Formal synthesis of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl d-erythritol from d-(+)-arabitol

2-C-Methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) is a key chemical intermediate of the non-mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis employed by many pathogenic microbes. MEP is also the precursor for the synthesis of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl d-erythritol (CDP-ME), another key intermediate of the non-mevalonate pathway. As this pathway is non-existent in higher animals, including humans, it represents great opportunities for novel antimicrobial development. To facilitate the in-depth studies of this pathway, we reported here a formal synthesis of CDP-ME through a new synthesis of 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphoric acid from d-(+)-arabitol.     

A convenient synthesis of 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate and isotopomers of its precursor

A new synthetic approach toward 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP), a key intermediate in the mevalonate-independent biosynthetic pathway for isoprenoids, and deuterated analogues of its precursor, 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol acetonide, is described. This procedure uses 2-C-methyl-d-erythrose acetonide as starting material and delivers, through a mono-protection strategy, the target compounds in a short way and in high yield.     

First synthesis of (1,2-C2)-monolignol glucosides

The monolignol glucosides (1,2-¹³C₂)-p-glucocoumaryl alcohol, (1,2-¹³C₂)-coniferin and (1,2-¹³C₂)-syringin, and the glucosides of (1,2-¹³C₂)-p-coumaric, (1,2-¹³C₂)-ferulic and (1,2-¹³C₂)-sinapic acids were synthesized by condensation of the corresponding aldehydes with (1,2,3-¹³C₃)-malonic acid. The free acids were converted to the acyl chlorides prior to their reduction to alcohols.     

(3R,4S)-3,4,5-Trihydroxy-4-methylpentylphosphonic acid, an isosteric phosphonate analogue of 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate, a key intermediate in the new pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis

2-C-Methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) is the first intermediate in the mevalonate-independent pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis presenting the branched C₅ isoprene skeleton. Enantiopure (3R,4S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-4-methylpentylphosphonic acid (MEP_N), an isosteric phosphonate analogue of MEP was synthesized from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylofuranose.     

Green aldose isomerisation: 2-C-methyl-1,4-lactones from the reaction of Amadori ketoses with calcium hydroxide

Saccharinic acids, branched 2-C-methyl-aldonic acids, may be accessed via a green procedure from aldoses by sequential conversion to an Amadori ketose and treatment with calcium hydroxide; d-galactose and d-glucose are converted to 2-C-methyl-d-lyxono-1,4-lactone (with a small amount of 2-C-methyl-d-xylono-1,4-lactone) and 2-C-methyl-d-ribono-1,4-lactone. Inversion of configuration at C-4 of the branched lactones allows access to 2-C-methyl-l-ribono-1,4-lactone and 2-C-methyl-l-lyxono-1,4-lactone, respectively. d-Xylose affords 2-C-methyl-d-threono-1,4-lactone and 2-C-methyl-d-erythrono-1,4-lactone, whereas l-arabinose, under similar conditions, gave the enantiomers 2-C-methyl-l-threono-1,4-lactone and 2-C-methyl-l-erythrono-1,4-lactone.     

Divergent synthesis of 2-C-branched pyranosides and oxepines from 1,2-gem-dibromocyclopropyl carbohydrates

The ring opening of 1,2-(gem-dibromo)cyclopropyl carbohydrates by two different modes leads to either 2-C-(bromomethylene)pyranosides (using base) or 2-bromooxepines (using silver salts), as shown previously by us for a d-glucal-derived cyclopropane. The base-promoted ring opening is extended to encompass additional alcohol, thiol and amine nucleophiles, and diastereoisomeric cyclopropane precursors. Cross-coupling of the 2-C-(bromomethylene)pyranosides leads to extended 2-C-branched pyranosides. Silver-promoted ring expansion of the cyclopropyl carbohydrates in the presence of various alcohols is described. Cross-coupling of the resulting benzyl 2-bromooxepines affords 2-C-substituted oxepines.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-d-erythritol: a substrate for IspE

Enantiomerically pure 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate 1 (MEP) is synthesized from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylofuranose via facile benzylation in good yield. Subsequently, 1 is used for enzymatic synthesis of 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 2 (CDP-ME) using 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-d-erythritol synthase (IspD). The chemoenzymatically synthesized 2 can be used as substrate for assay of IspE and for high throughput screening to identify IspE inhibitors.     

