The revised structure, total synthesis, and absolute configuration of streptophenazine A

A total synthesis of both diastereomers of the originally proposed structure for streptophenazine A (1) has been achieved. However, both synthetic compounds are different from the natural product. Re-examination of NMR data reported for streptophenazine A and a concise total synthesis of both diastereomers of 17 (17a and 17b) led to the structural revision of streptophenazine A to 17b. Asymmetric synthesis of (-)-streptophenazine A was also conducted, and its absolute configuration was determined to be 1'S,2'R.     

Synthesis and assignment of the absolute configuration of the anti-Helicobacter pylori agents CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014

The synthesis of the spiroacetal-containing anti-Helicobacter pylori agents (3S,2'S,5'S,7'S)- (ent-CJ-12,954) and (3S,2'S,5'R,7'S)- (ent-CJ-13,014) has been carried out based on the convergent union of a 1:1 mixture of heterocycle-activated spiroacetal sulfones and with (3S)-phthalide aldehyde . The synthesis of the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3R,2'S,5'R,7'S)- was also undertaken in a similar manner by union of (3R)-phthalide aldehyde with a 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Comparison of the (1)H and (13)C NMR data, optical rotations and HPLC retention times of the synthetic compounds (3S,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3S,2'S,5'R,7'S)- and the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3R,2'S,5'R,7'S)-, with the naturally occurring compounds, established that the synthetic isomers and were in fact enantiomeric to the natural products CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014. The (2S,8S)-stereochemistry in protected dihydroxyketone , the precursor to the mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and was established via union of readily available (S)-acetylene with aldehyde in which the (4S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric allylation. Deprotection and cyclization of protected dihydroxyketone afforded an inseparable 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal alcohols and that were converted into a 1:1 inseparable mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Phthalide-aldehyde was prepared via intramolecular acylation of bromocarbamate in which the (3S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric CBS reduction of ketone .     

Asymmetric synthesis of the putative structure of (-)-oryzoxymycin

[reaction: see text] A short asymmetric synthesis of (2'S,5R,6R)-2'-[6-amino-5-hydroxy-1,3-cyclohexadiene-1-carbonyloxy]propionic acid, the enantiomer of the reported structure of (+)-oryzoxymycin is described. The reported spectral data does not match that obtained for synthetic "oryzoxymycin".     

A new, non-iterative asymmetric synthesis of long-chain 1,3-polyols

A new approach to the asymmetric synthesis of pentadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octols and their derivatives is presented. It is based on the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of 4,4'-methylene[(1R,1'S,6R,6'S)-6-acetoxycyclohept-3-en-1-yl]bis(4-methoxybenzoate) (9), derived from a double [3+4] cycloaddition of the 1,1,3-trichloro-2-oxyallyl cation with 2,2'-methylenedifuran (1). The diol (-)-10, obtained in 98.4% ee from 9 with "AD-mix-beta(5x), was oxidised into (2R and 2S,4S,6R)-tetrahydro-2-hydroxy-6-((4S,6S)-(6-hydroxy-4-[(4-methoxybenzoyl)oxy]cyclohept-1-en-1-yl)-2-oxopropyl)-2H-pyran-4-yl 4-methoxybenzoates ((-)-18). By the combinations of Evans' anti and Nasaraka's syn reductions of aldol (-)-18 with the double Mitsunobu reaction, 16 diastereomeric pentadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octols and analogues can be obtained, in principle, with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities.     

Asymmetric synthesis, stereochemistry and rearrangement reactions of naturally occurring 7'-hydroxylignano-9,9'-lactones

The asymmetric synthesis of a series of (7'S,8R,8'R)-7'-hydroxylignano-9,9'-lactones is presented, among them the mammalian lignan (7'S)-hydroxyenterolactone and (7'S)-parabenzlactone, allowing the stereochemistry of natural occurring (-)-parabenzlactone to be re-assigned. A hydroxylactone rearrangement and its possible mechanisms are discussed. Finally a brief survey of the current naming and numbering variants of 7'-hydroxylignano-9,9'-lactones is presented, along with a suggestion for harmonization of the nomenclature.     

