Total synthesis of (3Z,9Z,6S,7R) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadienes

(3Z,9Z,6S,7R)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (1) and (3Z,9Z,6R,7S)-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene (2) have been stereoselectively synthesized in eight steps from 2-pentyn-1-ol with an overall yield of 8%. The key steps involved the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of (2E)-oct-2-en-5-yn-1-ol (6). The new synthetic method is suitable for multigram-scale preparation of 1 and 2 and might be used for producing sufficient quantities of the sex pheromone components for management of the pest of tea plantations.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 263: Synthesis of the racemate and the enantiomers of (E)-cis-6,7-epoxy-2-nonenal,the male-produced pheromone of the red-necked longhorn beetle,Aromia bungii

The racemate and the enantiomers of (E)-cis-6,7-epoxy-2-nonenal, the male pheromone of Aromia bungii, were synthesized by olefin cross metathesis between crotonaldehyde and (±)-, (+)- and (?)-cis-3,4-epoxy-7-octene. The epoxide was prepared by the Grignard coupling between allylmagnesium bromide and (±)-, (+)- and (?)-cis-2,3-epoxypentyl triflate. (±)-cis-2,3-Epoxy-1-pentanol was prepared by MCPBA epoxidation of (Z)-2-penten-1-ol, while its enantiomers were synthesized by the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of the allylic alcohol.     

Synthesis of the enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene,one of the major components of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout

Both enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene, one of which is the major component of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout, were synthesized in 23% overall yield for the (?)-(6S,7R)-enantiomer and 18% yield for the (+)-(6R,7S)-isomer. This protocol uses a sequential regioselective ring-opening strategy and provides a convenient and reliable access to other structurally related insect sex pheromones. Preliminary biological studies revealed that (?)-(6S,7R)-2a was roughly as active as the natural pheromone, while racemic (±)-2 was less bioactive and (+)-2b was much less bioactive.     

Conformational Properties of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-Cycloocta-1,4-dienes

Summary.  Ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^* level of theory for geometry optimization and the MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* level for a single point total energy calculation are reported for (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-cycloocta-1,4-dienes. The C ₂-symmetric twist-boat conformation of (Z,Z)-cycloocta-1,4-diene was calculated to be by 3.6 kJ·mol⁻¹ more stable than the C _S-symmetric boat-chair form; the calculated energy barrier for ring inversion of the twist-boat conformation via the C _S-symmetric boat-boat geometry is 19.1 kJ·mol⁻¹. Interconversion between twist-boat and boat-chair conformations takes place via a half-chair (C ₁) transition state which is 43.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ above the twist-boat form. The unsymmetrical twist-boat-chair conformation of (E,Z)-cycloocta-1,4-diene was calculated to be by 18.7 kJ·mol⁻¹ more stable than the unsymmetrical boat-chair form. The calculated energy barrier for the interconversion of twist-boat-chair and boat-chair is 69.5 kJ·mol⁻¹, whereas the barrier for swiveling of the trans-double bond through the bridge is 172.6 kJ·mol⁻¹. The C _S symmetric crown conformation of the parallel family of (E,E)-cycloocta-1,4-diene was calculated to be by 16.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ more stable than the C _S-symmetric boat-chair form. Interconversion of crown and boat-chair takes place via a chair (C _S) transition state which is 37.2 kJ·mol⁻¹ above the crown conformation. The axial- symmetrical twist geometry of the crossed family of (E,E)-cycloocta-1,4-diene is 5.9 kJ·mol⁻¹ less stable than the crown conformation. Corresponding author. E-mail: isayavar@yahoo.com Received March 25, 2002; accepted April 3, 2002     

Concise total synthesis of (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene, sex pheromone component of Hyphantria Cunea

The total synthesis of (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene, sex pheromone component of Hyphantria cunea, using a convergent synthetic strategy, was achieved through the regioselective coupling of the two fragments, chiral epoxy tosylate and 1,4-diyne. The former fragment was synthesized in two efficient and convenient approaches starting from the same available material using Sharpless AE kinetic resolution as the key step.     

Short Total Synthesis of Ajoene, (E,Z)-4,5,9-Trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide,in Batch and (E,Z)-4,5,9-Trithiadodeca-1,7,11-triene in Continuous Flow

A short total synthesis of ajoene, (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide, has been achieved over six steps. In addition, a continuous flow synthesis under mild reaction conditions to (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,7,11-triene is described starting from simple and easily accessible starting materials. Over four steps including propargylation, radical addition of thioacetate, deprotection, and disulfide formation/ allylation, the target product can be obtained at a rate of 0.26 g h⁻¹ in an overall yield of 12 %.     

