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.     

Concise and practical synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-iminosugars

The syntheses of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6 iminosugars 1a and 1b, respectively, from d-glucose are described. The key transformations in this reaction sequence include regio-selective epoxide ring opening with N-benzylamine followed by intramolecular reductive amination of amino-aldehyde.     

A new, one-pot, three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, 4H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and 4H-pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidines

A new, one-pot and three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, 4H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and 4H-pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidines is described. The reactive 1:1 zwitterionic intermediate, formed by the addition of isocyanides to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, was trapped by N-(2-heteroaryl)amides to yield a ketenimine intermediate, which was cyclized and then rearranged under the reaction conditions to afford the title compounds under mild reaction conditions in good yields. Single-crystal X-ray analysis conclusively confirms the structure of the obtained bridgehead bicyclic 6-6 heterocyclic compounds.     

DBU: a highly efficient catalyst for one-pot synthesis of substituted 3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes, dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyranes, 2-amino-4H-benzo[h]chromenes and 2-amino-4H benzo[g]chromenes in aqueous medium

We have reported DBU catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes, dihydropyrano[4,3-b]pyranes, 2-amino-4H-benzo[h]chromenes and 2-amino-4H-benzo[g]chromenes from aldehydes, active methylene compounds malononitrile/ethyl cyanocacetate, and 4-hydroxycoumarin/4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrone/1-naphthol/2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione in water under reflux. The attractive features of this process are mild reaction conditions, reusability of the reaction media, short reaction times, easy isolation of products, and excellent yields.     

Practical, efficient, stereoselective, formal synthesis of (2R,3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline

A highly efficient and stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3R,4R)-HMP is disclosed employing the sulfinyl group as an internal nucleophile to functionalize an olefin in the key step of the reaction sequence. The proline ring is elaborated by a (4C+N) cyclization.     

Aza variant of intramolecular nucleophile-catalyzed aldol lactonization (NCAL): formal synthesis of (3S,4R) and (3R,4S) 4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol

Aza variant of intramolecular catalytic, asymmetric nucleophile-catalyzed, aldol lactonization (NCAL) reaction has been explored to synthesize β-lactone fused nitrogen heterocycles as aza sugars’ precursors by employing achiral amino acids. The utility of these bicyclic β-lactones is presented by the formal synthesis of aza sugars, (3S,4R) and (3R,4S) 4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol.     

4-exo-dig and 5-exo-dig Cyclocarbopalladations: an expeditious solution toward molecular complexity?

The 4-exo-dig and 5-exo-dig cyclocarbopalladations have been efficiently used to produce molecular complexity in a straightforward manner. Strained 1,2-cyclobutanediols are rapidly obtained under microwave irradiation in high yields. In many cases, the cyclocarbopalladation cascade reaction is associated with a 6 or 8π electrocyclic reaction. During the process of the 5-exo-dig cyclocarbopalladation on benzosuberone derivatives, an aromatic C-H activation leads to vinylic substituted aromatics. Polycyclic skeletons of natural products of the family of Ophiobolin and Aleurodiscal can be prepared in few steps from simple starting material.     

Novel (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles from (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones: the unexpected case of (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles

An efficient synthetic method for the preparation of (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles has been developed. The reaction of (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-4-styrylpyrazoles, respectively, saved 4′-nitro-derivatives where both (E)- and (Z)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations was discussed and the stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments.     

Synthesis of zwitterionic 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives

Zwitterionic 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives were synthesized through a unique reaction of 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone with p-benzoquinone and N-heterocyclic aromatics. The zwitterions possessed astropisomeric nature. A possible mechanism of the reaction was presented.     

Temperature-controlled divergent synthesis of 4-alkoxy- or 4-alkenyl-chromanes via inverse electron-demand cycloaddition with in situ generated ortho-quinone methides

The temperature-controlled divergent synthesis of 4-alkoxy- or 4-alkenyl-chromanes via inverse electron-demand cycloaddition with in situ generated ortho-quinone methides under identical reaction conditions except for thermal condition has been developed. At room temperature, the reaction generated 4-methoxychromanes, whereas the reaction performed at room temperature to 100?°C gave 4-alkenylchromanes. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid was efficiently suitable in the reaction to give the 4-substituted chromanes. This divergent synthetic strategy exhibits a new method giving carbon–carbon or carbon–oxygen bond by controlling the reaction temperature.     

Is samoquasine A indeed benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one? Unambiguous, straightforward synthesis of benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one and its regioisomer benzo[f]phthalazin-1(2H)-one

In search for the structural elucidation of samoquasine A, a natural product isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa L., two benzo[f]phthalazinone isomers have been synthesized. The synthetic pathway followed to build up these skeletons is based on the combination of two Suzuki reactions on a pyridazinone precursor and a ring closure reaction via a condensation reaction. ¹H NMR data of the synthesized compound allowed to establish that the structure of the natural product samoquasine A is not benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one, as previously suggested.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of methyl (1S,2R,4S,5S)-7-aza-5-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate through unexpected stereoselective substitution reaction

Methyl (1S,2R,4S,5R)-7-aza-5-bromo-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate was synthesized in high yield in short time from methyl (1R,2S,4R,5R)-2-amino-4,5-dibromocyclohexanecarboxylate through intramolecular cycloamination under microwave-assisted conditions. The following substitution reaction by trifluoro-acetate anion also took place in microwave-assisted conditions to afford methyl (1S,2R,4S,5S)-7-aza-5-hydroxy-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate. In the acyloxylation reaction, unusual endo-selectivity was observed owing to 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton.     

UV photo curing of N,N-bismaleimido-4, 4-diphenylmethane

The photo curing of a formulation consisting of N,N^′-bismaleimido-4, 4^′-diphenylmethane (BMI), which is most widely used in commercial thermal curing formulations, was performed. Parameters, such as initiator, co-initiator and temperature, which affect the curing rate and enthalpy, were studied using differential photocalorimeter. BMI undergoes copolymerization with 4-hydroxybutylvinylether (HBVE), when exposed to UV radiation, in presence of the photo initiator, Triphenylphosphine oxide (TPO). Diallylbisphenol A has been observed to be an efficient co-initiator, which improves the reaction rate coefficient and enthalpy of the photo curing process for the system BMI/HBVE/TPO.     

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of (3S,4R)-(−)-trans-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpiperidine

An asymmetric conjugate addition reaction between a chiral α,β-unsaturated amido ester and ethyl-N-methylmalonamide has been used as a key step in the synthesis of (3S,4R)-(−)-trans-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpiperidine, a key intermediate for (−)-paroxetine.     

Preparation of 2-aminosubstituted 3H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones by palladium-assisted internal biaryl coupling reaction

Representatives of the 3H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones have shown interesting biological activity. We have found 2-aminosubstituted 3H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one as a potent dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor. However effective synthesis of this nucleus with various substituents at the 6-9-positions has not been reported. We report herein the development of a novel and efficient synthesis of 2-aminosubstituted 3H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4(5H)-ones by palladium-assisted internal biaryl coupling reaction. Our optimization of the reaction conditions revealed that the most important factors for this reaction are use of silver carbonate as a base and high reaction temperature.     

Stereospecific preparation of (2E, 4Z)-monofluorodienyl esters by the Heck reaction of high E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes

High E/Z ratio (E/Z>75:25) 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes, which were prepared by isomerization of 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes (E/Z≈1:1), underwent the Heck reaction with methyl acrylate, and (2E, 4Z)-methyl 5-aryl-4-fluoropenta-2,4-dienoates were successfully isolated. Heck reactions of (Z)-1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes also occur. However, the products are difficult to separate in a pure form, since they have an obvious tendency to isomerize on a silica gel column.     

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.     

Gallium(III) triflate-catalyzed one-pot selective synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

A series of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones have been synthesized in good to excellent yields and high selectivity by one-pot reaction using isatoic anhydride, ammonium acetate (or amines), and aldehydes in ethanol or in DMSO under mild conditions, respectively. The reaction was efficiently promoted by 1 mol % Ga(OTf)₃ and the catalyst could be recovered easily after the reactions and reused without evident loss of reactivity.     

Synthesis of an insecticidal tetrahydroisocoumarin, (3R,4S,4aR)-4,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one

The insecticidal tetrahydroisocoumarin, (3R,4S,4aR)-4,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one, was synthesized as a racemate and as an optically active form using one-pot esterification-Michael addition-aldol reaction of δ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde and diketene as a key step.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (3S,4S)- and (3R,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

Facile chemoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of (3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine, a key intermediate for a new quinolone antitumor compound AG-7352 has been described. This methodology illustrates the preparation of 3-azido-1-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from diallylamine via 1-benzyloxycarbonyl-3-pyrroline obtained by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) employing Grubbs’ catalyst. Enzymatic transesterification employing PS-C lipase gave (3S,4S)-3-azido-1-benzyloxycarbonyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine in >99% ee, which upon methylation of the hydroxyl group followed by sequential reactions gave the desired intermediates, (3S,4S)-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-methoxypyrrolidine.