Solid-state structure determination and solution-state NMR characterization of the (2R,4R)/(2S,4S)- and (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-diastereomers of the agricultural fungicide propiconazole,the (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-symmetrical triazole constitutional isomer,and a ditriazole analogue

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to determine the structure of a racemic diastereomer of the agricultural fungicide propiconazole [1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-n-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole] and of two by-products (a symmetrical 1,3,4-triazole racemic-constitutional isomer and a propiconazole ditriazole analogue). All three crystalline racemic-diastereomers had (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-stereochemistry in which then-propyl group was observed in atrans-to-phenyl disposition. Propiconazole (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-diastereomer gives crystals belonging to the monoclinic space group P2₁,/a, and, at 293 K,a=8.1192(3),b=18.9769(6),c=10.7137(4) å,Β=99.765(3)?,V=1626.8(1) å³, Z=4,R(F)=0.060, andR _w(F)=0.058. The constitutional isomer by-product (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-n-pro-pyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,3,4-triazole gives crystals belonging to the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, and, at 293 K,a=11.1763(6),b=10.7716(4),c=14.5804(8) å,Β=107.445(4)?,V=1674.6(1) å³, Z=4,R(F)=0.043, andR _w(F)=0.043. The ditriazole byproduct (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)phenyl)-4-n-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole gives crystals belonging to the triclinic space groupP¯ 1, and, at 193 K,a=5.3329(8),b=8.3738(7),c=20.240(2) å, α=84.213(6)?,Β=87.20(1)?,γ=86.23(1)?,V=896.5(2) å³, Z=2,R(F)=0.046, andR _w(F)=0.051. The presence of both propiconazole (2R.4S)- and (2S,4R)-enantiomers enables the formation of a crystalline racemic modification, while the diastereomeric propiconazole (2R,4R)- and (2S,4S)-enantiomers are viscous oils. In the absence of its enantiomorphic partner, the propiconazole (2R,4S)- or (2S,4R)-enantiomers remain as viscous oils rather than form chiral crystals.     

Efficient access to N-protected derivatives of (R,R,R)- and (S,S,S)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid by HPLC resolution

The preparation of the proline analogue (2S,3aS,7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid (Oic) and its enantiomer, (2R,3aR,7aR)-Oic, is described. A racemic precursor has been synthesized in good yield and subjected to HPLC resolution on a chiral column. The high efficiency of both the synthetic and chromatographic procedures has allowed the isolation of multigram quantities of each amino acid in enantiomerically pure form and suitably protected for use in peptide synthesis.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

Homochiral (R)- and (S)-1-heteroaryl- and 1-aryl-2-propanols via microbial redox

Preparation of various heteroaryl propanols 2a–g and of the corresponding propanones 3a–g as starting materials for microbial redox is described. The kinetic resolution of the racemic propanols 2a–g is obtained via oxidation with Pseudomonas paucimobilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus [(R)-alcohols, ee 74–100%]. Similar results are achieved with 3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 7 (44%, ee 100% of the (R)-alcohol 6). The reduction of the propanones 3a–d and 3g with baker's yeast and other fungi gives the (S)-alcohols (ee 100%). The pure (S)-alcohols are also obtained by reduction of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-propanone 7. 1-[(4,4-Dimethyl)-2-(Δ²)oxazolinyl]-2-propanone 3e and 1[2-(Δ²)-thiazolinyl)-2-propanone 3f are not reduced. The heterocyclic rings of (S)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 2d and of (S)-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4-methylthiazole 2g are deblocked to the homochiral enamino ketone 8 (78%) and to the protected β-hydroxy aldehyde 9 (73%), respectively. The (R)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 6 is transfomed into the homochiral precursor of (S)-fenfluramine 10 (overall yield 65%).     

Heterocycles 35. CaL-B mediated synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates

Herein we present the lipase catalyzed synthesis of four new enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates and their butanoates by enzymatic enantioselective acylation of the racemic alcohols rac-1a–d and by ethanolysis of the corresponding racemic esters rac-2a–d mediated by lipase B from Candida antarctica (CaL-B) in organic solvents. In terms of stereoselectivity and activity, both procedures, the acylation and alcoholysis, are successful (50% conversion, E ≫ 200). The absolute configuration of the resolution products was determined by a detailed ¹H NMR study of the Mosher’s derivatives of (S)-1a.     

The synthesis of the insect pheromone (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethyltridec-2-yl acetate from racemic 3,4-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone by diastereoselective chiral resolution

The insect pheromone (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethyltridec-2-yl acetate 1-Ac was prepared from diastereomerically enriched (2S¹,3R¹,7R)-1, which in turn was obtained by the coupling of racemic 3,4-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone with (7S)-2-methyloctyllithium, followed by a Wolff–Kishner reduction of the resulting ketone. Conversion of (2S¹,3R¹,7R)-1 to the corresponding alkyl hydrogen phthalate and diastereomer salt formation with (S)-PhCHMeNH₂ provided after several crystallizations individual diastereomer, which was later transformed into target 1-Ac after hydrolysis and acylation.     

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.     

New chiral phosphine-phosphonites derived from (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate, (S)-binaphthol and (1R,2S)-ephedrine

The reaction of 2-lithiophenyldiphenylphosphine with phosphorus trichloride afforded the new unsymmetric phosphine, dichloro(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine (4). Condensation of 4 with (a) (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate or (b) (S)-binaphthol in the presence of triethylamine gave new chiral phosphine-phosphonite ligands, (2R,3R)-[2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4,5-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane] ((2R,3R)-5) and (S)-[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzene][1,1′-binaphthalen-2,2′-diyl]phosphonite] ((S)-6). The analogous reaction of 4 with (1R,2S)-ephedrine using N-methylmorpholine as the base, gave [2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaphospholidine] (7) as a 95:5 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Efficient synthesis of the cyclopentanone fragrances (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone and Magnolione

This paper describes the selective syntheses of two cis-isomer-enriched cyclopentanone fragrances: (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone (four steps, 62% overall yield, 67% cis) and Magnolione^® (five steps, 60% overall yield, 55% cis). In addition, the asymmetric synthesis of (3aR,7aS)-5-methyl-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-inden-1-one as well as (3a′R,7a′S)-5′-methyl-2′,3′,3a′,4′,7′,7a′-hexahydrospiro[[1,3]dioxolane-2,1′-indene] has been realized by an efficient kinetic resolution, which enables the selective synthesis of the 2S,3R-isomer-enriched 3 and 4.     

Novel stereocontrolled synthesis of the tricyclic lactone (1R,3R,6R,9S)-6,9-dimethyl-8-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonane

The stereocontrolled synthesis of (1R,3R,6R,9S)-6,9-dimethyl-8-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.0^3,9]nonane 1 from (R)-(−)-carvone has been accomplished by application of a 13-step sequence with 12% overall yield. The absolute stereochemistry of the unsaturated acid 8a has been established by X-ray analysis of the chiral amide 8c.     

HPLC separation and VCD spectroscopy of chiral pyrazoles derived from (5R)-dihydrocarvone

(4S,7R)-(−) and (4S,7S)-(+)-4-isopropylidene-7-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2(1)H-indazoles 2a and 2b have been successfully separated by using HPLC over a Chiralpak AS column as the stationary phase, yielding up to 700 mg of each diastereomer. Their absolute configurations were determined by using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies. This latter method proved not only very useful for determination of the conformers’ distribution, but also for analysis of the 1H,2H tautomers.     

First stereoselective synthesis of (4aS,5R)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4a,5-dimethyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure (4aS,5R)-hexahydro-4a,5-dimethyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone (−)-1 is described for the first time. The synthesis starts from (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone and involves the preparation of Piers enol lactone 6 in its enantiopure form as the key intermediate. Treatment of (+)-6 with methyl lithium followed by an intramolecular aldol reaction gives the bicyclic enone (−)-1.     

Lipase mediated enantiomer and diastereomer separation of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols

Separation of diastereomeric and enantiomeric mixtures of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols rac-3a and meso-3a, and rac-3b and meso-3b—resulting from the reactions of pyrocatechol 1a and resorcinol 1b with cyclohexene oxide 2—were performed using acetylation catalyzed by the highly stereoselective Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435). The absolute configurations of the resulting diols (S,S,S,S)-3a,b, monoacetates (R,R,S,S)-4a,b and diacetates (R,R,R,R)-5a,b were assigned on the basis of the steric analogy to the acetylation of racemic trans-2-phenoxycyclohexanol rac-6 with the same enzyme resulting in the known acetate (−)-(R,R)-7.     

Studies towards the synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates and (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised by the intramolecular Williamson reaction of diethyl (1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate. The cis-analogue was obtained as O-ethyl or O,O-diethyl (1R,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates, when (1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate or its 3-O-trityl derivative were used as starting materials, respectively. The intramolecular Williamson cyclisations of diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonates led to diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, respectively, with the concomitant formation of diethyl (E)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-phosphonate. From diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, while diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-3-acetamido-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were produced after epoxide ring opening with dibenzylamine, acetylation and hydrogenolysis.     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates

The synthesis and ee determination of diethyl 3-azido-2-hydroxypropylphosphonates from 2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates have been optimised. Enantiomerically enriched diethyl (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propylphosphonates (R)-3a–j and (S)-3a–h as well as (S)-3j were synthesised from diethyl (R)- and (S)-2,3-epoxypropylphosphonates in a reaction sequence including azidolysis followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with selected alkynes.     

Uncommon transformations of methyl (1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-5-iodomethyl-2-tetrahydrofurylacetate initiated by bases

Methyl (1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-5-iodomethyl-2-tetrahydrofurylacetate prepared in two stages from D-ribose acetonide underwent a series of uncommon transformations under the treatment with bases providing the following different products depending on the base applied: methyl 3-(5-acetyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)propionate (DBU), methyl 2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-6-carboxylate (t-BuOK), methyl {(5R)-2,2-dimethyl-5-[(2R)-oxiranyl]-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylidene}propionate and methyl-(E)-3-{(4S,5R)-2,2-dimethyl-5-[(1R)-(2-oxiranyl)]-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl}-2-propenoate (t-BuOK and LDA).     

Synthesis of (−)- and (+)-8-fluoro-galanthamine

The synthesis of racemic 8-fluorogalanthamine and its separation into (−)- and (+)-8-fluorogalanthamine (= (4aS,6R,8aS)- and (4aR,6S,8aR)-1-fluoro-4a,5,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-3-methoxy-11-methyl-6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-ef][2]benzazepin-6-ol) is described.     

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.