A study of 1,5-hydrogen shift and cyclization reactions of an alkali isomerized methyl linolenoate

Heating a mixture formed by alkali isomerization of methyl linolenoate (1) produces a complex mixture with the bicyclic hexahydroindenoic esters 4β-(7-methoxycarbonylheptyl)-5α-methyl-2,3,3aα,4,5,7aαhexahydroindene (CL5) and 4β-ethyl-5α-(6-methoxycarbonylhexyl)-2,3,3aα,4,5,7aα-hexahydroindene (CL6) as main components. Similar isomerization reactions of three synthetic model compounds, methyl 9Z,13E,15Z-octadecatrienoate (2), 9Z,14E,16E-octadecatrienoate (4) and 9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoate (5) corroborated the results obtained with alkali isomerized methyl linolenoate.     

Preparation of 15-membered unsaturated N-H containing azamacrocycles and their differential coordination with Pd(0) and Pd(II)

The use of 2-(trimethylsilylethyl)sulfonamide (SES-NH₂) has permitted the selective and efficient synthesis of new triolefinic 15-membered azamacrocycles 3. Differential coordination mode with palladium has been observed when macrocycle 3aab [(E,E,E)-1,6-bis(p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3,8,13-triene] was treated with a palladium(0) or a palladium(II) source.     

Ipertrofan Revisited—The Proposal of the Complete Stereochemistry of Mepartricin A and B

Being a methyl ester of partricin, the mepartricin complex is the active substance of a drug called Ipertrofan (Tricandil), which was proven to be useful in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Nevertheless, no direct structural evidence on the stereochemistry of its components has been presented to date. In this contribution, we have conducted detailed, NMR-driven stereochemical studies on mepartricins A and B, aided by molecular dynamics simulations. The absolute configuration of all the stereogenic centers of mepartricin A and B was defined as 3R, 7R, 9R, 11S, 13S, 15R, 17S, 18R, 19S, 21R, 36S, 37R, and 38S, and proposed as 41R. The geometry of the heptaenic chromophore of both compounds has been established as 22E, 24E, 26E, 28Z, 30Z, 32E, and 34E. Our studies on mepartricin ultimately proved that partricins A and B are structurally identical to the previously described main components of the aureofacin complex: gedamycin and vacidin, respectively. The knowledge of the stereochemistry of this drug is a fundamental matter not only in terms of studies on its molecular mode of action, but also for potential derivatization, aiming at improvement of its pharmacological properties.     

Insight into the pathway for biosynthesis of sesquarterpenes in nonpathogenic Mycobacterium species: identification of heptaprenylcycli-14E,18E-diene

A new sesquarterpene, heptaprenylcycli-14E,18E-diene, was isolated from Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum cells grown up to the stationary phase. The absence of heptaprenylcycli-14Z,18E-diene indicates that only (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate may be utilized as an intermediate of sesquarterpene biosynthesis in the stationary phase, in contrast with the logarithmic growth phase in which both (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate and (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate are used. Further, our findings suggest that the stepwise reduction of the polyprenyl group in sesquarterpene biosynthesis might proceed in a different order from that in chlorophyll biosynthesis.     

Organometallic chemistry of 15-membered tri-olefinic macrocycles: catalysis by palladium(0) complexes in carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions

15-Membered macrocycles (E,E,E)-1,6,11-tris(arenesulfonyl)-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3,8,13-trienes (1) are prepared from arenesulfonamides and trans-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. Macrocycles 1 coordinate palladium(0), platinum(0), and silver(I). The palladium complexes are useful and reutilizable catalysts or precatalysts in Suzuki cross-couplings, butadiene telomerizations, hydroarylation of alkynes, and in the Heck reaction. Structurally related macrocycles are also available by similar synthetic procedures.     

Stereospecific preparation of (1E,3E,5E)-3.4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene and (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate

Palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of β-bromostyrene (E/Z = 89/11) with (E)-(1,2-difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 1, in DMF at room temperature stereospecifically gave only (1E,3E,5E)-3,4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Similarly, palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate as the vinyl halide precursor stereospecifically gave (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate. This work demonstrates that a non-fluorine-containing vinyl bromide will selectively undergo coupling with 1 and enable the stereospecific preparation of a mixed polyene system. The (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate coupling with 1 illustrates that mixed functionalized hexatriene systems can be easily accessed via this methodology. The X-ray structure of (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate confirmed its structure.     

