Anionic cyclization approach toward perhydrobenzofuranone: stereocontrolled synthesis of the hexahydrobenzofuran subunit of avermectin

A facile anionic cyclization approach toward stereocontrolled synthesis of the hexahydrobenzofuran subunit 3 of avermectin is described. As a model study, treatment of iodo compound 7 with n-BuLi at -100 degrees C effected metal-halogen exchange and subsequent anionic cyclization to afford perhydrobenzofuranone 8. For the total synthesis of subunit 3, compound 9 was dihydroxylated to give diol 10. Protection of the hydroxyl groups of diol 10 gave compound 11. Ketone 11 was then converted into the required enone 12 using Saegusa's protocol. On iodination followed by Luche reduction, enone 12 yielded alpha-iodo allylic alcohol 14, which on alkylation afforded ether 15. Conversion of the ester unit of 15 into a Weinreb amide group followed by anionic cyclization gave enone 17. 1,4-Addition of (MeOCH(2))(2)CuCNLi(2) to enone 17 followed by cleavage of the acetal unit afforded ketone 19. Preferential acetylation of the secondary alcoholic function of 19 afforded compound 20. The stereochemistry of 20 is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Elimination of HOAc from 20 gave the crucial olefin 21. Hydrolysis of the acetate unit of 21 followed by protection of the resulting alcoholic function yielded tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether 23. Introduction of a hydroxyl group at the ring junction of 23, using Davis's procedure, finally afforded the hexahydrobenzofuran subunit 3.     

Total syntheses of beta-carboline alkaloids, (R)-(-)-pyridindolol K1, (R)-(-)-pyridindolol K2, and (R)-(-)-pyridindolol.

The total syntheses of beta-carboline alkaloids, (R)-(-)-pyridindolols (1, 5, and 6) are described. The two key steps involved are (1) a thermal electrocyclic reaction of the 3-alkenylindole-2-aldoxime 10 and (2) a thermal cyclization of 3-alkynylindole-2-aldoxime 11 to construct the beta-carboline N-oxides 8, which upon heating with acetic anhydride and sequential treatment with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride gave the triflates 18. The Stille coupling reaction of 18 with vinylstannane, followed by cleavage of MOM ether, afforded the 1-ethenyl-3-hydroxymethyl-beta-carboline (7a). Subsequent acetylation of 7a yielded the acetate 7b, which was subjected to the Sharpless asymmetric 1,2-dihydroxylation by AD-mix-beta to produce (R)-(-)-pyridindolol K2 (6). Selective acetylation of 6 was effected by Ac(2)O and collidine to form (R)-(-)-pyridindolol K1 (5). By contrast, hydrolysis of 6 provided (R)-(-)-pyridindolol (1).     

Asymmetric syntheses of (-)-8-epi-swainsonine triacetate and (+)-1, 2-Di-epi-swainsonine. Carbonyl addition thwarted by an unprecedented aza-pinacol rearrangement

Indolizidines (-)-8-epi-swainsonine triacetate and (+)-1, 2-di-epi-swainsonine were synthesized from the O'Donnell Schiff base ester 1 derived from D-serine. Reductive-alkenylation of 1 with (i)()Bu(5)Al(2)H/H(2)C=CHMgBr followed by substrate-directed dihydroxylation of the pendant allylic group with OsO(4), reduction of imine, and cyclization with Ph(3)P/CCl(4) gave the polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines 8a and 8b as advanced intermediates. Efficient protecting group manipulations converted pyrrolidines 8a and 8b to their corresponding partially protected analogues 10a and 10b, which upon Swern oxidation and diastereoselective Keck-type allylation with BF(3).Et(2)O afforded the required three-carbon homologues (10a, >20:1 de; 10b, 3.5:1 de). Use of the chelating Lewis acid MgBr(2) instead of BF(3).Et(2)O with 10a led to a novel aza-pinacol rearrangement and allylation at the alpha-carbon to yield amino alcohol 17, which is similar to a hydride migration in the biosynthetic pathway of indolizidine alkaloids. Subsequent hydroboration, cyclization, and deprotection furnished (-)-8-epi-swainsonine triacetate 15a and (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine 16b in good overall yields (6.3% for 1 --> 15a, 13 steps, and 4.0% for 1 --> 16b, 14 steps).     

