Enantioselective total syntheses of several bioactive natural products based on the development of practical asymmetric catalysis

I present herewith enantioselective total syntheses of several bioactive natural products, such as (-)-strychnine, (+)-decursin, (-)-cryptocaryolone diacetate, (-)-fluoxetine, and aeruginosin 298-A, based on practical asymmetric catalyses (Michael reaction, epoxidation, and phase-transfer reaction) that I developed with co-workers in Prof. Shibasaki's group over the past 5 years. In the first part of this review, I discuss the great improvement of catalyst efficiency in an ALB-catalyzed asymmetric Michael reaction of malonate and application to the pre-manufacturing scale (greater than kilogram scale) and enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-strychnine with the development of novel domino cyclization. To broaden the substrate generality of the Michael reaction, we developed a highly stable, storable, and reusable La-O-linked-BINOL complex. Further extension of the reaction using beta-keto ester as a Michael donor was achieved with the development of a La-NR-linked-BINOL complex, thereby improving indole alkaloid syntheses. In the second section, I discuss enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-decursin using catalytic asymmetric epoxidation. To achieve the synthesis, we developed a new La-BINOL-Ph(3)As = O (1:1:1) complex catalyst system, which has much higher reactivity and broader substrate generality than the previously developed catalyst systems. This allowed us to achieve catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives with high enantioselectivity and broad substrate generality for the first time by changing the lanthanide metal and reaction conditions. Among them, catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated morpholinyl amides is quite useful in terms of synthetic utility of the corresponding alpha,beta-epoxy morpholinyl amides. Highly catalyst-controlled enantio- or diastereoselective epoxidation of the alpha,beta-unsaturated morpholinyl amides, coupled with diastereoselective reduction of beta-hydroxy ketones, enabled the synthesis of all possible stereoisomers of 1,3-polyol arrays with successful enantioselective total synthesis of several 1,3-polyol natural products, such as (-)-cryptocaryolone diacetate. In addition, the development of a new regioselective epoxide-opening reaction of alpha,beta-epoxy amides to the corresponding alpha- and beta-hydroxy amides enhanced the usefulness of the present epoxidation and was applied to the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-fluoxetine. In the final section, I report the development of a new asymmetric two-center organocatalyst (TaDiAS) and its application to the enantioselective synthesis of aeruginosin 298-A and its analogues. Because of the remarkable structural diversity of TaDiAS, a practical asymmetric phase-transfer reaction with broad substrate generality was achieved. As a result, we succeeded in developing a highly versatile synthetic method for aeruginosin 298-A and its analogues. Inhibitory activity studies of the compounds against the serine protease trypsin provided preliminary information about their structure-activity relations.     

Enantioselective syntheses of bioactive epoxyquinone natural products (+)-harveynone and (−)-asperpentyn

Stereo- and enantioselective syntheses of (+)-harveynone and (−)-asperpentyn are reported.     

Concise total syntheses of the bioactive mesotricyclic diterpenoids jatrophatrione and citlalitrione

The highly functionalized [5.9.5] tricyclic framework resident in jatrophatrione (1) and citlalitrione (2) has been synthesized. The route begins with the tandem anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement/methylation/transannular ene cyclization of 21 and subsequent introduction of a conjugated enone double bond. Hydroxyl-directed 1,4-reduction of this functionality in 25 with LiAlH(4)/CuI/hexamethylphosphoramide/tetrahydrofuran sets the stage for the implementation of a Grob fragmentation and expedited generation of 27. Stereocontrolled intramolecular hydrosilylation allows for the subsequent introduction of a cyclic carbonate as in 53. This intermediate undergoes remarkably efficient, fully regiocontrolled Treibs reaction to generate 54, with this maneuver serving as a pivotal step for making 1 available five steps later. Treatment of 1 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid leads to 2, with attack occurring preferentially on a alpha-face of the double bond more remote to the carbonyl.     

Novel μ2-oxo-bridged dinuclear aryltelluronic triorganotin(IV) esters: syntheses,structural characterizations,and in vitro cytotoxicity

Four new μ₂-oxo-bridged dinuclear aryltelluronic triorganotin esters [ArTe(μ-O)(OH)(OSnR₃)₂]₂ (Ar?=?n-propyl-Ph, R?=?Me: 1, R?=?Ph: 2; Ar?=?i-propyl-Ph, R?=?Me: 3, R?=?Ph: 4) were synthesized by reaction of μ₂-oxo-bridged dinuclear aryltelluronic acids and the corresponding R₃SnCl (R?=?Me, Ph) with potassium hydroxide in methanol. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, FT-IR, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy. The structural analysis indicates that these complexes are isostructural and crystallized as Sn₄Te₂ molecules, in which the asymmetric four-membered Te₂(μ₂-O)₂ units are situated in the center. The geometry of tellurium is described as a distorted octahedron and each tin is described as a distorted tetrahedron. Complex 2 has a 2-D network structure connected by intermolecular C–H?π interactions. Complexes 1–4 were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells (A549) and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2).     

Efficient syntheses of 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (cladribine) from 2'-deoxyguanosine(1)

We report efficient syntheses of the clinical agent cladribine (2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine, CldAdo), which is the drug of choice against hairy-cell leukemia and other neoplasms, from 2'-deoxyguanosine. Treatment of 3',5'-di-O-acetyl- or benzoyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (1) with 2,4,6-triisopropyl- or 4-methylbenzenesulfonyl chloride gave high yields of the 6-O-arylsulfonyl derivatives 2 or 2'b. Deoxychlorination at C6 of 1 also proceeded to give the 2-amino-6-chloropurine derivative 5 in excellent yields. The nonaqueous diazotization/chloro dediazoniation (acetyl chloride/benzyltriethylammonium nitrite) of 2, 2'b, and 5 gave the 2-chloropurine derivatives 3, 3'b, and 6, respectively. The selective ammonolysis at C6 (arylsulfonate with 3 or chloride with 6) and accompanying deprotection of the sugar moiety gave CldAdo (64-75% overall yield from 1).     

Novel total syntheses of (±)-oxerine by intramolecular Heck reaction

Both a three-step and a five-step syntheses of monoterpene alkaloid (±)-oxerine from alcohol 6 have been accomplished. In the second approach, the synthetic efficiency was enhanced by implementing a one-pot protocol (deprotonation/silylation/ alkylation/desilylation). The construction of the cyclopenta[c]pyridine framework was realized by an intramolecular Heck reaction, which should be adaptable for the synthesis of other related monoterpene pyridine alkaloids.     

Chemoenzymatic total syntheses of the linear triquinane-type natural products (+)-hirsutic acid and (−)-complicatic acid from toluene

Total syntheses of title natural products, 1 and 2, have been achieved using the cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 7 as starting material. Compound 7 is readily obtained in large quantity and enantiomerically pure form through the whole-cell biotransformation of toluene using the genetically engineered micro-organism Escherichia coli JM109 (pDTG601) that over-expresses the enzyme toluene dioxygenase (TDO). Three key chemical steps were employed in these syntheses, the first of which was a high-pressure-promoted Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between diene 8 and cyclopentenone to give adduct 9. The second key step was the photochemically promoted oxa-di-π-methane rearrangement of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone derivative, 18, of 9 to give 20 while the third key step was the reductive cleavage of the last compound so as to afford the linear triquinane 22. Elaboration of compound 22 to targets 1 and 2 followed conventional and/or established procedures. Single-crystal X-ray analyses were carried out on compounds 10-13, 15, 18, 24, and 34.     

The rearrangement of 2,3-epoxysulfonates and its application to natural products syntheses: formal synthesis of (-)-aphanorphine and total syntheses of (-)-alpha-herbertenol and (-)-herbertenediol

The Lewis acid treatment of 2,3-epoxysulfonates with 2,3-dialkyl substituents or 2-alkyl-3-aryl substituents produced the rearrangement products via C3-cleavage of the oxirane ring in high yields. On the other hand, 2-aryl-3-alkyl-2,3-epoxysulfonates produced the products via C2-cleavage of the oxirane ring. The sulfonyloxy groups of the alpha-sulfonyloxy ketones, having a chiral benzylic quaternary carbon center obtained by the rearrangement of 2-alkyl-3-aryl-2,3-epoxysulfonates, were reductively eliminated to give the ketones with a chiral benzylic quaternary carbon center. The method was applied to the formal synthesis of (-)-aphanorphine and total syntheses of (-)-alpha-herbertenol and (-)-herbertenediol.     

A noncarbohydrate based approach to polyhydroxylated pyrrolidizines: total syntheses of the natural products hyacinthacine A1 and 1-epiaustraline

[reaction: see text] A flexible route to polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloids is described, starting from commercially available N-Boc pyrrole and using a partial reduction as the key step. Tactics for varying the stereochemistry around the ring by choice of partial reduction conditions are discussed and methods for constructing the bicyclic ring system of the pyrrolizidine targets are examined. Intramolecular S(N)2 type displacement reactions were found to be an efficient way of forming the requisite bicyclo ring systems while iodine-promoted cyclizations proved unsuitable. A first synthesis of hyacinthacine A1 is described that also confirmed the structure of the natural product, and a short stereoselective synthesis of 1-epiaustraline is also discussed in detail.     

First stereoselective syntheses of (-)-siphonodiol and (-)-tetrahydrosiphonodiol, bioactive polyacetylenes from marine sponges

The first stereoselective total syntheses of the bioactive marine polyacetylenes (-)-siphonodiol and (-)-tetrahydrosiphonodiol were achieved using highly convergent approaches based on optimized Cadiot-Chodkiewicz and sequential Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions.     

