Organocatalytic,Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Haliclonin A

The first total synthesis of the alkaloid (?)‐haliclonin A is reported. The asymmetric synthesis relied on a novel organocatalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of nitromethane with 3‐alkenyl cyclohex‐2‐enone to set the stereochemistry of the all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center. The synthesis also features a Pd‐promoted cyclization to form the 3‐azabicyclo[3,3,1]nonane core, a SmI₂‐mediated intermolecular reductive coupling of enone with aldehyde to form the requisite secondary chiral alcohol, ring‐closing alkene and alkyne metathesis reactions to build the two aza‐macrocyclic ring systems, and an unprecedented direct transformation of enol into enone.     

Eight‐Step Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cycloclavine

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐cycloclavine was accomplished in 8 steps and 7.1 % overall yield. Key features include the first catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of allene, mediated by the dirhodium catalyst Rh₂(S‐TBPTTL)₄, and the enone 1,2‐addition of a new TEMPO carbamate methyl carbanion. An intramolecular strain‐promoted Diels–Alder methylenecyclopropane (IMDAMC) reaction provided a pivotal tricyclic enone intermediate with more than 99 % ee after crystallization. The synthesis of (−)‐ 1 was completed by a late‐stage intramolecular Diels–Alder furan (IMDAF) cycloaddition to install the indole.     

2‐[(E)‐(4‐Hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)amino]‐N‐(2‐methylphenyl)‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1‐benzothiophene‐3‐carboxamide

The title compound, C₂₄H₂₄N₂O₃S, exhibits antifungal and antibacterial properties. The compound crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, with one molecule exhibiting `orientational disorder' in the crystal structure with respect to the cyclohexene ring. The o‐toluidine groups in both molecules are noncoplanar with the respective cyclohexene‐fused thiophene ring. In both molecules, there is an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond forming a pseudo‐six‐membered ring which locks the molecular conformation and eliminates conformational flexibility. The crystal structure is stabilized by O—H...O hydrogen bonds; both molecules in the asymmetric unit form independent chains, each such chain consisting of alternating `ordered' and `disordered' molecules in the crystal lattice.     

Synthesis of Nonenolizing 2‐Acylcyclohex‐2‐enones

Cyclohexanones 2b and 2c represent the first examples of nonenolizing 2‐acylcyclohex‐2‐enones, as they bear H‐atoms neither at C(4) or C(6) of the enone ring, nor at the C‐atom vicinal to the exocyclic carbonyl group. While the CF₃CO group in 2b (and the Ac group in 2a ) are coplanar to the enone double bonds, the pivaloyl group in 2c , for steric reasons, is out of plane. Compounds 2 exhibit a pronounced sluggishness in both thermal and light‐induced bimolecular reactions.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Cyclohex‐2‐enone Atropisomers: Platform Molecules for the Divergent Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biaryl Compounds

The palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of enone‐based atropisomers from 2‐iodo‐3‐methylcyclohex‐2‐enones and aryl boronic acid is reported. BoPhoz‐type phosphine–aminophosphine ligands showed superior enantioselectivity over other ligands. These cyclohexenone‐based atropisomers are useful compounds for further elaboration. The divergent synthesis of biaryl atropisomers with different ortho substituents was demonstrated.     

Benzylamine as Hydrogen Transfer Agent: Cobalt‐Catalyzed Chemoselective C=C Bond Reduction of β‐Trifluoromethylated α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones via 1,5‐Hydrogen Transfer

An efficient cobalt‐catalyzed chemoselective reduction of β‐CF₃‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones using benzylamine as hydrogen transfer agent involving intramolecular 1,5‐hydrogen transfer is reported. The reaction proceeded smoothly with a relatively wide range of substrates including those bearing aromatic heterocycles such as a furyl ring system in high yields (74–92 %). This provides an efficient method for the synthesis of β‐CF₃ saturated ketones in one‐pot. This methodology was also applied to the selective C=C reduction of other enone substrates bearing no β‐CF₃‐substituent, of which β‐substituted or β,β‐disubstituted enones are tolerated, giving the desired products in good yields (72–75 %). Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves 1,5‐hydrogen transfer.     

