Efficient synthesis of highly functionalized vinylogous thiol esters

A series of vinylogous thiol esters 2,3 and 2,6-dioxo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridines (cyclic vinylogous thiol esters) 4 were prepared in high to excellent yields from the tandem reaction of readily available α-alkenoylketene diethylthioacetals 1 and diethyl malonate. A plausible mechanism, which involves a base catalyzed retro-Michael ring opening of cyclohexanenes 2 to give vinylogous thiol ester 3, is disclosed.     

Convenient construction of a variety of glycosidic linkages using a universal glucosyl donor

This letter deals with the concept of constructing four types (cis-α, trans-α, cis-β, and trans-β) of glycosidic linkages using a universal glucosyl donor. The selectively protected universal glucosyl donor 8 was synthesized in 36% yield from d-glucose (eight steps). The donor 8 undergoes glycosidation with a primary carbohydrate alcohol 7 to give disaccharide 9 having a 1,2-cis-α-glycosidic linkage in 90% yield. The construction of the corresponding 1,2-trans-α-glycosidic linkage was performed in 68% yield (three steps) from 9. A similar glycosidation of the 2-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-glucosyl donor 6 derived from 8 with 7 gave disaccharide 11 having a 1,2-trans-β-glycosidic linkage in 75% yield. The construction of the corresponding 1,2-cis-β-linkage was performed in 53% yield (three steps) from 11.     

Separation and identification of three epimeric pairs of new C-glucosyl anthrones from Rumex dentatus by on-line high performance liquid chromatography–circular dichroism analysis

Six C-glucosyl anthrones were characterized as three pairs of epimers by on-line high performance liquid chromatography–circular dichroism (HPLC–CD) analysis and isolated from the roots of Rumex dentatus by column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic spectroscopy and HPLC–CD analysis. They are 10R-C-β-d-glucosyl-10-hydroxyemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide E, 1) and 10S-C-β-d-glucosyl-10-hydroxyemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide F, 2), 10R-C-β-d-glucosylemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide G, 3) and 10S-C-β-d-glucosylemodin-9-anthrone (rumejaposide H, 4), 10S-C-β-d-glucosyl-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (cassialoin, 5) and 10R-C-β-d-glucosyl-10-hydroxychrysophanol-9-anthrone (rumejaposide I, 6). Rumejaposides F–I (2–4 and 6) were new C-glucosyl anthrones. Rumejaposide E (1) and cassialoin (5) were isolated for the first time in Rumex plants. On-line HPLC–UV–CD analysis was a useful tool for structure elucidating epimeric C-glycosides anthrones 3–6 because of the poor stability of the pure isomers (3 and 4) and the minute quantity of 5 and 6 in the mixture.     

A concise synthesis of (3S,4S,5R)-1-(α-d-galactopyranosyl)-3-tetracosanoylamino-4,5-decanediol, a C-glycoside analogue of immunomodulating α-galactosylceramide OCH

A concise and convergent synthesis of the C-glycoside analogue 2b of immunomodulating α-galactosylceramide OCH 1b starting from readily available 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-galactose 3 and l-arabinose 6 is described. The synthesis features the nucleophilic addition of an α-ethynyl sugar 5 to the phytosphingosine-precursor aldehyde 9 and would be applicable to a variety of C-glycoside analogues of interest.     

Regioselective synthesis of 4- and 5-oxazole-phosphine oxides and -phosphonates from 2H-azirines and acyl chlorides

A simple and efficient regioselective synthesis of 4-oxazole-phosphine oxides 11 and -phosphonates 12 from 2H-azirine-phosphine oxides 1 and -phosphonates 6 is described. The key step for the synthesis of oxazoles 11 is a base-mediated ring closure of vinylogous α-aminophosphorus compounds derived from phosphine oxides 4 and from phosphonates 8. These derivatives 4 and 8 are obtained by reaction of functionalized azirines 1 and 6 with acyl chlorides 2 and subsequent acid-catalyzed ring opening of N-acylaziridine-phosphine oxides 3 and -phosphonates 7. Regioselective thermal ring cleavage of N-acylaziridine-phosphine oxides 3 leads α-chloro-β-(N-acylamido)-phosphine oxides 13 and their treatment with bases gives 5-oxazole-phosphine oxides 16.     

Formal synthesis of (+)-lactacystin based on a novel radical cyclisation of an α-ethynyl substituted serine

A diastereoselective 5-exo-dig radical cyclisation of the bromoamide 7 produced from the enantiopure α-ethynyl substituted amino alcohol 5 led to the pyrrolidinone 8 (2:1 α:β epimers) in 70% yield. Oxidative cleavage of the alkene bond in 8, followed by a stereoselective α-methylsulfanylation of the resulting 4-keto derivative 9, next led to the methylsulfanyl derivative 10. Finally, the pyrrolidinone derivative 10 was converted into the key intermediate 12 used previously in an enantioselective synthesis of (+)-lactacystin.     

