Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiopure geminally dimethylated cyclopropane-based C2- and pseudo-C2-symmetric diamines

Enantiopure (−)-(1S,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide 2 and (+)-(1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid 3 were easily obtained from a multigram scale biotransformation of racemic amide or nitrile in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270 whole cell catalyst under very mild conditions. Coupled with efficient and convenient chemical manipulations, comprising mainly of the Curtius rearrangement, oxidation, and reduction reactions, chiral C₂-symmetric (1S,2S)-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane-1,2-diamine 6 and ((1R,3R)-3-(aminomethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl)methanamine 8 and pseudo-C₂-symmetric (1S,3S)-3-(aminomethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanamine 11 were prepared. These were also transformed into the corresponding chiral salen derivatives 12, 13, and 14, respectively, in almost quantitative yields.     

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%).     

Two-photon induced fluorescence of novel dyes

Three novel compounds, trans-2-[p-(N-ethyl-N-(hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-N-methylbenzothiazolium iodide (1), trans-2-[p-(N-ethyl-N-(hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-1′,3′,3′-trimethylindolium iodide (2), and trans-2-[p-(N,N-dimethylamino)styryl]-1′,3′,3′-trimethylindolium iodide (3), were synthesized and their two-photon induced fluorescence behavior was studied. Under excitation by 1064 nm laser irradiation, the solutions of these compounds exhibit two-photon induced fluorescence with λ_max at 639, 666 and 665 nm for 1, 2 and 3 respectively.     

Synthesis of 5-substituted-3-[(2′S,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their epimers

5-Phenyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10a and its epimer 11a, 5-methyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10b and its epimer 11b were synthesized from cyanohydrin benzoates 8a, 9a and cyanohydrin acetates 8b, 9b, respectively, by treatment with hydroxylamine in methanol via intramolecular transacylation and subsequent cyclization of the corresponding amidoximes. Hydrolysis and reduction of the dimethoxymethyl groups in the above compounds gave the desired compounds 12a, 13a, 12b and 13b.     

Lipase mediated resolution of 1,3-butanediol derivatives: chiral building blocks for pheromone enantiosynthesis. Part 3

(R,S)-1,3-Butanediol 5 was kinetically resolved by enzymatic acetylation with vinyl acetate under the presence of Chirazyme™ L-2, c–f, yielding (S)-1-O-acetyl-1,3-hydroxybutane 6 and (R)-1,3-di-O-acetyl-1,3-butanediol 7 with enantiomeric excesses of 91% (E=67.3). Compounds 6 and 7 were easily transformed into the corresponding (S)-3-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-3-hydroxybutanal 10 and (R)-3-benzyloxybutanal 19, through a protection–deprotection and functional group interchange methodology. Subsequent reaction of 10 and 19 with 3-(methoxycarbonylpropionylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane afforded methyl (E,S)-8-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 12 and (E,R)-8-benzyloxy-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 20. The alkenes 19 and 20 were then catalytically hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated esters 13 and 21. Treatment of 13 and 21 with 1,2-ethanedithiol/F₃B·OEt₂ afforded dithioketals 14 and 22, which were respectively reduced to (S)-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 15 and (R)-8-O-benzyl-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 23. Finally, deprotection of 15 by catalytic hydrogenation under acidic conditions gave the expected (5S,7S)-(−)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1. The (5R,7R)-(+)-1 enantiomer was analogously prepared from 23. Both compounds were formed by this procedure with an e.e. of 91%.     

Oxidative behaviour of 3-aryl-2H-1,4-benzoxazines

Autoxidation of 3 - phenyl - 2H - 1,4-benzoxazine 8 gives 2 - hydroxy -3 - phenyl - 2H - 1,4-benzoxazine 13, 3 - phenyl - 2H - 1,4-benzoxazin - 2 - one 11, and 2 - phenylbenzoxazole 10 according to the conditions. Oxidation of 8 with DDQ in the presence of air gave mainly the bisacetal 17 but in the absence of air the major product was trans-Δ^2,2′-bi-(3-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazine) 21a. Corresponding dimers were obtained from the 3-p-bromophenylbenzoxazine 9. The trans-isomers 21a and 22a are photochromic and change into their cis-isomers on exposure in solution to direct sunlight.     