Preparation and structural analysis of (±)‐cis‐ethyl 2‐sulfanylidenedecahydro‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐6‐carboxylate and (±)‐trans‐ethyl 2‐oxooctahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐c]pyridine‐5‐carboxylate

Bicycle ring closure on a mixture of (4aS,8aR)‐ and (4aR,8aS)‐ethyl 2‐oxodecahydro‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐6‐carboxylate, followed by conversion of the separated cis and trans isomers to the corresponding thioamide derivatives, gave (4aSR,8aRS)‐ethyl 2‐sulfanylidenedecahydro‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐6‐carboxylate, C₁₁H₁₈N₂O₂S. Structural analysis of this thioamide revealed a structure with two crystallographically independent conformers per asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). The reciprocal bicycle ring closure on (3aRS,7aRS)‐ethyl 2‐oxooctahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐c]pyridine‐5‐carboxylate, C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₃, was also accomplished in good overall yield. Here the five‐membered ring is disordered over two positions, so that both enantiomers are represented in the asymmetric unit. The compounds act as key intermediates towards the synthesis of potential new polycyclic medicinal chemical structures.     

Total Synthesis of Δ12‐Prostaglandin J3: Evolution of Synthetic Strategies to a Streamlined Process

The total synthesis of Δ¹²‐prostaglandin J₃ (Δ¹²‐PGJ₃, 1 ), a reported leukemia stem cell ablator, through a number of strategies and tactics is described. The signature cross‐conjugated dienone structural motif of 1 was forged by an aldol reaction/dehydration sequence from key building blocks enone 13 and aldehyde 14 , whose lone stereocenters were generated by an asymmetric Tsuji–Trost reaction and an asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction, respectively. During this program, a substituent‐governed regioselectivity pattern for the Rh‐catalyzed C?H functionalization of cyclopentenes and related olefins was discovered. The evolution of the synthesis of 1 from the original strategy to the final streamlined process proceeded through improvements in the construction of both fragments 13 and 14 , exploration of the chemistry of the hitherto underutilized chiral lactone synthon 57 , and a diastereoselective alkylation of a cyclopentenone intermediate. The described chemistry sets the stage for large‐scale production of Δ¹²‐PGJ₃ and designed analogues for further biological and pharmacological studies.     

3,4,6‐Tri‐O‐acetyl‐1,2‐O‐[1‐(exo‐ethoxy)ethylidene]‐β‐d‐mannopyranose 0.11‐hydrate

The title compound, C₁₆H₂₄O₁₀·0.11H₂O, is a key intermediate in the synthesis of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐d ‐glucose (¹⁸F‐FDG), which is the most widely used molecular‐imaging probe for positron emission tomography (PET). The crystal structure has two independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit, with closely comparable geometries. The pyranose ring adopts a ⁴C₁ conformation [Cremer–Pople puckering parameters: Q = 0.553 (2) Å, θ = 16.2 (2)° and ϕ = 290.4 (8)° for molecule A, and Q = 0.529 (2) Å, θ =15.3 (3)° and ϕ = 268.2 (9)° for molecule B], and the dioxolane ring adopts an envelope conformation. The chiral centre in the dioxolane ring, introduced during the synthesis of the compound, has an R configuration, with the ethoxy group exo to the mannopyranose ring. The asymmetric unit also contains one water molecule with a refined site‐occupancy factor of 0.222 (8), which bridges between molecules A and B via O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Total Synthesis of (R,R,R)‐γ‐Tocopherol through Cu‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,2‐Addition

Based on the asymmetric copper‐catalyzed 1,2‐addition of Grignard reagents to ketones, (R,R,R)‐γ‐tocopherol has been synthesized in 36 % yield over 12 steps (longest linear sequence). The chiral center in the chroman ring was constructed with 73 % ee by the 1,2‐addition of a phytol‐derived Grignard reagent to an α‐bromo enone prepared from 2,3‐dimethylquinone.     

An RCM‐Based Total Synthesis of the Antibiotic Disciformycin B

The total synthesis of the potent new antibiotic disciformycin B ( 2 ) is described, which shows significant activity against methicillin‐ and vancomycin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA/VRSA) strains. The synthetic route is based on macrocyclization of a tetraene substrate to the 12‐membered macrolactone core by ring‐closing olefin metathesis (RCM). Although macrocyclization was accompanied by concomitant cyclopentene formation by an alternative RCM pathway, conditions were established to give the macrocycle as the major product. Key steps in the construction of the RCM substrate include a highly efficient Evans syn‐aldol reaction, the asymmetric Brown allylation of angelic aldehyde, and the stereoselective Zn(BH₄)₂‐mediated 1,2‐reduction of an enone. The synthesis was completed by late‐stage dehydrative glycosylation to introduce the d ‐arabinofuranosyl moiety and final chemoselective allylic alcohol oxidation.     

Divergent Total Syntheses of (−)‐Daphnilongeranin B and (−)‐Daphenylline

(?)‐Daphnilongeranin B and (?)‐daphenylline are two hexacyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, each containing a complex cagelike backbone. Described herein are the first asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐daphnilongeranin B and a bioinspired synthesis of (?)‐daphenylline with an unusual E ring embedded in a cagelike framework. The key features include an intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition, a late‐stage aldol cyclization to install the F ring of daphnilongeranin B, and a bioinspired cationic rearrangement leading to the tetrasubstituted benzene ring of daphenylline.     

The Cobalt Way to Angucyclinones: Asymmetric Total Synthesis of the Antibiotics (+)‐Rubiginone B2, (−)‐Tetrangomycin,and (−)‐8‐O‐Methyltetrangomycin

A cobalt(I)‐mediated convergent and asymmetric total synthesis of angucyclinones with an aromatic B ring has been developed. In the course of our research, we synthesized three naturally occurring anguclinone derivatives, namely, (+)‐rubiginone B₂ ( 1 ), (?)‐8‐O‐methyltetrangomycin ( 2 ), and (?)‐tetrangomycin ( 3 ). By combining 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 3‐methoxybenzoic acid, citronellal, and geraniol as starting materials in a convergent way, we were able to synthesize chiral triyne chains, which were cyclized with [CpCo(C₂H₄)₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) by means of an intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition to their corresponding tetrahydrobenzo[a]anthracenes. Successive oxidation and deprotection steps led to the above‐mentioned natural products 1 – 3 .     

Two crystalline modifications of 2‐­hydroxy­cyclo­pent‐2‐enone

The orthorhombic form of 2‐hydroxy­cyclo­pent‐2‐enone, C₅H₆O₂, consists of chains of hydrogen‐bonded mol­ecules aligned along a twofold screw axis. The monoclinic form contains two independent mol­ecules, which have different orientations of the hydroxyl proton, and which assemble into ribbons along a twofold screw axis.     

A Unified Approach to the Daucane and Sphenolobane Bicyclo[5.3.0]decane Core: Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Daucene,Daucenal, Epoxydaucenal B,and 14‐para‐Anisoyloxydauc‐4,8‐diene

Access to the bicyclo[5.3.0]decane core found in the daucane and sphenolobane terpenoids via a key enone intermediate enables the enantioselective total syntheses of daucene, daucenal, epoxydaucenal B, and 14‐para‐anisoyloxydauc‐4,8‐diene. Central aspects include a catalytic asymmetric alkylation followed by a ring contraction and ring‐closing metathesis to generate the five‐ and seven‐membered rings, respectively.     