Synthetic studies toward ecteinascidin 743

An efficient synthesis of a fully functionalized tetracycle (A-B-C-H) 7 containing a 1,4-bridged 10-membered lactone was developed. Phenolic aldol condensation between 2-methylsesamol (15) and Garner's aldehyde provided the protected amino diol 16, which was converted to free amine 11 in excellent yield. A Pictet-Spengler reaction between 11 and ethyl glyoxylate under carefully controlled conditions (LiCl, toluene, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, room temperature) provided the acid-sensitive tetrahydroisoquinoline (18) in high yield, which was converted to the amino alcohol 9. Enantioselective alkylation of a glycine template in the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral cinchonidium salt was the key step for the access of enantiomerically pure amino aldehyde 10. Union of the two fragments 9 and 10 via oxazolidine intermediate afforded amino nitrile 39, which upon esterification of the primary alcohol with (R)-N-(S-4,4',4' '-trimethoxyltrityl) Cys (42) afforded 43. Cyclization of 43 (1% trifluoroacetic acid in trifluoroethanol) provided compound 44 by a domino process involving (a) unmasking of the S-trimethoxytrityl group, (b) fragmentation of dioxane assisted by an electron-rich aromatic ring, and (c) formation of a 1,4-bridged 10-membered lactone via formation of a sulfide linkage. Treatment of 7, obtained in two steps from 44b, under acidic conditions (0.5% methyl sulfonic acid in acetonitrile) afforded the pentacyclic compound 51 via fragmentation of the 10-membered cyclic sulfide followed by an intramolecular Pictet-Spengler reaction.     

Concise stereocontrolled formal synthesis of (+/-)-quinine and total synthesis of (+/-)-7- hydroxyquinine via merged Morita-Baylis-Hillman-Tsuji-Trost cyclization

Concise stereoselective syntheses of (+/-)-quinine and (+/-)-7-hydroxyquinine are achieved using a catalytic enone cycloallylation that combines the nucleophilic features of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction and the electrophilic features of the Tsuji-Trost reaction. Cyclization of enone-allyl carbonate 11 delivers the product of cycloallylation 13 in 68% yield. Diastereoselective conjugate reduction of the enone 13 (>20:1 dr) followed by exchange of the N-protecting group provides the saturated N-Boc-protected methyl ketone 19, which upon aldol dehydration provides quinoline containing enone 15, possessing all carbon atoms of quinine. Exposure of ketone 15 to L-selectride enables diastereoselective carbonyl reduction (>20:1 dr) to furnish the allylic alcohol 16. Stereoselective hydroxyl-directed epoxidation using an oxovanadium catalyst modified by N-hydroxy-N-Me-pivalamide delivers epoxide 17 (17:1 dr). Cyclization of the resulting amine-epoxide 17 provides (+/-)-7-hydroxyquinine in 13 steps and 11% overall yield from aminoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal. Notably, highly stereoselective formation of five contiguous stereocenters is achieved through a series of 1,2-asymmetric induction events. Deoxygenation of the N-Cbz-protected allylic acetate 22 provides olefin 23, which previously has been converted to quinine. Thus, (+/-)-quinine is accessible in 16 steps and 4% overall yield from commercial aminoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin.

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin, an aphidicolane diterpene, is described. The core structure (A/B/C/D ring system) was constructed by an initial synthesis of the B/C/D ring system by our reported methods and a subsequent A ring cyclization by intramolecular aldol condensation. A highly stereoselective cyanation of the tetracyclic enone by Et2AlCN gave a trans-fused A/B ring system with a beta-cyanide at C-4. Stereoselective construction of a quaternary carbon at C-4 was achieved by alpha-alkylation of the cyano group and conversion of the sterically hindered cyano group to a methyl group via our novel reaction for conversion of primary aliphatic amines into alcohols. Finally, the total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin was accomplished by a highly chemo- and stereoselective methylation at C-16 and modification of the C-4 alpha-functionality. The stereoselectivity observed in the MeTi(O-i-Pr)3-mediated methylation for the generation of a tertiary axial alcohol at C-16 is extremely high.     

