Total synthesis of the 5-epimers of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A5 and unnatural (+)-hyacinthacine A4

(1R,2S,3R,5S,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 10 [(+)-5-epihyacinthacine A₅] and (1R,2S,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine 17 [ent-5-epihyacinthacine A₄] have been synthesized by either Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) or Wittig methodology using aldehydes 6 and 13, prepared from (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine 5 (partially protected DALDP) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine 12 (partially protected DGADP), respectively, and the appropriated ylide, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the corresponding intermediate pyrrolidinic ketones 7 and 14 and subsequent deprotection.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 8. Enantiospecific synthesis of looking-glass analogues of hyacinthacine A5 from DADP

(1R,2S,3S,5R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine[(−)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1a] and (1S,2R,3R,5S 7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine[(+)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1b] have been synthesized either by Wittig's or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmond's (HWE's) methodology using aldehydes 4 and 9, both prepared from (2S,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (2, partially protected DADP), and the appropriate ylides, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the resulting α,β-unsaturated ketones 5 and 10, respectively, and total deprotection.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of C2-chiral and meso nitroxides from an optically active pyrrolidine

Starting from (2R,5R)-2,5-bis(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine 1, hydroxylamine cis-3 was synthesized with high stereoselectivity by successive oxidation and addition of PhMgBr. By using PhLi, trans (C₂-chiral) pyrrolidine nitroxide trans-7 was obtained from nitrone 5 derived from hydroxylamine 3. The cis (meso) counterpart cis-7 was produced along with trans-7 when PhMgBr was employed in place of PhLi. Moreover, cis-7 was also obtained selectively by using PhLi and Et₂AlCl with nitrone 5. The change of stereochemical bias observed when EtMgBr and/or nitrone 10 bearing an ethyl group were employed is also discussed.     

Synthesis of 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo- and 6-exo-hydroxylated analogues of epibatidine

A convenient, high-yield synthesis of N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one (7) was developed by SmI₂-mediated desulfonylation of 6. Thus, 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo-, and 6-exo-hydroxylated epibatidine analogues 2a,b and 3a,b were synthesized from 7 by using a Pd(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed reductive Heck coupling reaction and SmI₂-mediated reduction of the carbonyl group as the key steps. Other reaction conditions for the reductive Heck procedure and the reduction step were also investigated.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 4: Total asymmetric synthesis of unnatural hyacinthacines from a protected derivative of DGDP

(1R,2R,3S,5R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-3-epi-hyacinthacine A₃] 1 and (1R,2R,3S,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine [(+)-3-epi-hyacinthacine A₂] 2 have been synthesized by Wittig's methodology using aldehyde 6, prepared from (2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl) pyrrolidine 3 (a partially protected DGDP), and the appropriated ylides, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the resulting α,β-unsaturated ketone 7 and aldehyde 8, respectively, and total deprotection.     

Natural product synthesis from (8aR)- and (8aS)-bicyclofarnesols: synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol A, (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester and (−)-subersic acid

Both enantiomers (8aR)-7 and (8aS)-7 of bicyclofarnesol were synthesized from the enzymatic resolution products (1R,4aR,8aR)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aR)-5 (98% ee) and acetate of (1S,4aS,8aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aS)-6 (>99% ee), respectively. The formal synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol 1 was achieved via a coupling reaction of an ate complex derived from 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene with allyl bromide (8aS)-8 derived from (8aS)-7. The total synthesis of (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester 2 was achieved, based on the synthesis of (13E,10S)-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 12, derived from (8aS)-7, followed by the selective construction of the (3E,5E)-diene moiety including a C(2)-stereogenic centre in (+)-2. The total synthesis of (−)-subersic acid 3 was carried out based on a Stille coupling between allyl trifluoroacetate congener 25c, derived from (8aR)-7, corresponding to the diterpene part, and aryl stannane congener 26 in the presence of Pd catalyst and CuI as an additive.     

Total synthesis of natural (+)-hyacinthacine A6 and non-natural (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A1 and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A6

Naturally occurring (1S,2R,3R,5R,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-hyacinthacine A₆, 2] together with unnatural (1S,2R,3R,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine [(+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁, 3] and (1S,2R,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆, 4] have been synthesized from a DALDP derivative [5, (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine], as the homochiral starting material. The synthetic process employed took advantages of Wittig methodology followed by internal lactamization, in the case of (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁ (3), and reductive amination for (+)-hyacinthacine A₆ (2) and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆ (4).     

