Total synthesis of abyssomicin C, atrop-abyssomicin C, and abyssomicin D: implications for natural origins of atrop-abyssomicin C

In this article, the total syntheses of the antibiotic abyssomicin C (1) and its biologically inactive sibling abyssomicin D (3) are described. A number of unforseen roadblocks in our synthetic plan encouraged innovation, which culminated in the discovery of a new Lewis acid-templated Diels-Alder reaction. En route to abyssomicin C, we prepared and characterized its stable conformational isomer atrop-abyssomicin C (57), which in the presence of a strong acid underwent an unusual interconversion with the targeted natural product. Close inspection of the X-ray crystallographic structures of these compounds led to hypotheses on the mechanism of their interconversion. Attempted reduction of both atropisomers revealed that atrop-abyssomicin C afforded abyssomicin D much more readily, suggesting that this previously unknown atropisomer may be synthesized by the host organism and serves as a direct precursor of abyssomicin D. Finally, to gain insight into the mechanism of antiobiotic activity, several synthetic intermediates and designed analogues were evaluated for biological activity.     

Vinigrol: a compact, diene-transmissive Diels-Alder strategy to the tricyclic core

A short (six steps from 17), versatile route to the tricyclic core of Vinigrol is described. A Lewis acid catalyzed and self-assembled Diels-Alder (LACASA-DA) reaction from the homoallylic cross-conjugated trienol 15 with N-methylmaleimide afforded the monoadduct 17 with diastereo-, regio-, and chemoselective control. Oxidation and installation of an acetylene (Ohira's reagent) followed by further manipulations afforded trienone 24. The second intramolecular Diels-Alder (at 45 degrees C) reaction assembled the tricyclic skeleton 25 directly. The configuration of 25 was confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Diels-Alder reaction of maldoxin with an isopropenylallene

The Diels-Alder reaction of maldoxin with an isopropenylallene at 60-75 °C afforded an adduct closely related to chloropestolide A (24%) and a second adduct (0-11%) that underwent an ene reaction to generate the chloropupukeanolide D (11-22%) skeleton. The Diels-Alder reaction occurred with good selectively (>5:1) from a single face of maldoxin under much milder conditions than previously reported for the analogous dimethoxycyclohexadienone. Furthermore, the ene reaction took place under mild conditions, whereas the analogous Diels-Alder adduct from the dimethoxycyclohexadienone did not undergo an ene reaction.     

Synthesis of the fully functionalized core structure of the antibiotic abyssomicin C

[reaction: see text] The fully functionalized core structure 23 of abyssomicin C (6) containing an oxabicyclooctane ring and a tetronate was prepared via a Diels-Alder approach. After hydroxylation of lactone 10 to the alpha-hydroxylactone 12, lactone opening led to the hydroxy ester 16. A directed epoxidation furnished the desired syn-epoxide 20. Acetylation of the tertiary hydroxyl group, followed by intramolecular Claisen condensation, gave directly the core structure 23.     

Total synthesis of cochleamycin A

[reaction: see text] Cochleamycin A (1) was synthesized in 2.4% overall yield via a 23-step linear sequence starting from 3-butene-1-ol. Key features of the synthesis include the synthesis of (Z)-1,3-diene 21 via a Stille coupling of 4 and 5 and a transannular Diels-Alder reaction of macrocycle 26 to provide the complete carbon skeleton of 1.     

Synthesis of gamma-hydroxyalkyl substituted piperidine iminosugars from D-glucose

D-Glucose was converted to synthetic equivalent of meso-pentodialdose, namely 3-C-(1'-aminoethyl)-alpha-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose 10 that gives an easy access to manipulate the aldehyde functionalities on either sides to get enantiomeric pair of 3. Thus, reduction of C5-aldehyde followed by hydrolysis of 1,2-acetonide functionality and reductive aminocyclization with C1-aldehyde afforded gamma-1,2-dihydroxyethyl piperidine iminosugar 3. On the other hand, first reductive aminocyclization with C5-aldehyde gave piperidine ring skeleton 12 that on removal of 1,2-acetonide and reduction of C1-aldehyde gave ent-3 while chopping of C1-aldehyde in 12 and reduction afforded gamma-hydroxymethyl piperidine iminosugar 4.     

A study of vinyl radical cyclization using N-alkenyl-7-bromo-substituted hexahydroindolinones

A new method for the synthesis of the octahydropyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline ring system that possesses the characteristic skeleton of the aspidosperma family of alkaloids has been developed. The method utilizes an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an amido-substituted furan across a tethered indole pi-bond. To apply this strategy to the synthesis of the indole alkaloid spegazzinidine, it was necessary to address the problem of assembling the final D-ring of the pentacyclic skeleton. Radical cyclization of a model N-allyl-7-bromo-3a-methylhexahydroindolinone system was found to preferentially lead to the 6-endo-trig cyclization product, with the best yield being obtained under high dilution conditions. The six-membered cyclized product is generated through two reaction pathways: (a) 6-endo-trig ring closure and (b) rearrangement of an intermediate methylene-cyclopentyl radical obtained by 5-exo-trig cyclization. A number of related 7-bromo-substituted hexahydroindolinones containing tethered olefinic groups were prepared and found to undergo efficient cyclization under both radical and palladium-mediated reaction conditions. Vinyl radical cyclization with several N-butenyl-substituted systems afforded a mixture of 6-exo and 7-endo cyclization products. A protocol to introduce an ethyl substituent into the C20-position of the aspidospermidine skeleton was also developed.     

Syntheses of 5‐Hexadecanolide, 6‐Acetoxy‐5‐hexadecanolide and Tanikolide

Total syntheses of 5‐hexadecanolide ( 1 ), 6‐acetoxy‐5‐hexadecanolide ( 2 ) and tanikolide ( 3 ) are described. 1‐Bromoundecane ( 4 ) and 5‐benzyl‐1‐pentanal ( 5 ) were chosen as starting materials. Wittig olefination and Grignard addition 4 and 5 afforded the 16‐carbon skeleton, which under went a series of functional group transformations to give δ‐lactonederivatives 1, 2 and 3.     

Formal synthesis of Abyssomicin C

An alternative strategy towards Abyssomicin C (1) is described. The key ene-diene intermediate is synthesized via a Kishi type coupling of an E/Z mixture of triene-iodide 7 and a suitably functionalized derivative of 2,4-dimethylglutaric acid. A final in situ isomerization/intramolecular Diels-Alder cyclization resulted in the formation of the known intermediate 3 as a single isomer in high yield. Further heating of 3 using excess of iodine, afforded iodo-derivative 23, having the entire carbon skeleton of Abyssomicin D.     

Enantioselective Syntheses of (-)- and (+)-Homocitric Acid Lactones

Highly enantioselective syntheses of enantiomers of homocitric acid lactones (R)-5a and (S)-5b are described. Thermal Diels-Alder cycloadditions of 2a and 2b to 1,3-butadiene produced adducts 3a and 3b, respectively. Oxidative ozonolysis of latter adducts gave products 4a and 4b which after acid treatment afforded a mixture with 5a and 5b as major component. Acid lactones 5a and 5b were converted into their dimethyl esters 6a and 6b which were purified by chromatography. After saponification, the products obtained were crystallized to yield (-)- and (+)-homocitric acid lactones ((R)-5a and (S)-5b). Diastereomeric excess (de) of Diels-Alder adducts 3a and 3b was determined by means of Mosher esters of glycols 8a, 8b, and racemic 8. Diels-Alder cycloaddition products of lactones 2a and 2b to 1,3-butadiene showed a diastereoselectivity of 96%.     

