Kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides using a chiral diamine catalyst

The kinetic resolution of a variety of racemic epoxides has been performed using a chiral bicyclic diamine ligand. Using 5 mol % of catalyst very high selectivity could be achieved; both epoxide and the corresponding allylic alcohol could be obtained in up to 99% ee.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-alkyl-2-aryl cyclopentanones by asymmetric epoxidation of tetrasubstituted cyclobutylidene olefins and epoxide rearrangement

This letter describes a highly enantioselective epoxidation of tetrasubstituted benzylidenecyclobutanes using glucose-derived ketone as catalyst and oxone as oxidant. The Et₂AlCl promoted rearrangement of the resulting epoxides provides 2-alkyl-2-aryl cyclopentanones with high ees.     

Vitamin D: a concise synthesis of the C19 hydroxylated enyne A-ring, an interesting precursor for the preparation of C19 substituted vitamin D analogues

A new C₁₉ hydroxylated enyne 15, as potential A-ring building block of vitamin D analogues, was synthesized in enantiomerically pure form in nine steps from (−)-(S)-limonene. This short synthesis involved ozonolyzis of 1,2-limonene oxide followed by a Criegee rearrangement, epoxide trans diaxial ring opening by lithium acetylide, elimination, epoxidation and syn β-elimination of the resulting homopropargylic oxirane.     

Planar chiral indoles: synthesis and biological effects of the enantiomers

The paracyclophanyl triflates (R)-4 and (S)-4, which were obtained from racemic precursors through enzymatic-kinetic resolution, could be employed as key intermediates for the synthesis of planar chiral [2.2](4,7)indoloparacyclophanes. Subjecting the double-layered test compounds (R)-8 and (S)-8 to in vitro ligand-binding experiments displayed stereoselective receptor recognition.     

Synthetic studies of venturicidins: stereoselective synthesis of the C15-C27 segment based on two types of stereospecific epoxide opening reactions

The C15-C27 segment of venturicidins was stereoselectively synthesized by using two types of stereospecific methyl substitution reactions of epoxides and subsequent stereocontrolled methylation reactions of lactone derivatives as the key steps.     

A unified approach to the synthesis of both enantiomers of anatoxin-a and homoanatoxin-a cyanotoxins

Anatoxin-a and homoanatoxin-a are highly neurotoxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, principally during surface water-blooms (SWBs). Owing to their powerful biological activity and unique structural characteristics, these natural alkaloids have been the subject of extensive research work in both pharmacological and synthetic studies. In this contribution we report a simple and efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of both the natural and unnatural enantiomers of these cyanotoxins, [(+)-1 and (+)-2] and [(?)-1 and (?)-2] respectively. Key features of this approach include: i) construction of the azabicyclic homotropane framework in both enantiomeric forms from cis-5,6-epoxycyclooctene, based on a microwave mediated epoxide ring opening reaction by a chiral benzyl amine followed by a transannular amine-alkene cyclization; ii) elaboration of the characteristic methyl or ethyl enone by means of a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of an enol-triflate with a C2 or C3 terminal alkyne, followed by a chemo- and regio-selective hydration of the resulting conjugated enyne group.     

Improved synthesis of the enantiomers of propafenone using chiral building blocks

Summary A short and efficient synthesis of the enantiomers of the antiarrhythmic drug propafenone (1) is described using both (R)-isopropylideneglycerol tosylate and (S)-glycidyl tosylate as chiral building blocks. The key step of the high yield synthesis is the acetalization of the carbonyl group in 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1-propanone (2) which allows application of mild reaction conditions in the subsequent alkylation of the phenolic hydroxy group.With our best wishes dedicated to Prof. Dr.H. Achenbach on the occasion of his 65^th birthday     

Heptakis(6-amino-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector for the separation of anionic analyte enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis

A hepta-substituted beta-cyclodextrin bearing seven amino groups, heptakis(6-amino-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin (per-6-NH2-beta-CD) was successfully used as a chiral selector for the enantioseparation of different anionic analytes. The running buffer pH and chiral selector concentration were the studied parameters crucial in achieving the maximum possible enantioresolution. Enantiomeric separation of a mixture of seven carboxybenzyl-amino acids was achieved in 24 min. Excellent resolution was obtained for carboxybenzyl-tryptophan (Rs = 11.2).     

