Synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes. Constrained analogues of steroid hormones

A procedure for the synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes is described involving an intramolecular alkylation reaction of Delta(4)-3-keto steroids with a 19-mesylate in the presence of KOH in isopropanol. Three 6,19-cyclopregnanes were prepared (4, 5 ,9); in the rat, 6,19-cycloprogesterone (4) and its 21-hydroxy derivative 5 displaced [3H]-dexamethasone from glucocorticoid receptors, the former compound being more active. Both compounds did not compete with [3H]-aldosterone for kidney mineralocorticoid receptors nor with [3H]-R5020 for uterus progesterone receptors.     

Synthesis of 6,19-sulfamidate bridged pregnanes

Conformationally restrained substituted pregnane-20-one derivatives were obtained by an intramolecular nitrene addition onto a C-5/C-6 double bond involving a tethered C-19 sulfamoyl moiety. The resulting aziridine underwent regioselective nucleophilic ring opening at C-5 at room temperature with cyanide, fluoride, and acetate. In the isolated case of acetate, a reversal of regioselectivity was observed at higher temperatures, a result attributed to a rearrangement process involving aziridine ring opening at the C-5 position and subsequent migration of the acetyl moiety to C-6.     

Total synthesis of salicylihalamides A and B

The paper illustrates two efficient routes to macrolactone 19 containing a 3-(para-methoxybenzyloxy)propyl side chain at C-15. The chiral center at C-15 was introduced by a Noyori reduction of keto ester 5. The intermediate common to both routes, aldehyde 8, was prepared from keto ester 5. The subsequent chain extension utilized Evans aldol reactions. The first route leads to the alkene 14, which was used, after hydroboration, for a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with vinyl iodide 15. The derived seco acid 18 was converted into the macrolactone 19 by a Mitsunobu lactonization by using immobilized triphenylphosphine. Alternatively, an aldol reaction of 8 with the 4-pentenoyl derivative 20 was used to prepare alkene 26. This building block led to ester 28, which could also be converted into macrolactone 19 by the classical ring-closing metathesis. After conversion of the C-15 side chain to the corresponding aldehyde, the enamide was introduced through hemiaminal formation and formal elimination of water. Separation of the double-bond isomers and removal of the silyl protecting groups provided salicylihalamides A (E)-1 and B (Z)-1.     

Cyclization into hydrindanones using samarium diiodide

Samarium(II) iodide has been employed to promote vinylogous pinacol coupling reaction of aldehyde onto alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. The diastereoselectivity of 6-endo products was changed by addition of a proton source and/or HMPA and by the reaction temperature. The cyclization reactions described herein provide a general approach to the syntheses of 3,3-dimethylhydrindanes with a cis-relationship between the OH at C-4 and the proton at C-3a with good diastereoselectivity and under mild reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-c]- and pyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinolines and -isoquinolines from 4- and 5-aryl-substituted 1-benzyloxypyrazoles

1-Hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline (22), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinoline (21), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline (20), and 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinoline (19) were prepared from 1-benzyloxypyrazole (6), establishing the pyridine B-ring in the terminal step. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloquinolines 14 and 18 was formed via cyclization of a formyl group at C-4 or C-5 and an amino group of a 2-aminophenyl substituent at C-5 or C-4 in 1-benzyloxypyrazole. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloisoquinolines 5 and 9 was created via cyclization of a formyl group in a 2-formylphenyl substituent at C-4 or C-5 with an iminophosphorane group installed at C-5 or C-4 of 1-benzyloxypyrazole by lithiation followed by reaction with tosyl azide and then with tributylphoshine utilizing the Staudinger/aza-Wittig protocol. The 2-aminophenyl and the 2-formylphenyl substituent were introduced at C-5 or C-4 by regioselective metalation followed by transmetalation to the pyrazolylzinc halide and subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with 2-iodoaniline or 2-bromobenzaldehyde. The order of reactions and use of protecting groups in the individual sequences have been optimized. The 1-benzyloxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines thus obtained were debenzylated by strong acid to the corresponding 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines 19-22.     

Cross-coupling of hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes into lignins

Pathways for hydroxycinnamyl aldehyde incorporation into lignins are revealed by examining transgenic plants deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme that converts hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes to the hydroxycinnamyl alcohol lignin monomers. In such plants the aldehydes incorporate into lignins via radical coupling reactions. As diagnostically revealed by long-range (13)C-(1)H correlative NMR, sinapyl aldehyde (3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-cinnamaldehyde) 8-O-4-cross-couples with both guaiacyl (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl-propanoid) and syringyl (3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl-propanoid) units, whereas coniferyl aldehyde cross-couples only with syringyl units.     

A novel synthesis of (+)-biotin from L-cysteine

(+)-Biotin (1) was synthesized in 25% overall yield over 11 steps from L-cysteine. The contiguous asymmetric centers at C-3a and C-6a were formed through a novel and highly stereoselective Lewis base-catalyzed cyanosilylation of alpha-amino aldehyde 3 to provide anti-O-TMS-cyanohydrin 4 with high stereoselectivity and in high yield (anti/syn = 92:8, 96%). Treatment of 4 with a di-Grignard reagent, 1,4-bis(bromomagnesio)butane, followed by carbon dioxide, efficiently installed the 4-carboxybutyl chain at C-4 to give keto acid 5. The final cyclization to bicyclic compound 7b, a precursor to 1, was realized by a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular allylic amination of cis-allylic carbonate 6b that was elaborated from 5.     

Total synthesis of prostaglandin F2alpha using nickel-catalyzed stereoselective cyclization of 1,3-diene and tethered aldehyde via transmetalation of nickelacycle with diisobutylaluminum acetylacetonate

Total synthesis of prostaglandin F2alpha utilizing a nickel(0)-catalyzed cyclization of 1,3-diene and tethered aldehyde was achieved. The cyclization proceeded via a transmetalation of nickelacycle with diisobutylaluminum acetylacetonate (iBu2-ALAC). Thus, the reaction of 19, having a side chain corresponding to the alpha-chain in PGF2alpha with Ni(cod)2 (10 mol %), PPh3 (20 mol %), and 1,3-cyclohexadiene (25 mol %) in the presence of iBu2-ALAC (1.5 eq) proceeded stereoselectively to give the cyclized product 26 in 54% yield. During the cyclization of 19, the Z-olefin at C-5 in the side chain completely retained its geometry, and the four contiguous chiral carbon centers in PGF2alpha were stereoselectively constructed. Transformation of the key intermediate 19 into PGF2alpha was successfully achieved.     

4-Lithio-1-tritylimidazole as a synthetic intermediate. Synthesis of imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde

Reaction of 4-iodo-1-tritylimidazole with n-butyllithium at –79°, followed by rapid quenching of the reaction mixture with DMF, gives good yields of 1-tritylimidazole-4(5)-carboxaldehyde, the isolation of which demonstrates the intermediacy of 4-lithio-1-tritylimidazole. This species should be destabilized by repulsive interaction of the negative charge on C-4 with the adjacent lone pair electrons on N-3 (the ALP effect). The isolation of 1-tritylimidazole-4(5)-carboxaldehyde in good yield and the versatility of the aldehyde functionality make 4-lithio-1-tritylimidazole a useful synthetic intermediate.     

An Efficient Approach to the Synthesis of Ethyl Esters of 2,6-Anhydro-3-Deoxy-D-Gluco And D-Allo-Heptanoates

ABSTRACT

An efficient synthesis of analogues of DAH (3-deoxy-D-arabino-hept-2-ulosonic acid) and DRH (3-deoxy-D-ribo-hept-2-ulosonic acid) is described. The route exploits a previously published highly double-stereoselective hetero Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by a chiral salenCo(II) complex. Asymmetric dihydroxylation followed by selective reduction leads to stereoselective introduction of hydroxy groups at C-4 and C-5. Oxidative cleavage of the C-6 side-chain, in situ reduction of the resulting aldehyde and deprotection afford the desired targets, which may be useful precursors to the simple analogues of the anti-influenza agent GG167.     

A catalytic, highly stereoselective aldehyde olefination reaction

A catalytic aldehyde olefination reaction has been discovered. A Cu(II) complex (5 mol %) derived from a salen-quinine mixed ligand catalyzed the reaction between aldehydes and two molecules of acetyl chloride to produce trans C-C double bonds exclusively. The new catalytic aldehyde alkenation reaction presumably goes through a C-3 acylated β-lactone intermediate that loses one molecule of CO₂.     

Syntheses of (±)-17α- and (±)-17β-hydroxytacamonine; determination of configuration at C-17

Both (±)-17α-hydroxytacamonine (3) and its 17β-isomer (4) were synthesized in two steps (one-pot) from aldehyde mixture 5/6 via the cyanohydrin reaction. NMR spectral characterization of isomer 3 revealed it to be unidentical with natural 17-hydroxytacamonine, whereas spectral data of isomer 4 were in agreement with those published for the natural isomer. The configuration at C-17 was confirmed by NOE difference spectroscopy.     

Green Synthesis of Some Calix[4]Resorcinarene Under Microwave Irradiation

A green synthetic procedure for the preparation of some calix[4]resorcinarenes using a household microwave oven has been carried out. This method represents a very rapid heating alternative to the conventional method that involves very long time of reactions (from 20-24 h in conventional heating to 5-8 min in microwave irradiation). C-4-hydroxy–3-methoxycalix[4]resorcinarene (CHMPCR), C-4-methoxyphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CMPCR) and C-2–phenylethenilcalix[4]resorcinarene (CPECR) was achieved by placed of resorcinol, an aldehyde, HCl and ethanol inside a household microwave oven. The product was recrystallized by methanol and analyzed by spectral analysis (FTIR, H-NMR and MS). Optimization of reaction was carried out in variation of microwave power, reaction times and reactant composition. The result shows that optimum condition of synthesis of C-4-hydroxy-3–methoxycalix[4]resorcinarene (CHMPCR) with microwave irradiation were at microwave power 332 W, reaction time 8 min and the mole ratio of resorcinol and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylbenzaldehyde 1:1. This parameter gave product in 97.8% (53.7% after recrystallization). The CPECR synthesis using resorcinol and cynnamaldehyde (1:1) at microwave power 332 W for 5 min afforded the product in 97.3% (44.5% after recrystallization). Whereas the reaction of resorcinol and 4-methoxyphenylbenzaldehyde (1:1.2) at microwave power 264 W for 5 min gave CMPCR in 99.5% (68.6% after recrystallization).     

Synthesis of 2-deoxy-α-DAH based on diazo chemistry by insertion reactions of 2-diazo-3-deoxy- -arabino-heptulosonate derivatives mediated by rhodium(II)

The synthesis of 2-deoxy-α-DAH (2) is described based on the use of diazo chemistry as previously reported by us during the synthesis of the corresponding 2-deoxy-KDO. Initially, the -arabino-aldehydo sugar derivative 3 was reacted with ethyl diazoacetate, using diethyl zinc as promoter. The corresponding β-hydroxy-α-diazo ester 4, obtained in very good yield, was transformed into the corresponding 2-diazo-3-deoxy-heptulosonate derivative 10, which was subjected to the action of rhodium(II). However, the major compound obtained in this reaction was the C-glycofuranoside 12 by the interaction of the benzyl protecting group employed at the OH of C-4 with the carbenoid generated at C-2. To avoid this undesired insertion reaction, aldehyde 13 was selected as a suitable starting material and, following the same chemistry than for 3, diazo 19 was efficiently synthesized. Finally, the intramolecular OH insertion mediated by rhodium(II) of 19 provided the targeted 2-deoxy-DAH derivative 21 in a reasonable good yield, which was finally transformed into the potassium salt of 2-deoxy-α-DAH 2.     

High diastereoselectivity in intermolecular carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with aryl aldehyde using methyl diazo(trifluoromethyl)acetate

[reaction: see text] Methyl diazo(trifluoromethyl)acetate undergoes Rh2(OAc)4 catalyzed reaction with aryl aldehyde to form 1,3-dioxolanes bearing a C-4 trifluoromethyl group diastereoselectively in excellent yield.     

Synthesis of three marine natural sesterterpenolides from methyl isoanticopalate. First enantioselective synthesis of luffolide

[Reaction: see text]. The synthesis of three marine sponge metabolites, luffolide (4), 5, and 6, are described for the first time, establishing the absolute configuration of these compounds. The key intermediate, aldehyde 17, was obtained from methyl isoanticopalate, 11. The addition of 3-furyllithium to 17 and subsequent photochemical oxidation give the gamma-hydroxybutenolide 5 and its epimer at C-16. Sesterterpenolide 6 is obtained by dehydration of 5. From the key aldehyde 17, luffolide (4) was obtained in six steps.     

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).     

The reactivity of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone towards aliphatic saturated and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone (triacetic acid lactone) reacts at C-3 with 2-butenal and similar aldehydes by Michael addition. The nonisolated intermediates can undergo transformations in at least five different ways. On the contrary, reaction of the title pyrone with cinnamaldehyde occurs at the carbonyl group of the aldehyde.     

Synthesis of ceramide analogues having the C(4)-C(5) bond of the long-chain base as part of an aromatic or heteroaromatic system

Two efficient and stereoselective methods are described for the preparation of aryl and heteroaryl ceramide analogues 2 and 3. The first route involves the addition of an aryllithium or a heteroaryllithium reagent (7a or 25a, respectively) to the L-serine-derived aldehyde 4, followed by hydrolysis of the oxazolidine, liberation of the amino group, and N-acylation. The second route, which was used to prepare arylceramide analogue 2 in eight steps and 28% overall yield starting with 3-bromobenzaldehyde, utilizes a Heck reaction to afford (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 16, then osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation for the introduction of the desired chirality at C-2 and C-3. Regioselective alpha-azidation of alpha-O-nosyl-beta-hydroxyester 18 with sodium azide, followed by LiAlH(4) reduction of the azido and ester groups and N-acylation, complete the synthesis of arylceramide analogue 2.     

Total synthesis and absolute configuration of malyngamide W

A concise enantioselective synthesis of malyngamide W (1) and its 2'-epimer was described. The strategy was based on three key steps: (1) ozonolysis of compound 11 which was derived from (R)-(-)-carvone 8, followed by copper-iron-catalyzed rearrangement to give the key cyclohex-2-enone intermediate 5, (2) Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling reaction between aldehyde 4 and iodide 14 to afford alcohol 3, and (3) asymmetric (R)-CBS reduction of the ketone functionality in compound 21 to establish the C-2' chiral center in the target compound 1. The absolute configuration of malyngamide W (1) was thus confirmed via the synthesis of 1 and 2'-epi-1.