Synthetic approach toward cis-disubstituted γ- and δ-lactones through enantioselective dialkylzinc addition to aldehydes: application to the synthesis of optically active flavors and fragrances

A versatile and straightforward approach to optically active cis-4,5-disubstituted γ- and δ-lactones by catalytic enantioselective addition of dialkyzincs to cinnamic aldehydes and RCM ring closure has been reported. The synthetic importance of the enantioselective dialkylzinc alkylation of aldehydes has been thus widened. Such an approach has then been employed for the enantioselective synthesis of naturally occurring γ-lactone flavors like (S)-5-ethyl-butanolide (6a) and (4S,5S)-cis-whisky lactone (6b) and extended to the preparation of δ-lactones like (5S,6S)-5-methyl-6-ethylpentanolide (9a), precursor of the pheromone serricornin.     

A convenient route to chiral γ-lactones via asymmetric hydrogenation of γ-ketoesters using the RuCl3-BINAP-HCl catalytic system

A convenient one-step synthesis of chiral γ-lactones has been performed. The method is based on enantioselective hydrogenation of γ-ketoesters using the RuCl₃-BINAP-HCl catalytic system. Chiral γ-lactones (91-99% ee) have been isolated in 57-88% yield.     

13C-NMR-Spektren von γ-substituierten pentamethincyanin-farbstoffen mit indolenin-endgruppen

The ¹³C-resonances of fourteen γ-substituted pentamethincyanine dyes 1 with indolenine nuclei have been measured and assigned. The effect of the γ-substituents R on the ¹³C chemical shifts is compared with the corresponding effect of substituents R of monosubstituted benzenes and 1-substituted trans-butadienes. The chemical shifts of the C²-methincarbons, which are separated by four bonds from R, correlate with Hammett's substituent parameters σ_para. A significant substituent effect through nine covalent bonds has been observed.     

Hookerianolides A-C: three novel casbane-type diterpenoid lactones from Mallotus hookerianus

Three highly oxidized casbane-type diterpenoids with unique α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones, named Hookerianolides A (1), B (2), and C (3), were isolated from the methylene chloride extracts of Mallotus Hookerianus. Their structures were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic data and chemical conversions. The stereochemistry was confirmed by combination of ROESY correlations and CD analyses.     

Electrophilic lactonization as a tool in acyclic stereocontrol. Synthesis of serricornin

Several electrophilic lactonization procedures have been explored as a means of functionalizing olefinic carboxylic acids with relative asymmetric induction, Iodolactonization of δ,? -unsaturated acids under conditions of thermodynamic control exhibits good 1,2- and 1,3-, but not 1,4-induction in the formation of δ-lactones. Mercurilactonization proceeds with good stereocontrol in the formation of both γ- and δ-lactones (1,2-induction), but suffers from the difficulty of elimination during reductive demercuration; phenylselenolactonization with N-(phenylseleno)phthalimide is apparently kinetically controlled, affording high induction with 10, a strongly sterically biased substrate leading to a δ-lactone, but not with 16, which leads to a γ-lactone. In contrast, hydroxymethyllactonization proceeds with good stereocontrol in the case of 26, the ester of 10, but not with the analogous ester of 16. The lactones resulting from cyclization of 10 and 13 were converted in stereospecific fashion into each of the stereoisomers of(±)-serricornin.     

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of polybromoalkanes and polychlorobromoalkanes. Structural increments of halogens in polyhalogenated groups

