Conformationally restricted 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) analogs: synthesis and evaluation of catalytic effectiveness

The syntheses of a series of conformationally restricted 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) analogs 1-3 are described. Evaluations of catalyst effectiveness demonstrated that 1 was the best catalyst for the acetylation reaction of a tertiary alcohol, while 2 and 3 were roughly comparable to DMAP. The order of effectiveness of these catalysts roughly parallels their acetylation enthalpies estimated from ab initio calculations.     

Novel cyclometallated Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with indole derivatives and their use as catalysts in Heck reaction

Several palladacycle and platinacycle complexes have been prepared from easily available or naturally occurring indole derivatives, such as gramine and related compounds. Dimeric complexes were obtained with Pd(OAc)₂, while Pt(DMSO)₂Cl₂ mainly afforded monomeric structures. A notable feature of these reactions was the formation of new M-C bonds between Pd or Pt and C-2 and C-3 of the indole ring. With ligands like 2-(2′-pyridyl)-1H-indoles, N-N metallacycles were generated instead: in fact new C-M bonds with the C-3 position could only form if N-substituted indoles were used. The reactivity of Pd dimeric complexes with PPh₃, sym-collidine and DMAP was explored to obtain monomeric complexes. Three such compounds were prepared, one of which was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Metathetical reactions were carried out to effect a ligand exchange replacing OAc with halide ions, with the aim to synthesize μ-Cl and μ-Br bridged structures. Turning to the synthesis of hetaryl complexes, functionalization of the C-2 position on the indole ring was achieved. These complexes were prepared by substitution reactions starting from gramine and/or its alkylammonium salts.     

Convenient synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines via regioselective palladium-catalyzed reactions

A novel and effective route for the synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines III is reported starting from the corresponding 2,4-dichloropyridopyrimidine 1 through regioselective functionalization palladium-catalyzed C–C coupling reactions, by two successive palladium-catalyzed reactions involving an original regioselective chlorine discrimination. Alternatively, type III compounds were elaborated from 2 by C-2 chlorine further displacement of the C-4 isopropylsulfanyl group, which acted as a temporary C-4 protecting group. Further Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions led to C-2 and C-4 disubstituted compounds.     

First C-3 lithiation of DMAP: a new entry into chemical tuning of acylation catalysts

A TMSCH2Li-based reagent promoted the first C-3 lithiation of DMAP opening a direct access to functional diversity in acylation catalysts.     

A synthesis of 11-homo-aldosterone

A synthesis of 11-homo-aldosterone acetate (1a) is described. 3β-Acetoxy-11-methylene-5α,25D-spirostan (3) was converted in 4 steps into 3β-acetoxy-11β-acetoxymethyl-5α-pregnan-20-one (9, Chart I), which was photocyclized to 20a, saponified regioselectively, and oxidized to 3-oxo-11β-acetoxymethyl-18,20-cyclopregnan-20α-ol-3-one (22, Chart II). Introduction of the 1,4-diene in 22 followed by a selective reduction of the 1-ene afforded 11β-acetoxymethyl-18,20-cyclopregn-4-en-20α-ol-3-one (26). Finally, the 18,20-cyclo ring of 26 was manipulated through 30, 31, 32, 33 to produce 1a. The bulky 11β-acetoxymethyl group distorted the steroid molecule to such an extent that the routine photochemical functionalization of the angular Me-18 via a nitrite or a hypoiodite became inoperative, and routine procedures for introduction of a 4-ene into 5α-3-one via a 1,4-dien-3-one were unsuccessful. Two new methods for the introduction of a 4-ene into steroidal 5α-3-ones were investigated using 5α-cholestanone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone as models. The first route, which was applicable to the synthesis of 1a, was the stepwise introduction of a 1-ene and a 4-ene utilizing Sharpless's acidic phenylselenyl chloride procedure, followed by a selective reduction of the 1-ene. The second route, which appeared equally promising, was protection of the C-2 site with N-methylanilinomethylene followed by introduction of the 4-ene and subsequent deprotection of the C-2.     

Lycocasuarines A–C,Lycopodium alkaloids from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides

Three lycodine-type Lycopodium alkaloids (1–3) were isolated from Lycopodiastrum casuarinoides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and computational methods. Compound 1 possesses a rearranged five-membered ring D resulting from C-8/C-15 cleavage and a new C-7/C-15 linkage. Compound 2 is the first Lycopodium alkaloid found to bear an additional carbon (C-17) directly bonded to C-8, which is particularly unusual from a biogenetic point of view. Compounds 1–3 were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.     

Alkaloids of thalictrum—XXIII: Four new aporphine-benzylisoquinoline dimeric alkaloids from thalictrum revolutum

Structures based on physical and chemical methods, are proposed for four new aporphine-ben-zylisoquinoline dimers. Thalirevolutine (1) and thalirevoline (2) are related to fetidine (5), the latter is isomeric with fetidine bearing the phenolic group at C-4″, and the former is O methylfetidine. Thalilutidine (3) is the C-6' phenolic analogue of thalicarpine (6), while thalilutine (4) is the C-3 phenolic analogue of adiantifoline (13).     

