Studies on the diastereoselectivity in the IMDA reactions of terminally activated (E,E,E)-nona-1,6,8-trienes

The structure-diastereoselectivity relationships in the IMDA reactions of the terminally activated (E,E,E)-nona-1,6,8-trienes have been studied. It is found that the configuration of the C3 position bearing the protected hydroxyl group is crucial to the diastereoselectivity, and the magnitude of the ratio depends on the relative configuration of the C3-C5 positions. The results obtained in this study including the new successful IMDA reactions would be useful for the stereoselective synthesis of natural products containing a bicyclo[4.3.0]non-2-ene carbon skeleton.     

Regiospecific photoisomerization of fluorinated (E,E)-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadienes

Photoisomerization of five fluorinated E,E-1-(R-phenyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-butadienes in solution (R = 1: p-monofluoro, 2: m,m′-difluoro, 3: m,m′,p-trifluoro, 4: o,o′,m,m′-tetrafluoro, 5: o,o′,m,m′,p-pentafluoro) was investigated via direct irradiation. Our results indicated that cis-trans photoisomerization of the fluorinated 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadienes in the excited singlet state took place exclusively at the CC bonds closer to the fluorine substituents.     

First synthesis and absolute configuration of (−)-pyriculariol, a phytotoxin isolated from rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea. Use of microwave irradiation to control Stille coupling reaction products

First total synthesis of (−)-pyriculariol, a phytotoxin isolated from rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea, was achieved to determine the absolute configuration of the natural product to be 5′R,6′S. The key step was Stille coupling reaction using microwave irradiation from −78 °C to control the reaction.     

Hemilability and regioselectivity in palladium and platinum complexes of dppm(E) [E = O, S, Se] ligands

Hemilability and nonrigidity in a series of mixed P^PE donor ligands where E = O, S, or Se have been studied in palladium and platinum complexes of the type [M{κ²-(dimethylamino)ethylnaphthyl-C,N)}(P^PE)][SbF₆] where P^PE = Ph₂PCH₂P(E)Ph₂.The role of the donor in hemilability, regioselectivity and the binding preferences of particular donors trans to the metallated carbon atom were also investigated. NMR parameters including couplings to ¹⁹⁵Pt and ⁷⁷Se were investigated for cis and trans isomers. The magnitude of ²J¹³C-⁷⁷Se couplings can readily distinguish the cis and trans isomers. A large through-space ¹³C-⁷⁷Se ³J coupling was observed in one of the amino methyl groups of the dppm(Se) complexes.     

Sequential transhalogenation and Heck reaction for efficient access to dioxo-tetrasubstituted 2,4 E,E-dienes: synthesis of segment C1-C6 of apoptolidin

Efficient access to dioxo-tetrasubstituted 2,4 E,E-dienes is developed in three steps from commercially available starting materials via sequential transhalogenation and Heck reaction, which provides potentially useful synthons for the synthesis of a tetrasubstituted conjugated diene structure in complex molecules. Thereby, segment C1-C6 of apoptolidin is synthesized.     

Novel (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles from (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones: the unexpected case of (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles

An efficient synthetic method for the preparation of (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles has been developed. The reaction of (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-4-styrylpyrazoles, respectively, saved 4′-nitro-derivatives where both (E)- and (Z)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations was discussed and the stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments.     

One-pot synthesis of macrocyclic compounds possessing two cyclobutane rings by sequential inter- and intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions

Sensitized photocycloaddition reactions of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[1,3-bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrone (1) with electron-poor α,ω-diolefins such as ethylene diacrylate (2a) and polyoxyethylene dimethacrylates (2b-d) afforded site- and stereoselective macrocyclic dioxatetralactones (3a-d) and (4b) having 18- to 25-membered rings across the C5-C6 and C5′-C6′ double bonds, or C5-C6 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. Similar photoreactions of 1 with electron-rich α,ω-diolefins such as poly(ethylene glycol)divinyl ether (2e and 2f) afforded crown ether-type macrocyclic compounds (5e and 5f) having 18- and 21-membered rings across the C3-C4 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. The stereochemical features of 3b, 5e-xx, and 5e-nn were determined by the X-ray crystal analysis. The reaction mechanism was inferred by MO methods.     

