Enzymatic resolution of racemic secondary cyclic allylic alcohols

The resolutions of five racemic cyclic alcohols: 6,6-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ol (±)-5, 4,4-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ol (±)-7, 5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ol (±)-11 and isomeric trans-(±)-13 and cis-piperitols (±)-14 are presented. They were resolved by enzymatic esterification with vinyl esters or by enzymatic hydrolysis of their racemic esters in phosphate buffer. The following lipases were used as biocatalysts: Novozyme 435 (Candida antarctica), Amano PS (Burkholderia cepacia) and lipase from Candida cylindracea. All isomers of alcohols were obtained with at least 96% ee.     

Kinetic resolution of racemic secondary aliphatic allylic alcohols in lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Different lipases were screened as biocatalysts in the kinetic resolution process of (±)-hept-1-en-3-ol 1, (±)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol 2, (±)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol 3, (±)-6,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-ol 4, and 1-phenylbut-3-en-2-ol 5 by enantioselective transesterification. The acylation of (±)-1 and (±)-2 catalyzed by Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica) was very effective and proceeded with good enantioselectivity. After 4–8 h of reactions the esters formed and the alcohols, which remained were obtained with high enantiomeric excess with 97–100% ee and 91–100% ee, respectively. The lipase Amano PS (Burkholderia cepacia) was the best catalyst in the asymmetric transesterification of (±)-5 affording the (R)-alcohol with 90–95% ee and the (S)-ester with 98–100% ee. Low enantioselectivities were observed in the cases of lipase-catalyzed acylation of (±)-3 and (±)-4.     

The influence of microwave irradiation on lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols

The influence of microwave irradiation on the Novozyme 435^® (Candida antarctica lipase) catalyzed kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols with different functional groups was studied in comparison to the use of conventional heating at 60 °C. p-Chlorophenyl acetate was used as an acyl donor and toluene as the solvent. (±)-1-Phenyl-1-propanol 1, (±)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-propan-1-ol 3, (±)-1-phenylbut-3-en-1-ol 5 and (±)-3-bromo-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4-dimethoxynaphthalene 7 were successfully resolved into their (S)-alcohols and (R)-esters, respectively, in good enantiomeric excess. Resolution of (±)-ethyl-5-(4-methoxybenyloxy)-3-hydroxypentanoate 9 afforded its (R)-alcohol and (S)-ester using this method. In addition, microwave-assisted lipase transesterification of meso-symmetric diol 11 effected desymmetrization to ester 12 with high enantiomeric excess. In all cases studied, the conversion value for the microwave-assisted lipase kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols was higher than that obtained using conventional heating.     

Atom transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) applied to a chemoenzymatic synthesis of Quercus lactones

The natural fragrances (+)-trans whisky lactone 2 and (+)-trans cognac lactone 4, together with a minor amount of their (−)-cis stereoisomers, were prepared in 50% and 42% overall yield, respectively, starting from racemic 1-hepten-3-ol (±)-5 and 1-octen-3-ol (±)-6. The procedure involved first the enantioconvergent, lipase mediated transformation of the secondary allylic alcohols derived dichloroacetates (±)-7 and (±)-8 into the corresponding homochiral (+)-7 and (+)-8, combined with their cyclization under a transition metal catalyzed atom transfer process.     

Parallel or classical kinetic resolution of a planar chiral ferrocenylketone through asymmetric reductions

Racemic 1-acetyl-2-methoxymethylferrocene, (±)-1 was subjected to asymmetric reduction with two different methodologies and complementary results were obtained. When the reduction of (±)-1 was carried out in the presence of CBS-oxazaborolidine catalyst and BH₃·Me₂S as the hydrogen source, both enantiomers of the substrate were converted with comparable reaction rates and selectivities. The corresponding diastereoisomeric ferrocenylalcohols 3a and 3b were obtained in a 1:1 ratio and >90% enantiomeric excess; this reaction profile being related with a parallel kinetic resolution with high ds₁ and ds₂ diastereofacial selectivities. On the contrary, the transfer hydrogenation of (±)-1 with HCOOH/triethylamine in the presence of (R,R)-Noyori’s catalyst proceeded via classical kinetic resolution, so that the formed (?)-3b or unreacted (+)-1 could be obtained in highly enantiopure form before or beyond 50% of the substrate conversion, respectively. Alcohol 3b with an (1R_p,S)- or (1S_p,R)-configuration is not easily accessible by the diastereoselective metallation/electrophilic quenching sequence routinely applied in the synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes. As a result, the described procedures provide a valuable access to this useful starting material for the synthesis of homochiral related derivatives.     

