Noncatalytic on water aldol reaction of isatins with cyclic 1,3-diketones at room temperature without the need for subsequent chromatography

Noncatalytic on water aldol transformation of isatins and cyclic 1,3-diketones results in substituted 3-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)indolin-2-ones in 87–98% yields. Optimized conditions have been found and a mechanistic rationale for the reaction has been deduced. The new efficient and facile process represents a convenient way to compounds with the 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one and 3-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one moieties.     

Enantiomeric separation of novel anticancer agent 5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-cyclopent-2-en-1-one

The enantiomers of 5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-cyclopent-2-en-1-one, a novel anticancer agent, were separated by derivatisation with caronaldehyde, separation of the resulting diastereoisomers of the corresponding esters by silica gel column chromatography and regeneration of alcohols (S)-5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-cyclopent-2-en-1-one and (R)-5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-cyclopent-2-en-1-one under aqueous conditions. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was determined by 1H NMR studies of the corresponding Mosher esters. Alternatively, the enantiomers were separated by preparative HPLC to collect the (S)- and (R)-5-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-cyclopent-2-en-1-ones with high purity which was comparable with that obtained by the chemical method. The details of these methods have been presented herein.     

A new and efficient chemoenzymatic route to both enantiomers of α′-acetoxy and α′-hydroxy-α-methoxy cyclic enones

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of the pharmacologically interesting α′-acetoxy and α′-hydroxy-α-methoxy cyclic enones starting from α-hydroxy cyclic enones is described. Protection of 1,2-diketones, manganese(III) acetate-mediated acetoxylation followed by enzyme-mediated hydrolysis of α′-acetoxy enones gives acetoxy enones 3a–d and hydroxy enones 4a–d with high enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%) and good yields. The transesterification of rac-4b in the presence of DMAP afforded (+)-4b and (−)-3b in high enantiomeric excesses (91–94%) and good chemical yields.     

Pd-catalyzed synthesis of 2-alkynyl derivatives of 19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-1-en-3-one

Basing on Sonogashira reaction of 2-iodo-19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-1-en-3-one with alkynes an effective approach was developed to the synthesis of 2-alkynyl derivatives of 19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-1-en-3-one. Initial 2-iodo-19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-1-en-3-one was obtained by isomerization of the accessible betulin into allobetulin in the presence of Amberlyst 15, oxidation of allobetulin to 19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-1-en-3-one under the action of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid, and iodination of the obtained enone in the presence of DMAP.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 2-alkyl-4-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-ones by scandium(III) triflate-catalyzed fragmentation of 2-alkyl-3-iodo-1-oxocyclohexan-2,4-carbolactones

Fragmentation of (2S,3S,4S)-2-allyl-3-iodo-1-oxocyclohexan-2,4-carbolactone to (4S)-2-allyl-4-hydroxycyclohex-2-en-1-one, a chiral building block of (−)-platensimycin, proceeded efficiently by using scandium(III) triflate in DMF-H₂O (1:3) at 100 °C.     

Concise entry to both enantiomers of 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one based on novel oxidative etherification: formal synthesis of (+)-sundiversifolide

Both enantiomers of 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one (6) have been synthesized from 4-hydroxycyclohept-2-enone (3) on the basis of a novel oxidative cyclo-etherification using PhI(OH)OTs (Koser's reagent). (-)-(1S,5R)-8-Oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one [(-)-6, 95% ee] was expeditiously transformed to (+)-sundiversifolide (1).     

Reactions en milieux hyperacides—XX : Isomerisation du camphre

In HF-SBF₅, camphor gives 1,4-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one 2 (12%), 2,4-dimethyl-5-ethylcyclohex-2-en-1 one 3 (27%), and 1,4-dimethylbicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one 4 (20%). Ketones 2 and 3 are primary products, while enone 4 is being formed by deshydrogenation and rearrangement of 2. The postulated mechanisms involve “β cleavage” despite unfavorable geometries.     

Diastereoselective Manipulations of Bicyclo[m.1.0]alkane Derivatives. 4. Reactions of Nucleophiles with Bicyclo[m.1.0]alk-3-en-2-ones

Enantiomerically enriched bicyclo[m.1.0]alk-3-en-2-ones possessing 8-, 12-, and 15-membered rings were prepared and subjected to additions of nucleophiles. 1,2-Additions of n-butyllithium were highly diastereoselective for all cyclopropyl enones examined. Reactions of (Z)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-3-en-2-one and (E)-bicyclo[13.1.0]hexadec-3-en-2-one with dimethyloxosulfonium methylide were highly diastereoselective, while reaction of (E)-bicyclo[10.1.0]tridec-3-en-2-one with this reagent was not diastereoselective. In contrast, 1,4-additions of lithium diorganocuprates were highly diastereoselective for the 8- and 12-membered enones but were not diastereoselective for the 15-membered enone. All reactions were chemically efficient. The diastereoselectivities observed for 1,2-additions, which are thought to involve early transition states, can be rationalized by consideration of the low-energy conformations of each cyclopropyl enone. The diastereoselectivities observed for 1,4-additions, which may involve late transition states, do not correlate simply with the lowest energy conformations of these enones.     