Reaction of 1,6‐Dioxo‐2,4‐Diene with Aziridine and Secondary Amine

The (2E,4E)‐ and (2E,4Z)‐1‐phenyl‐1,6‐dioxo‐hepta‐2,4‐diene reacts with aziridine to give aziridinecyclopentenol 3. This product arises from an intermolecular Michael addition of a nitrogen lone pair to the less reactive enone, followed by an intramolecular aldol reaction of the enol with ketone. Furthermore, the initially formed enol did not undergo nucleophilic attack onto the aziridine ring to form heterocycles. Interestingly, the reaction with secondary amine did not give the cyclopentenol adduct, and this only leads to the isomerization of (2E,4Z)‐1‐phenyl‐1,6‐dioxo‐hepta‐2,4‐diene to the more stable (2E,4E)‐1‐phenyl‐1,6‐dioxo‐hepta‐2,4‐diene by addition to the more reactive enone.     

A Cinchona Alkaloid‐Functionalized Mesostructured Silica for Construction of Enriched Chiral β‐Trifluoromethyl‐β‐Hydroxy Ketones over An Epoxidation‐Relay Reduction Process

A cinchona alkaloid‐functionalized heterogeneous catalyst is prepared through a thiol‐ene click reaction of chiral N‐(3,5‐ditrifluoromethylbenzyl)quininium bromide and a mesostructured silica, which is obtained by co‐condensation of 1,2‐bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane and 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propane‐1‐thiol. Structural analyses and characterizations disclose its well‐defined chiral single‐site active center, and electron microscopy images reveal its monodisperse property. As a heterogenous catalyst, it enables an efficient asymmetric epoxidation of achiral β‐trifluoromethyl‐β,β‐disubstituted enones, the obtained chiral products can then be converted easily into enriched chiral β‐trifluoromethyl‐β‐hydroxy ketones through a sequential epoxidation‐relay reduction process. Furthermore, such a heterogeneous catalyst can be recovered conveniently and reused in asymmetric epoxidation of 4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1,3‐diphenylbut‐2‐enone, showing an attractive feature in a practical construction of enriched chiral β‐CF₃‐substituted molecules.     

Enantioselective Construction of 2,3‐Dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]quinolines through Supramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Interactions

The first asymmetric synthesis of 2,3‐dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]quinolines has been achieved by a cascade asymmetric aziridination/intramolecular ring‐opening process of differently substituted 3‐alkenylquinolones. Good yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 78 % yield and 95 % ee) were recorded when employing 2,2,2‐trichloroethoxysulfonamide as the nitrene source, PhI(OCOtBu)₂ as the oxidant, and a chiral C₂‐symmetric Rh^II complex as the catalyst (1 mol %). The catalyst bears two lactam motifs, which serve as binding sites for substrate coordination through supramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

{5′‐O‐[Bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)methyl]‐2′‐deoxy‐β‐D‐threopentofuranosyl}thymine ethyl acetate 0.25‐solvate

The title compound, C₃₁H₃₂N₂O₇·0.25C₄H₈O₂, is a key intermediate in the synthesis of [¹⁸F]fluorine‐labelled thymidine (¹⁸F‐FLT), which is the most widely used molecular imaging probe for positron emission tomography (PET). The crystallographic asymmetric unit contains two independent thymine molecules plus one partially occupied site for an ethyl acetate molecule. The two independent thymine molecules show similar geometrical features, except that the dimethoxytrityl groups adopt different orientations with respect to the remainder of the molecule. Each thymine base adopts an anti conformation with respect to the attached deoxyribose ring, and the deoxyribose rings show C3‐endo puckering. The conformation of the side chain at the C1 position of the deoxyribose ring is gauche+. Intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into one‐dimensional chains.     

3′,4′‐Bis(4‐chloro­phenyl)­spiro­[chroman‐3,5′(4′H)‐isoxazol]‐4‐one

The title compound, C₂₃H₁₅Cl₂NO₃, crystallizes with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The chroman­one moiety consists of a benzene ring fused with a six‐membered heterocyclic ring which adopts a sofa conformation. The five‐membered spiro­isoxazoline ring is in an envelope conformation. The p‐chloro­phenyl rings bridged by the five‐membered ring are nearly perpendicular to each other. The chromanone moiety of one mol­ecule packs into the cavity formed by the p‐chloro­phenyl rings of a second mol­ecule through the formation of C—H?π interactions. The structure is stabilized by weak C—H?O, C—H?Cl and C—H?π interactions.