Intramolecular C-glycosylation of 2-O-benzylated pentenyl mannopyranosides: remarkable 1,2-trans stereoselectivity

The IDCP-promoted intramolecular C-glycosylation of pentenyl α-mannopyranosides carrying, at O-2, an activated benzyl group gave, unexpectedly, the 1,2-trans-fused bicyclic product which corresponds to an α-C-aryl mannopyranose derivative. This remarkable, strained C-glycosyl compound was rapidly epimerized to the more stable 1,2-cis product on treatment with BF₃·Et₂O. The IDCP-reaction product could be elaborated into a 2-(α-C-mannopyranosyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol derivative.     

Catalytic oxidation of diorganotin(IV) carboxylates to mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) carboxylates by Ag and structure characterization of the mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) 2-pyridinecarboxylate (2-ClPhCH2)Sn(2-ClPhCO2)(O2CC5H4N-2)2

The complexes of the type (ArCH₂)₂SnO were catalytic-oxygenated by Ag⁺ and yielded mixed-ligand organotin(IV) complexes (ArCH₂)(2-C₅H₄NCO₂)₂(ArCOO)tin(IV) (Ar = C₆H₅ (1), 2-ClC₆H₄ (2), 2-CNC₆H₄ (3), 4-ClC₆H₄ (4), 4-CNC₆H₄ (5), 2-FC₆H₄ (6)). The complexes 1-6 are characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. Single X-ray crystal structure analysis has been determined, which reveals that the center tin atom of complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry.     

Chiral 2-C-methylene glycosides and carbohydrate-derived pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyrans: synthesis via InCl3 catalyzed stereoselective Ferrier rearrangement of 2-C-acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives

2-C-Acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives react with aliphatic alcohols in the presence of InCl₃ (30 mol %) to furnish the corresponding 2-C-methylene glycosides in excellent yields and with exclusive α-selectivity except for the methyl 2-C-methylene glycosides, which are formed in ∼2:1 anomeric ratio in favour of the α-anomer. The reaction of 2-C-acetoxyglycals with phenols, however, produces the corresponding chiral carbohydrate-derived pyranobenzopyran derivatives via initial Ferrier rearrangement followed by tandem cyclization in excellent yields and moderate to high stereoselectivities in favour of the corresponding 10a-R-pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyran derivatives.     

Preparation and protonation of 2-pyrimidyl- and 2-pyrazylpalladium(II) complexes

The oxidative addition of 2-chloropyrimidine or 2-chloropyrazine to [Pd(PPh₃)₄] yields a mixture of trans-[PdCl(C₄H₃N₂-C²)(PPh₃)₂] (I) and [PdCl(μ-C₄H₃N₂-C²,N¹)(PPh₃ (II) (C₄H₃N₂ = 2-pyrimidyl or 2-pyrazyl group). The mononuclear complexes I are quantitatively converted into the binuclear species II upon treatment with H₂O₂. The reaction of II with HCl gives the N-monoprotonated derivatives cis-[PdCl₂(C₄H₄N₂-C²)(PPh₃)] (III), from which the cationic complexes trans-[PdCl(C₄H₄N₂-C²)(L) (L = PPh₃, IV; PMe₂Ph, V; PEt₃, VI) can be prepared by ligand substitution reactions. Reversible proton dissociation occurs in solution for III–VI. The low-temperature ¹H NMR spectra of trans-[PdCl(C₄H₄N₂-C²)(PMe₂Ph)₂]ClO₄ show that the heterocyclic moiety undergoes restricted rotation around the PdC² bond and that the 2-pyrazyl group is protonated predominantly at the N¹ atom. These results and the ¹³C NMR data for the PEt₃ derivatives are interpreted on the basis of a significant d_π → π^★ back-bonding contribution to the palladium—carbon bond of the protonated ligands.     

