Stereocontrolled synthesis of (3Z,5E)-6-aryl-3-methylhexa-3,5-dien-1-ols,intermediates in the synthesis of strobilurin antibiotics

(2E,4E)-5-Aryl-2-(2-benzyloxyethyl)penta-2,4-dien-1-als (aryl is phenyl and 4-methox-yphenyl) were reduced with NaBH₄ quantitatively and stereospecifically to the corresponding penta-2(E),4(E)-dien-1-ols. The hydroxymethyl group in the latter was transformed into a methyl one with a stereoselectivity of 92–97%. Debenzylation of the resulting (1E,3Z)-1-aryl-6-benzyloxy-4-methylhexa-1,3-dienes with AlCl₃ in the presence of PhNMe₂ afforded the target (3Z,5E)-6-aryl-3-methylhexa-3,5-dien-1-ols; the configuration of the C=C bonds in the conjugated aryl diene systems was retained at 95%.     

Raspailynes,Novel Long-Chain Acetylenic Enol Ethers of Glycerol from the Marine Sponges Raspailia pumila and Raspailia ramosa

The sponges Raspailia pumila and ramosa (Demospongiae, Tetractinomorpha, Axinellida) from the North-East Atlantic are shown to contain a series of novel long-chain enol ethers of glycerol where the enol ether C?C bond is conjugated, in sequence, to both an acetylenic and an olefinic bond. Polar extracts give raspailynes hydroxylated at their (1Z5Z)-1,5-alkadien-3-ynyl chain, like raspailyne Al ( = (+)-(S)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-16-hydroxy-hexadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; (+ 2 ) and isoraspailyne A ( = (+)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-17-hydroxyocta-deca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-[propanediol; (+)- 3 ). Less polar extracts give 3 different types of raspailynes not hydroxylated at the chain. Raspailynes of the first type have either the (1Z,5Z)-configuration in a linear chain such as raspailyne B2 (( = (?)-(s)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-trideca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; (?)-4), raspailyne Bl ( = (?)-3-[((1Z,5Z)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol;(?)- 5 ), and raspailyne B ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-pentadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 6 ) or the (1Z,5Z)-pentadeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 6 )or the (1Z,5Z)-configuration in a chain ending with an isopropyl group, like isoraspailyne Bl ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-12-methyltrideca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 7 ) and isoraspailyne B ( = 3-[((1Z,5Z)-13-methyltetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 8 ). Raspailynes of the second type have the (1Z,5E)-configuration, like isoraspailyne Bla ( =3-[((1Z,5E)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 9 ) and isoraspailyne Ba ( = 3-[((1Z,5E)-13-methyltetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2-propanediol; 10 ). Raspailynes of the third type have the (1E,5Z)-configuration, like isoraspailyne Blb ( = 3-[((1E,5Z)-tetradeca-1,5-dien-3-ynyl)oxy]-1,2,-propanediol; 11 ). The (S)-configuration for (+)- 1 ,((+)- 2 , and (?)- 4 is derived from chemical correlations.     

Isolation of Toxic and Potentially Toxic Sesqui- and Monoterpenes from the Tropical Green Seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia Which Has Invaded the Region of Cap Martin and Monaco

The green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia (VAHL ) C. AGARDH (Caulerpales), which, after its recent accidental introduction, is growing in the region of Cap Martin much more vigorously than in the tropics, is shown to contain the known sesquiterpenic toxins caulerpenyne ( 1 ) – in larger amounts than in tropical Caulerpales – and oxytoxin 1 ( 2 ). Novel, potentially toxic products isolated in small amounts from this seaweed include the sesquiterpenes taxifolial A ( = (5E)-6,10-dimethyl-2-[(E)2-oxoethylidene]undeca-5,9-dien-7- yne-1,3-diyl diacetate; 3 ), taxifolial B (= (1E,6E,10E)-3-[( Z )-acetoxymethylidene]-7, 11-dimethyl-12-oxododeca-1,6,10-trien-8-yne-1,4-diyl diacetate; 4 ), 10,11-epoxycaulerpenyne ( = (1E,6E)-3-[(Z)-acetoxymethylidene]-10,11-epoxy-7, 11-dimethyldodeca-1,6-dien-8-yne-1,4-diyl diacetate; 1:1 diastereoisomer mixture; 5 ), and taxifolial C ( = (2Z,6E)-3-formyl-7,11-dimethyldodeca-2,6,10-trien-8-yne-1,1, 4-triyl triacetate; 6 ), besides, as the first example of a monoterpene from the Caulerpales, taxifolial D ( = (2Z)-3,7-dimethylocta-2, 6-dien-4-ynal; 7 ).     

