Optical resolution by preferential crystallization of (1RS,3RS)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid

The racemic structure of (1RS,3RS)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid [(1RS,3RS)-1] was examined based on the melting point, solubility, and IR spectrum, with the aim of optical resolution by preferential crystallization. (1RS,3RS)-1 was indicated from these results to exist as a conglomerate. The successive optical resolution by preferential crystallization of (1RS,3RS)-1 yielded (1S,3S)- and (1R,3R)-1 with optical purities of 85--95% at 66--81% degrees of resolution, which were fully purified by recrystallization.     

Synthesis of Ethyl (2RS,3SR)-1-Tosyl-3-Vinylazetidine-2-carboxylate and ethyl (2RS,E)-3-ethylidene-1-tosylazetidine-2-carboxylate (=rac-ethyl N-tosylpolyximate)

The synthesis of 3-ethylideneazetidine-2-carboxylic acid (=polyoximic acid; 3 ) is a approached in two different ways leading to potential precursors of 3 . The first way involved a ring closure to a vinyl-subsatituted azetidin. Thus, Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of the Boc-glycinates 6 and 10 of (Z)- and (E)-2-butene-1,4-diol afforded, after exchange of the N-protecting groups, the isomeric 2-(tosylamino)-3-vinylbutanolides 13 and 14 with high stereoselectivity. Only the cis-isomer 14 could be further transformed to 3-(bromomethyl)-2-(tosylamino)-4-pentenoate 17 , and in a smoth cyclization with K₂CO₃, to trans-3-vinylazetidtene-2-carboxylaze 18 (Scheme 2). In the second approach, the 3-ethylidene isomer 19 of 18 was obtained more directly by a [2+2] cycloaddition, together with the two isomers 23 and 24 , from methlallene 20 and (tosyliminno)acetate 21 (Scheme 3). The main product of this reaction was, however, 2-(tosylamino)-4-hexinoate 22 , the product of an ene reaction.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. VII. Synthese von Rhodoxanthin und (3RS,3RS)-Zeaxanthin aus der C15-Ringkomponente

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. VII. Synthesis of Rhodoxanthin and (3RS,3RS)-Zeaxanthin from the C₁₅-Ring Component¹ An efficient 7-step synthesis of (3RS,3RS)-zeaxanthin ( 3 ) in 20% overall yield starting from 6-oxo-isophorone ( 7 ) is described. Intermediates are 6,6′-dihydro-rhodoxanthin ( 4 ) and rhodoxanthin ( 1 ), which are now accessible in 4 and 5 steps, and 45 and 25% overall yield, respectively. Novel methods for the simultaneous removal of the hydroxy group and the partial reduction of the triple bond of a monoalkynylated 1,4-dioxo-2-ene system have been developed.     

Preparation of (RS)-5-Amino-3-carboxypentanoic Acid (1)

(RS)-5-Amino-3-carboxypentanoic acid (1) was prepared by a Wittig reaction of N-benzoylglycinal (3) with the phosphorane (4), followed by catalytic hydrogenation and acid hydrolysis.     

(1SR,2SR,3SR,4RS,5RS,6RS,7SR,8RS)‐7,8‐Dichloro­bicyclo­[4.2.0]octa‐2,3,4,5‐tetrayl tetra­acetate

In the title compound, C₁₆H₂₀Cl₂O₈, the bicyclic system contains a central non‐planar cyclo­hexane ring which is fused to a cyclo­butane moiety. The cyclo­hexane ring has a chair conformation and the whole system adopts a syn conformation. The structure provides information on the stereochemical course of the chlorination, photo‐oxidation and hydrox­ylation steps of the reaction.     

New route to (3RS) (5R) (5-2H)- and (3RS) (5S) (5-2H)-mevalonolactones

The synthesis of mevalonolactone stereospecifically labeled at carbon 5 is described combining chemical reactions with an enzymatic reduction step.     

