The michael induced ramberg-bäcklund homologation to conjugated isoprenoids

Treatment of the sulfones 1 or 2 with sodium phenylsulfinate in DMSO affords the head-to-tail coupled conjugated monoterpenoids 5–8 in comparable amounts. The corresponding reaction of 3 gives the isomers 16 and 17. The tail-to-tail homologation of 4 furnishes chiefly a 2E,4E/Z-mixture of the conjugated isoprenoids 18 and 19. The various isoprenoid mixtures are separated into their components and the configuration of the isomers is established by ¹H NMR double resonance and the NMR/NOE technique. The head-to-tail and tail-to-tail coupled isoprenoid mixtures 5–8 and 18–21, respectively, are isomerized to 2E/Z, 4E-mixtures in a 2:1 ratio. The C₁₅-sulfones 11 and 13 are obtained by treatment of 1 with the head-functionalized isoprene synthon 10. Some speculations on the stereochemical course of the MIRB-homologation are presented.     

Acyclic stereocontrol in the addition of γ-alkylthio-allylboronates to aldehydes

The Z-isomer 10 of the γ-alkylthio-allylboronates adds to aldehydes giving the syn diastereomer 4 of the product homoallyl-alcohol. The E-isomer 12 leads in turn to the anti-diastereomer 5 with a high degree of acyclic stereocontrol. Kinetic diastereoselection can be applied to obtain the anti-diastereomer 5 even when using E/Z-mixtures of the γ-alkylthio-allylboronates.     

Isoprene functionalisation : Chlorination of C10-isoprenoid sulfones with hexachloro-ethane

Lithiation of the sulfones 1–3 in THF at ?78° with lithium diisopropyl amide (LDA) is regioselective, since deuteration of the α-lithiosulfone 4 results in formation of the α-monodeuteriated sulfone 7. Higher temperature causes an intramolecular 1,4-addition of the lithiated sulfone 4 to the lithiated cyclic sulfone 19 and an intermolecular 1,4-addition of the lithiated sulfones 5 and 6. The cyclisation of Z-sulfone 1 has been used for the isolation of the isomeric E-sulfone 2 from mixtures of 1 and 2. The lithiated sulfones 4–6 are chlorinated with hexachloroethane (HCE). Due to acid/base reactions the α,α-dichlorinated cyclic sulfone 23 and α,α'-dichlorinated butadienyl sulfones 13–15 are formed in small amounts.     

Configurational inversion and hexachloroethane chlorination of α-sulfonylcarbanions

The cis fused bicyclic sulfones 1a, 1c and 3a are lithiated in benzene with n-butyllithium under concomitant cis/trans isomerization of the ring fusion, involving intramolecular proton transfer. H/D exchange of the three α-hydrogens in protic solvents proceeds with retention of configuration. The lithiated sulfones are chlorinated with hexachloroethane (HCE) and show a strong preference for introduction of halogen at an equatorial α-position.     

Configurational assignments of oximes derived from 5-formyl and 5-acyl-1,2,4-triazines

The configuration of (3-substituted)-1,2,4-triazin-5-ylcarbaldoximes and (3-substituted)alkyl-1,2,4-triazin-5-ylketoximes was determined by means of ¹H-nmr, ¹³C-nmr, ¹⁵N-nmr and homonuclear NOE-difference spec-troscopy. Oximes resulting from reaction of 1,2,4-triazines with nitroalkanes were found to be either pure E-isomers or E/Z-mixtures with the amount of E-isomer greatly predominating. Detailed ¹³C-nmr data of the oximes investigated are presented.     

A facile stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylation of acetylenic sulfones 1 in benzene at room temperature gives highly regio- and stereoselectively (E)-α-stannylvinyl sulfones 2 in high yields. (E)-α-Stannylvinyl sulfones 2 are new difunctional group reagents which undergo Stille coupling reactions with acyl chlorides 3 to afford stereoselectively (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 in good yields. A one-pot stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-α-arylsulfonyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones 4 has also been achieved by tandem hydrostannylation-Stille coupling reaction of acetylenic sulfones 1 under mild conditions.     