Tandem Pummerer-Diels-Alder Reaction Sequence. A Novel Cascade Process for the Preparation of 1-Arylnaphthalene Lignans

The alpha-thiocarbocation generated from the Pummerer reaction of an o-benzoyl-substituted sulfoxide is intercepted by the adjacent keto group to produce an alpha-thio isobenzofuran as a transient intermediate which undergoes a subsequent Diels-Alder cycloaddition with added dienophiles. Acid-catalyzed ring-opening of the cycloadduct followed by aromatization gave an arylnaphthalene derivative. With acetylenic dienophiles, the tandem cyclization-cycloaddition sequence provided tetralones which result from a pinacol-type rearrangement of the primary cycloadducts. The versatility of the approach is highlighted through the synthesis of taiwanin C and E and justicidin E. The alpha-thiocarbocation generated from the Pummerer reaction of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-[6-[(ethylsulfinyl)methyl]benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methanone is intercepted by the adjacent keto group to produce an alpha-thioisobenzofuran as a transient intermediate which undergoes a subsequent Diels-Alder cycloaddition with dimethyl maleate. The initially formed Diels-Alder cycloadduct was readily converted to 5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-8-(ethylthio)naphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxole-6,7-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester by loss of water on treatment with p-toluenesulfonic acid. Desulfurization of the thionaphthalene with Ra/Ni followed by hydrolysis of the less hindered methyl ester afforded 5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylnaphtho[2,3-d][1,3]dioxole-6,7-dicarboxylic acid 6-methyl ester which was further transformed into taiwanin C and justicidin E in good yield. Oxidation of the initial Diels-Alder cycloadduct with NaIO(4) in the presence of RuCl(3) followed by extrusion of ethyl sulfinate gave a naphthol derivative which can be converted into taiwanin E.     

Synthetic study of optically active 3-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,6,8-tricarboxylic acid

Synthesis of (1R,2S,5S,6R,8S)-3-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,6,8-tricarboxylic acid (2) from trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (5) was attempted. A Diels-Alder reaction of 3,4-dehydroproline derivative 9 and cyclopentadiene afforded a single stereoisomer 11. The Diels-Alder adduct was smoothly converted to the hydrochloride of 2 (24) via RuO(4) oxidation. Although some racemization of the material or product was observed during the synthetic processes, the amino acid 24 proved to be optically pure.     

Indium-mediated 1,2,4,5-hexatetraen-3-ylation of 4-acetoxy-2-azetidinones and their applications to the Diels-Alder reactions for the synthesis of 2-azetidinone derivatives

4-Acetoxy-2-azetidinones reacted with organoindium reagent generated in situ from indium and 1,6-dibromo-2,4-hexadiyne in the presence of LiCl in DMF to selectively produce 2-azetidinones possessing 1,2,4,5-hexatetraen-3-yl group on the C4-position. The Diels-Alder reactions of 4-(1,2,4,5-hexatetraen-3-yl)-2-azetidinones with a variety of dienophiles and subsequent aromatizations afforded valuable functional group-substituted 2-azetidinones in good yields.     

Convenient construction of spiro[indoline-3,5'-pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole] and spiro[indene-2,5'-pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole] via acid-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction

p-TsOH catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of 3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides with 3-phenacylideneoxindoles in toluene at 80 °C for two hours afforded cis/trans isomers of 3a',4′,6′,10c'-tetrahydrospiro[indoline-3,5′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazoles] in nearly comparable yields, which could be easily converted to the corresponding 4′,6′-dihydrospiro[indoline-3,5′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole] in high yields and with high diastereoselectivity by further DDQ oxidation. Additionally, the similar reaction of 3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides with 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in toluene 80 °C and sequential DDQ oxidation afforded functionalized dihydrospiro[indene-2,5′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazoles] as major products.     

New approach to aphidicolin and total asymmetric synthesis of unnatural (11R)-(-)-8-epi-11-hydroxyaphidicolin by tandem transannular Diels-Alder/aldol reactions

The 8-epiaphidicolane skeleton (3) was formed in one key reaction by highly diastereoselective tandem transannular Diels-Alder (TADA)-aldol reactions from the trans-trans-cis trienic macrocycle (4). The unnatural derivative (11R)-(-)-8-epi-11-hydroxyaphidicolin (2) was thus constructed, and an original solution to the C16 functionalization problem of many aphidicolin (1) syntheses is presented.     

