Remote stereocontrol using (E)-6-hydroxy-4-methylhex-2-enyl(tri-n-butyl)stannane

Reactions of (E)-6-hydroxy-4-methylhex-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane (11) with aldehydes, when promoted by tin(IV) bromide, proceed with effective 1,5-stereocontrol to give (Z)-1,5-anti-5-methylhept-3-ene-1,7-diols (23), suitable precursors for the stereoselective synthesis of eight-membered lactones.     

1,6-Remote stereocontrol using allylgermanes

Transmetallation of 5-hydroxy- and 5-methoxyhex-2-enyl(triethyl)germanes 8 and 9 with tin(IV) bromide is stereoselective and generates allyltin tribromides, which react with aldehydes to give (3Z)-homoallylic alcohols 3 with useful levels of 1,6-syn-stereocontrol.     

Stereochemical aspects of the chemistry of 2-[trialkyl(aryl)silyloxy]alkyl-4-alkoxyalk-2-enylstannanes

2-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl-4-(methoxymethoxy)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane, prepared predominantly as the (Z)-isomer, is transmetallated by tin(IV) chloride to generate an allyltin trichloride which reacts with aldehydes with excellent stereocontrol in favour of (E)-1,5-syn-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl-5-(methoxymethoxy)alk-3-en-1-ols. These were taken through to 3-[(E)-2-(methoxymethoxy)-propylidenyl]-5-alkyl(aryl)tetrahydrofurans and used to prepare more complex 4-(methoxymethoxy)-pent-2-enylstannanes.     

1,5-Stereocontrol in reactions of 2,4-disubstituted alk-2-enylstannanes with aldehydes; an approach to the stereoselective synthesis of branched triols

2-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl)-4-(methoxymethoxy)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane is transmetallated by tin(IV) chloride stereoselectively to give a pent-1-en-3-yltin trichloride that reacts with aldehydes with excellent (E)-1,5-syn-stereocontrol, e.g. (3E)-1,5-syn-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl)-5-(methoxymethoxy)-1-phenylhex-3-en-1-ol was the dominant product with benzaldehyde. The products from these reactions were taken through to more complex 2-substituted alk-2-enyl(tributyl)stannanes but only very low yields of the expected products were obtained from tin(IV) chloride mediated reactions of these stannanes and aldehydes. Nevertheless a stereoselective synthesis of 2-substituted 4-[(E)-2-alkoxypropylidene]tetrahydrofurans was developed.     

1,5-Stereocontrol in tin(IV) halide mediated reactions between N- and S-substituted pent-2-enylstannanes and aldehydes or imines

Following transmetalation of (4S)-4-(dibenzylamino)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with tin(IV) bromide, reactions of the resulting allyltin tribromide with aldehydes gave (3Z)-1,5-syn-5-(dibenzylamino)hex-3-en-1-ols with excellent, ca. 98:2, stereocontrol. (4R)-5-Benzylthio-4-methylpent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane similarly reacted with aldehydes to give (3Z)-1,5-anti-6-benzylthio-5-methylhex-3-en-1-ols with 87:13 stereocontrol. Although the analogous reaction of (4R)-4-benzylthiopent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane with benzaldehyde proceeded with some stereoselectivity, 80–90:20–10, in favour of the (3Z)-1,5-syn-diastereoisomer, the yield was low due to a competing Lewis acid catalysed 1,4-elimination. N-Acylamino- and S-acylthio-pent-2-enylstannanes reacted with aldehydes with variable syn/anti-stereoselectivities. Tin(IV) chloride promoted reactions of the 4-(dibenzylamino)pent-2-enylstannane with 1-alkoxycarbonylimines gave (E)-alk-4-enoates with a modest preference for the 2,6-anti-products, 2,6-anti/2,6-syn=75:25.     

Remote stereocontrol using functionalized allylmetal reagents

Alk-2-enyl(trialkyl)stannanes with heteroatom substituents at the 4-, 5-, and 6-positions are transmetallated stereoselectively using tin(IV) halides to generate allyltin trihalides, which react with aldehydes to give (3Z)-homoallylic alcohols with efficient 1,5-, 1,6-, and 1,7-stereocontrol. This chemistry has been used to develop new strategies for natural product synthesis. Because of the toxicity of organotin reagents and the problems in removing organotin residues from reaction products, alternative procedures that avoid the use of organotin reagents have been investigated. To date, alk-2-enylgermanium reagents have been shown to deliver effective 1,5- and 1,6-stereocontrol, which is analogous to that observed for the organotin compounds. Organobismuth intermediates, which can be generated from allyl bromides and zinc-bismuth(III)iodide, react with aldehydes with efficient 1,5-stereocontrol which is complementary to that observed with the organo-stannanes or -germanes in that (3E)-homoallylic alcohols are obtained.     

