Total synthesis and structural elucidation of ent-micropyrone and (+)-ascosalipyrone

The total synthesis of 6-[(1S,3S)-1,3-dimethyl-2-oxopentyl]-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl-2H-pyran-2-one (22), the enantiomer of the natural product micropyrone (1), was achieved in 9 linear steps (10% overall yield), from Evans auxiliary (R)-12 with key coupling of the dianion of dione 17 and aldehyde 11. Formation of the pyrone ring and subsequent oxidation at C7 was achieved without epimerization of the sensitive position α to both the pyrone ring and the carbonyl. The same sequence using the alternate dione 24 achieved the total synthesis of 6-[(1S,3S)-1,3-dimethyl-2-oxopentyl]-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (28), the (+)-enantiomer of the natural product, ascosalipyrone (2). In both cases diastereomeric aldehydes 11 and 16 were taken through the synthetic sequence to give two possible diastereomers of the natural products. Comparison of the (1)H and (13)C NMR data for the synthetic isomers with that reported for the natural products determined their relative stereochemistry. Comparison of the optical rotation obtained for 22 established it to be the enantiomer of micropyrone.     

Development of versatile cis- and trans-dicarbon-substituted chiral cyclopropane units: synthesis of (1S,2R)- and (1R,2R)-2-aminomethyl-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropanes and their enantiomers as conformationally restricted analogues of histamine

The cyclopropane ring can be used effectively in restricting the conformation of biologically active compounds to improve activity and also to investigate bioactive conformations. We designed (1S,2R)- and (1R,2R)-2-aminomethyl-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropanes (1 and 2, respectively) and their enantiomers (ent-1 and ent-2) as conformationally restricted analogues of histamine. The four types of chiral cyclopropanes bearing two differentially functionalized carbon substituents in a cis or trans relationship on a cyclopropane ring, (1S,2R)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl-1-formylcyclopropane (7) and (1R,2R)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl-1-formylcyclopropane (8) and their enantiomers (ent-7 and ent-8), were developed as the key intermediates for synthesizing 1, 2, ent-1, and ent-2. The reaction between (R)-epichlorohydrin [(R)-12] and phenylsulfonylacetonitrile (13a) in the presence of NaOEt in EtOH followed by treatment with acid gave the chiral cyclopropane lactone 11a with 98% ee in 82% yield. Compound 11a was converted into both the cis- and trans-chiral cyclopropane units 7 and 8, respectively, via reductive desulfonylation with Mg/MeOH as the key step. The corresponding enantiomers, the cis-substituted ent-7 and the trans-substituted ent-8, were also prepared starting from (S)-epichlorohydrin [(S)-12]. The four conformationally restricted target histamine analogues 1, 2, ent-1, and ent-2 were successfully synthesized from 7, 8, ent-7, and ent-8, respectively. The chiral cyclopropane units 7, 8, ent-7, and ent-8 should be useful as versatile intermediates for synthesizing various compounds having an asymmetric cyclopropane structure.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)- and ent-(-)-yatakemycin and duocarmycin SA: evaluation of yatakemycin key partial structures and its unnatural enantiomer

Complementary to studies that provided the first yatakemycin total synthesis resulting in its structure revision and absolute stereochemistry assignment, a second-generation asymmetric total synthesis is disclosed herein. Since the individual yatakemycin subunits are identical to those of duocarmycin SA (alkylation subunit) or CC-1065 (central and right-hand subunits), the studies also provide an improvement in our earlier total synthesis of CC-1065 and, as detailed herein, have been extended to an asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-duocarmycin SA. Further extensions of the studies provided key yatakemycin partial structures and analogues for comparative assessments. This included the definition of the DNA selectivity (adenine central to a five-base-pair AT sequence, e.g., 5'-AAAAA), efficiency, relative rate, and reversibility of ent-(-)-yatakemycin and its comparison with the natural enantiomer (identical selectivity and efficiency), structural characterization of the adenine N3 adduct confirming the nature of the DNA reaction, and comparisons of the cytotoxic activity of the natural product (L1210, IC50 = 5 pM) with those of its unnatural enantiomer (IC50 = 5 pM) and a series of key partial structures including those that probe the role of the C-terminus thiomethyl ester. The only distinguishing features between the enantiomers is that ent-(-)-yatakemycin alkylates DNA at a slower rate (krel = 0.13) and is reversible, whereas (+)-yatakemycin is not. Nonetheless, even ent-(-)-yatakemycin alkylates DNA at a faster rate and with a greater thermodynamic stability than (+)-duocarmycin SA, illustrating the unique characteristics of such "sandwiched" agents.     

