Total synthesis of (+/-)-kainic Acid with an aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement as the key stereochemical determining step

A flexible route to the kainoid skeleton is exemplified by the synthesis of (+/-)-kainic acid from 3-butyn-1-ol. The route relies on the aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement to efficiently install the relative stereochemistry between C2-C3. The C4 stereocenter was derived from a diastereocontrolled iodolactonization. The aza-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement potentially allows structural diversity at C3 and the displacement of the tosyloxy group with retention of stereochemistry allows structural diversity at C4. The trans-C2 carboxylic acid functional group was found to be the most important for retention of stereochemistry at C4 upon treatment with a higher order cyano cuprate reagent.     

Efficient palladium-mediated or base-induced 5-endo-dig cyclisation of C5-alkynylated pyrimidine derivatives: conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of novel furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines

A series of the novel 5-alkynyl- and furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives in which the sugar moiety is replaced by a methoxymethyl (MOM) group is synthesised using the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction under both conventional and microwave conditions, in good to excellent yields. The 5-endo-dig cyclisation of 5-alkynylpyrimidine derivatives promoted by a Pd-catalyst or base gives the corresponding furo[2,3-d]pyrimidines in good yields.     

Synthesis of new benzo[b]thieno fused ring systems via transition metal-mediated cyclisations

The compact synthesis of a new ring fused benzo[b]thieno derivative with an embedded nine-membered ring system via ring closing metathesis methodology is described. The preparation of the novel 11H-benzo[b]thieno[2,3-c]pyrrolo[2,3-a]indol-11-one via palladium-mediated oxidative cyclisation of benzo[b]thien-2-oyl indole derivatives is also reported.     

(η6-Arene)chromium complexes in organic synthesis: [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of (benzyl crotyl ether)chromium complexes

The [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement of (benzyl (E)-crotyl ether)chromium complexes is shown to give a syn stereoselection which is different from the anti selection reported for the corresponding chromium-free compounds.     

Preparation of novel pyridine-fused tris-heterocycles; pyrido[4,3-e]pyrrolo-/pyrido[4,3-e]furano[2,3-c]pyridazines and pyrido[3,4-b]pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrrole

Three novel pyrido-fused tris-heterocycles have been prepared based on a Suzuki coupling and subsequent cyclisation approach. Pyrido[4,3-e]pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridazine (3b, 77%) and pyrido[4,3-e]furano[2,3-c]pyridazine (5b, 76%) were obtained by intramolecular diazocoupling. Successful diazocoupling of furan (5b) is thus reported for the first time by NOBF₄ generation of the diazonium intermediate. N-TIPS-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrrole (TIPS-4b) was synthesised by thermal cyclisation of pyridyl nitrene in considerably higher yield (71%) than previously experienced from similar cyclisations, due to TIPS-activation.     

The aza-

The inclusion of a C-2 trialkylsilyl substituent into allylic amine precursors allows the base-induced aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement to proceed in excellent yield and diastereoselectivity. The rearrangement precursors require a carbonyl-based nitrogen protecting group that must be stable to the excess of strong base required for the reaction. The N-Boc and N-benzoyl group are very good at stabilizing the product anion and initiating deprotonation. The migrating groups (G) need to stabilize the intial anion by resonance and require G-CH(3)() pK(a) > 22 in order for the initial anion to be reactive enough for rearrangement. Products 7, 20b-d,f,g, and 23 are formed with high (10-20:1) anti diastereoselectivity. Product 23 containing the morpholine amide group is useful for preparing other carbonyl derivatives.     

New use of bis(benzotriazolyl)-1,2-(dialkylamino)ethanes for the synthesis of 2-H-3-dialkylamino imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives

First direct synthesis of 2-H-3-N-dialkyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines is described. This approach makes use of accessible substituted pyrazines and the assistance of benzotriazole. In such a manner we accomplished the introduction of cyclic amines at C-3 of the scaffold in a convenient formal cyclisation procedure. Detailed examples and utility of this approach are presented herein.     

A convenient synthesis of new pyrido[3,2-e][1,4]diazepine-2,5-diones and pyrido[2,3-e][1,4]diazepine-2,5-diones

A convenient synthesis of a series of pyrido[3,2-e][1,4]-diazepine-2,5-diones 8 and pyrido[2,3-e][1,4]diazepine-2,5-diones 9, is reported using the condensation of α-amino acid methyl ester derivatives with 1H-pyrido[3,2-d][1,3]oxazine-2,4-dione and 1H-pyrido[2,3-d][1,3]oxazine-2,4-dione. Compounds 8 and 9 were also synthesized by peptide coupling of α-amino acid methyl ester derivatives with β-amino acids (2 or 3) followed by the cyclisation in tetrahydrofuran with sodium hydride (NaH).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of either (22S)- or (22R)-hydroxy-23-acetylenic steroid side chains via [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement

A unified approach to either (22$\text{S}$)- or (22$\text{R}$)-hydroxy-23-acetylenic steroid side chains is described which relies on the concept of the stereochemical transmission via the [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement.     

[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement approach to iminosugar C-glycosides: 5-epi-ethylfagomine, 2-epi-5-deoxyadenophorine and formal synthesis of indolizidine 167B and 209D

A new strategy for the synthesis of 1,2-dideoxy iminosugar C-glycosides and indolizidines involving highly stereoselective [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement from Garner aldehyde has been developed. This rearrangement yielded an optically pure, highly functionalized key intermediate, which has been further utilized for the synthesis of 5-epi-ethylfagomine, 2-epi-5-deoxyadenophorine, and 5-hydroxymethyl indolizidine.     

An efficient synthesis of novel tetrahydrochromeno[2,3-b]chromenes

A series of novel tetrahydrochromeno[2,3-b]chromenes is synthesized via the acid-catalyzed dimerization reactions of 5-methoxy- or 6-methoxyflavenes. A rational mechanism for the observed rearrangement is proposed.     

Reactivity of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid towards salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes

The reaction of sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid with salicylaldehyde-derived alkynes and allenes opened the way to new chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole and chromeno[2,3-b]pyrrole derivatives. Tetrahydro-chromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles were obtained from the reaction of these secondary amino acids with O-propargylsalicylaldehyde. Interestingly, sarcosine reacted with ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate to give a monocyclic pyrrole resulting from rearrangement of the initially formed 1,3-dipolar cycloadduct. Decarboxylative condensation of ethyl 4-(2-formylphenoxy)but-2-ynoate with 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid afforded in a stereoselective fashion the expected chromeno-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole, which structure was unambiguously established by X-ray crystallography. However, the 1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole resulting from the opening of the pyran ring was also isolated. The reaction with O-buta-2,3-dienyl salicylaldehyde afforded 3-methylene-hexahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole. O-Allenyl salicylaldehyde reacted with sarcosine and 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid to give a new type of chromeno-pyrroles. A mechanism proposal for the synthesis of these chromeno[2,3-b]pyrroles has been presented.     

Chirality transfer in the aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement

The aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangements of substrates derived from enantiomerically pure alanine, valine and serine with phenyl and ester anion stabilising groups were investigated for their efficiency in chirality transfer. It was found that a methyl substituent at the stereogenic centre of the rearrangement precursors was inadequate to control the alkene stereoselectivity and enantioselectivity of the rearrangement. Ester stabilised anions of valine and serine derivatives were the most successful with up to 66% yield, 14 : 1 alkene (E)-stereoselection and 88% chirality transfer. A limitation to the steric bulk of the stereogenic centre was noted in that the substituent has to be bulky enough to dictate alkene stereoselection, but not too large to compromise the directing effect of the activating phenyldimethyl silyl substituent on the anion stabilising group. Experimental evidence suggested a possible complimentary coordinating effect of an O-MOM serine substituent, which may assist alkene stereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.     

Efficient synthesis of 2- and 3-substituted-2,3-dihydro [1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives

A versatile new approach for the synthesis in three steps of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridines B via a Smiles rearrangement using easily available reagents is described. A study illustrating the influence of experimental conditions on the progress of the reaction is reported.     

Synthesis of bhimamycin B based on oxidative rearrangement of 4-acetylnaphtho[1,2-b]furan-5-ol to naphtho[2,3-c]furan-4,9-dione

The first total synthesis of bhimamycin B, a novel member of naphtho[2,3-c]furan quinone antibiotics, was achieved by oxidative skeletal rearrangement of 4-acetylnaphtho[1,2-b]furan-5-ol.     

[2,3]-Wittig Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Steroidal 16β-Propargyl Ethers for the Synthesis of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Side Chain Analogues

An efficient [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement of the pregnadiene derivative 2b allowed the one-step introduction of a side chain with the natural (20R) chirality and the 25-hydroxy group of the principal metabolites of vitamin D.     

Intramolecular 4+2 cycloaddition of thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazines: routes towards condensed thieno[2,3-b]pyridines

Synthetic approaches towards new condensed thienopyridine ring systems including furo[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines, bisthieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyridines, 5H-chromeno[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines, 5H-benzo(f)chromeno[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines have been achieved by application of intramolecular 4+2 cycloaddition reactions of suitably designed thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazines tethered with alkene or alkyne terminals.     

Skeletal Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of perhydro-3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindoles

An investigation of a skeletal Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of variously substituted or quinoline-annulated 3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindol-1-ones is reported. Optimum reaction conditions (Ac₂O, BF₃·OEt₂, rt) were discovered for the formation of the target 4,6-epoxycyclopenta[c]pyridines in 40-80% yields. It was shown that the direction of the sigmatropic rearrangement of 3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindol-1-ones depended dramatically on the carboxyl group position (exo-/endo-) in the oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane moiety. The spatial structure of previously unknown 7,9-epoxycyclopenta[4,5]pyrido[1,2-a]quinolines derived from Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of 2,11b-epoxyoxireno[6,7]isoindolo[2,1-a]quinolines was established based on the X-ray analysis data. The skeletal rearrangement proceeded regio- and stereospecifically in all the cases examined due to the absence of the epimerization of the carbon atoms adjacent to the carbocation centres.     

Substituted chromones in [3+2] cycloadditions with nonstabilized azomethine ylides: synthesis of 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines and 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrolidines

Chromones bearing electron-withdrawing substituents at the 2- or 3-position react with nonstabilized azomethine ylides to produce 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines in good yields. Reactions of 3-cyanochromones proceed diastereoselectively to give 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines and tetrahydro-1H-spiro[chromeno[2,3-c]pyrrol-9,5′-oxazolidine]-9a-carbonitriles, depending on the reactant ratio, as a result of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the azomethine ylide at the double bond and carbonyl group of the chromone system. The latter undergoes demethylenation and recyclization into a novel hexahydrochromeno[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrole tetracyclic system on heating with hydrochloric acid.     

Asymmetric aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangements: chiral auxiliary control and formal asymmetric synthesis of (2S, 3R, 4R)-4-hydroxy-3-methylproline and (-)-kainic acid

A survey of 16 different chiral auxiliaries and a variety of strategies found that an (-)-8-phenylmenthol ester of a glycine derived migrating group can control the absolute stereochemistry of aza-[2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangements with diastereoselectivities of ca. 3 : 1 with respect to the auxiliary. In two specific examples, ca. 50% yields of enantiomerically pure products were obtained after chromatographic purification. These were synthetically manipulated with no erosion of stereochemistry into intermediates that completed formal asymmetric syntheses of (+)-HyMePro and (-)-kainic acid.