Lewis base effects in the Baylis-Hillman reaction of imines with cyclohex-2-en-1-one and cyclopent-2-en-1-one

In the Baylis-Hillman reaction of N-benzylidene-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide with cyclohex-2-en-1-one or cyclopent-2-en-1-one, we found that, in the presence of a catalytic amount of DMAP, the Baylis-Hillman reaction can be greatly accelerated to give the normal Baylis-Hillman adduct 1 or 3 in good or very high yields: moreover, using PBu3 as a Lewis base in the reaction of N-benzylidene-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide with cyclopent-2-en-1-one, the normal Baylis-Hillman adducts 3 could be obtained in very high yields within 5 h, however, using PBu3 or DBU as a Lewis base in the reaction of N-benzylidene-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide with cyclohex-2-en-1-one, beside the normal Baylis-Hillman adduct 1 abnormal Baylis-Hillman adduct 3-aryl-2-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-5-one 2 was formed at the same time; the substituent's effects were also examined.     

Colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of cysteine: Unexpected Michael addition–elimination reaction

The synthesis of three isomers based on Michael addition mechanism for the detection of sulfurcontaining species in aqueous solution is described. These compounds are constructed by conjugating an enone to a coumarin fluorophore. A substituted-phenyl (o, m, or p-) was appended at the carbonyl carbon to adjust the reactivity. The experimental results showed that (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (m-QPS) and (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (p-QPS) barely react with sulfur-containing nucleophiles, while (E)-7-(diethylamino)-3-(3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (o-QPS) exhibited a fast response toward sulfite, sulfide and thiols in DMSO/phosphate buffer (2:1). The above results are probably due to the intramolecular H-bonding activated Michael addition. More interestingly, cysteine triggered unusual photophysical responses of o-QPS:the original absorption (488 nm) and emission peaks (573 nm) underwent significant blue shifts initially and then recovered, which might be caused by the Michael addition and elimination reaction, respectively.     

Fluorescence from cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones

Fluorescence was detected from a cyclic enone (bicyclo [3.3.0] oct-1 (5)-en-2-one)for the first time.This exception to the generally accepted rule is a state.     

Application of cyclic sulfates in the synthesis of enantiomers of 1-[3-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one

The synthesis of enantiomers of 1-[3-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-propyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives is described. These enantiomers were synthesized starting from (R)- or (S)-1-chloro-2,3-dihydroxypropane using relevant cyclic sulfates as chiral intermediates. The enantiomeric purities of the final compounds were in the range of 99.3–100.0%, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The final compounds were found to display moderate potency as ligands for α₁-adrenoreceptors.     

Steroid photochemistry : The photocycloaddition of an enone and dienone to norbornene and norbornadiene

The photocycloaddition of a steroidal 4-en-3-one and a 4,6-dien-3-one to bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene has been studied. The photocycloaddition to norbornene furnished only the trans-4α,5β-cyclobutane, while the enone gave a mixture of cis and trans-[2+2] adducts as well as the first example of hydrogen transfer in this series to form a 4-(2-norbornanyl 1)-conjugated enone. The photocycloaddition of the dienone to norbornadiene formed the 4-(7-norbornenyl)-dienone by a 1,4-hydrogen shift as the major product, together with lesser amounts of the unrearranged trans-4α,5β-[2+2]-cyclobutane. On the other hand, the cycloaddition of the enone to norbornadiene yielded the 4α-(7-norbornene)-β,γ-enone as the major product; accompanied again by the unrearranged trans-[2+2]-adduct. In addition, the 4α,5α-cis-[3+2] adduct was obtained and was formed by rearrangement of the norbornenyl radical portion of the intermediate diradical.     

Oxidative fragmentation of pregna-14,16-dien-20-ones to 14 beta-hydroxyandrost-15-en-17-ones

Two methods have been developed for efficient conversion of pregna-14,16-dien-20-ones into 14 beta-hydroxyandrost-15-en-17-ones. One procedure consists of treatment of the ring-D dienone successively with sodium borohydride and singlet oxygen. The reaction is illustrated by the conversion of pregna-14,16-dien-20-one 1 into 14 beta-hydroxyandrost-15-en-17-one 3, via the corresponding allylic alcohol 2. Although this two-step procedure is simple, it provides 3 in relatively low yield, accompanied by a smaller amount of the isomeric 14 alpha-hydroxyandrost-15-en-17-one 6. An alternative one-step conversion is achieved by treatment of dienone 1 with a peroxyacid in the presence of a strong protic acid. This process is illustrated by the two-step conversion of dienone 1 into hydroxy ketone 11 in 51% overall yield (Scheme 5) and by the analogous conversion of dienone 13 into hydroxy ketone 24 in 61% overall yield (Scheme 11).     