Synthesis of the liposidomycin diazepanone nucleoside

[structure: see text] The synthesis of the liposidomycin degradation product 4 from D-glucose establishes its stereochemistry as 5'S,6'S and, by incorporation of the earlier diazepanone relative stereochemical assignment, establishes the absolute stereochemistry of the liposidomycins 1 and 2 as 5'S,6'S,2'S,3'S.     

Conjugate addition of 2- and 4-pyridylcuprates: an expeditious asymmetric synthesis of natural (-)-evoninic acid

[reaction: see text] The scope and limitations of the conjugate addition of 2- and the first 4-pyridyl Gilman homocuprates to various alpha,beta-unsaturated Michael acceptors are delineated. The conjugate addition of the cuprate of 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine to (E)-methyl crotonate then diastereoselective enolate alkylation and lipase-mediated enantioselective ester hydrolysis have enabled an efficient four-step first asymmetric synthesis of the Celastraceae sesquiterpenoid esterifying ligand (-)-(1'S,2'S)-evoninic acid.     

Formal synthesis of the ACE inhibitor benazepril x HCl via an asymmetric aza-Michael reaction

A formal enantioselective synthesis of benazepril.HCl (4), an anti- hypertensive drug, is reported. Our synthesis employed an asymmetric aza-Michael addition of L-homophenylalanine ethyl ester (LHPE, 1) to 4-(2-nitrophenyl)-4-oxo- but-2-enoic acid methyl ester (6) as the key step to prepare (2S,3'S)-2-(2-oxo-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]azepin-3-ylamino)-4-phenylbutyric acid ethyl ester (8), which is the key intermediate leading to benazepril x HCl (4).     

Asymmetric synthesis of cis-1,2-dialkenyl-substituted cyclopentanes via (-)-sparteine-mediated lithiation and cycloalkylation of a 9-chloro-2,7-nonadienyl carbamate

Herein we report our comprehensive results in enantioselective cyclopentane synthesis via stereogenic allyllithium compounds. The described cycloalkylation reaction starts with a (-)-sparteine-mediated asymmetric deprotonation of the 2,7-alkadienyl carbamate 7e and leads to the enantioenriched (80% ee) and diastereomerically pure (dr = 99:1) cis-1,2-divinyl-cyclopentane 8, by a subsequent cyclization and elimination of lithium chloride. The reaction mechanism has been investigated by silylation and lithiodestannylation experiments and was found to represent a completely regioselective anti-S(N)'S(E)'-reaction. Trapping of the vinyllithium intermediate 12 with various electrophiles under retention of the configuration at the double bond extends the field of application for this cyclization. We also applied this reaction as the key step in the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-dihydromultifidene (17).     

Feigrisolide C: structural revision and synthesis

[Carbohydrate structure: see text] The original macrodiolide structure proposed for feigrisolide C was incorrect. The true structure of feigrisolide C was identified as (2'S,3'S,6'R,8'R)-homononactoyl (2R,3R,6S,8S)-nonactic acid, which was confirmed by total synthesis.     

Total synthesis of (-)-alpha-kainic acid by (-)-sparteine-mediated asymmetric deprotonation-cycloalkylation

[reaction: see text] We report a new enantioselective synthesis of (-)-alpha-kainic acid from d-serine methyl ester hydrochloride, based on a (-)-sparteine-mediated asymmetric deprotonation of an intermediate carbamate that, by stereospecific anti S(N)'S(E)' intramolecular cycloalkylation, leads to the pyrrolidine ring precursor of (-)-alpha-kainic acid, in high yield and diastereoselectivity. The intermediate pyrrolidine was further transformed to (-)-alpha-kainic acid in three steps.     