Kinetic resolution of tert-butyl (RS)-3-alkylcyclopentene-1-carboxylates for the synthesis of homochiral 3-alkyl-cispentacin and 3-alkyl-transpentacin derivatives

High levels of stereocontrol are observed in the conjugate addition of lithium dibenzylamide to tert-butyl (RS)-3-alkylcyclopentene-1-carboxylates (alkyl = Et, Bn), with addition occurring exclusively anti- to the 3-alkyl substituent. Treatment of a range of tert-butyl (RS)-3-alkylcyclopentene-1-carboxylates (alkyl = Et, Bn, (i)Pr, (t)Bu) with lithium (RS)-N-benzyl-N-[small alpha]-methylbenzylamide indicates that good enantiorecognition is observed (E > 80) in their mutual kinetic resolution. In these reactions, conjugate addition of the lithium amide occurs exclusively anti- to the 3-alkyl substituent, with subsequent C(1)-protonation occurring preferably anti- to the 2-amino group in the 3-Et, 3-Bn and 3-(i)Pr cases, giving predominantly the corresponding 1,2-syn-2,3-anti-diastereoisomers. Conjugate addition to (RS)-3-tert-butyl cyclopentene-1-carboxylate results in exclusive 2,3-anti -addition and a reversal in C(1)-protonation selectivity, giving predominantly the 1,2-anti-2,3-anti-diastereoisomer. Furthermore, the kinetic resolution of the tert-butyl (RS)-3-alkylcyclopentene-1-carboxylates (alkyl = Et, Bn, (i)Pr, (t)Bu) with lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylamide proceeds efficiently, giving, at between 47 and 51% conversion, the resolved 3-alkylcyclopentene-1-carboxylates in >85 to >98% ee and the beta-amino ester products of conjugate addition in high de, consistent with E > 80 in each case. Subsequent deprotection of the 1,2-syn-2,3-anti-3-alkyl-beta-amino esters (alkyl = Et, Bn, (i)Pr) by hydrogenolysis and ester hydrolysis gives the corresponding 1,2-syn-2,3-anti-3-alkylcispentacins in >98% de and 98 +/- 1% ee. Selective epimerisation of the 1,2-syn-2,3-anti-3-alkyl-beta-amino esters (alkyl = Et, Bn, (i)Pr, (t)Bu) by treatment with KO(t)Bu in (t)BuOH gives the corresponding 1,2-anti-2,3-anti-3-alkyl-beta-amino esters in quantitative yield and in >98% de, with subsequent deprotection by hydrogenolysis and ester hydrolysis giving the corresponding 1,2-anti-2,3-anti-3-alkylcispentacin hydrochlorides in >98% de.     

Thermoconversion of Caryophyllene- to Farnesene-Type Sesquiterpenes. Short access to the enantiomers of (6RS,7RS)- and (6RS,7SR)-6,7-epoxy-6,7-dihydro-β-farnesenes

Flash-vacuum thermolysis of the four diastereoisomeric 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-caryophyllenes 1–4 at 500–550°/0.1–0.7 Torr leads to the hitherto unreported enantiomers of (6RS,7RS)- and (6RS,7SR)-6,7-epoxy-6,7-dihydro-β-farnesenes ((±)- 5 and (±)- 6 , resp.). In particular, (+)- 5 is formed in 45% yield (ca. 90% ee) and is, thus, an attractive chiral building block for natural-product synthesis.     

Technische Verfahren zur Synthese von Carotinoiden und verwandten Verbindungen aus 6-Oxo-isophoron. II. Ein neues Konzept für die Synthese von (3RS, 3′RS)-Astaxanthin

Technical Procedures for the Synthesis of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone. II. A Novel Concept for the Synthesis of (3RS, 3′RS)-Astaxanthin Starting from 6-oxo-isophorone ( 2 ) a new concept for a seven-step synthesis of (3RS, 3′RS)-astaxanthin ( 1 ) has been developed. As a key feature of the new approach, the oxidation state of astaxanthin ( 1 ) is adjusted already at an early stage of the synthesis. Thus, manipulation on more complex intermediates later in the synthesis is reduced to a minimum. Acetonide 10 or dimer 13 represent the key intermediates of this concept (Scheme 2). The whole sequence has been run on a kg scale with an overall yield of 52% (s. Scheme 5).