Resolution of 1-arylalkylamines with 3-O-hydrogen phthalate glucofuranose derivatives: role of steric bulk in a family of resolving agents

The development of three new acidic resolving agents which are hydrogen phthalates of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose 1, 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-α-d-glucofuranose 2 and 1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-5,6-O-diphenylmethylidene-α-d-glucofuranose 3 is shown for the resolution of 1-arylalkylamines 7a–k. The salts between 1, 2 and (RS)-1-arylalkylamines 7a–k selectively crystallize 1·(S) 7a–j and 2·(S) 7a–h salts, allowing us to recover the corresponding bases (S) 7a–j and (S) 7a–h, respectively, in good yield and enantiomeric excess (73–95% ee). Whereas, the salts between 3 and (RS)-1-arylalkylamines 7a–c,g–i,k selectively crystallize 3·(S)-7a–c,g–i salts to recover the corresponding bases (S)-7a–c,g–i in poor enantiomeric excess (4–35% ee). The difference between the resolving ability of 1 and 2 for 1-arylalkylamines 7a–h is very slight, but there is considerable difference compared to ortho-substituted 1-arylalkylamines 7i and 7j. The role of substituents on a family of resolving agents 1, 2 and 3 is also discussed to interpret their resolving ability.     

The synthesis and decomposition of 3-p-nitrophenyl-3,4,5-triazatricyclo(5.2.1.02,6endo)dec-4-ene : Triazoline thermolyses

A stereospecific synthesis of the endo triazoline 20 has been accomplished by the sequential conversion of norbornylene to the oxime of 3-exo-chloronorbornanone followed by reduction of its acetate or p-nitrobenzoate with diborane to give 2-endo-amino-3-exo chloronorbornane, then coupling of the latter with p-nitrobenzene diazonium chloride to give diazoamine 19, which was cyclized with ethanolic sodium ethoxide in the presence of silver nitrate. Photolysis of endo triazoline 20 gave exclusively endo aziridine 3 (R = p-NO₂C₆H₄), while on pyrolysis in decalin at 165–170° there was obtained endo aziridine 3, exo axiridine 2, imine 4 and a large amount of polymer. Under identical conditions, the isomeric exo triazoline 1 (R = p-NO₂C₆H₄) gave exo aziridine 2, endo aziridine 3, imine 4 and no polymer. The “triazoline-aziridine inversion” is presumed to occur via the diazoimine intermediate 7. While photolysis of exo triazolines 23 and 24 and pyrolysis of 23 gave, as expected, the corresponding exo aziridines 25 and 26, pyrolysis of 24 appears to have given the isoxazoline 28. Evidence for the intermediacy of the diazoimine 27 in the formation of 28 is presented.     

Lipase mediated resolution of 1,3-butanediol derivatives: chiral building blocks for pheromone enantiosynthesis. Part 3

(R,S)-1,3-Butanediol 5 was kinetically resolved by enzymatic acetylation with vinyl acetate under the presence of Chirazyme™ L-2, c–f, yielding (S)-1-O-acetyl-1,3-hydroxybutane 6 and (R)-1,3-di-O-acetyl-1,3-butanediol 7 with enantiomeric excesses of 91% (E=67.3). Compounds 6 and 7 were easily transformed into the corresponding (S)-3-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-3-hydroxybutanal 10 and (R)-3-benzyloxybutanal 19, through a protection–deprotection and functional group interchange methodology. Subsequent reaction of 10 and 19 with 3-(methoxycarbonylpropionylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane afforded methyl (E,S)-8-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 12 and (E,R)-8-benzyloxy-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 20. The alkenes 19 and 20 were then catalytically hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated esters 13 and 21. Treatment of 13 and 21 with 1,2-ethanedithiol/F₃B·OEt₂ afforded dithioketals 14 and 22, which were respectively reduced to (S)-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 15 and (R)-8-O-benzyl-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 23. Finally, deprotection of 15 by catalytic hydrogenation under acidic conditions gave the expected (5S,7S)-(−)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1. The (5R,7R)-(+)-1 enantiomer was analogously prepared from 23. Both compounds were formed by this procedure with an e.e. of 91%.     