Simple syntheses of isomers of muconaldehyde and 2-methylmuconaldehyde

Periodate oxidation of cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol (3a) affords (Z,Z)-muconaldehyde (2b), which can be readily converted (thermolysis and triethylamine catalysis, respectively) into its (E,Z)- (2c) and (E,E)-isomer (2a). Similarly, cis-1,2-dihydro-3-methylcatechol (3b) gives(Z,Z)-2-methylmuconaldehyde (2d) and thence (E,E)-2-methylmuconaldehyde (2c).     

A facile stereoselective synthesis of 1,3-dienyl sulfones via Stille coupling reactions of (E)-α-stannylvinyl sulfones with alkenyl iodides

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylation of acetylenic sulfones 1 in benzene at room temperature gives stereoselectively (E)-α-stannylvinyl sulfones 2 in good yields. (E)-α-Stannylvinyl sulfones 2 are new difunctional group reagents which undergo Stille coupling reactions with alkenyl iodides 3 to afford stereoselectively 1,3-dienyl sulfones 4 in high yields.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of the active enantiomer of the anorressant 2-benzylmorpholine

Baker's yeast reduction of (Z)-α-bromocinnamaldehyde 1 in the presence of absorbing resins allows the easy preparation of the corresponding saturated bromo-alcohol 2 in high yields and enantiomeric excess. The absolute configuration is assigned through conversion into the (R)-phenyl oxirane 3 and 1-phenyl-2-propanol 4 of (S) absolute configuration. The (R)-epoxide is transformed into 6, the pharmacologically active enantiomer of the appetite suppressant 2-benzylmorpholine, to which the (R) configuration is assigned.     

Deconvolution of E/Z tetrahydroisoquinoline amide rotamers and conformers from a marine-derived Streptomyces strain

A collaborative program to discover new specialized metabolites from aquatic environments of Iceland led to the deconvolution of tetrahydroisoquinoline amide E/Z rotamers [(E/Z)-N-acetyl-MY336-a; 1] and conformers produced by a Streptomyces sp. All structures were elucidated by NMR and MS analysis, and interpretation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. ECD and optical rotation (OR) simulations permitted the unequivocal assignment of the absolute configuration of compound 1 and provided an important example of delineating the spectroscopic contributions of equilibrating rotamers and boat/chair conformers of a common natural product scaffold.     

Highly diastereoselective alkylation,acylation and aldol condensation of cis- and trans-(N-acyloyl)hexahydrobenzoxazolidin-2-ones

The potential of hexahydrobenzoxazolidinones 1a–d as chiral auxiliaries was explored. N-Acylation of 1a–d, 2a–d and 3a–d was followed by methylation and benzylation via the corresponding sodium enolates generated by treatment with NaHMDS. Diastereoselectivities of 98% or higher were observed. The absolute configuration of the newly created stereogenic center was established by chemical correlation with 2-benzyl-1-propanol. The stereochemical results are congruent with addition to the electrophile from the less hindered face of a (Z)-configured enolate, the sodium cation being coordinated by both carbonyl oxygens of the substrate. cis- and trans-N-Propionyl derivatives 2a–d were treated with Bu₂BOTf/Et₃N to give dialkylboron enolates 6a–d, which were then reacted with acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde. ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses showed the formation of a single diastereomeric aldol addition product, whose relative configuration was ascertained as syn from the measurement of the ³J_{H(2′)/H(3′)} coupling constants, and whose absolute configuration was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The results are rationalized in terms of a Zimmerman–Traxler transition state, with a (Z)-configured enolate where boron is coordinated to the aldehyde carbonyl rather than the oxazolidinone carbonyl. Substrate 2a was also reacted with acyl chlorides via the sodium enolate (NaHMDS). The effect of reaction conditions on O- versus C-acylation, as well as the influence of solvent and additives on diastereoselectivity, are discussed.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of (Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus.     

