Asymmetric synthesis of cyclohexene nucleoside analogues

The asymmetric synthesis of novel cyclohexene nucleoside analogues 12 and 15 is described. An enantiospecific Diels-Alder reaction between (E,E)-diene 2 and (+)-5-(d-mentyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone 3 provided the cycloadduct isomer 4. Three additional steps yielded amine 8 allowing the constructions of the thymine and adenine moieties to afford intermediates 11 and 14, respectively. Amination or cyclization and removal of the protecting groups occurred in one step in the presence of ammonia, giving the target six-membered ring nucleosides.     

Stereochemistry of the formation of π-allylpalladium complexes from dialkylcyclohexa-1,3-dienes

1,4-Dimethyl-, 1-isopropyl-4-methyl- and 1-t-butyl-4-methylcyclohexa-1,3-diene reacted with a palladium salt to form, in each case, a single isomer of the corresponding π-allylpalladium chloride complexes, while 2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexa-1,3-diene gave two stereoisomeric complexes. An excess of diene (diene/Pd = 2.5–3.0) was required to produce a high yield of the complex. The hydrogen atom, which is incorporated onto the terminal carbon of the diene system, is shown (i) to come from the excess diene, which in turn is converted to an aromatic compound, and (ii) to attack the diene, stereo- and regio-selectively, from the same side as the palladium chloride portion.     

Stereoselective synthesis of protected (2R,3R,4S)-4,7-diamino-2,3-dihydroxyheptanoic acid: a novel amino acid of callipeltins A and D

An orthogonally protected derivative 1 of (2R,3R,4S)-4,7-diamino-2,3-dihydroxyheptanoic acid, the unusual amino acid residue of the biologically active marine peptides such as callipeltins A and D and neamphamide A, was efficiently prepared in 10 steps and 30% overall yield from a commercially available L-ornithine derivative 2. The key step includes the N-diphenylmethylene-controlled diastereoselective dihydroxylation of (Z)-ester 3 with >13:1 selectivity for the desired isomer.     

Formation of a stable selenirane via cycloaddition of selenirene

A novel and stable selenirane derivative was obtained by photolysis of 6,6,8,8-tetramethyl-2-selena-3,4-diaza-7-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octa-1(5),3-diene in furan as the [2+4] adduct of selenirene intermediate. Similarly 1,2,3-thiadiazole in furan gave corresponding thiirane.     

Reactions of 1-halocycloheptenes with potassium t-Butoxide and with sodium pyrrolidide

Reactions of 1-halocycloheptenes with KO-t-Bu in DMSO and THF were studied. The principal products obtained could be accounted for on the basis of two competing dehydrohalogenation mechanisms. These are: dehydrohalogenation across the C₁-C₂ bond to give cycloheptyne; and dehydrohalogenation across the C₁-C₇ bond to give 1,2-cycloheptadiene. One or both of these intermediates react with KO-t-Bu to give 1-t-butoxycycloheptene in poor yield. The principal product from the three 1-halocycloheptenes in both solvents is tricyclo[7.5.0.0²8]tetradeca-2,14-diene (4), the dimer of 1,2-cycloheptadiene. Also formed are 5, the 2(8), 14-diene isomer of 4, presumably by cycloaddition of 1,2-cycloheptadiene and cycloheptyne, and 6, the 2,13-diene isomer of 4, by rearrangement of 4 effected by KO-t-Bu.Also studied were rections of 1 chloro- and 1-iodocycloheptene with sodium pyrrolidide (Na- NC₄H₈) in THF. These reactions give 1-(1-pyrrolidino)cycloheptene in fair yield together with smaller amounts of the 14-carbon hydrocarbons. Reactions of 1-chlorocycloheptene-1-¹⁴C and 4-chloro- and 4-iodobicyclo[5.1.0]oct-3-ene leading to (1-pyrrolidino)cycloheptenes were found to occur via both the corresponding cycloheptyne and 1,2-cycloheptadiene.     

