Technical Procedures for the Syntheses of Carotenoids and Related Compounds from 6-Oxo-isophorone: Syntheses of (3R,3′R)-Zeaxanthin. Part I

Starting from the readily available, optically active (4R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone ( 1 ), a new technical synthesis of (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin is described. According to a 2(C₉ + C₆) + C₁₀ = C₄₀ construction scheme, the ketone 1 was first transformed with (E)-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ol ( 5 ) into a C₁₅-intermediate which, by a three-step sequence, could be converted into the known olefinic C₁₅-Wittig salt 4 . Optimized conditions for the final Wittig reaction of 4 with the C₁₀-dialdehyde 3 are discussed. Based on 1 , the overall yield of the entire technical process is ca. 40%.     

Synthesis of (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol

Optically active (all-E,2R,2′R)-oscillol (= (all-E,2R,2′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetradehydro-1,2,1′,2′-tetrahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene-1,2,1′,2′-tetrol; 1 ) was synthesized according to the C₁₀ + C₂₀ + C₁₀ = C₄₀ strategy, applying the Wittig reaction to couple the synthons 4 and 6 . The chiral centre was introduced by a Sharpless dihydroxylation of 3-methylbut-2-enyl 4-nitrobenzoate ( 8 ).     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. IX. Synthese von (3R)-Hydroxyechinenon, (3R, 3′R)- und (3R, 3′S)-Adonixanthin, (3R)-Adonirubin,deren optischen Antipoden und verwandten Verbindungen

Synthesis of Optically Active Natural Carotenoids and Structurally Related Compounds. IX. Synthesis of (3R)-Hydroxyechinenone, (3R, 3′R)- and (3R, 3′S)-Adonixanthin, (3R)-Adonirubin, Their Optical Antipodes and Related Compounds The synthesis of racemic and optically active hydroxyechinenone ( 12–14 ), adonixanthin ( 16–19 ), adonirubin ( 22–24 ), meso-astaxanthin ( 26 ) and their corresponding diosphenols 15, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28 , and 29 ) by Wittig reaction is reported, starting from suitable C₁₅-phosphonium salts and C₁₀-aldehydes.     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. VII. Synthese von (3R)-3-Hydroxyretinol, (3R)-3-Hydroxyretinal und (3R)-3-Hydroxyretinsäure

Synthesis of optically active natural carotenoids and structurally related compounds. VII. Synthesis of (3R)-3-hydroxyretinol, (3R)-3-hydroxyretinal and (3R)-3-hydroxyretinoic acid The synthesis of (3R)-3-hydroxyretinol, ( 7 ), (3R)-3-hydroxyretinal ( 9 ) and (3R)-3-hydroxyretinoic acid ( 5 ) according to the building principle C₁₅ + C₅ = C₂₀ is reported utilizing the optically active C₁₅-phosphonium salt 2 and the C₅-aldehyde ester 3 .     

Synthese von optisch aktiven,natürlichen Carotinoiden und strukturell verwandten Naturprodukten. IV. Synthese von (3R, 3′R, 6′R)-Lutein. Vorläufige Mitteilung

Synthesis of optically active natural carotenoids and structurally related compounds. IV. Synthesis of (3R, 3′R, 6′R)-lutein The synthesis of (3R, 3′R, 6′R)-lutein ( 19 ) according to the building principle C₂₅+C₁₅?C₄₀ is reported utilizing (R)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one ( 4 ) as a readily available key intermediate.     

2, 3-Alkadiensäureester als Dienophile; Anwendung bei der Synthese von (+)-(R)-Lasiodiplodin

2,3-Alkadienoates as Dienophiles, Application in the Synthesis of (+)-(R)-Lasiodiplodin Methyl 2, 3-alkadienoates 2 are shown to react at 80° with l, 1-dimethoxy-3trimethylsilyloxy-l, 3-butadiene (1) to give the adducts 3 in good yields. Rearrangement of 3 , catalyzed by p-toluenesulfonic acid or by sodium methoxide, affords the 6-substituted methyl 4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzoates 4 (R ? H, CH₃, C₆H₅). An analogous reaction sequence starting with (-)-(11 R)-dodeca-2, 3-dien-11-olide ((-) -6 ) and 1 leads, via the adduct (R)-7 , to (+)-( R )-lasiodiplodin ((+) ?8 ) with properties identical to those of the natural product. The allene lactone (-) -6 was prepared by an intramolecular Wittig condensation of (R) ?5 , produced from (–)-(R)-9-hydroxydecanoic acid.     

Neue Zugänge zu einigen aromatischen Retinoiden

New Approaches to Some Aromatic Retinoids Starting from 2,3,5-trimethylphenol ( 2 ), two pathways to ethyl (all-E)-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoate ( 1 ) and to some of its (Z)-isomers have been developed. The first one is based on a Pd(O)-catalyzed arylation of (Z)-3-methylpent-2-en-4-yn-l-ol ( 6 ) with 4-bromo-2,3,5-trimethylanisol ( 5 ). The acetylenic C₁₅?alcohol 9 was transformed into the corresponding acetylenic phosphonium salt 10 , which was catalytically hydrogenated to the olefinic Wittig salt. Wittig olefination led, then, to the (6Z, 8Z)- and (4Z, 6Z, 8Z)-isomers, 7 and 8 , respectively. In a second approach, Friedel-Crafts reaction of 3-methylpent-l-en-4-yn-3-ol with the 2,3,5-trimethylanisol gave a C₁₅-intermediate with a terminal C?C bond in the side chain. After deprotonation and reaction with a C₅ aldehyd, the corresponding C₂₀-intermediate could be isolated in high yield. Finally, further conversion led predominantly to the (all-E)-retinoid, accompanied by its (9Z)- and (13Z)-isomers.     

Synthesis of Unique Ceramides and Cerebrosides Occurring in Human Epidermis

The sphingolipids 1a , b and 2a , b which play important roles in epidermal barrier function, were synthesized by N-acylation of C₁₈-sphingosine 3 and 1-O-glucosylated C₁₈-sphingosine 6 , respectively, with ω-acyloxy-substituted fatty acids 4 and 5 (Scheme 1). These fatty acids were obtained from ω-hydroxy-substituted fatty acids 8 and 9 by esterification with linoleic acid ( 7 ). The C₃₄-fatty acid 8 was prepared as follows: C₂₅-Compound 18 was obtained by means of a Wittig reaction of C₁₃-aldehyde 13 with C₁₂-phosphonium salt 15 or of C₁₂-aldehyde 24 with C₁₃-phosphonium salt 21 , respectively, and subseqent hydrogenation and O-deprotection (Scheme 2). Alternatively, 8 was prepared via 30 by copper-catalyzed coupling of C₁₃-alkyl halide 19 with the Grignard reagent derived from C₁₂-alkyl bromide 14 (Scheme 2). Oxidation of 18 to aldehyde 39 and Wittig reaction with C₉-phosphonium salt 41 furnished the desired ω-hydroxy-substituted fatty acid 8 , after O-deprotection (Scheme 3). Similarly, Wittig reaction of C₁₁-phosphonium salt 22 with C₁₂-aldehyde 24 furnished C₂₃-aldehyde 40 , after hydrogenation, O-deprotection, and oxidation; Wittig reaction with compound 41 and subsequent deprotection afforded the desired C₃₂-fatty and 9 (Scheme 3). an alternative strategy furnished compound 8 by a coupling reaction of alkyne 53 with ω-bromo-substitued fatty acid 52 , obtained from compounds 24 and 47 by Wittig reaction, hydrogenation, and introduction of bromide (Scheme 4). Hydrogenation (Lindlar's catalyst) of the resulting C₃₄-alkyne 54 and deprotection furnished 8 .     

Zur Konfiguration des Vitamin-D3-Metaboliten 25, 26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol: Synthese von (25S,26)- und (25R,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol

Configuration of the Vitamin-D₃-Metabolite 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol: Synthesis of (25S,26)- and (25R,26)-Dihydroxycholecalciferol For selective synthesis of the title compounds, (25S)- 1b and (25R)- 1b (Scheme 1), the protected cholesterol precursors (25S)- 6 and (25R)- 6 were prepared from stigmasterol-derived steroid-units 4a-d and C₅-side chain building blocks 5a–d by Grignard- or Wittig-coupling (Scheme 2), the configuration at C(25) of the target compounds being already present in the C₅-units. Conversion of the cholesterol intermediates to the corresponding vitamin-D₃ derivatives was carried out via the 7,8-didehydrocholesterol compounds (25S)- 2b and (25R)- 2b (Scheme 1), using the established photochemical-thermal transformation of the 5,7-diene system to the seco-triene system of cholecalciferol. The configuration at C(25) of the cholesterol precursors as assigned on basis of the known configuration of the C₅-units used, was found to be in agreement with the result of a single crystal X-ray analysis on compound 11 . The configuration at C(25) remained untouched on conversion of the cholesterol ring system to the seco-triene system of vitamin D₃ as evident from comparison of the lanthanide-induced CD. Cotton effects observed for (25S)- 3b and (25S) 1b . 25,26-Dihydroxycholecalciferol observed as a natural vitamin-D₃ metabolite has (25S)-configuration.     