The ¹³C NMR spectra of 48 polychlorobromoalkanes have been studied. Unlike the ¹³C signals of chlorine-containing groups (38–105 ppm), those of bromine-containing fragments, with the exception of CBr₂ (60–70 ppm), appear in a rather narrow range (25–50 ppm) and are shifted to higher field in relation to similar chlorine-containing groups. The spin–spin coupling constants in similar bromine- and chlorine-containing groups practically coinciEN. Calculation of the chemical shifts for the polyhaloalkanes under study according to the additivity scheme, as previously observed for polychloroalkanes, renders values which are in considerable discord with experimental values (up to –32 ppm for CBr₃). These discrepancies may be compensated for by corrections for the binary interaction of halogen atoms by grouping the halogen-containing fragments according to the geminal, vicinal, 1,3-, 1,3,5- and 1,2,3-arrangement of halogen atoms, and by introducing an increment for the position of the halogen at the secondary atom. It is established that as compared to 1-monohaloalkanes: (a) in the case of the geminal arrangement of halogen atoms the α- and γ-effects diminish (Δ α from –3.2 to –8 ppm; Δγ = 2.6 ppm), while the β-effect increases slightly (from 0 to 1.2 ppm); (b) in the case of a vicinal arrangement both the α- and β-effects diminish (by about –3.5 ppm) and the γ-effect remains constant, as if the vicinal system of the halogens was topologically insulated; (c) for the 1,3- and 1,3,5-arrangement of halogens their mutual influence is weak (about –0.5 ppm for each halogen atom in the α- and γ-positions); (d) the 1,2,3 system (serial arrangement of halogen atoms) is the sum of two vicinal fragments and hardly deviates from the additivity scheme; (e) the arrangement of a halogen at the secondary C atom enhances the α-effect (Δα = 2.8 and 1.0 for methyl and methylene, respectively, in the case of Cl, and 3.5 and 3.7 ppm in the case of Br); the variation of the β-effect has a different sign in relation to CH₃ and CH₂ groups (+1.2 and –1.7 for Cl, and +2.5 and –1.0 for Br). More distant effects of halogens (δ and ?) were not considered. The determined increments (Δα, Δβ and Δγ) for the α-, β- and γ-effects of chlorine and bromine atoms allow the prediction of the 13^C chemical shifts in polyhaloalkanes with an accuracy up to ±1.5 ppm. Some deviations of up to ±5 ppm may be connected with the influence of a three particle interaction of halogen atoms, which was taken into account only in the case of a geminal arrangement of halogen atoms.     

C Anisotropic chemical shift in a single crystal of benzophenone

The ¹³C resonance of the carbonyl carbon in a single crystal of benzophenone was studied by Fourier transform NMR at room temperature. Rotation patterns about the three cyrstallographic axes yielded the orientations of the major axis systems of the chemical shift tensor σ relative to the crystallographic axes for the four molecules in the unit cell. The principal elements of σ were found to be: σ_xx = −79 ± 4, σ_yy = −36 ± 4, and σ_zz = +94 ± 4 ppm , relative to CS₂. The Z axis of the nearly axially symmetric σ tensor was found to be perpendicular to the plane spanned by the carbonyl carbon and the carbon and oxygen atoms directly bound to it.     

Proton magnetic shielding in malonic acid by multiple pulse techniques

The proton NMR in single crystals of malonic acid has been studied by multiple pulse line narrowing techniques. The nuclear magnetic shielding tensors σ⁽ⁱ⁾ of all protons in malonic acid could be determined from the spectra. There are two magnetically distinct carboxyl protons. The principal components of their shielding tensors are found to be σ⁽¹⁾_ZZ= ?0.8 ppm, σ⁽¹⁾_YY = ?19.2 ppm, σ⁽¹⁾_XX = ?21.8 ppm, and σ⁽²⁾_ZZ = ?1.0 ppm, σ⁽²⁾_ZZ = ?21.3 ppm relative to adamantane. The error limits are estimated to be ± 1 ppm. The most shielded directions lie along the hydrogen bond directions to within 8 degrees. The least shielded directions are essentially perpendicular to the plane of the carboxyl groups. Within experimental accuracy the shielding of the aliphatic protons is axially symmetric about the CH bond axes. The anisotropy Δσ = σ_? ? σ_⊥ is (4 ± 1) ppm. The gross features of the anisotropy of the carboxyl protons are shown to be governed by the diamagnetic effect.     

Synthesis of γ,γ-difluoro-β-hydroxy-δ-lactones as new precursors of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

A series of γ,γ-difluoro-β-hydroxy-δ-lactones 1 were efficiently synthesized as new precursors of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in one pot by treatment of readily prepared gem-difluoromethylenated acetonides 3 with trifluoroacetic acid. Contrarily, acetonides 3 could be transformed to the γ,γ-gem-difluoromethylenated α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones 2 through hydrolyzation and lactonization in refluxing toluene.     

