Cinchona alkaloids in the asymmetric synthesis of 2-(phenylsulfanyl)aziridines

Enantioselective aza-Michael initiated ring closure (MIRC) additions of ethyl nosyloxycarbamate to 2-(phenylsulfanyl)-2-cycloalkenones catalysed by Cinchona alkaloids were studied. The results suggest that the enantioselectivity obtained is influenced by the structure of the catalyst and the different amination conditions. Substrate ring size also plays an important role.     

1,5-Stereocontrol in tin(IV) halide promoted reactions of 2-alkoxy-1-(2-tributylstannylethylidene)cyclohexanes with aldehydes

2-Methoxy- and 2-(p-methoxybenzyloxy)-1-(2-tributylstannylethylidene)cyclohexanes 22 and 23 were prepared from 2-methoxy- and 2-(p-methoxybenzyloxy)cyclohexanones 12 and 13. The allylstannane 22 was transmetallated stereoselectively with tin(IV) chloride at −78 °C to generate an allyltin trihalide, which reacted with aldehydes to give (Z)-(3-hydroxyalkylidene)-2-methoxycyclohexanes 24 with excellent 1,5-syn-stereocontrol. Similar reactions with aldehydes were observed for the 2-(p-methoxybenzyloxy) substituted allylstannane 23. The structure of the product 24f prepared from p-nitrobenzaldehyde was confirmed by an X-ray structure determination of its p-nitrobenzoate ester 27.     

Wittig homologation of 2-(chloromethyl)-2H-chromen-2-ol derivatives: a new facile synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzoxepine-4-carboxylates

Wittig homologation of 2-(chloromethyl)-2H-chromen-2-ol derivatives 2a–t with (ethoxycarbonylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane provided the 2-oxoethylidene-2,3-dihydrobenzoxepine-4-carboxy-lates 3a–t with Z (cis) selectivity. Various basic catalysts were studied for the reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)-2H-chromen-2-ol 2a with the combination of Wittig reagent to provide compound 3b. The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)-2H-chromen-2-ol 2a with other Wittig reagents, such as methylene(triphenylene)phosphorane and (1-ethoxycarbonylethylidene)triphenylphosphorane provided ketone derivative 4a rather 2-oxoethylidene derivative 3b. The ketone derivative 4a was reacted with Wittig reagent (ethoxycarbonylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane to give 2,3-dihydrobenzoxepine-4-carboxylate 3b. The present approach is novel, straight forward and being reported for the first time.     

New 2-acyl-1,3-dioxane derivatives from (1R)-(−)-myrtenal: stereochemical effect on their relative ability as chiral auxiliaries

Four 3,10-pinanediol derivatives 1a–d, prepared in 50–72% global yields from (1R)-(−)-myrtenal 2, were treated with (RO)₂CHCOR₃ (R₃ = CH₃, Ph) to afford 2-acyl-1,3-dioxanes 3a–f. The latter were submitted to nucleophilic additions using several Grignard reagents to mainly afford carbinols generated by re diastereofacial attack (85–99% yield, ⩾88:12 dr). The lowest diastereoselectivity was observed when PhLi or hydrides were used as nucleophiles. Only an equatorial substituent at C-3 modifies the diastereoselectivity of the nucleophilic additions.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 4-substituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones. A new approach to methyl l-(2S,4S)-4-methyl-6-oxopipecolate

The sulfoxide-mediated diastereoselective Michael reaction of homochiral α-sulfinylketimines 1a–d and β-substituted ene esters 2a–d (Hua's reaction) was explored. Straightforward cyclization of the open-chain adducts take place under the reaction conditions to provide the 4-substituted 5-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-5,6-dehydropiperidin-2-ones 3 and 7–12, whose stereochemistry is formed in the prior step. Furthermore, the role of the metal ion of the aza-enolate reagents and the steric demands of the O-alkyl ester group have been examined. It seems that the anti-diastereoselectivity depends on metal chelation by the oxygen of the ester as well as the oxygen of the sulfinyl group and the nitrogen in the aza-enolate ((Z)-configuration). In addition, the synthesis of methyl l-(2S,4S)-4-methyl-6-oxopipecolate has been achieved from the suitably functionalized 2-sulfinylketimine 1a (five steps; overall yield: 53–65%).     

Synthesis of conjugated 2-arylethynyl and 2-arylethenyl thiophene structures with optical properties

Conjugated mono(arylethynyl)oligothiophene structures have been obtained starting with (E)-[1-(2′-thienyl)-2-(p-phenyl)]ethyne (E)-7 and 2-[p-(iodophenyl)ethynyl]thiophene 8. Conjugated nanostructures were synthesized by oxidative coupling between the terminal acetylenes (E)-7 and 8 to give, respectively, 1,4-di[(2-p-(iodophenyl)ethynyl)thienyl]-1,3-butadiyne and 1,4-di[(2-p-iodophenylethynyl)thienyl]-1,3-butadiyne. All the thiophene derivatives synthesized show an important fluorescence radiation emission, with a bathochromic shift, which increases with the conjugation of the chain.     

A scalable synthesis of (R)-3-(2-aminopropyl)-7-benzyloxyindole via resolution

(±)-3-(2-Aminopropyl)-7-benzyloxyindole 1, assembled from 7-benzyloxyindole 3 in 59% overall yield, is resolved with O,O′-di-p-toluoyl l-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid 7 into (R)-1, a key intermediate of AJ-9677 2 (selective adrenaline β₃-agonist) in 99.5% e.e. and 36% overall yield. The unwanted enantiomer (S)-1 (61.9% e.e.; recovered in 57% yield from the crystallization filtrate) can be reused in another round of resolution after its enantiomeric purity is lowered to 3.7% by Raney Co treatment under a hydrogen atmosphere.     

Highly diastereoselective nucleophilic addition of organometallic reagents to 2-pyrrolidinyl nitrones: a semiempirical approach

2-Pyrrolidinyl nitrones 1 and 2 derived from l-proline and trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline, respectively, undergo nucleophilic additions of Grignard reagents and organolithium compounds with high syn selectivity, to yield enantiomerically pure pyrrolidinyl benzyl hydroxylamines. A rationale for the observed stereoselectivity based on semiempirical calculations is presented.     

Acid-catalysed cyclisation of 2-methyl-2[3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methoxypent-2-enyl]-cyclopentane-1,3-dione: Structure of a novel product

Acid-catalysed reaction of the title compound (3a) with boiling ethanolic HCl afforded a complex mixture of compounds from which a crystalline keto alcohol was isolated. On the basis of spectral data (UV, IR, NMR and MS), this keto alcohol was assigned the tricyclodecane structure 7a. Acetylation of the keto alcohol followed by hydrogenation gave the dihydro keto acetate 8b which was brominated using dioxane dibromide to give the bromo compound 8c. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the bromo compound confirmed the structure of this compound as well as the parent keto alcohol 7a.     

Hydroxynitrile lyase-catalyzed addition of HCN to 2- and 3-substituted cyclohexanones

The addition of HCN to monosubstituted cyclohexanones yielding cyanohydrins is strongly catalyzed by hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs). With PaHNL from bitter almonds, the addition to 2-alkyl cyclohexanones 1b-g is highly (R)-selective, whereas the methyl compound 1a reacts (S)-selectively. With MeHNL from cassava, all 2-alkyl derivatives 1 react (S)-selectively. The catalytic activity of both PaHNL and MeHNL decreases with increasing size of the substituent in substrates 1. The diastereoselectivity of HCN additions to 2-alkoxy cyclohexanones 4 and 3-substituted cyclohexanones 6, however, is only moderate. The absolute configuration of the synthesized cyanohydrins was determined by X-ray crystallography of O-p-bromobenzoyl derivatives.     

Quinones and quinone methides—V: Further rearrangements of the dimer from 5-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenylmethyl)-1,4-benzoquinone

In strongly acid solutions the dimer 3 dissociates to the quinone 1 and quinone methide 2 which recombine with elimination of p-methoxybenzyl alcohol to form the xanthylium salt 9a. With zinc and acetic acid 3 yields isormeric meso- and dl-ethylenediquinol derivatives 14a. Sodium borohydride reduction of 3 yields an alcoholic quinol 5a which rapidly reoxidizes to the spiro-tetrahydrofuran derivative 24a. Possible mechanisms which may be involved in the formation of these rearranged products are discussed.     

Facile approach towards the synthesis of homochiral functionalised alcohols from 4-O-[(tert)-butyldimethylsilyl]-2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-l-threose of (l)-(+)-tartaric acid origin

(l)-(+)-Diethyl tartarate 2 has been transformed into the aldehyde 6. Grignard additions to 6 take place with moderate diastereoselectivity giving predominant formation of the anti products 8a–e. However, in each case the diastereoalcohols are easily separable by column chromatography giving rise to the formation of a series of functionalised homochiral alcohols 7 and 8. On the other hand Zn mediated allylation and propargylation of 6 in the presence of water proceeded efficiently with almost absolute (>99%) stereoselective formation of versatile functionalised homoallylic 8d and homopropargylic 8e alcohols respectively.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of enantiopure 5-[2-(alkoxyalkyl)-1-(hydroperoxypropyl)]-3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-alkyl furans

The diastereoselective approach to enantiomerically pure furyl hydroperoxides of general type 1 has been accomplished starting from (S)-(−)-ethyl lactate. In the first part of the synthesis the alkylating reagents 7a,b were efficiently produced to be used in the second part for a 4-step known methodology to obtain furyl hydroperoxides. The most relevant transformation of the synthesis is the first reported diastereoselective iodoenoletherification of 2-acetyl-4-heptenoate esters 8a,b possessing a φ-chiral center. Furthermore, the final radical oxidation performed on (E)-5-alkylidene-4,5-dihydrofurans 11a,b led to formation of hydroperoxides (S,S)-12a,b in a diastereocontrolled manner due to 1,2-asymmetric induction.     

Chlorodifluoromethyl aryl ketones and sulfones as difluorocarbene reagents: The substituent effect

We have investigated the different chlorodifluoromethyl aryl ketones 1a-1g and sulfones 2a-2h as difluorocarbene reagents for O- and N-difluoromethylations. It was found that the sulfone reagents 2 were generally more efficient in difluoromethylation than the ketone reagents 1. Furthermore, while the different substituents on ketone reagents 1 did not show a remarkable impact on the difluoromethylation reaction, the substituent effect on the sulfone reagents 2 was much more significant. Finally, we found that p-chlorophenyl chlorodifluoromethyl sulfone 2d and p-nitrophenyl chlorodifluoromethyl sulfone 2h were among the most powerful difluorocarbene reagents in this category for O-difluoromethylations.     

Reactions of the 1-halo-7-(2-hydroxyethoxy)cycloheptenes and the 3-halo-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-enes with potassium t-butoxide

Reactions of 1 - bromo - 7 - (2 - hydroxyethoxy)cycloheptene 2 and its chloro analogue 3 with potassium t-butoxide in dimethyl sulphoxide or tetrahydrofuran gave cycloheptatriene and cis - 8,11 - dioxabicyclo[5.4.0]undec - 2 - ene 18 as the major products together with small amounts of the trans-isomer 17,8,11-dioxabicyclo[5.4.0]undec - 1(7) - ene 14, 8,11 - dioxabicyclo[5.4.0] - undec - 1 - ene 19, cyclohept - 2 - enone ethylene ketal 15, cyclohept - 3 - enone ethylene ketal 16, and 1- and 2 - t - butoxycyclohepta - 1,3 - diene 20. Similar reactions of 3 - bromo - and 3 - chloro - 4 - (2 - hydroxyethoxy)bicyclo[3.2.1]oct - 2 - ene 4 and 5 gave 4,7 - dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^3,8]dodeca - 2 - ene 26 as the major product together with small amounts of 3,6 - dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca - 2(7) - ene 27 and bicyclo[3.2.1]oct - 3 - ene - 2 - one ethylene ketal 28. Mechanisms for these transformations are discussed.     

Reactions of dispiro[2.0.2.2]oct-7-ene. Electrophilic and free radical additions

Dispiro[2.0.2.2]oct-7-ene 1 was synthesized by debrominatioa of cis- and trans-7,8-dibromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 3a with LAH and by dechlorination of cis- and trans-7,8-dichlorodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 3b with magnesium. Stepwise electrophilic additions to 1 of HBr, HI, Br₂ and Cl₂ were studied. The major products (and yields) from these reactions were: 7-bromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a (43%), 4-iodo-4,5-ethanospiro[2,3]hexane 4b (ca. 50%); trans-3a (40%); and cis-3b (20%). Free-radical addition of hydrogen bromide to 1 gave an 80% yield of 7-bromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a. At ?10°, hydroboration-oxidation of 1 was found to give mainly 7-hydroxydispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a in ca. 90% yield; at 25°, near equal amounts of 2c and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl) spiro[2.3]hex-4-ene 14 were obtained.     

Homochiral (R)- and (S)-1-heteroaryl- and 1-aryl-2-propanols via microbial redox

Preparation of various heteroaryl propanols 2a–g and of the corresponding propanones 3a–g as starting materials for microbial redox is described. The kinetic resolution of the racemic propanols 2a–g is obtained via oxidation with Pseudomonas paucimobilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus [(R)-alcohols, ee 74–100%]. Similar results are achieved with 3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 7 (44%, ee 100% of the (R)-alcohol 6). The reduction of the propanones 3a–d and 3g with baker's yeast and other fungi gives the (S)-alcohols (ee 100%). The pure (S)-alcohols are also obtained by reduction of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-propanone 7. 1-[(4,4-Dimethyl)-2-(Δ²)oxazolinyl]-2-propanone 3e and 1[2-(Δ²)-thiazolinyl)-2-propanone 3f are not reduced. The heterocyclic rings of (S)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 2d and of (S)-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4-methylthiazole 2g are deblocked to the homochiral enamino ketone 8 (78%) and to the protected β-hydroxy aldehyde 9 (73%), respectively. The (R)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 6 is transfomed into the homochiral precursor of (S)-fenfluramine 10 (overall yield 65%).     

Synthesis of light-emmting materials bis-[2′-2″-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) and bis-[2′-4″-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)styryl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II)

Two novel light-emitting materials bis-[2′-2″-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) (3) and bis-[2′-4″-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)styryl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) (4) containting 8-hydroxyquinoline and fluorene or imidazole moieties have been synthesized. The optical properties of these complexes were influenced by the styryl substituents, and exhibited orange-emission. They have higher fluorescence quantum yields than Alq₃, and good stabilities with thermal decomposition temperatures 395 °C and 435 °C. The single-layer OLED fabricated by 3 emitted lemon-yellow, and exhibited good device performance with a maximum luminance of 489 cd m⁻², and luminance efficiency of up to 0.41 cd A⁻¹. The single-layer OLED fabricated by 4 emitted yellow-green, and exhibited good device performance with a maximum luminance of 323 cd m⁻², and luminance efficiency of up to 0.54 cd A⁻¹.     

Studies on organophosphorus compounds—XXXVI: Simple new routes to phosphorins from 2-hydroxy-, 2-mercapto-, and 2-aminobenzoic acids and their derivatives

2-Hydroxybenzoic acid heated with 2,4 - bis(4 - methoxyphenyl) - 1,3,2,4 - dithiadiphosphetane - 2,4 -disulfide, 1, gave 2 - (p - methoxyphenyl) - 4$\text{H}$ - 1,3,2 - benzoxathiaphosphorin - 4 - one 2 - sulfide, 3, and its thio-analogue, 4, while its ethyl or phenyl esters gave 4 as the sole product. 2 - Mercaptobenzoic acid and its ethyl ester when heated with 1 produced 3$\text{H}$ - 1,2 - benzodithiole - 3 - one, 8, 3$\text{H}$ -1,2 - benzodithiole - 3 - thione, 9, and 2- (p - methoxyphenyl) - 4$\text{H}$ - 1,3,2 - benzodithia - phosphorin - 4 - one 2 - sulfide, 10. The reaction of 2 -aminobenzoic acid with 1 gave 1,2 - dihydro - 2 - (p - methoxyphenyl) - 4$\text{H}$ - 3,1,2 - benzoxaphosphorin - 4 - one 2 - sulfide, 12. Reactions of 1 with methyl 2 - aminobenzoate and 2 - aminobenzamides are described. Mechanistic considerations for the formation of the heterocyclic phosphorus compounds are presented.     

Solvolysis of 2-aryl-exo-5,6-trimethylene-2-norbornyl p-nitrobenzoates as a reference of 2-aryl-2-norbornyl p-nitrobenzoates solvolysis: Further evidence for the unimportance of σ-participation in the solvolysis of 2-aryl-2-norbornyl derivatives

The rates of solvolysis of 2 - aryl - exo - 5,6 - trimethylene - exo - and endo - 2 - norbornyl p-nitrobenzoates (7 and 8, respectively) with representative substituents [p-CH₃O, p-CH₃, H, m-CF₃, p-CF₃, and 3,5-(CF₃)₂] were determined in 80% aqueous acetone and compared with those of the parent 2-aryl-exo- and endo-2-norbornyl p-nitrobenzoates (5 and 6, respectively). The rate ratios for the endo-p-nitrobenzoates ($\text{6}\text{8}$) are essentially constant and close to unity for these substituents, indicating that the perturbation of the trimethylene bridge toward the C₂-position is virtually negligilbe. The rate ratios for the exo-p-nitrobenzoates ($\text{5}\text{7}$) can also be regarded as invariant over the reactivity range studied. The exo/endo rate ratios ($\text{7}\text{8}$) are 246 (p-CH₃O), 196 (P-CH₃), 129 (H), 80 (m-CF₃), 90 (p-CF₃), and 89 [3,5-(CF₃)₂], being similar to the corresponding $\text{5}\text{6}$ rate ratios. The solvolyses of these p-nitrobenzoates (7 and 8) afford predominantly ( > 97%) exo-alcohols. Since the secondary exo-5,6-trimethylene-2-norbornyl system, with its low exo/endo rate ratio, 11.2, is known to solvolyse without significant σ-participation, the tertiary derivatives should also undergo solvolysis without σ-participation. Consequently, the similarities in the solvolytic behaviors between the two systems (5 vs 7; 6 vs 8) strongly support the previous conclusion that σ-participation is unimportant in the solvolysis of 5.