Stabilisation of nucleic acid secondary structures by oligonucleotides with an additional nucleobase; synthesis and incorporation of 2'-deoxy-2'-C-(2-(thymine-1-yl)ethyl)uridine

A nucleoside with two nucleobases is incorporated into oligonucleotides. The synthetic building block, 2'-deoxy-2'-C-(2-(thymine-1-yl)ethyl)uridine, 2, is prepared from uridine via 5',3'-TIPDS-protected 2'-deoxy-2'-C-allyluridine by an oxidative cleavage of the allyl group, a Mitsunobu reaction for the introduction of thymine and appropriate deprotection reactions. This compound is converted into a DMT-protected phosphoramidite and incorporated once into a 13-mer oligodeoxynucleotide sequence, once in an isosequential LNA-modified oligodeoxynucleotide and four times in the middle of a 12-mer oligodeoxynucleotide. These sequences are mixed with different complementary DNA and RNA sequences in order to study the effect of the additional nucleobase in duplexes, in bulged duplexes and in three-way junctions. The first additional thymine is found to be well-accommodated in a DNA-RNA duplex, whereas a DNA-DNA duplex was slightly destabilised. A three-way junction with the additional thymine in the branching point is found to be stabilised in both a DNA-DNA and a DNA-RNA context but destabilised where the modified LNA-sequence is used. In a Mg2+-containing buffer, however, the relative stability of the three-way junctions is found to be opposite with especially the LNA-modified DNA-DNA complex being significantly stabilised by the additional nucleobase.     

New synthesis of (+/-)-isonucleosides

[Structure: see text] A novel method for synthesizing isonucleosides, a new class of anti-HIV nucleosides, is described. 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one was converted into a dioxabicyclohexane derivative in six steps. After cleaving the epoxide group with thiophenol, the resulting product was subjected to the Mitsunobu reaction in the presence of a nucleobase to give the desired isonucleoside derivative via migration of the thiophenyl group. Removal of the thiophenyl group under radical conditions followed by deprotection led to the 4'-substituted 2',3'-dideoxyisonucleosides as a racemic mixture.     

A straightforward stereoselective synthesis of D- and L-5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2-cyclohexenylguanine.

A novel and facile synthesis of 5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2-cyclohexenylguanine 1 is described. The key steps involve a Diels-Alder reaction of ethyl (2E)-3-acetyloxy-2-propenoate 2 as dienophile with Danishefsky's diene 3 to build up the six-membered ring skeleton, a Fraser-Reid reductive rearrangement of the adduct using LiAlH(4), and base-moiety introduction using a Mitsunobu reaction. Optically pure D- and L-1 were obtained via resolution of intermediate 7 with (R)-(-)-methylmandelic acid. The synthetic procedure toward racemic 1 consists of only five steps and has proven to be highly efficient toward the synthesis of cyclohexenyl nucleosides.     

Mitsunobu coupling of nucleobases and alcohols: an efficient, practical synthesis for novel nonsugar carbon nucleosides

A simple facile synthesis of substituted purine derivatives has been developed by using Mitsunobu conditions for an alcohol and a respective nucleobase. A wide range of alcohols produces good to excellent yield (>90%). The resulting purine analogues show good regioselectivity with N-9 substitution as the dominant products in most of the cases. Application of diastereospecific alcohols reveals a complete inversion of the carbon stereogenic center giving a single diastereomer. More than two dozen novel nucleobase derivatives have been prepared in high yield.     

An efficient organometallic approach to new carbocyclic nucleoside analogues

[reaction: see text] A general synthetic approach to monoprotected carbocyclic nucleoside analogues, having the nucleobase attached to a 3-hydroxymethyl-4-trialkylsilyloxymethyl-cyclopent-2-en-1-yl scaffold, was developed. A (racemic) key intermediate was prepared by a cobalt-mediated Pauson-Khand reaction. In the course of the further synthesis, the introduction of the nucleobase was achieved with complete regio- and diastereoselectivity through a palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution.     

Ferrocene-linked thymine/uracil conjugates: base pairing directed self-assembly and supramolecular packing

Ferrocene-linked bis(nucleobase) (1a-c) and chimeric nucleobase (1d) conjugates have been synthesized from mono- and bis(hydroxybutyl)ferrocene 6 via Mitsunobu reaction as the key step. X-ray crystallographic studies of ferrocene bis(nucleobase) conjugates reveal two-dimensional supramolecular organizations of backbones through self-assembled Watson-Crick and reverse Watson-Crick type pairs. Ferrocene-bis(thymine) conjugate self-assembles by reverse Watson-Crick pairing, while the corresponding bis(uracil) conjugate self-assembles by alternating WC and reverse WC type pairing. Such continuous assemblies are not seen in monosubstituted ferrocene nucleobase conjugates which form only planar sheets. The results are interesting from the point of understanding and engineering supramolecular assemblies through rational design of base pairing patterns.     