Synthesis of 6-aryl-1,3-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-6-azalumazin-7-(6H)ones and their conversion into 2-aryl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5-(2H,4H)odiones. A new synthesis of 1-aryl-6-azauracils

Treatment of 6-amino-5-arylazo-1,3-dimethyluracils with urea or N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole gave the respective 6-aryl-1,3-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-6-azalumazin-7-(6H)ones, which were hydrolyzed with alkali to afford 2-aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazine-6-carboxylic acids (1-aryl-6-azauracil-5-carboxylic acids). Thermal decomposition of these carboxylic acids gave the corresponding 2-aryl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5-(2H,4H)diones (1-aryl-6-azauracils). Methylation of the latter with methyl iodide gave the corresponding 2-aryl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5-(2H,4H)diones (1-aryl-3-methyl-6-azauracils).     

Stereospecific preparation of (2E, 4Z)-monofluorodienyl esters by the Heck reaction of high E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes

High E/Z ratio (E/Z>75:25) 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes, which were prepared by isomerization of 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes (E/Z≈1:1), underwent the Heck reaction with methyl acrylate, and (2E, 4Z)-methyl 5-aryl-4-fluoropenta-2,4-dienoates were successfully isolated. Heck reactions of (Z)-1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes also occur. However, the products are difficult to separate in a pure form, since they have an obvious tendency to isomerize on a silica gel column.     

SYNTHESIS OF ANELLATED ANHYDROPYRANOSES ON THE BASIS OF 1,6-ANHYDRO-3-DEOXY-4-METHYLSULFANYL-3-[(METHYLSULFANYL)METHYLENE]-β-D-ERYTHRO-HEXOPYRANOS-2-ULOSE

(Z)-1,6-Anhydro-3-deoxy-4-methylsulfanyl-3-[(methylsulfanyl)methylene]-β-D-erythro-hexopyranos-2-ulose (1) reacted with diethyl malonate, 1,3-diketones, N-aryl-3-oxobutyramides and dialkyl 3-oxoglutarate, respectively, in the presence of potassium carbonate and crown ether to yield diethyl 2-(1,6-anhydro-4-methylsulfanyl—D-arabino-hex-2-ulopyranos-3-ylmethylene) malonate (2), 1-{(1R,2S,8S,9R)-2-hydroxy-4-methyl-8-methylthio-3,11,12- trioxatricyclo7.2.1.0^2,7dodeca-4,6-dien-5-yl} ethanone (3), (1R,2S,12S,13R)-2-hydroxy-12-methylthio-3,15,16-trioxatetracyclo[11.2.1. 0^2,11. 0^4,9] hexadeca- 4(9),10-dien-8-one (4), (1R,8S,9R)-5-acetyl-3-aryl-8-methylthio-11,12-dioxa- 3-azatricyclo-[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca-2(7),5-dien-4-ones (5,6) and dialkyl (1R,8S,-9R)-4-hydroxy-8-methylthio-11,12-dioxatricyclo[7.2.1.0^2,7]dodeca-2(7),3,5-triene-3,5-dicarboxylates (7,8), respectively.     

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.     

Extension of β-chloroenals to ethyl 5-chloro-2,4-pentadienoates using Wadsworth-Emmons reactions: subsequent conversions to 5-aryl-5-chloro-2,4-pentadienoic acids and 5-aryl-2-penten-4-ynoic acids

Convenient routes from (Z)-3-aryl-3-chloroenals to (2E,4Z)-5-aryl-5-chloro-2,4-pentadienoates and (2E)-5-aryl-2-penten-4-ynoates are described. The stereochemical assignments are based on NMR spectral data.     

Hetero-Diels-Alder Additions of α,β-Unsaturated-Acyl Cyanides. Part 3. Syntheses of 3-bromo-2-ethoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carbonitriles,and about their transformation to 2-ethoxy-2H-pyrans

Cycloadditions of the α,β-unsaturated-acyl cyanides 1–3 with (Z)-or (E)-1-bromo-2-ethoxyethene ( 4 ) may be performed at moderate temperatures and provide in good yields the 3-bromo-2-ethoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carbonitriles 5–7 , respectively (Scheme 1). Diastereoisomeric pairs of products result at room temperature merely from the ‘endo’- and ‘exo’-transition states; more complex mixtures appear above 60° as a consequence of (Z)/(E)-isomerization of 4 . The relative stability of the anomers of 5 and 6 is explored by treatment with BF₃·Et₂O. Acid alcoholysis (MeOH or EtOH) of 5 leads to acetals 9a , b of 4-bromo-5-oxopentanoate. Alkyl (2Z,4E)-5-ethoxypenta-2,4-dienoates 12 , 17 , and 20 , are formed in alcoholic alkoxide solutions from 5 , 6 , and 7 , respectively, which is compatible with the intermediacy of 2-alkoxy-2H-pyrans and their valence tautomers, α,β-unsaturatedacyl cyanides. Methoxide addition to the CN group competes with dehydrobromination in case of 5 ; it leads to 3-bromo-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carboximidate 13 (ca. 50% at ?20°) which can be hydrolyzed to the methyl carboxylate 14 . DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene) in benzene converts 5 to 6-ethoxy-2-oxohexa-3,5-dienenitrile ( 11 ), the ring-opening product of an obviously unstable 2-ethoxy-2H-pyran; the same reagent dehydrobrominates 6 to 2-ethoxy-4-methyl-2H-pyran-6-carbonitrile ( 15 ). HBr Elimination from 7 takes place with great ease in presence of pyridine, or even during chromatography on alumina, and leads to the stable ethyl 6-cyano-2-ethoxy-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate ( 18 ); this dimerizes at room temperature to give a 1:3 mixture of tricyclic adducts ‘endo’- 21 and ‘exo’- 21 . The structure of the latter is established by an X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: LXXVIII. Acylation of fischer’s base with aroylketenes. Crystalline and molecular structure of (1E, 3Z)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ylidene)but-3-en-2-one

