A new method for pyrrole peri-annulation: synthesis of 1H-1,5,7-triazacyclopenta[c,d]phenalenes from 1H-perimidines

New methods for the synthesis of 1H-1,5,7-triazacyclopenta[c,d]phenalenes have been developed based on a sequence involving Schmidt reaction of keto-perimidines and acylation of the intermediate amides with 1,3,5-triazines or carboxylic acids. The same synthetic sequence starting from the corresponding alkylperimidine includes acylation with acetic acid as the first step.     

Synthesis of C1-alkyl- and acylglycals from glycals using a B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling approach

A B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling approach provides a flexible, efficient means to convert glycals to C1-alkylglycals and C1-acylglycals that are versatile synthetic intermediates. This approach uses readily available glycal starting materials and overcomes major limitations associated with direct alkylation or acylation of glycals. Further, a commonly observed side reaction involving reduction of the halide coupling partner is suppressed by preincubation of the borane coupling partner with aqueous base, providing new mechanistic insights into the side reaction.     

Reactivities of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents, 2. Selective n-alkyl transfer in tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of n-alkyl phenylzincs; an atom economic synthesis of n-alkyl aryl ketones

Tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of mixed n-alkyl phenylzincs with aromatic acyl halides in THF is efficient in selective transfer of n-alkyl groups to produce n-alkyl aryl ketones in good yields. This route provides an atom economic organocatalyzed alternative to transition metal-catalyzed acylation of di-n-alkylzincs.     

Synthesis of N,N-Ac,Boc laurylthio sialoside and its application to O-sialylation

The combination of the 5-N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group of laurylthio sialoside and cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) as a solvent enhanced the reactivity and α-selectivity of the sialyl donor during sialylation. Selective deprotection of the N-Boc group of sialoside, including an acid-sensitive isopropylidene function, was successfully achieved by Yb(OTf)₃-SiO₂. Transformation of N,N-Ac,Boc into an N-acetylglycolyl group of sialoglycoside was easily performed via selective N-deacylation of the mixed Ac-N-Boc carbamate, subsequent Boc group removal, and acylation.     

Highly regioselective propanoylation of dihydroxybenzenes mediated by Candida antarctica lipase B in organic solvents

Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) was found to be a highly active biocatalyst for the direct acylation of the phenolic hydroxyls of substituted hydroquinones and resorcinols with vinyl propanoate as an acyl donor. The acylation reactions took place generally in a very regioselective manner. Especially in the case of 4-substituted resorcinols, the hydroxyl remote from the substituent was regiospecifically acylated to afford only the 1-O-propanoylated resorcinols.     

A peptide-based catalyst approach to regioselective functionalization of carbohydrates

Two small peptide libraries (150 members and 36 members) have been subjected to screening experiments to evaluate their potential for regioselective (i.e. site-selective) acylation of carbohydrate monomers. Two substrates, one diol derived from N-acetyl glucosamine and one tetraol derived from glucose, have served as the test cases. In each case, the inherent regioselection of catalyzed acylation was defined as that derived from the reaction where N-methylimidazole (NMI) is used as the catalyst. With both substrates, peptides were found to perturb the inherent selectivities from those observed with NMI. From the libraries, the catalysts that provide the largest deviation from NMI were subjected to optimization studies. The work sets the groundwork for studies of expanded peptide libraries and development of structure-selectivity relationships to obtain catalysts that can selectively derivatize the unique sites in stereochemically complex polyols.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed acylation of p-quinones: a facile synthesis of acylated hydroquinones

p-Quinones undergo smooth acylation with acetic anhydride in the presence of 2 mol % of bismuth triflate under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 1,4-diacylated-2-acetoxylated hydroquinones in excellent yields with high selectivity.     

A straightforward route to obtain C1-labeled clenbuterol

Singly-labeled ¹³C₁-clenbuterol has been synthesized employing a straightforward pathway starting from easily available acetanilide. The critical step was the Friedel-Crafts acylation of this compound with marked acetyl chloride, being the first example of the use of this methodology applied to the synthesis of a clenbuterol derivative. Subsequent chemical reactions afforded the desired product with good yields.     

N-Acyltrifluoromethanesulfonamides as new chemoselective acylating agents for aliphatic and aromatic amines

This work describes advances in the study of the internal condensation of ammonium salts of N-acylsulfonamides. N-Acyltrifluoromethanesulfonamides show considerable advantages over the non fluorinated analogues by virtue of their higher reactivity and acidity. The reaction chemoselectivity has been investigated using a wide range of amines. The sensitivity of the reaction to steric and electronic effects confirms the potential application of these reagents in chemoselective acylation of polyamines.     

Substrate scope in the direct imine acylation of ortho-substituted benzoic acid derivatives: the total synthesis (±)-cavidine

The direct imine acylation (DIA) and subsequent cyclisation of a range of imines with ortho-substituted benzoic acid derivatives is described. Variation in the coupling reagents, imine and benzoic acid were all examined. The DIA procedure was also applied in the total synthesis of (±)-cavidine.     

An effective procedure for the preparation of 3-substituted-4- or 6-azaindoles from ortho-methyl nitro pyridines

3-Substituted-4- and 6-azaindoles were prepared from ortho-methyl-nitropyridines in a practically convenient, one-pot process based on the Leimgruber-Batcho reaction. The procedure comprises a sequence of (a) condensation of an ortho-methyl-nitropyridine with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal; (b) alkylation or acylation of the enamine intermediate; (c) reduction of the nitro group to an aniline with in situ cyclization and elimination of dimethylamine to generate the 3-substituted azaindole heterocycle.     

Biocatalytic enantioselective preparation of phenothiazine-based cyanohydrin acetates: kinetic and dynamic kinetic resolution

Dynamic kinetic resolution is used for the preparation of a series of novel (+)-10-alkyl-phenothiazin-3-ylcyanomethyl acetates. The method exploits a basic resin both for the racemization and formation of phenothiazine-based cyanohydrins and for the decomposition of acetone cyanohydrin in one pot together with Candida antarctica lipase A-catalyzed enantioselective acylation with vinyl acetate in acetonitrile. The Candida antarctica lipase A-catalyzed methanolysis of racemic 10-alkyl-phenothiazin-3-ylcyanomethyl acetates in acetonitrile with E?100 leads to the corresponding (−)-acetates.     

Kinetic resolution of cyanohydrins via enantioselective acylation catalyzed by lipase PS-30

By using lipase PS-30 as catalyst, the kinetic resolution of a series of racemic cyanohydrins has been achieved via enantioselective acylation. The values of kinetic enantiomeric ratio (E) reached up to 314. Substituent effect is also briefly discussed.     

Kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols via stereoselective acylation catalyzed by lipase PS-30

By using lipase PS-30 as catalyst, the kinetic resolution of a series of racemic allylic alcohols has been achieved via stereoselective acylation. The value of kinetic enantiomeric ratio (E) reached up to 968. Substituent effect is briefly discussed.     

C-(β-d-Glucopyranosyl)formamidrazones,formic acid hydrazides and their transformations into 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-substituted-1,2,4-triazoles: a synthetic and computational study

Synthesis of O-perbenzoylated 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-substituted-1,2,4-triazoles, precursors of potent inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase, was studied by ring closures of N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazone type intermediates. Reactions of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formimidate or C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidine with acid hydrazides as well as acylation of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidrazone by acid chlorides unexpectedly gave the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazoles instead of 1,2,4-triazoles. The desired triazoles were obtained in reactions of C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidine or C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formyl chloride with arenecarboxamidrazones, and also in acylations of N¹-tosyl-C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamidrazone with acid chlorides. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP and M06-2X DFT with the standard 6-31G(d,p) basis set) on simple model compounds with methyl and phenyl substituents to understand the bifurcation of the ring closure of N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazones indicated that in general the reaction led to 1,2,4-triazoles. However, the probability of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole forming pathway was shown to be significantly higher with N¹-benzoyl-acetamidrazones, which were closest analogues of the intermediates resulting in C-glucosyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. It was thereby demonstrated that the substitution pattern of the N¹-acyl-carboxamidrazones played a fundamental role in determining the direction of the ring closing reaction.     

Kinetic resolution of mandelate esters via stereoselective acylation catalyzed by lipase PS-30

By using lipase PS-30 as catalyst, the kinetic resolution of a series of racemic mandelate esters has been achieved via stereoselective acylation. The value of kinetic enantiomeric ratio (E) reached up to 197.5. Substituent effect is briefly discussed.     

Highly efficient and selective biocatalytic acylation studies on triazolylsugars

Different acid anhydrides (of C₂ to C₇ aliphatic fatty acids and benzoic acid) have been used to study the selective acylation of primary/secondary hydroxyl groups in 2-phenyl-4-(d-threo-1′,2′,3′-trihydroxypropyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole, 2-phenyl-4-(d-erythro-1′,2′,3′-trihydroxypropyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole, 2-phenyl-4-(d-arabino-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole and 2-phenyl-4-(d-lyxo-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroxybutyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B in diisopropyl ether. Among the different acid anhydrides, butanoic anhydride was found to be the most efficient acylating agent (for butanoylation); for acetylation, vinyl acetate gave the best results. The reactions with both these acylating agents were highly selective and efficient yielding exclusively the monoacylated products in 95-99% yields in 1-5 h.     

N-Silylation of amines and amino acid esters under neutral conditions employing TMS-Cl in the presence of zinc dust

An expedient synthetic approach to N-silylamines has been developed. The protocol, using TMS-Cl/zinc dust instead of BSA, is useful for the conversion of amines or amino acid esters to the corresponding silyl derivatives, followed by acylation with an acyl chloride or Fmoc-amino acid chloride to give the corresponding amide or peptide. This procedure, affording products in good to excellent yields, is also efficient for the coupling of sterically hindered amino acids like α,α-dialkylamino acids and NMe-amino acids. Further, the use of an equimolar quantity of organic base, such as Et₃N/pyridine, is circumvented.     

Screening of N-Alkyl-Cyanoacetamido Oximes as Substitutes for N-Hydroxysuccinimide

Peptide-bond formation is a pivotal process in the synthesis of peptide oligomers. Among the various coupling methodologies described, carbodiimides combine strong acylation potency and smooth reaction conditions, and they are commonly used in the presence of N-hydroxylamine additives. In recent years, acidic oxime templates, mainly ethyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino) acetate (Oxyma), have emerged as highly reactive alternatives to the classic and explosive-prone benzotriazolic additives, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) and 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt). However, to achieve certain biochemical targets, less reactive species, such as N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu) esters, are often required to obtain stability under aqueous conditions. In the present study, we report on a new family of water-soluble N-alkyl-cyanoacetamido oximes, most of which have proven useful in the construction of active carbonates for the introduction of fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) with minimal impact of dipeptide impurities. We performed a direct comparison of these new N-alkyl-cyanoacetamido oximes with HOSu in order to evaluate their capacity to retain optical purity and their coupling efficiency in the assembly of bulky residues.     

Aldehyde-based racemization in the dynamic kinetic resolution of N-heterocyclic α-amino esters using Candida antarctica lipase A

The present research introduces approaches for the dynamic kinetic resolution of the methyl esters of proline and pipecolic acid. As the result, a method was developed which is based on the acylation of the secondary amino group of the amino esters with vinyl butanoate by Candida antarctica lipase A. In the optimized method, acetaldehyde as a racemizing agent is released in situ from vinyl butanoate in the presence of triethylamine, allowing ca. 90% of the racemic proline and 70% of the pipecolic acid methyl esters to be acylated in the forms of highly enantiopure (ee=97%) butanamides with the S-absolute configurations.