Syntheses of Cyclopropyl Silyl Ketones

The synthesis of the cyclopropyl silyl ketones 1 – 4 is described. The trimethylsilyl ketone 1 was prepared from geraniol ((E)- 5 ) in ca. 10% overall yield by cyclopropanation leading to 6 , CrO₃ oxidation to the aldehyde 8 , reaction of the latter with trimethylsilyl anion to 14A + B , and CrO₃ oxidation to 1 . Also for the (t-butyl)dimethylsilyl ketones 2 – 4 , an efficient four-step synthesis with overall yields of 48%, 85%, and 13%, respectively, was elaborated, starting from the allylic alcohols (E)- 5 , and 23 . The method of preparation involves as the key step a Wittig rearrangement of the silylallyl ethers ((E/Z)- 20 , 24 ) to the silyl alcohols ((E/Z)- 21 , 25 ), subsequent cyclopropanation ( 19A + B , 22A + B , 26 ), and oxidation to the cyclopropyl silyl ketones 2 – 4 .     

Synthesis of Carotenoids in the Gliding Bacteria Taxeobacter: (all-E,2′R)-3-deoxy-2′-hydroxyflexixanthin

The c₄₀-carotenoid (all-E, 2′R)-deoxy-2′-hydroxyflexixanthin (=1′,2′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-didehydro-1′,2′-dihydro-β,ψ-caroten-4-one;(2′R)- 2 ) was synthesized according to a C₁₅ + C₁₀ + C₁₀ = C₄₀ strategy. The chiral centre was introduced into the C₁₀-end group by the enantioselective Sharpless dihydroxylation. The four building blocks were coupled by applying four consecutive Witting reactions. By comparison of the CD spectra of the synthetic (2′R)- 2 with those of 2 isolated from the gliding bacteria Taxeobacter, the configuration of natural 2 was determined as (2′R).     

(5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6,5′,6′-Diepoxy-β,β-cartin: Sythese,Spectroskopische, chiroptische und chromatographische Eigenschaften

(5R,6S,5′R,6′S)-5,6,5′,6′-Diepoxy-β,β-Carotene: Synthesis, Spectroscopical and Chiroptical Properties, and HPLC-Behaviour Using the scheme C₁₃ + C₂→C₁₅ + C₁₀→C₄₀, whereby C₁₃ = (5R,6S)-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone [8], the title compound 11a , (R = H), has been prepared and characterized. It exhibits nearly identical CD spectra as violaxanthin ( 11b , R = OH).     

Synthesis of cannabinoid model compounds. Part 2: (3R, 4R)-Δ1(6)-Tetrahydrocannabinol-5″-oic acid and 4″(R,S)-Methyl-(3R, 4R)-Δ1(6)-tetrahydrocannabinol-5″-oic Acid

Two novel cannabinoid model compounds, (3R, 4R)-Δ¹⁽⁶⁾-tetrahydrocannabinol-5″-oic acid (22) and 4″(R, S)-methyl-(3R, 4R)-Δ¹⁽⁶⁾-tetrahydrocannabinol-5″-oic acid (23) were synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of (+)-trans-p-mentha-2, 8-dien-l-ol (1) with the substituted resorcinols 18 and 19 obtained by a Wittig reaction between 3, 5-bis(benzyloxy)benzaldehyde (7) and methyl 4-bromobutanoate (10) or methyl 4-bromo-2(R, S)-methylbutanoate (11) resp. with subsequent hydrogenation. The resulting methyl esters 20 and 21 were hydrolyzed to give acids 22 and 23 .     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-9, 12, 13-Trihydroxyoctadeca-9, 15-dienoic Acid,a self-defensive agent against rice-blast disease

The Diels-Alder adduct of furan and 1-cyanovinyl (1′R)-camphanate was converted into methyl [(tert-butyl)-dimethylsilyl 5-deoxy-2, 3-O-isopropylidene-β-L -ribo-hexofuranosid] uronate ((+)- 4 ). Reduction with diisobutyl-aluminium hydride gave the corresponding aldehyde which was condensed with the ylide derived from triphenyl-(propyl)phosphonium bromide to give (1R, 2S, 3S, 4S)-1-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]tetrahedro-2, 3-(isopropyl-idenedioxy)-4-[(Z)-pent-2′ -enyl]furan ((+)- 7 ). Removal of the silyl protective group gave a mixture of the corresponding furanose that underwent Wittig reaction with the ylide derived from [8-(methoxycarbonyl)-octyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide to yield methyl (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-13-hydroxy-11, 12-(isopropylidene-dioxy)octadeca-9, 15-dienoate ((?)- 9 ). Acidic hydrolysis, then saponification afforded (11R, 12S, 13S, 9Z, 15Z)-11, 12, 13-trihydroxyoctadeca-9, 15-dienoic acid ( 1 ).     

New Syntheses of Di-π-Substituted Heptalenes

To study the effect of double-bond shifts (DBS) in different type of heptalenes linked to extended π-systems, several di-π-substituted heptalenes were synthesized. 6-[(E)-Styryl]heptalene-dicarboxylate 4 was smoothly converted to 1-(chloromethyl)heptalene-dicarboxylate 5 by treatment with t-BuOK and C₂Cl₆ in THF at −78°. The one-pot reaction of 5 and P(OEt)₃ in the presence of NaI, followed by Wittig-Horner reaction, afforded the 1,6-di-π-substituted heptalene 6 . The reaction of 6-[(1E,3E)-4-phenylbuta-1,3-dienyl]heptalenes 7 or 15 with t-BuOK and benzaldehyde in THF led to the formation of the 1,6-di-π-substituted heptalenes 13 or 16 , together with transesterification products 14 or 17 . The transformation of the MeOCO group at C(4) of 6-[(E)-styryl]heptalene-dicarboxylate 4 to a phenylbuta-1,3-dienyl substituent afforded the 4,6-di-π-substituted heptalene 21a , which is in thermal equilibrium with its DBS isomer 21b in solution. Oxidation of heptalene 22 with SeO₂ in dioxane gave carbaldehyde 23 , which was then subjected to a Wittig reaction to give the 6,9-di-π-substituted heptalene-dicarboxylate 24 .     

Synthese von Astaxanthin aus β-Jonon. I. Erschliessung der enantiomeren C15-Wittigsalze durch chemische und mikrobiologische Racematspaltung von (±)-3-Acetoxy-4-oxo-β-jonon

Synthesis of Astaxanthin from β-Ionone. I. A Route to the Enantiomeric C₁₅-Wittig Salts by Chemical and Microbial Resolution of (±)-3-Acetoxy-4-oxo-β-ionone Racemic 3-acetoxy-4-oxo-β-ionone ( 10 ) was synthesized from the industrially accessible intermediate β-ionone ( 5 ). Resolution of 10 into its enantiomers was achieved via the corresponding diastereomeric camphanates and by microbial resolution. Site-selective alkylation of racemic and of optically pure 3-acyloxy-4-oxo-β-ionones with vinyl magnesium chloride at ?70° furnished the corresponding 3-acyloxy-4-oxo-9-vinyl-β-ionols which could be transformed to the Wittig salts 1, 3 and 4 , respectively, following known procedures [1].     

Totalsynthese von natürlichem α-Tocopherol. 2. Mitteilung. Aufbau der Seitenkette aus (−)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton

Total Synthesis of Natural α-Tocopherol A short and efficient route to optically pure (+)-(3 R, 7 R)-trimethyldodecanol ( 14 ) is demonstrated, 14 serving as side chain unit in the preparation of natural vitamin E. The synthesis of 14 is based on the concept of using a single optically active C₅-synthon of suitable configuration and functionalization to introduce both asymmetric centres in 14 . (?)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton ( 1 ) and ethyl (?)-(S)-4-bromo-3-methylbutyrate ( 2 ), respectively, is used in a sequence of either two Grignard C,C-coupling reactions 5 → 8 and 12 → 13 or two Wittig reactions 17a → 18 and 20 → 21 to achieve this goal. 14 is converted to (2 R, 4′R, 8′R)-α-tocopherol (= vitamin E) by coupling with a chroman unit in known manner. Optical purity of products and intermediates is established.     

Synthese von enantiomerenreinem Mimulaxanthin und seiner (9Z,9′Z)- und (15Z)-Isomeren

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Mimulaxanthin and of Its (9Z,9′Z)- and (15Z)Isomers We present the details of a synthesis of optically active, enantiomerically pure stereoisomers of mimulaxanthin (=(3s,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-6,7,6′,7′-tetradehydro-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-3,5,3′,5′-tetrol) either as free alcohols 1a and 24a or as their crystalline (t-Bu)Me₂Si ethers 1b and 24b . Grasshopper ketone 2a , a presumed synthon, unexpectedly showed a very sluggish reaction with Wittig-Horner reagents. Upon heating with the ylide of ester phosphonates, an addition across the allenic bond occurred. On the contrary, a slow but normal 1,2-addition took place with the ylide from (cyanomethyl)phosphonate but, unexpectedly, with concomitant inversion at the chiral axis. So a mixture of(6R,6S,9E,9Z)-isomers 6 – 9 was produced {(Scheme 1). However, a fast and very clean 1,2-addition occurred with the ethynyl ketone 12 to yield the esters 13 and 14 (Scheme 2). DIBAH reduction of the separated stereoisomers gave the allenic alcohols 15 and 16 in high yield. Mild oxidation to the aldehydes 17 and 18 followed by their condensation with the acetylenic C₁₀-bis-ylide 19 led to the stereoisomeric 15,15′-didehydromimulaxanthins 20 and 22 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). Mimulaxanthins 1 and 24 were prepared by partial hydrogenation of 20 and 22 followed by a thermal (Z/E)-isomerization. As expected, the mimulaxanthins exhibit very weak CD curves, obviously caused by the allenic bond that insulates the chiral centers in the end group from the chromophor. On the contrary, some of the C₁₅-allenic synthons showed not only fairly strong CD effects but also a split CD curve which, in our interpretation, results from an exciton coupling between the allene and the C(9)?C(10) bond. We postulate a rotation around the C(8)? C(9) bond, presumably caused by an intramolecular H-bond in 16 or by a dipol interaction between the polarized double bonds in 6 , 7 , 8 , and 17 .     

Efficient Synthesis of (−)‐(R)‐Muscone by Enantioselective Protonation

A new synthesis of (?)‐(R)‐muscone ((R)‐ 1 ) by means of enantioselective protonation of a bicyclic ketone enolate as the key step (see 6 →(S)‐ 4 in Scheme 2) is presented. The C₁₅ macrocyclic system is obtained by ozonolysis (Scheme 7).     

Über den Phosphandiyl‐Transfer von invers‐polarisierten Phosphaalkenen R1P=C(NMe2)2 (R1 = tBu,Cy, Ph,H) auf Phospheniumkomplexe [(η5‐C5H5)(CO)2M=P(R2)R3] (R2 = R3 = Ph; R2 = tBu,R3 = H; R2 = Ph,R3 = N(SiMe3)2)

Phosphanediyl Transfer from Inversely Polarized Phosphaalkenes R¹P=C(NMe₂)₂ (R¹ = tBu, Cy, Ph, H) onto Phosphenium Complexes [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂M=P(R²)R³] (R² = R³ = Ph; R² = tBu, R³ = H; R² = Ph, R³ = N(SiMe₃)₂) Reaction of the freshly prepared phosphenium tungsten complex [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂W=PPh₂] ( 3 ) with the inversely polarized phosphaalkenes RP=C(NMe₂)₂ ( 1 ) ( a : R = tBu; b : Cy; c : Ph) led to the η²‐diphosphanyl complexes ( 9a‐c ) which were isolated by column chromatography as yellow crystals in 24‐30 % yield. Similarly, phosphenium complexes [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂M=P(H)tBu] (M = W ( 6 ); Mo ( 8 )) were converted into (M = W ( 11 ); Mo ( 12 )) by the formal abstraction of the phosphanediyl [PtBu] from 1a . Treatment of [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂W=P(Ph)N(SiMe₃)₂] ( 4 ) with HP=C(NMe₂)₂ ( 1d ) gave rise to the formation of yellow crystalline ( 10 ). The products were characterized by elemental analyses and spectra (IR, ¹H, ¹³C‐, ³¹P‐NMR, MS). The molecular structure of compound 10 was elucidated by an X‐ray diffraction analysis.