Aroylketenes generated by thermolysis of 6-aryl-2,2-dimethyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-ones reacted with 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-methylidene-1,3-dihydro-2H-indole (Fischer’s base) to produce (1E,3Z)-4-aryl-4-hydroxy-1-(1,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ylidene)but-3-en-2-ones. The crystalline and molecular structures of (1E,3Z)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ylidene)but-3-en-2-one were determined by X-ray analysis.     

Caulerpenyne-Amine Reacting System as a Model for in vivo Interactions of Ecotoxicologically Relevant Sesquiterpenoids of the mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpenyne ( 1 ), the most abundant of the ecotoxicologically relevant sesquiterpenoids of the Mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, was found to react with Et₃N or pyridine in MeOH by initial deprotection of C(1)HO to give oxytoxin 1 ( 2a ), previously isolated from the sacoglossan mollusc Oxynoe olivacea. With BuNH₂, without any precaution to exclude light, 1 gave the series of racemic 3 and 4 , and achiral (4E,6E)- 5 , (4E,6Z)- 5 , (4Z,6E)- 5 , and (4Z,6Z)- 5 pyrrole compounds, corresponding to formal C(4) substitution, 4,5-β-elimination, and (E/Z)-isomerization at the C(4)?C(5) and C(6)?C(7) bonds. Changing to CDCl₃ as solvent in the dark, 1 gave cleanly, via 2a as an intermediate, 3 and (4E,6E)- 5 . The latter proved to be prone to (E/Z)-photoisomerization. Under standard acetylation conditions, 3 gave (4E,6E)- 5 via acetamide 7 as an intermediate. Particular notice is warranted by selective deprotection of 1 at C(1), mimicking enzyme reactions, and unprecedented formation of pyrrole compounds from freely-rotating, protected 1,4-dialdehyde systems.     

Reduction of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-3-aryl-2-(thiazol-2-yl)acrylonitriles with lithium aluminum hydride

Reduction of (E)-3-aryl-2-(4-arylthiazol-2-yl)acrylonitriles with lithium aluminum hydride in dry ether afforded (Z)-1-amino-3-aryl-2-(thiazol-2-yl)prop-1-ene derivatives in 15 to 40% yields. The structure of (Z)-1-amino-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[4-(4-methylphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]prop-1-ene was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of his 90th birthday. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1301–1303, May, 2005.     

The Photoisomerization Behavior of the (4-Hydroxycinnamoyl)-spermidines

The photoisomerization behavior of three mono[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 1, 2 , and 3 , and three bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 4, 5 , and 6 , are investigated. The synthetic product (E)- 1 could be almost quantitatively (> 96%) converted into its isomer (Z)- 1 under UV light irradiation. In the cases of (E)- 2 and (E)- 3 , a mixture of (E)/(Z) ca. 1:2 was obtained, when the same conditions were applied. The comparison of their UV spectra provides the possible explanation for these different behaviors. Furthermore, it was noticed that the (Z) → (E) isomerization of the C?C bond took place during the purification by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the (E)/(Z)-mixture is thus inseparable. The same feature could be observed during the isolation of the (Z,Z)-N,N′-bis[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-spermidines, (Z,Z)- 4 , (Z,Z)- 5 , and (Z,Z)- 6 . Nevertheless, the fractions of (Z,Z)- 5 and (Z,Z)- 6 were in almost pure state collected, and their ¹-NMR spectra are presented.     