Lipase catalyzed acylation of primary alcohols with remotely located stereogenic centres: the resolution of (±)-4,4-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-pentanol

Enantioselective acylation of some (±)-3-alkyl-3-phenyl-1-propanols was performed with enzymes as catalysts. Moderate enantiomeric ratios (E), ranging up to E = 11.6, were obtained. In the resolution, some of the lipases selectively acylated the (+)-enantiomer while others acylated the (−)-enantiomer of the γ-substituted primary alcohols 1–4. Thus, it is possible to obtain both enantiomers of the alcohols as remaining substrate with high enantiomeric purity. The resolution of (±)-4,4-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-pentanol 4 was extensively studied and screening experiments were conducted to select suitable lipase(s), reaction medium, acyl donor and appropriate temperature combinations to increase the enantiomeric ratio. Chirazyme^® L-6/chloroform/vinyl propionate/38 °C and Chirazyme^® L-7/di-iso-propyl ether/vinyl propionate/0 °C were chosen to obtain both enantiomers, (R)-(+)-4 and (S)-(−)-4, respectively, via sequential resolutions in excellent enantiomeric excess (>98%) and in 25% and 22% yield, respectively.     

Chemoenzymatic route to optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; precursors for decalin-based bioactive natural products

The development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for the synthesis of optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; (+)-1,4a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-10 and (+)-1,8a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-11 is described. Different lipases and esterases were tested in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates (±)-4a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-8, (±)-8a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-9, CRL (Candida Rugosa Lipase) and PLE (Pig Liver Esterase) were found to be the most effectual enzymes; for (?)-8 by 47% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy; (+)-10 by 98% ee in the presence of CRL; whereas, (?)-8 was obtained with 40% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy, (+)-10 with 58% ee in the PLE hydrolysis. It was concluded that CRL was the best biocatalyst for the substrate (±)-8. Moreover, enzymatic resolution in the presence of CRL yields, (?)-9 with 46% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 98% ee; however, in the presence of PLE, yields (?)-9 with 36% ee as well as the related dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 49% ee respectively. The study concluded that CRL is the best biocatalyst for compounds (±)-8 and (±)-9.     

Novel,racemic or nearly-racemic antibacterial bromo- and chloroquinols and γ-lactams of the verongiaquinol and the cavernicolin type from the marine sponge Aplysina (= Verongia) cavernicola

Butanolic extracts of the Mediterranean sponge Aplysina (= Verongia) cavernicola have given, by reverse-phase HPLC, the antibacterial quinols (±)-3-bromoverongiaquinol (= (±)-3-bromo-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexadine-1-acetamide; 1d) and (±)-3-bromo-5-chloroverongiaquinol (= (±)-3-bromo-5-chloro-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2,5-cyclohexadine-1-acetamide; 1c ) besides the products of their formal cyclization 5-chlorohexadiene-1-acetamide; 1c ) besides the products of their formal cyclization 5-chlorocavernicolin (= 5-cloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 6) , the C(7)-epimerizing 7β-bromo-5-chlorocavernicolin (=7 β-bromo-5-chloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 4a and 7α-bromo-5-chlorocavernicolin (4b) , and the C(7)-epimerizing 5-bromo-7β-chlorocavernicolin ( = 5-bromo-7β-chloro-3,3a,7,7aβ-tetrahydro-3aβ-hydroxy-2,6(1H)-indoledione; 5a) and 5-bromo-7α-chlorocavernicolin (5b) . The latter four were isolated as mixtures of C(7)-epimerizing monoacetates 4a′/4b′ and 5a′/5b′. Both 1 and 1c proved to be racemic from NMR examination of their esterification products with (–)-methyl-oxyacetic acid, whilst 6 had a ca. 6% enantiomeric purity as shown by a ¹H-NMR study of its monoacetate 6′ in the presence of a chiral shift reagent. These chiroptical data of the first chiral quinols from the Verongida and of 6 suggest phenol oxidative routes from tyrosine precursors for their formation. In view of their bioactivities, 1d and 1c have been synthesized from (p-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid byt phenol oxidative routes.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of all of the four possible stereoisomers of erythro-3,7-dimethyl-pentadec-2-yl acetate and propionate,the sex pheromone of the pine sawflies