Removal of the potent greenhouse gas NF3 by reactions with the atmospheric oxidants O(1D), OH and O3

Nitrogen trifluoride, NF(3), a trace gas of purely anthropogenic origin with a large global warming potential is accumulating in the Earth's atmosphere. Large uncertainties are however associated with its atmospheric removal rate. In this work, experimental and theoretical kinetic tools were used to study the reactions of NF(3) with three of the principal gas-phase atmospheric oxidants: O((1)D), OH and O(3). For reaction (R2) with O((1)D), rate coefficients of k(2)(212-356 K) = (2.0 ± 0.3) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) were obtained in direct competitive kinetics experiments, and experimental and theoretical evidence was obtained for F-atom product formation. These results indicate that whilst photolysis in the stratosphere remains the principal fate of NF(3), reaction with O((1)D) is significant and was previously underestimated in atmospheric lifetime calculations. Experimental evidence of F-atom production from 248 nm photolysis of NF(3) was also obtained, indicating that quantum yields for NF(3) destruction remain significant throughout the UV. No evidence was found for reaction (R3) of NF(3) with OH indicating that this process makes little or no contribution to NF(3) removal from the atmosphere. An upper-limit of k(3)(298 K) < 4 × 10(-16) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained experimentally; theoretical analysis suggests that the true rate coefficient is more than ten orders of magnitude smaller. An upper-limit of k(4)(296 K) < 3 × 10(-25) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained in experiments to investigate O(3) + NF(3) (R4). Altogether these results underpin calculations of a long (several hundred year) lifetime for NF(3). In the course of this work rate coefficients (in units of 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) for removal of O((1)D) by n-C(5)H(12), k(6) = (50 ± 5) and by N(2), k(7) = (3.1 ± 0.2) were obtained. Uncertainties quoted throughout are 2σ precision only.     

Zeolite NaY-promoted cyclization of farnesal: a short route to nanaimoal

The sesquiterpene nanaimoal was synthesized in 21% overall yield and in a biomimetic manner. As a key step, the acid-catalyzed cyclization of farnesal under zeolite NaY confinement conditions was used. The intrazeolite cyclization of farnesal affords as major product a double-bond isomer of nanaimoal, via a novel diastereoselective tandem 1,5-diene cyclization/Prins-type reaction.     

A highly enantioselective benzothiepine synthesis

A highly enantioselective synthesis of benzothiepine 1a has been accomplished via an enantioenriched sulfoxide intermediate obtained by asymmetric oxidation with a chiral oxaziridine in 89:11 er. The key step is a thermodynamically controlled asymmetric cyclization reaction that produces two new stereogenic centers. The (4R,5R) isomer 1a was obtained in 98:2 er.     

Total synthesis of (+)-crocacin C

The first asymmetric synthesis of (+)-crocacin C (3) is described which served to confirm the absolute configuration of this compound. The key step in the sequence was the stereoselective assembly of the (E,E)-diene amide side chain by a Stille cross-coupling between the stannane 5 and vinyl iodide 6.     

Reductive complexation of cycloheptatrienes by iron pentacarbonyl and catalytic sodium borohydride

Fe(CO)5 and a catalytic amount of sodium borohydride react with cycloheptatrienes in protic solvents to yield the corresponding tricarbonyl(eta 4-1,3-diene)iron complexes in a one-pot procedure, which has been found to be particularly efficient for the synthesis of the useful tricarbonyl(cyclo-heptadiene)iron complex.     