Ring-transformation of 1,2,4-oxadiazines. Raney nickel hydrogenation of Z-3-aryl-5,6-dihydro-5-(substituted)methylene-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazine derivatives

Raney nickel hydrogenation of Z-3-aryl-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazine ( 1a-c ) affords 2-aryl-6-hydroxymethyl-4-pyrimidinone ( 2 ) and ethyl (2-aryl-4-oxazolyl)acetate ( 3 ). A similar hydrogenation of Z-5-arylcarbarnoyl)methylene-5,6-dihydro-3-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazine ( 1d-f ) gives E-4-(arylcarbamoyl)methylene-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline ( 5 ), 4-(arylcarbamoyl)methyl-2-phenyloxazole ( 6 ), and Z-4-(aryl-carbamoyl)methylene-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline ( 7 ).     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: LXIX. Direct heterocyclization of [3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ylidene]-acetamides with 5-arylfuran-2,3-diones. Crystalline and molecular structure of (3E,5Z)-3-[3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ylidene]-5-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)pyrrolidine-2,4-dione

5-Arylfuran-2,3-diones react with (Z)-2-[3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ylidene]acetamides to give (3E,5Z)-5-(2-aryl-2-oxoethylidene)-3-[3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ylidene]-pyrrolidine-2,4-diones. The crystalline and molecular structures of one of the products were determined by X-ray analysis.     

Preparation of optically pure (3E,5E)-alkyl-2-hydroxy-6-arylhexa-3,5-dienoates by Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 mediated deracemisation of the racemates

Biocatalytic deracemisation of a range of racemic (3E,5E)-alkyl-2-hydroxy-6-arylhexa-3,5-dienoates using Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 resulted in pure (S)-enantiomers in yields of up to 80% and ee>99%.     

Stereoselectivity in the anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement of acyclic vinyl sulfides

Novel anionic oxy-Cope (AOC) rearrangements of substituted 5-alkylthio-1,5-dien-3-ols were studied. Aqueous quench gave new access to compounds with a nucleophilic vinyl sulfide and an electrophilic aldehyde in a 1,5 relationship. 3,4-Anti and 3,4-syn 1E,5Z-5-hexylthio-4-methyl-1-phenylhepta-1,5-dien-3-ols were synthesised separately by stereoselective aldol reaction, thioesterification and alkylidenation of the resulting thioesters to give Z-vinyl sulfides with ?90% stereoselectivity. AOC rearrangement of the 3,4-syn substrate gave predominantly 3,4-syn Z-vinyl sulfide while the 3,4-anti substrate gave mostly 3,4-syn E-vinyl sulfide, via chair-like transition states with the oxyanion pseudo-equatorial. Stereochemistry was assigned by NOE taking advantage of the conformational stability of the products.     

Curcumaromins A,B, and C,Three Novel Curcuminoids from Curcuma aromatica

Three novel curcuminoids, curcumaromins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), along with a known compound, longiferone B ( 4 ) were isolated from Curcuma aromatica Salisb . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (1E,4Z,6E)‐5‐hydroxy‐7‐{4‐hydroxy‐3‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl)phenyl}‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hepta‐1,4,6‐trien‐3‐one ( 1 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐6‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]‐5‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), and (1E,6E)‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]hepta‐1,6‐diene‐3,5‐dione ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Curcumaromins A–C ( 1 – 3 ) represented the first examples of menthane monoterpene‐coupled curcuminoids. The known compound, longiferone B ( 4 ), was the first daucane sesquiterpene isolated from the genus Curcuma.     

A New Monomer for π‐Conjugated Polymers — Synthesis and Characterization of Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane

Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane ( 6 ), a molecule consisting of two diphenyldithiafulvene units connected by a sulfur bridge, was synthesized by the selective lithiation of (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole ( 7a ) at the endocyclic double bond and by subsequent reaction of the lithiated intermediate with bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfane. Since this reaction sequence proceeded with retention of configuration, of three possible isomers (E, E, Z, E, and Z, Z) only the Z, Z form was obtained. On the basis of the X‐ray structure analysis and the NMR‐spectroscopic characterization of 6 supplemented by the NMR parameters of (E)‐ and (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole, it was demonstrated that two characteristic ⁵J coupling constants of the proton at the exocyclic double bond indicate the configuration (Z or E) of disubstituted dithiafuvene derivatives.     

Thermal decomposition products of methyl 1,5-diphenyl- and 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-exo-carboxylates

Methyl 1,5-diphenyl- and 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-exo-carboxylates at 138°C undergo decomposition via elimination of nitrogen molecule with formation in each case of five products. Two products are methyl 1,3-diphenyl(or 1-methyl-3-phenyl)bicyclo[1.1.0]butane-2-endo- and -exo-carboxylates, and the three others are derivatives of buta-1,3-diene, methyl (Z)-2-benzylidene-3-phenyl(or 3-methyl)but-3-enoate and methyl (E)- and (Z)-3,4-diphenyl(or 4-methyl-3-phenyl)penta-2,4-dienoates. The formation of these products may be rationalized assuming intermediacy of substituted allylcarbene which undergoes both intramolecular cycloaddition and rearrangements involving 1,2-hydride and 1,2-vinyl shifts.