A novel convergent synthesis of the potent antiglaucoma agent travoprost

The 16-(3-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy PGF_2α analogue travoprost (8a) has potent topical ocular activity. A novel convergent synthesis of 13,14-en-15-ol PGF_2α analogues was developed employing Julia–Lythgoe olefination of the structurally advanced prostaglandin phenylsulfone (5Z)-(+)-15 with a new enantiomerically pure aldehyde ω-chain synthon (S)-(?)-16a. Subsequent hydrolysis of protecting groups and final esterification of fluprostenol (7a) yielded travoprost (8a). The main advantages are the preparation of high purity travoprost (8a) and the application of comparatively cheap reagents. The novel convergent strategy allows the synthesis of a whole series of 13,14-en-15-ol PGF_2α analogues from a common and structurally advanced prostaglandin intermediate 15. The preparation and identification of two synthetic impurities, 15-epi isomer (8b) of travoprost and a new prostaglandin related ester (5Z)-(+)-18, are also described.     

Synthesis of versatile chiral intermediates by enantioselective conjugate addition of alkenyl Grignard reagents to enamides deriving from (R)-(−)- or (S)-(+)-2-aminobutan-1-ol

Conjugate addition of but-3-enylmagnesium bromide to the chiral crotonamide (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-3, followed by hydrolysis and oxidation, afforded enantiopure (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-3-methyladipic acids 8, respectively. Conjugate addition of vinylmagnesium chloride to the chiral crotonamide and cinnamamides (R)-(+)-3–5, followed by hydrolysis, gave the alkenoic acids (S)-12–14, respectively. Iodolactonization of the latter led to the 5-iodomethyllactones (+)-15–17, which were reduced by means of n-Bu₃SnH into the trans-disubstituted 5-methyllactones (+)-19–21, respectively. Treatment of the iodomethyllactone (+)-16 with LiMe₂Cu or n-Bu₂CuLi furnished the trans-5-alkyl-4-phenyllactones (−)-22 or (+)-23.     

An enantioselective synthesis of (+)-azimic acid

Herein we report a concise enantioselective synthesis of (+)-azimic acid starting from (5S,6S)-6-methyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinone 8a, which was prepared from protected (S)-3-hydroxyglutarimide 6 according to a method recently disclosed in our laboratory. The key step is a stepwise regioselective reductive alkylation of the imide 10, which established the 2,6-cis-stereochemistry in excellent diastereoselectivity.     

A stereocontrolled formal total synthesis of (±)-thienamycin

The stereocontrolled synthesis of a key intermediate 20 for the preparation of (±)-thienamycin 1 is described. The key steps in the synthesis are the formation of the β-lactam ring by cyclization of the amide 5 via a complete S_N2 mechanism, and the stereospecific conversion of the azetidinone 5 to the amide (trans-11) which have the correct relative configurations at three contiguous chiral centres. The mechanism of the conversion of the azetidinone 16E to the N-free azetidinone 17 and the selenide compound 18 is presumed.     

Highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines: an improved asymmetric synthesis of tadalafil from l-tryptophan

An efficient and general method for the highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THBCs) into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs is described. The method contains the following three steps: the enantiomerically pure (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 1 were first converted into (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 2 by N-1-naphthylmethylation/benzylation; (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs2 were then converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 in high yields and with high stereoselectivities via a base-catalyzed epimerization at C-3; (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 were subsequently converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 4 after reductive removal of the 1-naphthylmethyl/benzyl group. In addition, as an application of this method, an improved and highly stereoselective synthesis of the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil (Cialis®) starting from natural and less expensive l-tryptophan was developed.     

1,4,5,8-Tetraacyl-1,4,5,8-tetraazadecalins: Configurational and conformational analysis in the crystal and in solution: Structure and conformation of heterocycles-12

A series of 1,4,5,8-tetraacyl-1,4,5,8-tetraazadecalins was studied and found to exist in trans form in analogy with the parent system₂. Only tetraacetyltetraazadecalin (TATAD) could be obtained in both trans and cis forms, which were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR techniques, trans -TATAD (8) occurs in the crystal in a centrosymmetric double twist-boat conformation whereas cis -TATAD (9) has one ring as a flattened chair and the other as a twist boat with all the amide CO's syn-oriented. Three out of seven possible rotameric forms of 9 occur at low temperature in solution. The free energy of activation of amide rotation in trans-TATAD (8) is 14.5 kcal/mol, in contrast to ca 12kcal/mol in the unique cis isomer (9).     