Chiral aziridine-2-carboxylates: versatile precursors for functionalized tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) containing heterocycles

Preparation of functionalized 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines 17a–j from (S)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]aziridine-2-carboxamide 4 is an effective route for the synthesis of 3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-4-ols. Stereoselective reduction of the cyclic imines 17a–j resulted in (1S,3S,4R)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl-oxy)-3-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2-disubstituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and the desilylation of the TBS groups afforded (1S,3S,4R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2-disubstituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-4-ols 19a–i in good yields. Also, an asymmetric synthesis of novel tetracyclic 3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-4-ols 23 and 25 was successfully achieved via Pd-catalyzed N-arylation and C–C coupling reaction.     

A regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition for the synthesis of novel spiro-chromene thiadiazole derivatives

A variety of 4′-(4-R-phenyl)-4-(methylthio)-2′-phenyl-2′H-spiro[chromene-2,5′-[1,2,3]thiadiazole] 5a–d and 5′-(4-R-phenyl)-4-(methylthio)-3′-phenyl-3′H-spiro[chromene-2,2′-[1,3,4]thiadiazole] 6a–d were synthesized regioselectively through the reaction of 4-(methylthio)-2H-chromene-2-thione 2 with diarylnitrilimines under refluxing dry chloroform. Whilst the reaction of 4-(allylthio)-2H-chromene-2-thione 3 with diarylnitrilimines under similar reaction conditions afforded the corresponding 4-(allylthio)-5′-(4-R-phenyl)-3′-phenyl-3′H-spiro[chromene-2,2′-[1,3,4]thiadiazole] 7a–d and 5-(4-R-phenyl)-2′-methyl-3-phenyl-2′,3′-dihydro-3H-spiro[[1,3,4]thiadiazole-2,4′-thieno[3,2-c]chromene] 9a–d as two unisolable diastereoisomeric forms. The structures of the obtained spiro cycloadduct thiadiazoles have been assigned by means of spectroscopic measurements.     

Synthesis,anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid derivatives

The title compounds 3a–l have been synthesized by the reaction of thiocarbohydrazide with substituted phenoxy acetic acid to obtained substituted 1,2,4-triazoles (1). Compound 1 was treated with various substituted aromatic aldehydes which results in 4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-thiones (2a–g), further 2a–g is converted to 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3a–l) derivatives by the reaction with chloroacetic acid. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Among the series 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3d), 2-[4-(4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3e), 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3j) and 2-[5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)]-4-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3k) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with P < 0.001 (63.4%, 62.0%, 64.1% and 62.5% edema inhibition, respectively), as compared to the standard drug diclofenac (67.0%) after third hour respectively and also compounds 3j, 3k exhibited significant analgesic activity with P < 0.001 (55.9% and 54.9% protection, respectively) and less ulcerogenic activity as compared with standard drug aspirin (57.8%).     

On the mechanism and diastereoselectivity of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran formation from sulfinylbenzoquinones and 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran

A mechanistic study of the reactions between 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran 1 and (SS)-2-(arylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinones 2a and 2b, giving rise to the diastereoselective formation of [3aS,8bS,SS]-3a,8b-dihydro-7-hydroxy-8-(arylsulfinyl)furo[3,2-b]benzofuran-2(3H)-ones 3a and 3b, is reported. The detection and ¹H NMR characterization of several precursors of 3a and 3b accounts for a Michael-type initial reaction which dictates the final diastereoselection of the process. A significant improvement of the stereoselectivity (up to 96% de) in the formation of the tert-butylsulfinyl substituted derivative 3c was achieved by using 2-(tert-butylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone 2c as the starting quinone.     

A convenient ultrasound-promoted synthesis of some new thiazole derivatives bearing a coumarin nucleus and their cytotoxic activity

Successful implementation of ultrasound irradiation for the rapid synthesis of a novel series of 3-[1-(4-substituted-5-(aryldiazenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazono)ethyl]-2H-chromen-2-ones 5a-h, via reactions of 2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene) thiosemicarbazide (2) and the hydrazonoyl halides 3(4), was demonstrated. Also, a new series of 5-arylidene-2-(2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazol-4(5H)-ones 10a-d were synthesized from reaction of 2 with chloroacetic acid and different aldehydes. Moreover, reaction of 2-cyano-N'-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)-acetohydrazide (12) with substituted benzaldehydes gave the respective arylidene derivatives 13a-c under the conditions employed. The structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned based on elemental analyses and spectral data. Also, the cytototoxic activities of the thiazole derivative 5a was evaluated against HaCaT cells (human keratinocytes). It was found that compound 5a possess potent cytotoxic activity.     

New benzimidazole derivatives: Design,synthesis, docking,and biological evaluation

The aim of this study was to synthesize novel enaminonitrile derivatives starting from 2-aminobenzimidazole and utilize this derivative for the preparation of novel heterocyclic compounds and assess their function for biological activity screening. The key precursor N-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbonohydrazonoyl dicyanide (2) was prepared in pyridine by coupling of diazotized 2-aminobenzimidazole (1) with malononitrile. Compound 2 was subjected to react with various secondary amines such as piperidine, morpholine, piperazine, diphenylamine, N-methylglucamine, and diethanolamine in boiling ethanol to give the acrylonitriles (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(piperidin-1-yl)acrylonitrile (3), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-morpholinoacrylonitrile (4), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(piperazin-1-yl)acrylonitrile (5), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(diphenylamino)acrylonitrile (6), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)acrylonitrile (7), and (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)acrylonitrile (8), respectively. It has been found that the behaviour of nitrile derivative 2 towards hydrazine hydrate to the creation of 4-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamine (9). The reaction of malononitrile with compound 2 in an ethanolic solution catalyzed with sodium ethoxide afforded 4-amino-1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-6-imino-1,6-dihydropyridazine-3,5-dicarbonitrile (11). Moreover, malononitrile reacted with 7 in a boiling ethanolic sodium ethoxide solution to give 2-(5-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-4-amino-6-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)pyrimidin-2-yl)acetonitrile (14). Heating 7 in boiling acetic anhydride and pyridine afforded (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-(((1E)-2-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-1-(N-acetylacetamido)-2-cyanovinyl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (15). When compound 15 is heated for a long time in refluxing DMF including a catalytic of TEA, cyclization occurs to give the corresponding (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-((1-acetyl-3-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-4-amino-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-2-yl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (16). In addition, triethyl orthoformate was reacted with compound 7 in the presence of acetic anhydride to afford the corresponding ethoxymethyleneamino derivative (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-(((1E)-2-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-2-cyano-1-(((E) ethoxymethylene)amino)vinyl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (17). Also, it has been found that heating a mixture of 7 with DMF/DMA in anhydrous xylene yielded compound (1E)-N'-((1E)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-2-cyano-1-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)vinyl)-N,N-dimethylformimidamide (18). In addition, compound 7, when reacted with several acid anhydrides, allowed the matching phthalimide derivatives 19–26. The results showed that compound 14 has significantly higher ABTS and antitumor activities than the other compounds. Molecular modelling was also studied for compounds 22 and 24. The viability of four many cell lines—the African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (VERO), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), human lung fibroblast cell line (WI-38), and human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was examined to determine the antitumor activities of the newly synthesized compounds. Also, it was found that compounds 9, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are strong against HepG2 cell lines, while 16, 22, and 25 are strong against WI-38 cell lines. Moreover, it was also found that compounds 16 and 22 are strong against VERO cell lines. On the other hand, compounds 7, 14, 15, 16, and 22 are strong while the rest of the other compounds are moderate against the MCF-7 cell line. The result of docking showed that compound 24 got stabilized inside the pocket with a very promising binding score of ? 8.12 through hydrogen bonds with Arg184 and Lys179, respectively.     

Syntheses of pyridin-4-ylium chirons: applications in a synthesis of (+)-coniine

The compounds (3R,5S)-(+)-5-methyl-3-phenyl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-4-ylium iodide 4 and (3R,5S)-(+)-5-n-propyl-3-phenyl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-4-ylium iodide 5 were synthesized in two steps starting from the bicyclic thiolactam trans (3R,2aS)-(−)-5-thio-3-phenyl-2,3,6,7,8,2a-hexahydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridine 1. In addition, starting from 5 an enantiospecific synthesis of (+)-coniine 7 was achieved.     

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.     

Multiselective enzymatic reactions for the synthesis of protected homochiral cis- and trans-1,3,5-cyclohexanetriols

For the synthesis of the potentially antipsoriatic vitamin D derivative 3 (Ro 65-2299) an efficient and multiselective enzymatic step had been developed in which the easily accessible trans-1,3,5-triacetoxy-cyclohexane 5 was selectively monohydrolyzed in the presence of the cis-isomer 8 to give (1R,3R)-1,3-diacetoxy-5-hydroxy-cyclohexane 6 in high enantiomeric excess (>99%) and yield (84%). Furthermore, for the synthesis of the enantiomer of 3, a simple and efficient enzymatic procedure for the asymmetric acetylation of cis-1,5-dihydroxy-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilanoxy)-cyclohexane 10 in an anhydrous organic solvent providing (1R,3S,5S)-1-acetoxy-3-hydroxy-5-(tert-butyldimethylsilanoxy)-cyclohexane 11 in >99% ee and quantitative yield is described.     

