Synthesis of (±)-phthalascidin 650 analogue: new synthetic route to (±)-phthalascidin 622

A synthesis of functionalized phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 as synthetic precursor of the catechol tetrahydroisoquinoline structure of phthalascidin 650 is disclosed. Starting from 3-methylcatechol 5, eight steps of synthesis give rise to the synthesis of phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 in 27% overall yield. This synthetic strategy involves the elaboration of fully functionalized aromatic aldehyde 8 and its transformation into a phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13, through a Knoevenagel condensation, simultaneous reduction of nitroketene and ester functions and hydrogenolysis of the benzyl protecting group. The pentacycle (±)-18 was obtained after four additional steps. The Pictet-Spengler cyclisation between the phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 and N-protected α-amino-aldehyde 4 allowed to obtain (1,3′)-bis-tetrahydroisoquinoline 14 with N-methylated and N-Fmoc removed. The last step was a Swern oxidation for allowing an intramolecular condensation.     

Efficient and regioselective chromium(0)-catalyzed reaction of 2-substituted furans with diazo compounds: stereoselective synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters

Pentacarbonyl(η²-cis-cyclooctene)chromium(0) (1) catalyzes efficiently reactions of diazo compounds with electron-rich furans. The reaction of 2-methoxyfuran (2) with alkyl α-diazoarylacetate (3a-g) furnishes the (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g) in excellent yields. These reactions are highly regioselective. The cyclopropanation intermediates formed from 1 and diazo compounds 3a-g always arise from a carbene addition to the less substituted CC bond of 2. The resulting cyclopropanation product undergoes a ring opening reaction to form the corresponding (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g). The pentacarbonylchromium(0)-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkylfuran (5a-b) with ethyl α-diazophenylacetate (3a) and 9-diazo-9H-fluorene (3h) produce the 1(E),3(E)-butadienes (6a-d) in very good yields.     

New S,O-acetals from (1R)-(−)-myrtenal as chiral auxiliaries in nucleophilic additions

Treatment of hydroxythiol 4 with α,α-diethoxyacetophenone at room temperature yielded a mixture of epimeric S,O-acetals 6 and 7 (1:4, 92% yield), which were efficiently separated by flash chromatography. The OTBS derivatives 8 and 9 were treated with several Grignard reagents to afford carbinols 10 and 13 respectively (85-99% yield, >95% dr). After successive hydrolysis and reduction of 10 and 13 it is possible to obtain either enantiomer of diols 16 in high optical purity (>95% er).     

A convenient synthesis of pyridine and 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives

α-Chloro-α-acetoxy-β-keto-esters 9 were readily prepared from β-keto-esters 6 in good overall yields. These compounds reacted as α,β-diketo-ester equivalents 2 with amidrazones 1 yielding triazines 3, generally in good yields. Picolinates 10 provided an alternative source of α,β-diketo-ester equivalents 2 when treated with copper(II) acetate. A ‘one-pot’ reaction of the α,β-diketo-ester equivalents 2 with amidrazones 1 in the presence of 2,5-norbornadiene 5 in boiling ethanol yielded the pyridines 4 and 2,2′-bipyridines 4 (R¹=2-pyridyl) directly without the need to isolate the corresponding triazines 3. Triazine 3c reacted with the aza-dienophiles 13 and 17 affording the products 16 and 18, respectively, in good yields.     

First synthesis of (±)-bis-homosarkomycin ethyl ester

A five step synthesis of (±)-bis-homosarkomycin ethyl ester 6 has been achieved starting from commercially available ethyl phosphonoacetate and ethyl 5-bromovalerate. The successful synthetic approach to 6 uses α-methylene pimelate 3 as a key intermediate.     

Stereospecific synthesis of 2,2,3-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolines: application to the total syntheses of benzastatin E and natural virantmycin

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of 2,2,3-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolines has been developed, which involves the triphenylphosphine-CCl₄-mediated stereospecific rearrangement of α,α-disubstituted indoline-2-methanols 15 to 2,2,3-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolines 26. The rearrangement precursors 15 are readily prepared by the diastereoselective Grignard addition to 2-acylindolines 13. The total syntheses of (+)-benzastatin E (1) and natural virantmycin (2a) were accomplished utilizing this methodology. This rearrangement reaction might afford some chemical precedent for the biogenetic pathway of the benzastatin family.     

Synthesis of five and six membered aminocyclitols: stereoselective Michael and Henry reaction approach with d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester

The stereoselective intermolecular Michael addition of nitromethane to d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester 7 afforded l-ido-configurated nitroester 8 as the only product that on reduction of the ester functionality, cleavage of 1,2-acetonide and the intramolecular Henry reaction afforded exclusively muco-nitroinositol 9. While reduction of the ester functionality in 8, deprotection of 1,2-acetonide, oxidative cleavage with NaIO₄ and the intramolecular Henry reaction afforded nitrocyclopentitol 13. Nitrocyclitols 9 and 13 were converted to the hydroxyethyl substituted aminocyclohexitol 5 and aminocyclopentitol 6, respectively.     

Synthesis of the first pseudo-phosphonopeptides derived from (ferrocenyl)aminomethanephosphonous acids

The first example of the condensation of (ferrocene)-N-benzhydrylamino-methanephosphonous acid (1) with α-amino acids 2a-d and several model dipeptides 4a-d and the tripeptide dl-alanyl-dl-leucinyl-glycine (4e) in the presence of DCC resulted in pseudo-phosphono-dipeptides 3a-d and pseudo-phosphono-oligopeptides 5a-d. The probable chiral assistance of the incoming amino acid or peptide in the formation of the new chiral center on phosphorus was also a feature of this method.     

Synthesis of cyclopentane building blocks via an intramolecular CH insertion reaction of a chiral pool derived α-diazo-γ-hydroxy-β-ketosulfone

A highly functionalized cyclopentanone building block 13 was prepared by a facile Rh-catalyzed intramolecular CH insertion reaction of an enantiopure α-diazo-γ-hydroxy-β-ketosulfone 12, in turn derived from an α-hydroxy acid 2. A cyclic γ-hydroxy vinyl sulfone 16 was also prepared from 13.     

Catalyst- and steric-controlled alkenylation via chemoselective C-H activation and C-Br activation in Heck reaction of methyl 1-(2-bromoaryl)-3-(2-furyl/thienyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylates and diethyl 1-(2-bromoaryl)-3-(2-furyl/thienyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2,2-dicarboxylate derivatives

Pd(II)-catalyzed alkenylation of methyl 1-(2-bromoaryl)-3-(2-furyl/thienyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate derivatives 1(a-d) resulted in the formation of 3(a-d) exclusively via C-H activation in the heteroaryl moiety. Similar observations were observed for the corresponding diester analogues 4(a-d) to form 5(a-d). Normal Heck reaction, however, was observed in the case of 1(a-f) to furnish 2(a-f) when the reaction was carried out with Pd(0) catalyst generated in situ. Pd(0)-catalyzed vinylation of 4(a-f) via C-Br oxidation, however, failed due to steric reason.     

First total synthesis and absolute configuration of naturally occurring (−)-hyacinthacine A7 and its (−)-1-epi-isomer

A convergent synthesis of the naturally occurring alkaloid (−)-hyacinthacine A₇, a glycosidase inhibitor of the pyrrolizidine class, is described. The homochiral starting material was tri-orthogonally protected DMDP 10, derived from d-fructose. Key steps of the synthesis were the carbon-chain lengthening at C(5′) in 10 to the α,β-unsaturated pyrrolidine ketone 12 and the one-pot construction of the bicyclic pyrrolizidine system of 13 and 14. Another key step was the partial inversion of the configuration at C(1) in 13 which led, after total deprotection, not only to the naturally occurring target molecule 9 but also to its (−)-1-epi-isomer 19.     

Syntheses of (−)-gabosine A, (+)-4-epi-gabosine A, (−)-gabosine E, and (+)-4-epi-gabosine E

(+)-4-epi-Gabosine A 1 and (−)-gabosine A 2 have been synthesized starting from methyl α,d-glucopyranoside and methyl α,d-mannopyranoside, respectively, by utilizing Pd(0) catalyzed Stille coupling as the key step. On the other hand, syntheses of (+)-4-epi-gabosine E 3 and (−)-gabosine E 4 have been accomplished from methyl α,d-glucopyranoside and from methyl α,d-mannopyranoside, respectively, by utilizing DMAP catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction as the key step. Presence of acetyl group at C-6 position of sugar derived cyclic enone prevented the aromatization of MBH adduct. A plausible mechanism is also described.     

One-pot facile conversion of Baylis-Hillman adduct into N-alkyl 3-(E)-alkylidene-5-substituted sulfonylpiperidine-2,6-dione. Formal synthesis of tacamonine

A stepwise [3+3] strategy to N-alkyl 3-(E)-alkylidene-5-substituted sulfonylpiperidine-2,6-dione 1 used various N-alkyl α-substituted sulfonylacetamides 2 and α,β-unsaturated esters 3 as starting materials. α,β-Unsaturated esters 3 were generated by Baylis-Hillman reaction. A ring closure mechanism was proposed for the reactions. This method provides a convenient formal synthesis of tacamonine.     

Amberlyst 15 catalyzed synthesis of indole-pyrazole based tri(hetero)arylmethanes

An expedient synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-4-(3,3′-diindolyl)methylpyrazoles 3a-m has been developed using Amberlyst 15 catalyzed condensation of 1,3-diaryl-4-formyl pyrazoles 2 with indoles 1. This reaction was further extended to the synthesis of 4,4′-bis(3,3′-diindolyl)methylphenoxy-alkanes 5a-b by coupling of 4,4′-di(formylphenoxy)alkane 4 with indole 1.     

Total synthesis of (−)-amathaspiramide F

The stereoselective total synthesis of the marine alkaloid, (−)-amathaspiramide F (1), was achieved from the α-hydroxy-α-ethynylsilane 2. The key steps involved in the synthesis were (1) the enolate Claisen rearrangement of the α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane for the stereoselective construction of the consecutive C5 and C9 chiral centers of 1 (erythro configuration), (2) the construction of aza-spirohemiaminal 28, and (3) dibromination during the final stage of the total synthesis. The reaction of the (Z)-α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane 22 possessing the Boc-homoallylglycine ester as the acyloxy group underwent stereoselective enolate Claisen rearrangement to give the desired erythro product 23. On the other hand, the reaction of the α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane (Z)-5 having Boc-proline gave the unexpected threo product 6. Oxidative cleavage of the vinylsilane group of 23 followed by treatment with heptamethyldisilazane as the methylamine equivalent gave aza-spirohemiaminal 28. The problematic regioselective dibromination to 28 was achieved using n-Bu₄NBrCl₂.     

Design and synthesis of (E)-4-((3-ethyl-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)methyl)benzoic acid

(E)-4-((3-Ethyl-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)methyl)benzoic acid, 6, was synthesized in 87% starting from β-cyclocitral. The target compound 6 was synthesized starting from 1 via a Grignard reaction to form alcohol 2. Compound 2 was converted to Wittig salt 3 by treatment with aldehyde 4 in butyllithium and hexane at −78 °C to form ester 5. Ester 5 was saponified and, following acidification, acid 6 was isolated as white solid yield 87%.     

[3+2] Cycloaddition reactions: a simple entry to the 1-aza-2-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxybicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring system

The [3+2] intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition (INC) reaction on appropriately designed olefinic nitrones derived from d-glucose, having the nitrone at C-1 and α,β-unsaturated ester functionalities at C-5 of the sugar backbone, afforded the isoxazolidine fused carbocycles 11-13, which were subsequently transformed into the chiral, tetrahydroxylated cis-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octanones 14-18 in good yields.     

Alkoxy substituted (E,E)-3,6-bis(styryl)pyridazine—a photosensitive mesogen for liquid crystals

(E,E)-3,6-Bis(styryl)pyridazines (3a-t) bearing 2, 4 or 6 alkoxy chains were prepared by applying the Siegrist reaction of 3,6-dimethylpyridazine (13) and the corresponding azomethines 10a-t. The transversal dipole moment of these calamitic compounds effects an extremely high tendency for self-organization in thermotropic LC phases (N, S_A, S_B, S_C, S_E, S_I/F, and Cub). The conjugated core structure represents moreover a chromophore with a high photosensitivity for (E,E)?(E,Z) isomerization reactions: this property makes the compounds interesting for optical imaging and switching techniques.     

Methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropanes: synthesis and biological activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[2-ethynyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine

Synthesis of methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane analogues of nucleosides 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b is described. Ethyl methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 14 was hydroxymethylated to give alcohol 15, which was reduced to diol 16. Selective protection with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group gave derivative 17, which was oxidized to aldehyde 18. Wittig reaction with CBr₄ gave dibromoalkene 19. Elimination of both bromine atoms afforded methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane 20. Bromoselenenylation using N-bromosuccinimide and diphenyldiselenide gave intermediate 21. Alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with 21 provided the Z,E-isomeric mixtures 22a and 22c. Oxidation afforded selenoxides 23a and 23c. Mild thermolysis furnished methylenecyclopropanes Z-24a, E-24a, and 24c. Deprotection and separation of Z,E-isomers gave adenine analogues 12a and 13a, and 2-amino-6-chloropurine intermediates 12c and 13c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 12c and 13c afforded guanine analogues 12b and 13b. Adenine Z-isomer 12a inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus through its cytotoxicity. The E-isomer 13a is a substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Schiff bases of 1′-hydroxy-2′-acetonaphthone containing chalcogen functionalities and their complexes with and (p-cymene)Ru(II), Pd(II), Pt(II) and Hg(II): Synthesis, structures and applications in C-C coupling reactions

Schiff bases of 1′-hydroxy-2′-acetonaphthone (HAN) containing chalcogen functionalities, 1-HO-C₁₀H₆-2-CH₃)CN-(CH₂)_nEC₆H₄-4-R (R = H or OMe; n = 2 or 3; E = S (L¹-L²), Se (L³-L⁴) or Te (L⁵-L⁶)) have been synthesized in yield 90-95%. They show characteristic ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} ⁷⁷Se{¹H} and ¹²⁵Te{¹H} (in case of selenated and tellurated species, respectively) NMR spectra. Their complexation with Pd(II), Pt(II), Hg(II) and (p-cymene)Ru(II) has been explored. The single-crystal structures of ligands L¹, L³ and L⁶ and complexes of Pd(II) with L¹, L², L³ and L⁵ have been determined. The geometry of Pd is close to square planar in all the complexes and the ligands coordinate in a uni-negative tridentate mode. The Pd-N bond lengths are in the range 1.996(7)-2.019(5) ?. The Pd-Se bond distance is 2.3600(5) ? whereas Pd-Te is 2.5025(7) ?. The Pd(II) complexes of L¹-L⁵ have been found promising as homogeneous catalyst for Heck and Suzuki reactions. The yields obtained were up to 85%.