Novel Diels-Alder reaction of 4-nitro-1(2H)-isoquinolones

A novel Diels-Alder (DA) reaction with 4-nitro-1(2H)-isoquinolones acting as the dienophile afforded 5(6H)-phenanthridone derivatives. The DA reaction of 4-nitro-1(2H)-isoquinolone with 1-methoxy-1,3-butadiene gave biologically active 5(6H)-phenanthridone possessing in a high yield. Regioselectivity of 4-nitro-1(2H)-isoquinolones with 1-methoxy-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadiene was calculated using molecular orbital (MO) calculations.     

The Diels-Alder Reaction of Dienes Derived from Substituted 3-(Phenyl-Thio)-3-Sulfolenes

Substituted 3-(phenylthio)-3-sulfolenes (3) and (4) are good precursors for 2-(phenylthio)-1,3-butadienes (5) and (6). The Diels-Alder reaction of the dienes derived from (3) and (4) with various dienophiles was studied. It was found that heating of sulfolenes (3) with methyl propiolate and N-phenylmaleimide afforded the Diels-Alder adducts of (5) directly and with complete regio- and stereospecificity. The same reaction with methyl vinyl ketone gave a mixture of endo and exo addition products. If sulfolenes (3) were first converted to the dienes (5) using lithium aluminum hydride and then reacted with methyl vinyl ketone in the presence of anhydrous zinc chloride, the stereoselectivity could be improved. Sulfolenes (4) also underwent cycloreversion/cycloaddition with methyl acrylate, methyl vinyl ketone, and N-phenylmaleimide, but gave mostly the double bond-isomerized cycloaddition products. The regiochemistry of cycloaddition was delicately dependent on the dienophiles used.     

Synthetic studies towards daphniyunnine B: Construction of AC bicyclic skeleton with two vicinal all carbon quaternary stereocenters

The AC bicyclic skeleton of daphniyunnine B with the required two vicinal all carbon quaternary stereocenters (C-5 and C-8) was accomplished in 12 steps from the known cyclohexenol (±)-5.     

An enantioselective double Diels-Alder approach to the tetracyclic framework of colombiasin A

The complex tetracyclic carbon skeleton of colombiasin A is conveniently accessed through an enantioselective intermolecular Diels-Alder-sulfoxide elimination-intramolecular Diels-Alder (DA-E-IMDA) sequence.     

Polyfluoro-compounds based on the cycloheptane ring system. Part 6. Bicyclic compounds derived from nonafluorocyclohepta-1, 3-dienes and from octafluorocyclohepta-1, 3, 5-triene

1H-, 2H-, and 5H- Nonafluoro- and 1H,4H-octafluoro-cyclohepta-1,3 diene afforded the corresponding H-substituted polyfluorobicyclo(3, 2, 0)- hept-6-enes by cross-ring bond formation between positions 1 and 4. Octafluorocyclohepta-1, 3, 5-triene similarly gave octafluorobicyclo- (3,2,0)hepta-2,6-diene. By passage over cobalt(III) fluoride at 100°C, the 1H-bicyclo-6-ene gave 1H-undecafluorobicyclo(3, 2, 0)heptane and thence the corresponding fluorocarbon. The bridgehead hydrogen of the 1H- bicyclo-ane was sufficiently acidic to exchange for deuterium with deuterium oxide, alone or containing some potassium hydroxide, but longer exposure to aqueous potash gave decafluorobicyclo(3, 2, 0)hept-1(5)-ene. This was oxidised by potassium permanganate in acetone to give decafluoro-1, 5- dihydroxy-8-oxabicyclo(3, 2, 1)octane (hydrated), which underwent methylation by diazomethane to the corresponding 1,5-dimethoxy-compound. A Diels-Alder reaction between ethylene and 1H-nonafluorocyclohepta-1, 3- diene afforded 1H,8H,8H,9H,9H-nonafluoro-bicyclo(3,2,2)non-6-ene. Cobalt (III) fluoride at 300°C converted this principally to 1H-pentadecafluoro- bicyclo(3,2,2)nonane. The bridgehead hydrogen of this was exchanged for deuterium using deuterium oxide alone or containing potassium hydroxide. However, dehydrofluorination occurred with bases, though an olefin could not be isolated.