Photochemistry of dienones—X: Photochemistry of (e)-β-ionone oxime ethyl ether

(E)-β-ionone oximc ethyl ether [(E, E)-4] upon direct irradiation with λ either254or 313 nm yields the geometrical isomer (E, Z)-4 and (Z)-retro-γ-ionone oxime ethyl ether (Z,E)-5 as the sole primary products, illustrating (E)-(Z) isomerization (φ₃₁₃ =0.49) and a 1, 5-hydrogen shift (φ313 =0.15) respectively. From studies with triplet photosensitizers and with ethyl iodide (to enhance the singlet-triplet intersystem crossing) it is concluded that these two products in the direct irradiation result only from the singlet excited state, and that the inter-system crossing quantum yield is relatively low. Upon prolonged irradiation of (E,E)-4 with λ 313 nm the eventual products are (Z,E)-5 and (Z,Z)-5, whereas with λ 254 nm they are (E,E)-5 and [(Z,E)-5 and/or (E,Z)-5]. Upon triplet photosensitization (E,E)-4 undergoes only (E)-(Z) isomerization, leading to a mixture of all the four geometrical isomers of4. From the dependence of the geometrical isomer distribution in the photostationary state on the triplet energy of the sensitizer the triplet energies of (E,E)-4, (E, Z)-4, (Z, E)-4, and (Z, Z)-4 have been determined to be ca 55, < 55,57, and 57 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$ respectively.     

A novel method for (Z)-stereoselective preparation of CF3-substituted enediynes and their coupling reactions

Trifluoromethylated enynyl sulfones 3 were reacted with 2-4 equiv of phenyl, n-hexyl, trimethylsilyl, or triisopropylsilyl substituted ethynyllithium reagents in THF or ether at 0 °C to give trifluoromethylated enediynes 6 (Z)-stereoselectively in 41-96% yields. The reactions of β-fluoro-β-trifluoromethylvinyl sulfone 5 with same ethynyllithium reagents (4 equiv) afforded the corresponding enediynes 6 in 41-90% yields. The cross-coupling reactions of 6 bearing TMS group with aryl iodides in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂, Ag₂CO₃, and n-Bu₄NBr provided the corresponding enediynes 6 in 20-71% yields. Dimerization of (Z)-6 bearing TMS group in the presence of CuBr₂ and K₂CO₃ yielded dimer (Z,Z)-7 in good yield.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes via (Z)-2-fluoroalkenyliodonium salts

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes is described. (Z)-2-Fluoro-1-alkenyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (1) were synthesized stereoselectively in good yields by Michael-type addition of HF to 1-alkynyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (2) with a commercially available HF reagent, hydrofluoric acid or Et₃N-3HF. Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using 1 gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives in moderate yields. The treatment of 1 with KI in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuI gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-iodo-1-alkenes (3). Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 3 gave better results than that of 1, and a variety of (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives were synthesized in good yields.     

Carbon-carbon double bond in pillar[5]arene cavity: Selective binding of cis/trans-olefin isomers

The binding behavior of pillar[5]arenes (P5As) towards a series of olefin guests ((E)-1,4-dichlorobut-2-ene (1E), (Z)-1,4-dichlorobut-2-ene (1Z), (E)-but-2-ene-1,4-diol (2E), and (Z)-but-2-ene-1,4-diol (2Z), as well as an alkyne derivative 1,4-dichlorobut-2-yne (3)) have been studied in organic solution. P5As exhibit considerable selectivities for the trans-olefin isomers (1E and 2E) over their cis-isomers (1Z and 2Z). The cis/trans-selective interactions hold the potential of utilizing P5As to separate olefin isomers.     