Trypanocidal labdane diterpenoids from the seeds of Aframomum aulacocarpos (Zingiberaceae)

Two novel labdane type diterpenoids, 8β(17)-epoxy-14,15,16-trihydroxylabd-12(E)-ene (aulacocarpin C) and 15,16-epoxy-14ξ,16ξ-dimethoxylabda-8(17),12-(E)-diene (aulacocarpin D) together with the known aulacocarpin A and B; 14,15-epoxy-8(17),12(E)-labdadien-16-al, coronarin E, and 15,16-epoxy-12β-hydroxy-labda-8(17)-13(16),14-triene were isolated from the seeds of Aframomum aulacocarpos. To the best of our knowledge, the last compound was isolated from a natural source for the first time. Acid hydrolysis of aulacocarpin D led to another new labdane type diterpenoid, 15,16-epoxy-12β-methoxylabda-8(17)-13(16),14-triene. The structures of all compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. These new compounds exhibit moderate trypanocidal activity.     

An ab Initio study of conformational properties of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)- and (E,E)-cycloocta-1,5-diene

Ab initio calculations at HF/6-31G* level of theory for geometry optimization and MP2/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for the three geometrical isomers of cycloocta-l,5-diene 1–3.     

New synthesis of (Z)-5- and (Z)-7-monoene components of insect sex pheromones of the Lepidoptera order

A new procedure was developed for the synthesis of (Z)-5- and (Z)-7-monoene components of sex pheromones of Lepidoptera insects based on cometathesis of readily accessible cycloocta-1,5-diene and ethylene. Published inIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1304–1307, July, 2000.     

Domino pericyclic reactions of acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes

Acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes, upon thermolysis, undergo a domino pericyclic process involving 6π electrocyclisation of the (E,Z,E)-triene moiety to give the corresponding cis-disubstituted 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadienes, followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with the vinyl side chain to give tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-enes.     

Hexafluorothioacetone based synthesis of fluorinated heterocycles

Cycloadducts of hexafluorothioacetone (HFTA) were prepared in high yield by a CsF catalyzed reaction between readily available 2,2,4,4-tetrakis-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dithietane (as a source of HFTA) with conjugated electron-rich hydrocarbon dienes, such as cyclopentadiene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, cyclohexa-1,3-diene or (1Z,3Z)-cyclohepta-1,3-diene. Cyclohexa-1,4- and (1Z,5Z)-cycloocta-1,5-dienes, also undergo the reaction with in situ generated HFTA, but form the products of insertion of HFTA into the C-H bond of the diene as a result of ene-reaction. The highly selective reaction of HFTA with (1Z,3Z,5Z)-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene and (1Z,3Z,5Z,7Z)-cycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene leads to the formation of cycloadducts derived from exclusive addition of thioacetone to the corresponding bicyclic isomers—bicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4-diene or bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4,7-triene, respectively. The corresponding cycloadducts of HFTA with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene-1,3-cyclohexa-1,3-cyclohexa-1,4-dienes and (1Z,3Z,5Z)-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene were also prepared by direct reaction of sulfur/hexafluoropropene/KF and the corresponding hydrocarbon substrate at 35-45 °C in DMF.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 250: Determination of the stereostructure of CH503, a sex pheromone of male Drosophila melanogaster,as (3R,11Z,19Z)-3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol by synthesis and chromatographic analysis of its eight isomers

All the eight stereoisomers of 3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol (1), the male sex pheromone (CH503) of Drosophila melanogaster, were synthesized from two acetylenic starting materials and the enantiomers of 3,4-epoxy-1-butanol PMB ether. Complete separation of the eight isomers of 1 by reversed phase HPLC at ?20 °C was achieved after their esterification with (1R,2R)-2-(2,3-anthracenedicarboximido)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (27), and the natural CH503 was found to be (3R,11Z,19Z)-1.     

Triplet photochemistry of medium ring trienes

The photochemistry of the triplets of 10- and 11-membered ring 1,3,5-trienes has been studied. At ?70° cis,trans,cis-cyclodeca-1,3,5-triene goes only to the cis,cis,cis-isomer. At 25°, this latter compound is converted into cis-bicyclo[4.4.0]deca-2,4-diene via the thermally labile trans,cis,trans-cyclodeca-1,3,5-triene. At ?70° cis,trans,cis-cycloundeca-1,3,5-triene is converted to the cis,cis,cis-isomer. At 25°, this primary ptotochemical product undergoes a thermal 1,7-sigmatropic hydrogen migration to yield the trans,cis,cis, isomer. This latter triene upon sensitized irradiation yields cis-bicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-8,10-diene and trans-bicyclo[7.2.0]undeca-2,10-diene. The ratio of these latter two products changes with the temperature of the sensitized reaction. The possible mechanisims of these transformations are discussed.     