All of the four possible stereoisomers of 2,3-erythro-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol 1 were synthesized by a stereospecific S_N2 oxirane cleavage of (2S,3S)-2,3-epoxybutane or its antipode with lithium di[(R)- or (S)-4-methyldodecyl]cuprate. Their acetates or propionates were prepared to test their pheromone activity.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 249: Syntheses of methyl (R,E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate and methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate,the pheromone components of the male dried bean beetle,Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)

The enantiomers of methyl (E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate (1), a component of the male pheromone of Acanthoscelides obtectus, were synthesized from the enantiomers of 1-undecyn-3-ol (6), which were obtained via asymmetric acetylation of (±)-1-trimethylsilyl-1-undecyn-3-ol (4) with vinyl acetate as catalyzed by lipase PS (Amano). The ortho ester Claisen rearrangement of 6 with triethyl orthoacetate was the key-step to generate the chiral allenic system. A new synthesis of (±)-1 was also executed starting from (±)-6. Three different syntheses of methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate (2), another component of the male pheromone of A. obtectus, were achieved by means of either palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction or a Claisen and an Al₂O₃ catalyzed thermal rearrangements.     

Synthesis of optically active β′-hydroxy-β-enaminoketones via enzymatic resolution of carbinols derived from 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles

The preparation of several enantiomerically pure β′-hydroxy-β-enaminoketones from the corresponding isoxazolic carbinols, which have been obtained by enzymatic kinetic resolution of the racemic β-hydroxyisoxazoles catalyzed by lipases, is described. The enzymatic transesterification of racemic (±)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 3a, and racemic (±)-5-(2-hydroxy-2-p-tolylethyl)-3-methylisoxazole 3d, has been studied with respect to the influence of experimental variables such as the used enzyme, the acylating agent or the solvent on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. After the reductive cleavage of the isoxazolic ring of the enantiopure carbinols, (R)- and (S)-2-amino-4-oxo-2-hepten-6-ol, (R)- and (S)-5, and (R)-2-amino-6-p-tolyl-4-oxo-2-hexen-6-ol, (R)-7 with an enantiomeric excess >98% were obtained.     

A practical synthesis of (R)-3-chlorostyrene oxide starting from 3-chloroethylbenzene

A novel and practical synthesis of (R)-3-chlorostyrene oxide (−)-1 was achieved starting from commercially available 3-chloroethylbenzene 3. Enantiopure (−)-3-chlorostyrene bromohydrin (−)-5 was obtained by the treatment of racemic (±)-5 with lipase QL in the presence of acylating reagents. 3-Chloro-α,β-dibromoethylbenzene 4, a precursor of (±)-5, was synthesized via the expeditious bromination of 3 which was developed by these authors.     

Biocatalytic Deracemization of 1,4-Benzodiazepines in the Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Serine

An efficient stereocontrolled synthesis of (S)-N-Cbz-serine (Cbz = benzyloxycarbonyl; 12 ) and of its (R)-enantiomer is reported. Kinetic resolution of the easily available racemic 3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones is performed in the key step via acetylation by the immobilized Mucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme IM) at 60°. This method is characterized by high enantiomer purity (ee's ges; 99%) of the intermediary alcohols (+)- 8 and (+)- 9 and acetates (?)- 10 and (?)- 11 , as well as of the final products (S)- and (R)-N-Cbz-serine, simple recycling of the biocatalyst, complete recovery of 2-aminobenzophenones ( 3 and 4 ) and their recycling into production of 1,4-benzodiazepines, and possibility to selectively racemize ‘wrong’ enantiomers of the alcohols 8 and 9 in the presence of Amberlite CG 400.     