Synthesis of (-)-tetracycline

We describe a convergent, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-tetracycline (1) from benzoic acid (17 steps, 1.1% yield). Benzoic acid was transformed into the AB precursor 2 in 10 steps (11% yield), as previously described, and the latter compound was activated toward Diels-Alder cycloaddition by the introduction of an alpha-phenylthio group (two steps, 66% yield). Heating of the resulting alpha-(phenylthio)enone (3) with the triethylsilyloxybenzocyclobutene derivative 4 at 85 degrees C gave the endo-Diels Alder adduct 5 in 64% yield. Deprotection and oxidation of the latter intermediate gave the 2-(phenylthio)-1,3-diketone 7, which was oxidized with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. The sulfoxide intermediate(s) formed eliminated upon warming to 35 degrees C to give the anyhydrotetracycline derivative 8. Intermediate 8 underwent spontaneous autoxidation at 23 degrees C to form the hydroperoxide keto-9 stereoselectively. Without isolation, hydrogenolysis of 9 in the presence of palladium black gave (-)-tetracycline (42% yield from 7), indistinguishable from an authentic sample.     

Regioselective Synthesis of the 5,6‐Dihydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐c]pyrrol‐4‐one Skeleton: A New Class of Compounds

We hereby report the first preparation of the 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐c]pyrrol‐4‐one ( 3 ) and its derivatives starting from methyl 3‐(methoxycarbonyl)furan‐2‐acetate ( 8 ). The ester functionality connected to the methylene group was regiospecifically converted to the desired monohydrazide 9 . Conversion of 9 into the acyl azide 10 followed by Curtius rearrangement gave the corresponding isocyanate derivative 11 (Scheme 2). Reaction of 11 with different nucleophiles produced urethane and urea derivatives (Scheme 3). Intramolecular cyclization reactions provided the target compounds (Scheme 5). Removal of the amine‐protecting group formed the title compound 3 .     

Efficient and beta-Stereoselective Synthesis of 4(5)-(beta-D-Ribofuranosyl)- and 4(5)-(2-Deoxyribofuranosyl)imidazoles(1)

A synthetic route to 4(5)-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole (1), starting from 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-D-ribose (5), was developed via a Mitsunobu cyclization. Reaction of 5 with the lithium salt of bis-protected imidazole afforded the corresponding 5-ribosylimidazole 7RS. Hydrolysis of 7RS gave a 1:1 mixture of diol isomers 8R and 8S having an unsubstituted imidazole. Mitsunobu cyclization of the mixture 8RS using N,N,N',N'-tetramethylazodicarboxamide and Bu(3)P exclusively afforded benzylated beta-ribofuranosyl imidazole 9beta in 92% yield, accompanied by alpha-anomer 9alpha, in a ratio of 26.3:1. The configuration of 9beta was established by X-ray crystallography of ethoxycarbonyl derivative 10beta. Reductive debenzylation of 9beta over Pd/C was carried out, and the synthesis of 1 was attained from starting 5 in four steps and 87% overall yield. This synthetic methodology was extended to the synthesis of 4(5)-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole (2). Mitsunobu cyclization of a 1:1 mixture of the corresponding diol isomers 14RS produced 15beta and 15alpha in a ratio of 5.4:1. The synthesis of 2 was attained in a 59% overall yield from the starting 3,5-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-ribose (12). beta-Stereoselective glycosylation in the key step is discussed and explained by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between an NH in the imidazole and the oxygen functional group in the sugar moiety.     

Enantioselective Preparation of (2R)- and (2S)-Azetidine-2-carboxylic Acids

The enantiomerically pure amino ketones 13 and 31 were prepared starting from the commercially available amino diol 9 and D -serine ( 21 ), respectively. Irradiation afforded highly functionalized azetidinols 15 and 33 in a fully stereoselective manner and in high yields, whereas N-phenacylglycine 5 gave only the secondary products of a Norrish-Type-II cleavage. Compounds 15 and 33 were converted into (2R)- and (2S)-azetidine-2-carboxylic acids 20 and 37 , respectively, in several steps. The influence of H-bonds on efficiency, chemo-, and stereoselectivity of the photochemical cyclization of 5 , 13 , and 31 was discussed. It was shown that conformational analysis of corresponding triplet biradicals is often valuable in understanding the photochemistry of amino ketones.     

