DDQ mediated regiospecific protection of primary alcohol and deprotection under neutral conditions: Application of new p-methoxy benzyl-pixyl ether as reagent of choice for nucleoside protection

A simple and efficient protocol is described for regiosepecific protection of primary hydroxyl group both in nucleosides and other molecules with p-methoxy-benzyl 2,7-dimethyl pixylether (MBDPE) in presence of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). Furthermore, swift deprotection of 2, 7-dimethylpixyl (DMPx) is accomplished with DDQ in MeOH. Both procedures are successfully implemented on gram-scale synthesis of modified nucleosides. This protocol offers mild and neutral conditions for selective protection and deprotection of DMPx group while compatible in presence of other conventional protecting groups such as benzoyl, benzyl, THP, TBDPS and acetonide.     

New synthesis of ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienylpropionate and ( E )-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-1,8-diol, pheromone components of San Jose scaleinsect Quadraspidiotus pernicious and african monarch butterfly Danaus chrysippus

6-Methyl-6-hepten-2-one (3) on reaction with ethyl α-dimethylphosphonate/NaH gives a mixture of (E)-and (Z)-conjugated esters. The major (E)-isomer, (E)-ethyl-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienoate (4), on reduction with LiAlH₄ at room temperature furnishes (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadien-l-ol (5) which on propionylation affords (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadienyl propionate (1). Carbinol (5) is converted into its silyl ether (E)-2,6-dimethyl-8-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-l,6-octadiene (6) witht-Bu(Me)₂SiCl in CH₂Cl₂, which on hydroboronation-oxidation with 9-BBN/NaOH-H₂O₂ followed by disilylalion with (n-Bu)₄N⁺ F⁻ at room temperature, gives (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octen-l,8-diol (2).     

Novel heterocyclic Tröger's base derivatives containing N-methylpyrrole units

Novel analogues of Tröger's base were prepared regioselectively from 4-amino-N-methylpyrrole carboxylates in good yield. Catalytic hydrogenation of dibenzyl-4,9-methano-1,6-dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo-[3,2-b:3′,2′-f][1,5]diazocin-2,7-dicarboxylate 2b led to 4,9-methano-1,6-dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo-[3,2-b:3′,2′-f][1,5]diazocin-2,7-dicarboxylic acid 3 which was used for the preparation of Tröger's base derivatives of natural antibiotics via an amide protocol. The novel heterocyclic Tröger's bases were characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques and compound 2b by X-ray crystallography. Incorporation of guanidine as the terminal group in the N-methylpyrrole Tröger's base skeleton opens the possibility for preparation of water soluble derivatives.     

Novel and efficient regioselective enzymatic approach to 3′-, 5′- and 3′,5′-di-O-crotonyl 2′-deoxynucleoside derivatives

Regioselective syntheses of several O-crotonyl 2′-deoxynucleoside derivatives have been efficiently achieved using a biocatalytic methodology. While Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) afforded the 5′-O-acylated compounds, immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PSL-C) provided the 3′-O-crotonylated analogs. Since classical chemical approaches did not work appropriately due to side isomerization reactions, a mixture of both lipases was used to achieve a useful synthetic route toward diacylated nucleosides.     

Cyclization versus oligomerization of SP- and RP-5′-OH-N-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane)s

The S_P-isomer of 5′-OH-N⁴-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane) undergoes DBU-promoted intramolecular cyclization providing as a sole product S_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate. Unexpectedly, the R_P-counterpart yields a mixture of products consisting of R_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate and macrocyclic oligo(deoxycytidine phosphorothioate)s. The results of molecular modeling indicate that the dychotomy observed for the R_P substrate may result from remarkably higher energy of the corresponding transition states, caused by the presence of bulky ‘spiro’ pentamethylene substituent at the position C4 in the oxathiaphospholane ring.     