Straightforward access to enantioenriched 2-allylpiperidine: application to the synthesis of alkaloids

An efficient stereocontrolled preparation of (2R,R(S))-2-allyl-(N-tert-butylsulfinyl)piperidine and its enantiomer is detailed. The sequence requires only two synthetic operations with one-column chromatography and is readily scaled up. The versatility of these chiral building blocks was exemplified by the total or formal synthesis of some natural and unnatural alkaloids.     

Diastereoselective reactions at enantiomerically pure, sterically congested cyclohexanes as an entry to wailupemycins A and B: total synthesis of (+)-wailupemycin B

Wailupemycin A (1) and B (2) are polyketide natural products with a highly substituted cyclohexanone core. Three different routes for the syntheses of these compounds were pursued, which commenced from either (R)-(-)-carvone (ent-5) or (S)-(+)-carvone (5). In the first approach it was attempted to construct the skeleton of wailupemycin A from triol 19 (nine steps from ent-5; 19 % yield) by a sequence of diastereoselective epoxidation, nucleophilic ring opening at C-13 and carbonyl addition at C-5. The synthetic plan failed at the stage of the carbonyl addition to aldehyde 27, which had been obtained in seven steps (18 % yield) from triol 19. The second route included an epoxide ring opening at C-13 and a carbonyl addition at C-7 as key steps. It could have led to either wailupemycin A or B depending on the diastereoselectivity of the addition step. Starting from allylic alcohol 30 (six steps from ent-5; 59 % yield) the cyclohexanone 28 was obtained in five steps (54 % yield). Unfortunately, the carbonyl addition failed also in this instance. In the eventually successful third attempt the skeleton of wailupemycin B was built from cyclohexanone 43 (eight steps from 5; 53 % yield) by highly diastereoselective carbonyl addition reactions at C-7 and C-12. The phenyl group at C-14 was introduced at a late stage of the synthetic sequence. Careful protecting group manipulation finally allowed for the total synthesis of (+)-wailupemycin B. The absolute and relative configuration of the natural product was unambiguously confirmed. The total yield of wailupemycin B amounted to 6 % over 23 steps starting from (S)-(+)-carvone (5).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of the C21-C38 fragment of the unnatural enantiomer of the antibiotic nystatin A1

The C(21)-C(38) fragment all-trans-41 of the unnatural enantiomer 1 of nystatin A(1) was prepared starting from the N-propionyl oxazolidinone 9. Aldol adduct ent-8 (ee > 96 %) derived in two steps was hydroborated with (thexyl)BH(2). Oxidative work-up and treatment with acid furnished delta-lactone 4. It contains the complete stereotetrade of the target molecule. The alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 28 was reached after another four steps. It should be a precursor for the polyene moieties of a variety of polyol,polyene macrolides. Illustrating that, the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde 29 obtained from 28 and DIBAL was extended by 10 C atoms in four steps yielding the C(21)-C(38) segment 41. The latter set of transformations included the regio- and stereoselective Claisen rearrangement 32-->35.     

New, efficient synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) via enzymatic desymmetrization of a meso-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diester

A new, enantioselective synthesis of the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor prodrug oseltamivir phosphate 1 (Tamiflu) and its enantiomer ent-1 starting from cheap, commercially available 2,6-dimethoxyphenol 10 is described. The main features of this approach comprise the cis-hydrogenation of 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-4,6-dimethoxy-isophthalic acid diethyl ester (6a) and the desymmetrization of the resultant all-cis meso-diesters 7a and 7b, respectively. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the meso-diester 7b with pig liver esterase afforded the (S)-monoacid 8b, which was converted into cyclohexenol 17 via a Curtius degradation and a base-catalyzed decarboxylative elimination of the Boc-protected oxazolidinone 14. Introduction of the second amino function via S(N)2 substitution of the corresponding triflate 18 with NaN3 followed by azide reduction, N-acetylation, and Boc-deprotection gave oseltamivir phosphate 1 in a total of 10 steps and an overall yield of approximately 30%. The enantiomer ent-1 was similarly obtained via an enzymatic desymmetrization of meso-diester 7a with Aspergillus oryzae lipase, providing the (R)-monoacid ent-8a.     

