New Synthesis of Donepezil Through Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation Approach

A new, economical, and efficient process has been developed for large‐scale synthesis of donepezil 1, an anti‐Alzheimer's drug. The process involves palladium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of (2E)‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)indan‐1‐one 6 to provide 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐(piperidin‐4‐ylmethyl)indan‐1‐one 8 as a key step.     

Donepezilium oxalate trihydrate,a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease

Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor with good central nervous system penetration, has been crystallized as a tertiary amine salt with a disordered oxalate anion to give the title compound, (R,S)‐1‐benzyl‐4‐[(5,6‐dimethoxy‐1‐oxoindan‐2‐yl)methyl]piperidinium hydrogen oxalate trihydrate, C₂₄H₃₀NO₃⁺·C₂HO₄⁻·3H₂O. The indanone and piperidine ring planes are inclined at an angle of 33.4 (1)°. A comparison is made with the piperidinium cation bound in acetyl­cholinesterase in the solid state. The methyl­ene units bridging the indanone–piperidine–benzyl groups determine the mol­ecular shape and conformational features. The structure is stabilized mainly by O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, with water mol­ecules mediating inter­actions between oxalate anions and donepezilium cations.     

New Route to N‐Alkylated trans‐Pyrrolidine Diols from 2,2,3,3‐Tetramethoxybutane‐Protected Dimethyl Tartrate

A short synthesis of some trans‐pyrrolidine diols is described starting from (2R,3R,5R,6R)‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐5,6‐dimethyl[1,4]dioxane‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester 3. The key step was the occurrence of a tandem azide reduction/cyclization sequence on mono‐azide intermediate 6 upon catalytic hydrogenation. This method afforded both (3R,4R)‐(+)‐1‐benzyl‐3,4‐pyrrolidinediol 9a and (3R,4R)‐(+)‐1‐allyl‐3,4‐pyrrolidinediol 9b starting from 3. Cytotoxicity tests were performed on compounds 9a and 9b using the brine shrimp bioassay, but each showed no activity, as were anti‐oxidant tests using the stable free radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH).     

An Efficient Synthesis of 5,6‐Dimethoxy 1‐ and 2‐Naphthols via Teuber Reaction

Based on the oxidation of 1,5‐naphthalenediol ( 4 ) and 6‐bromo‐2‐naphthol ( 9 ) via Teuber reaction, an efficient synthesis of 5,6‐dimethoxy‐1‐naphthol ( 1 ) and 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthol ( 2 ) was achieved with high overall yield (16% for 1 and 25% for 2 ). The key steps of the synthetic strategy involved the oxidation of naphthols ( 4 and 9 ) to the corresponding naphthoquinones ( 5 and 10 ) and the conversion of 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthaldehyde to 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthol formate through Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation‐rearrangement.     

A Novel and Convenient Synthesis of Coenzyme Q1

Abstract

A convenient and efficient synthetic route to Coenzyme Q₁ (6) starting from 3,4,5‐trimethoxytoluene (1) is described. The key features of this synthesis include the Diels–Alder reaction of 2,3‐dimethoxy‐l,4‐benzoquinone (3) with cyclopentadiene and the introduction of a C₅ side chain to 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐methyltricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,7]undeca‐4,9‐diene‐3,6‐dione (4) under mild conditions, (6) was obtained in overall 60% yield.     

New Phenylphenalene Derivatives from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a cause of great concern in terms of environmental and agricultural impacts in many parts of the world. Phytochemical investigation of water hyacinth led to the isolation of six new phenylphenalenes, 2,3‐dihydro‐3,9‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 1 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐8‐methoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalene‐1,4‐diol ( 2 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐4,8‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐ol ( 3 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐9‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐8‐methoxy‐1H‐phenalene‐1,4‐diol ( 4 ), 2,6‐dimethoxy‐9‐phenyl‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 5 ), and 7‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐phenalen‐1‐one ( 6 ), together with the four known compounds 7 – 10 . Their structures were elucidated by spectrometric methods including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and MS analysis. These compounds may be involved in allelopathic interactions of water hyacinth with neighboring plants.     

Synthesis and Dehydration of Oxadithia and Trithiadioxime Crown Compounds

The reaction of 2,2‐oxydiethanethiol and 2‐[2‐mercaptoethyl) thio] ethanethiol with dichloroglyoxime (DCGO) in absolute EtOH led to crown compounds, oxadithia (5Z,6Z)‐1,4,7‐oxadithiadiononane‐5,6‐dionedioxime (1) and trithia (2Z,3Z)‐1,4,7‐trithionane‐2,3‐dionedioxime (2), respectively. The compounds 5,6,8,9‐tetrahydro [1,4,7]oxadithionine[5,6‐c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (3) and 5,6,8,9‐tetrahydro[1,4,7]trithionino[2,3‐c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (4) were prepared by dehydration of 1 and 2 in aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide at 170–180°C, respectively.     

New Approaches to 6‐Oxoisoaporphine and Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives

2,3‐Dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐7H‐dibenzo[de,h]quinolin‐7‐one, 6‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐7H‐dibenzo[de,h]quinolin‐7‐one, and 2‐(6,7‐dimethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐yl)benzyl benzoate, easily available by a Bischler–Napieralski cyclization, were used as starting materials to afford 6‐oxoisoaporphine and 2,3‐dimethoxy‐5,6,8,12b‐tetrahydroisoindolo[1,2‐a]isoquinoline as the main products. However, the catalytic hydrogenation of the benzyl benzoate derivative afforded, under mild conditions, 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐1‐(2‐methylphenyl)isoquinoline.     

First Total Synthesis of (±)‐Celaphanol A

The first total synthesis of (±)‐Celaphanol A was accomplished starting from α‐cyclocitral and 3,4‐dimethoxy benzyl chloride in six steps. The intramolecular cyclization with BF₃·Et₂O and enolization in t‐BuOK/t‐BuOH were the key steps. The process of intramolecular cyclization afforded an all‐cis isomer intermediate for synthesis of aromatic tricyclic diterpenes.     

New Short Synthesis of (5)‐2,3‐Dimethoxy‐N‐[(1‐ethyl‐2‐pyrrolidinyl)methyl]‐5‐iodobenzamide: Dopamine D2 Receptor

A new short and highly efficient synthesis of (5)‐2,3‐dimethoxy‐N[(1‐ethyl‐2‐pyrrolidinyl)methyl]‐5‐iodobenzamide (epidepride, 1) from 3‐methoxy‐salicylaldehyde (o‐vanillin, 2) and 3‐methoxysalicyclic acid (6) was achieved by employing a new iodination method with iodine monochloride and iodine nitrate under basic conditions.     

Pakistolides A and B,Novel Enzyme Inhibitory and Antioxidant Dimeric 4‐(Glucosyloxy)Benzoates from Berchemia pakistanica

Pakistolides A and B, novel dimeric β‐(glucosyloxy)benzoates were isolated from Berchemia pakistanica and assigned structures 1 and 2 on the basis of extensive NMR studies. In addition, the known compounds 7,5′‐dimethoxy‐3,5,2′‐trihydroxyflavone (=3,5‐dihydroxy‐2‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐methoxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one), 4′,5‐dihydroxy‐3,6,7‐trimethoxyflavone (=5‐hydroxy‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3,6,7‐trimethoxy‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one), 5,6‐dihydroxy‐4,7‐dimethoxy‐2‐methylanthracene‐9,10‐dione, and 1,3,4‐trihydroxy‐6,7,8‐trimethoxy‐2‐methylanthracene‐9,10‐dione were reported for the first time from the genus Berchemia. Both 1 and 2 showed significant α‐glucosidase and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities, while 2 also showed antioxidant potential.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of cAMP Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor 8‐Hydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐3‐hydroxymethylisocoumarin

An efficient microwave‐assisted synthesis of 8‐hydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐3‐hydroxymethyl isocoumarin (1), a metabolite of Streptomyces mobaraensis and structural relative of reticulol and cytogenin that possesses potent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor activity, is described. 3,4,5‐Trimethoxyhomophthalic acid (2) was condensed with acetoxyacetyl chloride under microwave irradiation and the acid hydrolysis of resulting 6,7,8‐trimethoxy‐3‐acetoxymethylisocoumarin (3) afforded the 6,7,8‐trimethoxy‐3‐hydroxymethylisocoumarin (4). Regioselective demethylation of the latter using magnesium iodide in THF yielded the title compound (1).     

Novel Convenient Synthesis of Mitiglinide

A novel convenient synthesis of the hypoglycemic agent mitiglinide was developed. (2S)‐4‐[(3aR,7aS)‐Octahydro‐2H‐isoindol‐2‐yl]‐4‐oxo‐2‐benzyl‐butanoic acid (6) was prepared by selective hydrolysis of ethyl 4‐[(3aR,7aS)‐octahydro‐2H‐isoindol‐2‐yl]‐4‐oxo‐2‐benzyl‐butanoate (5) using α‐chymotrypsin; the latter was prepared by a novel facile route from (3aR,7aS)‐octahydro‐2H‐isoindole. The overall yield was 25.6%.     

Über das 4-Hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridinthion bzw.-on und die entsprechenden Tautomeren

The tautomers, 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-6,6-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyridinethione (1) and 6,6-dimethyl-2-thioxo-4-piperidone (2) resp., and 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-6,6-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyridone (9) and 6,6-dimethyl-2,4-piperidinedione (10) resp. were synthesized by hydrolysis of 4-amino-5,6-dihydro-6,6-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyridinethiones (4, 5) and-ones (11, 12).1, 2 and9, 10 undergo an aminolysis in amines to the corresponding 4-aminodihydro-2(1H)-pyridinethiones4, 5 and-ones11, 12 resp.

