Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin

A convergent synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)-rollicosin (1) and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin (2) was accomplished. Hydroxy lactone 6a and/or 6b were synthesized from 4-pentyn-1-ol, and α,β-unsaturated lactone 7 was synthesized from γ-lactone 8 and 5-hexen-1-ol. Inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.     

(R,R,R)-Tris(2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)- and (S,S,S)-tris(2-hydroxy-2-methylethyl)phosphine: water-soluble chiral trialkylphosphines with C3-symmetry

The first α- and β-chiral water-soluble trialkylmonophosphines, 1 and 2, respectively, both with C₃ symmetry, were synthesised from sodium phosphide and chiral mesylates, accessible from (S)-ethyl lactate. X-ray structures of a corresponding 2:1 gold(I) complex [1₂Au(I)]OTf and of a borane complex 2·BH₃ were determined.     

Mononuclear ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the (S,S)-Pr-pybox ligand

The complexes trans-[RuCl₂(L){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}] ((S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox = 2,6-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine, L = PMe₃ (1), P(OMe)₃ (2), PPh₂(CH₂CHCH₂) (3), CNBn (5), CNCy (6) and MeCN (7)) have been synthesized by substitution of ethylene on the precursor trans-[RuCl₂(η²-C₂H₄){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}]. This complex also reacts with cyclooctadiene (cod) or norbornadiene (nbd) and NaPF₆, in refluxing methanol, giving the coordination compounds [RuCl(η⁴-cod){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (8) and [RuCl(η⁴-nbd){(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox}][PF₆] (9). The structures of complexes [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)(H-pybox)][BF₄] (H-pybox = 2,6-bis(dihydrooxazolin-2′-yl)pyridine) (4), 6 and 8, have been resolved by X-ray diffraction methods. The catalytic activity of the new complexes in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone has also been examined.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (1S,2S)-1,2-di-tert-butyl and (1R,2R)-1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamines

An enantioselective synthesis of sterically congested 1,2-di-tert-butyl and 1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamines has been developed. Thus, diastereomerically pure trans-1-apocamphanecarbonyl-4,5-dimethoxy-2-imidazolidinones 6 and 7 were successfully prepared by optical resolution of (±)-trans-4,5-dimethoxy-2-imidazolidinone using apocamphanecarbonyl chloride (MAC-Cl) followed by stereospecific and stepwise substitution of the dimethoxyl groups using tert-butyl or 1-adamantyl cuprates to provide (4S,5S)-4,5-di-tert-butyl and (4R,5R)-4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 15, respectively. Furthermore, N-acetyl 4,5-di-tert-butyl and 4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 16a,b were enantioselectively deacetylated using a catalytic oxazaborolidine system to provide enantiopure 1-p-tolylsulfonyl-4,5-di-tert-butyl-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 19 and 1-p-tolylsulfonyl-4,5-di-(1-adamantyl)-2-imidazolidinones 18 and 20, respectively. Finally, N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2-imidazolidinones 12 and 15 were treated with 30 equiv of Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O to achieve ring cleavage and to provide (1S,2S)-1,2-di-tert-butylethylenediamine 3 and (1R,2R)-1,2-di-(1-adamantyl)ethylenediamine 4.     

The first asymmetric synthesis of (2S,3S,4R)-3-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine

The novel (2S,3S,4R)-3-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxypyrrolidine 5 has been produced in an efficient synthesis from trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline 8. The key step involves a tethered aminohydroxylation of the alkene 7 to introduce regio- and stereoselectively the amino alcohol functionality in the resulting products 6 and 13. Subsequent deprotection steps furnish the target molecule 5 as well as several differentially protected analogues.     

Synthesis of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[3-H1]-proline via highly stereoselective hydrolysis of a silyl enol ether

A straightforward synthesis of (2S)-[3,3-²H₂]-proline 1c and (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[3-²H₁]-proline, 1b and 1a, respectively, has been devised. The key step of the route to the latter compounds involves highly stereoselective hydrolysis of the silyl enol ethers 3 and 3a, respectively, with protonation (deuteriation) from the re-face of the silyl enol ether.     

