Domino intramolecular enyne metathesis/cross metathesis approach to the xanthanolides. Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-8-epi-xanthatin

The first total synthesis of (+)-8-epi-xanthatin (1) has been achieved in 14 steps starting from the commercially available ester 24, which was converted into aldehyde 23 in six steps. An enantioselective aldol reaction of 23 gave 30, which was transformed into triflate 22 in four steps, setting the stage for a palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reaction to form acrylate 34. Compound 34 was then subjected to a deprotection/lactonization sequence to furnish enyne 21, which underwent a domino enyne ring-closing metathesis/cross metathesis process to form a seven-membered carbocycle and (E)-conjugated dienone, thereby completing the synthesis of 1. This domino ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis reaction thus serves as an efficient method to construct the core of xanthanolide and other sesquiterpene lactones.     

Concise route to defined stereoisomers of the hydroxy acid of the chondramides

The use of Kobayashi vinylogous aldol reaction in the reaction with acetaldehyde led to anti-aldol product 11. After reductive removal of the chiral auxiliary, the primary alcohol was converted to the allyliodide 14. This compound could be engaged in an Evans alkylation reaction, leading eventually to hydroxy acid 19. Inclusion of a Mitsunobu inversion reaction on the sequence starting with ent-11 led to hydroxy ester 30, featuring a 6,7-syn-configuration. These hydroxy acids should help to elucidate the correct stereostructure of the chondramide depsipeptides.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol and (±)-pisiferal

The stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol (1) and (±)-pisiferal (2) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-octahydrophenanthrene derivative 20 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular cyclisation of the diazoketone 15 followed by catalytic hydrogenation provided, stereoselectively, the keto-ester 17 which was converted into the acetate 20 through the intermediates 18 and 19.     

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methylpodocarpate

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methyl podocarpate (4) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-fused diester 21 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular Michael reaction of the enone-diester 18 afforded the cis-fused keto-diester 19 in high yield which was stereoselectively converted into 21 via the enone 20.     

Reaction between glutaric anhydride and N-benzylidenebenzylamine, and further transformations to new substituted piperidin-2-ones

The reaction between glutaric anhydride (1) and N-benzylidenebenzylamine (3) was studied in detail by ¹H NMR spectroscopy under different reaction conditions. The major product was (±)-trans-1-benzyl-6-oxo-2-phenylpiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (2), which was converted into new substituted piperidin-2-ones via transformations of the carboxylic group. The final products are expected to possess pharmaceutical activities, and the relevant screenings are in course.     

The cooperative effect of a hydroxyl and carboxyl group on the catalytic ability of novel β-homoproline derivatives on direct asymmetric aldol reactions

Novel β-homoproline derivatives, 2-hydroxy-2-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acids (R,S)- and (S,S)-1a-d, were synthesized. All of the prepared compounds were used as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with several ketones. Among these catalysts, (R)-2-hydroxy-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)acetic acid (R,S)-1a showed good catalytic ability in the formation of aldol product 13 (up to 69% ee, 95% yield), which was similar to the results catalyzed by l-proline (71% ee, 96% yield). Relatively low yields and low enantioselectivities were observed in aldol reactions catalyzed by (S,S)-1a, for example, 13 was obtained in 55% yield and 13% ee. The aldol reaction catalyzed by the methyl-protected carboxylic acid 1b and esters 1c,d produced much lower chemical yields and enantioselectivities during the formation of 13. The cooperative effect of the (R)-configured hydroxyl group and the carboxyl group was found to play an important role in inducing enantioselectivity in the aldol reaction. Relatively high diastereoselectivities (anti:syn = 85:15) and enantioselectivity (anti, 83% ee) were observed in the aldol reactions of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with cyclohexanone, which was catalyzed by (R,S)-1a.     

New routes to clavine-type ergot alkaloids. Part 2: Synthesis of the last, so far not yet synthesized member of the clavine alkaloid family, (±)-cycloclavine

Starting from 4-bromo-Uhle's ketone (2), an alkylation step using ethyl 3-methylamino-propionate followed by intramolecular aldol condensation in two steps, transformation of the ester group into a methyl group, and finally cyclopropanation of the 8,9 double bond, resulted in a six-step total synthesis of (±)-cycloclavine (1).     

Synthesis of new tetracyclic 7-oxo-pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine derivatives

A series of (±)3-hydroxyl- and 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines were synthesized for antitumor evaluation. These agents can be considered as analogues of glyfoline or (±)1,2-dihydroxyacronycine derivatives. The key intermediates, 3,7-dioxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines (15a,b or 24a,b), for constructing the target compounds were synthesized either from 3-(N,N-diphenylamino)propionic acid (14a,b) by treating with Eaton’s reagent (P₂O₅/MsOH) (Method 1) or from (9-oxo-9H-acridin-10-yl)propionic acid (23a-c) via ring cyclization under the same reaction conditions (Method 2). Compounds 15a,b and 24a,b were converted into (±)3-hydroxy derivatives (25a-d), which were then further transformed into pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridin-7-one (28a-d) by treating with methanesulfonic anhydride in pyridine via dehydration. 1,2-Dihydroxylation of 28a-d afforded (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine (29a-d). Derivatives of (±)3-hydroxy (25a,b) and (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy (29a-d) were further converted into their O-acetyl congeners 26a,b and 30a-d, respectively. We also synthesized 2,3-cyclic carbonate (31, 32, and 33) from 29a-c. The anti-proliferative study revealed that these agents exhibited low cytotoxicity in inhibiting human lymphoblastic leukemia CCRF-CEM cell growth in culture.     