Synthesis and hybridization properties of 2′-O-(tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl-modified oligonucleotides

2′-O-(1H-Tetrazol-5-yl)ethyladenosine was synthesized using 2′-O-cyanoethyladenosine derivative as a key intermediate. The 2′-O-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl modifications exhibited intriguing properties such as the change in the structure of the tetrazole residue between a protonated and a deprotonated form. The T_m experiments of various oligodeoxynucleotides having a 2′-O-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl-modified adenosine showed reduced hybridization affinity in comparison to the unmodified oligonucleotides toward their complementary oligodeoxynucleotides. The mechanism of the reduced hybridization affinity was discussed on the basis of the structure and the physicochemical properties of the tetrazole moiety.     

Chemical synthesis of RNA via 2′-O-cyanoethylated intermediates

It was found that 2′-O-cyanoethyl group could be removed from 2′-O-cyanoethylated ribonucleoside derivatives by treatment with Bu₄NF. This finding was successfully applied to the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides via their 2′-O-cyanoethylated derivatives as key intermediates where a cyanoethyl group was used as the 2′-hydroxyl protecting group. The rate of condensation using this protecting group in the presence of various activators was generally faster than that observed when a TBDMS group was used as the protecting group.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5′-O-dicarboxylic fatty acyl monoester derivatives of anti-HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A number of 5′-O-dicarboxylic fatty acyl monoester derivatives of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (zidovudine, AZT), 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (stavudine, d4T), and 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (alovudine, FLT) were synthesized to improve the lipophilicity and potentially the cellular delivery of parent polar 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside (ddN) analogs. The compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity. Three different fatty acids with varying chain length of suberic acid (octanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), and dodecanedioic acid were used for the conjugation with the nucleosides. The compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity. All dicarboxylic ester conjugates of nucleosides exhibited significantly higher anti-HIV activity than that of the corresponding parent nucleoside analogs. Among all the tested conjugates, 5′-O-suberate derivative of AZT (EC₅₀ = 0.10 nM) was found to be the most potent compound and showed 80-fold higher anti-HIV activity than AZT without any significant toxicity (TC₅₀ >500 nM).     

Preparation and properties of nitrogen-substituted thiosulfinyl compounds and related new heterocycles

The reaction of dilithiated N,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine with disulfur dichloride (S₂Cl₂) gave a thiosulfinyl compound (R₂N)₂SS, 2,5-dimethyl-3,4-diphenyl-1,2,5-thiadiazolidine 1-sulfide, whereas the treatment of dilithiated N,N′-bis(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine with S₂Cl₂ furnished a new heterocycle, 3,6-bis(p-toluenesulfonyl)-4,5-diphenyl-4H,5H-1,2,3,6-dithiadiazine.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine derivatives by cascade heterocyclization reaction of 2-amino-4-cyanomethyl-6-dialkylamino-3,5-pyridinedicarbonitriles

Alkylation of the title pyridinedicarbonitriles with N-substituted chloroacetamides was found to give 5,6-diamino-8-dialkylamino-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-9-carbonitriles. The structure of obtained compounds was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray crystallographic study. The heterocyclization reaction proceeded regioselectively involving 3-CN group of the starting pyridines without participation of 5-CN. The reasons of the selectivity were discussed. An interaction of prepared naphthyridine derivatives with acetic acid anhydride and cyclohexanone yielded 2-dialkylamino-6,8,9,10-tetrahydro-5-methyl-9-oxopyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-1-carbonitriles and 2-dialkylamino-4,5,6,8,9,10-hexahydro-9-oxospiro{pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-5,1′-cyclohexane}-1-carbonitriles, respectively. All fused 2,7-naphthyridines obtained were derivatives of novel heterocyclic systems.     