Racemization of (S)-(+)-10,11-dimethoxyaporphine and (S)-(+)-aporphine: efficient preparations of (R)-(−)-apomorphine and (R)-(−)-aporphine via a recycle process of resolution

Efficient preparations of (R)-(−)-apomorphine (R)-1 and (R)-(−)-aporphine (R)-2 based on a recycle process of resolution are described. In this recycle process of resolution, (RS)-(±)-10,11-dimethoxyaporphine 3 as the precursor of 1, and (RS)-(±)-aporphine 2 were successfully resolved into both enantiomers with (+)-dibenzoyltartaric acid (DBTA). The desired (R)-3 and (R)-2 were obtained and then, respectively, transformed to compound (R)-1, the hydrochloride salt of (R)-1, diacetate compound 4 and the hydrochloride salt of (R)-2; while the undesired (S)-3 and (S)-2 were racemized to obtain a racemate, which was suitable for further resolution. A method for the racemization of the undesired (S)-3 and (S)-2 was extensively studied, in order to obtain high-yielding racemization conditions. A plausible mechanism for the racemization of (S)-3 and (S)-2 was also proposed.     

Synthesis of (1R,cis,αS)-cypermethrine via lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic m-phenoxybenzaldehyde cyanohydrin acetate

A technical scale preparation of optically active (1R,cis,αS)-cypermethrine 4 from racemic m-phenoxybenzaldehyde cyanohydrin acetate (RS)-1 and (1R,cis)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride (1R,cis)-3 is described. Key steps of the new procedure are a lipase catalyzed enantioselective transesterification of (RS)-1 with n-butanol and direct acylation of the mixture of (R)-1 and (S)-cyanohydrin (S)-2 with (1R,cis)-3 to give enantiomerically pure (1R,cis,αS)-4. The unchanged (R)-1 is removed from (1R,cis,αS)-4 by distillation, and is racemized with triethylamine to give (RS)-1 which is returned to the process. The total yield of (1R,cis,αS)-4 referred to (RS)-1 is 80%.     

(R)- and (S)-3-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone as chiral auxiliaries in Diels–Alder reactions

A study of the Diels–Alder reactions of the esters derived from acrylic, methacrylic, trans-crotonic and trans-cinnamic acid and the chiral auxiliaries (R)- and/or (S)-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone (4, 17, 25 and 26, respectively) with different dienes [cyclopentadiene 5, isoprene 8, 11,12-dimethylene-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene 9 and anthracene 10], catalyzed by titanium tetrachloride, is described. Cyclopentadiene gave adducts with esters (R)- or (S)-4 and (R)-25 with high endo- and facial-diastereoselectivities. Diene 5 reacted with (±)-17 without endo-diastereoselectivity and failed to give a cycloadduct with (±)-26. Isoprene reacted only with ester (S)-4 with high facial-diastereoselectivity. The reaction of 9 with (R)-4 failed, because the diene was not stable under the acid reaction conditions. Adducts derived from 10 and esters (S)-4 and (R)-17 could be obtained with high facial-diastereoselectivity. LiOH-hydrolysis of the adducts derived from esters (R)- or (S)-4 and (R)-25 gave the corresponding enantiopure acids, the chiral auxiliaries being completely recovered unchanged. However, hydrolysis of the adduct derived from 10 and (R)-17, required more drastic basic conditions which partially epimerized the chiral auxiliary. X-Ray diffraction analysis of the adducts derived from 10 and esters (S)-4 and (R)-17, let us establish their relative configurations and, taking into account the absolute configuration of the starting chiral auxiliary, their absolute configurations.     

Synthesis of ethyl and t-butyl (3R,5S)-dihydroxy-6-benzyloxy hexanoates via diastereo- and enantioselective microbial reduction

Previously we have demonstrated the reduction of ethyl diketoester 4 to the corresponding dihydroxy ester 6a by Acinetobacter sp. SC13874. Recently we screened more than 100 cultures for microbial reduction of both the ethyl and t-butyl diketoesters 4 and 5. Most yeast cultures showed a preference for reduction at the C-3 with low enantioselectivity. Among the three Acinetobacter strains screened, Acinetobacter sp. SC13874 reduced both compounds 4 and 5 to the corresponding (3R)- and (5S)-monohydroxy compounds. Monohydroxy compounds were isolated and their absolute configurations determined. (3R)- and (5S)-Monohydroxy compounds were reduced further to the corresponding dihydroxy esters 6a and 8a to provide alternate routes for the synthesis of compounds 14a and 16a, potential intermediates for the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Cell suspensions of Acinetobacter sp. SC13874 reduced the ethyl diketoester 4 to a mixture of desired syn and undesired anti diastereomers. The desired syn-(3R,5S)-dihydroxy ester 6a was obtained with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 99% and a diastereomeric excess (de) of 63%. Cell suspensions reduced the t-butyl diketoester 5 to a mixture of mono- and dihydroxy esters with the dihydroxy ester showing an ee of 87% and de of 51% for the desired syn-(3R,5S)-dihydroxy ester 8a. Three different ketoreductases were purified to homogeneity, and their biochemical properties compared. Reductase I only catalyzes the reduction of ethyl diketoester 4 to its monohydroxy products 10 and 11, whereas reductase II catalyzes the formation of dihydroxy products 6 and 7 from monohydroxy substrates 10 and 11. A third reductase (III) was identified, which catalyzes the reduction of diketoester 4 to syn-(3R,5S)-dihydroxy ester 6a.     

Efficient and practical synthesis of both enantiomers of 6-silyloxy-3-pyranone derivatives

Lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic cis-6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (rac)-1 was achieved in high enantiomeric excess. Transesterification of (rac)-1 with vinylacetate in ^tBuOMe yielded the alcohol (3S,6R)-1 in 99.0% ee, whereas (3R,6S)-1 was obtained, in 99.0% ee, by the lipase catalyzed ester hydrolysis of acetate (3R,6S)-2, which was obtained along with the transesterification. Both (3S,6R)-1 and (3R,6S)-1 were subjected to oxidation to provide the corresponding 6-silyloxy-3-pyranone (6R)-3 and (6S)-3, respectively. Application to the synthesis of 7, which is the key intermediate of asymmetric synthesis of pseudomonic acid A 9 is also described.     

A radical version of the bromine cyclization of alkenols

The scope of an alkoxyl radical version of the classical bromine cyclization was explored. Oxygen-centered radicals were generated in photochemically initiated radical chain reactions from N-alkenoxy-4-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazole-2(3H)-thiones 5a–c, N-alkenoxy-4-methylthiazole-2(3H)-thiones 13, 14, 21, rac-23, and N-alkenoxypyridine-2(1H)-thiones 6d–f, 16, rac-25. Thus, 2-(2-bromopropyl)-substituted tetrahydrofurans 4a–c, which are minor compounds (< 10 %) in NBS-mediated bromine cyclizations of corresponding alkenols 1a–c, were prepared in 87–90 % yield and with good to excellent diastereoselectivities. Further, photochemical conversions of O-alkyl thiohydroxamates 14, 16 and 21 in benzene and BrCCl₃ afforded β-oxy-functionalized bromomethyl substituted tetrahydrofurans 29, 34, and 36. The results of this study indicate, that efficient 5-exo-trig cyclizations of β-oxy-substituted 4-penten-1-oxyl radical require an electronwithdrawing substituent at the β-heteroatom substituent. In the third part of the study a synthetically useful new access to oxabicyclo〚4.3.0〛nonanes rac-38 and rac-40 is reported which takes profit from highly diastereoselective 5-exo-trig-ring closures and, in case of the formation of rac-40, stereoselective bromine atom transfer.     

Enantiopure erythro- and threo-1-aryl-1-[2-pyrrolidyl]-methanols: synthesis from l-proline

Enantiopure (1R,2S)-erythro- and (1S,2S)-threo-isomers of four new aryl-pyrrolidyl alcohols 5aH, 5aMe, 5bH and 5bMe have been obtained in five steps from (−)-(S)-proline and fully characterized. The oxidation of alcohol 8 into aldehyde 9 was the most difficult step and racemization occurs during Swern oxidation but this difficulty can be overcome by using SO₃/pyridine as oxidant. Diastereomer I of the protected amino alcohol 10a crystallized and was shown to be the (1R,2S)-erythro-isomer (e-10a-I) using X-ray crystallography. Therefore the (1R,2S)-erythro structure was assigned to all compounds obtained from e-10a-I, and, as a consequence, the (1S,2S)-threo structure was assigned to diastereomers II.     

Enantioselective hydrolysis of (RS)-2-fluoroarylacetonitriles using nitrilase from Arabidopsis thaliana

The enzymatic resolution of 2-fluoroarylacetonitriles (RS)-3 using nitrilase from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana is described. Racemic 2-fluoronitriles 3 are easily accessible from O-silylated aromatic cyanohydrins 2 by reaction with DAST. The nitriles (RS)-3 were hydrolysed with the nitrilase as a catalyst, not to the expected 2-fluoroarylacetic acids but to the corresponding (R)-2-fluoroarylacetamides (R)-5 as the main products. After optimization of reaction conditions (pH 9, 7°C), the enantiomeric excesses of (R)-5a,c and f (R=H, 3-Me, 3-OMe) could be improved to >99% by one recrystallization. The acid catalysed hydrolysis of (R)-5a,5c and 5f afforded the corresponding (R)-2-fluoroarylacetic acids (R)-4a,4c and 4f without racemization.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β-amino acids. Part 10: Preparation of novel α,α- and β,β-disubstituted β-amino acids from (S)-asparagine

Perhydropyrimidinone (S)-1 is alkylated with very high diastereoselectivity to give trans products (2S,5R)-3, (2S,5R)–4 and (2S,5R)-5. Dialkylation of (S)-1 also proceeds with complete stereoselectivity to afford adducts (2S,5R)-6, (2S,5S)-6, (2S,5R)-7 and (2S,5S)-7. Hydrolysis (6N HCl, 100°C) of monoalkylated derivative (2S,5R)-3 gives enantiopure α-substituted β-amino acid (R)-8. Hydrolysis of dialkylated adducts 6 and 7 affords enantiopure α,α-disubstituted β-amino acids (R)- or (S)-9 and (R)- or (S)-10. Related iminoester (2S,6S)-2 is alkylated with complete diastereoselectivity to give products (2S,6S)-11–13 whose hydrolysis under relatively mild conditions (2N CF₃CO₂H, CH₃OH, 100°C) affords enantiopure N-benzoylated β,β-disubstituted β-amino acid esters (S)-14–16, with intact double bonds in the olefinic substituents.     

Synthetic studies towards complex diterpenoids—VII : Stereoselective synthesis and conformational analysis of all four possible racemates of 1,2,3,4,4a,9a-hexadydro-1-methylfluorene-1-carboxylic acids

Synthesis of the unsaturated acid 3 through H₂SO_4? catalysed cyclodehydration of the keto-ester 1 and its conversion to lactone 4 are described. The PPA induced cyclization of the keto-acid 9, on the other hand resulted in a stereoisomeric mixture of the octahydroanthracene derivatives 10a and 10b. The four possible racemates of the hydrofluorene derivatives 5, 6, 7, and 8 have been synthesized by chemical and catalytic reduction of 3 and 4. Li-liquid ammonia induced reductive cleavage of the lactone 4 proceeds with 65% retention and 35% inversion of configuration at the benzylic C-4a asymmetric centre to afford the trans and cis acids 5 and 8 respectively, while catalytic hydrogenolysis of 4 proceeds with inversion to give the cis acid 8. Li-liquid ammonia reduction of 3 gives trans acid 6 and cis7 in 23% and 53% yields respectively, whereas catalytic hydrogenation of 3 affords 81% of cis acid 8 and 13% of cis acid 7. Some conformational properties of the methyl esters 17, 18, 19, and 20 have been deduced from chemical and NMR spectral data.     

Peptidehelicenes in solution and gel: chiral discrimination through interactions between two types of helixes

Helical [5]thiaheterohelicene 5HM, which rapidly interconverts between P and M enantiomers in solution, was connected to helical l-phenylalanine oligomers with an ester linkage to give peptidehelicenes (5Fn, where n: number of bonded phenylalanines). The characteristics of 5F4 and 5F5 with two types of helixes in a molecule were investigated, particularly in comparison with those of 5F1–5F3 with an incomplete coil of a peptide moiety. l-Phenylalanine peptide chains induced a shift in the equilibrium between the P and M helixes of 5HM toward the P side for all the 5Fns examined. The enantiomeric excess (ee) of the P form increased with a decrease in temperature, together with an elongation of the peptide chains. 5F4 and 5F5 in hot solutions of some solvents formed a gel at room temperature, whereas 5F1–5F3 showed no such behavior. In this gel, the stable helical form of the 5HM moiety in 5F4 and 5F5 was observed to be the M form in contrast to that in their solutions.     

Enantioselective synthesis of β-amino acids. Part 9: Preparation of enantiopure α,α-disubstituted β-amino acids from 1-benzoyl-2(S)-tert-butyl-3-methylperhydropyrimidin-4-one,

Double alkylation of enantiopure N,N-acetal pyrimidinone (S)-1, a masked chiral derivative of β-alanine prepared from (S)-asparagine, proceeds with high stereoselectivity to give C(5) disubstituted adducts (2S,5R)-6, (2S,5S)-6, (2S,5R)-7, and (2S,5S)-7. Acid hydrolysis of these derivatives affords enantiopure α,α-dialkylated β-amino acids (R)-8, (S)-8, (R)-9, and (S)-9 in very good yields.     

Photochemistry of dienones—X: Photochemistry of (e)-β-ionone oxime ethyl ether

(E)-β-ionone oximc ethyl ether [(E, E)-4] upon direct irradiation with λ either254or 313 nm yields the geometrical isomer (E, Z)-4 and (Z)-retro-γ-ionone oxime ethyl ether (Z,E)-5 as the sole primary products, illustrating (E)-(Z) isomerization (φ₃₁₃ =0.49) and a 1, 5-hydrogen shift (φ313 =0.15) respectively. From studies with triplet photosensitizers and with ethyl iodide (to enhance the singlet-triplet intersystem crossing) it is concluded that these two products in the direct irradiation result only from the singlet excited state, and that the inter-system crossing quantum yield is relatively low. Upon prolonged irradiation of (E,E)-4 with λ 313 nm the eventual products are (Z,E)-5 and (Z,Z)-5, whereas with λ 254 nm they are (E,E)-5 and [(Z,E)-5 and/or (E,Z)-5]. Upon triplet photosensitization (E,E)-4 undergoes only (E)-(Z) isomerization, leading to a mixture of all the four geometrical isomers of4. From the dependence of the geometrical isomer distribution in the photostationary state on the triplet energy of the sensitizer the triplet energies of (E,E)-4, (E, Z)-4, (Z, E)-4, and (Z, Z)-4 have been determined to be ca 55, < 55,57, and 57 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$ respectively.     

Conformational study of α-arylethylamides of (−)-camphanic acid

The absolute conformation and configuration of diastereomeric amides (4A,B–6A,B) of (1S,3R)-camphanic acid (lactone of 1-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentan-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, (−)-camphanic acid 9) with α-arylethylamines 1–3 are deduced from ¹H NMR data and MM2 calculations. The α-arylethyl group in diastereomers A and B adopt nearly opposite absolute conformations, stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the syn-oriented O–C(1)–C(6)–N–H unit, and repulsive interaction between the 1′C–Me group and the amide CO group. The absolute configuration (1′S) is assigned to the 4A–6A diastereomers, and the (1′R)-configuration to the 4B–6B diastereomers; this assignment is confirmed by the preparation of 4A and 5A from enantiomerically pure (1′S)-α-arylethylamines 1 and 2, respectively. These results also enabled the assignment of pro-R (H_R) and pro-S (H_S) protons in the benzyl derivative 7.     

Synthesis of amino sugars via isoxazolines DL- and D-lividosamine (2-amino-2,3-dideoxy-ribo-hexose) derivatives from 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolanes and nitroacetaldehyde acetals

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides, generated from nitroethanol and nitroacetaldehyde derivatives 3, 21 and 22, respectively, and of benzonitrile oxide to 4-vinyldioxolanes 1, 2 gave ca 4:1 erythro/threo mixtures of corresponding isoxazolines. LAH reduction of erytho isoxazolines proceeded with similar (ca 4:1) selectivity to furnish protected ribo-amino-polyols 11, 15,19, DL- and D-lividosamines 31 and 33, respectively, as main products. The DL-lividosamine derivative 33 was obtained pure by crystallization. In the D-series, the corresponding ribo/arabino mixture D-31/D-32 was transformed to the known α-methyl D-lividosaminide D-37.     

(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.     

Resolution,absolute configuration and antifilarial activity of coumarinyl amino alcohols

The resolution of racemic coumarinyl amino alcohols 5–10 was achieved by using the inexpensive and readily accessible chiral resolving agent N-carbethoxy-l-proline (S)-11. Direct esterification of rac-5–10 with (S)-11 furnished diastereomeric esters, which were easily separated by column chromatography. The obtained diastereomers yielded the desired enantiopure coumarinyl amino alcohols (S)-(+)-5–10 and (R)-(?)-5–10 in good yields with high enantiomeric excess on saponification. The absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystal analysis and/or by comparison of the specific rotations. Furthermore, in in vitro antifilarial motility inhibition assays, enantiopure coumarins (S)-(+)-9, (R)-(?)-9 and (S)-(+)-10, (R)-(?)-10 were found to be less efficient in affecting the viability of macrofilariae of Brugia malayi than their racemic forms 9 and 10, respectively, indicating the synergistic effect of the enantiomers in evoking antifilarial action.