Stereoselective production of (S)-1-aralkyl- and 1-arylethanols by freshly harvested and lyophilized yeast cells

Substituted (S)-1-phenyl- 2a–h and (S)-1-benzyl-propan-2-ols 4a and b, and (S)-1-phenylethanol 6 were produced from prochiral ketones 1a–h, 3a,b and 5 by reductions with freshly harvested Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Debaryomyces hansenii cells. The bioreductions were also performed by lyophilized cells. Comparison of the secondary alcohols from the bioreductions 2b–e,g,h and 4a and authentic (S)-alcohols (S)-2b–e,g,h and (S)-4a synthesized from enantiopure (S)-methyloxirane 7 proved the absolute configuration of the products.     

Synthesis of optically active β-hydroxy-β-polyfluoromethyl GABAs

A general synthetic route to polyfluoromethyl containing analogues of GABA—β-hydroxy-β-tri- and difluoromethyl GABAs 9a and 9b was developed, using the corresponding β-alkoxyvinyl polyfluoromethyl ketones—enones 1a and 1b as starting materials. Both enantiomers of the potential biologically active compound 9a were obtained by chiral resolution with (R)- or (S)-phenylethylamine.     

Synthesis and configuration of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine and its enantiomer

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (R)-2-(6-benzylamino-9-isopropyl-9H-purin-2-ylamino)butan-1-ol (roscovitine, 1a), as well as its (S)-enantiomer 1b, were synthesised. The chemical structure and absolute configuration of both enantiomers was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, high enantiomeric excess (>98%) was demonstrated by chiral chromatography of 1a and 1b, as well as NMR analysis of the diastereomeric Mosher's ester derivatives 2a and 2b.     

New total synthesis of (+)-ambrein

The convergent synthesis of (+)-ambrein 1 was achieved based on a modified Julia coupling reaction between aldehyde 14 corresponding to the left-half A and sulfone 25a or 25b corresponding to the right-half B. Aldehyde 14 was synthesized in 14% overall yield (nine steps) from the enzymatic resolution product, epoxy alcohol (8aS)-2. Sulfone 25a or 25b was synthesized in 11 steps (25a: 41% overall yield, 25b: 56% overall yield) from the enzymatic resolution product, (1S,6S)-2,2-dimethyl-6-hydroxyhexane-1-carboxylate 4.     

Advanced procedure for the enzymatic ring opening of unsaturated alicyclic β-lactams

Enantiopure β-amino acids 1a–4a and β-lactams 1b–4b were prepared simultaneously through the lipolase-catalysed enantioselective ring opening of unsaturated racemic β-lactams (±)-1-(±)-4. High enantioselectivities (E>200) were observed when the reactions were performed with 1 equiv of water in iPr₂O at 70 °C. The resolved (1R,2S)-amino acids (yield⩾45%) and (1S,5R)-, (1S,6R)- and (1S,8R)-lactams (yield⩾47%) could be easily separated. The ring opening of lactam enantiomers 1b–4b with 18% HCl afforded the corresponding β-amino acid hydrochlorides 1c·HCl–4c·HCl (ee >95%).     

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of a tri-substituted cyclopropyl chiral synthon: a practical method for preparation of chiral 1-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane

An efficient method for the preparation of optically active enantiomers of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 1 has been developed. Treatment of 1 with lipase Amano PS gave (1S,5R)-1-carboxy-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 4a which was converted to (1S,5R)-1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 1a with high enantiomeric purity (98.0% ee, 75% yield), while the (1R,5S)-lactone ester 1b remained intact. A simple procedure for the recovery of 4a from the reaction mixture was also established.     

Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution of cis-1,2-indandiol and the Ritter reaction of its mono-acetate

Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution of cis-1,2-indandiol 5 in the presence of lipase PS was examined. Enantiomerically enriched (1S,2R)-2-acetoxy-1-indanol 6a was obtained when cis-1,2-indandiol 5 was treated with one equivalent of vinyl acetate. Treatment of 5 with two equivalents of vinyl acetate furnished a mixture of (1R,2S)-2-acetoxy-1-indanol 6a and (1R,2S)-1-acetoxy-2-indanol 6b. A route to both enantiomers of 1 was also developed by using the enantiomerically enriched mono-acetate thus obtained.     

