A new approach to the efficient indole synthesis by allene intramolecular cycloaddition

A new development of efficient indole synthesis via allene intramolecular cycloaddition strategy is described.     

Total synthesis of (+)-epilupinine via an intramolecular nitrile oxide-alkene cycloaddition

Total synthesis of (+)-epilupinine was accomplished in nine steps and in 48% overall yield, in which INOC was used as the key step for the construction of the quinolizidine skeleton. We found that it was an extremely difficult task to prepare the key intermediates (R)-N-(3-nitropropyl)-2-vinylpiperidine or (R)-(2-vinylpiperid-1-yl)propanal by routine methods. Thus, by using Fukuyama's oxime synthesis, a general method was developed for highly efficient conversion of 3-(N,N-dialkylamino)propanols into 3-(N,N-dialkylamino)propanal oximes without using the corresponding aldehydes.     

Formal synthesis of aspidosperma alkaloids via the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-azapentdienyllithiums

[reaction: see text] A formal synthesis of the Aspidosperma alkaloids aspidospermidine, aspidospermine, and quebrachamine is reported through an efficient preparation of Stork's penultimate intermediate. The key step of the sequence involved an intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition of the 2-azapentadienyllithium 21 formed in situ from the corresponding imine 1, which after N-alkylation of the resulting cycloadduct provided 2 in excellent yield. The synthesis represents a new disconnection of the classical tricyclic ketone used for appendage of the requisite indole.     

A new strategy toward indole alkaloids involving an intramolecular cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade

The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction between an amidofuran moiety tethered onto an indole component was examined as a strategy for the synthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids. Furanyl carbamate 23 was acylated using the mixed anhydride 26 to provide amidofuran 22 in 68% yield. Further N-acylation of this indole furnished 27 in 88% yield. Cyclization precursors were prepared by removing the carbamate moiety followed by N-alkylation with the appropriate alkyl halides. Large substituent groups on the amido nitrogen atom causes the reactive s-trans conformation of the amidofuran to be more highly populated, thereby facilitating the Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The reaction requires the presence of an electron-withdrawing substituent on the indole nitrogen in order for the cycloaddition to proceed. Treatment of N-allyl-bromoenamide 48 with n-Bu(3)SnH/AIBN preferentially led to the 6-endo trig cyclization product 50, with the best yield (91%) being obtained under high dilution conditions. The initially generated cyclohexenyl radical derived from 48 produces the pentacyclic heterocycle 50 by either a direct 6-endo trig cyclization or, alternatively, by a vinyl radical rearrangement pathway.     

Total synthesis of the sesquiterpene (+/-)-illudin C via an intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition

[reaction: see text] A convergent total synthesis of illudin C is described. The tricyclic ring system of the natural product was quickly assembled from cyclopropane and cyclopentene precursors via a novel oxime dianion coupling reaction and a subsequent intramolecular nitrile oxide-olefin cycloaddition.     

An intramolecular aza-[3+3] annulation approach to azaphenalene alkaloids. Total synthesis of myrrhine

A detailed account on the stereoselective total syntheses of azaphenalene alkaloids via an intramolecular aza-[3+3] annulation strategy is described here. All five members of the Coccinellidae family of defensive alkaloids were prepared from the same common intermediate, which was derived from a stereoselective aza-[3+3] annulation reaction.     

Total synthesis of jimenezin via an intramolecular allylboration

[structure: see text] An efficient total synthesis of the annonaceous acetogenin jimenezin was achieved. The key steps used were a highly stereoselective intramolecular allylboration to establish the tetrahydropyran ring and an intramolecular Williamson reaction to close the tetrahydrofuran ring.     

Sequential nucleophilic addition/intramolecular cycloaddition to chiral nonracemic cyclic nitrones: a highly stereoselective approach to polyhydroxynortropane alkaloids

Two new polyhydroxylated nortropane analogues closely related with Calystegines have been prepared in excellent chemical yields and complete selectivity. A synthetic strategy based on consecutive nucleophilic allylation, oxidation, and intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition was developed. The formation of key intermediate cycloadducts were observed to take place through the recently confirmed thermally induced 2-aza-Cope rearrangement of nitrones.     

Stereospecific route to 5,11-methanomorphanthridine alkaloids via intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylide: formal total synthesis of (+/-)-pancracine

The core structure of the complex pentacyclic 5,11-methanomorphanthridine alkaloids is constructed stereospecifically in one step employing an intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylide as the key step. The strategy is demonstrated by accomplishing the formal total synthesis of (+/-)-pancracine. [reaction: see text]     

Alkaloid synthesis via the intramolecular imidate methylide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A concise synthesis for the neurotoxic physostigmine alkaloid d,l-eserethole is described which relys upon an intramolecular cycloaddition reaction involving a “non-stabilized” imidate methylide and an unactivated alkene. The facility of this cyclization is enhanced by the rigid alignment inforced upon the dipole and dipolarophile by their ortho-disposition on an aryl nucleus. The synthetic limitations of this annulation method were revealed in an attempted synthesis of the erythrina skeleton. In this instance, prototropic rearrangement of the imidate methylide to the isomeric enamine occurred to the exclusion of the desired cyclization reaction.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of fredericamycin A: an intramolecular cycloaddition pathway

The asymmetric total synthesis of the potent antitumor antibiotic fredericamycin A ((S)-1) was achieved by the intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of the silylene-protected styrene derivative (S)-7 followed by the aromatic Pummerer-type reaction of the sulfoxide (S)-5. Although we had already succeeded in the total synthesis of racemic 1 by the same approach, synthesis of its asymmetric version was more complicated than we had expected due to the difficulties involved in constructing the quaternary carbon center and the tendency of this center to undergo facile racemization. Racemization of this center during the installation of the acetylene moiety on the dione (R)-8 was the most serious aspect. Systematic studies of its DE-ring analogue (R)-25 revealed that racemization of the quaternary carbon center proceeded by a retro-aldol-aldol reaction of the initial adduct, (1R)-39 a-Li, and that the degree of racemization was dependent on the reaction temperature. The racemization process could be completely depressed by keeping the reaction temperature at -78 degrees C. The construction of the stereogenic quaternary carbon center was achieved by the lipase-catalyzed desymmetrization of the prochiral 1,3-diol 9 a bearing the DEF-ring moiety. These studies enabled us to attain the asymmetric total synthesis of (S)-1 while completely retaining the chiral integrity created by the enzymatic reactions.     

Directed ortho metalation approach to C-7-substituted indoles. Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling and the synthesis of pyrrolophenanthridone alkaloids

[reaction: see text] Although the indole N-phosphinoyl derivative 4 undergoes n-BuLi deprotonation/electrophile quench to afford C-7-substituted products, its deprotection requires harsh conditions. On the other hand, the N-amide 12, upon sequential or one-pot C-2 metalation, silylation, C-7 metalation, and electrophile treatment, furnishes indoles 7 in good overall yields. In combination with the Suzuki-Miyaura protocol, C-7 aryl (heteroaryl)-substituted indoles 14 and 16 are obtained, including hippadine and pratosine, members of the pyrrolophenanthridone alkaloid family.     

Stereoselective preparation of methylenecyclobutane-fused angular tetracyclic spiroindolines via photosensitized intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition with allene

Irradiation of 3-(hexa-4,5-dienyl)indole derivatives in the presence of 3′,4′-dimethoxyacetophenone by a high-pressure mercury lamp through Pyrex glass gave the corresponding [2+2] cycloaddition products stereoselectively in high yields. The major product was a methylenecyclobutane-fused angular tetracyclic spiroindoline derivative produced by the [2+2] cycloaddition through a parallel orientation. The minor product was a hexahydromethanocarbazole derivative through a crossed orientation. Electron-withdrawing substituents, such as acyl or alkoxycarbonyl, on the indole nitrogen were suitable for this reaction.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalised tricyclic β-lactams via intramolecular nitrilimine cycloaddition

The novel azeto[2′,1′:1,2]pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole skeleton has been obtained in both racemic and enantiopure forms by means of intramolecular cycloaddition of nitrilimines 6. Fully stereoselective cycloadditions were obtained, giving tricyclic β-lactams 7 as single diastereoisomers with good overall yields.     

Total synthesis of (±)-bruguierol A via an intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of cyclopropane 1,1-diester

Total synthesis of natural product (±)-bruguierol A was accomplished in 10-steps and with an overall 16.8% yield. The embedded unique 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core skeleton in this natural product was constructed via a novel Sc(OTf)₃-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of cyclopropane, which was developed recently in this laboratory. This general synthetic strategy can be potentially applied to the synthesis of a broad range of structurally related natural products.     

Facile construction of pyrrolophenanthridone skeleton via a one-pot intramolecular Heck reaction and oxidation

Construction of pyrrolophenanthridone skeleton via a one-pot Pd-catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction followed by oxidation has been achieved in moderate to good yields. The reaction mechanism has been proposed.     

Asymmetric synthesis of epicylindrospermopsin via intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition. Assignment of absolute configuration

A synthesis of (-)-epicylindrospermopsin (2) was completed that establishes its absolute configuration and corroborates the corrected structural assignment previously made to this toxin by Weinreb et al. The hydroxylamine 3, prepared from 4-bromobenzyloxyacetaldehyde, was condensed with aldehyde 4, obtained in nine steps from (R)-methionine, to give nitrone 16. Intramolecular cycloaddition of 16 proceeded stereoselectively to yield the oxazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane 17, which after reduction and deprotection afforded piperidine 18. The latter was transformed via cyclic urea 19 to the inverted C12 alcohol 20, and the derived azide 22 was cyclized to produce the guanidine moiety of 25. Final sulfation of the C12 hydroxyl group furnished (-)-2.     

A new approach to benzofuran synthesis: Lewis acid mediated cycloaddition of benzoquinones with stilbene oxides

We report a BF₃-mediated novel dehydrative cycloaddition reaction of benzoquinones with stilbene oxides to afford 2,3-diaryl-5-hydroxybenzofurans and 2,3-diaryl-5-hydroxydihydrobenzofurans in good combined yields. No change in the products or the yield is observed when using diphenylacetaldehyde and cis-stilbene oxide instead of trans-stilbene oxides. When stilbene oxide is reacted with hydroquinone instead of the corresponding benzoquinone under the same conditions, dihydrobenzofuran is isolated in high yield. On the basis of these results, we propose the following possible reaction mechanism: stilbene oxide is converted to a phenonium ion (the key intermediate), which undergoes nucleophilic attack by benzoquinone or the simultaneously generated hydroquinone and subsequent dehydrative intramolecular cyclization to afford benzofuran or dihydrobenzofuran, respectively.     

A new approach to phorbol by [4 + 3] oxyallyl cycloaddition and intramolecular Heck reaction

[formula: see text] A new synthetic strategy for a functionalized tricyclic core of phorbol has been developed by means of a [4 + 3] oxyallyl cycloaddition and subsequent intramolecular Heck reaction. The [4 + 3] oxyallyl cycloadduct 7 was chosen as the B-ring precursor of phorbol. Subsequent elaboration took advantage of its well-defined diastereofacial bias to afford the tricycle 5. This method should be of general value in the construction of 6,7- or 5,7-fused bicyclic systems.