Addition of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene to activated quinones: an approach to thia analogues of kalafungin

The uncatalyzed reaction of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 with 1,4-quinones bearing either an electron withdrawing acetyl or a carbomethoxy group at C-2, was investigated. No reaction was observed using 1,4-quinones 8 and 9 bearing an ester group at C-2 whereas use of 1,4-quinones 10 and 11 bearing an acetyl group at C-2 only provided low yields of the silyloxythiophenes 15 and 16 resulting from electrophilic substitution of the silyloxythiophene by the 1,4-quinone. Use of the Lewis acids InCl₃, Cu(OTf)₂ and BF₃·Et₂O were investigated in an effort to improve the yield of the desired annulation reaction. BF₃·Et₂O proved to be the optimum catalyst for the synthesis of thiolactone naphthofuran adducts 14 and 18 from 1,4-naphthoquinones 9 and 11, respectively. Reaction of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 with 1,4-benzoquinones 8 and 10 bearing a carbomethoxy or an acetyl group at C-2, respectively, afforded thiolactone benzofuran adducts 13 and 17, respectively, catalyzed by either InCl₃ or Cu(OTf)₂. Addition of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 to 3-acetyl-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 12 afforded adduct 19 that underwent oxidative rearrangement to thiolactone pyranonaphthoquinone 20 using ceric ammonium nitrate in acetonitrile, thus providing a novel approach for the synthesis of a thia analogue of the pyranonaphthoquinone antibiotic kalafungin.     

Formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene and (±)-Pentalenene using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition

Efficient formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene, a natural product with a bicyclo[6.3.0]undecane skeleton, and (±)-Pentalenene, a natural product with a tricyclo[6.3.0.0^4,8]undecane skeleton, have been achieved by using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition. The [(5+2)+1] reaction provides an expeditious approach to reach the bicyclic cyclooctenone 4, which was quickly transformed (via hydroboration then oxidation) to diketone 14, a key advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene. Through further transformations, 14 was converted to diene 18, an advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Pentalenene.     

Radical-mediated stannylation of vinyl sulfones: access to novel 4′-modified neplanocin A analogues

Synthesis of 4′-substituted (halogeno, phenyl, ethynyl, and cyano) neplanocin A analogues was carried out. A cyclopentenol derivative having a vinylstannane structure was designed as key-intermediate in this study, which was prepared based on radical-mediated sulfur-extrusive stannylation. The resulting stannylated cyclopentenol 15 was successfully condensed with 6-chloropurine through the Mitsunobu reaction, leading to the carbocyclic nucleoside 20. Compound 20 was converted to its adenine counterpart 21 by treatment with NH₃/MeOH, during which the 4′-stannyl group remained intact. The title compounds were prepared by using 21 or the 4′-iodo derivative (22) mostly through the Stille reaction.     

Total synthesis of actinobolin from d-glucose by way of the stereoselective three-component coupling reaction

The total synthesis of (−)-actinobolin 3, an antipode of the natural product, starting from d-glucose is described. A three-component coupling reaction of functionalized cyclohexenone (+)-6 derived from d-glucose by way of Ferrier's carbocyclization reaction, with vinyl cuprate and 2-alkoxypropanal 7 effectively constructed the carbon framework of 3 in a highly stereoselective manner. In an aldol process of the three-component coupling reaction, stereochemical control (chelation and Felkin-Anh conditions) was achieved by the choice of the protecting groups of a hydroxy function in 2-hydroxypropanal and the reaction solvents. The formal synthesis of the natural enantiomer, (+)-actinobolin 1, starting from d-glucose was also accomplished.     

Parallel kinetic resolution of propargyl ketols: formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A

We describe an intriguing new example of a parallel kinetic resolution; an asymmetric cyclization-carbonylation of propargyl ketols catalyzed by palladium(II) with chiral bisoxazoline (box) ligands. The 2S,3S enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 13 (45-49% yields, 37-46% ee), and the 2R,3R enantiomer of (±)-6 was preferentially converted to 14 (21-23% yields, 92-97% ee). As an application of this reaction, formal synthesis of (+)-bakkenolide A was achieved.     

