Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of Japonilure and its enantiomer

A mild, concise, and highly enantioselective (93% ee) synthesis of Japonilure and its enantiomer, Anomala osakana pheromone, is described. The key steps involve the asymmetric addition of methyl propionate to undec-2-ynal with a Zn-ProPhenol catalyst and the selective and partial reduction of the diynol ester to the cis-enol ester with Brown’s P2-Ni catalyst, providing the first synthesis of the enol ester via semi-hydrogenating diynol ester.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-oxo-6-octene-1,3-diol: a Colorado potato beetle pheromone

The recent identification of a male-produced aggregation pheromone [(S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-oxo-6-octene-1,3-diol, (S)-CPB] offers a new tool for Colorado potato beetle (CPB) management. We developed a novel synthetic approach to produce CPB pheromone in seven steps and 46.54% overall yield. Grignard reaction, oxidation, and stereoselective methylation using organometallic reagent are the key steps in the commercially viable total synthesis, generating CPB pheromone in 98.6% enantiomeric purity and gram quantity.     

Synthesis of S-(+)-4-methyl-3-heptanone,the principal alarm pheromone of Atta texana, and its enantiomer

The principal alarm pheromone of Atta texana S-(+)-4-methyl-3-heptanone, and its enantiomer have been prepared synthetically in high optical purity.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Disparlure

Starting from propargyl alcohol ( 12 ), and on the basis of Zhou's modified Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, the sex pheromone of the Gypsy moth, disparlure (+)‐ 8 and its enantiomer (?)‐ 8 have been synthesized, each in six steps, with overall yields of 29% for (+)‐ 8 and 27% for (?)‐ 8 (ee>98%). The use of the sequential coupling tactic renders the method flexible, which is applicable to the synthesis of other cis‐epoxy pheromones.     

Synthesis of (2s, 3r, 7rs)-stegobinone [2,3-dihydro-2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(1-methyl-2- oxobutyl)-4h-pyran-4-one] and its (2r, 3s, 7rs)-isomer : The pheromone of the drugstore beetle

Reaction of acetaldehyde with the trianion of 4,6-dimethylnonane-3,5,7-trione followed by acidification yielded a stereoisomeric mixture of stegobinone, the pheromone of Stegobium paniceum L. Acylation of the dianion derived from 4-methylheptane-3,5-dione with a mixed anhydride prepared from (2R, 3S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic acid or its enantiomer led to (2S,3R,7RS)- or (2R, 3S, 7RS)-stegobinone. The natural pheromone possesses (2S,3R)-stereochemistry.     

Total synthesis of (±) maculalactone A, maculalactone B and maculalactone C and the determination of the absolute configuration of natural (+) maculalactone A by asymmetric synthesis

Maculalactones A, B and C from the marine cyanobacterium Kyrtuthrix maculans are amongst the only compounds based on the tribenzylbutyrolactone skeleton known in nature and (+) maculalactone A from the natural source possesses significant biological activity against various marine herbivores and marine settlers. We now report a concise synthesis of racemic maculalactone A in five steps from inexpensive starting materials. Maculalactones B and C were synthesized by a minor modification to this procedure, and the synthetic design also permitted an asymmetric synthesis of maculalactone A to be achieved in around 85% ee. The (+) and (−) enantiomers of maculalactone A were assigned, respectively, to the S and R configurations on the basis of the chiral selectivity expected for catecholborane reduction of an unsymmetrical ketone in the presence of Corey's oxazoborolidine catalyst. Surprisingly, it appeared that natural (+) maculalactone A was biosynthesized in K. maculans in a partially racemic form, comprising ca. 90-95% of the (S) enantiomer and 5-10% of its (R) enantiomer. Coincidentally therefore, the percentage enantiomeric excess of the product obtained from asymmetric synthesis almost exactly matched that found in nature.     

Efficient and practical asymmetric synthesis of isopropyl (R)-3-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate and its enantiomer

The highly enantioselective synthesis of (R)-isopropyl 3-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxypropanoate and its enantiomer has been achieved starting from 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. The stereogenic centers were established through asymmetric dihydroxylation of (E)-isopropyl 3,4-bis(benzyloxy) cinnamate. A convenient manipulation in selective catalytic hydrogenation and deprotection was also accomplished in HCl-ⁱPrOH employing 10% Pd/C catalyst.     