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.     

Chromatographic identification of (E)- and (Z)-isomers of unsaturated organic compounds using their physicochemical characteristics

The values of physicochemical properties determine completely the sequence of chromatographic elution of (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 1,2-disubstituted unsaturated compounds and can therefore be used as reference data for their GC-identification. The isomer with the minimum boiling point, relative density, and refractive index has the least retention parameters. By the ratio of the values of these properties the (Z)- and (E)-isomers form two groups: (Z) > (E) and (Z) < (E). This feature is due to the larger polarity of the (Z)-isomers of asymmetrically substituted compounds containing polar substituents at the double bond C=C. The discovered regularities may be extended to the cis- and trans-isomers of 1,2-disubstituted cycloalkanes and even to the position isomers of substituted arenes.     

Reaction of benzyne with cycloheptatriene preparation and thermolysis of some benzo(C9H10) hydrocarbons

The title reaction gave a 2+2 cycloadduct, 8,9-benzo-cis-bicyclo[5.2.0]nona-2,4,8-triene 7, together with ene product, 7-phenylcycloheptatriene. The structure of 7 was confirmed by catalytic reduction to give 8,9-benzo-cis-bicyclo[5.2.0]non-8-ene, which was also obtained in the reaction of benzyne with cycloheptene, and by reduction of the known 8,9-benzobicyclo[5.2.0]nona-1,8-diene. Other benzo(C₉H₁₀) hydrocarbons which have been synthesised are 7,8-benzobicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-triene 5, 2,3-benzobicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene 28 and 4,5-benzobicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene 29. The thermolysis of 7, 28, 29 and of 3,4-benzo-exo-endo-tetracyclo[4.3.1.0^3,4.0^7,9]dec-3-en-10-one, 25, is described.     

Total synthesis of prolycopene, a novel 7,9,7′,9′-tetra-cis(Z) carotenoid and main pigment of the tangerine tomato Lycopersicon esculentum

A total synthesis of the 7,9,7′,9′-tetra-cis(Z) isomer of lycopene, also known as ‘prolycopene’, produced as the major carotenoid pigment in fruits of the tangerine tomato Lycopersicon esculentum (‘Tangella’) is described. The synthesis is based on: (i) a modified Sonogashira coupling reaction between the E-alkenyl bromide 6 and the Z-enynol 7, leading to the 2Z-trienynol 8, followed by (ii) a Wittig reaction between the phosphonium salt 4 and the C₁₀-triene dialdehyde 5 producing the symmetrical 9,9′-Z isomer of the bis-acetylene 3 and (iii) semi-hydrogenation of 3 in the presence of Lindlar's catalyst, and chromatography.     

A Convenient Synthesis of (1 1E, 13E)-11, 13-Hexadecadienal and (11Z, 13E)-Hexadecadienal

A simple method for synthesizing (11E, 13E)-11, 13-hexadecadienal 7, a component of the female sex pheromone of cabbage webworm, and its geometrical isomer (11Z, 13E)-11, 13-hexadecadienal 8 is described.     

Candidate Trail Attractants of Reticultermes lucifugus: Stereoselective Syntheses of (3Z, 6E,BE)-(3Z, 6E, 8Z)-and (3Z, 6Z, 8Z)-3,6,8 -Dodecatrien-1-OL1

Stereoselective syntheses on a gram scale of (3Z,6E,8E)-, (3Z,6E,8Z)-and (3Z,6Z,8Z)-3,6,8-dodecatrien-1-ol, 8, 9 and 10, respectively, are described. A key step of the synthesis of 8 consisted of a copper-mediated coupling reaction between 4-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-butynylmagnesium bromide (15) and the mesyl ester of (2E,4E)-2,4-octadien-1-ol (14). A similar copper-mediated reaction between 15 and the mesyl ester of (E)-2-octen-4-yn-1-ol (19) was used to construct the C-12 carbon skeleton of 9. On the other hand, the synthesis of 10 was based on a palladium-promoted reaction between (Z)-1-bromo-1-pentene (23) and the organozinc bromide derived from 3,6-heptadiyn-1-yl acetate (27).     

Pd-Cu-catalyzed synthesis of N-(2E,4)- and N-(2Z,4)-enyne cyclic amines

By Pd-Cu-catalyzed coupling of (2E)- and (2Z)-3-chloroprop-2-en-1-ylamines and alkynes a stereoselective method of the synthesis was developed for a series of (2E,4)- and (2Z,4)-enyne cyclic amines.