Masked constrained cysteines: diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of 1-amino-2-mercaptocyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives

A diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of (Z)-1-benzoylamino-2-tritylsulfanylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives 8a,b and 9a,b was achieved starting from (−)- or (+)-menthyl 2-benzoylamino-3-tritylsulfanylacrylates 3a,b. Compounds 3 were reacted with diazomethane giving the corresponding pyrazolines 4a,b and 5a,b. These compounds, on melting, were transformed, under steric control, into the cyclopropaneamino acid derivatives (R,R)-8a,b and (S,S)-9a,b. The synthesis of a large class of chiral 2-S-alkyl-1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives is possible after removing the trityl protecting group and subsequent alkylation reactions.     

New cyclic aminals derived from rac-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: synthesis and crystal structure of racemic 1,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo[8.3.1.1.8,1202,7] pentadecane and a route to its enantiomerically pure (R,R) and (S,S) isomers

New enantiomerically pure macrocyclic aminals (2R,7R)- and (2S,7S)-1,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo[8.3.1.1.^8,120^2,7]pentadecane (4a and 4b) were obtained by a three component reaction between their respective pure enantiomer of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Additionally, the X-ray structure of the racemic compound 4 and the specific rotations of the racemic and optically pure compounds were determined. To further understand the synthetic utilities of enantiomers 4a and 4b, Mannich-type reactions with 1H-benzotriazole were performed, affording (3aR,7aR)- and (3aS,7aS)-1,1′-{[2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,7a-octahydro-1H-1,3-benzimidazole-1,3-diyl]bis(methylene)}bis-1H-benzotriazole (9 and 10) and allowing for new possibilities related to the preparation of chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis.     

Highly diastereoselective approach to novel phenylindolizidinols via benzothieno analogues of tylophorine based on reductive desulfurization of benzo[b]thiophene

Chiral tetra- and hexahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3-f]indolizines 3–5, 9, and 11 were synthesized easily from benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (1) and (S)-glutamic acid (2) in good overall yields and both high enantio- and diastereomeric purities. Applying a diastereoselective reductive desulfurization of benzo[b]thiophene followed by lactam reduction, epimeric alcohols 4a and 4b were readily converted into (7R or S,8aS)-phenylindolizidinols 6a,c. During these studies, the reduction of benzothienoindolizines 3–5, 9, 11, and 12, was investigated and the results obtained are also discussed.     

(R)- and (S)-3-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone as chiral auxiliaries in the enantioselective preparation of α-aryloxypropanoic acid herbicides and α-chlorocarboxylic acids

rac-α-Chlorocarboxylic acids, rac-9a–e, were formally deracemized by reaction of the corresponding acyl chlorides with the chiral auxiliaries (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone, (R)- and (S)-4, followed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The highest o.p. (99%) was obtained in the case of (S)-α-chloropropanoic acid, a known precursor for the synthesis of (R)-α-aryloxypropanoic acid herbicides such as dichlorprop-P, (R)-3a, or mecoprop-P, (R)-3b, which, together with their enantiomers, were also obtained in moderate e.e.s by dynamic kinetic resolution from (αRS,3S)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-1-phenylpyrrolidin-3-yl α-bromopropanoate, (αRS,3S)-6, by reaction with the corresponding phenoxide followed by mild acid hydrolysis.     

Asymmetric catalysis. Part 153: Metal-catalysed enantioselective α-ketol rearrangement

Promoted by catalytic amounts of Ni complexes tertiary α-hydroxyketones 1a, 3a–5a undergo rearrangement, forming chiral isomers 1b, 3b–5b. The best enantioselection was obtained with the model system 1-benzoylcyclopentanol 4a/2-hydroxy-2-phenylcyclohexanone 4b. In a ligand screening 2-[4-(S)-tert-butyloxazolin-2-yl]pyridine gave the highest enantiomeric excess of 46% (S)-4b. The analogous isomerisation reactions of α-hydroxyimines 6a, 7a forming chiral α-aminoketones 6b, 7b were established.     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Natural product synthesis from (8aR)- and (8aS)-bicyclofarnesols: synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol A, (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester and (−)-subersic acid

Both enantiomers (8aR)-7 and (8aS)-7 of bicyclofarnesol were synthesized from the enzymatic resolution products (1R,4aR,8aR)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aR)-5 (98% ee) and acetate of (1S,4aS,8aS)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydro-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-oxo-trans-naphthalene-1-methanol-2-ethylene acetal (8aS)-6 (>99% ee), respectively. The formal synthesis of (+)-wiedendiol 1 was achieved via a coupling reaction of an ate complex derived from 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene with allyl bromide (8aS)-8 derived from (8aS)-7. The total synthesis of (+)-norsesterterpene diene ester 2 was achieved, based on the synthesis of (13E,10S)-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 12, derived from (8aS)-7, followed by the selective construction of the (3E,5E)-diene moiety including a C(2)-stereogenic centre in (+)-2. The total synthesis of (−)-subersic acid 3 was carried out based on a Stille coupling between allyl trifluoroacetate congener 25c, derived from (8aR)-7, corresponding to the diterpene part, and aryl stannane congener 26 in the presence of Pd catalyst and CuI as an additive.     

Synthesis of the enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene,one of the major components of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout

Both enantiomers of (3Z,9Z)-cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9-octadecadiene, one of which is the major component of the sex pheromone of Ectropis oblique Prout, were synthesized in 23% overall yield for the (?)-(6S,7R)-enantiomer and 18% yield for the (+)-(6R,7S)-isomer. This protocol uses a sequential regioselective ring-opening strategy and provides a convenient and reliable access to other structurally related insect sex pheromones. Preliminary biological studies revealed that (?)-(6S,7R)-2a was roughly as active as the natural pheromone, while racemic (±)-2 was less bioactive and (+)-2b was much less bioactive.     

Two pairs of new alkaloid enantiomers with a spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton from the bark of Juglans mandshurica

(±)-Juglanaloid A (1) and B (2), two pairs of novel naturally occurring alkaloid enantiomers bearing an unprecedented spiro [benzofuranone-benzazepine] skeleton, were isolated from the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim. The unusual 6, 5, 7, 6-cyclic system with a rare spiro cyclic center at C-4 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. Chiral separation of 1 and 2 yielded two pairs of enantiomers, 1a/1b and 2a/2b. The absolute configurations were established by comparing the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. The potential anti-AD properties of 1a/1b and 2a/2b were evaluated by the Thioflavin T assay.     

Lipase mediated enantiomer and diastereomer separation of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols

Separation of diastereomeric and enantiomeric mixtures of 2,2′-[1,2- and 1,3-phenylenebis(oxy)]dicyclohexanols rac-3a and meso-3a, and rac-3b and meso-3b—resulting from the reactions of pyrocatechol 1a and resorcinol 1b with cyclohexene oxide 2—were performed using acetylation catalyzed by the highly stereoselective Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435). The absolute configurations of the resulting diols (S,S,S,S)-3a,b, monoacetates (R,R,S,S)-4a,b and diacetates (R,R,R,R)-5a,b were assigned on the basis of the steric analogy to the acetylation of racemic trans-2-phenoxycyclohexanol rac-6 with the same enzyme resulting in the known acetate (−)-(R,R)-7.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of enantiomerically pure unsaturated analogues of 2,6-DAP. Part 5

An efficient new stereocontrolled synthesis of (2R,6R)-(+)- and (2S,6S)-(−)-2,6-diamino-4-methylene-1,7-heptanedioic acid 8a and 9a, respectively, has been accomplished starting from the glycine-derived chiral synthon 1. The enantiomerically pure α-alkyl derivatives 8b–d and 9b–d have also been synthesized. The absolute configuration of the new stereocenters was assigned on the basis of ¹H NMR spectra.     

Synthesis of 5-substituted-3-[(2′S,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their epimers

5-Phenyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10a and its epimer 11a, 5-methyl-3-[(2′R,3′S)-3′-hydroxy-2′-dimethoxymethyltetrahydrofuran-3′-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole 10b and its epimer 11b were synthesized from cyanohydrin benzoates 8a, 9a and cyanohydrin acetates 8b, 9b, respectively, by treatment with hydroxylamine in methanol via intramolecular transacylation and subsequent cyclization of the corresponding amidoximes. Hydrolysis and reduction of the dimethoxymethyl groups in the above compounds gave the desired compounds 12a, 13a, 12b and 13b.     

2,2′-Dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-5,5′-dimethyl-6,6′-dibromo-1,1′-biphenyl: preparation,resolution, structure and biological activity

The preparation and resolution of the titled conformationally stable biphenyl 1 has been performed in high chemical yield starting from creosol 2. Enantiopure biphenyls (aR)-(+)-1 and (aS)-(−)-1 were obtained by the corresponding menthylcarbonate diastereomer and successive reduction. The absolute configuration and specific rotation were correlated by X-ray analysis of the crystal structure of diastereopure menthylcarbonate (aS,1R,1′R,2S,2′S,5R,5′R)-(+)-16. Preliminary biological evaluation of both racemic enantiomers of 1 has been carried out on melanoma cell lines and significant and selective anticancer activity has been observed for the enantiomer (aS)-(−)-1.