Two New Compounds Isolated from<em> Liriope muscari</em>

Two new compounds, (2S,3R)-methyl 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carboxylate (1) and (4R,5S)-5-(3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-isopropyldihydrofuran-2-one (2), tentatively named norcurlignan and limlactone, respectively, were isolated from Liriope muscari, together with the known compound (-)-pinoresinol (3). The structures of these compounds were elucidated and characterized on the basis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, CD and MS data. The in vitro antioxidant activities of compounds 1-3 were assessed by the DPPH and ABTS scavenging methods.     

Reactions of the 1-halo-7-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cycloheptenes and the 3-halo-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-enes with potassium t-butoxide

Reactions of 1 - bromo - 7 - (2 - hydroxyethoxy)cycloheptene 2 and its chloro analogue 3 with potassium t-butoxide in dimethyl sulphoxide or tetrahydrofuran gave cycloheptatriene and cis - 8,11 - dioxabicyclo[5.4.0]undec - 2 - ene 18 as the major products together with small amounts of the trans-isomer 17,8,11-dioxabicyclo[5.4.0]undec - 1(7) - ene 14, 8,11 - dioxabicyclo[5.4.0] - undec - 1 - ene 19, cyclohept - 2 - enone ethylene ketal 15, cyclohept - 3 - enone ethylene ketal 16, and 1- and 2 - t - butoxycyclohepta - 1,3 - diene 20. Similar reactions of 3 - bromo - and 3 - chloro - 4 - (2 - hydroxyethoxy)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct - 2 - ene 4 and 5 gave 4,7 - dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^3,8]dodeca - 2 - ene 26 as the major product together with small amounts of 3,6 - dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca - 2(7) - ene 27 and bicyclo[3.2.1]oct - 3 - ene - 2 - one ethylene ketal 28. Mechanisms for these transformations are discussed.     

Total,asymmetric synthesis of ethyl d-ido-4-heptulosuronate derivatives starting from diethyl 4-oxopimelate

Bromination of diethyl 4-oxopimelate, followed by double elimination of HBr and ketalization provided diethyl (E,E)-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)hepta-2,5-dienedioate 4. Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 4 produced diethyl (2S,3S)-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)-2,3-dihydroxyhept-5-enedioate (+)-5, with 78% e.e. The corresponding tetrol could not be obtained in one step. Silylation of (+)-5 and a second asymmetric dihydroxylation, followed by silylation led to 20% of meso-diester 9 and 60% of diethyl (2S,3S,5S,6S)-2,3,5,6-tetrakis[(t-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)heptanedioate (−)-10. Reductive desymmetrization of (−)-10 with DIBAL-H furnished, after selective oxidation, ethyl (2S,3S,5S,6S)-2,3,5,6-tetrakis-[(t-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-4,4-(ethylidenedioxy)-7-oxoheptanoate (+)-13 which was then converted into ethyl 1,2,3,6-O-tetraacetyl-4,4-ethylidenedioxy-α- and β-d-ido-heptapyranuronate (−)-15α,β and into the corresponding 3-(α-d-pyranosyl)propene (−)-16.     

Novel preparation of N′-arylthiocarbamoyl-N,N-dialkylamidines and their synthetic utilities

Treatment of 5-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-5H-1,2,3-dithiazoles (2) with NaOH in aqueous EtOH at room temperature gave N′-arylthiocarbamoyl-N,N-dialkylamidines (3) in good to excellent yields. The reaction of 3 with sulfur monochloride, thiophosgene, thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride, N-phenylimidoyl dichloride, and phthaloyl chloride in CH₂Cl₂ gave 2, 5-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-Δ³-thiazoline-2-thiones (5), 5-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-5H-2-oxo-1,2,3-dithiazoles (6), 5-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-5H-2,2-dioxo-1,2,3-dithiazoles (7), 5-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-2-(phenylimino)-Δ³-thiazolines (8), and 3-(arylimino)-4-(dialkylamino)-2,5-benzothiazocine-1,6-diones (10) as major products, respectively.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy- and 3-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid

Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (S)-2 was obtained by the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 3-phenyl-3-oxopropionate 1 with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9080). The kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propionate rac-3 with the same microorganism, gave after hydrolysis ethyl (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionates (R)-2 and (S)-2 which were converted by a straightforward series of reactions to the enantiomers of 3-amino-3-phenyl-propionic acids (S)-6 and (R)-6. The asymmetric reduction and hydrolytic kinetic resolution were also tested with several other whole cell systems under a variety of conditions.