Stereospecific preparation of (1E,3E,5E)-3.4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene and (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate

Palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of β-bromostyrene (E/Z = 89/11) with (E)-(1,2-difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 1, in DMF at room temperature stereospecifically gave only (1E,3E,5E)-3,4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Similarly, palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate as the vinyl halide precursor stereospecifically gave (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate. This work demonstrates that a non-fluorine-containing vinyl bromide will selectively undergo coupling with 1 and enable the stereospecific preparation of a mixed polyene system. The (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate coupling with 1 illustrates that mixed functionalized hexatriene systems can be easily accessed via this methodology. The X-ray structure of (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate confirmed its structure.     

A new synthetic approach for 4(S)-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone: a precursor to prostanoid synthesis

A new and efficient approach to 4(S)-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone is presented. This methodology allows the preparation of 4(S)-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone in large scale and with high optical purity.     

A facile method for the stereoselective preparation of (1E,3E)-4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes via 1,4-elimination

The 1,4-elimination reaction of 1-amino-4-methoxy-(2Z)-alkenes is shown to proceed with high (1E,3E)-stereoselectivities to afford the corresponding 4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes in good yield. The scope and stereochemical features of the synthetic method are described.     

Novel (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles from (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones: the unexpected case of (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles

An efficient synthetic method for the preparation of (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles has been developed. The reaction of (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-4-styrylpyrazoles, respectively, saved 4′-nitro-derivatives where both (E)- and (Z)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations was discussed and the stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments.     

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.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 243: Synthesis and biological evaluation of (3R,13R,1′S)-1′-ethyl-2′-methylpropyl 3,13-dimethylpentadecanoate, the major component of the sex pheromone of Paulownia bagworm, Clania variegata, and its stereoisomers

All of the four stereoisomers of (1′S)-1′-ethyl-2′-methylpropyl 3,13-dimethylpentadecanoate, the major component of the female sex pheromone of Clania variegata, were synthesized by employing olefin cross metathesis as the key reaction and starting from (R)- or (S)-2-methyl-1-butanol, (R)- or (S)-citronellal, and (S)-2-methyl-3-pentanol. Their bioassay revealed the (3R,13R,1′S)-isomer as the bioactive one, whose more efficient synthesis was achieved in two different ways by employing Wittig reaction as the key step.     

Stereoselective synthesis of hex-2-(E)-en-4-yn-1,6-dioates and E,Z-muconic acid diesters via organo-catalyzed self-coupling of propiolates

Alkyl propiolate couples with itself in the presence of catalytic DABCO under very mild conditions to provide a quantitative yield of E-hex-2-en-4-yne dioates. Hydrogenation of these enyne dioates using Lindlar catalyst provides the corresponding E,Z-diene dioate, a common structural motif found in an array of natural products.     

Stereoselective transformation of easily available (2Z,4E)-2,4-alkadien-1-ols into (E)-3-alkene-1,2,5-triol derivatives

Synthesis of 3-alkenyl-1,2,5-triol derivatives, potentially useful intermediates in organic synthesis, is established, which constitutes stereoselective epoxidation of the hitherto hardly accessible dienyl alcohols of the cis,trans stereochemistry followed by Pd-catalyzed reaction with AcOH.     

An improved synthesis of (2E,4Z)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-bromohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol

An improved synthesis of (2E,4Z)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-bromohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol has been devised. This new route increases the throughput and yield of the diene product by circumventing a low yielding preparation of boronic acid intermediate as well as removing the need to use multi-gram quantities of highly toxic thallium salts. In the process of developing this new route, a higher yielding preparation of (E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-enylboronic acid was also achieved.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of (2E,4E)-4-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,3-butadiene compared with those of (E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene

Wittig reaction of 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]propanal (5) with (3-guaiazulenylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (4) in ethanol containing NaOEt at 25 °C for 24 h under argon gives the title (2E,4E)-1,3-butadiene derivative 6E in 19% isolated yield. Spectroscopic properties, crystal structure, and electrochemical behavior of the obtained new extended π-electron system 6E, compared with those of the previously reported (E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (12), are documented. Furthermore, reaction of 6E with 1,1,2,2-tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in benzene at 25 °C for 24 h under argon affords a new Diels-Alder adduct 8 in 59% isolated yield. Along with spectroscopic properties of the [π4+π2] cycloaddition product 8, the crystal structure, possessing a cis-3,6-substituted 1,1,2,2-tetracyano-4-cyclohexene unit, is shown. Moreover, reaction of 6E with (E)-1,2-dicyanoethylene (DCNE) under the same reaction conditions as the above gives no product; however, this reaction in p-xylene at reflux temperature (138 °C) for four days under argon affords a new Diels-Alder adduct 9 in 54% isolated yield. Although reaction of 6E with DCNE in toluene at reflux temperature (110 °C) for four days under argon provides 9 very slightly, reaction of 6E with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in toluene at reflux temperature for two days under argon yields a new Diels-Alder adduct 10, in 58% isolated yield, which upon oxidation with MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ at 25 °C for 1 h gives 11, converting a (CH₃)₂N-4″ into CH₃NH-4″ group, in 37% isolated yield. The crystal structure of 11 supports the molecular structure 10 possessing a partial structure cis-3,6-substituted 1,2-dimethoxycarbonyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene. The title basic studies on the above are reported in detail.     

Stereospecific preparation of symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes

A straightforward method to prepare symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes is described. High E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, prepared by isomerization from the E/Z ≈ 1:1 isomeric mixtures, reacted with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄ to afford (1Z, 3Z)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes in good yield. (Z)-1-Bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, which were prepared by kinetic reduction from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes (E/Z ≈ 1:1), can undergo similar reaction with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI to prepare (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes.     

Regioselective biocatalytic hydrolysis of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile for production of (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid

Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase catalyzed the regioselective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, producing only (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid with no detectable conversion of (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile. (E)-2-Methyl-2-butenoic acid, produced in aqueous solution as the ammonium salt, was readily separated from (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and isolated in high yield and purity. The combination of nitrile hydratase and amidase activities of several Comamonas testosteroni strains were also highly regioselective for the production of (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid from (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile.     

Efficient synthesis of the cyclopentanone fragrances (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone and Magnolione

This paper describes the selective syntheses of two cis-isomer-enriched cyclopentanone fragrances: (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone (four steps, 62% overall yield, 67% cis) and Magnolione^® (five steps, 60% overall yield, 55% cis). In addition, the asymmetric synthesis of (3aR,7aS)-5-methyl-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-inden-1-one as well as (3a′R,7a′S)-5′-methyl-2′,3′,3a′,4′,7′,7a′-hexahydrospiro[[1,3]dioxolane-2,1′-indene] has been realized by an efficient kinetic resolution, which enables the selective synthesis of the 2S,3R-isomer-enriched 3 and 4.     

Transformations of (1E,3E)-1-(benzoylamino)-4-(dimethylamino)buta-1,3-diene-1,2,3-tricarboxylates into pyridine and pyrrole derivatives

New, highly functionalised (1E,3E)-1-(benzoylamino)-4-(dimethylamino)buta-1,3-diene-1,2,3-tricarboxylates proved to be useful and versatile reagents in the formation of highly substituted pyridine, N-aminopyridine, pyrrole and pyrido[3,4-c]pyridazine derivatives. The formation of the particular type heterocyclic system is dependent on the starting (1E,3E)-1-(benzoylamino)-4-(dimethylamino)buta-1,3-diene-1,2,3-tricarboxylate. By an appropriate choice of different ester groups it is possible to drive the reactions towards the formation of either pyridine or pyrrole derivatives.     

First total synthesis of a new sesquiterpenoid natural product, (±)-3-(2,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dimethyl-5-(4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7(E)-nonadien-1-yl)tetrahydro-2-furanone

An efficient and stereodefined process is described for the first preparation of a new prenyl-benzoylfuranone type sesquiterpenoid, (±)-3-(2,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dimethyl-5-(4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7(E)-nonadien-1-yl)tetrahydro-2-furanone. The synthetic strategy is based on nucleophilic addition of organometallic reagents to the functionalized ketoamides elaborated from dihydroxyacetone dimer for the stereoselective construction of the key quaternary carbon center in the target compound.     

Palladium catalysed regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-4-aryl-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)but-3-en-1-ynes

A practical and general synthetic approach to a series of 4-aryl-but-3-en-1-ynes is described. In the presence of palladium complexes a variety of aryl bromides (or iodides) undergo coupling with two equivalents of trimethylsilylacetylene with the formation of (E)-4-aryl-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)but-3-en-1-ynes. The protocol is simple, efficient, and affords synthesis of regio- and stereoselectively target products in good to high yields.     

Regioselective synthesis of 5-alkylidene and 5-(iodoalkylidene)-pyrrol-2(5H)-ones by halolactamisation of (2Z,4E)-dienamides and (Z)-alk-2-en-4-ynamides

Stereo- and regioselective synthesis of 5-alkylidene (arylidene) and 5-(iodoalkylidene)-pyrrol-2(5H)-ones was achieved from (2Z,4E)-dienamides and (Z)-alk-2-en-4-ynamides by halocyclisation reaction. Selectivity was found to be highly dependent on the nature of the substituents and on the temperature.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-N,N-diethyl-3-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-2-yl)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)propenamide

The title compound, gem-amidovinylsulfone 3, was synthesized stereoselectively by aldolic condensation of N,N-diethylphenylsulfonylacetamide 1 on imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde 2 adding Et₃N at the end. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 [C₂₀H₂₁N₃O₃S: M_r=383.5, monoclinic, P2₁, a=8.191(4) Å, b=21.132(2) Å, c=11.752(1) Å, β=96.40(2)°, V=2022(1) Å³, Z=4 (two molecules per asymmetric unit), D_calc=1.260 g cm⁻³, λ(Mo Kα)=0.71073 Å, μ=0.184 mm⁻¹, F(000)=808, T=293(2)K, R=0.059 for 5105 observed reflections with I≥2σ(I)] was determined, and confirmed the (E) configuration.     

Preparation and diastereo- and enantioselective trifluorocrotylboration with (Z)-(B)-diisopinocampheyl(4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-en-1-yl)borane

Contrary to the non-fluorinated analogs, the hydroboration of trifluoromethylallene with diisopinocampheylborane provides the corresponding Z-trifluorocrotylborane reagent. Trifluorocrotylboration of a series of aldehydes with this reagent provides the corresponding syn-β-trifluoromethyl homoallyl alcohols in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.