Chiral base route to functionalised cyclopentenyl amines: formal synthesis of the cyclopentene core of nucleoside Q

A chiral base route to a range of highly functionalised amino cyclopentenes has been developed. The key asymmetric step involved the chiral lithium amide base-mediated rearrangement of a protected trans-4-hydroxy cyclopentene oxide to give an allylic alcohol (88% ee). Subsequent Overman rearrangement gave a protected trans-1,2-aminocyclopentenol whereas Mitsunobu substitution with BocNHNs gave a protected cis-amino cyclopentenol. Both are proven intermediates for natural product synthesis. The protected cis-aminocyclopentenol was transformed in a few steps into a precursor of the cyclopentene core of nucleoside Q, a natural product whose deficiency in animals is related to tumour growth.     

Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution of (RS)-1-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-propan-2-ol to (R)-1-bromo-3-(4-(2-methoxyethyl) phenoxy) propan-2-yl acetate

A novel biocatalytic method for the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl) phenoxy]-2-propanol [(R)-BMEPP], a precursor for the synthesis of (S)-metoprolol, an anti hypertensive drug is described. We have developed kinetic resolution of rac-BMEPP by transesterification using Candida rugosa lipase and vinyl acetate as the acyl donor affording the product with excellent conversion (49%) and ee (>99%). Various reaction parameters (source of enzyme, reaction media, and concentration of substrate and acylating agent) for the enzymatic kinetic resolution have been reported.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-iso-6-cassine via stereoselective intramolecular amidomercuration

The first asymmetric synthesis of (+)-iso-6-cassine is described. Lipase-catalyzed resolution, enantioselective Overman rearrangement, and diastereoselective intramolecular amidomercuration were used for the installation of the three stereocenters in (+)-iso-6-cassine, and cross-metathesis was employed for the attachment of the side-chain.     

Enantioselective synthesis of cis-α-substituted cycloalkanols and trans-cycloalkyl amines thereof

The diastereo- and enantioselective syntheses of trans-cycloalkyl amines was accomplished through a three-step sequence consisting of: (1) asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through dynamic kinetic resolution of bicyclic and monocyclic α-substituted ketones using HCO₂H/Et₃N as the hydrogen source and TsDPEN-based Ru(II) catalysts, (2) nucleophilic hydroxyl to azide substitution of the resulting cis-cycloalkanols using diphenyl phosphoryl azide under modified Mitsunobu conditions, and (3) reduction of the trans-azide intermediates with LiAlH₄ of PPh₃/H₂O to the desired targets.     

Synthesis of enantiopure β-amino alcohols via AKR/ARO of epoxides using recyclable macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes

A series of chiral macrocyclic Cr(III) salen complexes 1-8 were synthesized and characterized. These complexes were found to be highly active, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective catalysts in aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR) of racemic trans-epoxides as well as asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of prochiral meso-epoxides with various anilines as nucleophiles at room temperature in 18-24 h. Excellent yields (>99% with respect to the nucleophile) with high enantioselectivity (ee, >99%) of chiral anti-β-amino alcohols was achieved with concomitant recovery of corresponding epoxides in high ee (up to >99%). The complex 1 also catalyzed the ARO of meso-epoxides to provide corresponding syn-β-amino alcohols in high yield (99%) and ee (up to 91%). Due to built-in basic sites in the catalyst, no external base (as an additive) was required to promote AKR and ARO reactions. The catalyst 1 was conveniently recycled several times with retention of its performance. The AKR of trans-stilbene oxide with aniline was successfully demonstrated at relatively higher scale (10 mmol) using the catalyst 1.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-timolol via kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides and dihydroxylation of allylamines

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of (S)-timolol has been described using chiral Co-salen-catalyzed kinetic resolution of less expensive (±)-epichlorohydrin with 3-hydroxy-4-(N-morpholino)-1,2,5-thiadiazole in good overall yield (55%) and excellent enantioselectivity (98%). Synthesis of (S)-timolol has also been achieved using hydrolytic kinetic resolution as well as asymmetric dihydroxylation routes in 90% ee and 56% ee, respectively.     

First stereoselective total synthesis of triumfettamide

The first total synthesis of triumfettamide (1) is described. The asymmetric syntheses of two highly functionalized units—α-hydroxylated C17 monounsaturated fatty acid unit (2) and C26 phytosphingosine (3) have been accomplished involving Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Sharpless kinetic resolution, regioselective epoxide opening, regioselective DIBAL-H reduction of acetal, Wittig olefination as the key steps. Finally N-acylation of phytosphingosine 3 with (2R,6Z)-2-hydroxy-6-heptadecenoic acid 2 followed by DDQ deprotection of PMB, provided target compound 1.     

Efficient total synthesis of iso-cladospolide B and cladospolide B

An efficient synthesis of iso-cladospolide B and cladospolide B has been achieved using Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR), Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and Yamaguchi macrolactonization as the key steps.     

Chemo-enzymatic asymmetric total synthesis of penienone

An asymmetric synthesis of penienone has been accomplished from (R)-5-hydroxymethyl-2-cyclohexenone by adopting a linear strategy. Lipase-PS-catalyzed enzymatic kinetic resolution (EKR) and Julia-Kocienski olefination followed by substrate-directed anionic hydroxymethylation have been successfully employed to achieve the target molecule.     

Rh-catalyzed reagent-free ring expansion of cyclobutenones and benzocyclobutenones

Here we report a reagent-free rhodium-catalyzed ring-expansion reaction via C–C cleavage of cyclobutenones. A variety of poly-substituted cyclopentenones and 1-indanones can be synthesized from simple cyclobutenones and benzocyclobutenones. The reaction condition is near pH neutral without additional oxidants or reductants. The potential for developing a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of this reaction has also been demonstrated. Further study supports the proposed pathway involving Rh-insertion into the cyclobutenone C–C bond, followed by β-hydrogen elimination, olefin insertion and reductive elimination.     

Synthesis of optically active gem-difluorocyclopropanes through a chemo-enzymatic reaction strategy

The synthesis of a chiral difluorocyclopropane building block has been accomplished using lipase-catalyzed reaction; the prochiral diacetate of cis-1,3-bishydroxymethyl-2,2-difluorocyclopropane was converted to the corresponding chiral monoacetate by the Alcaligenes lipase (lipase QL)-catalyzed hydrolysis with >99% enantiomeric excess. Enantiomerically pure trans-1,3-bishydroxymethyl-2,2-difluorocyclopropane was also obtained through the Pseudomonas cepacia SL-25 lipase (lipase SL)-catalyzed reaction. The synthesis of the chiral trans,trans-bis-gem-difluorocyclopropane derivatives has been accomplished using the same lipase technology; trans,trans-1,6-bishydroxymethyl-2,2,5,5-tetrafluorobicyclopropane was obtained in optically active form using the lipase SL-catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding diacetate.     

Synthesis of highly modular bis(oxazoline) ligands by Suzuki cross-coupling and evaluation as catalytic ligands

New bis(oxazoline) ligands (BOXs) containing biaryl substitutents at the C-4 position and H or CH₂OR substituents at the C-5 position have been synthesized using Suzuki cross-coupling as the main tool for structural diversity. Copper, zinc, and palladium complexes of the prepared BOXs have been evaluated in the following catalytic asymmetric processes: Acylation with kinetic resolution of trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol (Cu), enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indole (Zn), and enantioselective alkylation of 3-acetoxy-1,3-diphenylpropene (Pd).     

Asymmetric synthesis of both the enantiomers of antidepressant venlafaxine and its analogues

Chemoenzymatic asymmetric synthesis of antidepressant agent venlafaxine and its analogue have been reported in this communication. The main highlight of the reported synthesis is the stereoselective synthesis of cyanohydrins by (S)-hydroxynitrile lyase (Hevea brasiliensis) followed by lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution.     

Total synthesis of (−)-2-epi-lentiginosine by use of chiral 5-hydroxy-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one as a building block

We have developed a practical synthesis of the chiral lactam as a new chiral building block for alkaloid synthesis. Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of hydroxylactam 8, followed by isolation-racemization of the chiral acetoxylactam 9 provided the optically pure hydroxylactam 8 in 96.0% yield with >99% ee after five cycles of kinetic resolution-racemization process. Chemical transformation of (S)-hydroxylactam 8 furnished chiral (−)-2-epi-lentiginosine (1) in 20% yield in 10 steps with no loss of enantiomeric excess.     

Enantioselective synthesis of R-(+)-α and S-(−)-α-lipoic acid

An efficient synthesis of α-lipoic acid from the readily available cis-2-butene-1,4-diol employing a Claisen orthoester rearrangement and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key steps, is described.     

Asymmetric synthesis and Lewis acid mediated type II carbonyl ene cyclisations of (R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylhex-5-enal

The asymmetric synthesis of (R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylhex-5-enal in 98% ee is described. It was discovered that the key alkylation step employing an Evans chiral auxiliary and 3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl trifluoromethanesulphonate as the alkylating agent led to significant competing O-alkylation, a phenomenon not previously reported. Type II carbonyl ene cyclisation of the aldehyde with a range of Lewis acids led to either the (R,R)- or (R,S)-5-methylidenecyclohexanols without concurrent racemisation of the alpha stereogenic centre of the aldehyde. Conditions for effecting the easy racemisation of a model enantiomerically pure aldehyde, (S)-2-methylbutanal, were developed. In an effort to secure a dynamic kinetic resolution procedure, these conditions were applied to (R)-2-isopropyl-5-methylhex-5-enal. However, a competing and dominant Prins cyclisation occurred instead leading to a mixture of all possible cycloadducts, all of which were obtained in 98% ee. Any unreacted aldehyde was found to be enantiomerically pure.     

A new synthon for the synthesis of aminoinositol derivatives

The regio- and stereoselective synthesis of a new synthon, trans-3,8-dioxatricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octane-6,7-diamine, from 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylate is reported. Transformation of the acid functionalities to acyl azides followed by Curtius rearrangement gave the corresponding trans-diisocyanate, which was reacted with HCl to produce a trans-diamino compound that is a potentially important synthon for the versatile synthesis of aminocyclitols.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-[(3-ethyl-4-piperidyl)methyl]indoles from a phenylglycinol-derived lactam: formal synthesis of Strychnos alkaloids

A diastereodivergent synthesis of enantiopure cis- and trans-2-[(3-ethyl-4-piperidyl)methyl]indole (cis-1b and trans-1b) from a common phenylglycinol-derived oxazolopiperidone lactam 3 is reported. The key step is a stereocontrolled conjugate addition, either under kinetic or thermodynamic control, of the dilithium salt of 2-(2-indolyl)-1,3-dithiane to unsaturated lactam 3.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone

A stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone as a new fluorine-containing intermediate towards β-lactams, is described. The synthetic key step relies upon the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of ethyl 2-benzamidomethyl-4-fluoro-3-oxo-butanoate via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by [Ru(η⁶-arene)(S,S)-R₂NSO₂DPEN].     

Kinetic resolution of indolines through reductive amination of aldehydes by chiral Brønsted acid

We have developed a highly efficient and practical strategy for the kinetic resolution of indoline derivatives, involving a chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed iminium ion formation and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation cascade process. The kinetic resolution allows the synthesis of 2-substituted N-benzylindolines in good yields with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities.