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.     

A glycal approach towards an efficient and stereodivergent synthesis of polyhydroxypyrrolidines

A stereo-defined synthesis of two diastereomers of polyhydroxypyrrolidines from 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal 4 involving a cleavage-recyclization strategy is reported. Hemiacetal 7 obtained from glucal 4, upon reduction with LiAlH₄ afforded diol 8. Selective acetylation of 8 to 11, followed by Mitsunobu cyclization yielded the diversely protected polyhydroxypyrrolidine 12. Oxidation of 11 and subsequent stereoselective reduction led to 20, the C-5 epimer of 11, which upon Mitsunobu cyclization gave polyhydroxypyrrolidine 21. Selective deprotection of the acetyl groups of 12 and 21 were carried out using Na₂CO₃ in MeOH. Polyhydroxypyrrolidines 12 and 21 upon heating with an excess of Mg in MeOH underwent simultaneous N-detosylation and deacetylation to afford amino alcohols 15 and 24, respectively, in quantitative yield. Catalytic hydrogenation of 15 and 24 provided quantitatively the polyhydroxypyrrolidines 2 and 3, respectively.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Synthesis of E-deoxypukalide, and its biomimetic conversion into deoxypseudopterolide by photochemical ring contraction involving a 1,3-allylic shift

Irradiation of a solution of synthetic Z-deoxypukalide 10 in acetonitrile (Pyrex; 400 W Hg lamp) resulted in isomerisation, leading to E-deoxypukalide 12, which was isolated recently from the octocoral Leptogorgia spp. Further irradiation of 12, or prolonged irradiation of 10, then gave the ring-contracted product, deoxypseudopterolide 1 (>90%) found in octocorals of the genera Pseudopterogorgia and Leptogorgia. The contraction of the 14-membered rings in 10 and 12 to the 12-membered ring as 1, occurs by way of photochemical [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Cyanuric and thiocyanuric esters as carriers of boron-containing fragments and their fragmentation in mass spectrometry

Tripropargylic esters 2 and 10 of cyanuric and thiocyanuric acids were synthesized. Interaction of these compounds with disubstituted amines gives monoaminoderivatives of dipropargyloxy-s-triazine 4 and 11. Diaminosubstituted propargyloxy-s-triazine 6 was prepared from the corresponding diaminochloroderivative 5. First examples of boron-containing s-triazines 7, 8, 12, 13 were prepared by reaction of propargyl esters 4, 6, 10, 11 with decaborane. New rearrangements of the molecular ions of the 2-aminoderivatives of 4,6-dipropargyloxy-1,3,5-triazine in mass spectrometry were found.     

Organofluorine compounds and fluorinating agents : Part 28. New perfluoroalkyl substituted chiral mesogens

The perfluorohexyl-aryl-thioethers 3 and 4, building blocks for the synthesis of the chiral target mesogens 12-15, were prepared by dithionite-mediated S-perfluoroalkylation of the p-substituted thiophenols 1 and 2. The phenolic HO group of 3 was O-glucosylated with pentaacetyl-d-glucopyranose to 5 followed by deacetylation forming the tetrol 6 and by acetalizing with 4-(4-perfluorohexylsulfanyl-benzoyloxy)-benzaldehyde-dimethylacetal (8) generating the dihydroxy-intermediate 9. The latter contains two perfluorohexylthio chains. Alternatively, the dimethylacetal 8 was linked to p-octylphenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (10) giving the mixed octyl/perfluorohexyl substituted p-octylphenyl-4,6-O-[4′-(4″-perfluorohexylsulfanyl)-benzoyloxy]-benzylidene-β-d-glucopyranoside (11). Compound 8 was obtained via esterification of 4 with p-hydroxy-benzaldehyde to 4-(4-perfluorohexylsulfanyl-benzoyloxy)-benzaldehyde (7). Finally, the diols 9 and 11 were dehydroxylated to 12 and 13 followed by hydrogenation yielding 14 and 15, respectively. Tetrol 6, diols 9, 11 and the non-amphiphilic compounds 7, 12-15 are thermotropic liquid crystals.     

Addition of silyloxydienes to 2,6-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone: an approach to highly oxygenated bromonaphthoquinones for the synthesis of thysanone

The synthesis of tetraoxygenated bromonaphthoquinones 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, key intermediates for a synthesis of the 3C protease inhibitor, thysanone, were investigated. Addition of 1-methoxy-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadiene 8 to 2,6-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone 10 in benzene afforded a mixture of naphthoquinone 6a, arising from Diels-Alder addition followed by aromatisation, and Michael adduct 12. The Michael adduct 12 predominated when THF was used as solvent whereas 6a predominated when benzene was used. Naphthoquinone 6a underwent benzylation to naphthoquinone 6c. Addition of 1,1-dimethoxy-3-trimethylsilyloxy-1,3-butadiene 9 to 2,6-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone 10 followed by benzylation failed to afford the desired bromonaphthoquinone 6d yet methylation did afford naphthoquinone 6b. Bromonaphthoquinone 6d was finally prepared from naphthol 18, obtained from addition of diene 9 to 1,4-benzoquinone 17, followed by ortho-bromination and oxidation. Attempted Sakurai allylation of bromonaphthoquinone 6d afforded naphthodihydrofuran 21. A similar observation was observed for 2-carbomethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 22 that also underwent Sakurai allylation to afford naphthodihydrofuran 23. The structure of Michael adduct 12 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Stereospecific total synthesis of (−)-8-epi-hyperaspine

Condensation of protected δ-hydroxy-β-amino ester 7 with a β-keto ester provides vinylogous urethane 8, which is cyclized under the action of t-BuOK followed by decarboxylation to afford enone 12. Hydrogenation of 12 or its N,O-diprotected derivative 13 gives 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperdines. Using these intermediates, (−)-8-epi-hyperaspine is synthesized.     

Direct observation of the target cell for jasmonate-type leaf-closing factor: genus-specific binding of leaf-movement factors to the plant motor cell

We report the synthesis of the novel fluorescence-labeled jasmonate glycoside 2 based on β-d-glucopyranosyl 12-hydroxyjasmonate 1, which is a leaf-closing substance of Albizzia julibrissin Durazz. The fluorescence study using 2 revealed that the target cell for 1 is a motor cell. Probe 2 bound to the motor cells of two plants belonging to genus Albizzia. This result suggested that a receptor for 2, which is common among genus Albizzia would be involved in the nyctinastic leaf movement.     

First synthesis of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans via the ipso-nitration reaction

The first synthesis of a series of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans is reported. Our synthetic approach is based on a linear synthesis in two steps from appropriate brominated 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans 12-17, which requires the preliminary preparation of bromophenols 7-11. These latter were easily obtained by the reaction of phenols 1-5 with a mild and selective brominating agent tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBA·Br₃). The key intermediates 12-17 were efficiently elaborated through an univocal classic chromenization between the commercially available 1,1-diphenyl-2-yn-1-ol and the brominated phenols 6-11. The compounds 12-17 so obtained were converted into arylboronic acids 18-23 by a metalation/boronylation sequence, followed by acid hydrolysis. From advanced building blocks 18-23, the introduction of nitro group, which constitutes the ultimate step of our strategy, was achieved by an ipso-nitration reaction using the Crivello's reagent. This highly selective method provides only the ipso-nitrated products 24-29 in moderate to high yield.     

Synthesis of a regioisomeric analogue of the 3C-protease inhibitor thysanone via a Hauser annulation strategy

Hauser annulation of 3-cyano-5,7-dimethoxy-(3H)-isobenzofuran-1-one 4 with ethyl acrylate as a method to access activated naphthoquinone 3, a key intermediate for the synthesis of thysanone 1, proved unreliable. In contrast to this, Hauser annulation of regioisomeric 3-cyano-4,6-dimethoxy-(3H)-isobenzofuran-1-one 13 with ethyl acrylate proceeded readily affording ethyl 5,7-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 12, after oxidation of the initial dihydroxynaphthalene 16. Allylation of naphthoquinone 12 followed by reductive methylation and Wacker oxidation afforded ketone 11 that underwent CBS reduction to (2′S)-alcohol 19 followed by cyclisation to lactone 20. Reduction of the lactone followed by oxidative demethylation afforded (1S,3S)-6,8-dimethoxy-1-hydroxy-3-methylpyrano[2,3-c]-1,4-naphthoquinone 22, a regioisomeric analogue of the 3C-protease inhibitor thysanone 1.     

Structure-activity relationship study of flowering-inducer FN against Lemna paucicostata

FN1 (1) and FN2 (2), cycloadducts of α-ketol octadecadienoic acid (3) with norepinephrine (NE), induce flowering in Lemna paucicostata. In order to broaden our understanding of structural requirements of FN for flower induction, nine analogs of 3 (4-12) were synthesized and reacted with NE under basic conditions. These analogs, except for 8, 10, and 12, exhibited significant activity regarding to floral induction in L. paucicostata. Similar experiments were carried out by using 3 and epinephrine, and it was demonstrated that these products also possessed biological activity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α,β-substituted β-aminoalkanamides and stereochemical determination

Highly enantiomerically enriched β-aminoalkanamides 12 and β-phenylaminoalkanamides 13 have been prepared by the addition reaction of α-lithiated 2-alkyl-2-oxazolines 9-Li, derived from optically active oxazolines 9, to N-cumyl nitrones 2. The relative stereochemistry of alkanamides 5 and 6 has been established by 1D-NOESY experiments carried out on the related pyrimidinones 7, whereas the absolute configuration of alkanamides 12 and 13 has been confirmed by an X-ray analysis.     

Studies toward the total synthesis of di- and sesterterpenes with a dicyclopenta[a,d]cyclooctane skeleton. Construction of a versatile A/B ring building block via a ring-closing metathesis reaction and carbocationic rearrangement

The cyclopentacyclooctane derivative 1, chosen as the key building block in a synthesis of terpenoid ophiobolates and fusicoccins, has been prepared from 2-methylcyclo-pent-2-en-1-one 5. Cyclization of the intermediate 1,9-diene of l,u configuration 10 under metathesis conditions (Grubbs’ catalyst 15) afforded the eight-membered ring product 13, whereas cyclization of the l,l diastereomer 9 produced a seven-membered ring analog 12. Cationic rearrangement of epoxide 26 occurred with methyl group migration to give ketone 27 as the major product.     

Cycloaddition of methyl 2-(2,6-dichorophenyl)-2H-azirine-3-carboxylate to electron-rich 2-azadienes

tert-Butyldimethylsililoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadienes react with 2H-azirine 3 leading to Diels-Alder cycloadducts in moderate yields. The reactions are endo- and regioselective with the azirine being added by its less hindered face. There is only one product in the case of 1b, 4b. There are two isomers (4 and 5) from 1a, 1c and 1d. A different result was obtained with the diene 1e. Diene 1e formed products 4e and 8. Some of compounds 4 and 5 have been hydrolysed leading to functionalised aziridines 7. Compound 8 gave aziridine 9.     

Synthesis of 12-aza analogs of epothilones and (E)-9,10-dehydroepothilones

N-Boc-12-aza-epothilone analog (azathilone) 1 is a potent inhibitor of human cancer cell growth and represents a structurally new class of natural product-derived microtubule-stabilizing agents. Compound 1 has been prepared employing a convergent strategy that is based on the consecutive assembly of building blocks 3, 4, and 19 into diene 20 and subsequent RCM-mediated macrocycle formation. The aldol reaction between aldehyde 3 and ketone 4 delivered the required 6R,7S diastereoisomer 5 with good selectivity and provided a reliable entry into the stereoselective synthesis of carboxylic acid 12. RCM with diene 20 was highly E-selective, thus giving efficient access to (E)-9,10-dehydro-1 (2). The latter is a key analog in SAR studies with 1.     

Synthesis of Methylenecyclopropane Analogues of Antiviral Nucleoside Phosphonates

Synthesis of methylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleoside phosphonates 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b is described. Cyclopropyl phosphonate 8 was transformed in four steps to methylenecyclopropane phosphonate 16. The latter intermediate was converted in seven steps to the key Z- and E-methylenecyclopropane alcohols 23 and 24 separated by chromatography. Selenoxide eliminations (15→16 and 22→23+24) were instrumental in the synthesis. The Z- and E-isomers 23 and 24 were transformed to bromides 25a and 25b, which were used for alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine to give intermediates 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d. Acid hydrolysis provided the adenine and guanine analogues 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b. Phosphonates 6b and 7b are potent inhibitors of replication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).     

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.     

Diels-Alder cycloaddition of 2-azadienes to methyl 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2H-azirine-3-carboxylate in the synthesis of methyl 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates

A number of fused 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates, a new type of compound, have been obtained by Diels-Alder cycloaddition between nucleophilic 2-azadienes and an electrophilic 2H-azirine. The reactions are completely endo- and regioselective, the azirine being added by its less hindered face to the diene. There are two isomers 7 and 8 formed from dienes 1 due either to isomerization of the cycloadducts 7 and 8 or by isomerization of the CN bond of the diene during the reaction. The isomer 10 is formed from diene 2e, and a single diastereoisomer structure 4a-i is formed from dienes 11. Some pyrimidones 8a, 7c/8c, 7e, 10, 11d have been hydrolyzed leading to functionalised aziridines 12, 13 and 15.     

Synthesis of exo enol ether-cyclic ketal isomers of substituted furanmethanol structures related to marine furanocembranoids

Oxidations of the 2-alkenylfurans 8a and 8b, using peroxy reagents, lead to the dienedione 9 and the furan epoxide 10, respectively. Treatment of the epoxide 10 with p-TSA in MeOH produces the enol ether cyclic ketal 12, which is rapidly isomerised to the furanmethanol ether 15, isolated in 80% yield. By contrast, when the propanol-substituted furan epoxide 23 was kept in CDCl₃ containing traces of HCl for 2 h, a 3:2 mixture of Z- and E-isomers of the enol ether spiro ketals 25a and 25b was produced in >92% yield; after 24 h this mixture of isomers underwent dehydration leading to the corresponding enol ether triene 26 (70%). When a solution of the dienedione 9 in H₂O-THF containing p-TSA was stirred at 25 °C for 20 h, the tertiary alcohol 27 was produced which, after a further 20 h was converted into the furan vicinal diol 29. Likewise, when the ‘cembranoid’ dienedione 31 was treated with p-TSA-H₂O, the hydroxymethyl-substituted furanobutenolide 33 was produced in 40% yield. It is probable that the enol ether cyclic hemiketals 28 and 32/34, which are related to 12 and 25, and also to the naturally occurring cembranoids 1 and 2 found in corals, are transient intermediates in the conversions leading to 29 and 33 from 9 and 31, respectively.