Quinolizidines—IV: Total syntheses of (±)-ankorine and (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol

The first total synthesis of ankorine (4), an Alangium lamarckii alkaloid, has been accomplished in the form of a recemic modification by means of an initial condensation of 2-benzyloxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenacyl bromide with the lactim ether 6, derived from ethyl (±)-trans-5-ethyl-2-oxo-4-piperidineacetate (5), and succeeding steps proceeding through the intemediates 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a (X=Cl), 11a, and 12a. A parallel synthetic route starting with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl bromide and 6 gave (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol (12c) via the intermediates 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c (X =I,ClO₄), and 11c. The trimethyl ether 12c did not match the O-Me derivative (type 12e) of natural ankorine. Thus, the formula 4 defines the structure and relative stereochemistry of ankorine.     

Diastereoselective alkylation of a newly designed bislactim ether towards the asymmetric synthesis of α-alkylated serines

Diastereoselective alkylation of ethyl (5S)-3,6-diethoxy-2,5-dihydro-5-isopropyl-2-pyrazinecarboxylate (5S)-3 with alkyl halides was investigated by using NaH and n-BuLi. These alkylated products (2R,5S)-4b–d were converted to the corresponding α-alkylated serines (S)-6b–d.     

Asymmetric syntheses via metalated chiral hydrazones : Overall enantioselective α-alkylation of acyclic ketones

A general method is described, which allows the overall enantioselective α-alkylation of acyclic ketones in good overall yields (44–86%,, 4 steps) and enantioselectivities ranging routinely from > 94% ee up to virtually complete asymmetric induction (99.5% ee). The acyclic ketones are transformed to their corresponding “SAMP-hydrazones” (S)-2 by reaction with the enantiomerically pure hydrazine (S)-l-amino-2-methoxymethyl-pyrrolidine [SAMP, (S)-1], readily available from (S)-proline. Metalation to form chiral azaenolates (S)-3 of E_ccZcn-configuration and then alkylation to product hydrazones 4 followed by hydrazone cleavage via acidic hydrolysis of methiodides 9 in a two phase system or ozonolysis, leads to α-substituted, enantiomerically enriched, acyclic ketones 5. In special cases, where a phenyl group is directly attached to the newly generated center of chirality (5n,o,p), only low enantiomeric excesses are observed. 17 Examples, including first applications in natural product synthesis (cf 5abe and h) are summarized     

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.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (S)-eicos-(4E)-en-1-yn-3-ol,the cytotoxic principle of the marine sponge,Cribrochalina vasculum

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of the title compound I was developed from the versatile chiron 1-tert-butyldimethylsilylpenta-1,4-diyn-3-ol 2. The chiron, in turn, was prepared via a combination of lipase catalyzed acylation–alcoholysis protocol. Protection of its hydroxy group, alkylation with a suitable bromide and subsequent functionalization gave (S)-I with high enantiomeric purity.     

The enantioselective synthesis of poison-frog alkaloids (−)-203A, (−)-209B, (−)-231C, (−)-233D, and (−)-235B″

The enantioselective synthesis of indolizidines (−)-203A, (−)-209B, (−)-231C, (−)-233D, and (−)-235B″ has been achieved and the absolute stereochemistry of both indolizidines 203A and 233D was established as 5S,8R,9S. The relative stereochemistry of natural 231C was established by the present asymmetric synthesis.     

Reductive alkylation of perfluorocarboxylic acid esters with CCl3F or CCl4 and synthesis of higher linear perfluoroketones

Barbier-type reductive alkylation of perfluorocarboxylic acid esters (I) with CFCl₃ and activated Al was successfully performed to give α,α-dichloroperfluoroketones (II). A similar reaction of CF₃COOEt with CCl₄ and Al provided a convenient synthesis of CF₃COCCl₃. Ketones (II) were fluorinated further with SbF₅ to form higher linear perfluoroketones (IX). An alternative approach to the synthesis of ketones (IX) was proposed by reductive perfluoroalkylation of esters (I) under the action of R_FI and Al.