Synthesis of (±)-phthalascidin 650 analogue: new synthetic route to (±)-phthalascidin 622

A synthesis of functionalized phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 as synthetic precursor of the catechol tetrahydroisoquinoline structure of phthalascidin 650 is disclosed. Starting from 3-methylcatechol 5, eight steps of synthesis give rise to the synthesis of phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 in 27% overall yield. This synthetic strategy involves the elaboration of fully functionalized aromatic aldehyde 8 and its transformation into a phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13, through a Knoevenagel condensation, simultaneous reduction of nitroketene and ester functions and hydrogenolysis of the benzyl protecting group. The pentacycle (±)-18 was obtained after four additional steps. The Pictet-Spengler cyclisation between the phenolic α-amino-alcohol (±)-13 and N-protected α-amino-aldehyde 4 allowed to obtain (1,3′)-bis-tetrahydroisoquinoline 14 with N-methylated and N-Fmoc removed. The last step was a Swern oxidation for allowing an intramolecular condensation.     

Synthesis of 1,1-bis(silyl)-1-alkene derivatives bearing Si-H functional groups via Peterson protocol

Various aromatic aldehydes were converted to one-carbon elongate 1,1-bis(silyl)-1-alkene derivatives bearing Si-H functional and reactive groups in a convenient one-pot operation via the Peterson protocol. Then poly(styrene) and poly(α-methylstyrene) (?&II) random homopolymers were synthesized by solution free radical polymerization at 70(±1) °C using α,α′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator. The aldehyde group is introduced by direct electrophilic substitution of polymers ? and II. This formylation reaction was conducted in two different solvents: dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and nitrobenzene (PhNO₂). The results indicate that PhNO₂ appeared to be a more suitable solvent for such an aldehyde functionalization of the polymers. The formylated polymers (I_CHO, II_CHO) were then converted to Si-H functionalized polymers (I_Si-H, II_Si-H) via reaction with tris(dimethylsilyl)methyllithium, (HMe₂Si)₃CLi.     

A route to the structure proposed for puetuberosanol and approaches to the natural products marshrin and phebalosin

Synthesis of the structure claimed for puetuberosanol 1 (using the Juliá-Colonna oxidation in a key step) showed that the natural product was a different material. The isomeric epoxy alcohols 16-18 can be discounted from the alternatives. An analogue 19 of marshrin 2 was prepared but the synthesis of the natural product was thwarted by failure of a Juliá-Colonna oxidation in the key step. The epoxy ketone 29 was prepared by Darzens condensation and was converted into (±)-phebalosin 3.     

Syntheses of 1′,2′-cyclopentyl nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

To discover novel nucleosides as potential antiviral agents, 1′,2′-cyclopentyl nucleosides were designed as hybrids of sofosbuvir and GS-6620. An asymmetric aldol condensation reaction was used as the key transformation to prepare the versatile 1′,2′-cyclopentyl ribose 6, which is useful to explore diverse bases at 1′ and its utility was demonstrated via the syntheses of nucleosides 9 and 11. The 2′-β-methyl-1′,2′-cyclopentyl ribonucleoside scaffold was exemplified via a C-nucleoside which was prepared using a RCM reaction as the key step leading to novel nucleoside 35.     

Synthetic approach to analogues of betulinic acid

2-Methylcyclohexane-1,3-dione 14 was converted via the Wieland-Miescher analogue 15 into the 6-silyloxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecalin-1-one 21 by an efficient process. Several routes were examined to transform this compound into the pentacyclic triterpene skeleton of betulinic acid and its structural analogues. For example, the iodide 39, easily prepared from 21, was converted via a Sonogashira-hydroboration-Suzuki process into the E-triene 45. Photolysis of 45 using a benzanthrone sensitizer afforded the Z-triene 43. However, all attempts at effecting the cyclization of this triene 43 to the cyclohexadiene 47 (electrocyclic via photochemical or thermal means, metal-catalyzed processes, oxidative and radical cyclizations) failed to produce the key pentacyclic material.     

Asymmetric aldol reactions using catalytic d(+)-proline: a new, economic and practical approach to a commonly employed C1-C6 keto-acid synthon of the epothilones

A new approach to ketoacid 4, a common C1-C6 fragment used in the total synthesis of epothilones was initiated by direct aldol reaction of acetone with a pivaldehyde-like substance 5, catalyzed with d-proline, leading to a 2,6-diketoalcohol with better than 99% ee. Further intramolecular closure of the diketone 8 followed by oxidation of the silyl protected hydroxycyclohexenone 14 led to the desired product 4. None of the steps have been optimized, yet the overall yield for the four-step process is 31%. The use of commercially available d-proline to construct the chiral center of 4 under very mild reaction conditions provided an economical and practical method for its construction.     

A divergent approach for the total syntheses of cernuane-type and quinolizidine-type Lycopodium alkaloids

The divergent total syntheses of cernuane-type and quinolizidine-type Lycopodium alkaloids are described. A common intermediate 5 for the two types of alkaloids was assembled practically from (+)-citronellal via organocatalytic α-amination, followed by the construction of oxazolidinone that was used for diastereoselective allylation. Key compound 5 was converted into cermizine C (3), and this in turn was converted into senepodine G (4) by the regioselective Polonovsky-Potier reaction. The total synthesis of representative cernuane-type alkaloids, (−)-cernuine (1) as well as (+)-cermizine D (2), was also accomplished from 5 by utilizing asymmetric transfer aminoallylation as a key step.