Total, asymmetric synthesis of (1r-1-c-(6′-amino-7′h-purin-8′-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-d-erythro-pentitol.

The “naked sugar” (+)-(1R,2R,4R)-2-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl acetate ((+)-3) was converted in ten synthetic steps into the new C-nucleoside (1R)-1-C-(6′-amino-7′H-purin-8′-yl)-1,4-anhydro-3-azido-2,3-dideoxy- D-erythro-pentitol ((+)-2) in 19% overall yield.     

Studies on the synthesis of biphenylneolignans. Part 1: Enantioselective synthesis of (S,S)- and (R,R)-2,2′-dimethoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-4′-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)diphenyl ether

Two erythro-isomers of 2,2′-dimethoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-4′-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)diphenyl ether, (7′S, 8′S)-9 and (7′R, 8′R)-9, were synthesized in seven steps, in which an improved method for the synthesis of the key intermediate 3 was developed. The absolute configuration of the target molecules was also confirmed.     

Preliminary studies on the synthesis of rancinamycins from nitrosugars: first total synthesis of (3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-cyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde

The first total synthesis of (3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-cyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde from d-glucose is described. The key steps of this synthesis are the stereoselective Michael addition of 2-lithio-1,3-dithiane to 3-O-benzyl-5,6-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro--d-xilo-hex-5-enofuranose followed by the enantioselective two-step transformation of 3-O-benzyl-5,6-dideoxy-5-C-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-6-nitro-β-l-idofuranose into (1S,2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-5-benzyloxy-6-hydroxy-3,4-(isopropylidendioxy)-2-nitro-cyclohexanecarbaldehyde propylene dithioacetal, which was finally converted into the target compound.     

A short, practical synthesis of the ant venom alkaloid, three (3R,5S,8aS)-3-alkyl-5-methylindolizidines

A short, practical and diastereoselective method for preparing the ant venom alkaloid, three (3R,5S,8aS)-3-alkyl-5-methylindolizidines (1–3), has been developed. The stereoselective intramolecular amidomercuration of the N-alkenylurethane 4 followed by oxidative demercuration provides the piperidine alcohol cis-6 as a major product. Thereafter, oxidation of cis-6 followed by the Horner-Emmons elongation of the ring appendages affords the enones 8, 10, and 11, which are stereoselectively converted into 1, 2, and 3, respectively, by catalytic hydrogenation.     

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols has been established starting from 2-benzyloxymethylpyrrolidin-2-one framework, which is derived from commercially available trans-(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. The single diastereomer having a trans–cis relative configuration with C₂ and C₃ and C₃ and C₄ is constructed in two one-pot functional group transformations of Grignard addition/dehydration and epoxidation/isomerization as the key steps in moderate yield.     

Pictet-Spengler reaction of biogenic amines with (2R)-N-Glyoxyloylbornane-10,2-sultam. Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-(+)-N-methylcalycotomine

(2R)-N-Glyoxyloylbornane-10,2-sultam reacted with dopamine hydrochloride, forming the Pictet-Spengler condensation product, which was further converted into (S)-(+)-N)-methylcalycotomine of high enantiomeric purity. The same kind of reaction with tryptamine hydrochloride gave the condensation product with 100% d.e.     

Studies in macrolide synthesis: A highly stereoselective synthesis of (+)-(9S)-dihydroerythronolide a using macrocyclic stereocontrol

(+)-(9S)-Dihydroerythronolide A, 1, is prepared in 8 steps from macrolide 3 by exploiting the conformational preferences of the (5E,11E)-diene intermediate 2. The stereocontrolled introduction of the hydroxyl groups at C₆, C₁₁, and C₁₂ is achieved by osmylation, 2 → 13 and 15 → 1, while that at C₅ is obtained by a Zn(BH₄)₂ reduction, 13 → 14.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols from (R)-cyanohydrins

Vinyl substituted (1R,2S)-amino alcohols 5 were obtained by addition of vinyl magnesium bromide to the corresponding cyanohydrin O-trimethylsilyl ethers (R)-2. The O- and N-protected vinyl amino alcohols 6 were ozonized at −78°C in methanol yielding (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols7 in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses. For purification, compounds 7 in some cases were acetylated to give the derivatives (1R,2S)-8. Racemic 6a was converted by oxidative ozonolysis at −78°C in methanolic NaOH solution to the corresponding methyl N-acetyl-β-hydroxy propanoate 9a. The configuration of (1R,2S)-8a was confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (-)-1-epi-ventiloquinone L and (+)-ventiloquinone L, the monomeric unit of cardinalin 3

A stereoselective synthesis of (-)-1-epi-ventiloquinone L and (+)-ventiloquinone L, the monomeric unit of cardinalin 3 has been described. The synthesis is completed in 7 steps with 10.5% and 13% overall yields for (-)-1-epi-ventiloquinone L and (+)-ventiloquinone L respectively. The key steps involve D?tz benzannulation of carbene 5 with alkyne 6 to give a substituted naphthalene moiety and oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction to install the 1,3-dimethylpyran moiety.     

Synthesis of 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] and derivatives: precursors of long-chain polyketides

Racemic 1,1′-methylene[(1RS,1′RS,3RS,3′RS,5RS,5′RS)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] ((±)-6) derived from 2,2′-methylenedifuran has been resolved kinetically with Candida cyclindracea lipase-catalysed transesterification giving 1,1′-methylenedi[(1R,1′R,3R,3′R,5R,5′R)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol] (−)-6 (30% yield, 98% ee) and 1,1′-methylenedi[(1S,1′S,3S,3′S,5S,5′S)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-yl] diacetate (+)-8, (40% yield, 98% ee). These compounds have been converted into 1,1′-methylenedi[(4S,4′S,6S,6′S)- and (4R,4′R,6R,6′R)-cyclohept-1-en-4,6-diyl] derivatives.     

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butenes. Synthesis of (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol in >97% ee

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butene, using (−)-diisopinocampheylborane at −25°C in THF solvent, followed by oxidation using H₂O₂/NaOH, gave (−)-[2R,3R]- and (+)-[2R,3S]-3-methoxy-2-butanols in >97 and 90% ee, respectively. (−)-[2R,3R]-3-Methoxy-2-butanol was converted to (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol (>97% ee, in an overall yield of 65%).     

Enzymatic production of (3S,4R)-(−)-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-6-oxo-piperidin-3-carboxylic acid using a commercial preparation from Candida antarctica A: the role of a contaminant esterase

The enantioselective hydrolysis of (3RS,4RS)-trans-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-6-oxo-piperidin-3-ethyl carboxylate (±)-2 was effected using a commercial preparation of lipase from C. antarctica A (CAL-A). We found that the hydrolytic activity of the lipase (immobilized on a number of very different supports) with this substrate was negligible. However, a contaminant esterase with Mw of 52 KDa from this commercial preparation exhibited much higher activity with (±)-2. This enzyme was purified and immobilized on PEI-coated support and the resulting enzyme preparation was highly enantioselective in the hydrolysis of (±)-2 (E >100), hydrolyzing only the (3S,4R)-(−)-3, which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important (−)-paroxetine. Optimization of the reaction system was performed using a racemic mixture with a substrate concentration of 50 mM. This enzyme preparation was used in three reaction cycles and maintained its catalytic properties.     

Asymmetric Synthesis via Acetal Templates. 14. Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure (3S,4S)- and (3S,4R)-Statine Derivatives

Several (3S,4S)- and (3S,4R)-statine derivatives have been prepared by attack of nucleophiles on crystalline, epimeric N-BOC-lactams 7a and 7b. The key step in the synthesis of the lactams was the TiCl₄-catalyzed coupling reactions of acetals derived from (R)-1,3-butanediol with allyltrimethylsilane.

Several enantiometrically pure (3S,4S- and (3S, 4R)-statine derivatives were made by sodium cyanide-catalyzed reaction of nucleophiles with the lactams 3a and 3b which were synthesized by the scheme 1 → 2 → 3.     

A synthetic approach for (S)-(3-benzyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-6-yl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone,a selective CB2 receptor agonist

(S)-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-6-yl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone, a selective CB2 receptor agonist, was obtained from 3-hydroxy-4-iodo benzoic acid in nine steps with 97.4% ee and 3.4% total yield, which involved palladium catalyzed tandem intramolecular Heck/Suzuki cross coupling reaction, chemical resolution with (+)-norephedrine and Wolf–Kishner reaction as the key steps. (S)-(3-Benzyl-3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-6-yl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone will be evaluated in vivo studies and this approach will be applied in the optimization process of CB2 receptor agonist.     

Asymmetric syntheses of protected (2S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline and 4′-tert-butoxyamido-2′-deoxythymidine

Described herein is a versatile approach to (i) (2S,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylproline 3, a constituent of echinocandins and related oligopeptide antibiotics; (ii) (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyproline 1; (iii) (2R,3S)-3-hydroxyprolinol 5, and (iv) 4′-tert-butoxyamido-2′-deoxythymidine 6b. The method features a stepwise regio- and diastereoselective reductive furylation of the protected (3S,4S)-4-methylmalimide 10, (S)-malimide 9, and a chemoselective oxidative transformation of the furyl group to the carboxyl group as the key steps.     

General approach for the synthesis of 12-methoxy-substituted sarpagine indole alkaloids including (-)-12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine, (+)-12-methoxy-N(a)-methylvellosimine, (+)-12-methoxyaffinisine, and (-)-fuchsiaefoline

[structures: see text] The enantiospecific synthesis of 7-methoxy-D-tryptophan ethyl ester was completed by combination of the Larock heteroannulation process with a Sch?llkopf-based chiral auxiliary in good yield. This ester was then employed in the first regiospecific, stereospecific total synthesis of (+)-12-methoxy-N(a)-methylvellosimine, (+)-12-methoxyaffinisine, (-)-fuchsiaefoline, and 12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine in excellent overall yield. The asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction and enolate-driven palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling processes served as key steps. The quaternary center at C16 of 12-methoxy-N(b)-methylvoachalotine was established via the Tollens reaction between (+)-12-methoxy-N(a)-methylvellosimine and formaldehyde to form diol 17. The two prochiral primary alcohols in diol 17 were differentiated by the oxidative cyclization(DDQ) of the hydroxyl group at the axial position of 17 with the benzylic postion at [C6] to form a cyclic ether [C6-O17]. After oxidative formation of the alpha-ester at C16, the ether bond was reductively cleaved with TFA/Et3SiH in high yield. The DDQ-mediated oxidative cyclization and TFA/Et3SiH reductive cleavage served as protection/deprotection steps in order to provide a versatile entry into the voachalotine alkaloids.     

A new and general synthesis of chiral β-ketosulfoxides by reaction of (+)-(R)-methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide with nitriles

The nitrile functional group is efficiently transformed into the β-ketosulfoxide moiety by reaction with the anion formed from (+)-(R)-methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and aqueous acidic work-up of the reaction.     

Design and synthesis of enantiopure 1-[1(S)-(2-pyridyl)alkyl]-2(R)-isopropylaziridines, new ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Enantiopure 1-(2-pyridyl)alkyl aziridines were designed as bidentate ligands for asymmetric catalysis. Their synthesis involved the addition of organometallic reagents to the imine prepared from 2-pyridinealdehyde and an enantiopure β-aminoalcohol, followed by cyclisation of the β-aminoalcohol moiety to the aziridine ring. Two such ligands (N–N)* were prepared from (S)-valinol and converted to the complexes (η³-allyl)(N–N)*Pd⁺SbF₆⁻, one of which was characterised by X-ray crystallography. Modest enantioselectivities were achieved in a representative Pd-catalysed allylic substitution reaction.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-triptolide, (-)-triptonide, (+)-triptophenolide, and (+)-triptoquinonide

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-triptolide (1), (-)-triptonide (2), (+)-triptophenolide (3), and (+)-triptoquinonide (4) was completed. The key step involves lanthanide triflate-catalyzed oxidative radical cyclization of (+)-8-phenylmenthyl ester 30 mediated by Mn(OAc)3, providing intermediate 31 with good chemical yield (77%) and excellent diastereoselectivity (dr 38:1). (+)-Triptophenolide methyl ether (5) was then prepared in > 99% enantiomeric excess (> 99% ee), and readily converted to natural products 1-4. In addition, transition state models were proposed to explain the opposite chiral induction observed in the oxidative radical cyclization reactions of chiral beta-keto esters 17 (without an alpha-substituent) and 17a (with an alpha-chloro substituent).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of (RR)- and (RS)-5-hydroxy-2-methylhexanoic acid lactones : Pheromone of the carpenter bee via palladium-catalyzed reactions

(E,Z)-2,4-Hexadiene was transformed to the lactone cis-1 ( 93% cis)(pheromone of the carpenter bee) in a stereospedfic reaction sequence via a Pd-calalyzed 1,4-acetoxychlorination. The same reaction sequence applied to (E,E)-2,4-hexadiene afforded the isomeric lactone trans-1 (91% trans).