Total synthesis of two isoflavone C-glycosides (6-tert-butyl puerarin and 6-tert-butyl-4′-methoxypuerarin) through the deoxybenzoin pathway

The total synthesis of two isoflavone C-glycosides (6-tert-butylpuerarin and 6-tert-butyl-4′-methoxypuerarin) was achieved through the deoxybenzoin pathway with overall yields of 14.6% and 14.2%. The key intermediate 12 was obtained by de-tert-butylation of 10 with trifluoroacetic acid and Friedel-Crafts acetylation of 2-C-β-d-glucopyranoside 11. The ring closure of 12 with the POCl₃/DMF reagent resulted glucosyl isoflavone formation 13, which was debenzylated and demethylated by BBr₃ to obtain 14 and 15. This pathway represents a novel synthetic pathway based on Friedel-Crafts acetylation and Vilsmeier-Haack cyclization to achieve isoflavone C-glycosides in high yields.     

Synthesis of 2-C-branched derivatives of d-mannose: 2-C-aminomethyl-d-mannose binds to the human C-type lectin DC-SIGN with affinity greater than an order of magnitude compared to that of d-mannose

2-C-Substituted branched d-mannose analogues are novel monosaccharides, readily obtained from a Kiliani-acetonation sequence on d-fructose, followed by subsequent functional group manipulation. 2-C-Azidomethyl-d-mannose and 2-C-aminomethyl-d-mannose bind to the C-type lectin DC-SIGN (CD209) with significantly greater affinity than mannose. In particular, 2-C-aminomethyl-d-mannose exhibits a comparative 48-fold increase in binding as determined using a surface plasmon resonance-based competition assay. DC-SIGN is an important cell-surface type II transmembrane protein that interacts with blood group antigens, endogenous glycoproteins such as ICAM-3, and also deadly pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency and hepatitis C viruses. The effective use of small compounds to block target binding by mannose-selective C-type lectins at sub-millimolar concentrations has not been shown previously; thus, these data represent a very attractive thoroughfare to novel antiviral and immunomodulatory drug development.     

Towards the biotechnological isomerization of branched sugars: d-tagatose-3-epimerase equilibrates both enantiomers of 4-C-methyl-ribulose with both enantiomers of 4-C-methyl-xylulose

Microbial oxidation of 2-C-methyl-d-ribitol and 2-C-methyl-d-arabinitol by Gluconobacter thailandicus NBRC 3254 produces 4-C-methyl-l-ribulose and 4-C-methyl-d-ribulose, respectively. Further, 4-C-methyl-l-ribulose and 4-C-methyl-d-ribulose were equilibrated by d-tagatose-3-epimerase (DTE) with 4-C-methyl-l-xylulose and 4-C-methyl-d-xylulose, respectively. These transformations demonstrate that polyol dehydrogenase and DTE act on branched synthetic sugars. The green preparation of all of the stereoisomers of 4-C-methyl pentuloses illustrates the ability of biotechnology to generate novel branched monosaccharides.     

Synthesis of dinucleotides with 2′-C to phosphate connections by ring-closing metathesis

Four different nucleosides with olefinic 2′-modifications were prepared; 2′-C-methylene, 2′-C-(propen-1-yl), 2′-C-allyl and 2′-O-allyl uridines, respectively. These were incorporated into dinucleotides with allyl phosphate or vinyl phosphonate linkages. Hence, six different dinucleotides were studied as substrates for RCM reactions, and from four of these, cyclic dinucleotides with connections between 2′-C and phosphorus of 3-6 atoms were obtained.     

Synthesis of thio-C-glycosides from 2′-carbonylalkyl C-glycosides by a tandem β-elimination and intramolecular hetero-Michael addition

2′-Carbonyl 5-S-acetyl-C-glycofuranosides and 2′-carbonyl 4-S-acetyl-C-glycopyranosides were converted in good yields to respective 5-thio-C-glycopyranosides and 4-thio-C-glycofuranosides under base treatment. The transformation was resulted from β-elimination on 2′-carbonyl C-glycoside to form α,β-conjugated aldehyde (or ketone) and following intramolecular hetero-Michael addition by the thiol group.     

Synthesis of 4′-substituted 2′-deoxy-4′-thiocytidines and its evaluation for antineoplastic and antiviral activities

4′-Azido- (7), 4′-C-fluoromethyl- (8) 4′-C-ethynyl- (9) and 4′-C-cyano- (10) 2′-deoxy-4′-thiocytidines have been synthesized. In this study, it was found that the isolated yield of 4′-thiouracil nucleoside 13 in a Lewis acid-promoted Vorbrüggen-type glycosidation utilizing 12 was better than that of the electrophilic glycosidation reaction between silylated uracil and 11. This improved result prompted us to perform the glycosidation utilizing 36 and 43 for the synthesis of 37 and 44. Introduction of the azido group was carried out by nucleophilic substitution in the 4′-benzoyloxy derivative 22a. On the other hand, 9 and 10 were synthesized by way of the chemical manipulation of the hydroxymethyl group at the 4′-position of 46.Evaluation of the antineoplastic activity of 2 and 7–10 against human B-cell (CCRF-SB) and T-cell leukemia (Molt-4) cell lines revealed that 4′-azido- (7) and 4′-C-fluoromethyl- (8) derivatives exhibited cytotoxic activity whereas no cytotoxicity was observed in the 4′-C-ethynyl- (9) and 4′-C-cyano- (10) derivatives as well as the parent compound 2. Compound 7 was also found to possess promising antiviral activity against VZV and HSV-1 without any cytotoxity against HEL host cells. It is noteworthy that 7 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against the thymidine kinase-deficient (TK^?) mutant of VZV and HSV-1.     

C2-Acetamidomannosylation. Synthesis of 2-N-acetylamino-2-deoxy-α-d-mannopyranosides with glucal donors

A one-pot C2-acetamidomannosylation reaction for the synthesis of 2-N-acetylamino-2-deoxy-α-d-mannopyranosides from glucals is described. Glucal donors are activated by the reagent combination of 2,8-dimethyldibenzothiophene-5-oxide (DMDBTO) and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride. Upon subsequent addition of N-(TMS)acetamide and an appropriate glycosyl acceptor, the corresponding C2-acetamidomannopyranosides are formed.     

Determination of Flavonoids in Selected Scleranthus Species and Their Anti-Collagenase and Antioxidant Potential

A new 5,7-dihydroxy-3′-methoxy-4′-acetoxyflavone-8-C-β-d-arabinopyranoside-2″-O-(4‴-acetoxy)-glucoside (6) and three known flavone C-glycosides—5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone-6-C-xyloside-8-C-β-d-glucoside (lucenin-1) (7), 5,7,3′-trihydroxyflavone-6-C-glucoside-8-C-β-d-glucoside (vicenin-2) (8), and 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone-6-C-β-d-glucopyranoside-8-C-α-arabinopyranoside (chrysoeriol-6-C-β-d-glucopyranoside-8-C-α-arabinopyranoside) (9)—were isolated from aerial parts of Scleranthus perennis L. (Caryophyllaceae). Their structures were determined through the use of comprehensive spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, and a method for the quantification of the major constituents of S. perennis and S. annuus L. was developed. Furthermore, the anti-collagenase and antioxidant activities of all isolated compounds obtained from extracts and fractions from both Scleranthus species were evaluated. The highest percentage of collagenase inhibition (at 400 µg/mL) was distinguished for methanolic extracts (22.06%, 32.04%) and ethyl acetate fractions (16.59%, 14.40%) from S. annuus and S. perennis. Compounds 6–9 displayed moderate inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 39.59–73.86 µM.     

Anomeric stereospecific synthesis of 2′-C-methyl β-nucleosides; the Holy reaction of cyanamide with 2-C-methyl-d-arabinose

The sequential reactions of 2-C-methyl-d-arabinose with cyanamide and methyl propiolate afford an anhydronucleoside, which may be opened under acid conditions with inversion at C2′, to give 2′-C-methyl uridine; ring opening with sodium hydroxide gave 2′-C-methyl arabino-uridine with retention of configuration at C2′. This gives complete stereospecific control to yield only β-nucleosides.