Nucleophilic additions of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones: experimental and theoretical investigations

The nucleophilic addition of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones at −80 °C proceeds exclusively α to the phenylsulfonyl group affording anti adducts in high yield. At 0 °C isoxazolidines are obtained with complete all-trans selectivity. The formation of these compounds involves isomerization of the allylsulphonyl moiety to give a transient vinylsulfone that then undergoes a subsequent intramolecular Michael addition. The addition to several nitrones has been studied and theoretical calculations have been refined to accurately explain the selectivity of the allylation reaction.     

Investigations of regio- and stereoselectivities in the synthesis of cytotoxic isoxazolidines through 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones to dipolarophiles bearing an allylic oxygen

Regio- and stereoselectivities in cycloadditions of nitrones to dipolarophiles bearing an allylic oxygen, which furnishes substituted-isoxazolidine analogs of the furanose ring of nucleosides, have been investigated. Although the obtained regioselectivities are anticipated, a rationalization of the preferred formation of endo-cycloadducts necessitates the involvement of an allylic oxygen in secondary interaction. The obtained isoxazolidines display cytotoxic activities against a number of human cancer cell lines.     

Synthesis and N-functionalization of isoxazolidines: a new approach to nucleoside analogues

A straightforward synthetic approach for the preparation of non N-functionalized isoxazolidines from BF₃-catalyzed 1,3-cycloaddition reactions between methyl glyoxylate oxime and alkenes is described. Subsequently, isoxazolidines were N-functionalized with three chemically active groups (2-chloroethyl, cyanomethyl and 2-acetoxyethyl), thus allowing the preparation of a wide array of N-functionalized isoxazolidines. The compounds were characterized by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. X-ray analysis was used for stereochemical elucidation.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of unsaturated nitrones derived from methyl α-d-glucopyranoside

The intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of unsaturated nitrones derived from methyl α-d-glucopyranoside with 2-furaldehyde has been studied. This cycloaddition was found to afford three 9-oxa-1-azabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane diastereomers in a 3:1:1 ratio [with the principal isomer possessing a (3S,4R,5S,6S,8S) configuration, determined by NMR spectroscopy]. The effects of different Lewis acid catalysts (MgCl₂, ZnCl₂ and BF₃·OEt₂) on yields and diastereomeric ratios have been examined in detail. The best result (90% yield) was achieved when MgCl₂ was present (in toluene, 120 °C bath temperature, 12 h). The stereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was not significantly altered under the conditions investigated.     

1,3-Cycloaddition of nitrones in ionic liquids catalyzed by Er(III): an easy access to isoxazolidines

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones with alkenes afforded the corresponding isoxazolidines in ionic liquids in the presence of Er(OTf)₃. The ionic liquid and the catalyst are recycled up to five times without any specific treatment or loss of activity. Extension of the procedure to the synthesis of isoxazolidinyl nucleosides has been investigated.     

A new three-component one pot reaction of trinitromethane, epoxides and alkenes via dinitronitronates: synthesis of highly functionalized 3,3-dinitroisoxazolidines

A novel approach to acyclic alkyldinitronitronates using nucleophilic opening of epoxides with the trinitromethyl anion is presented. The scope and limitations of this synthetic procedure are presented. A series of highly functionalized 3,3-dinitroisoxazolidines were synthesized as mixtures of diastereomers.     

Mechanistic insights into the rearrangement of azetidine N-oxides to isoxazolidines

Various functionalized azetidines were oxidized with mCPBA or hydrogen peroxide, to produce the corresponding N-oxide and study its fate in the [1,2] Meisenheimer rearrangement. This ring expansion leading to isoxazolidines occurs readily, without trapping of the transient N-oxide. Starting with azetidines bearing a nitrile or an ester group at C-2, the rearrangement is regioselective. However, a varying amount of epimerization on the migrating radical is observed, which can also be observed with the related [1,2] Stevens rearrangement.     

Highly efficient and stereoselective cycloaddition of nitrones to indolyl- and pyrrolylacrylates

The reactions of various nitrones with indolyl- and pyrrolylacrylates proceeds regioselectively with high diastereoselectivity in the case of aldonitrones, and represents an effective method for obtaining new indolyl- and pyrrolyl-substituted isoxazolidine carboxylates stabilized by weak (CH?O) and moderate (NH?N) strength intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The resulting cycloadducts exhibit promising in vitro anti-influenza activities.     

Stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones derived from amino acids. Asymmetric synthesis of N-(alkoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-ones

Diastereoselective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of N-(alkoxycarbonylmethyl) nitrones derived from glycine, alanine and phenylalanine have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Asymmetric induction is evaluated by either introducing a chiral group at the nitrone nitrogen atom or by using Oppolzer's sultam acrylamide. In both cases the sense of the asymmetric induction is the same, the (3R,5R)-isomer being preferentially obtained. The best results were observed with the chiral dipolarophile, which afforded an only isomer in all cases. The obtained isoxazolidines are easily transformed into the corresponding 5-substituted-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-ones. DFT studies are in a qualitative agreement with the observed experimental results.     

4,5-Unsubstituted 2,3-dihydroisoxazoles in the synthesis of racemic 4-substituted isoxazolidine-5-carbonitriles

The synthesis of novel types of the 4-hydroxy- and 4-bromosubstituted isoxazolidines is described. Dihydroxylation reactions of 4,5-unsubstituted 2,3-dihydroisoxazoles proceed from the less hindered side and provide the major 3,4-trans-isoxazolidine-4,5-diols in good yields. On the other hand, the hydroxybromination reaction of the model 3-phenyl-2,3-dihydroisoxazole predominantly proceeds with 3,4-cis selectivity. Isoxazolidine-5-carbonitriles have been prepared from isoxazolidines possessing a good leaving group at C5 by treatment with TMSCN in the presence of TMSOTf.