Effective 1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-remote stereocontrol in reactions of alkoxy- and hydroxy-substituted allylstannanes with aldehydes

Alk-2-enylstannanes with 4-, 5- and 6-alkoxy- or -hydroxy-substituents are transmetallated stereoselectively with tin(iv) halides to generate allyltin trihalides which react with aldehydes to give (Z)-alk-3-enols with useful levels of 1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-stereocontrol. Alk-2-enylstannanes with a stereogenic centre bearing a hydroxy or alkoxy group at the 4-, 5- or 6-position, react with overall (Z)-1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-syn-stereoselectivity with respect to the hydroxy and alkoxy substituents. The analogous reactions of alkoxy- and -hydroxyalk-2-enylstannanes with a methyl bearing stereogenic centre at the 4- or 5-position react with overall (Z)-1,5- and 1,6-anti-stereoselectivity with respect to the hydroxy and methyl substituents.     

Applications of remote stereocontrol using allylstannanes: an approach to the stereoselective synthesis of aliphatic polyols

(4R,2E)-4-Benzyloxy-octa-2,7-dienyl(tributyl)stannane was transmetalated by tin(IV) chloride to generate an allyltin trichloride, which reacted with aldehydes to give (3Z)-1,5-syn-5-benzyloxynona-3,8-dien-1-ols with useful 1,5-stereocontrol. O-Benzylation, hydroboration and oxidation of the terminal double-bond of the product from 2-methylpropanal gave (5R,9S,6Z)-5,9-dibenzyloxy-10-methylundec-6-enal. Further reactions with 4-alkoxyalk-2-enylstannanes proceeded with useful 1,5-stereocontrol to give open-chain products with hydroxy or benzyloxy substituents stereoselectively disposed at remote positions along the chain.     

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.     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed intramolecular aza-Prins cyclization for the synthesis of heterobicycles

The coupling of (E)- and (Z)-hex-3-ene-1,6-ditosylamide with various aldehydes in the presence of 10 mol % Sc(OTf)₃ gave the corresponding trans- and cis-fused 1,5-ditosyl-octahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridines, respectively, in good yields via intramolecular aza-Prins cyclization, whereas the coupling of (E)- and (Z)-N-(6-hydroxyhex-3-enyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide afforded the corresponding trans- and cis-fused octahydro-1-tosylpyrano[4,3-b]pyrroles derivatives, respectively, via intramolecular Prins-cyclization.     

Remote stereocontrol in reactions between 4- and 5-alkoxyalk-2-enylstannanes and 1-alkoxycarbonylimines and analogues: stereoselective approaches to novel α-amino acids

Reactions of the allyltin trichloride 45 generated from (4S)-4-benzyloxypent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane 1 with imines prepared from glyoxylates proceed with useful levels of 1,5-stereocontrol in favour of (4E)-2,6-anti-2-(alkylamino)-6-benzyloxyhept-4-enoates 49. This stereoselectivity, controlled by the chirality of the stannane, dominates over any intrinsic stereochemical bias of the imine although a small amount of matching and mis-matching was observed. The allyltin trichloride 77 prepared from (4S)-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane 52 reacts with 1-alkoxycarbonylimines with the opposite 1,5-stereoselectivity to give the (4E)-2,6-syn-diastereoisomers 79. Matching and mismatching was more pronounced for tin(IV) chloride mediated reactions of (4R)-5-benzyloxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane 80 with chiral 1-alkoxycarbonylimines but useful stereoselectivity in favour of (4E)-2,6-syn-2-alkyl- and arylthio-amino-7-benzyloxy-6-methylhept-4-enoates 177 was observed for reactions with achiral imines and similar, but reduced, stereoselectivity was observed for the 5-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxypentenylstannane 82. However, excellent 1,5-stereocontrol in favour of the (4E)-2,6-anti-isomers 179 was found using the 4,5-bis-alkoxypent-2-enylstannane 106. Modest (4E)-2,7-anti-stereoselectivity was observed in the analogous tin(IV) bromide mediated reactions of (S)-5-methoxy- and (S)-5-hydroxyhex-2-enyl(tributyl)stannanes (S)-123 and (S)-122 with achiral 1-alkoxycarbonylimines but in this series the intrinsic stereochemical bias of the imine controls the facial selectivity of reactions of chiral 1-alkoxycarbonylimines. Useful (4E)-2,6-anti-stereoselectivity was also observed in the tin(IV) chloride promoted reaction of the 4-benzyloxypent-2-enylstannane 1 with an oxime O-benzyl ether.     

Reactions of Elemental Phosphorus and Phosphine with Electrophiles in Superbasic Systems: XV. Phosphorylation of Allyl Halides with Elemental Phosphorus

Elemental phosphorus (red or white) reacts with allyl chloride and allyl bromide in a two-phase system aqueous KOH-organic solvent to form tertiary symmetrical and mixed phosphine oxides among which tris(prop-2-enyl)-, bis(prop-2-enyl)[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-, bis(prop-2-enyl)[(Z)-prop-1-enyl]-, (prop-2-enyl)[(E)-prop-1-enyl][(Z)-prop-1-enyl]-, bis[(E)-prop-1-enyl](prop-2-enyl)-, bis[(Z)-prop-1-enyl](prop-2-enyl)-, tris-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]-, and bis[(E)-prop-1-enyl][(Z)-prop-1-enyl]phosphine oxides were identified. The conditions (room temperature, 60% aqueous KOH-dioxane) allowing preparation from white phosphorus and allyl bromide of tris(prop-2-enyl)- and bis(prop-2-enyl)[(E)-prop-1-enyl]phosphine oxides as major products in the total yield of up to 96% were found.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic precursors of lankacidins using Stille reactions of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and related compounds for ring closure

In the context of a proposed total synthesis of lankacidins, the synthesis of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and their participation in Stille coupling reactions have been investigated. 1-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-4-(2-iodoethenyl)azetidinone was found to undergo a Stille coupling reaction with a 3-hydroxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene to give an acceptable yield of the corresponding conjugated diene but the analogous reaction with a 3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene was unsuccessful. A series of 4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]azetidinones, a ring-opened ester and a lactone were also found to undergo Stille reactions with 3-tributylstannylprop-2-enol albeit with variable yields. Asymmetric syntheses of methyl (2R,3R,5S)-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-5-(2-trimethylsilylethoxy)methoxy-6-oxohexanoate, (3R,4S)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]-3-methylazetidin-2-one, and (5S,2E,6E)-5-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-7-tributylstannylhepta-2,6-diene and their incorporation into macrocyclic precursors of the lankacidins were then investigated. Key reactions were a Julia reaction between the aldehyde and the sulfone to form the 12,13-double-bond, a stereoselective acylation of the azetidinone, and formation of macrocycles using intramolecular Stille reactions in the presence of a free hydroxyl group at C(8) (lankacidin numbering).     

1,5-Stereocontrol in reactions of 5-benzyloxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl bromides with aldehydes mediated by Bi(0): synthesis of aliphatic compounds with 1,5-syn-related methyl groups

Treatment of the 5-benzyloxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl bromide 6 with the low valent bismuth species formed by reduction of bismuth(III) iodide with zinc powder generates an intermediate, which reacts with aldehydes with useful levels of 1,5-stereocontrol in favour of the 1,5-anti-(E)-isomers 4. These products were used to prepared aliphatic compounds with 1,5-syn-related methyl groups.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure (Z)-(2′R)-1-O-(2′-methoxyhexadec-4′-enyl)-sn-glycerol present in the liver oil of cartilaginous fish

Synthesis of enantiopure (Z)-(2′R)-1-O-(2′-methoxyhexadec-4′-enyl)-sn-glycerol 1, the principal methoxylated glyceryl ether found in Nature, is described by a highly convergent five-step process taking place in 27% overall yield. The synthesis is based on an ether bond formation between the chiral synthon (R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol and (Z)-(R)-1-chlorohexadec-4-en-2-ol employing ground potassium hydroxide and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide as a catalyst under solvent free conditions.     

New Alk(en)ylhydroxycyclohexanes with Tyrosinase Inhibition Potential from Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. Gum Exudate

This work presents the first report on the phytochemical investigation of Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. gum exudate. A known cardanol, 3-heptadec-12′-Z-enyl phenol (1) and three new alk(en)ylhydroxycyclohexanes, namely, (1R,3R)-1,3-dihydroxy-3-[heptadec-12′(Z)-enyl]cyclohexane (2) (1S,2S,3S,4S,5R)-1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxy-5-[octadec-13′(Z)-enyl]cyclohexane (3) and (1R,2S,4R)-1,2,4-trihydroxy-4-[heptadec-12′(Z)-enyl]cyclohexane (4) were isolated from the gum. The structures of the compounds were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS data. The ethanolic extract of the gum was found to be the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor with IC₅₀ of 11.32 µg/mL while compounds 2 and 3, with IC₅₀ values of 24.90 and 26.99 µg/mL, respectively, were found to be potential anti-tyrosinase candidates from the gum. Gum exudate may be a potential source for non-destructive harvesting of selective pharmacologically active compounds from plants. The results also provide evidence that H. caffrum gum may find application in cosmetics as a potential anti-tyrosinase agent.     

(E)-Selective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-α,β-unsaturated nitriles by the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

From stereoisomeric α,β-unsaturated nitriles (E,Z)-1, the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolyses the (E)-isomers exclusively to the corresponding (E)-carboxylic acids (E)-2 with high specificity. The (E)-selectivity can also be utilised for the preparation of the isomerically pure nitriles (Z)-1. From (E,Z)-2-hydroxycinnamonitrile (E,Z)-3, the otherwise difficult obtainable (Z)-3 was prepared in 66% isolated yield. With β,γ-unsaturated (E,Z)-3-heptenenitrile (E,Z)-4, however, (E)-selectivity was not observed. AtNIT1 exhibits not only diastereoselectivity but also regioselectivity. From a mixture of the four isomers A–D of 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenenitrile 6, exclusively isomer D ((E)-cis-6) was hydrolysed to 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenoic acid (E)-cis-7, as stated by X-ray crystal structure. Only after complete conversion of D and high enzyme concentrations, isomer C ((E)-trans-6) was hydrolysed to a small extent.     

C-O and C-C bond formation in the cyclisation of gem-(dialkoxymethyl)-1,6-dienes catalysed by tin(IV) triflimidate at room temperature

We described herein a Sn(NTf₂)₄-catalysed cyclisation of gem-(dialkoxymethyl)-1,6-dienes and derivatives where cyclohexane or tetrahydrofuran rings are formed following either a 6-enexo-endo-trig process or a 5-exo-trig process, respectively, depending on substitution patterns. The latter process features an unusual dealkylative ether cyclisation, triggered by the strong Lewis acid character of the tin(IV) triflimidate catalyst.     

Novel organotin antibacterial and anticancer drugs

From the reaction of 6-(p-methoxyphenyl) fulvene (1a), 6-(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl) fulvene (1b) and 6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) fulvene (1c) with LiBEt₃H, lithiated cyclopentadienide intermediates (2a–c) were synthesised. These intermediates were then transmetallated to tin with SnCl₄ to yield tetra-substituted bis(cyclopentadienyl)tin dichloride complexes (3a–c). Further reaction with tin tetrachloride yielded the benzyl-substituted derivatives bis-[(p-methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] tin(IV) dichloride (4a), bis-[(p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] tin(IV) dichloride (4b), and bis-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)cyclopentadienyl] tin(IV) dichloride (4c). Preliminary antibacterial tests were carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method, in which 4a–c showed little to no activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, but medium activity against Gram-positive bacteria (MRSA, MSSA). In addition, the organotin complexes had their cytotoxicity investigated through preliminary in vitro testing on the LLC-PK (pig kidney epithelial) cell line in order to determine their IC50 values. Compound 4c showed no cytotoxic activity, while 4a and 4b were found to have IC50 values of 15 and 205 μM, respectively.     

Total syntheses of the strobilurins G, M, and N

The key reactions in the general synthesis of strobilurins are the highly (Z)-selective Wittig reaction of an (E)-cinnamaldehyde with the phosphorus ylide 8 derived from (1,1-dibromoethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide, followed by bromine-iodine exchange and Pd-Cu co-catalyzed Stille cross-coupling of the resulting alkenyl iodide with methyl (Z)-2-tributylstannyl-3-methoxyacrylate (7). The synthetic strobilurins G, M, and N were identical with the corresponding natural compounds. In addition, the (2′ S)-configuration of strobilurin G (1) was unambiguously established by oxidative degradation of the synthetic intermediate (S)-9 to (R)-2,3-dihydroxyisovaleric acid.