Stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids: (−)-trolline, (+)-crispin A, (+)-oleracein E

Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, (S)-(−)-trolline, (R)-(+)-crispin A, and (R)-(+)-oleracein E, have been synthesized stereoselectively from the both enantiomers of common intermediate (S)-4 and (R)-4. The key step in the synthesis include a stereoselective Bi(OTf)₃-catalyzed intramolecular 1,3-chirality transfer reaction of chiral non-racemic amino allylic alcohols (S)-6 and (R)-6 to construct both enantiomers of (E)-1-propenyl tetrahydroisoquinoline 4.     

Platanus acerifolia’s buds: additional non-polar metabolites and structure revision of two previous dihydrochalcone-like metabolites

In addition to the methylated and prenylated flavonoids previously reported from Platanus acerifolia, the multistep chromatographic processing of the n-hexane extract of the fresh unripe buds resulted in the isolation of 11 metabolites. Besides six common wax constituents, the n-hexane portion led to the isolation of four gem-dimethylpyrano flavanones. They corresponded to two pairs of angular and linear isomers derived only from pinocembrin (5,7-dihydroxyflavanone). Additionally, a novel β-decadione was split into the major keto-enol tautomer as shown by the detailed NMR and EIMS analyses. Moreover, the structures of grenoblone and 4-hydroxygrenoblone, two previously reported dihydrochalcone-like metabolites, were revised according to the EIMS spectra.     

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of Spodoptera litura was carried out. Substrate was converted to three new terpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S)-10-hydroxyfenchol, (+)-(1R,2R,3S)-8-hydroxyfenchol and (−)-(1S,2S,6S)-6-exo-hydroxyfenchol, and one known terpenoid, (−)-(1R,2R,3R)-9-hydroxyfenchol. These structures were established by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectral studies.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline

The asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline was achieved in 8 steps from commercially available starting materials using the diastereoselective conjugate addition of the novel lithium amide reagent lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methyl-p-methoxybenzyl)amide to methyl cinnamate to install the correct stereochemistry. Subsequent functional group manipulation of the resultant β-amino ester and Sb(OEt)₃-mediated macrolactamisation was followed by homodimerisation to give (−)-(S,S)-homaline in 18% overall yield, representing the first asymmetric, and by far the most efficient synthesis of this natural product reported to date.     

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca was investigated. In addition to the original substrate, 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide, the amidase accepted 2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanamide and 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanamide as substrates. Compounds with larger side chains and compounds where the hydroxyl group was substituted with a methoxy group, or in which the CF₃ group was substituted by CCl₃, were not accepted. The biotransformation is a new synthetic route to (R)-(+)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanoic acid, and its related (S)-(−)-amide, and to (R)-(+)-2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanoic acid and its related (S)-(−)-amide.     

Practical optical resolution of dl-muscone using tartaric acid derivatives as a chiral auxiliary

A simple and practical synthesis of (R)-(−)-muscone was achieved by optical resolution of dl-muscone using tartaric acid derivatives. The acetalization of dl-muscone with N,N′-dibenzyl-l-tartaramide in the presence of Sc(OTf)₃ and methyl orthoformate furnished a diastereomeric mixture of acetals, which were readily separated by simple recrystallization. Diastereomerically pure acetal was hydrolyzed to give optically pure muscone and recovered N,N′-dibenzyl-l-tartaramide.     

Synthesis and odor of optically active trans-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones and their related compounds

The synthesis characterized by cationic olefin cyclizations accomplished using ketone enol esters and odor of novel (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones (5) are described. The stereoselective syntheses of (E)-(1R,6S)- and (E)-(1S,6R)-1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-2-buten-1-one (6) and (1R,6S)-ethyl 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexylcarboxylate (7), useful raw materials for flavor and fragrance, starting from the (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-5 are also described.     

Isolation, structural elucidation and synthesis of a novel antioxidative pseudo-di-peptide, Hanasanagin, and its biogenetic precursor from the Isaria japonica mushroom

The entomogenous ‘Hanasanagitake’ mushroom, Isaria japonica, is used as a folk medicine and as a traditional health food choice in Japan. A search for naturally occurring antioxidative compounds from the mushroom led to the isolation of a novel pseudo-di-peptide, named Hanasanagin, and a possible biogenetic precursor. The structures of the pseudo-di-peptides were determined as (R)-3,4-diguanidinobutanoyl-(S)-DOPA and (R)-3,4-diguanidinobutanoyl-(S)-tyrosine by spectral analysis, chemical synthesis and enzymatic conversion.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 244: Synthesis of the racemate and enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-CH503 (3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol), a new sex pheromone of male Drosophila melanogaster to show its (S)-isomer and racemate as bioactive

The enantiomers of (11Z,19Z)-3-acetoxy-11,19-octacosadien-1-ol were synthesized from the enantiomers of 3,4-epoxy-1-butanol PMB ether. Its racemate was also synthesized. Its (S)-isomer and racemate were shown to possess the same pheromone activity as CH503, a long-lived inhibitor of male courtship in Drosophila melanogaster, although the racemate was less active.     

Stereoselective synthesis of pachastrissamine (jaspine B)

A stereoselective synthesis in enantiopure form of the natural anhydrophytosphingosine pachastrissamine (jaspine B), a metabolite isolated from sponges, is described. The chiral epoxide (R)-glycidol was the starting material. Key steps of this synthesis are a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, an intramolecular stereospecific epoxide opening mediated by a trichloroacetimidate group, and the formation of a tetrahydrofuran ring via intramolecular nucleophilic displacement.     

A practical enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-(S)-stepholidine

A convergent enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-(S)-stepholidine, a drug candidate for the treatment of schizophrenia and/or drug abuse, was described, which represented the first example of successful auxiliary-assisted Bischler–Napieralski cyclization of amide bearing bromine atom at 2-position of the C ring, followed by an introduction of the aryl methyl ester via Br–Li exchange. (−)-(S)-Stepholidine was synthesized in 6 steps, with 52% overall yield and >99% ee. The reported synthesis is practically free from chromatographic separation.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-varitriol

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-varitriol, an antitumor natural product, was accomplished by two versatile strategies starting from the commercially available d-(−)-ribose and ethyl (S)-lactate. The key steps involved in the synthesis of the target molecule are epoxidation, cyclization, dihydroxylation and Diels-Alder reaction.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-tetrahydrolipstatin via a radical cyclization based strategy

An efficient and flexible approach for the total synthesis of (−)-tetrahydrolipstatin is described. The main features of the synthetic strategy are a stereocontrolled radical cyclization and the successful utilization of commercially available S-malic acid.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-allosedamine and (1R,3R)-HPA-12 from β-p-toluenesulfonamido-γ,δ-unsaturated sulfoxide

A stereoselective synthesis of (−)-allosedamine and HPA-12 is disclosed. The key steps of the synthesis include the diastereoselective synthesis of a β-sulfonamido unsaturated sulfoxide, elaboration of a bromohydrin via intramolecular sulfinyl group participation and a ring-closing metathesis reaction for the construction of the piperidine ring of allosedamine.     

New S,O-acetals from (1R)-(−)-myrtenal as chiral auxiliaries in nucleophilic additions

Treatment of hydroxythiol 4 with α,α-diethoxyacetophenone at room temperature yielded a mixture of epimeric S,O-acetals 6 and 7 (1:4, 92% yield), which were efficiently separated by flash chromatography. The OTBS derivatives 8 and 9 were treated with several Grignard reagents to afford carbinols 10 and 13 respectively (85-99% yield, >95% dr). After successive hydrolysis and reduction of 10 and 13 it is possible to obtain either enantiomer of diols 16 in high optical purity (>95% er).     

Chiral self-assembly of triorganotin complexes: Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) complexes containing (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid ligands

Six new chiral triorganotin(IV) complexes, {(R₃Sn)₂[C₃H₆(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 1; Bu: 2), {(R₃Sn)₂[C₄H₈(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 3; Bu: 4), and {(R₃Sn)₂[C₂H₄O(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 5; Bu: 6) have been prepared by treatment of (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid, with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Bu) and sodium ethoxide in methanol. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and TGA. Except for 3, all of the complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 5 have 2D network structures in which (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid and l-(−)-malic acid act as tetradentate ligands coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions. Complexes 2 and 4 have 3D metal-organic framework structures in which the deprotoned acids serve as tetradentate ligands. Complex 6 adopts a 1D zigzag chain structure and forms a 2D supramolecular framework through intermolecular C-H?O interactions. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied. We also have measured the specific rotation of the chiral dicarboxylic acids and the organotin derivatives.     

Diarylnonanoids and their glucosides from Erica cinerea

The reinvestigation of Erica cinerea fresh aerial parts led to the isolation of two new diarylnonanoid aglycones along with their glucosides. From spectroscopic data, their structures were elucidated as rel-(3R,7R)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxynonan-5-one named ericanone, ericanone 3-β-d-glucoside, (3S)-3,7-anhydro-6,7-dehydroericanone and (3S)-3,7-anhydro-6,7-dehydroericanone 4′-β-d-glucoside. Contrary to the numerous diarylheptanoids more frequently distributed in the plant kingdom, the rare diarylnonanoids were previously restricted to the genus Myristica of the Myristicaceae plant family.     

Novel synthesis of (4<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-4-methylpentanolide from (L)-(−)-menthol

A novel synthesis of the promising optically pure chiral (4R)-4-methylpentanolide that is based on several regiospecific oxidative transformations of (4R)-2,4-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-1-cyclohexene, the product of addition of (–)-menthone and methylmagnesium iodide followed by acid dehydration, was proposed.Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 451–453, November–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Fungi mediated production and practical purification of (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol

A fungal system belonging to Mucoraceae family (Mucor piriformis) was explored for the asymmetric reduction of a prochiral ketone, 3-quinuclidinone (I) in an efficient manner to produce an important pharmaceutical precursor (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol (II) with ∼96% enantiomeric excess. The efficiency of the process was improved by developing a cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120) which assisted the purification of water soluble metabolite II from fermentation media.     

A diastereoselective approach for an asymmetric synthesis in pinnaic acid series

An enantiopure spiran-bearing advanced intermediate in pinnaic acid series was obtained in 11 steps starting with CN(R,S) building block.