A chiral synthesis of four stereoisomers of 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an inducer of Parkinson-like syndrome

Four stereoisomers of 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an inducer of Parkinson-like syndrome, were synthesized by applying a new method of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) synthesis utilizing the Pummerer reaction as a key step. The chiral centers at C-1 and C-3 were constructed by two routes starting from alaninol (3) and 1-phenylethylamine (4) as a chiral source. Enantiomerically pure 1,3-dimethyl-TIQs (1R,3S)-(2) [corrected], (1S,3R)-(ent-2) [corrected], (1S,3S)-(1) [corrected], and (1R,3R)-(ent-1) [corrected] were prepared in a stereochemically unambiguous manner from 3 in 11 steps (route I) and from 4 in 6 steps (route II). The conformations of tetrahydroisoquinoline ring in 1-methyl, 3-methyl, and 1,3-dimethyl-TIQs were discussed on the basis of their CD, 1H-NMR spectra, and steric energies.     

Total synthesis of (-)-heptemerone B and (-)-guanacastepene E

A concise, stereoselective, and convergent total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of the neodolastane diterpenoid heptemerone B has been completed. Saponification of (-)-heptemerone afforded (-)-guanacastepene E. The absolute stereochemistry of (-)-heptemerone B was thus established as 5-(S), the same as (-)-guanacastepene E. The longest linear sequence of the synthesis comprises 17 (18) steps from simple known starting materials. Our general synthetic approach integrates a diverse set of reactions, including an intramolecular Heck reaction to create one quaternary stereocenter and a cuprate conjugate addition for the establishment of the other. The central seven-membered ring was closed with an uncommon electrochemical oxidation, whereas the five-membered ring was formed through ring-closing metathesis. The absolute configuration of the two key building blocks was established through an asymmetric reduction and an asymmetric ene reaction.     

Synthesis of ent-alantrypinone.

This paper presents a synthesis of ent-alantrypinone (ent-6), the enantiomer of a natural product produced by the fungus Penicillium thymicola. The synthesis revolves around the Li[Me(3)AlSPh]-promoted isomerization of iminobenzoxazine 33 to quinazolinone 34, an N-acyliminium ion cyclization that converts enamide 9 to bridged indole 35, and rearrangement of 35 to oxindole ent-6. Ancillary chemistry that involves thermal fragmentation of an iminobenzoxazine to a nitrile ylide and Me(2)AlSPh-mediated cyclization of oxime ether-ester 22 to pyrrolidinone 23 is also described.     

Three cycloartane glycosides from Cimicifuga rhizome and their immunosuppressive activities in mouse allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction

One known (1) and two new cycloartane triglycosides, 20S,22R,23S,24R-16beta,23;22,25-diepoxy-cycloartane-3beta,23,24-triol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2) and 20S,22R,23S,24R-16beta,23;22,25-diepoxy-cycloartane-3beta,23,24-triol 3-O-(6-O-trans-isoferuloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranoside (3), were isolated from a commercial Cimicifuga Rhizome. Their structures were determined by two dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. These compounds suppressed the proliferation of lymphocytes in mouse allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction.     

Total synthesis of prodigiosin

The total synthesis of prodigiosin (1), possessing the characteristic pyrrolylpyrromethene skeleton of a class of naturally-occurring polypyrroles, is detailed, The approach is based on the application of an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate in a 1,2,4,5-teirazine → 1,2-diazine → pyrrole strategy for preparation of prodigiosin pyrrole ring B and the subsequent implementation of an intramolecular palladium(Il)-promoted 2,2′-diaryl (2,2′-bipyrrole) coupling for construction of the prodigiosin 2,2′-bipyrrole AB ring system.     

A theoretical study of the molecular structure of a series of synthetic and natural brassinosteroids in relation to their biological activity

In the approximation of molecular mechanics and PM3 quantum chemical methods, a conformational analysis of the side chain of five representatives of steroid phytohormones is performed: synthetic (22S,23S)-(epi- and homobrassinolides) and natural (two stereoisomers of (22R,23R)-24-epibrassinolide and (22R,23R)-28-homobrassinolide). It is shown that the 22R,23R-diol structure in the steroid side chain enhances its flexibility as compared to the 22S,23S-configuration. This leads to a high possibility of the occurrence of two conformers of natural brassinosteroids in the solution. In one of these conformers, hydroxyl can form an intermolecular hydrogen bond instead of forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond within the diol system of the side chain, which is important for hormone-receptor interactions.     

The absolute configuration of the pyrrolosesquiterpenoid glaciapyrrol A

The total syntheses of the structurally unique and moderately cytotoxic pyrrolosesquiterpenoid glaciapyrrol A that has been isolated from a marine streptomycete by Macherla et al. and of seven of its stereoisomers have been performed from geraniol or nerol, respectively, using a known diastereoselective Ru-catalysed approach for the synthesis of tetrahydrofurans previously reported by Stark and co-workers. Comparison of (1)H and (13)C NMR data unambiguously clarified the relative configuration of natural glaciapyrrol A that was previously only partly solved from the available NMR data. An enantioselective synthesis was carried out resulting in the unnatural enantiomer (11S,12R,15R)-(-)-glaciapyrrol A. These data establish the absolute configuration of the natural product as (11R,12S,15S)-(+)-glaciapyrrol A.     