A convenient stereoselective synthesis of 5-hydroxy-3-oxoesters and 3-hydroxy-5-oxoesters

A biocatalytic approach was employed for the asymmetric reduction of sterically demanding ketones to prepare 3-hydroxy-5-oxo-5-phenylpentanoates and 5-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-phenylpentanoates. Screening a collection of microorganisms led to the identification of stereocomplementary microbial strains that provide access to both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-5-oxo-5-phenylpentanoates and 5-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-phenylpentanoates with high enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee). Moreover, the application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae gave two diastereomers of 3,5-dihydroxy-5-phenylpentanoates with high enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee). The applicability of the identified strains was demonstrated by transforming the obtained dihydroxy ester into the chemically valuable lactone (4S,6R)-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-phenyl-pyran-2-one.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of the enantiomers of 1-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one

The asymmetric synthesis of 1-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-pyrrolidin-2-one 1 is described. Enantiomers of compound 1 were obtained using the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) or hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) methods. The enantiomers of compound 1, which were obtained by HKR had higher enantiomeric excesses than those which were synthesized by AD and epoxidation. The enantiomeric purity of the synthesized compounds was determinated by capillary electrophoresis.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one

4-Oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate is synthesized using manganese(III)acetate starting from 2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one. K₂CO₃ mediated hydrolysis of 4-oxo-3,4-dihdro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate furnished 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in high yield.The enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate in various organic solvent-phosphate buffer (pH7) systems and enantioselective transesterification of (±)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in organic solvents was investigated by screening a range of lipases. The lipase Amano PS, PPL, PLE and CCL-catalyzed asymmetric ester hydrolysis and transesterification afforded the enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate with high enantiomeric excess (up to 97% ee) and in good yields.     

Microbiological transformation of bicyclic monoterpenes by Absidia orchidis (Vuill.) Hagem. 2. Hydroxylation of fenchone and isofenchone. 18. Section on reactions with microorganisms

(+)-Fenchone ( 3a ) was transformed to 6-exo-hydroxy-fenchone (6β-hydroxy-1, 3, 3-trimethyl-nor-bornan-2-one) ( 1a ) and to 5-exo-hydroxy-fenchone 5β-hydroxy-1, 3, 3-trimethyl-nor-bornan-2-one ( 4a ) by the mycelium of Absidia orchidis (Vuill.) Hagem. The structure of the two products was proven by a detailed analysis of the NMR. spectra of the corresponding acetyl derivatives 2a and 5a respectively, and by CrO₃-oxidation. 1a yielded the β-diketone 6a , and 4a the diketone 8a. Whereas 8a was stable to alkali 6a was cleaved to the cyclopentane carboxylic acids 7 and 9 . — Incubation of (—)-fenchone ( 3b ) yielded the enantiomeric hydroxylation products 1b and 4b in the same ratio. - (—)-Isofenchone ( 11a ) was transformed by Absidia orchidis into the two epimers 6-endo-hydroxy-isofenchone (6β-hydroxy-1, 5, 5-trimethyl-nor-bornan-2-one) ( 12a ) and 6-exo-hydroxy-isofenchone (6β-hydroxy-1, 5, 5-trimethyl-nor-bornan-2-one) ( 10a. ) CrO₃-oxidation of both 10a and 12a gave the same β-diketone 6a. - (+)-Isofenchone gave the corresponding enantiomeric hydroxy derivatives 10b and 12b on incubation with Absidia orchidis.     

Regio- and stereoselective reduction of trans-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one using carrot,celeriac, and beetroot enzyme systems in an organic solvent

(S)-trans-4-Phenylbut-3-en-2-ol has been obtained in excellent yields and with high enantiomeric excess in the reduction of trans-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one using the comminuted roots of carrot (Daucus carota L.), celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum), and beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. Vulgaris) in isooctane. This is the first Letter of this bioreduction with plant tissue in an organic solvent.     

Efficient and flexible synthesis of chiral gamma- and delta-lactones

An efficient and highly flexible synthesis for chiral gamma- and delta-lactones with high enantiomeric purity is described (>99% ee and 57-87% overall yield). The protocol involves alkylation of chiral 1,2-oxiranes with terminally unsaturated Grignard reagents. Subsequent oxidative degradation (OsO(4)-Oxone) of the terminal double bond from chiral alk-1-en-5-ols and alk-1-en-6-ols affords 4- or 5-hydroxy acids and gamma- and delta-lactones after acidic workup. The flexibility and efficiency of the protocol is illustrated by the synthesis of several alkanolides and alkenolides, hydroxy fatty acids and dihydroisocoumarins.