Imide-amide rearrangement of oxazaphosphorimidates: studies towards the application to the synthesis of chiral Lewis bases

The Lewis acid catalysed imide-amide rearrangement of oxazaphosphorimides to diazaphoshoramides is reported for the first time. In spite of the similarity to the previously reported Lewis acid catalysed imide-amide rearrangement of dioxaphosphorimides to oxazaphosphoramides we show that this rearrangement proceeds by a different mechanism, not involving the formation of an oligomeric intermediate. The oxazaphosphorimides are prepared in situ by the Staudinger reaction of the appropriate trivalent phosphorus compound with an azide and after the addition of BF₃·OEt₂, undergo rearrangement to the corresponding diazaphosphoramides. We have found that the rearrangement occurs with retention of configuration at the phosphorus atom and inversion of configuration at the rearranged carbon atom. When starting from chiral 1,2-aminoalcohol, substituted at the carbon atom that undergoes rearrangement, a mixture of diastereomers is obtained, but the diastereomeric ratio, initially obtained in the formation of the trivalent phosphorus compounds is maintained during the whole transformation. This implies that if the rearrangement is to be used for the preparation of chiral phosphoramides with defined stereochemistry at the phosphorus atom, a high diastereoselectivity during the preparation of the trivalent phosphorus precursors should be obtained.     

Microwave-accelerated Dimroth rearrangement for the synthesis of 4-anilino-6-nitroquinazolines. Application to an efficient synthesis of a microtubule destabilizing agent

A useful and rapid access to 4-anilino-6-nitroquinazolines was investigated in a multi-gram scale via microwave-accelerated condensation and Dimroth rearrangement of the starting anilines with imines obtained by reaction of anthranilonitriles with formamide dimethylacetal. A novel short and efficient route to Azixa™ (EPi28495, MPC-6827), a microtubule destabilizing agent and apoptosis inducer, was performed with success demonstrating that well controlled parameters offer comfortable using of microwave technology with safe and environmental benefits.     

Novel entry into oxepane-diquinane and oxepane-sterpurane hybrids: synthesis and photochemistry of 3-oxatricyclo[7.2.2.0]tridecenones

A new synthesis of 3-oxatricyclo[7.2.2.0^1,7]tridecenones via intramolecular π^4s+π^2s cycloaddition in cyclohexa-2,4-dienones is described. Their photochemical reactions leading to oxepane-diquinane and oxepane-sterpurane hybrids are depicted. The crystal structure of a key intermediate is also presented.     

Convenient synthesis of mono(6-N-allylamino-6-deoxy)permethylated β-cyclodextrin: a promising chiral selector for an HPLC chiral stationary phase

Mono(6-(p-toluenesulfonyl))permethylated β-cyclodextrin, a versatile precursor for a wide variety of mono-functionalized permethyl β-cyclodextrins, has been generated successfully by the direct methylation of monotosylated cyclodextrin. This afforded a convenient synthesis of mono(6^A-N-allylamino-6^A-deoxy)permethylated β-cyclodextrin. Hydrosilylation of the chiral selector with (EtO)₃SiH and reaction of the resultant reactive siloxane with pristine silica gel afforded a facile entry into a structurally well-defined chiral HPLC stationary phase.     

A concise synthesis of anti-viral agent F-ddA, starting from (S)-dihydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2(3H)-furanone

Anti-HIV agent β-F-ddA (1) has been synthesized starting from readily available non-sugar, (S)-(+)-Dihydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(3H)-furanone (4). A highly syn-stereoselective fluorination of the hydroxy lactone 2 generates the key intermediate fluorolactone 5 in a short and concise synthetic sequence. Reduction of 5 followed by bromination generates the aglycon which is glycosylated to generate F-ddA by amination and deprotection. Steric bulk of the 5-protecting group has minimal effect on the steric course of glycosylation.     

Achiral auxiliary-assisted chiral transfer via microwave-accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangement: a short synthesis of (+)-1-hydroxyquinolizidinone

A short and efficient synthesis of (+)-1-hydroxyquinolizidinone as an advanced core intermediate for the syntheses of (+)-epiquinamide, (+)-homopumiliotoxin, and (+)-lupinine is described. The key feature of our strategy includes a sequential chiral transfer using an achiral phenylsulfide auxiliary via microwave-accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangement of the unexplored N-thiophenoxyacetyl-α-vinyl piperidine substrate and the oxone-induced transannulation.     

A greener enantioselective synthesis of the antiviral agent North-methanocarbathymidine (N-MCT) from 2-deoxy-d-ribose

An enantioselective synthesis of suitably protected (1R,2S,4S,5S)-4-amino-1-(hydroxymethyl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol, a key starting material for the synthesis of conformationally locked carbocyclic nucleosides, including the antiviral active North-methanocarbathymidine, is reported. Starting from 2-deoxyribose the target Boc-protected amine was prepared in 33% overall yield under conditions that are ecologically friendlier than previous methods.     

Influence of temperature and nature of photoinitiator on the formation kinetics of an interpenetrating network photocured from an epoxide/methacrylate system

This paper deals with the synthesis of an interpenetrating network made of dimethacrylate and dicycloepoxide oligomers by photopolymerization. More particularly, the influence of several parameters (among which the photoinitiator nature and the reaction temperature) on the polymerization kinetics of each oligomer was studied. Two complementary analysis techniques were then used : the photocalorimetry and the RTIR spectroscopy. The study proceeded in several steps. Firstly, photopolymerization of each monomer was studied. Then, the same study was carried out on mixture of both monomers under conditions in such way than only one network is formed. It was shown that the second compound played the role of plasticizer on the network formed by the first monomer. Finally, the dimethacrylate/dicycloepoxide mixture was studied in the presence of both radical and cationic photoinitiators to synthesize an interpenetrating network (IPN). At 30 °C, ultimate products show a very incomplete epoxide conversion whereas the yield in methacrylic double bonds reaches 70%. On the other hand, epoxy functions react a little more than methacrylic double bonds at 90 °C. It was also shown that the presence of a radical photoinitiator is not necessary, and even slightly unfavourable, since the cationic photoinitiator is able to initiate both radical and cationic polymerization mechanisms.     

Large-scale synthesis of SB-462795, a cathepsin K inhibitor: the RCM-based approaches

Two stereoselective syntheses of SB-462795, a highly potent cathepsin K inhibitor, are described. Both routes feature a C5-C6 disconnection by ring closing metathesis to construct an azepane ring and are amenable to large-scale manufacturing.     

New very mild conditions for the opening of an epoxide assisted by a neighboring carbonyl group

An epoxide is opened stereo- and regio-selectively by 1,3-endo migration of a phenylthiogroup in almost neutral conditions. The thioether is then reduced to give the alcohol corresponding to the starting epoxide in an excellent yield.     

A new pathway via intermediate 4-amino-3-fluorophenol for the synthesis of regorafenib

A practical synthetic route to regorafenib, in which the target compound was obtained via a 10-step synthesis starting from 2-picolinic acid, 4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline, and 3-fluorophenol, is reported. Crucial to the strategy is the preparation of 4-amino-3-fluorophenol via Fries and Beckman rearrangements using an economical and practical protocol. The main advantages of the route include inexpensive starting materials and an acceptable overall yield. A scale-up experiment was carried out to provide regorafenib with 99.96% purity in 46.5% total yield.