Target-specific chemical acylation of lectins by ligand-tethered DMAP catalysts

Because sugar-binding proteins, so-called lectins, play important roles in many biological phenomena, the lectin-selective labeling should be useful for investigating biological processes involving lectins as well as providing molecular tools for analysis of saccharides and these derivatives. We describe herein a new strategy for lectin-selective labeling based on an acyl transfer reaction directed by ligand-tethered DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine). DMAP is an effective acyl transfer catalyst, which can activate an acyl ester for its transfer to a nucleophilic residue. To direct the acyl transfer reaction to a lectin of interest, we attached the DMAP to a saccharide ligand specific for the target lectin. It was clearly demonstrated by biochemical analyses that the target-selective labeling of Congerin II, an animal lectin having selective affinity for Lactose/LacNAc (N-acetyllactosamine), was achieved in the presence of Lac-tethered DMAPs and acyl donors containing probes such as fluorescent molecules or biotin. Conventional peptide mapping experiments using HPLC and tandem mass-mass analysis revealed that the acyl transfer reaction site-specifically occurred at Tyr 51 of Cong II. This strategy was successfully extended to other lectins by changing the ligand part of the ligand-tethered DMAP. We also demonstrated that this labeling method is applicable not only to purified lectin in test tubes, but also to crude mixtures such as E. coli lysates or homogenized animal tissue samples expressing Congerin.     

Syntheses of (−)-gabosine A, (+)-4-epi-gabosine A, (−)-gabosine E, and (+)-4-epi-gabosine E

(+)-4-epi-Gabosine A 1 and (−)-gabosine A 2 have been synthesized starting from methyl α,d-glucopyranoside and methyl α,d-mannopyranoside, respectively, by utilizing Pd(0) catalyzed Stille coupling as the key step. On the other hand, syntheses of (+)-4-epi-gabosine E 3 and (−)-gabosine E 4 have been accomplished from methyl α,d-glucopyranoside and from methyl α,d-mannopyranoside, respectively, by utilizing DMAP catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction as the key step. Presence of acetyl group at C-6 position of sugar derived cyclic enone prevented the aromatization of MBH adduct. A plausible mechanism is also described.     

The application of pyranoside phosphite-pyridine ligands to enantioselective Ir-catalyzed hydrogenations of highly unfunctionalized olefins

Eight (biaryl)phosphite/pyridine ligands 1–2a–d have been prepared by the modular functionalization of positions C-2 and C-3 of two d-glucopyranoside backbones. The chiral ligands were examined in the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of poorly functionalized alkenes, as a function of the relative position of the coordinating groups and the geometric properties of the biaryl phosphite moieties. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 90% were achieved in the hydrogenation of E-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butene by using 1a and 1c, which seemingly combine the beneficial effect of the phosphite at the 2-position with the matching (R_ax)-configuration of their encumbered biaryl substituents. The results of the hydrogenation of more challenging substrates, such as Z-trisubstituted alkenes, alkenes with a neighboring polar group or demanding 1,1-di-substituted alkenes, generally confirmed this trend, and in some significant cases, the chiral hydrogenated products were isolated with ees of 65–79%.     

Trichiliasinenoids A–C,three 6,7-secomexicanolide limonoids with a 7,29-linkage from Trichilia sinensis

Trichiliasinenoids A–C (1–3), three new limonoids with an unprecedented C-29-C-7 connecting carbon skeleton formed by migration of C-7 from C-6 to C-29 of a mexicanolide-type limonoid precursor were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia sinensis. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography (1) and ECD calculation (2 and 3). A possible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed. Compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells and weak cytotoxicity against SMMC-7721cells.     

Cyclodextrins Initiated Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide Using 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as Catalyst: Study of DMAP/β-CD Inclusion Complex and Access to New Structures

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides used in many fields. Grafting polymers onto CDs enables new structures and applications to be obtained. Polylactide (PLA) is a biobased, biocompatible aliphatic polyester that can be grafted onto CDs by -OH-initiated ring-opening polymerization. Using 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as an organocatalyst, a quantitative functionalization is reached on native α-, β-, γ- and 2,3-dimethyl- β-cyclodextrins. Narrow molecular weight distributions are obtained with the native CDs (dispersity < 1.1). The DMAP/β-CD combination is used as a case study, and the formation of an inclusion complex (1/1) is shown for the first time in the literature, which is fully characterized by NMR. The inclusion of DMAP into the cavity occurs via the secondary rim of the β-CD and the association constant (K_a) is estimated to be 88.2 M⁻¹. Its use as an initiator for ring-opening polymerization leads to a partial functionalization efficiency, and thus a more hydrophilic β-CD-PLA conjugate than that obtained starting from native β-CD. Polymerization results including also the use of the adamantane/β-CD inclusion complex as an initiator suggest that inclusion of the DMAP catalyst into the CD may not occur during polymerization reactions. Rac-lactide does not form an inclusion complex with β-CD.     

Fluorous analogues of DMAP (F-DMAP): Reusable organocatalysts for acylation reaction

A short and facile preparation of analogues of DMAP (F-DMAPs) labelled with fluorous chains is reported. These catalysts efficiently promote the acylation of alcohols with anhydrides (Ac₂O, (i-PrCO)₂O) and can be partially recovered and reused. The effectiveness of F-DMAP is similar to that of DMAP.     

New compounds from the roots of Coriaria nepalensis

One new sesquiterpene lactone possessing novel variations in the structure, corialactone E (1), one new neolignan, coriarianeolignan A (2), together with three known apocarotenoids (3-5) and one known neolignan (6), have been isolated from a CHCl₃ extract of the roots of Coriaria nepalensis.     

New facile synthesis of furan-2(3H)-ones and 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans via intramolecular Wittig reaction of acid anhydride

A new facile preparation of furan-2(3H)-ones and 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans by a sequential O-acylation/Wittig(/O-acylation) reaction has been developed. The easily accessible 2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-succinic acid 1-ester 3 reacted with acid chloride produced furan-2(3H)-ones 4 in good yields in the presence of DMAP via sequential O-acylation and intramolecular Wittig reaction of acid anhydride. Subsequently, the 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans 5 were prepared from furan-2(3H)-ones 4 and diverse aryl chlorides in presence of triethylamine through further O-acylation.     

Chemistry of ayurvedic crude drugs—V : Guggulu (resin from commiphora mukul)—5 some new steroidal components and,stereochemistry of guggulsterol-I at C-20 and C-22

20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (5), 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (6), 16β-hydroxy-4,17(20)Z-pregnadien-3-one (4) and 16α-hydroxy-4-prenen-3-one (10) have been isolated as new steroidal components of the gum-resin from Commiphora mukul. A simple procedure for the synthesis of 4 is described. Chirality at C-20, C-22 in guggulsterol-I (3) has been clarified.     

Polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol with an unprecedented spirocyclic core from Hypericum patulum

Spirohypatone A (1), a spirocyclic PPAP (polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol) bearing an unprecedented hexahydro-1′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-pentalene]-2,4,6-trione core and a new homologue (spirohypatone B, 2) were isolated from Hypericum patulum together with two known biosynthetic precursors. Compound 1 represents the first spirocyclic PPAP possessing a 5/5/6 carbon ring system, biogenetically derived from the intermediate 3 (attack from C-3 to C-12), which was differed from normal spirocyclic PPAPs (attack from C-3 to C-11). In addition, through extensive spectroscopic analysis, an interconversion mechanism of keto-enol of 1 was postulated and confirmed by its methylated reaction. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic and chemical derivatized methods and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were tested to exhibit cytotoxic activities against several cancer cell lines.     

The chemical defense of nudibranch molluscs: Structure,biosynthetic origin and defensive properties of terpenoids from the dorid nudibranch dendrodoris grandiflora

Nudibranch molluscs, apparently defenseless against potential predators, possess secondary metabolites localized on the body wall which help them to escape from predation. These metabolites are largely of dietary origin; in one case the biosynthetic ability of a nudibranch to elaborate its own chemical defense has been shown.From the mantle extracts of Dendrodoris grandiflora polygodial (1) and 6β-acethoxyolepupuane (4), a new sesquiterpene triacetate, was isolated. These two drimane sesquiterpenoids, both endowed with antifeedant properties, are biosynthesized de novo by the nudibranch.Extracts from the digestive glands of the same nudibranch yielded the previously known sesquiterpene esters 3, microcionin-1, -2, -3, -4 (7–10), fasciculatin (11), furospongin-1 acetate (12), a new C-21 furanoterpene 14 and a mixture of new prenylated chromanols 17. All these compounds, with the exception of 3, appear to be of dietary origin.The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectral and chemical means.     

Chukvelutilides A-F, phragmalin limonoids from the stem barks of Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina

Chukvelutilides A-F (1-6), a new class of C-15-acyl phragmalin type limonoids, featuring a C-16/C-30 δ-lactone ring, were isolated from Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina. These compounds are suggested to possess a three- or four-carbon enolized acyl substituent at C-15 through a plausible biosynthetic origin. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic means, and that of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Mycopyranone: A 8,8ˈ-binaphthopyranone with potent anti-MRSA activity from the fungus Phialemoniopsis sp.

A new 8,8?-binaphthopyranone (mycopyranone, 1) was isolated from a solid fermentation of Phialemoniopsis sp. (fungal strain MSX61662), and the structure was elucidated via analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data. The axial chirality of 1 was determined to be M by ECD. The central chirality at C-4/C-4? was assigned through a modified Mosher’s method, while the absolute configuration at C-3/C-3? was deduced based on analysis of the ³J_H-3-H-4 values and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus SA1199 and a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA USA300 LAC strain AH1263). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of both strains in a concentration dependent manner with IC₅₀ values in the low μM range. Molecular docking indicated that compound 1 binds to the FtsZ (tubulin-like) protein in the same pocket as viriditoxin (2), suggesting that 1 targets bacterial cell division.