Substrate engineering: Effects of different N-protecting groups in the CAL-B-catalysed asymmetric O-acylation of 1-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydro-β-carbolines

In the frame of substrate engineering, the steric effect of different N-protecting groups on the enantioselectivity and reaction rate of CAL-B-catalysed (S)-selective O-acylation of N-protected 1-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydro-β-carbolines was investigated. Excellent enantioselectivities (E?>?200) were observed when the acylation of N-Boc [(±)-1], N-Cbz [(±)-3], and N-Fmoc-protected [(±)-4] substrates was performed with the use of CAL-B and acetic anhydride in toluene at 60?°C. The resolution of N-acetyl-protected substrate (±)-2 showed excellent E (>200) after 30?min, but as the reaction progressed, E started decreasing after 2 days, because of N→O and O→N acyl migrations. Preparative resolutions of (±)-3 and (±)-4 resulted in unreacted amino alcohols (R)-3 and (R)-4 and esters (S)-7a and (S)-8a with good enantiomeric excesses (≥88%) and high yields (≥44%).     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel imidazo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative attached to quinoxalinones

3-(6-Phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones (qunoxalinone) (6a-q) have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) with suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines (5a-f) under microwave heating. The ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) were prepared by the reaction of 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (3a-e) with ethyl chlorooxoacetate in refluxing 1,4-dioxane whereas the thiazoles (3a-e) were synthesized by the reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanones (2a-e) with thiazol-2-amine in refluxing acetone.     

Protecting-group-free catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-rosmarinecine

The protecting-group-free asymmetric total synthesis of (?)-rosmarinecine was achieved in only four steps from the commercially available (±)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine hydrochloride (2a). The key steps include the direct oxidation of (±)-2a to (±)-3-hydroxy-1-pyrroline N-oxide (1a) using the Davis reagent and the domino reaction; viz., the lipase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of (±)-1a with 1-ethoxyvinyl ethyl maleate followed by the intramolecular [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the generated optically active ester. Some insights into the mechanism of the racemization of the optically active 1a, observed during the enzymatic process, were also obtained.     

Studies on the syntheses of heteroeyelie compounds. Part DVII. A synthesis of (±)-N-norgalanthamine

(±)-N-Norgalanthamine (la) and (±)-N-norlycoramine (Ib) was synthesized through the phenolie oxidation of N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-2-bromo-5-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzamide (lIb).     

A practical chemoenzymatic process to access (R)-quinuclidin-3-ol on scale

(±)-3-Butyryloxyquinuclidinium butyrate 6 (2 M, 571 g/L), prepared from (±)-quinuclidin-3-ol 1 and butyric anhydride, undergoes enantioselective hydrolysis by an Aspergillus melleus protease {1.0% (w/v)} in water in the presence of Ca(OH)₂ to keep the reaction at pH 7 and trap butyric acid that is introduced as part of (±)-6 and generated by the enzymatic hydrolysis. After a 24 h period, extraction with n-heptane provides (R)-quinuclidin-3-yl butyrate 5a, which, on methanolysis with Na₂CO₃, is converted into (R)-1, a common pharmacophore of neuromodulators acting on muscarinic receptors, in 96% ee and 42% overall yield from (±)-1. The unwanted antipode (S)-1, which is extracted into n-butanol and purified via its hydrochloride salt in 89% ee and 40% overall yield from (±)-1, can be racemized by the catalysis of Raney Co at 140°C under an atmosphere of H₂ (5 kg/cm²) to regenerate (±)-1 in 97% yield.     

Resolution of (±)-[2.2]paracyclophane-4,12-dicarboxylic acid

The resolution of (±)-[2.2]paracyclophane-4,12-dicarboxylic acid (±)-1 has been realized through the diastereomeric esters of (1S)-hydroxymethyl-4,7,7-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-3-one, simply separated by flash chromatography and hydrolyzed with ^tBuOK/H₂O. (R)-(−)-1 and (S)-(+)-1 were obtained in high enantiomeric excesses (>97%) while the determinations of the absolute configurations of (R)-1 and (S)-1 were carried out by X-ray diffraction.     

Continuous-flow enzymatic resolution strategy for the acylation of amino alcohols with a remote stereogenic centre: synthesis of calycotomine enantiomers

Both enantiomers of calycotomine (R)-5 and (S)-5 were prepared through the CAL-B-catalysed asymmetric O-acylation of N-Boc-protected (6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)methanol [(±)-3)]. The optimum conditions for the enzymatic resolution were determined under continuous-flow conditions, while the preparative-scale resolution of (±)-3 was performed as a batch reaction with high enantioselectivity (E >200). The resulting amino alcohol (S)-3 and amino ester (R)-4, obtained with high enantiomeric excess (ee = 99%), were transformed into the desired calycotomine (S)-5 and (R)-5 (ee = 99%). A systematic study was carried out in a continuous-flow system on the O-acylation of tetrahydroisoquinoline amino alcohol homologues (±)-1 to (±)-3 containing a remote stereogenic centre.