Synthesis of 2E,4E,6E,11Z-octadecatetraenoic acid of the Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae Nod factor

2E,4E,6E,11Z-Octadecatetraenoic acid was synthesized in a good yield and in a stereospecific manner by coupling a vinylborane compound and ethyl trans-3-iodoacrylate. The trienic system (E,E,E) was obtained by successive use of metal-catalyzed coupling and hydro-metallation reactions.     

Total syntheses of four possible stereoisomers of resolvin E3

Resolvin E3, 17,18-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E,15E-eicosapentaenoic acid, is a potent anti-inflammatory lipid mediator. To determine the stereochemistries of the C17- and C18-hydroxy groups of resolvin E3 and to supply a sufficient amount of material for future biological studies, we developed a highly convergent and practical route to its four possible stereoisomers. The key reactions employed here were the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons coupling, the two copper(I)-mediated reactions between the alkynes and the propargyl tosylates, and the simultaneous reduction of the three triple bonds to the three Z-olefins.     

Photochemistry of 3,6-bis(styryl)pyridazines in solution and in neat liquid crystalline phase—optical switching and imaging techniques

3,6-Bis(styryl)pyridazines 1a-f with 2-6 alkoxy groups show on irradiation in solution a stereoisomerization which leads to a photostationary state of (E,E)- and (E,Z)-isomer. Sensitizing and quenching experiments reveal that the (E,E)→(E,Z) route is a pure triplet process, whereas the (E,Z)→(E,E) route can have a minor singlet by-reaction.Hexyloxy or dodecyloxy chains on the terminal benzene rings convey the (E,E)-isomers of compounds 1a,b,d-f thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. In particular S_A, S_C, and S_F/I phases were studied with regard to their photochemical behavior. Depending on the system, photodegradation of the smectic phase to the isotropic melt (S→I) or photoinduction of the smectic phase (I→S) can be achieved by alteration of the (E,E)/(E,Z) ratio. These processes represent the basis for imaging techniques (writing and erasing of information).     

Domino pericyclic reactions of acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes

Acyclic conjugated (E,Z,E,E)-tetraenes, upon thermolysis, undergo a domino pericyclic process involving 6π electrocyclisation of the (E,Z,E)-triene moiety to give the corresponding cis-disubstituted 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadienes, followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction with the vinyl side chain to give tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]oct-3-enes.     

Cross metathesis of β-carotene with electron-deficient dienes. A direct route to retinoids

Cross metathesis (CM) reactions of β-carotene and alkenes occur regioselectively in the presence of the Hoveyda second generation catalyst. Scission of the C15-C15′ and C11-C12 bonds of β-carotene in all CM reactions predominates. The reaction with ethyl (2E,4E/Z)-3-methylhexa-2,4-dienoate is both regio- and diastereoselective, and affords ethyl all-trans-retinoate as the major product, if suitable CM conditions are applied.     

Synthesis and protein reactivity of 2E,4E,6E-dodecatrienal

An efficient approach for synthesis of the food odorant 2E,4E,6E-dodecatrienal (DTE) by extension of 2E,4E-decadienal (DDE) is reported. DTE shows higher protein crosslinking ability than the lipid peroxidation products DDE and 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal.     

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.     

Synthesis and structure of a chiral dinuclear palladium(0) complex with a 30-membered hexaolefinic macrocyclic ligand

Selective and efficient preparation of a new chiral dipalladium(0) complex with an olefinic macrocyclic ligand named (E,E,E,E,E,E)-1,6,11,16,21,26-hexakis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,6,11,16,21,26-hexaazacyclotriaconta-3,8,13,18,23,28-hexaenedipalladium(0) (5) is reported. Dinuclear palladium(0) complex 5 has been fully characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Stereoselective synthesis of insect sex pheromone analogs having a fluorine atom on their double bonds

Insect sex pheromone analogs having a fluorine atom on their double bonds, (9E,11E)-1-acetoxy-9-fluorotetradecadiene, (10E,12E)-13-fluorohexadecadien-1-ol, (9Z,11E)-1-acetoxy-9-fluorotetradecadiene, (10E,12Z)-13-fluorohexadecadien-1-ol were stereoselectively synthesized using cross-coupling reactions of alkenylboranes with (E)- or (Z)-2-fluoro-1-iodo-1-alkenes, stereoselectively prepared from 1-alkynes by our currently developed methods.     