     

The Use of Pinner Type Reaction for the Synthesis of New Indeno[2,1‐c]pyridine‐4‐carbonitrile Derivatives

An efficient and convenient route was developed for the synthesis of new pyridinecarbonitrile derivatives by using the Pinner type of reaction. The 2‐((E)‐2‐((dimethylamino)methylene)‐1,2‐dihydro‐5,6‐dimethoxyinden‐3‐ylidene) malononitrile 2 was reacted in the presence of dry HCl gas to yield 3‐chloro‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐9H‐indeno[2,1‐c]pyridine‐4‐carbonitrile ( 3 ) in good yield. The S_NAr reaction on compound 3 with various nucleophiles yielded 3‐substituted pyridinecarbonitriles 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 in moderate to good yield.     

Synthesis of C‐Nucleoside Analogues Starting from 1‐(Methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)‐4‐phenyl‐but‐3‐yn‐2‐one

Abstract

1‐(Methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)‐4‐phenyl‐but‐3‐yn‐2‐one (4) was synthesized by the reaction of (methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)ethanal (2) with lithium phenylethynide and following oxidation. Compound 4 and hydrazine hydrate provided the 3(5)‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl‐methyl)‐5(3)‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole (5). The reactions of 4 with amidinium salts and a S‐methyl‐isothiouronium salt, respectively, furnished the pyrimidine C‐nucleoside analogues 6a–6c. Treatment of 4 with 2‐aminobenzimidazole afforded 2‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐4‐phenyl‐benzo [4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine (7a). Compound 4 and sodium azide yielded 2‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)‐1‐[5(4)‐phenyl‐1H(2H)‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4(5)‐yl]ethanone (8).     

Direct and Convenient Method of Regioselective Benzylation of Methyl α‐D‐Glucopyranoside

A facile and convenient method for the direct preparation of methyl 2,3,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside (2) by the regioselective benzylation of methyl α‐D‐glucopyranoside (1) with benzyl bromide in the presence of mild bases K₂CO₃ and KOH (1∶1) without solvents is reported.     

Novel Aryl‐Modified Benzoylamino‐N‐(5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzoimidazol‐2‐yl)‐heteroamides as Potent Inhibitors of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1 and 2

Tumor angiogenesis has become an important target for antitumor therapy, with most current therapies aimed at blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. The VEGF and its receptors have been implicated as key factors in tumor angiogenesis and are major targets in cancer therapy. A series of aryl‐modified benzoylamino‐N‐(5,6‐dimethoxy‐1H‐benzoimidazol‐2‐yl)‐heteroamides were synthesized from 2‐amino‐5,6‐dimethoxy benzimidazole and aryl‐substituted benzoylamino hetero acids. The new compounds were tested for inhibition of VEGF receptors I and II (VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2). Compound 6e displayed VEGFR‐2 inhibitory activity with a 50% inhibition concentration value as low as 0.020 μM in a homogeneous time‐resolved fluorescence enzymatic assay. VEGFR‐2 active compounds display good activity against VEGFR‐1 as well.     

Introduction of Adjacent Oxygen‐Functionalities in Dimethyl Heptalenedicarboxylates

The bromination of dimethyl 8‐methoxy‐1,6,10‐trimethylheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylate ( 6 ; Scheme 2) with N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) leads in acceptable yields to the corresponding 9‐bromoheptalenedicarboxylate 10 (Table 1). Ether cleavage of 6 with chlorotrimethylsilane (Me₃SiCl)/NaI results in the formation of oxoheptalenedicarboxylate 13 in good yield (Scheme 4). The latter can be acetyloxylated to the (acetyloxy)oxoheptalenedicarboxylate 14 with Pb(OAc)₄ in benzene (Scheme 5). Oxo derivative 14 , in turn, can be selectively O‐methylated with dimethyl sulfate (DMS) in acetone to the (acetyloxy)methoxyheptalenedicarboxylates 15 and 15′ (Scheme 6). The AcO group of the latter can be transformed into a benzyl or methyl ether group by treatment with MeONa in DMF, followed by the addition of benzyl bromide or methyl iodide (cf. Scheme 9). Reduction of the ester groups of dimethyl 7,8‐dimethoxy‐5,6,10‐trimethylheptalene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate ( 25′ ) with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) leads to the formation of the corresponding dimethanol 26′ , which can be cyclized oxidatively (IBX, dimethyl sulfoxide) to 8,9‐dimethoxy‐6,7,11‐trimethylheptaleno[1,2‐c]furan ( 27 ; Scheme 11).     

Synthesis of (Methyl 3‐O‐Benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐d‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)thiophene Derivatives as Precursors of New Iso‐C‐nucleoside Analogues

Treatment of 2‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐d‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)ethanal (3) with malononitrile in the presence of aluminium oxide provided 2‐cyano‐4‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐d‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)crotononitrile (4). Starting from 4, cyclization with sulphur and triethylamine yielded 2‐amino‐5‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐d‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile (5). Further cyclization could be achieved with triethyl orthoformate/ammonia to furnish 4‐amino‐6‐(methyl 3‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐deoxy‐α‐d‐altropyranosid‐2‐yl)thieno[2.3‐d]pyrimidine (8).