Looking for treasure in stereochemistry-land. A path marked by curiosity, obstinacy, and serendipity

Over the past 40 years, much of my research has evolved around various topics of conformational analysis and asymmetric synthesis. This Perspective describes some of my salient contributions in eight different areas of organic stereochemistry: (1) conformational analysis of six-membered rings, (2) evaluation of stereoelectronic interactions in (1)J(C-H) one-bond coupling constants in six-membered rings, (3) eclipsed conformation in cis-2-tert-butyl-5-(tert-butylsulfonyl)-1,3-dioxane, (4) determination of enthalpic and entropic contributions to ΔG°(CH(2)Ph) and ΔG°(t-Bu), (5) study of the "attractive gauche effect" in O-C-C-O segments, (6) examination of salt effects on conformational equilibria, (7) asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acids, and (8) asymmetric organocatalysis and "Green" chemistry. It will be appreciated that a basic understanding of the principles of physical organic chemistry has been essential in all projects. Furthermore, curiosity, enthusiasm, obstinacy, and paying attention to unexpected observations will lead to many new (stereo)chemical discoveries.     

Studies towards the synthesis of epothilone A via organoboranes

Studies towards the synthesis of epothilone A via organoboranes have been described. A modified procedure for the large-scale preparation of B-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyldiisopinocampheylborane from prenyl alcohol has been developed. This reagent, upon reaction with various aldehydes, provides the corresponding alpha,alpha-dimethylhomoallylic alcohols in high enantioselectivities. The application of this reagent for the synthesis of the C1-C6 subunit of epothilone has been demonstrated. Alternatively, inter- and intramolecular asymmetric reduction protocols have also been utilized for the synthesis of the C1-C6 subunit of epothilone A. The synthesis of the C7-C21 fragment of epothilone A involving asymmetric alkoxyallyl- and crotylboration using alpha-pinene-derived reagents has also been described.     

Molecular mechanics (MM3) calculations on lithium amide compounds

The MM3 force field has been extended to deal with the lithium amide molecules that are widely used as efficient catalysts for stereoselective asymmetric synthesis. The MM3 force field parameters have been determined on the basis of the ab initio MP2/6-31G* and/or DFT (B3LYP/6-31G*, B3-PW91/6-31G*) geometry optimization calculations. To evaluate the electronic interactions specific to the lithium amides derived from the diamine molecules properly, the Lewis bonding potential term for the interaction between the lithium atom and the nonbonded adjacent electronegative atom such as nitrogen was introduced into the MM3 force field. The bond dipoles were evaluated correctly from the electronic charges on the atoms calculated by fitting to the electrostatic potential at points selected. The MM3 results on the molecular structures, conformational energies, and vibrational spectra show good agreement with those from the quantum mechanical calculations.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of (+)-Mitomycin K by a Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Tandem Cyclization

The mitomycins, a family of bioactive natural products, feature a compact 6/5/5-fused polycyclic ring structure densely decorated with highly reactive and/or fragile quinone, amino ketal, and aziridine as well as carbamate moieties. It is this striking feature that has defeated numerous synthetic attempts towards these apparently small molecules, rendering them one of the most formidable targets for total synthesis. We herein report the first enantioselective synthesis of (+)-mitomycin K, a representative of G series mitomycins. The key step of this synthesis is an enantioselective oxidative cyclization catalyzed by a palladium/(+)-sparteine system that had previously been developed by our group. The robustness of this method bodes well for further applications in the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products, particularly those with characteristic 6/5/5-fused pyrroloindole skeletons.     

Tandem reduction-chloroallylboration of esters: asymmetric synthesis of lamoxirene, the spermatozoid releasing and attracting pheromone of the laminariales (Phaeophyceae)

The asymmetric synthesis of all four stereoisomers of lamoxirene (cis-2-cyclohepta-2,5-dienyl-3-vinyloxirane), the spermatozoid-releasing and -attracting pheromone of the Laminariales (Phaeophyceae), is reported. Chiral ethyl cyclohepta-2,5-diene carboxylates, prepared by a divinylcyclopropane Cope rearrangement, were effectively alkylated by means of a novel tandem DIBAL-H reduction/asymmetric alpha-chloroallylboration using (Z)-gamma-chloroallyldiisopinocampheylboranes. The ensuing syn-alpha-chlorohydrins were transformed into the corresponding vinyloxiranes with DBU, providing all four isomers of the pheromone in good chemical and excellent optical yield (90-97% ee). Spermatozoid-release assays were conducted with the sympatrically growing species L. digitata, L. hyperborea, and L. saccharina and established (1'S,2R,3S)-1c as the most active isomer in all cases.     

Asymmetric syntheses of the homalium alkaloids (-)-(s,s)-homaline and (-)-(r,r)-hopromine

The highly diastereoselective conjugate additions of the novel lithium amide reagents lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide and lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methyl-p-methoxybenzyl)amide to α,β-unsaturated esters were used as the key steps in syntheses of the homalium alkaloids (-)-(S,S)-homaline and (-)-(R,R)-hopromine. The asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(S,S)-homaline was achieved in 8 steps and 18% overall yield, and the asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(R,R)-hopromine was achieved in 9 steps and 23% overall yield, from commercially available starting materials in each case. These syntheses therefore represent by far the most efficient total asymmetric syntheses of these alkaloids reported to date. A sample of the (4'R,4'S)-epimer of hopromine was also produced using this approach, which provided the first unambiguous confirmation of its absolute configuration and therefore that of natural (-)-(R,R)-hopromine.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone G,Part 3: The Final Phase and Completion of the Synthesis

Two independent synthetic approaches were evaluated for the final phase of the asymmetric total synthesis of propindilactone G ( 1 ). The key steps that led to the completion of the asymmetric total synthesis included: 1) an intermolecular oxidative heterocoupling reaction of enolsilanes to link the core structure to the side chain; 2) an intermolecular Wittig reaction for the formation of the α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated ester; and 3) a regio‐ and stereoselective OsO₄‐catalyzed dihydroxylation of an α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated enone, followed by an intramolecular lactonization reaction to afford the final product. These reactions enabled the synthesis of (+)‐propindilactone G in only 20 steps. As a consequence of our synthetic studies, the structure of (+)‐propindilactone G has been revised. Furthermore, the direct oxidative coupling strategy for ligation of the core of propindilactone G with its side chain may find application in the syntheses of other natural products and complex molecules.     

DFT Investigation of H2 activation by [M(NHPnPr3)('S3')] (M = Ni, Pd). Insight into key factors relevant to the design of hydrogenase functional models

Density functional theory has been used to investigate the reaction between H(2) and [Ni(NHPnPr(3))('S3')] or [Pd(NHPnPr(3))('S3')], where 'S3' = bis(2-sulfanylphenyl)sulfide(2-), which are among the few synthetic complexes featuring a metal coordination environment similar to that observed in the [NiFe] hydrogenase active site and capable of catalyzing H(2) heterolytic cleavage. Results allowed us to unravel the reaction mechanism, which is consistent with an oxidative addition-hydrogen migration pathway for [Ni(NHPnPr(3))('S3')], whereas metathesis is also possible with [Pd(NHPnPr(3))('S3')]. Unexpectedly, H(2) binding and activation implies structural reorganization of the metal coordination environment. It turns out that the structural rearrangement in [Ni(NHPnPr(3))('S3')] and [Pd(NHPnPr(3))('S3')] can take place due to the peculiar structural features of the Ni and Pd ligands, explaining the remarkable catalytic properties. However, the structural reorganization is the most unfavorable step along the H(2) cleavage pathway (DeltaG > 100 kJ mol(-1)), an observation that is relevant for the design and synthesis of novel biomimetic catalysts.     

紫杉醇类似物C13侧链手性构型与活性关系的从头算研究

应用从头算RHF/STO-3G方法优化了四个紫杉醚异构体,在RHF/6-31G*水平进行单点计算,并计算了四个分子的静电势。分子立体构型表明:C13侧链上2 R构型的2-OH和3 S构型的3-NH均处于分子外侧,有利于与受体极性基团结合;2 S构型的2-OH和3 R构型的3-NH在分子的内侧,不利于与受体极性基团结合。静电势的结果表明,R构型的2-OH和S构型的3-NH可以产生相应的负电势区域。当C13侧链为天然构型(2 R,3 S)时,分子可能以双基结合的方式通过负静电势区域与受体作用,活性较高。