(E)-Selective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-α,β-unsaturated nitriles by the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

From stereoisomeric α,β-unsaturated nitriles (E,Z)-1, the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolyses the (E)-isomers exclusively to the corresponding (E)-carboxylic acids (E)-2 with high specificity. The (E)-selectivity can also be utilised for the preparation of the isomerically pure nitriles (Z)-1. From (E,Z)-2-hydroxycinnamonitrile (E,Z)-3, the otherwise difficult obtainable (Z)-3 was prepared in 66% isolated yield. With β,γ-unsaturated (E,Z)-3-heptenenitrile (E,Z)-4, however, (E)-selectivity was not observed. AtNIT1 exhibits not only diastereoselectivity but also regioselectivity. From a mixture of the four isomers A–D of 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenenitrile 6, exclusively isomer D ((E)-cis-6) was hydrolysed to 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenoic acid (E)-cis-7, as stated by X-ray crystal structure. Only after complete conversion of D and high enzyme concentrations, isomer C ((E)-trans-6) was hydrolysed to a small extent.     

Preparation of (2E,4E)-2-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-4-chlorophenyl)penta-2,4-dienal as a key intermediate in the synthesis of strobilurin B

(2E,4E)-2-(2-Benzyloxyethyl)-5-(4-chloro-3-methoxyphenyl)penta-2,4-dienal was obtained by the condensation of 4-benzyloxybutanal N-tert-butylimine with 4-chloro-3-methoxycinnamic aldehyde with ≥98% configurational purity and 40% yield. When 4-benzyloxy-2-triethylsilylbutanal imine was used, a 7: 3 mixture of the target (2E,4E)-dienal with its (2Z,4E)-isomer was obtained in 60% yield; the latter quantitatively isomerized to the thermodynamically preferable target (2E,4E)-dienal.     

Synthesis of the trichloroacetamide derivative of enantio-iso-ADDA methyl ester

The divergent syntheses of the trichloroacetamide derivatives of (2S,3R,8R,9R,4E,6E)-3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyl-decadenoic acid (enantio-iso-ADDA), and (2R,3R,8R,9R,4E,6E)-3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyl-decadenoic acid (enantio-ADDA), have been achieved. Our approach takes advantage of highly efficient non-aldol aldol, palladium catalysed aza-Claisen and cross-metathesis methodologies.     

RuO4-mediated oxidative polycyclization of linear polyenes. A new approach to the synthesis of the bis-THF diol core of antitumour cis-cis adjacent bis-THF annonaceous acetogenins

The RuO₄-catalyzed oxidative polycyclization of some selected linear polyenes, possessing a repetitive 1,5-diene structural motif, has been investigated. The all-trans triene (E,E,E)-acetic acid henicosa-2,6,10-trienyl ester gave the expected bis-tetrahydrofuranyl diol product possessing a threo-cis-threo-cis-threo relative configuration, along with a mixture of the corresponding bis-THF ketols. These compounds can be seen as useful intermediates in the synthesis of the bis-THF diol core of adjacent bis-THF antitumour acetogenins possessing a threo-cis-threo-cis-erythro relative configuration, such as rolliniastatiin-1, membranacin, rollimembrin and membrarollin. Oxidation of the related all-trans tetraene (E,E,E,E)-acetic acid pentacosa-2,6,10,14-tetraenyl ester stops at the second cyclization step giving a mixture of a threo-cis-threo-cis-threo bis-THF diol and the corresponding ketol products. Oxidation of the triene (E,Z,E)-acetic acid 12-acetoxy-dodeca-2,6,10-trienyl ester stops at the monocyclization level failing to give bis-cyclized products, as previously observed for the related isoprenoid triene (E,Z)-farnesyl acetate. This result confirms the difficulty of closing a second THF ring when the central double bond of the triene possesses a cis configuration. Based on the collected results, a plausible model is proposed that both explains the observed cis/trans stereoselectivity for each ring-closing step in these processes, and rationalize the stereochemical course of the previously studied polycyclization of the isoprenoid polyenes (E,E)-farnesyl acetate, geranylgeranyl acetate and squalene.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.