Synthesis of 2-aza analog of rosoxacin

Diazotization of 2-nitro-4-(4-pyridinyl)aniline ( 4 ) in hydrobromic acid gave the corresponding bromo derivative 5 which was treated with cuprous cyanide to give the benzonitrile derivative 6 which in turn was converted to 2-nitroacetophenone derivative 9 . Reduction of 9 followed by diazotization of the resulting amine 10 gave 7-(4-pyridinyl)cinnolin-4(1H)-one ( 11 ) which was subsequently converted to 1 -ethyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(4-pyridinyl)cinnoline-3-carboxylic acid ( 14 ) in three steps.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3-oxa-15-Deoxy-16-(m-tolyl)-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin and its neuroprotective analogue 15-Deoxy-16-(m-tolyl)-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin based on the conjugate addition-azoalkene-asymmetric olefination strategy

A fully stereocontrolled synthesis of 3-oxa-15-deoxy-16-(m-tolyl)-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin (3-oxa-15-deoxy-TIC, 7 b) and a formal one of 15-deoxy-16-(m-tolyl)-17,18,19,20-tetranorisocarbacyclin (15-deoxy-TIC, 7 a) are described. 15-Deoxy-TIC is specific for the neuronal prostacyclin receptor (IP2) and exhibits neuroprotective activities, and the new 3-oxa-15-deoxy-TIC is expected to be metabolically more stable than 15-deoxy-TIC. The syntheses of 7 a and 7 b are based on the convergent conjugate addition-azoalkene-asymmetric olefination strategy. Key building blocks are the readily available bicyclic azoalkene 14 and the alkenylcopper derivative 15. The stereoselective conjugate addition of 15 to 14 gave hydrazone 13, which was stereoselectively converted to the bicyclic ketone 11. The key steps for the construction of the alpha side chain of 7 a and 7 b and the regioselective introduction of the endocyclic Delta6,6a double bond are: 1) a highly selective asymmetric olefination of ketone 11 with the chiral Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagent 28 and 2) a regioselective deconjugation of the alpha,beta-unsaturated ester (E)-10 with the chiral lithium amide 29, which gave the beta,gamma-unsaturated ester anti-9 with high selectivity. The homoallylic alcohol 8 served at a late stage as the joint intermediate in the syntheses of 7 a and 7 b. While an etherification of 8 furnished, after hydrolysis and deprotection, 3-oxa-15-deoxy-TIC, its alkylation afforded alcohol 37, the known precursor for the synthesis of 15-deoxy-TIC.     

First total synthesis of (-)-ichthyothereol and its acetate

The first and stereoselective total syntheses of (-)-ichthyothereol (1) and its acetate ((+)-2) were achieved by incorporation of the two chiral centers of diethyl L-tartrate. The starting diethyl L-tartrate was converted into trans-2-ethynyl-3-hydroxytetrahydropyran 14 in a stereoselective manner via the endo mode cyclization of the epoxy-alkyne derivative 12. The alcohol 12 was then transformed into (E)-iodoolefin derivative 15, which was exposed to a coupling reaction with 1-tributylstannyl-1,3,5-heptyne (19), derived from the corresponding 1-trimethylsilyl-1,3,5-heptyne (18), under Stille conditions to produce the all-carbon framework of the target natural products. Chemical modification of the coupled product 20 under conventional conditions completed the first total synthesis of (-)-ichthyothereol (1) and its acetate ((+)-2).     

Enantiospecific synthesis of the phospholipase A2 inhibitor (-)-cinatrin B

The first enantiospecific synthesis of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor (-)-cinatrin B (2) from the D-arabinose derivative 9 is described. The spirolactone system was formed by an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of the allyl ester 8 followed by hydrolysis and stereoselective iodolactonization. The stereoselectivity of the rearrangement was controlled by the asymmetry in the allylic alcohol fragment. Ester (S)-8 gave the desired rearrangement product 7 and the epimer 13 in high yield as a 73:27 ratio, respectively. The final stereocenter at C2 was introduced via a chelation-controlled addition of the Grignard reagent derived from trimethylsilylacetylene to alpha-hydroxy ketone 6. Transformation of the terminal alkyne into the methyl ester 21 followed by acetal hydrolysis and selective lactol oxidation afforded cinatrin B methyl ester (22). Base hydrolysis and acid-induced relactonization then gave (-)-cinatrin B (2).     

A Practical Synthesis of (2S, 3R)-3-Amino-2-methylpentanoic Acid from L-Aspartic Acid

L -Aspartic acid by successive N-tosylation, anhydride formation, and reduction was converted into (3S)-3-(tosylamino)butano-4-lactone ( 4 ). Electrophilic methylation of 4 , subsequent iodo-esterification and nucleophilic methylation, followed by saponification and deprotection, gave (2S, 3R)-3-amino-2-methylpentanoic acid ( 2 ) with an ee of > 99% in seven steps and in an overall yield of 34%.     