Structure moléculaire et propriétés moléculaires de quatre isomères de formule C8H10N4

The molecular structures of the three Meyer isomers [3-methyl-3-(5′-amino-3′-methyl-l-pyrazolyl)acrylonitrile; acetylacetonitrile azine; 2,5-dimethyl-7-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine] have been compared with that of the fourth isomer, 2,7-dimethyl-5-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine. The CNDO/2 and CNDO/S calculations utilizing these geometries have been accomplished. These include electronic transitions, dipole moments, ionisation potentials, charge densities, bond ordres and total energies. The calculated values have been compared to some experimental data. Uv spectra, ¹³C chemical shifts, ¹H-¹H coupling constants and relative stability of the four isomers are included.     

Synthesis and anti-HCV activity of 1-(1′,3′-O-anhydro-3′-C-methyl-β-d-psicofuranosyl)uracil

Synthesis of a novel 1′,2′-oxetane-uridine bearing a 2′-C-methyl substituent, [1-(1′,3′-O-anhydro-3′-C-methyl-β-d-psicofuranosyl)uracil], is described. Key to its construction was the use of 6-O-(p-toluoyl)-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-d-psicofuranose as a nucleosidation substrate, which itself was derived from d-fructose. Anti-HCV activity was examined for the corresponding triphosphate which was not found to be an inhibitor of HCV NS5B 1b wild type polymerase in vitro. The 1′,2′-oxetane uridine triphosphate without 2′-C-methyl substitution was similarly inactive, however, the guanosine analog displayed modest inhibition (IC₅₀ = 10 μM).     

Reactivity of cyclopropanic δ-oxo-α,β-unsaturated esters towards SmI2: 3-exo-trig cyclisation versus cyclopropane ring opening

trans-(2′,2′-Diphenyl-bicyclopropyl-2-yl)-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-pent-2-enoic acid methyl ester 9, undergoes 3-exo-trig cyclisation in the presence of SmI₂ without competitive ring opening of Newcomb's bicyclopropylic probe next to the carbonyl group. From this result, it may be concluded that the absence of ring opening observed earlier in the case of 5-cyclopropyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-pent-2-enoate 7 is not due to the potentially reversible character of this process. Meanwhile, as deduced from kinetic considerations based on data of the literature, the absence of ring opening does not necessarily mean that formation of ketyl radicals is not involved in the 3-exo-trig cyclisations of δ-oxo-α,β-unsaturated esters.Compounds 7 and 9 cyclise with total syn selectivity, leading ultimately to lactones. This syn selectivity contrasts with that of other alkylic δ-oxo-α,β-unsaturated esters.     

3-Oxyanthranilic acid derivatives from Actinomadura sp. BCC27169

Eight new compounds including 9′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy) phenyl]nonanoic acid (1), 9′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)phenyl] nonanoic acid (2), 11′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)phenyl]undecanoic acid (3), 11′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)phenyl]undecanoic acid (4), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one (5), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one (6), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-2-methyquinoline (7), and 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)-2-methylquinoline (8) were isolated from Actinomadura sp. BCC27169. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined based on NMR and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of these monosaccharides were revealed by the hydrolysis of compounds 7 and 8. Compounds 3 and 8 exhibited antitubercular activity at MIC 50 μg/mL. Only compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against KB cell at IC₅₀ 18.63 μg/mL, while other isolated compounds were inactive at tested maximum concentration (50 μg/mL).     

Concise and efficient synthesis of 3′-O-triphosphates of 2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-deoxycytidine

We describe concise and efficient synthesis of 2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-O-triphosphate (2′-d-3′-ATP) and 2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-triphosphate (2′-d-3′-CTP) which are well known for their various biological applications. One-pot synthetic methodology was used to convert N⁶-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxyadenosine into N⁶-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-O-triphosphate in 72% yield. One-step concurrent deprotection of N⁶-Benzoyl and 5′-O-levulinoyl groups using concentrated aqueous ammonia resulted in 2′-d-3′-ATP in 75% yield. The same synthetic strategy was successfully employed to convert N⁴-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxycytidine into 2′-d-3′-CTP in 66% yield.     

rac-Lactide polymerization using aluminum complexes bearing tetradentate phenoxy-amine ligands

A family of aluminum-methyl complexes supported by tetradentate phenoxy-amine ligands has been prepared and employed in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide; the ligands include N,N-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenyl)-N′,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (L¹), N,N-bis(3,5-diisopropyl-2-hydroxybenyl)-N′,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (L²) and N,N-bis(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenyl)-N′,N′-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (L³). Polymerizations of rac-lactide were carried out by treatment of the aluminum-methyl complexes with PhCH₂OH and rac-lactide at 70 °C, affording well-controlled formation of polylactide (PLA) and a moderate isotactic bias for initiators bearing L¹ and L²; the chloro-substituted ligand L³ afforded largely atactic PLA.     

Facile synthesis of 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine by ring-opening reaction of 2,2′-anhydrouridine with cyanoethyl trimethylsilyl ether in the presence of BF3·Et2O

In this Letter, a facile method for the synthesis of 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine, which is a key intermediate in the synthesis of fully and partially 2′-O-cyanoethylated oligoribonucleotides as well as unmodified oligoribonucleotides, was developed by the ring-opening reaction of 2,2′-anhydrouridine with 2-cyanoethyl trimethylsilyl ether in the presence of BF₃·Et₂O in dimethylacetamide. The 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine 3′-phosphoramidite derivative was converted into the 2′-O-cyanoethyl-4-N-acetylcytidine 3′-phosphoramidite derivative by a series of reactions involving displacement of the 4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)uridine derivative with ammonia followed by acetylation.     

Intramolecular amidation: synthesis of novel imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole and imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole fused diazepinones

Novel heterocyclic systems 2-alkyl/aryl-9-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-7,9-dihydro-8H-[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2′,3′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-d][1,2]diazepin-8-one and 9-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-3,3-dimethyl-3,4,7,9-tetrahydro-2H-11-thia-4b,6,7,10-tetraazaindeno[1,2-a]azulene-1,8-dione are synthesized via an intramolecular amidation reaction. An interesting ring opening and cyclization of 2-alkyl/aryl-6-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole-5-carbaldehyde and 6,6-dimethyl-8-oxo-2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazole-3-carbaldehyde are discussed.     

An efficient and versatile synthesis of GlcNAcstatins—potent and selective O-GlcNAcase inhibitors built on the tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold

We report a novel approach to the synthesis of GlcNAcstatins—members of an emerging family of potent and selective inhibitors of peptidyl O-GlcNAc hydrolase build upon tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold. Making use of a streamlined synthetic sequence featuring de novo synthesis of imidazoles from glyoxal, ammonia and aldehydes, a properly functionalised linear GlcNAcstatin precursor has been efficiently prepared starting from methyl 3,4-O-(2′,3′-dimethoxybutane-2′,3′-diyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside. Subsequent ring closure of the linear precursor in an intramolecular S_N2 process furnished the key fused d-mannose-imidazole GlcNAcstatin precursor in excellent yield. Finally, a sequence of transformations of this key intermediate granted expeditious access to a variety of the target compounds bearing a C(2)-phenethyl group and a range of N(8) acyl substituents. The versatility of the new approach stems from an appropriate choice of a set of acid labile permanent protecting groups on the monosaccharide starting material. Application was demonstrated by the synthesis of GlcNAcstatins containing polyunsaturated and thiol-containing amido substituents.     

Efficient preparation of 9-Z-11-methylretinal and 11-Z-11-methylretinal

[2-(β-Ionylidene)propyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3-methyl-4-oxobut-2-enenitrile in refluxing 1,2-epoxybutane to give a mixture of 11-Z- and all-E-11-methylretinal via DIBAL-H reduction. In an analogous fashion, β-ionyl triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3,5-dimethyl-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienenitrile in 1,2-epoxybutane followed by subsequent DIBAL-H reduction to afford a mixture of new products consisting of 9-Z-11-methylretinal, its all-E isomer and 1-(2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2′-en-1′-yl)-6-(buten-2″-al-3″-yl)-3,5-dimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene. These molecules were obtained in pure form by HPLC.