Pentamethylated and pentaphenylated azaferro- and azaruthenocenes: simple and general methodology for the preparation of enantiopure derivatives

A methodology for the enantioselective synthesis of planar chiral 2-substituted 1',2',3',4',5'-pentamethylazaferro- and azaruthenocenes is reported. The key step is the introduction of an enantiopure chiral sulfoxide auxiliary via a selective ortho-lithiation with subsequent chromatographic separation of the resulting diastereomers. Cleaving off the sulfoxide auxiliary by treatment with t-BuLi generates an optically pure anion which may be quenched with a variety of electrophiles to give the optically pure azametallocene derivatives. In addition, it was attempted to extend the methodology to encompass 1',2',3',4',5'-pentaphenyl derivatives. It was, however, not possible to attach the chiral sulfoxide auxiliary onto the pentaphenylated azaferrocene, and for the azaruthenocene case, only one diastereomer could be isolated. Most importantly, the sulfoxide group could be cleaved off and the resulting chiral azaruthenocenyl anion was quenched with paraformaldehyde and iodine, resulting in products with ee values of 85% and 99%, respectively.     

Stereoselective synthesis of new bicyclic N,O-iso-homonucleoside analogues

The synthesis of two new bicyclic nucleoside analogues is reported. These compounds are iso-homonucleoside and are synthesised through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an enantiopure cyclic nitrone to protected allyl acohol and subsequent introduction of thymine by a Mitsunobu reaction.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of duloxetine and its enantiomer: lipase-catalyzed resolution of 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanenitrile

An efficient and facile chemoenzymatic synthesis of duloxetine by lipase mediated resolution of 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)propanenitrile has been achieved. This process also describes an enantioconvergent synthesis of duloxetine via a Mitsunobu reaction.     

4 + 2]-annulations of chiral organosilanes: Application to the total synthesis of leucascandrolide A

Complete details of an asymmetric synthesis of leucascandrolide A (1) are described. The synthesis highlights the use of two diastereoselective [4 + 2]-annulations for the assembly of the functionalized bispyranyl macrolide 3. An efficient assembly and union of the oxazole-containing side chain 4 with macrolide 3 was carried out using a Mitsunobu reaction. A convergent route to the oxazole side chain was developed using a Sonogashira cross-coupling between 2-trifloyloxazole 16 and alkyne 17, which allowed for the installation of the C9'-C10' (Z)-olefin.     

A synthesis of the γ-secretase inhibitor BMS-708163

A concise, convergent racemic synthesis of BMS-708163 is reported. Two fragments consisting of N-4-chlorophenylsulfonyl-3,3,3-trifluorpropylglycine and a 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative of 2-fluorobenzyl alcohol were prepared in separate pots and then coupled together via a Mitsunobu reaction. Since a convenient chiral synthesis of optically pure (d)-3,3,3-trifluoropropyl glycine methyl ester was developed using Schöllkopf reagent alkylation, this methodology can also be adopted for the enantioselective synthesis of BMS-708163.     

The total synthesis of (+)-payllanthostatin 2

The first total synthesis of the antitumor glycoside phyllanthostatin 2 (3) is reported utilizing a Mitsunobu glycosidation protocol to unite the disaccharide and aglycone moieties.     

Synthesis and incorporation into PNA of fluorinated olefinic PNA (F-OPA) monomers

[structure: see text] A fluorinated OPA monomer containing the base thymine ((Z)-t-F-OPA) was synthesized in 12 steps, featuring a highly selective allylic over homoallylic Mitsunobu substitution for the introduction of the nucleobase. F-OPA modified PNA decamers were prepared by the MMTr/acyl protection strategy. The thermal stability of duplexes of PNA decamers containing (Z)-t-F-OPA units with antiparallel complementary DNA was measured. We found a strong dependence of stability from the sequential position of the (Z)-t-F-OPA units, ranging from DeltaT(m) of +2.4 to -8.1 degrees C/modification relative to unmodified PNA.     

