquisabina ketone (2), whose absolute configuration could be assigned by its CD comparison with (1R,5S)-sabina ketone (4). Conversion of (6R,1′S,5′R)-sesquisabina ketone (2) to the bioactive pheromone revealed the stereostructure of the male aggregation pheromone of the stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi (Distant) to be (2Z,6R,1′S,5′S)-2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol (sesquisabinen-1-ol, 1).     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 244: Synthesis of the racemate and enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-CH503 (3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol), a new sex pheromone of male Drosophila melanogaster to show its (S)-isomer and racemate as bioactive

The enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol were synthesized from the enantiomers of 3,4-epoxy-1-butanol PMB ether. Its racemate was also synthesized. Its (S)-isomer and racemate were shown to possess the same pheromone activity as CH503, a long-lived inhibitor of male courtship in Drosophila melanogaster, although the racemate was less active.     

A new enantioselective synthesis of the four stereoisomers of pallantione,the male-produced sex pheromone of Pallantia macunaima (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

In a previous study we reported the identification of the first ketone found in the Pentatomidae family, the sex attractant pheromone of the male stink bug Pallantia macunaima, (6R,10S)-6,10,13-trimethyltetradecan-2-one. Here we describe an efficient enantioselective route for the synthesis of the four stereoisomers of this pheromone. The synthesis was conceived as the connection of two chiral building blocks, employing (R)- or (S)-citronellol and methyl (S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate as the source of chirality.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

Identification of the sex pheromone of the lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, using sequential SPME auto-sampling

The identification of the sex pheromone of the lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula (Meyrick) was based on GC-MS analysis of volatiles released by virgin females using sequential SPME auto-sampling of headspace and by synthesis of the key component, (4Z,7Z)-4,7-decadien-1-yl acetate. Substantial capture of males in a date palm plantation using a bait consisting of the key component and 5Z-decen-1-yl acetate in a ratio of 1:2 indicated that these are the essential components of the sex pheromone. Addition of 4Z-decen-1-yl acetate and decan-1-yl acetate, which were also identified, did not affect trap-capture. The lesser date moth is the first member of the Batrachedridae whose sex pheromone has been identified. (4Z,7Z)-4,7-Decadien-1-yl acetate is a novel compound among moth sex pheromones.     

Stereoselective synthesis of insect sex pheromone analogs having a fluorine atom on their double bonds

Insect sex pheromone analogs having a fluorine atom on their double bonds, (9E,11E)-1-acetoxy-9-fluorotetradecadiene, (10E,12E)-13-fluorohexadecadien-1-ol, (9Z,11E)-1-acetoxy-9-fluorotetradecadiene, (10E,12Z)-13-fluorohexadecadien-1-ol were stereoselectively synthesized using cross-coupling reactions of alkenylboranes with (E)- or (Z)-2-fluoro-1-iodo-1-alkenes, stereoselectively prepared from 1-alkynes by our currently developed methods.     

A xanthone and a polyketide derivative from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia (Leguminosae)

A new xanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylxantone and a new polyketide derivative, (4R^∗,5S^∗,6E,8Z)-ethyl-4-((E)-but-1-enyl)-5-hydroxypentdeca-6,8-dienoate, together with 20 known secondary metabolites, including 2 steroids, 4 xanthones, 10 anthraquinones, 2 triterpenoids, 1 fatty ester, and (E)-eicos-14-enoic acid, were isolated from the leaves of Cassia obtusifolia. To the best of our knowledge, the last compound was isolated from a natural source for the first time. The structures of all the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Some of the compounds were tested against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans ATCC 9002, and Candida tropicalis, they did not show any activity.     

Expedient synthesis of bisabolenol stink bug pheromones via stereodefined cyclohex-2-enones

We recently synthesized all stereoisomers of 1,10-bisaboladien-3-ol and 10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, including three stink bug pheromones, via a rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of trimethylaluminum to diastereomeric mixtures of cyclohex-2-enones. However, yields of trans isomers were low, and scaling reactions using expensive catalysts were cumbersome. Now we describe a new synthesis of bisabolenol stink bug pheromones via (S)- and (R)-4-((R)-6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)cyclohex-2-enones prepared by enantioselective Michael additions of methyl vinyl ketone to (S)- and (R)-citronellals and lithium hydroxide monohydrate-catalyzed stereoselective cyclizations of intermediate ketoaldehydes. Addition of methyllithium to these enones provided cis- and trans-1,10-bisaboladien-3-ols, which were separated by chromatography on silica and further converted to 10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ols. Thus, we developed more convenient syntheses of pheromones of the rice stink bug, the harlequin bug, and brown marmorated stink bug.     

Synthesis, structural revision, and biological activities of 4′-chloroaurone, a metabolite of marine brown alga Spatoglossum variabile

4′-Chloroaurone (1a), the only aurone reported from a marine source, Spatoglossum variabile was synthesized from 2-hydroxyacetophenone along with six structural analogs. The products obtained were Z-isomers and these were converted into E-isomers by photoisomerization. The E and Z isomers of aurones showed distinct proton and carbon chemical shifts. However, the spectroscopic data of either Z-4′-chloroaurone (1a) or its E-isomer (2a) did not match with those reported for the natural product and thus requires revision of the structure assigned. The proton NMR spectroscopic data reported for the natural product matches with those reported for a known isocoumarin (5). The synthesized E and Z aurones were evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The aurone, Z-2-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methylene]benzo[b]furan-3-one exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Interestingly, Z-aurones are active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whereas the corresponding E-aurones were inactive.     

Radical mediated stereoselective synthesis of (4R,8R)-4,8-dimethyldecanal, an aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles

(4R,8R)-4,8-Dimethyldecanal, a common aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles, has been synthesized from (R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde in 11 steps and 7% overall yield. The key step in the synthesis is the highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled radical reaction of ethyl (4S,5R)-4-benzyloxy-5,6-(isopropylidenedioxy)-2-methylenehexanoate with ethyl (R)-5-iodo-3-methylpentanoate performed in the presence of 7 equiv of MgBr₂·OEt₂.     

Dienic sex pheromones : Stereoselective syntheses of (7E,9Z)-7,9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate, (E)-9,11-dodecadien-1-yl acetate,and of (9Z), 11E)-9,11- tetradecadien-1-yl acetate by palladium-catalyzed reactions

Pure (7E,9Z-7, 9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (1), the sex pheromone of Lobesiabotrana, has been prepared in 21.6% overall yield by a reaction scheme involving; (i) the cross-coupling of (E) - 8 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) -1 - octenyldisiamylborane with 1 - bromo - 1 - butyne, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base; (ii) the acetylation of the crude product of this reaction; (iii) the (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained conjugated (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate. (E)-9,11-Dodecadien-1-yl acetate (2), a sex pheromone component of Diparopsiscastanea, has been analogously obtained (in 54.3% overall yield) by cross-coupling of (E) - 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decenyl borane with vinyl bromide, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base, followed by acetylation of the crude product. Compound 2, which was 87.7% chemically pure, was purified by column chromatography over SiO₂-AgNO₃. Chemically pure (9Z, 11E) - 9,11 - tetradecadien - 1 - yl acetate (3), a sex pheromone component of Spodopteralittoralis, has been prepared (in 30.2% overall yield) by reaction of 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decynylamagnesium bromide with (E)-1-iodo-1-butene, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst, followed by acetylation of the crude product and by (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate.The stereoisomeric purity of 1, 2 and 3 has been evaluated by glc analysis on glass capillary columns or by reverse phase hplc analysis.     

A new sesquiterpenoid produced by female Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic): a possible component of the sex attractant pheromone

(E)-6-Ethyl-2,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadienal was identified from female seed beetle, Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic), as an electroantennographic-detection (EAD) active compound in the male. The ratio of the (E)-6-ethyl-2,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadienal and (3S,6E)-2,3-dihydrohomofarnesal, previously identified as a sex attractant pheromone, was estimated at approximately 1:4.5. In combination with the stereoisomer-activity relationship of 2,3-dihydrohomofarnesal, we suggest that this new compound might function as a minor sex attractant pheromone in C. rhodesianus.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of (±)-methyl 3,6-epoxy-4,6,8-triethyl-2,4,9-dodecatrienoate, a major metabolite of Caribbean sponge, Plakortis halichondrioides, using reactions of alkylidenecarbenes in one pot

(±)-Methyl (2Z,6R*,8R*,9E)-3,6-epoxy-4,6,8-triethyl-2,4,9-dodecatrienoate, a major metabolite of the Caribbean sponge, was synthesized in a stereocontrolled manner from γ-caprolactone. The key step was one-pot generation of alkylidenecarbenes at two sites followed by 1,2 hydride shift and intramolecular 1,5 C-H insertion.     

Synthesis of the Janus integer pheromone (4R,9Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide

The synthesis of (4R,9Z)-9-octadecen-4-olide 1, the female sex pheromone of Janus integer is reported using a Zipper isomerization reaction as the key step.     

Photochemistry of 3,6-bis(styryl)pyridazines in solution and in neat liquid crystalline phase—optical switching and imaging techniques

3,6-Bis(styryl)pyridazines 1a-f with 2-6 alkoxy groups show on irradiation in solution a stereoisomerization which leads to a photostationary state of (E,E)- and (E,Z)-isomer. Sensitizing and quenching experiments reveal that the (E,E)→(E,Z) route is a pure triplet process, whereas the (E,Z)→(E,E) route can have a minor singlet by-reaction.Hexyloxy or dodecyloxy chains on the terminal benzene rings convey the (E,E)-isomers of compounds 1a,b,d-f thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. In particular S_A, S_C, and S_F/I phases were studied with regard to their photochemical behavior. Depending on the system, photodegradation of the smectic phase to the isotropic melt (S→I) or photoinduction of the smectic phase (I→S) can be achieved by alteration of the (E,E)/(E,Z) ratio. These processes represent the basis for imaging techniques (writing and erasing of information).     

Synthesis of all the stereoisomers of 6-methyl-2-octadecanone, 6,14-dimethyl-2-octadecanone, and 14-methyl-2-octadecanone, the components of the female-produced sex pheromone of a moth, Lyclene dharma dharma

All of the stereoisomers of the components of the female-produced sex pheromone of a moth, Lyclene dharma dharma, were synthesized. They are (R)- and (S)-6-methyl-2-octadecanone, (6R,14R)-, (6R,14S)-, (6S,14R)-, and (6S,14S)-6,14-dimethyl-2-octadecanone, and (R)- and (S)-14-methyl-2-octadecanone. Enantiomers of citronellal and methyl (S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoate were the starting materials, and olefin cross metathesis was employed as the key reaction.     

A facile stereoselective synthesis of difunctionalized 1,3-dienes containing tin and halogen via hydrozirconation of (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes

Sonogashira coupling of (E)-α-iodovinylstannanes 1 with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene gave (Z)-1-(trimethylsilyl)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 2, which underwent a desilylation reaction to afford (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 3 in high yields. (1E,3Z)-1-Halo-3-(tributylstannyl)-substituted 1,3-dienes 5 could be synthesized stereoselectively via hydrozirconation of (Z)-3-(tributylstannyl)alk-3-en-1-ynes 3, followed by trapping with iodine or NBS.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl iodides by base-promoted ring-opening of iodomethylated epoxides

Both (E)- and (Z)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl iodides were stereoselectively synthesized from iodomethylated epoxides by treatment with sodium hexamethyldisilazane in DMF and with LDA in THF (or lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide in THF), respectively.