Regioselective intramolecular ring closure of 2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxyhexono-1,4-lactones to 5- or 6-membered iminuronic acid analogues: synthesis of 1-deoxymannojirimycin and 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-glucitol

1-Deoxymannojirimycin (8c) was synthesised from 2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxy-D-mannono-1,4-lactone (7) by intramolecular direct displacement of the C-6 bromine employing non-aqueous base treatment followed by reduction of the intermediate methyl ester. Likewise, using aqueous base at pH 12, ring closure took place by 5-exo attack on the 5,6-epoxide leading to 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-L-gulonic acid (9b), which was reduced to 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-glucitol (9b). The method was further applied to 2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxy-D-galacto- as well as D-talo-1,4-lactones (14 and 15). However, only the corresponding six-membered ring 1,5-iminuronic acid mimetics, namely (2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-D-galactonic acid, 16) and (2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-D-talonic acid, 17), were obtained. The corresponding enantiomers, L-galacto- as well as L-talo-2-amino-6-bromo-2,6-dideoxy-1,4-lactones ent-14 and ent-15, reacted accordingly to give the D-galacto- and L-altro-1,5-iminuronic acid mimetics, (2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acid (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-L-galactonic acid, ent-16) and (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxypipecolic acids (2,6-dideoxy-2,6-imino-L-talonic acid, ent-17), respectively.     

Enantioselective [6pi]-photocyclization reaction of an acrylanilide mediated by a chiral host. Interplay between enantioselective ring closure and enantioselective protonation

The [6pi]-photocyclization of the anilides 1a and 5 was studied in the absence and in the presence of the enantiomerically pure chiral lactam 4. The relative configuration of the products was unambiguously established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and by NMR spectroscopy. A significant enantiomeric excess was observed upon reaction of compound 1a to its photocyclization products at -55 degrees C employing lactam 4 as a chiral complexing agent in toluene as the solvent (66% yield). The trans product ent-3a was obtained in 57% ee, and the minor diastereoisomer (trans/cis = 73/27), cis product ent-2a, was obtained in 30% ee. DFT calculations were conducted modeling the complexation of intermediates 8 and ent-8 to host 4. In agreement with steric arguments concerning the conrotatory ring closure of 1a, the formation of ent-8 is favored leading to the more stable complex 4.ent-8 as compared to 4.8. Whereas the enantioselectivity in the photocyclization to trans compound ent-3a increased upon reduction in the reaction temperature, the enantiomeric excess in the formation of cis compound ent-2a went through a maximum at -15 degrees C (45% ee) and decreased at lower temperatures. Deuteration experiments conducted with the pentadeuterated analogue of 1a, d(5)-1a, revealed that the protonation of the intermediates 8 and ent-8 is influenced by chiral amide 4. In the formation of ent-3a/3a, both the enantioselective ring closure and the enantioselective protonation by amide 4 favor the observed (6aS,10aS)-configuration of the major enantiomer ent-3a. In the formation of ent-2a/2a, the enantioselective ring closure (and the subsequent diastereoselective protonation) favors the (6aR,10aS)-configuration that is found in compound 2a. Contrary to that, the enantioselective protonation by amide 4 shows a preference for ent-2a with the (6aS,10aR)-configuration.     

New building block for polyhydroxylated piperidine: total synthesis of 1,6-dideoxynojirimycin

(3R,4S)-3-Hydroxy-4-N-allyl-N-Boc-amino-1-pentene 10, an important precursor for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated piperidines, has been achieved as a single diastereomer without racemization via vinyl Grignard addition to N-Boc-N-allyl aminoaldehyde 9, which was derived from an enantiopure natural amino acid. Having forged a tetrahydropyridine ring scaffold 13 from 10 in 85% yield via RCM using Grubbs II catalyst, we were able to effect its stereodivergent dihydroxylation, via a common epoxide intermediate to yield a range of interesting hydroxylated piperidines, including ent-1,6-dideoxynojirimycin (ent-1,6-dDNJ) 1 (28% overall yield) and 5-amino-1,5,6-trideoxyaltrose 2 (29% over all yield) in excellent dr. To the best of our knowledge, our synthesis of ent-1,6-dDNJ 1 is the most expeditious to date.     

