Total synthesis of (+)-ambruticin S

A convergent total synthesis of the novel antifungal agent ambruticin S (1) has been completed from the assembly of intermediates 18, 33 and 52 that served as the respective A-, B-, and C-ring precursors. The first generation approach to a potential A-ring intermediate eventuated in the synthesis of 9a via a route that featured oxidation of the dihydroxy furan 2 and elaboration of the dihydropyranone 3 derived therefrom. Although 9a served as a precursor of 31E to complete a formal synthesis of 1, there were several inefficiencies associated with the preparation of 9a. A more expedient and efficient route to an A-ring subunit was devised that commenced with the carbohydrate-derived bisacetonide aldehyde 10 and produced 18 in five steps and 46% overall yield. The synthesis of the cyclopropyl sulfone 33 was initiated with the enantioselective cyclopropanation of 19 catalyzed by Rh₂[5(S)-MEPY]₄. Ring opening of the resultant lactone 20 followed by a series of refunctionalizations gave 33 in a total of seven steps and 46% yield from 19. Coupling of the A- and B-ring precursors 18 and 33 was then achieved via a modified Julia coupling followed by deprotection and oxidation to furnish the key intermediate 35. The dihydropyran core of the C-ring subunit precursor 49 was formed from the ring closing metathesis of the diene 48, which was prepared in three steps from the known epoxide 45, followed by oxidation. A chelation-controlled addition to the methyl ketone 49 set the stage for a stereoselective [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement that delivered the alcohol 51 that was then transformed in two steps to the sulfone 52. A traditional Julia coupling of 52 and 35 proceeded with excellent stereoselectivity, and subsequent removal of the various protecting groups gave ambruticin S (1). The longest linear sequence was 13 steps and proceeded in 4.3% overall yield.     

Synthesis of the spiroketal fragment of bistramide A via an exocyclic enol ether

An efficient synthesis of the spirocyclic fragment 1 of bistramides is reported. An olefination reaction of lactone 4 with sulfone 5 gave the enol ether 3, which upon cyclization in acidic media provided the spiroketal ring system. This compound was then converted into the C19-C36 fragment of the bistramides via successive Julia-Kocienski and Horner-Emmons olefinations.     

Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin

A convergent synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)-rollicosin (1) and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin (2) was accomplished. Hydroxy lactone 6a and/or 6b were synthesized from 4-pentyn-1-ol, and α,β-unsaturated lactone 7 was synthesized from γ-lactone 8 and 5-hexen-1-ol. Inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.     

Stereoselective synthesis of a fully protected C13-C23 fragment of tedanolide

The combination of a high-yielding dienyllithium addition and a highly diastereoselective 1,2-reduction allows the preparation of the completely protected C₁₃-C₂₃ fragment 3 of the potent cytotoxic agent tedanolide 1. A convergent approach was used, namely a late stage coupling of the dienyllithium 16 with the selectively protected aldehyde 5 followed by oxidation-reduction and final epoxidation to give 3. The dienylstannane 4 was prepared from the dibromide 6 in five steps, the key step being the highly regio- and stereoselective stannylcupration of the alkyne 7. The commercially available hydroxy ester 10 was converted in 11 steps to the aldehyde 5. The compound 3 could potentially be a key intermediate for the synthesis of tedanolide 1.     

Studies on the α-acetylation of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone

The synthetic approach to α-acetylated δ-valero- (7a) and ε-caprolactone (7b) is reported. While 7a was isolated in 21% yield from the respective iodoester 5a by an alkylation sequence involving transesterification and Finkelstein reaction, 7b was not obtained from 5b but the dimer 8. Also transesterification and olefin ring closing metathesis (RCM) failed to prepare 7b. RCM resulted in the dimeric lactone 10, showing that the formation of 14-membered rings is favored over that of seven-membered rings. A Mukaiyama-type Claisen reaction finally gave α-acetyl lactones 7a and 7b in practically useful quantity of about 10 g (62% yield): starting lactones 13a,b were converted to silylenolethers 14a,b, which were acetylated with acetic anhydride in presence of the Lewis acid catalyst TiCl₄. However, acetylation depends on the addition sequence of starting materials: if the mixture of Ac₂O/TiCl₄ is added to 14b, lactone 7b can be further converted to give bis-oxepanonyl ethanols 15a,b. Both compounds 15 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR.     

The Meinwald reaction of alkyl propionates. Synthesis of the C1-C9 fragment of aurisides

The C1-C9 northern fragment of aurisides 12a was prepared in eight steps and 41% overall yield starting from Grieco's bicyclic lactone (+)-4. The synthesis features a key stereoselective Meinwald reaction of the lithium enolate of alkyl propionate with the functionalized δ-lactone 3.     

Synthesis of the FG ring fragment of pectenotoxins 1-9

The synthesis of the FG ring fragment common to pectenotoxins 1-9 is reported. The successful, convergent synthesis relied on high yielding routes to access two key intermediates; aldehyde 1 and phosphonium salt 2. A Z-selective Wittig reaction gave access to advanced linear precursor 3, which was converted to FG ring fragment 4 using two sequential cyclization reactions.     

Synthesis of the aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5

The aglycone of 26-O-deacetyl pavoninin-5, (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,15α,26-triol, 5a, was synthesized in 10 steps in 17% overall yield from diosgenin, 3. Removing mercury from the Clemmensen reduction of diosgenin 3, gave a higher yield of (25R)-cholest-5-en-3β,16β,26-triol, 4, by a method, that is also more environmentally friendly. Attempted methods for the transposition of the C-16β hydroxyl to the 15α position are described. A successful method for this transposition via the 15α-hydroxy-16-ketone, 13, using the Barton deoxygenation reaction on the 16-alcohol, 15, is reported.     

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.     

Total synthesis of aspergillide B and structural discrepancy of aspergillide A

Fourteen-membered cytotoxic macrolides 1 and 2 were synthesized from alcohol 10 in 15 steps utilizing stereospecific Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization of ζ-hydroxy chiral allylic alcohol 7. Aspergillides A and B were isolated from marine fungus, and their structures were proposed as 1 and 2, respectively. The synthetic 1 was not matched with aspergillide A but matched with aspergillide B. The chiral center at C-13 position of aspergillide B was revised to be (S)-configuration. The key steps of the stereoselective synthesis include the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, cross-metathesis, stereospecific construction of tetrahydropyran ring of 16 using Pd^II catalyst, and the Yamaguchi macrolactonization.     

A novel strategy towards the atorvastatin lactone

We describe a novel strategy to the atorvastatin lactone based on a Paal-Knorr synthesis of pyrrole 24 by condensing diketone 23 with primary amine 22. The latter contains the syn-1,3-diol subunit and a benzyl ether function at the other end of the chain. This allowed for manipulations on the pyrrole ring via iodination at C2, metalation with t-BuLi and carboxylation. The obtained acid 26 could be converted via amide formation, debenzylation, oxidation and lactonization to atorvastatin lactone 6. The key building block, 2-((4R,6S)-6-(2-(benzyloxy)ethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl)ethanamine (22) was obtained by two sequential asymmetric transfer hydrogenative carbonyl allylations according to Krische.     

A new synthesis of the orally active renin inhibitor aliskiren

A convergent synthesis of the orally active renin inhibitor aliskiren (1) is described. The synthesis was accomplished in 12 steps starting from the known chloride 2. The key step involves the Curtius rearrangement of the advanced intermediate 15, which provides lactone/carbamate 17 containing the correct stereochemistry and all of the functionality required for the preparation of the drug substance.     

Synthesis of (±)-9-[c-4, t-5-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-2-en-r-1-yl]-9H-adenine (BCA) derivatives branched at the 4′-position based on intramolecular SH2′ cyclization

Synthesis of 4′-branched BCA analogues (5) was carried out. Stereospecific construction of the cis-disposed 4′-carbon-substituents and 5′-hydroxymethyl group was secured by employing the bicyclo[3.3.0]lactone 16 as a key intermediate, which was prepared by radical-mediated intramolecular S_H2′ cyclization of the phenylselenomethyl ester 15. After manipulation of the double bond of 16, bis(Boc)adenine was introduced based on the Mitsunobu reaction of the allyl alcohol 24. Transformation of the lactone function of 27 allowed preparation of the 4′-hydroxymethyl (31), the 4′-vinyl (32), the 4′-cyano (34), and the 4′-ethynyl (35) derivatives. Anti-HIV and anti-HCV activities of the free nucleosides 36-38 were also examined.     

Synthesis of podophyllotoxin analogues: δ-lactone-containing picropodophyllin, podophyllotoxin and 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin derivatives

Non-epimerizable cis and trans δ-lactone analogues of podophyllotoxin have been prepared. Thus the synthesis of the cis isomer 4 has been achieved in 8 steps and 4% overall yield from podophyllotoxin 1 via the reduction of the γ lactone ring into the trans diol, selective protection of the 4-OH and 11-OH as a benzylidene acetal, and Wittig elongation at C-13 with inversion of configuration at C-2. Same elongation at C-13 but via the formation of a mesylate and introduction of a cyano group, led to the trans δ-lactone 5 (7 steps from 1 and 6% overall yied) with a small amount of its C-4 epimer 6. The synthesis of non-epimerizable δ-lactone analogues of 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 7 and of 4-demethyl podophyllotoxin 8 are also reported. The synthesis of 7 and 8 was based upon the reduction of the γ-lactone ring of 4′-demethyl-4-epipodophyllotoxin followed by selective protection at C-11 and elongation at C-13. (8-15% and 4% overall yields). Compounds 4, 5 and 7 did not display relevant cytotoxicity in vitro against L1210 murine leukemia.     

Large-scale synthesis of 1,1,3,3,6-pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-ol via a CoBr2/Zn-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction

1,1,3,3,6-Pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-ol (2) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of new sila-substituted gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonists, such as 1. In order to produce sufficient quantities of 1 for pharmacological and toxicological evaluation, an efficient synthesis of 2 has been developed. (1,1,3,3,6-Pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-yl)methanal (11) was synthesized in a one-pot procedure. CoBr₂/Zn-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diyne 3 with the commercially available monoalkyne 15 was achieved through a slow addition of 3 and CoBr₂ to a mixture of 15 and zinc powder in refluxing acetonitrile, giving rise to 5-(diethoxymethyl)-1,1,3,3,6-pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindane (14). In-situ aqueous acidification yielded 11. Conversion to 2 was then achieved via a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation followed by hydrolysis under basic condition. This novel methodology is useful, not only for the rapid, large-scale synthesis of 2, but also for the synthesis and development of new sila-substituted drugs derived from 11.     

First total synthesis of modiolide A, based on the whole-cell yeast-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of a propargyl ketone

While the first total synthesis of modiolide A (1a), a 10-membered ring lactone with a marine-origin was achieved, an important chiral building block for constructing the chirality at C-4 in 1a, (S)-6-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-1-trimethylsilyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (3a) was obtained in as high as 96.1% ee. Asymmetric reduction of a silylated propargyl ketone (5) mediated by whole-cell of Pichia minuta IAM 12215 was established. This yeast-mediated reduction was also applicable to provide stereochemically pure (3S,5R)-5-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-1-trimethylsilyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (15), a synthetic intermediate for the related 10-membered lactone, tuckolide (16).     

A practical approach for the preparation of monofunctional azulenyl squaraine dye

The synthesis of monofunctional azulenyl squaraine dye NIRQ₇₀₀ is described. The essential azulene intermediate 3, 1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-methylazulene, was achieved via [8+2] cycloaddition between lactone 2, 2H-3-methoxycarbonyl-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one, and the in situ generated vinyl ethers under high temperature and pressure conditions. Methylation on the cycloheptatriene ring of 2-methyl azulene 6 via Meisenheimer-type intermediate following Schrott's method formed the carboxylic acid intermediate 9, 3-(2-methyl-azulen-4-yl)-propionic acid. Condensation of 9 with squaric acid provided the title compound NIRQ₇₀₀ at moderate yields. The non-fluorescent squaraine dye NIRQ₇₀₀ absorbed in a 600-700 nm range and potentially can be used to quench a number of available NIR fluorochromes in order to extend the spectrum of biological quenching assays.     

Studies on the Synthesis of Reidispongiolide A: Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(22)-C(36) Fragment

A highly stereoselective synthesis of the C(22)-C(36) fragment 2 of reidispongiolide A is described. This synthesis features the highly stereoselective mismatched double asymmetric crotylboration reaction of the aldehyde derived from 5 and the new chiral reagent (S)-(E)-7 that provides 12 with >15:1 dr. Subsequent coupling of the derived vinyl iodide 3 with aldehyde 16 provided allylic alcohol 17, that was elaborated by three steps into the targeted reidispongiolide fragment 2.     

Synthetic applications of homoiodo allylsilane II. Total syntheses of (−)-andrographolide and (+)-rostratone

The first total synthesis of (−)-andrographolide (1), an ent-Labdane diterpenoid lactone from Asian medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata, was achieved via the biomimetic cyclization of an epoxy homoiodo allylsilane precursor 7. Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-rostratone (25), an antipodal Labdane diterpenoid, was also accomplished via similar biomimetic cyclization of a readily accessible epoxy homoiodo allylsilane precursor 18.     

Total chemical synthesis of 2-ethenyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 3-ethenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine

The aroma compounds 2-ethenyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine 1 and 3-ethenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine 2 were synthesized via a new chemical route. The key steps of the synthesis involve cyclocondenzation of 1-[bicyclo[2.2.1]5-hepten-2-yl]-1,2-propanedione and 1,2-propanediamine, aromatization of the resulting 5,6-dihydropyrazines, and subsequent Retro-Diels-Alder reaction to generate pyrazines 1 and 2. Pyrazine 1, a powerful odorant, was obtained in large excess (8:2) when endo-1-[bicyclo[2.2.1]5-hepten-2-yl]-1,2-propanedione was used as intermediate substrate.