New convergent synthesis of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogues by Suzuki-Miyaura coupling between A-ring and C,D-ring parts

A new convergent method for the synthesis of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and its analogues has been developed that involves efficient preparation of the A-ring part 1a, (Z)-(3S,5R)-1-bromomethylene-3,5-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-2-methylenecyclohexane, starting from epichlorohydrin (4) and its Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction with the C,D-ring part 12. Thus, (R)-4 was converted to (3S,5R)-5-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-8-(trimethylsilyl)-oct-1-en-7-yn-3-ol (3a) through a ten-step reaction sequence in 49% overall yield. Compound 3a thus obtained was treated with a Ti(O-i-Pr)(4)/2 i-PrMgCl reagent and then with NBS to afford (Z)-(1S,2S,5R)-2-bromomethyl-3-[bromo(trimethylsilyl)methylene]-5-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)cyclohexanol (10a) in 51% yield, from which 1a was obtained in 87% yield by sequential treatment with TBSCl/imidazole, DBU, and Cs(2)CO(3). The resulting A-ring intermediate 1a was reacted with alkenylboronate 12 in the presence of a PdCl(2)(dppf) catalyst to furnish 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) in 82% yield after protodesilylation. Similarly, all of the other three possible stereoisomers of A-ring parts 1b, 1c, and 1d were prepared, from which 1-epi-, 3-epi-, and 1,3-di-epi-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) were synthesized by coupling with 12 in excellent yield, respectively. Starting from 1a and 1c, des-C,D-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) analogues, retiferol 13 and its 3-epi derivative, were also prepared, respectively.     

Synthesis of 9-azabicyclononanes from (z,z)-cycloocta-1,5-diene 1

The transannular N-heterocyclization of cycloocta-1-5-diene with NBS in the presence of cyanamide is a preparative useful method for the synthesis of 9-azabicyclononanes; a mixture of endo, endo-2,5-dibromo-N-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane is obtained in high yield.     

Total synthesis of ascididemin via anionic cascade ring closure

A new and convergent synthesis of ascididemin is presented. Using an anionic cascade ring closure as the key step, this natural product is obtained in 45% overall yield in just 6 steps starting from 2'-fluoroacetophenone. This new approach was extended to the synthesis of a new isomer of ascididemin.     

Synthesis of monoacyl A-ring precursors of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 through selective enzymatic hydrolysis

An efficient synthesis of monoacylated 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 A-ring precursors 15, 16, 18, and 19 has been described through an enzymatic hydrolysis process. Candida antarctica A lipase (CAL-A) hydrolyzes the C-5 acetate ester in trans stereoisomers 9 and 13, with complete and high selectivity, respectively. In the case of cis isomers 11 and 14, Chromobacterium viscosum lipase (CVL) is the enzyme of choice, exhibiting opposite selectivity for these two enantiomers. This lipase selectively catalyzes the hydrolysis at the C-3 acetate in diester 11 and at C-5 position in diester 14. It is noteworthy that through a hydrolysis reaction CAL-A and CVL allow the synthesis of the four A-ring monoacetylated precursors of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, precursors which are complementary to those obtained by the enzymatic acylation process. In addition, with excellent yield CVL selectively hydrolyzes the C-3 chloroacetate ester instead of the C-5 acetate in diester 22, a key intermediate in the synthesis of new A-ring modified 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogues.     

Total synthesis of cochleamycin A

[reaction: see text] Cochleamycin A (1) was synthesized in 2.4% overall yield via a 23-step linear sequence starting from 3-butene-1-ol. Key features of the synthesis include the synthesis of (Z)-1,3-diene 21 via a Stille coupling of 4 and 5 and a transannular Diels-Alder reaction of macrocycle 26 to provide the complete carbon skeleton of 1.     

Aktive malonester als synthons für heterocyclen: Eine methode zur herstellung von 4-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridonen

4-Hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridones 3 can be obtained in excellent yields from azomethines 1 with trichlorophenylmalonates 2 . The variation of the substituents in positions 1, 3, 5 or 6, respectively is possible over a wide range. In this manner the 5,6-fused-pyridones 5, 7 can also be obtained. The synthesis of 1-unsubstituted pyridones via debenzylation of 1-benzyl-pyridones 3a,b is described. The chlorination is found to yield isomer 2-and 4-chloro pyridones 8 and 9 and the dichloropyridine 10.     