A facile synthesis of (6S,1′S)-(+)-hernandulcin and (6S,1′R)-(+)-epihernandulcin

A facile total synthesis of (+)-hernandulcin (1) was accomplished from (−)-isopulegol in 6 steps with 15% overall yield. Epoxidation of (−)-isopulegol with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by opening of the epoxide 3a with prenyl Grignard afforded the tertiary alcohol 4a with correct C-6 and C-1′ stereochemistry as a major product. Oxidation of the secondary alcohol in compound 4a to the ketone 5a was accomplished in high yield by using TPAP and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. Conversion of the ketone 5a to α,β-unsaturated ketone via organoselenium intermediate gave (+)-hernandulcin (1). This method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of (+)-epihernandulcin (2).     

Diastereoselective route to (2R,5S)- and (2S,5S)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane, a pheromone component of the wasp Paravespula vulgaris

A diastereoselective approach to (2R,5S)- and (2S,5S)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1 and 1a is described. The route starts with an alkylation reaction among the cyclopentanone N,N-dimethylhydrazone 6 and the chiral iodides (R)-3 or (S)-3, derived from the enantiomers of ethyl β-hydroxybutyrate, controlling the estereocenter at C-2 of the molecules. The alkylated products 7 and 7a were easily transformed into the 1,8-O-TBS-1,8-dihydroxy-5-nonanones 9 and 9a in four steps, and a subsequent stereoselective spiroketalization, in acidic media, afforded a Z:E mixture (1:2) of compounds 1 and 1a.     

Easy access to 4-nitrothiochroman S,S-dioxides via ring-enlargement from 3-nitrobenzo[b]thiophene

The (E)-2-aryl-1-[2-(methylthio)phenyl]-1-nitroethylenes 5 can easily be oxidized to the relevant sulfones 6 and effectively subjected to cyclization via an intramolecular Michael addition after metallation with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF. After quenching with ammonium chloride the 3-aryl-4-nitrothiochroman S,S-dioxides 2 are obtained as diastereomeric mixtures in good to excellent yields. Both yields and stereochemistry of the ring-closure step appear to be influenced by steric effects of the 3-aryl moiety. As sulfides 5 derive from an initial ring opening of 3-nitrobenzo[b]thiophene (1), the overall 1 to 2 process can be considered as an effective 5 to 6 ring enlargement of the sulfur heterocycle. A conformational ¹H NMR and molecular-mechanics investigation on the isolated diastereomeric 2 has also been accomplished.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-trifluoromethylepinephrine

An asymmetric synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-trifluoromethylepinephrine (1R and 1S) is presented. Trifluoromethylation involves nucleophilic aromatic substitution of halobenzene 4 most likely via a copper mediated CF₃ anion equivalent generated in situ. The asymmetric step involves conversion of 3,4-dimethoxy-2-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde (5) to silyl cyanohydrin (6R and 6S) using a chiral salen catalyst in the presence of titanium. 1R and 1S are potential alternatives to currently used vasoconstrictors in local anesthetic formulations.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethylpentadec-2-yl acetate and propionate, the sex pheromones of pine sawflies

The stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethylpentadec-2-yl acetate (2) and propionate (3) was accomplished by utilizing the cheap and easily available chiron (R)-4-methyl-δ-valerolactone (4). The key steps were chelation-controlled addition of Gilmann reagent to chiral β-alkoxy aldehyde 12 and the Cu(I)-catalyzed coupling of Grignard reagent with bromoester 5 in the presence of NMP.     

Chemo- and diastereoselective control for a flexible approach to (5S,6S)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones

Chemo- and diastereoselective transformation of the N,O-acetals and their chain tautomers (4/5), readily derived from protected 3-hydroxyglutarimide 1a, was studied. It was uncovered that while the reaction with a combination of boron trifluoride etherate/zinc borohydride led to cyclic products (5S,6S/R)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones 3/2, and 6 in modest chemo- and diastereoselectivities, the reaction of 4/5 with zinc borohydride led exclusively to the formation of the ring-opening products 6 in excellent anti-diastereoselectivities. On the basis of the latter reaction, a flexible approach to (5S,6S)-6-alkyl-5-benzyloxy-2-piperidinones 3 was disclosed.     

An expedient synthesis of 7(S)-ethyl-8(R or S)-indolizidinols based on a thiophene reductive desulfurization

Chiral hexahydrothieno[2,3-f]indolizine-4,7-dione (S)-12 and the ancillary alcohol 13 were generated from thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and (S)-glutamic acid in three and four steps, respectively, in good overall yields and both high enantio- and diastereomeric purities. Applying a thiophene reductive desulfurization, compound 12 was readily converted into 7(S)-ethyl-8(S)-indolizidinol 9. The 8(R)-epimer of 9 was advantageously obtained using the Mitsunobu alcohol inversion or, starting from 13, by chemical separation after O-benzylation and lactam reduction. During these studies, the reduction of regioisomers of 12 and 13, namely 17 and 18, was investigated and the results obtained are also discussed.     

Synthesis of polylactide using a zinc complex containing (S)-N-ethyl-N-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanamine

The reaction between ZnCl₂ and (S)-N-ethyl-N-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanamine (S-EPP) as a chiral ligand affords [ZnCl₂(S-EPP)], whose structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. [ZnEt₂(S-EPP)] has demonstrated high activity toward the polymerization of rac-lactide with a maximum turnover frequency (TOF) of 121. Despite the intended stereocontrol by employing a chiral ligand, however, the observed heterotacticity was limited to under 0.6. The MWDs of the PLAs were found to be modulated by changing the solvent or controlling the concentration of the monomer in the solution. The glass transition temperature (T_g) was critically dependent on the MW within the narrow MWD regime, but the dependence became significantly shallow when the MWD was broadened.     

Generation of allenylthioketene S,S-dioxides through [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of alkynyl propargyl sulfones

Thioketene S,S-dioxides 2 were successfully generated through [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of alkynyl propargyl sulfones 1 and the formation of 2 was confirmed by trapping experiment using cyclohexene or allyltrimethylsilane affording a [2+2] cycloadduct 5. In situ generated thioketene S,S-dioxides 2 underwent facile conversion into allenynes 3 in moderate yields, via formation and subsequent [1,2] shift of vinylidene carbenes.     

Synthesis of (15S,16S,21R)-4-deoxyrollicosin analog

Synthesis of 4-deoxy rollicosin analog 2 was completed in nine steps, which was based on palladium-catalyzed coupling of two building blocks 3 and 4. Lactone 3 was synthesized from 5-hexyn-1-ol, and vinyl iodide 4 was accessed from l-glutamate and 1-hexyne.     

A route to fluorocontaining N,S-heterocycles via octafluoro-2,3-epoxybutane

The reaction of octafluoro-2,3-epoxybutane 1 with 2-aminothiophenol gave three kinds of novel fluorocontaining N,S-heterocyclic compounds depending on the solvent nature: 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothiazin-2-ol 2, 2-trifluoromethyl-2-[1-(2-aminophenylthio)-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl]-1,3-benzothiazolidine 6 and 5a,11a-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5a,6,11a,12-tetrahydro-5,11-dithia-6,12-diazanaphthacene 5. Use of the toluene, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile and dimethoxyethane gave the unexpected dihydrobenzothiazine 2 (RS,SR > RR,SS) in good to moderate yields. In dimethylsulfoxide and N,N-dimethylacetamide, unusual cyclization occurred resulting in benzothiazolidine 6 (RS,SR/RR,SS ∼ 1:1) in moderate yields. Formation of minor 1,1,1,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-3-(2-aminophenylthio)-2,2-dihydroxybutane 4 which was converted into bis(benzothiazine) 5 was observed in all solvents tested with the exception of toluene and dioxane. The molecular structure of the RS,SR-diastereomer of dihydrobenzothiazine 2, bis(benzothiazine) 5 and the RS,SR-diastereomer of benzothiazolidine 6 has been established by X-ray crystallography.     

[6-C]-(2S,4S)-5-Chloroleucine: synthesis and incubation studies with cultures of the cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula

[6-¹³C]-(2S,4S)-5-Chloroleucine 12 was prepared in six steps and 26% overall yield from protected l-glutamic acid using ¹³CH₃I as the source of isotopic label. On feeding 12 to cultures of L. majuscula no incorporation of isotopic label into the trichlorinated marine natural product barbamide was detected. The synthesis of a novel dichloroleucine derivative 16 is also described.