Pictet‐spengler cyclization in room temperature ionic liquid: A convenient access to tetrahydro β‐carbolines

1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines have been synthesized in moderate to good yields in short reaction time using the ionic liquid [bbim] BF₄ as reaction medium and promoter. There was no need for the use of an additional catalyst normally employed in Pictet‐Spengler condensation.     

Synthesis of some fused β‐carbolines including the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline system

Condensation of 1‐methyl‐β‐carboline‐3‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate and subsequent thermolysis of the resulting azidopropenoate was used to [c] annulate a pyrrole ring onto the β‐carboline moiety, thus producing the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. The latter ring system results from cyclization at the C‐4 carbon, whereas cyclization at the N‐2 nitrogen atom also occurs to form a pyrazolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. Condensation of β‐carboline‐1‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate produced a non‐isolable intermediate, which immediately underwent cyclization, however in this case cyclization occurred via attack at the ester and the azide remained intact. The resulting 5‐azidocanthin‐6‐one was transformed to the first examples of 5‐aminocanthin‐6‐ones. β‐Carboline‐1,3‐dicarbaldehyde failed to give an acceptable reaction with ethyl azidoacetate, but did undergo selective condensation with dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate at the C‐1 carbaldehyde with concomitant cyclization to form a highly functionalized 2‐formyl‐canthine derivative.     

Synthesis of 8‐substituted tetrahydro‐γ‐carbolines

The Fischer reaction is applied to the synthesis of 8‐substituted tetrahydro‐γ‐carbolines with electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing groups, using catalytic or thermal methods. The reaction conditions must be varied according to the nature of the N 1 substituent of the piperidone. The best results are observed when a releasing group is present on the arylhydrazine and a benzyl substituent on the nitrogen of piperidone. Formation of carbolines with a withdrawing substituent is observed in soft acidic conditions; in others, reaction ended at the hydrazone level or did not evolve.     

Synthesis and isolation of bromo‐β‐carbolines obtained by bromination of β‐carboline alkaloids

β‐Carbolines ( 1–5 ) undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution with N‐bromosuccinimide under different experimental conditions. Although 6‐bromo‐nor‐harmane ( la ) obtained by bromination of nor‐harmane ( 1 ) was isolated and fully characterized sometime ago, the other bromoderivatives of nor‐harmane ( 1b‐1e ) and harmane ( 2a‐2e ) were partially described as part of the reaction mixtures. The preparation and subsequent isolation, purification and full characterization of 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e are reported (mp, R _f, ¹H‐nmr, ¹³C‐nmr and ms) together with the preparation, isolation and charaterization, for the first time, of the bromoderivatives obtained from harmine ( 3a‐3e ), harmol ( 4a, 4b ) and 7‐acetylharmol ( 5a‐5c ). As brominating reagent N‐bromosuccinimide and N‐bromosuccinimide‐silica gel in dichloromethane and in chloroform as well as the β‐carboline ‐ N‐bomosuccinimide solid mixture have been used and their uses have been compared. Semiempirical AMI and PM3 calculations have been performed in order to predict reactivity in terms of the energies of HOMO, HOMO‐LUMO difference and in terms of the charge density of β‐carbolines ( 1–5 ) and bromo‐β‐carbolines ( 1a‐1e, 2a‐2e, 3a‐3e, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b and 5c ) (Scheme 1). Theoretical and experimental results are discussed briefly.     

Ultrasound Assisted Pictet–Spengler Synthesis of Tetrahydro‐β‐Carboline Derivatives

The synthesis of twelve tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h , 3i , 3j , 3k , 3l prepared via the Pictet–Spengler reaction is described. The reaction of tryptamine and a variety of arylaldehydes were carried out under ultrasonic irradiation and trifluoracetic acid catalysis at room temperature. These tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines have been synthesized in higher yields and shorter reaction times compared to the conventional method. Moreover, the reaction proceeded successfully even employing arylaldehydes with electron‐donating or electron‐attracting substituents which did not react under conventional method.     

Synthesis and isolation of chloro‐β‐carbolines obtained by chlorination of β‐carboline alkaloids in solution and in solid state

β‐Carbolines (1‐5) undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution with N‐chlorosuccinimide and N‐chlorobenzotriazole under different experimental conditions. Although 6‐chloro and 8‐chloro‐nor‐har‐mane ( 1a and 1b ) and 6‐chloro and 8‐chloro‐harmane ( 2a and 2b ) obtained by chlorination with sodium hypochlorite of nor‐harmane (1) and harmane (2) were isolated and fully characterized recently, other chloroderivatives of nor‐harmane and harmane have never been described. The preparation and subsequent isolation, purification and full characterization of the dichloroderivatives 1c and 2c are reported (mp, R_f, ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr and ms) together with the preparation, isolation and charaterization, for the first time, of the chloroderivatives obtained from harmine (3a‐3c) , harmol (4a‐4b) and 7‐acetylharmol (5a‐5c) . As chlorinating reagent N‐chlorosuccinimide and N‐chlorobenzotriazole in solution as well as the β‐carboline ‐N‐chlorosuccinimide solid mixture have been used and their uses have been compared. Gc (t_R) and gc‐ms (m/z) data for other monochloro derivative of nor‐harmane (1d) and monochloro‐ and dichloroderivatives of harmane ( 2d and 2e‐2f ), obtained in trace amounts, are also included (Scheme 1 and Table I). Semiempirical AM1 and PM3 calculations have been performed in order to predict reactivity in terms of the energies of HOMO‐LUMO difference and in terms of the charge density of β‐carbolines (1‐5) and chloro‐β‐carbolines ( 1a‐1c, 2a‐2c, 3a‐3c, 4a‐4b , and 5a‐5c ) (Scheme 1). Theoretical and experimental results are discussed briefly.     

Oxidative Rearrangement Coupling Reaction for the Functionalization of Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines with Aromatic Amines

The observation of an unexpected oxidative rearrangement coupling reaction led to the development of a novel method for the efficient functionalization of tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines (THβCs). The treatment of THβCs with photogenerated singlet oxygen (¹O₂) afforded unstable dioxetanes, which underwent further transformation to form new bonds in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. This operationally simple protocol exhibits broad functional‐group tolerance and is suitable for the late‐stage functionalization of complex druglike molecules.     

Synthesis of pyrazole‐fused azepino[5,4,3‐cd]indoles

The synthesis of some new pyrazolo[3′,4′:6,7]azepino[5,4,3‐cd] indoles (10a‐c) was achieved via regios‐elective cyclization of the respective 3‐(4‐acylaminopyrazol‐5‐yl)indoles (9a‐c) under Bischler‐Napieralski reaction conditions. The latter compounds were obtained by acylation of the corresponding 3‐(4‐aminopyra‐zol‐5‐yl)indoles (8a,b) which, in turn, were prepared by reduction of the 3‐(4‐nitropyrazol‐5‐yl)indoles precursors (7a,b) . The latter synthons were accessible from the reaction of indolylzinc chlorides (5a,b) with 5‐chloro‐1,3‐dimethyl‐4‐nitropyrazole. Ms and nmr spectral data of 10a‐c are in agreement with the assigned azepino‐indole structure as determined for 10a by X‐ray crystal measurements which demonstrate that the azepine ring is almost completely planar with the indole and pyrazole rings.     

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene and 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene

13‐cis‐β,β‐Carotene, C₄₀H₅₆, crystallizes with a complete molecule in the asymmetric unit, whereas 15‐cis‐β,β‐carotene, also C₄₀H₅₆, has twofold symmetry about an axis through the central bond of the polyene chain. The polyene methyl groups are arranged on one side of the polyene chains for each molecule and the 6‐s‐cisβ end groups, with the cyclohexene rings in half‐chair conformations, are twisted out of the planes of the polyene chains by angles ranging from 41.37 (17) to 52.2 (4)°. The molecules in each structure pack so that the arms of one occupy the cleft of the next, and there is significant π–π stacking of the almost‐parallel polyene chains of the 15‐cis isomer, which approach at distances of 3.319 (1)–3.591 (1) Å.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of newly synthesized α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactones fused to sugars

Knowledge of the fragmentation mechanisms of lactones and their behaviour under electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions can be extended to larger and more complex natural products that contain an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactone moiety in their structure. Moreover, little is known about the gas‐phase behaviour of α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactones linked or fused to sugars. Therefore, five α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactones (butenolides) fused to a pyranose ring, recently synthesized compounds with potential relevance regarding their biological properties, were investigated using ESI‐MS and ESI‐MS/MS in both positive and negative ion modes. Their fragmentation mechanisms and product ion structures were compared. It was observed that two isomers could be unambiguously distinguished in the negative ion mode by the fragmentation pathways of their deprotonated molecules as well as in the positive ion mode by the fragmentation pathways of either the protonated or the sodiated molecule. Fragmentation mechanisms are proposed taking into account the MS/MS data and semi‐empirical calculations using the PM6 Hamiltonean. The semi‐empirical calculations were also very useful in determining the most probable protonation and cationization sites. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of Protected β2‐ and β3‐Homocysteine, β2‐ and β3‐Homohistidine,and β2‐Homoserine for Solid‐Phase Syntheses

The Ser, Cys, and His side chains play decisive roles in the syntheses, structures, and functions of proteins and enzymes. For our structural and biomedical investigations of β‐peptides consisting of amino acids with proteinogenic side chains, we needed to have reliable preparative access to the title compounds. The two β³‐homoamino acid derivatives were obtained by Arndt–Eistert methodology from Boc‐His(Ts)‐OH and Fmoc‐Cys(PMB)‐OH (Schemes 2–4), with the side‐chain functional groups' reactivities requiring special precautions. The β²‐homoamino acids were prepared with the help of the chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary DIOZ by diastereoselective aldol additions of suitable Ti‐enolates to formaldehyde (generated in situ from trioxane) and subsequent functional‐group manipulations. These include OH→O^tBu etherification (for β²hSer; Schemes 5 and 6), OH→STrt replacement (for β²hCys; Scheme 7), and CH₂OH→CH₂N₃→CH₂NH₂ transformations (for β²hHis; Schemes 9–11). Including protection/deprotection/re‐protection reactions, it takes up to ten steps to obtain the enantiomerically pure target compounds from commercial precursors. Unsuccessful approaches, pitfalls, and optimization procedures are also discussed. The final products and the intermediate compounds are fully characterized by retention times (t_R), melting points, optical rotations, HPLC on chiral columns, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and (in some cases) by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis.     

Synthesis and isolation of nitro‐bT‐carbolines obtained by nitration of commercial β‐carboline alkaloids

Nitration of commercial full aromatic β‐carboline alkaloids nor‐harmane ( 1 ), harmane ( 2 ), harmine ( 3 ), harmol ( 4 ), and the 7‐acetylated derivative of harmol ( 5 ) is described. Advantages and disadvantages of different nitration reagents which involve acidic conditions (HNO₃/H⁺) and neutral conditions (Cu(NO₃)₂; ceric ammonium nitrate) are discussed. A complete ¹H and ¹³C‐nmr characterization including ms and also uv absorption spectra in neutral and acid media is presented. A detailed ei‐ms and ld‐tof‐ms study is enclosed because the nitro‐β‐carbolines constitute a new family of β‐carboline‐like chromophores with potential use as matrix in uv‐maldi‐tof‐ms.     

Efficient synthesis of 3‐arylaminopyrroline‐2‐ones by the tandem reaction of anilines and β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters

A concise and efficient synthetic approach to 3‐arylaminopyrroline‐2‐ones from anilines and β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters in boiling dichloromethane has been developed. This protocol possesses many advantages such as short reaction time, high isolated yields, and expanding substrate scopes. According to the isolated intermediates and controlled reactions, the reaction was tentatively proposed to involve the Michael addition/condensation and subsequent intramolecular cyclization. The structures of the title compounds were unambiguously confirmed by various spectral data such as X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

5β,6β‐Epoxy‐17‐oxoandrostan‐3β‐yl acetate and 5β,6β‐epoxy‐20‐oxopregnan‐3β‐yl acetate

In the title compounds, C₂₁H₃₀O₄, (I), and C₂₃H₃₄O₄, (II), respectively, which are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of important steroid derivatives, rings A and B are cis‐(5β,10β)‐fused. The two molecules have similar conformations of rings A, B and C. The presence of the 5β,6β‐epoxide group induces a significant twist of the steroid nucleus and a strong flattening of the B ring. The different C17 substituents result in different conformations for ring D. Cohesion of the molecular packing is achieved in both compounds only by weak intermolecular interactions. The geometries of the molecules in the crystalline environment are compared with those of the free molecules as given by ab initio Roothan Hartree–Fock calculations. We show in this work that quantum mechanical ab initio methods reproduce well the details of the conformation of these molecules, including a large twist of the steroid nucleus. The calculated twist values are comparable, but are larger than the observed values, indicating a possible small effect of the crystal packing on the twist angles.     

5-雄烯-3β, 7α, 17β-三醇和5-雄烯-3β, 7β, 17β-三醇的合成

以5-雄烯二醇为原料,用微生物转化的方法合成了两个重要的神经甾体5-雄烯-3β, 7α, 17β-三醇和5-雄烯-3β, 7β, 17β-三醇。所用菌种总枝毛霉为我们自己筛选,并首次应用于5-雄烯-3β, 7α, 17β-三醇和5-雄烯-3β, 7β, 17β-三醇的合成中。     

Construction of Chiral Tetrahydro‐β‐Carbolines: Asymmetric Pictet–Spengler Reaction of Indolyl Dihydropyridines

A highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines was developed by using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reaction of indolyl dihydropyridines. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions to afford the desired chiral tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines in good to excellent yields (up to 96 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee ). With this method, a formal synthesis of tangutorine and a total synthesis of deplancheine were achieved in a highly efficient manner.     

Concomitant polymorphism in the stereoselective synthesis of a β‐benzyl‐β‐hydroxyaspartate analogue

Two concomitant polymorphs, (I) and (II), of a β‐benzyl‐β‐hydroxyaspartate analogue [systematic name: dibenzyl 2‐benzyl‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐methylphenylsulfonamido)succinate], C₃₂H₃₁NO₇S, crystallize from a mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane at ambient temperature. The structure of (I) has triclinic (P) symmetry and that of (II) monoclinic (P2₁/c) symmetry. Both crystal structures are made up of a stacking of homochiral racemic dimers (2S,3S and 2R,3R) which are internally connected by a similar R₂²(9) hydrogen‐bonding pattern consisting of intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The centroid of the racemic dimer lies on an inversion centre. The main structural difference between the two polymorphs is the conformational orientation of two of the four aromatic rings present in the molecule. Polymorph (II) is found to be twinned by reticular merohedry with twin index 3 and twin fractions 0.854 (1) and 0.146 (1).