Diels-Alder reaction-aromatization approach toward functionalized ring C allocolchicinoids. Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-7S-allocolchicine

Allocolchicinoids are analogues of the important antimitotic compound (-)-colchicine 1. A strategy is reported for the synthesis of ring C functionalized allocolchicinoids, which is based on a Diels-Alder reaction-aromatization sequence. This route is complementary to the previously disclosed benzannulation approach involving Fischer carbene complexes and alkynes. Dienes 12 and 14 incorporate the natural substitution pattern on ring A and undergo Diels-Alder reactions with various dienophiles. Subsequent aromatization affords the set of differently functionalized ring C allocolchicinoids 15-19, 23, and 25, with high regioselectively and in moderate to good yields. An intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction-aromatization sequence allows for access to allocolchicinoids with reversed regiochemical introduction of ring C substituents. The equilibria of the atropisomers of 15 and 19 are studied in three NMR solvents. Reactions of the dienes 12 and 14 with DMAD lead to the corresponding cycloadducts, but the subsequent aromatization is complicated. A regioselective Diels-Alder reaction-aromatization sequence is utilized as the key step in the first stereoselective total synthesis of (-)-allocolchicine 2. Asymmetric introduction of hydroxy group at C7 is achieved by the enantioselective reduction of ketone 29. The correct stereochemistry is then established by Mitsunobu inversion reaction using Zn(N(3))(2)-2Py.     

Synthesis of a conformationally locked version of puromycin amino nucleoside

[reaction: see text] A conformationally locked carbocyclic version of puromycin amino nucleoside was synthesized via Mitsunobu coupling of a 3-azido-substituted carbocyclic moiety with 6-chloropurine without interference from the azido group reacting with triphenylphosphine. The requisite 3-azido-substituted carbocyclic pseudosugar was prepared by a double inversion of configuration at C3' (nucleoside numbering) involving a nucleophilic displacement with azide.     

Asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral biaryls via desymmetrization of 2,2',6,6'-tetrahydroxybiphenyl using 1,4-Di-O-benzyl-L-threitol as a chiral template

Sequential etherification of 2,2',6,6'-tetrahydroxybiphenyl (1) with 1,4-di-O-benzyl-L-threitol under Mitsunobu conditions gives desymmetrized biphenyldiol 9 of S-axial chirality exclusively. Cyclization of 9 with 1,omega-dibromoalkanes followed by removal of the chiral auxiliary yields (S)-2,2'-biphenyldiols 14 with alkylenedioxy bridges at the 6 and 6' positions. (S)-6,6'-Dialkyl- and -diphenyldiols 20 are obtained in an efficient manner via Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling of bis(triflate) derivative 17 with organozinc reagents. Bis(triflate) 17 also serves as an intermediate for asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral biphenyldicarboxylic acid 23, terphenylcarboxylic acid 28, lactone 26, and lactam 30.     

An entry to new isoxazoline analogues of dideoxynucleosides by bromonitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

A short and efficient synthesis of new isoxazolinyl nucleosides bearing the nucleobase at the 3-position is reported. The synthetic approach relies upon the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of bromonitrile oxide to allyl benzoate and subsequent substitution of the bromine by the nucleobase.     

Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the salicylate antitumor macrolide lobatamide C(1)

The total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the potent antitumor macrolide lobatamide C is reported. The synthesis involves Cu(I)-mediated enamide formation and Na(2)CO(3)-mediated esterification of a beta-hydroxy acid and a salicylate cyanomethyl ester. Macrolactonization was accomplished using a Mitsunobu protocol. The stereochemical assignment of lobatamide C was achieved by Mosher ester analysis and comparison with prepared stereoisomers.     

Total synthesis of (-)-aplaminal

The total synthesis and assignment of absolute configuration of (-)-aplaminal ( 1), a cytotoxic metabolite from a sea hare possessing a triazobicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton, has been achieved. The synthesis entailed condensation of a monoprotected diamine ( 3) with dimethyl 2-oxomalonate ( 4) to generate the imidazolidine core ( 2). Introduction of the third nitrogen via Mitsunobu activation and azide displacement, followed by reduction and lactam formation (AlMe 3), furnished (-)-aplaminal ( 1). Overall, the synthesis entailed 9 steps and proceeded in 19% overall yield.     

Regioselective <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkylation of (2-chloroquinolin-3-yl) methanol with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic compounds using the Mitsunobu reagent

The Mitsunobu reaction is a well-established fundamental reaction and has been widely applied in organic synthesis. In this paper, under Mitsunobu conditions dehydration proceeds between (2-chloroquinolin-3-yl)methanol and nitrogen heterocyclic compounds such as quinazolinone, pyrimidone, 2-oxoquinoline in dry THF in the presence of triethylamine, triphenylphosphane and diethyl azodicarboxylate to give the corresponding products. As part of our recent research, we attempted to couple two N-heterocyclic compounds under Mitsunobu reaction conditions to provide efficient building blocks for natural product synthesis.