Formal total synthesis of (+/-)-gamma-lycorane and (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine using the [4+2]-cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of furanyl carbamates

The total syntheses of gamma-lycorane and (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine were accomplished using an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition of a furanyl carbamate as the key step. The initially formed [4+2]-cycloadduct undergoes nitrogen-assisted ring opening followed by deprotonation/reprotonation of the resulting zwitterion to give a rearranged hexahydroindolinone. The stereochemical outcome of the IMDAF cycloaddition has the side arm of the tethered alkenyl group oriented syn with respect to the oxygen bridge. The key intermediate used in both syntheses corresponds to hexahydroindolinone 20. Removal of the t-Boc group in 20 followed by reaction with 6-iodobenzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carbonyl chloride afforded enamide 22. Treatment of this compound with Pd(OAc)(2) employing the Jeffrey modification of the Heck reaction provided the galanthan tetracycle 24 in good yield. Compound 24 was subsequently converted into (+/-)-gamma-lycorane using a four-step procedure to establish the cis-B,C-ring junction. A radical-based cyclization of the related enamide 33 was used for the synthesis of 1-deoxylycorine. Heating a benzene solution of 33 with AIBN and n-Bu(3)SnH at reflux gave the tetracyclic compound 38 possessing the requisite trans fusion between rings B and C in good yield. After hydrolysis and oxidation of 38 to 40, an oxidative decarboxylation reaction was used to provide the C(2)(-)C(3)(-)C(12) allylic alcohol unit characteristic of the lycorine alkaloids. The resulting enone was eventually transformed into (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine via known synthetic intermediates.     

Total Synthesis of Dimethyl Glolosiphone A via α-Carbonyl Radical Spiro-Cyclization

A general approach toward spiro[4.4]nonane structure based on the α-carbonyl radical cyclization has been developed. Efficient total synthesis of dimethyl gloiosiphone A ( 2 ) was achieved. Thus, alkylation of the anion of dimethylhydrazone of cyclopentanone with 5-iodopent-1-yne followed by hydrolysis gave ketone 4 . Iodination of 4 via its TMS-enol ether yielded iodo ketone 7 . Radical spiro-cyclization of 7 gave spiro ketone 10 . Iodination of 10 afford iodo spiro ketone 23 . Oxidation and iodination of 23 gave compound 24 . Methylation of 24 furnished methoxy iodo enone 25 . Substitution of iodide in 25 with methoxide produced dimethoxy enone 26 . Allylic oxidation of 26 gave diketone 27 . Treatment of 27 with OsO₄ and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide gave dihydroxy ketone 28 . Methylation of the primary alcohol group in 28 afforded dimethyl gloiosiphone A ( 2 ).     

Formal synthesis of (+/-)-platensimycin

[reaction: see text] Reductive alkylation of 5-methoxy-1-tetralone (6) with 2,3-dibromopropene gave an equilibrium mixture of bicyclic diones 7 (51%) and 8 (35%). Radical cyclization of 7 afforded tricyclic dione 5 (84%), which was reduced, cyclized, and dehydrated to give tetracyclic alkene 13 in 63% yield. Allylic oxidation of 13 with SeO2 and activated MnO2 afforded enone 2 in 85% yield, thereby completing a short formal synthesis of (+/-)-platensimycin.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-dihydrocodeinone: a short formal synthesis of (-)-morphine

[reaction: see text] The radical cyclization approach to the morphine alkaloids has been applied in an asymmetric synthesis of (-)-dihydrocodeinone. A chiral cyclohexenol (R-32), from the CBS reduction of the enone, is the source of chirality. The first key step, tandem closure in which stereochemistry is controlled by geometric constraints, (-)-15b --> (+)-16, was followed by an unprecedented reductive hydroamination, completing the synthesis of (-)-dihydroisocodeine ((-)-17) in 13 steps from commercially available materials.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 5‑(4‑chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole sulfonamides

Starting from 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 10 new 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-substituted-N-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide derivatives were synthesized in six-steps. Esterification of 4-chlorobenzoic acid with methanol and subsequent hydrazination, salt formation and cyclization afforded 5-(4-chlorophen-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (5). Conversion of this intermediate into sulfonyl chloride 6, followed by nucleophilic attack of the amines gave the title sulfonamides 7a-7j whose structures were confirmed by NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The bioassay tests showed that compounds 7b and 7i possessed certain anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity.