Isolation synthesis and glycosidase inhibition profile of 3-epi-casuarine

3-epi-Casuarine, the first naturally occurring stereoisomer of casuarine, was isolated from Myrtus communis L. The glycosidase inhibition profile and NMR spectra of 3-epi-casuarine are compared with those of casuarine; the change in configuration at one of the six stereogenic centres causes a dramatic change in the conformation of the bicyclic system. The key step in the 6% overall yield synthesis of 3-epi-casuarine from d-gluconolactone is the efficient cyclization of a completely unprotected pentahydroxyaminomesylate to the pyrrolizidine nucleus. A low yield synthesis of casuarine is also reported.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 6: A new and concise stereoselective synthesis of (+)-casuarine and its 6,7-diepi isomer, from DMDP

A new synthesis for (+)-casuarine (1) and its 6,7-diepi isomer (15) in a stereocontrolled manner, is reported herein. An appropriately protected polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine, such as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (3, protected DMDP), easily available from d-fructose, was chosen as the chiral starting material. Compounds 1 and 15 were obtained from 3, in seven steps, in a 23.2 and 20.5% overall yields, respectively.     

Synthesis of (+)-1-epi-castanospermine from l-sorbose

Diastereoselective synthesis of 1-epi-castanospermine (2) from l-sorbose is described. The successful approach involved the use of 8-azido-2,8-dideoxy-α-l-gulo-oct-4-ulo-4,7-furanosononitrile intermediate (17). This compound was easily made in five steps from 3-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-4,5:6,8-di-O-isopropylidene-α-l-gulo-oct-4-ulo-4,7-furanosononitrile (7) previously synthesized from l-sorbose. Catalytic hydrogenation of the azido intermediate 17 with Pd-C afforded with total stereocontrol one of the two possible piperidine diastereomers. Acid-catalyzed internal reductive deamination of the nitrile derivative completed the total synthesis of (1R,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-1,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidine [(+)-1-epi-castanospermine, 2].     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

Synthetic studies of stereocalpin A and its C5-epimer: total synthesis of 11-epi- and 5,11-diepi-stereocalpin A

This Letter describes the synthetic studies of stereocalpin A and its C5-epimer. After various cyclization attempts, successful macrolactamization at 9-10 position was tried inorder to obtain stereocalpin A and its C5-epimer, which were accompanied by complete racemization and resulted in the synthesis of 11-epi- and 5,11-diepi-stereocalpin A. Highly functionalized octanoic acid motif of the depsipeptide was constructed by applying Paterson’s aldol methodology, owing to its diversity in synthesizing various analogs of aliphatic acid.     

Stereoselective allylation reactions of acyclic and chiral α-amino-β-hydroxy aldehydes 3: Total synthesis of (+)-1-epi-castanospermine

Stereoselective allylation reactions of acyclic, chiral α-amino-β-hydroxy aldehydes containing four contiguous stereocenters were conducted. Allylation mediated by MgBr₂?OEt₂ afforded the anti-product. A plausible mechanism of the allylation reaction is also described. The resulting allylation product was used for the total synthesis of (+)-1-epi-castanospermine.     

Synthetic and spectroscopic studies on the structures of uniflorines A and B: structural revision to 1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine alkaloids

The diastereoselective synthesis of the C-2 epimer and the C-1, C-2 di-epimers of the putative structure of the alkaloid uniflorine A has been achieved. The synthesis of the latter di-epimers employed a novel pyrrolo[1,2-c]oxazin-1-one precursor to allow for the reversal of π-facial diastereoselectivity in an osmium(VIII)-catalyzed syn-dihydroxylation (DH) reaction. The NMR spectral data of these epimeric compounds and that of related isomers did not match that of the natural product. From a comparison of the NMR data of uniflorines A and B with that of casuarine and the known synthetic 1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine isomers we concluded unequivocally that uniflorine B is the known alkaloid casuarine. Although we cannot unequivocally prove the structure of uniflorine A, without access to the original material and data, the published data suggest that the natural product is also a 1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine with the same relative C-7-C-7a-C-1-C-2-C-3 stereochemistry as casuarine. We thus suggest that uniflorine A is 6-epi-casuarine.     

A concise approach to (+)-1-epi-castanospermine

A concise enantioselective synthesis of (+)-1-epi-castanospermine (2) is described, which featured the use of chiral non-racemic tetramic acid derivative 5 as a synthetic equivalent of the challenging synthon A through a highly diastereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama type reaction.     

7-Cis isomers of retinal via 7-cis- and 7,9-dicis-β-C18-tetraene ketones : New geometric isomers of vitamin A and carotenoids—I

Based catalyzed condensation of 7-cis- or 7,9-dicis-β-ionylideneacetaldehyde with acetone gave either 7-cis or 7,9-dicis-β-C₁₈-tetraene ketone. Reaction of the tetraene ketone mixture with diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate gave a mixture of 4 isomers of retinonitrile, all believed to have the 7-cis geometry. Partial redution of the retinonitrile mixture with di-isobutylaluminum hydride gave a mixture of retinal isomers. Repeated column chromatography resulted in partial separation of the retinal isomers. Based on NMR data the geometry of the isomers prepared are believed to be 7-cis, 7,13-dicis, and 7,9,13-tricis.     

Total synthesis of 1-deoxy-7,8a-di-epi-castanospermine and formal synthesis of pumiliotoxin-251D

A concise and efficient synthesis of (6R,7S,8R,8aS)-6,7,8-trihydroxyindolizidine (1-deoxy-7,8a-di-epi-castanospermine) 2 is described. The synthesis employs cross metathesis in building the key intermediate 9 and is used effectively in constructing indolizidine skeleton for the total synthesis of 1-deoxy-7,8a-di-epi-castanospermine and also for the bicyclic framework of pumiliotoxin 251D 12, 13. The indolizidine skeleton is achieved in one pot sequence of transformations such as deprotection of Cbz group, reduction of double bond, and cyclization. The configurational and conformational structures of compound 10 are unambiguously confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-1-deoxy-6-epi-castanospermine

(+)-1-Deoxy-6-epi-castanospermine was asymmetrically synthesized in ten steps from α-furfuryl amine derivative 6 in 2.9% overall yield. The kinetic resolution of α-furfuryl amine derivative 6 and Sharpless AD reaction of 14 were used as key steps.     

Synthesis of C1- and C8a-epimers of (+)-castanospermine from d-glucose derived γ,δ-epoxyazide: intramolecular 5-endo epoxide opening approach

A concise synthesis of two diastereomers of (+)-castanospermine namely 1- and 8a-epi-castanospermine 1b and 1c, respectively, is reported from d-glucose. The methodology involves stereoselective cross metathesis of d-glucose derived alkene 2 with 4-bromo-1-butene followed by azide displacement and m-CPBA oxidation to afford diastereomeric γ,δ-epoxyazides 5a/5b. The Staudinger reaction of epoxyazide 5a followed by reaction with benzylchloroformate (CbzCl) unexpectedly furnished 1,3-oxazinan-2-one derivative 7 whose stereochemistry was establish by single crystal X-ray. This helps to assign the stereochemistry in the epoxidation reaction. The reduction of 5a/5b was then carried out by transfer hydrogenation to provide γ,δ-epoxyamine that concomitantly undergoes intramolecular 5-endo-tet cyclization to afford hydroxypyrrolidine ring skeleton with sugar framework-a precursor to castanospermine analogues 1b/1c.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines and piperidines from Garner's aldehyde: total synthesis of (−)-swainsonine, (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine, (+)-8,8a-di-epi-castanospermine,pentahydroxy indolizidines, (−)-1-deoxynojirimycin, (−)-1-deoxy-altro-nojirimycin,and related diversity

Diastereoselective and diverse synthesis of polyhydroxylated indolizidines and piperidines have been described, where a common chiral intermediate 2-(hydroxymethyl) piperidine-3-ol is converted into (−)-swainsonine, (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine, (+)-8,8a-di-epi-castanospermine, pentahydroxy indolizidines, (−)-1-deoxynojirimycin, (−)-1-deoxy-altro-nojirimycin, and related diversity. The key steps were hydroxy directed intramolecular aminomercuration, Mitsunobu cyclization, and diastereoselective dihydroxylation.     

Preparation of sterically hindered geometric isomers of 7-cis-β-ionyl and β-ionylidene derivatives in the vitamin A series

The preparation of the relatively unknown 7-cis isomers of β-ionyl and β-ionylidene derivatives via one way sensitized geometric isomerization is described. These highly sterically crowded isomers, once prepared do not readily thermally revert back to the trans. But the trienes, at temperatures ≥ 100° undergo irreversible cyclization to cyclohexadienes. 7-cis Isomers of β-ionylideneacetone and acetaldehyde as well as higher tetraenes and pentaenes in this series could not be prepared by sensitized isomerization. Partial reduction of 7-cis-β-ionylideneacetonitrile isomers led to the preparation of 7-cis- and 7,9-dicis-β-ionylideneacetaldehyde; and methyl Grignard reaction with the same nitrile gave the triene-methyl ketones.     

5-epi-Sinuleptolide from Soft Corals of the Genus Sinularia Exerts Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines via the Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3, AKT,and ERK Activity

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies: more than half of patients are diagnosed with a metastatic disease, which is associated with a five-year survival rate of only 3%. 5-epi-Sinuleptolide, a norditerpene isolated from Sinularia sp., has been demonstrated to possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. However, the cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells and the related mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-pancreatic cancer potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The inhibitory effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells were determined and the results showed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and suppressed the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The results of western blotting further revealed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide could inhibit JAK2/STAT3, AKT, and ERK phosphorylation, which may account for the diverse cytotoxic effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide. Taken together, our present investigation unveils a new therapeutic and anti-metastatic potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide for pancreatic cancer treatment.     

Enantiodivergent synthesis of cytotoxic styryl lactones from d-xylose. The first total synthesis of (+)- and (−)-crassalactone C

Enantiodivergent total syntheses of both (+)- and (−)-enantiomers of goniofufurone, 7-epi-goniofufurone and crassalactone C have been accomplished starting from d-xylose. The key steps of the synthesis of 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone were a stereo-selective addition of phenyl magnesium bromide to a protected dialdose, and a stereospecific furano-lactone ring formation by reaction of a related hemiacetal derivative with Meldrum's acid. Synthesis of both (+)-goniofufurone and (+)-crassalactone C required a configurational inversion at C-5 in the common intermediate that was efficiently achieved under the standard Mitsunobu conditions, or alternatively through a sequential oxidation of the benzylic hydroxyl group followed by a stereo-selective reduction with borohydride. A similar approach was then applied to the synthesis of the unnatural (−)-enantiomers of goniofufurone, 7-epi-goniofufurone and crassalactone C, as well as two novel, conformationally constrained analogues of both (+)- and (−)-goniofufurone. Their in vitro antiproliferative activities against a number of human tumour cell lines were recorded and compared with those observed for the parent natural products.     

Novel goniofufurone and 7-epi-goniofufurone mimics from an unexpected titanium-mediated displacement process

Treatment of 7-O-benzoyl-5-O-benzyl derivatives of (+)-goniofufurone or 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone with titanium(IV) chloride or titanium(IV) bromide gave 7-chloro and 7-bromo-7-deoxy-goniofufurone mimics as the main reaction products along with minor amounts of the corresponding C-7 epimers. An unexpected cyclized product, benzoxepane 8 was isolated in some cases.     

Concise stereoselective synthesis of marine sesterterpene, 16-deacetoxy-12-epi-scalarafuran acetate and its 14-epimer via intramolecular Diels-Alder addition

The stereoselective synthesis of C12 oxygenated marine scalaranic sesterterpene 16-deacetoxy-12-epi-scalarafuran acetate and its 14-epimer were described. A highly stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder addition was designed as the key step to construct the ring D, and the absolute configurations of natural 16-deacetoxy-12-epi-scalarafuran acetate was supported by the X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystal of corresponding 16-deacetoxy-12-epi-scalarafuran.     

An asymmetric approach to 5-O-carbamoyl-2-epi-polyoxamic acid and the total synthesis of 2′′-epi-polyoxin J

A stereospecific synthetic approach to 5-O-carbamoyl-2-epi-polyoxamic acid has been developed. The asymmetric nucleophilic addition of 2-lithiofuran to a tert-butanesulfinyl imine was employed as the key step to construct the C-2 stereocenter and 2′′-epi-polyoxin J has been synthesized for the first time. Significantly, the synthesis provides a facile method for the large scale and stereoselective preparation of 5-O-carbamoyl-2-epi-polyoxamic acid and some related diastereoisomers of polyoxins and its analogues because of its simple operation, excellent yield, and high stereoselectivity. This will be convenient for research of the polyoxins’ structure–activity relationship and to search for more potent and effective anticandidal agents.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part I: Short and highly stereocontrolled syntheses of hyacinthacines

Two short and highly stereocontrolled syntheses for 7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₂ (7-deoxyalexine) 3 and 5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₃ 4 are, respectively, reported herein. An appropriately protected polyhydroxypyrrolidine, (2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5, readily available from d-fructose, was chosen as the chiral starting material.