One-pot preparation of Julia-Kocienski sulfides and sulfones from alcohols

A method for one-pot preparation of Julia-Kocienski sulfides and sulfones from alcohols and thiols is reported. A variety of primary alcohols were converted to the corresponding mesylates by methansulfonyl chloride and triethylamine in THF. After the reaction is complete, thiol (1 or 10) and either NaH or t-BuOK were added. The Julia-Kocienski sulfides 3, 9 and 11 were prepared by one-pot two steps procedure from alcohols in 76–96% yields (16 examples). Furthermore, after the sulfide formation, the reaction mixture was neutralized by p-toluenesulfonic acid and treated with H₂O₂ and ammonium molybdate in EtOH to give the Julia-Kocienski sulfones 4 in good yields except for trans-2-hexen-1-ol.     

Photochemistry of β, γ-unsaturated ketones-V: The direct irradiation of some γ-phenyl β, γ-enones

The photochemistry of some members of the two series of γ-phenyl substituted acyclic β, γ-unsaturated ketones 1 and 2 upon direct irradiation with γ 310nm has been investigated, viz 1c–1h and 2b+2c.The alkyl substituted (E)-5-phenyl-4-penten-2-ones 1c–1h yield the corresponding 1,3-acyl shift products and (Z)-isomers, and 1g and 1h in addition two decarbonylated products. 2b only yields the (Z)-isomer and some benzaldehyde, but 2c yields the 1,3-acyl shift product, the ODPM product, three hydrocarbons formed by disproportionation of the allyl radical, and some benzaldehyde. The β-phenyl β, γ-UK 3a proved to be photostable. The 1,3-acyl shift products of 1c–1h result mainly from the singlet excited state in a cage radical process. The exclusive formation of the (E)-configuration of the 1,3-acyl shift product is explained in terms of conformational preference of the intermediate allyl radical. It is proposed that the formation of the (Z)-isomer proceeds from ¹T(π -π^*) which is populated according to

. Evidence is presented which supports the proposed mechanism.The β,γ-UK 2b containing a benzoyl moiety leads to a higher degree of (E)-(Z) isomerization than the corresponding 1d which has an acetyl moiety.The triplet energies of (E)- and (Z)-1h are 56 and ca 70 kcal/mol respectively.     

The configuration and conformation of isogermacrone. The significance of crossed conformations in olefinic cyclisations

The 9,10-double bond of isogermacrone was assigned the Z configuration based on¹HNMR nOe measurements and the ¹³CNMR shifts of the methyl groups. An X-ray crystal structure determination verified this conclusion and the structure of isogermacrone was shown to be (2Z, 7E)-3,7-dimethyl-10(1-methylethyl-idene)-2,7-cyclodecadien-1-one (1). The molecule crystallised in an anti conformation, which according to ¹HNMR is the predominant conformation in solution at room temperature.¹H NMR spectroscopy revealed the presence of syn and anti conformers in the ratio 1:2 at about -60°. The stereochemistry of the base-induced formation of isogermacrone 1 from germacrone 2 and that of the transannular cyclisation of isogermacrone are discussed.     

Skipped diynes—VII : Stereospecific thermal isomerization of a tetraethynyldimethylenecyclobutane

1,1-Bis(t-butylethynyl)-3-t-butylchloroallene (1) dimerizes stereospecifically at ca 25° to give Z - 1 - (t - butylchloromethylene) - 2- bis(t - butylethynylmethylene) - 3 - t - butyl - 3 - chloro - 4,4 -bis(t - butylethynyl)cyclob Z-I in the solvent bis(2 - ethoxyethyl) ether. Rate data for 100° are k = 111 × 10^?6 sec^?1, ΔH^≠ = 30·8 ± 1 kcal/mole and ΔS^≠ = 15 ± 3 eu. It is proposed that the dimerization of 1 produces a bisallyl diradical in an orthogonal conformation from which conrotatory paths lead to Z-I or trans-II. The observations on this system are used to construct a useful, if simplistic, approach to rationalize or predict product distributions in reactions such as allene dimerizations, 1, 2 - dimethylenecyclobutane rearrangements, etc, which proceed through the bisallyl diradical. On the graph which connects all of the species (or on the energy surface which contains all of the species) the first products should be those which are one allowed reaction step away from a given diradical. Applications and exceptions to this concept of favored kinetic control are discussed.