Construction of a cis-cyclopropane via reductive radical decarboxylation. Enantioselective synthesis of cis- and trans-1-arylpiperazyl-2-phenylcyclopropanes designed as antidopaminergic agents

(1S,2S)-, (1S,2R)-, and (1R,2S)-1-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)piperazyl-2-phenylcyclopropane (2a, 3, and ent-3, respectively), which were designed as conformationally restricted analogues of haloperidol (1), a clinically effective antipsychotic agent, were synthesized from chiral epichlorohydrins using the Barton reductive radical decarboxylation as the key step. (1S,2R)-1-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl-2-carboxy-2-phenylcyclopropane (5), which was prepared from (S)-epichlorohydrin ((S)-7), was converted into its N-hydroxypyridine-2-thione ester 12, the substrate for the reductive radical decarboxylation. When 12 was treated with TMS3SiH in the presence of Et3B or AIBN, the decarboxylation and subsequent hydride attack on the cyclopropyl radical intermediate from the side opposite to the bulky silyloxymethyl moiety occurred, resulting in selective formation of the corresponding reductive decarboxylation product 4-cis with the cis-cyclopropane structure. From 4-cis, the cis-cyclopropane-type target compound 3 was readily synthesized. Starting from (R)-epichlorohydrin ((R)-7), ent-3 was similarly synthesized. Epimerization of the cyclopropanecarboxamide ent-16-cis, a synthetic intermediate for ent-3, on treatment with a base prepared from Bu2Mg and i-Pr2NH in THF occurred effectively to give the corresponding trans isomer 16-trans, which was converted into 2a with the trans-cyclopropane structure.     

Total synthesis and bioactivity of an unnatural enantiomer of merrilactone a: development of an enantioselective desymmetrization strategy

(-)-Merrilactone A [(-)-1], isolated from Illicium merrillianum in 2000, possesses neurite outgrowth activity in cultures of fetal rat cortical neurons, and, therefore, is expected to show therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Apart from its biological aspects, the caged pentacyclic skeleton of 1 poses interesting synthetic challenges. Here, we report the total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of merrilactone A [(+)-1], based on a novel desymmetrization strategy. The chiral lithium amide 16g promoted an enantioselective transannular aldol reaction of eight-membered meso-diketone 3d, establishing the absolute stereochemistries of four chiral centers of the cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane framework of 1 in a single step. The obtained compound 4d served as a platform for the subsequent functional group manipulations necessary for the construction of (+)-1. Surprisingly, both the natural and unnatural enantiomers of synthetic merrilactone A equally promoted neurite outgrowth in primary neuronal cultures.     

An Efficient Bidirectional Approach to the C(2)-Symmetric Stereoisomers of the Bistetrahydrofuran Core of the Acetogenins

A bidirectional route to nonracemic C(2)-symmetric bistetrahydrofuran units related to acetogenin natural products was developed starting from the (S,S)-tartrate-derived dialdehyde 3.3. Bis-homologation with the (R)-alpha-OMOM crotylstannane (R)-4.1 in the presence of InCl(3) afforded the anti adduct, diol 4.3. The derived tosylate 4.4, upon treatment with TBAF in THF, underwent sequential TBS cleavage and cyclization to the (R,R,R,R,R,R)-bis-OMOM bistetrahydrofuran 4.7. The epimeric (S,R,R,R,R,S)-bis-OMOM bistetrahydrofuran 4.10 was prepared along similar lines, except that the (R)-alpha-OMOM crotylstannane (R)-4.1 was first converted to the (R)-gamma-isomer (R)-4.2 with BF(3).OEt(2). Subsequent addition of dialdehyde 3.3 led to the diol adduct 4.5, which after tosylation and treatment with TBAF, yielded the bistetrahydrofuran 4.10. By repeating the aforementioned sequences, but starting with the (S)-alpha-OMOM-crotylstannane (S)-4.1, the (S,S,R,R,S,S)- and the (R,S,R,R,S,R)-bistetrahydrofurans 5.5 and 5.8 were prepared. A variation on the foregoing sequence in which the OTBS grouping of the adduct was converted to a mesylate and the OH group was used to effect intramolecular displacement was also examined. Accordingly, adduct ent-5.3 from BF(3)-promoted addition of stannane (R)-4.2 and ent-3.3, the enantiomer of aldehyde 3.3, was acetylated. Cleavage of the TBS ether followed by mesylate formation and then concommitant acetate hydrolysis and cyclization with methanolic Triton B yielded the bis-OMOM bistetrahydrofuran 5.5. An analogous sequence was used to convert adduct 4.3 to ent-4.10. In this case, acetate saponification was effected with methanolic K(2)CO(3), and the resulting diol, 7.4, was cyclized with NaH in THF.