Synthesis of some stereoisomers of (±) - 1 - desmethyldesmotroposantonin methyl ether and related lactones

Alkylation of 7 - methoxy - 8 - methyl - 1 - tetralone (9) with α-bromopropionic acid provided a stereoisomeric mixture of the keto-acid (10). The isomers (10a and 10b) on sodium borohydride reductions afforded respectively the title compounds (12 and 13). Similar reduction of a stereoisomeric mixture of 17, on the other hand, produced two cis-lactones (19 and 20), the hydroxy-acid (30) and the trans-lactone (22). Sodium borohydride reduction of the simple keto-acid (18) furnished initially the cis-lactone (21) and a mixture of hydroxy-acids (31). This hydroxy-acid on lactonisation gave a separable mixture of 21 and 24. The steric effect of the peri-Me group on the stereochemical outcome of sodium borohydride reduction of the keto-acid (10) has been clearly demonstrated. It has also been pointed out that the difference in the NMR signals for C—6 benzylic protons of the C—11 epimeric cis-lactones, reported here and in the literature, may serve as a diagnostic tool for elucidating the stereochemistry of the C—11 Me groups of these lactones.     

Proton magnetic shielding and susceptibility effects in single crystals of ferrocene

The proton NMR in single crystals of ferrocene has been studied by multiple pulse techniques at room temperature. In crystals of natural shape with plane faces the angular dependence of the resonance frequency due to the anisotropy of the shielding and due to the bulk susceptibility was found to be of about equal size, making analysis of the data practically impossible. By using a single crystal sphere the shape dependent part of the susceptibility contribution could be eliminated. In addition, the resolution obtained by the multiple pulse technique is considerably higher for spheres than for non-spherical crystals. As the ferrocene molecules rotate rapidly about their fivefold axes at room temperature, the shielding tensor σ must be axially symmetric. Having this in mind, the data could be analyzed to yield both the shielding tensor with Δσ = σ₆ - σ_⊥ = ?6.5 ± 0.1 ppm, σ_iso = ?4.2 ± 0.5 ppm from a spherical sample of TMS and the anisotropy of the susceptibility Δ _x = 30 × 10^?6 cgs units.     

Synthesis of α-amino γ-butyrolactone derivatives by aziridination of α-ylidene γ-butyrolactones

The reactions of exocyclic α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones with NsONHCO₂Et and CaO produce N-(ethoxycarbonyl) spiroaziridino γ-lactones. By reaction with acetic acid these products give ring opening reaction and acetylated N-protected α-amino γ-butyrolactones are obtained. The ring opening reaction is quantitative and highly regioselective.     

Simple aromatic amines from justicia gendarussa. 13C NMR spectra of the bases and their analogues

Four simple 0-disubstituted aromatic amines have been isolated from the leaves of Justicia gendarussa Burm and characterized as 2-amino benzyl alcohol (3), 2-(2′-amino-benzylamino) benzyl alcohol (4) and their respective 0-methyl ethers 1 and 2 from ¹H NMR and mass spectral analyses of the bases and their acetates. Structures 3 and 4 have also been confirmed by synthesis. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding (cf. 9, 13 and 14) has been envisaged to explain the unexpected shielding of -CH₂-OH carbon signals of 34 on acetylation and upfield displacement of -CH₂-N signal of 2a vs 4a in their ¹³C NMR spectra in CDCl₃ solution ₁J_CH values have been found to be useful for the assignment of aromatic methine carbon signals in o-disubstituted compounds. Part 68 of the series Studies on Indian medicinal plants. For Part 67, see P. K. Dutta, D. Bagchi and S.C. Pakrashi, Indian J. Chem. in press.     

The 19F shielding anisotropy of p-nitrofluorobenzene from nematic phase NMR

NMR experiments on p-nitrofluorobenzene dissolved in a nematic solvent are reported. It is shown that the ¹⁹F chemical shift tensor does not possess axial symmetry around the CF bond. For σ_aa ? σ_bb a value of 81 ppm, for σ_cc ? σ_bb a value of 156 ppm is determined.     

Synthesis of the enantiomers of 4-substituted γ-lactones with known absolute configuration

The highly pure enantiomers of several 4-alkyl (or alkenyl)-γ-lactones of known absolute configuration were synthesized from glutamic acid enantiomers. The key step is selective tosylate displacement rather than ring opening of the lactone tosylate (7→1) by lithium dialkylcuprate or dialkenylcuprate. The enantiomeric purity of synthesized γ-caprolactone was confirmed within the limitations of Pirkle's chiral solvating agent. The enantiomers of synthesized (Z)-6-dodecen-4-olide were used for reference to determine the enantiomeric composition of the pheromone isolated from the black-tailed deer.     

A synthesis of γ-alkylidenebutenolides photochemical rearrangement of 2,3-epoxy-1,4-cyclohexanediones

Photo-induced rearrangement of 2,3-epoxy-1,4-cyclohexanediones was investigated for a synthesis of γ-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactones and γ-alkylidenebutenolides. Irradiation of epoxy diketones 1 and 4 in acetone gave γ-lactones, 2 and 5, and triketones, 3 and 6. On the other hand, in CH₂Cl₂, EtOAc, or PhH solution epoxy diketones 1 and 4 gave only triketones, 3 and 6. Retro-Diels-Alder reaction of γ-lactones 5aE or 5aZ at 230° (20 mmHg) afforded γ-alkylidenebutenolides 7aE and 7aZ in addition to anthracene. According to the procedure, butenolide 7bZ, a key intermediate for the synthesis of freelingyne, was prepared. The dramatic solvent effect in the photochemical rearrangement was also discussed.     

Enantioselective synthesis of γ-lactones from thioglycolic acid: Syntheses of (−)-muricatacin and 5-epi-(−)-muricatacin

An approach for the enantioselective synthesis of functionalized γ-lactones and its application to the syntheses of (−)-muricatacin 1a and 5-epi-(−)-muricatacin 1b is reported. A sequential oxidation of the intermediate 4 with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid was conducted to realize the reaction mechanism.     

Microbial bioreductions of γ- and δ-ketoacids and their esters

A series of yeasts were used in the bioreductions of aliphatic and aromatic γ- and δ-ketoacids and esters to investigate the preparation of enantiomerically pure γ- and δ-lactones through the intermediacy of their corresponding γ- and δ-hydroxyacids and esters. Bioreduction of ethyl 4-oxononanoate 2a with Pichia etchellsii afforded the γ-nonanolide (+)-5a with 99% e.e., while Pichia minuta proved to be the best choice for the bioreduction of ethyl 2-oxocyclohexylacetate 2e, which afforded cis-(−)-5e and trans-(−)-5e with 98 and 99% e.e., respectively. Reduction of 3-(2-oxocyclohexyl)propionic acid 3e with Pichia glucozyma gave predominantly the corresponding δ-lactone trans-(−)-6e with 94% e.e., whose absolute configuration was determined by means of CD spectroscopy.     

The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of porphyrins—XI : Self-aggregation of zinc(II) meso-trifluoroacetoxyoctaethylporphyrin

Complex formation in zinc(II) meso-trifluoroacetoxyoctacthylporphyrin (1) and the corresponding acetate (3) has been studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The large concentration dependence of the ¹H chemical shifts of 1 has been analysed in terms of a monomer-dimer equilibrium to give K ～ 3.01 mole^?1 and monomer-dimer shifts of up to 4.2 ppm (for the γ-meso proton). The dimers are immediately dissociated upon addition of methanol. In complete contrast, 3 shows no concentration dependence nor any change upon addition of methanol.The conformations of the model compounds phenyl acetate (4) and phenyl trifluoroacetate (5) were studied by CNDO and solvation calculations and, for 4, by a LIS experiment. Compound 4 exists as the endo conformer in non-polar media, but the exo conformer is preferentially solvated and is also formed when 4 complexes with Eu(fod)₃. In compound 5, the exo-endo energy difference is smaller and is not so affected by solvation; 5 shows no LIS.The large complex shifts found for compound 1 are best explained on the basis of a dimer structure in which the O·CO·CF₃ groups play no part in the association, which is presumably due to a novel metal to porphyrin interaction.     

Enantioselective hydrolyses with Yarrowia lipolytica: a versatile strain for esters,enol esters,epoxides, and lactones

Racemic secondary esters 1–3, γ-lactones 8–9, and styrene oxide 7 are kinetically resolved via hydrolysis with Yarrowia lipolytica YL2 strain. The enantioselective hydrolysis of prochiral enol esters 4–6 to the corresponding homochiral carbonyl compounds 13–15 is also described. Subsequent reduction of the ketone 13 and of the aldehyde 15 can be avoided using lyophilised cells.