Synthesis and optical properties of a poly(2′,5′-dioctyloxy-4,4′,4″- terphenylenevinylene) with high content of (Z) vinylene units

Poly(2′,5′-dioctyloxy-4,4′,4″-terphenylenevinylene) with (E) configuration of the vinylene double bonds was prepared by Suzuki-Miyaura polymerization of (E)-4,4′-dibromostilbene and 2,5-dioctyloxy-1,4-benzenediboronic acid. Attempts to extend this simple procedure to the synthesis of the polymer with (Z) configuration, starting from (Z)-4,4′-dibromostilbene, were unsuccessful. However, the use of (Z)-4,4′-diiodostilbene and a careful choice of Pd catalyst and experimental conditions, lead to a material with a >95/<5 (Z)/(E) ratio of vinylene units. The investigation of optical properties of both the (E) and (Z) polymers evidenced that (Z) linkages act as defects which reduce the effective conjugation length in the polymer backbone.     

Synthetic studies on the phorboxazoles: a short synthesis of an epi-C23 tetrahydropyran core

Studies on the synthesis of the anticancer natural products, the phorboxazoles have led to the synthesis of the C21-C32 penta-substituted tetrahydropyran core which is epimeric to the natural product at C23. The synthesis was achieved in only seven linear steps. The key steps were the use of a Masamune-Abiko anti-aldol reaction, the formation of a dihydropyran precursor molecule by the use of a new ‘Maitland-Japp-like’ cyclisation, and a highly diastereoselective reductive alkylation of the dihydropyran double bond, to generate the corresponding tetrahydropyran ring in an excellent yield.     

Structure and absolute configuration of new acidic metabolites from Stachys ehrenbergii

Two novel metabolites have been isolated from the aerial parts of Stachys ehrenberiigii. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated using a combination of ¹³C and ¹H homo and heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments and mass analysis. The development of an enantioselective synthesis of 3-(2′-acetoxy-4-phenylbut-3′-enoylamino)propionic acid allowed to confirm the structure and assign the (R) absolute configuration at C-2′ of the natural product.     

Synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted (E)-pent-2-en-4-yn-1-ones

The condensation of 3-arylpropynals with aryl methyl ketones in the presence of sodium hydroxide in 50% aqueous ethanol at 0°C (Claisen-Schmidt reaction) afforded up to 89% of the corresponding (E)-1,5-diarylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ones. The E configuration of the double C=C bond and cis conformation of the enone fragment in the products in crystal and CDCl₃ solution were determined by X-ray analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

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.     

Novel cleavage of (E)-allyl vic-diols to aldehydes using the 2nd-generation Grubbs catalyst

Secondary (E)-allyl vic-diol cleavage in the presence of the 2nd-generation Grubbs catalyst has been developed. The position of a vic-diol adjacent to CC plays a crucial role in the cleavage reaction compared to an alkyl vic-diol based on a model compound.     

Stereoselective functionalisation of SuperQuat enamides: asymmetric synthesis of homochiral 1,2-diols and α-benzyloxy carbonyl compounds

Homochiral (E)- and (Z)-enamides derived from SuperQuat (S)-4-phenyl-5,5-dimethyl-oxazolidin-2-one undergo highly diastereoselective epoxidation upon treatment with dimethyldioxirane. Subsequent epoxide opening with meta-chlorobenzoic acid proceeds via a stereoselective S_N1-type process, with retention of configuration, to give the corresponding 1′-m-chlorobenzoyl-2′-hydroxy derivatives. Treatment of the SuperQuat enamides with mCPBA effects this two-step transformation in one pot. Reductive cleavage of the isolated 1′-m-chlorobenzoyl-2′-hydroxy derivatives (≥96% de) generates homochiral 1,2-diols in ≥96% ee. Alternatively, regioselective lithiation of the enamide at C(1′) with ^tBuLi followed by reaction with an aromatic aldehyde and in situ O-benzylation generates a 1′-(benzyloxy-aryl-methyl) substituted enamide with high diastereoselectivity. Subsequent oxidative cleavage of the enamide CC bond with NaIO₄/RuCl₃ followed by methanolysis of the resultant N-acyl fragment furnishes an O-benzyl protected α-hydroxy methyl ester in high ee.     

On the synthesis of pyrinodemin A. Part 1: The location of the olefin

The elucidation of the structure of the cytotoxic marine sponge alkaloid pyrinodemin A by synthesis is described. Based on the ¹³C NMR spectra of three double bond positional isomers and the natural product, it is concluded the C14′-C15′ isomer best represents the true structure of pyrinodemin A. In addition, the structural assignment of pyrinodemin C is evaluated.     

Asymmetric aziridination with chiral allyl aminosulfoxonium ylides: synthesis of alkenyl aziridine carboxylates and palladium-catalyzed E,trans/E,cis-isomerization of an alkenyl aziridine

Chiral cyclic and acyclic allyl aminosulfoxonium ylides have been generated from aminosulfoxonium-substituted β,γ-unsaturated α-amino acids (method A) and 1-alkenyl aminosulfoxonium salts (method B) upon treatment with DBU. Their application to the asymmetric aziridination of N-tert-butyl-sulfonyl imino ester, generated either in situ (method A) or externally added (method B), gave the corresponding alkenyl aziridine carboxylates with medium to high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. A highly stereoselective Pd(0)-catalyzed isomerization of an E,trans-configured alkenyl aziridine methanol derivative to its E-cis-isomer is described, which proceeded with retention of the double bond configuration.     

Synthesis, structures and some chemical and electrochemical properties of E-1,2-diferrocenyl-3-methylthioprop-2-enone and its ketals

2,3-Diferrocenyl-1-methylthiocyclopropenylium iodide reacts with water, metal alkoxides, phenolates and with alcohols in the presence of Et₃N to give E-1,2-diferrocenyl-3-methylthioprop-2-enone or its ketals. Their structures were established based on data from ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanistic aspects of these reactions are discussed. Electrochemical properties of 8 and 13b have been studied. The compounds present two oxidation processes (I-II), attributed to the oxidations of the ferrocenes groups, E^0′(I), E^0′(II), ΔE^0′(II-I) and comproportionation constant K_com are reported.     

Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of activated benzenes with methyl (E)-2-oxo-4-aryl-3-butenoates catalyzed by [Pybox/Sc(OTf)3]

The asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction between methyl (E)-2-oxo-4-aryl-3-butenoates (1a-c) and activated benzenes (2a-d) has been efficiently catalyzed by the Sc^III triflate complex of (4′S,5′S)-2,6-bis[4′-(triisopropylsilyl) oxymethyl-5′-phenyl-1′,3′-oxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine (pybox 3). The 4,4-diaryl-2-oxo-butyric acid methyl esters (4) are usually formed in good yields and the enantioselectivity is up to 99% ee. The sense of the stereoinduction can be rationalized with the same octahedral complex (10) between 1, pybox 3 and Sc triflate already proposed for other reactions involving pyruvates, and catalyzed by the same complex.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of polymeric and dimeric triphenyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]aryls

The triphenyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(2-carboxyphenyl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]aryls (aryls = 4-CH₃, 4-Br, 4-Cl, 4-OCH₃) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR, ESI mass spectrometry, IR and ^119mSn Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques in combination with elemental analysis. The crystal structures of a representative carboxylate ligand (aryl = 4-CH₃) and three Sn complexes, viz., polymeric (Ph₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{NN(C₆H₃-4-OH(C(H)NC₆H₄X-4))}-o])_n (X = Me (1) and Br (2)) and dimeric (Ph₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{NN(C₆H₃-4-OH(C(H)NC₆H₄X-4))}-o])₂ (X = OMe (4)) complexes are reported. The coordination environment in each complex is trigonal bipyramidal trans-Ph₃SnO₂. A single zwitterionic carboxylate ligand bridges adjacent Sn atoms via the carboxylate and phenoxide O atoms.