Total Synthesis,Stereochemical Assignment,and Field‐Testing of the Sex Pheromone of the Strepsipteran Xenos peckii

The sex pheromone of the endoparasitoid insect Xenos peckii (Strepsiptera: Xenidae) was recently identified as (7E,11E)‐3,5,9,11‐tetramethyl‐7,11‐tridecadienal. Herein we report the asymmetric synthesis of three candidate stereostructures for this pheromone using a synthetic strategy that relies on an sp³–sp² Suzuki–Miyaura coupling to construct the correctly configured C7‐alkene function. Comparison of ¹H NMR spectra derived from the candidate stereostructures to that of the natural sex pheromone indicated a relative configuration of (3R*,5S*,9R*). Chiral gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of these compounds supported an assignment of (3R,5S,9R) for the natural product. Furthermore, in a 16‐replicate field experiment, traps baited with the synthetic (3R,5S,9R)‐enantiomer alone or in combination with the (3S,5R,9S)‐enantiomer captured 23 and 18 X. peckii males, respectively (mean±SE: 1.4±0.33 and 1.1±0.39), whereas traps baited with the synthetic (3S,5R,9S)‐enantiomer or a solvent control yielded no captures of males. These strong field trapping data, in combination with spectroscopic and chiral GC data, unambiguously demonstrate that (3R,5S,9R,7E,11E)‐3,5,9,11‐tetramethyl‐7,11‐tridecadienal is the X. peckii sex pheromone.     

First asymmetric enantioselective total synthesis of phenanthridine alkaloid, (S)-(+)-asiaticumine and its enantiomer

In this study, the first asymmetric enantioselective total syntheses of (+)-asiaticumine A (2) and its enantiomer were accomplished through a seven-step sequence using the bond formation between the C4a and N5 positions of the phenanthridine framework based on the microwave-assisted electrocyclization of cyclohexenylbenzaldoxime methyl ether as an aza 6π-hexatriene system followed by the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key step. In addition, the absolute configuration of natural (+)-2 was determined to be S by Mosher’s method.     

Practical synthesis of blepharismone,a mating inducing pheromone of Blepharisma japonicum

Both enantiomers of blepharismone, a mating inducing pheromone produced by type II cells of Blepharisma japonicum, were synthesized via the Stille cross-coupling reaction of [4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-2-trimethylstannanyl-phenyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester with an acid chloride derived from (S)- and (R)-malic acid as a key reaction. The mating inducing activity of synthetic (S)-blepharismone was as effective as that of the natural one. The enantiomer (R)-blepharismone showed no mating inducing activity.     

3-(Hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)azetidin-2-ones obtained via catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation or by biotransformation

The catalytic asymmetric reduction of ethyl-2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxo-phenylpropanoate was realized with high enantiomeric and diastereoisomeric excesses via biotransformation using whole cells of different yeasts and asymmetric hydrogenation with Ru(II) complexes prepared from different chiral diphosphine ligands.With these combined approaches it was possible to prepare both enantiomers of the syn-stereoisomers in almost enantiomerically pure form; one of the enantiomers of the anti-stereoisomer was obtained in high ee with selected yeast while the other enantiomer of the anti was prepared in low ee and de. With three of the four epimers we were able to prepare the corresponding azetidinones.     

Synthesis of (−)-(5R,6S)-6-acetoxyhexadecan-5-olide by l-proline-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reactions

The natural mosquito attractant pheromone, (−)-(5R,6S)-6-acetoxyhexadecan-5-olide 1, was synthesized from readily available aldehyde 3 and cyclopentanone 4 using l-proline catalyzed asymmetric aldol reactions as the key step.     

Asymmetric deprotonation of N-Boc-piperidines

A selection of chiral ligands was screened for the asymmetric deprotonation of N-Boc-piperidine. The asymmetric deprotonation of this compound is notoriously difficult and reasonable yields are obtained only with non-hindered ligands, such as tetramethylethylene diamine (TMEDA). Chiral versions of TMEDA were investigated but even small increases in steric bulk of the ligand caused significant reduction in the yields of the product after electrophilic quench. The ligands studied focused on diamines or amino-alcohols with one or two stereocentres, including C₂-symmetric ligands. In general these promoted low levels of enantioselectivity in this transformation; however a C₂-symmetric ligand first reported by Alexakis et al. gave a high enantiomer ratio but a low yield of the product. The substrate N-Boc-piperidine is therefore much more sensitive to steric factors in comparison with the related and highly enantioselective deprotonation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine. The application of the chemistry to two 4-substituted piperidines was also investigated and variable enantiomer ratios were obtained.     

A simple synthesis of (−)-(R)-ipsdienol and (−)-(S)-ipsenol

A short and efficient synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of (+)-(S)-ipsdienol 1 and (−)-(S)-ipsenol 2 is presented via an asymmetric allylboration. The synthesis was achieved by using a one-pot reduction–methylenation of an exo-methylene lactone intermediate.     

An improved synthesis of ethyl cis-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate, a potent attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly

Both racemic ethyl 5-iodo-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (1), known as Mediterranean fruit fly attractant ceralure B₁, and its (−)-(1R,2R,5R) enantiomer 1a were conveniently synthesized from commercially available racemic trans-6-methyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid 2 or its (1R,6R) enantiomer 2a. Key steps included an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction using a sultam auxiliary and cyclization of the unwanted trans-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (8) to the intermediate lactone 7 (or 8a to 7a). The new method may circumvent chromatographic separations and seems amenable to scale-up.     

Methyl (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoate in the asymmetric synthesis of Idea Leuconoe pheromone and formal syntheses of (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxydecano-5-lactone, verbalactone, and Tolypothrix pentaether

A simple and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (5S,7R)-7-hydroxydodecano-5-lactone, a component of the giant danaine butterfly Idea leuconoe pheromone, and formal syntheses of (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxydecano-5-lactone, verbalactone, and Tolypothrix pentaether have been accomplished starting from methyl (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoate. The latter is obtained from methyl 3-[(tributylstannyl)methyl]but-3-enoate using Keck allylation in the key step of the construction of its carbon skeleton.     

The CGC enantiomer separation of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters by using β-cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral stationary phases

Chiral 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters are important intermediates in preparation of enantioenriched 2-arylpropionic acids type Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Enantiomer separation of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters is crucial for evaluation of the asymmetric synthesis efficiency and the enantiomer excess of chiral 2-arylcarboxylic acid derivatives. The capillary gas chromatography (CGC) enantiomer separation of 17 pairs of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters enantiomers was conducted by using seven different β-cyclodextrin derivatives (CDs) as chiral stationary phases. It was found that for the 7 pairs of 2-phenylpropionates enantiomers, CDs with both alkyl and acyl substituents especially 2,6-di-O-pentyl-3-O-butyryl-β-cyclodextrin exhibited better enantiomer separation abilities than the other CDs examined. For the 7 pairs of 2-(4-substituted phenyl)propionates enantiomers, 2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin possessed better enantiomer separation abilities than the other CDs. Among the 3 pairs of 2-phenylbutyrates enantiomers examined, only methyl 2-phenylbutyrate enantiomers could be separated by three CDs among the 7 CDs tested, while enantiomers of ethyl 2-phenylbutyrate and isopropyl 2-phenylbutyrate couldn't be separated by any of the 7 CDs tested. Besides the structures of CDs, the structures of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters including different ester moieties, substituents of phenyl, and different carboxylic acids moieties in 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters also affected the enantiomer separation results greatly. The CGC enantiomer separation results of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters on different CDs are useful for solving the enantiomer separation problem of 2-arylcarboxylic acid esters.     

Asymmetric reductions of propargyl ketones : An effective approach to the synthesis of optically-active compounds

Propargyl ketones are readily reduced by the asymmetric reducing agent B-3-pinanyl-9- borabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane (Alpine-borane). The reagent prepared from (+)-α-pinene and 9-BBN provides the R enantiomer while the S enantiomer can be obtained from (-)-α-pinene. Alternatively the S enantiomer can be prepared from the reagent derived from 9-BBN and the benzyl ether of nopol (6,6-dimethyl-bicyclo[3.11.]hept-2-ene-2-ethanol). The limiting factor in obtaining high enantiomeric induction is often the enantiomeric purity of the α-pinene. With 100% enantiomerically pure α-pinene, propargyl alcohols of essentially 100% ee can be obtained. A predictive rationalization of the transition state leading to this remarkable selection is presented. The acetylene unit of the propargyl alcohol provides a convenient handle for transformations to other useful, optically-active products. The use of propargyl alcohols for the synthesis of optically-active α- and β-substituted γ-lactones, and δ-lactones is illustrated     

Biochemical preparations of both the enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxypentanoate and their conversion to the enantiomers of 4-hexanolide,the pheromone of trogoderma glabrum1

Both the enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxypentanoate were prepared by microbial asymmetric reduction of 3-oxopentanoic esters. Conversion of methyl 3-hydroxypentanoate to 4-hexanolide, the pheromone of Trogoderma glabrum, was achieved.     

Parallel kinetic resolution of propargyl ketols: formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A

We describe an intriguing new example of a parallel kinetic resolution; an asymmetric cyclization-carbonylation of propargyl ketols catalyzed by palladium(II) with chiral bisoxazoline (box) ligands. The 2S,3S enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 13 (45-49% yields, 37-46% ee), and the 2R,3R enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 14 (21-23% yields, 92-97% ee). As an application of this reaction, formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A was achieved.