Studies towards the synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates and (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised by the intramolecular Williamson reaction of diethyl (1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate. The cis-analogue was obtained as O-ethyl or O,O-diethyl (1R,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates, when (1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate or its 3-O-trityl derivative were used as starting materials, respectively. The intramolecular Williamson cyclisations of diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonates led to diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, respectively, with the concomitant formation of diethyl (E)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-phosphonate. From diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, while diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-3-acetamido-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were produced after epoxide ring opening with dibenzylamine, acetylation and hydrogenolysis.     

Interaction in the Yb2S3-In2S3 system

A T-x diagram is designed for the Yb₂S₃-In₂S₃ system using physicochemical methods. A complex chemical reaction occurs in the system to yield ternary compounds Yb₃InS₆ (S₁), YbInS₃ (S₂), Yb₃In₅S₁₂ (S₃), and YbIn₃S₆ (S₄). In₂S₃-based limited solid solutions are found. Phases S₁, S₃, and S₄ are formed by peritectic reactions at 1260, 1200, and 1100 K, respectively. Compound S₂ melts congruently at 1390 K. Compound S₃ crystallizes in monoclinic system (a = 10.90 Å, b = 21.01 Å, c = 3.846 Å, β = 96.2°). Compounds S₁ and S₄ crystallize in orthorhombic system (for S₁, a = 16.76 Å, b = 13.70 Å, c = 3.88 Å; for S₄, a = 3.86 Å, b = 11.64 Å, c = 20.98 Å, d _exp = 4.62 g/cm³). Compound S₂ crystallizes in cubic system (a = 10.68 Å).     

The synthesis of (4S,5S)-(−)-isocytoxazone

(4S,5S)-(?)-Isocytoxazone, which is needed for a configurational study, was synthesized from the commercially available (1S,2S)-(+)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol in which the p-nitro substituent was replaced by a p-methoxyl group; the thus prepared p-methoxyphenyl amino diol was cyclized via an N-Boc derivative.     

Synthesis of (22S, 23S)-homobrassinolide and brassinolide from stigmasterol

(22S, 23S)-Homobrassinolide (2α, 3α, 22S, 23S-tetrahydroxy-24S-etyl-B-homo-7-oxa-5α-cholestan-6-one) and brassinolide (2α, 3α 22R, 23R-tetrahydroxy-24S-methyl-B-homo-7-oxa-5α-cholestan-6-one) were synthesized from stigmasterol and shown to promote plant growth.     

Coordination properties of the multifunctional S,N,S zwitterionic ligand EtNHC(S)Ph2PNPPh2C(S)NEt

The reaction of trialkylphoshanes and amino-phosphanes with isothiocyanates yields adducts containing the zwitterionic thioamidyl-phosphonium P⁺C(S)N^? functional group. Ligands containing this group were not previously studied, probably due to their instability towards dissociation, in the presence of metal species able to coordinate the P atom. The ligand EtNHC(S)Ph₂PNPPh₂C(S)NEt (HEtSNS) was obtained by reaction of Ph₂PNHPPh₂ with ethylisothiocyanate and proved to be very versatile: it can be protonated giving cation H₂EtSNS⁺ and deprotonated forming the dianion–cation EtSNS^?. HEtSNS and its derivatives behave as ligands showing five possible coordination fashions, S,N,S tridentate and S,S-bidentate (with a bite-angle varying from 180° to 90°), S-monodentate, S,S bridging and N,N,N interaction. Here we describe the coordination chemistry of HEtSNS, in particular towards Rh, Cu, Ag and Au, and some properties of its complexes which are still the only examples containing the P⁺C(S)N^? zwitterionic group.     

(S,S,S)-Perhydroindolic acid: efficient catalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction from aromatic aldehydes

Enantioselective addition of ketones to aromatic aldehydes has been achieved with up to 88% enantiomeric excess, using the commercially available (S,S,S)-perhydroindolic acid catalyst.     

Synthesis of (3S,3S′,4S,4S′)-1,1′-ethylenedipyrrolidine-3,3′,4,4′-tetraol and related diamino diols: donor–acceptor hydrogen-bonding motifs of the C2 symmetric 3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine unit

Enantiopure 1,1′-ethylenedipyrrolidines possessing 3,4-disubstitution have been prepared from esters of l-(+)-tartaric acid. Although diacylation routes via the diacetoxypyrrolidin-2,5-diones were problematic, N,N-dialkylation protocols proved to be reliable and led to the synthesis of (3S,3S′,4S,4S′)-1,1′-ethylenedipyrrolidine-3,3′,4,4′-tetraol, (3R,3′S,4R,4′S)-3,4-diamino-1,1′-ethylenedipyrrolidine-3′,4′-diol and (3R,3′R,4S,4′S)-3,3′-diamino-1,1′-ethylenedipyrrolidine-4,4′-diol. The tetraol possesses a crystal structure that exhibits an unusual zig-zag intermolecular pattern comprising a network of hydrogen bonds involving the terminal hydroxyl groups and a nitrogen atom of one of the pyrrolidine rings.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the new marine epoxy lipid, (6S,7S,9S,10S)-6,9-epoxynonadec-18-ene-7,10-diol

An efficient and stereocontrolled process is described for the preparation of (6S,7S,9S,10S)-6,9-epoxynonadec-18-ene-7,10-diol, a marine epoxy lipid isolated from the brown alga, Notheia anomala. The key 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran ring was constructed by stereoselective hydrogenation of the hemiketal derivative elaborated through nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagent in the presence of CeCl₃ to the highly functionalized lactone derived from L-galactono-1,4-lactone.     

Stereospecific synthesis and absolute configuration of the (2S,3S,4S)-isomer of 2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (MCCG)

The conformationally restricted metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (2S,3S,4S)-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine 1 (MCCG) has been synthesized in a stereoselective manner (>99% ee) with the (2S,3S,4S) absolute configuration of this molecule being confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Subsequent physico–chemical studies were undertaken and the data are at odds with those of the commercially available product.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol and its propionate,the sex pheromones of pine sawflies

The stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol (diprionol) and its propionate, the sex pheromones of pine sawflies (Neodiprion sp. and other), in high enantiomeric purity was achieved from (1R,3S)-2,2-dichloro-3-methylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid. The carbon skeleton of diprionol was formed via copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and diastereoselective methylation of the intermediate chiral α-methylbranched aldehyde with MeTi(Oi-Pr)₃ in the presence of [(R,R)-TADDOL]Ti(Oi-Pr)₂. The latter transformation leads to a syn-adduct with high stereoselectivity, which depends on the presence and configuration of the α-stereogenic center in the aldehyde. The diastereomeric purity of (2S,3S,7S)-diprionol can be substantially increased via crystallization of its 3,5-dinitrobenzoate.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

Stereoselective synthesis of conformationally constrained (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine

A convenient and efficient route is described for the highly stereoselective synthesis of δ-amino protected and conformationally restricted (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine through the N-benzylnitrone adduct to the α,β-unsaturated bicyclic lactam 2 derived from (S)-pyroglutaminol.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of (S)-pindolol

Racemic 3-(4-indolyloxy)-1,2-propanediol 2 has been effectively resolved into (S)- and (R)-enantiomers by a preferential crystallization procedure. Non-racemic (S)-2 was converted into (S)-4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-1H-indole (S)-4 via a Mitsunobu reaction and then into (S)-pindolol (S)-1. The crystalline (S)-1 was studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A large number of symmetry independent molecules (Z′ = 6) led to a weakening of the system of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which combined with a loose packing (PI = 64.6%), may be the cause of the abnormally low melting point of (S)-1 as compared with rac-1.     

Highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines: an improved asymmetric synthesis of tadalafil from l-tryptophan

An efficient and general method for the highly stereoselective transformation of (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THBCs) into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs is described. The method contains the following three steps: the enantiomerically pure (1S,3S)-cis-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 1 were first converted into (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 2 by N-1-naphthylmethylation/benzylation; (1S,3S)-cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs2 were then converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 in high yields and with high stereoselectivities via a base-catalyzed epimerization at C-3; (1S,3R)-trans-1,2,3-trisubstituted THBCs 3 were subsequently converted into (1S,3R)-trans-1,3-disubstituted THBCs 4 after reductive removal of the 1-naphthylmethyl/benzyl group. In addition, as an application of this method, an improved and highly stereoselective synthesis of the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil (Cialis®) starting from natural and less expensive l-tryptophan was developed.     

l-Proline catalyzed direct diastereoselective aldol reactions: towards the synthesis of lyxo-(2S,3S,4S)-phytosphingosine

l-Proline catalyzed direct diastereoselective aldol reactions of α-amino aldehydes with cyclic ketones have been described and utilized further for the stereoselective synthesis of the 2-amino-1,3,4-triol unit as the phytosphingosines base backbone. This leads to the formal synthesis of (2S,3S,4S)-lyxo-phytosphingosine.     

Preparation of enantiomerically pure (1S,2S)-1-aminocyclopropanephosphonic acid from methylcyclopropanone acetal via spirophosphonate intermediates

An easy and efficient one-pot reaction from readily available methylcyclopropanone acetal (2S)-4b gave the spirophosphonates 8a–b with excellent diastereoselectivity. These phosphonates, after catalytic hydrogenolysis and hydrolysis, furnished the enantiomerically pure (1S,2S)-1-amino-2-methylcyclopropanephosphonic acid 3b (analogue of (1R,2S)-allo-norcoronamic acid).     

Reduced collagen cross links: the first synthesis of all the possible (2S,2′S)-stereoisomers of 5-hydroxylysinonorleucine and of 5,5′-dihydroxylysinonorleucine in enantiomerically pure form

The paper reports the first enantioselective synthesis of all the possible collagen reduced cross links as described: (2S,2′S,5R)- and (2S,2′S,5S)-5-hydroxylysinonorleucine 3a and 3b, (2S,2′S,5R,5′R)-5,5′-dihydroxylysinonorleucine 4a, (2S,2′S,5R,5′S)-5,5′-dihydroxylysinonorleucine 4b and (2S,2′S,5S,5′S)-5,5′-dihydroxylysinonorleucine 4c. The Williams’ glycine template methodology was used both for the introduction of a stereogenic at the α-position and for an easy protection of the amino acidic functionalities during the synthesis of the dimeric amino acids.     

Practical chemical and enzymatic technologies for (S)-1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxypiperizine intermediate in the synthesis of (S)-doxazosin mesylate

(S)-1,4-Benzodioxan-2-carboxypiperazine (S)-2, the key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of (S)-doxazosin, was prepared utilizing two approaches: (i) enzymatic resolution of ethyl 1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxylate with an esterase (Serratia) followed by amide formation; (ii) direct resolution of 1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxypiperazine 2 with d-tartaric acid. An efficient process for the conversion of (S)-2 to (S)-doxazosin mesylate was developed (80% yield, 99.9% e.e.).     

Stereospecific synthesis of differentially protected (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acid suitable for incorporation into peptides

The first synthesis of differentially protected (2S,4S)-2,4-diaminoglutaric acids 2 and 3 suitable for incorporation into peptides has been accomplished in a completely stereospecific manner in seven steps (overall yield 25–28%) from tert-butyl (2S,4S)-4-azido-N-tert-butoxycarbonylprolinate 5.     

An efficient method for the resolution of rac-VANOL by molecular complexation with (1S,2S)-(+)-diaminocyclohexane

An efficient and convenient process has been developed for the resolution of VANOL using commercially available (1S,2S)-(+)-diaminocyclohexane as the resolving reagent, with (R)- and (S)-VANOL being isolated in 86% and 74% yields, respectively. The resolving reagent was recovered in 91% yield and could be reused without any decrease in its efficiency. The X-ray structural analysis of a molecular crystal consisting of (R)-VANOL and (1S,2S)-(+)-diaminocyclohexane revealed that hydrogen bonding interactions between the functional groups of the host and guest molecules dominated the stereochemistry of the guest in the molecular complex.