Tandem reduction-chloroallylboration of esters: asymmetric synthesis of lamoxirene, the spermatozoid releasing and attracting pheromone of the laminariales (Phaeophyceae)

The asymmetric synthesis of all four stereoisomers of lamoxirene (cis-2-cyclohepta-2,5-dienyl-3-vinyloxirane), the spermatozoid-releasing and -attracting pheromone of the Laminariales (Phaeophyceae), is reported. Chiral ethyl cyclohepta-2,5-diene carboxylates, prepared by a divinylcyclopropane Cope rearrangement, were effectively alkylated by means of a novel tandem DIBAL-H reduction/asymmetric alpha-chloroallylboration using (Z)-gamma-chloroallyldiisopinocampheylboranes. The ensuing syn-alpha-chlorohydrins were transformed into the corresponding vinyloxiranes with DBU, providing all four isomers of the pheromone in good chemical and excellent optical yield (90-97% ee). Spermatozoid-release assays were conducted with the sympatrically growing species L. digitata, L. hyperborea, and L. saccharina and established (1'S,2R,3S)-1c as the most active isomer in all cases.     

An effective and convenient synthesis of cordycepin from adenosine

Cordycepin is a purine nucleoside analog with potent and diverse biological activities. Herein, we designed two methods to synthesize cordycepin. One method mainly converted the 3′-OH group into an iodide group and further dehalogenation to yield the final product. Although this method presented a short synthetic procedure, the synthesis had a low overall yield, resulting in only 13.5% overall yield. To improve the overall yield of cordycepin, another synthetic route was studied, which consisted of four individual steps: (1) 5′-OH protection (2) esterification (3) -O-tosyl (-OTs) group removal (4) deprotection. The key step in the synthetic method involved the conversion of 5′-O-triphenylmethyladenosine to 3′-O-tosyl-5′-O-triphenylmethyladenosine, using LiAlH₄ as reducing agent. The main advantages of this route were an acceptable total product yield and the commercial availability of all starting materials. The optimal reaction conditions for each step of the route were identified. The overall yield of cordycepin obtained from adenosine as the starting material was 36%.     

Photoisomerization of alfa calcidol by a sensitized quantum chain reaction

The production of vitamin D3 is a pharmaceutically relevant process, producing high added-value products. Precursors are extracts from vegetal origin but bearing mainly an E geometry in the 5,6 double bond. The synthesis of vitamin D3 (5-E-α-calcidol) with the correct Z stereochemistry in the 5,6 double bond from the E isomer using anthracene and triethylamine (TEA) as the sensitizer system was studied from the kinetic and mechanistic point of view. The sensitized isomerization of E-calcidol by irradiation of anthracene takes place only in deoxygenated solution and yields the Z isomer in ca 5% yield in the photostationary state. When TEA is added to the system, the E-Z reaction is not inhibited by oxygen any more, the quantum yield of photoisomerization to the Z isomer grows linearly with the concentration of E-calcidol, while conversions higher than 95% to the Z isomer are reached in the photostationary state and E-Z quantum yields as high as 45 at [E-calcidol] = 25 mM are reached. If TEA is replaced by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, the reaction rate drops to one-third at the same amine concentration. The observations can be explained by a quantum chain reaction mechanism. The high conversion achieved eliminates the need of isomer separation.     

An improved synthesis of 3,8-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxalin-2-amine ("MeIQx") and its 2-14C-labelled analogue

The highly mutagenic title compound (MeIQx) was prepared in 21% overall yield from 4-fluoro-o-phenylenediamine. The 3,7-dimethyl isomer may be obtained as a minor by-product. The 14C-label was introduced in the last step through cyclization with [14C]cyanogen bromide. An alternative synthesis of MeIQx from p-fluoroaniline avoided the separation of isomers but gave poorer yield.