Two novel α-tocopheroids from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa

Two novel α-tocopheroids, namely α-tocospiros A (1) and B (2), together with α-tocopherol (3) were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods. Under basic conditions, compounds 1 and 2 were obtained from α-tocoquinon-2,3-oxide (6a and 6b) via a highly stereoselective nucleophilic addition reaction. Reaction and biotransformation mechanisms of 1 and 2 are proposed.     

Neuroprotective glucosides of magnolol and honokiol from microbial-specific glycosylation

Thirteen new glucosides (1–13) of magnolol and honokiol were obtained from specific O-glycosylation by two filamentous fungi, Cunninghamella echinulata AS 3.3400 and Rhizopus japonicus ZW-4. The glucosides' structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and CD) analyses and a chemical method. C. echinulata appeared to transfer a glucosyl moiety to 2-OH of magnolol and honokiol, whereas R. japonicus preferred to regio-specifically transfer a glucosyl moiety to 4′-OH when honokiol was as the substrate. In addition, hydroxylation by C. echinulata and specific 6″-O-acylation of the introduced glucosyl moiety by R. japonicus were observed as minor reactions. Bioassay results indicated that glucosides 1–12 together with magnolol and honokiol at 10 μM attenuated the glutamate-induced toxicity in SK-N-SH cells to levels comparable to the results for MK-801, a positive control. However, the water-solubility of major glucosylated products (1, 8, and 11) increased greatly.     

Synthesis of new triazole substituted pyroaminoadipic and pipecolic acid derivatives

Racemic 5-(4,5-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1yl)-pyroaminoadipic and pipecolic acid derivatives were synthesized from meso dimethyl-α,α′-dibromoadipate 1 in good yields using mild reaction conditions. The key step of this reaction sequence was the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an acetylenic compound on α-azido-α′-bromoadipate 2. A reactive α-(substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-α′- bromoadipate derivative 3a-d was generated and reacted with sodium azide followed by Pd/C-catalyzed hydrogenation to provide lactams 5a-d. The chemoselective reduction of the amide carbonyl group of 5a-d with BH₃ followed by acid hydrolysis provided 5-(4,5-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) pipecolic acids in racemic form.     

One-pot facile conversion of Baylis-Hillman adduct into N-alkyl 3-(E)-alkylidene-5-substituted sulfonylpiperidine-2,6-dione. Formal synthesis of tacamonine

A stepwise [3+3] strategy to N-alkyl 3-(E)-alkylidene-5-substituted sulfonylpiperidine-2,6-dione 1 used various N-alkyl α-substituted sulfonylacetamides 2 and α,β-unsaturated esters 3 as starting materials. α,β-Unsaturated esters 3 were generated by Baylis-Hillman reaction. A ring closure mechanism was proposed for the reactions. This method provides a convenient formal synthesis of tacamonine.     

First isolation of 1,2-dithietan-3-one from α-dithiolactone

Treatment of α-dithiolactone 6 with ethoxycarbonylformonitrile oxide 7 resulted in the formation of 1,2-dithietan-3-one 4. Compound 4a was oxidized with m-CPBA to give 4,4-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dithietan-3-one 1-oxide 5a. The reaction of 4a with triphenylphosphine afforded the corresponding α-thiolactone 10.     

An easy ABD→ABCD strategy to indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4-one. Synthesis of deplancheine and yohimbane

The efficient synthesis of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-4-ones 2 is described in two steps via formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of α-sulfonyl tryptaminylacetamide 4 with various α,β-unsaturated esters 5 and the regioselective reduction of the resulting glutarimides 3 with sodium borohydride then sequent further dehydrated cyclization in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate. The useful building block is applied to synthesize deplancheine (1a) and yohimbane (1b).     

One-pot synthesis of macrocyclic compounds possessing two cyclobutane rings by sequential inter- and intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions

Sensitized photocycloaddition reactions of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[1,3-bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrone (1) with electron-poor α,ω-diolefins such as ethylene diacrylate (2a) and polyoxyethylene dimethacrylates (2b-d) afforded site- and stereoselective macrocyclic dioxatetralactones (3a-d) and (4b) having 18- to 25-membered rings across the C5-C6 and C5′-C6′ double bonds, or C5-C6 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. Similar photoreactions of 1 with electron-rich α,ω-diolefins such as poly(ethylene glycol)divinyl ether (2e and 2f) afforded crown ether-type macrocyclic compounds (5e and 5f) having 18- and 21-membered rings across the C3-C4 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. The stereochemical features of 3b, 5e-xx, and 5e-nn were determined by the X-ray crystal analysis. The reaction mechanism was inferred by MO methods.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

Thermal decomposition of the tert-butyl perester of thymidine-5′-carboxylic acid. Formation and fate of the pseudo-C4′ radical

Thermal decomposition of the tert-butyl perester of thymidine-5′-carboxylic acid 1 carried out at 85 °C in different solvents affords the tert-butylacetal 4a, deriving from in cage decomposition, and pseudo C4′ radicals 2. Radicals 2 can be reduced to 5 by hydrogen atom abstraction from thiol (thiophenol or glutathione) or THF, or can be oxidized to cations 8 by dioxygen or perester 1 itself. Cations 8 are stereoselectively trapped by the nucleophilic solvent (tert-butanol, methanol, water) to give acetals 4a-c.     

The first total synthesis of telephiose A

The first total synthesis of telephiose A (1), a novel trisaccharide ester having two acetyl groups and two benzoyl groups, was achieved by using glucosyl donor 6 and disaccharide acceptor 12. The crucial key step was the stereoselective construction of the β-d-glucosidic linkage featuring the neighboring group participation of the 2-O-N-phenylcarbamoyl group (of donor 6), which can be selectively deprotected in the presence of acetyl and benzoyl groups. Donor 6 was prepared from d-glucose in eight steps (33% yield), whereas acceptor 12 was prepared from sucrose in six steps (35% yield). Precursors 6 and 12 were reacted in subsequent reactions (five steps) to afford 1 in 22% yield.     

Concise and practical route to tri- and tetra-hydroxy seven-membered iminocyclitols as glycosidase inhibitors from d-(+)-glucurono-γ-lactone

An efficient and short total synthesis of tetrahydroxy-1c and trihydroxy-azepane 1d is reported in 72% and 57% overall yields, respectively, from d-(+)-glucurono-γ-lactone. Thus, d-glucuronolactone 2 on acetonide protection, DIBAL-H reduction and one-pot intermolecular reductive amination followed by -NCbz protection afforded 6-(N-benzyl-N-benzyloxycarbonyl) amino-6-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gluco-1,4-furanose 5a. 1,2-Acetonide hydrolysis in 5a and Pd-mediated intramolecular reductive aminocyclization afforded tetrahydroxyazepane 1c. An analogous pathway with 5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucurono-6,3-lactone 3b gave trihydroxy-azepane 1d. Glycosidase inhibitory activity of 1c/1d was studied and 1d was found to be potent inhibitor of α-mannosidase and β-galactosidase.     

Effect of α-fluorination on asymmetric epoxidation of trans-olefins using α-fluorinated cyclohexanone dioxiranes

Epoxidations of trans-β-methylstyrene, trans-stilbene and trans-methyl p-methoxycinnamate using chiral dioxiranes derived from both enantiopure diastereomers of α-fluoro cyclohexanones, (2S, 5R)-3a-6a and (2R, 5R)-3e-6e are studied and compared. From ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^∗ level of conformational inter-conversion for (2S, 5R)-D5a and (2R, 5R)-D5e dioxiranes it was found that, due to the α-fluorine atom, conformer K1 is more stable in the case of (2S, 5R)-D5a while conformer K2 is more stable in the case of (2R, 5R)-D5e. However, in both cases, the more stable conformers, K1 and K2, undergo rapid inter-conversion. Therefore, based on slow epoxidation reactions and rapid ring inversion of six-membered ring dioxiranes the Curtin-Hammett principle holds. Conformation K2 with axial fluorine having been found to be more reactive, the inversion of configuration observed for the epoxides obtained with ketones 3e-6e (compared with ketones 3a-6a) could be rationalized from competitive reactions of K2 and K1 conformations leading to simultaneous production of both (−) and (+) epoxides in the case of ketones 3e-6e.     

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.     

The synthesis of compounds related to the indole-indoline core of the vinca alkaloids (+)-vinblastine and (+)-vincristine

A series of α′-aryl-α′-carbomethoxycycloalk-2-en-1-ones, 16, has been prepared using the Pinhey arylation methodology for introducing the aromatic residue. Subjection of these compounds to Johnson iodination and Pd[0]-catalyzed Ullmann cross-coupling of the resulting α-iodocycloalkenones 11 with 2-iodonitrobenzene (5, X = I) then affords α,α′-diaryl-α′-carbomethoxycycloalk-2-en-1-ones of the general form 10. Reductive cyclization of this last type of compound gives the corresponding indoles 9a-f (n = 1-3), some of which resemble the indole-indoline cores of the clinically important alkaloids (+)-vinblastine (1) and (+)-vincristine (2).