Synthesis of Novel 1-Alkyl-2-chloro（alkoxy）-1H-indole 3-Carbaldehyde Oximes and Oxime-ethers（esters） Derivatives

A convenient synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-chloro-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde oximes(5a―5d) and 1-alkyl-2-phenoxy-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde oximes(6a―6d) from 2-indolone was completed via the Vilsmeier-Haack reac-tion,with N-alkylation and oximation as the key steps.An improved one-pot method for the synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-alkoxy-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde oximes(7a―7h) from 1-alkyl-2-chloro-1H-indole-3-carbaldehydes(3a―3d) was described.The Williamson reactions and esterification reactions were performed and the oxime-...     

Evolution of the total syntheses of ustiloxin natural products and their analogues

Ustiloxins A-F are antimitotic heterodetic cyclopeptides containing a 13-membered cyclic core structure with a synthetically challenging chiral tertiary alkyl-aryl ether linkage. The first total synthesis of ustiloxin D was achieved in 31 linear steps using an S(N)Ar reaction. An NOE study of this synthetic product showed that ustiloxin D existed as a single atropisomer. Subsequently, highly concise and convergent syntheses of ustiloxins D and F were developed by utilizing a newly discovered ethynyl aziridine ring-opening reaction in a longest linear sequence of 15 steps. The approach was further optimized to achieve a better macrolactamization strategy. Ustiloxins D, F, and eight analogues (14-MeO-ustiloxin D, four analogues with different amino acid residues at the C-6 position, and three (9R,10S)-epi-ustiloxin analogues) were prepared via the second-generation route. Evaluation of these compounds as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization demonstrated that variation at the C-6 position is tolerated to a certain extent. In contrast, the S configuration of the C-9 methylamino group and a free phenolic hydroxyl group are essential for inhibition of tubulin polymerization.     

Total synthesis of oxidized phospholipids. 3. The (11E)-9-hydroxy-13-oxotridec-11-enoate ester of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine

A total synthesis of (11E)-9-hydroxy-13-oxotridec-11-enoate ester of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine (HOT-PC) was devised to facilitate identification of this oxidized phospholipid. A lactone, 8-(3-oxo-1H,6H-2-oxinyl)octanoic acid (1), believed to be generated through an intermediate (11E)-9-hydroxy-13-oxotridec-11-enoic acid (HOT), is produced upon autoxidation of linoleic acid. A synthesis of lactone 1 methyl ester was accomplished from HOT involving a novel trans-cis isomerization that is driven to completion by cyclization to a hemiacetal. An alternative route to this carbon skeleton was also achieved that provides the lactone 1 itself.     

Formal total syntheses of the (-)-salicylihalamides A and B from D-glucose and L-rhamnose

[reaction: see text] Two formal total syntheses of the (-)-salicylihalamides, based on chiral pool approaches, are reported. D-glucose and L-rhamnose were used to prepare advanced intermediates 23 and 54, which can be converted in three or four steps, respectively, to the target compounds. The synthesis of 23 from a known D-glucose-derivative was accomplished in 12 steps and 17% overall yield, and the synthesis of 54 from a known L-rhamnose-derivative was done in nine steps and 6% overall yield. A key step in the synthesis was a ring-closing metathesis reaction to prepare the macrocyclic ring system. It was demonstrated that the phenolic protecting group was critical for inducing the preferential formation of the desired E isomer. It was further shown that the protecting group at the C13 hydroxyl group had no significant influence on the E:Z ratio during the ring-closing metathesis reaction.     

The total syntheses of several 8, 15 dihydroxy arachidonic acid derivatives (8,15, LTB's)

The synthesis of the 8S, 15S and 8R, 15S diastereomers of 8,15 dihydroxy 5Z,9E,11E,13Z eicosatetraenoic acid (8,15-LTB₄) and of 8,15 dihydroxy 5Z,9E,11Z,13E eicosatetraenoic acid (8,15-LTB_x) from arabinose are described.     

Stereoselective total syntheses of (±)-warburganal and (±)-isotadeonal

A short, stereoselective synthesis of (±)-warburganal ($\text{1}$), its C-9 epimer ($\text{2}$) and the related sesquiterpene dialdehyde (±)-isotadeonal is presented.     

Asymmetric total syntheses of (-)-variabilin and (-)-glycinol

Total syntheses of (-)-variabilin and (-)-glycinol have been accomplished, using the catalytic, asymmetric "interrupted" Feist-Be?nary reaction (IFB) as the key transformation to introduce both stereogenic centers. A monoquinidine pyrimidinyl ether catalyst affords the IFB products in over 90% ee in both cases. Other key steps include an intramolecular Buchwald-Hartwig coupling and a nickel-catalyzed aryl tosylate reduction.