5-Exo-Trig vs 6-Endo-Trig α-acyliminium ion-olefin cyclisations stereoselective synthesis of 7-(1-formyloxy-pent-1-yl)-1-aza-4-oxa-spiro[4.5]decane-2-ones

The two C₆, C₇$\text{trans}$ substituted title compounds have been synthesized via stereoselective 5-$\text{Exo}$-Trig ringclosures starting from (E)-resp. (Z)-4-nonene-1-yl bromide and 3,5-morpholinedione.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Temporary thio-derivatization in the synthesis of (+)-4-acetylbromoxone

A stereocontrolled synthesis of the marine natural products (+)-bromoxone (1) and (+)-4-acetylbromoxone (2) is reported. The sequence features the enzymatic kinetic resolution of 4-hydroxycyclohexenone (6) via its S-benzyl adduct. Thereafter, a base-mediated elimination-silylation generated an optically active (−)-4S-4-tert-butyldimethylsilyoxycyclohexenone (5), which then underwent diastereoselective epoxidation. Saegusa-Ito oxidation enabled formation of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone 13. Bromination-elimination and subsequent removal of the silicon protecting group afforded (+)-bromoxone (1) which was converted into (+)-(4S,5R,6R)-4-acetoxy-2-bromo-5,6-epoxycyclohex-2-enone (2) [(+)-4-acetylbromoxone]. Using a luciferase gene reporter assay ED₅₀ for NFκB inhibition of 9 μM was determined.     

Formal total synthesis of aspergillide A

The formal total synthesis of aspergillide A 1 is described. The cross-metathesis of enone 6 with 6-hepten-2-ol derivative 5 provided E-olefin 15 corresponding to the C₄-C₁₄ backbone of 1. The CBS asymmetric reduction of 15 gave allyl alcohol 16, which was transformed into β-alkoxyacrylate 4 which had a formyl group. SmI₂-induced reductive cyclization of 4 gave a 2,6-syn-2,3-trans THP derivative 3 in good yield. After methoxymethylation of 3, the resulting compound 19 was submitted to desilylation and hydrolysis, to afford Fuwa’s key intermediate 2 for the total synthesis of 1.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically pure tricyclic benzomorphan analogues

The key step in the synthesis of enantiomerically pure benzomorphan analogous tricyclic amines 2 is the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohol 7 using the lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescence. The (S)-configured alcohol (S)-7 and the (R)-configured ester (R)-8 were obtained in good yield (40% and 46%, respectively) and excellent enantiomeric excess (99% ee and 98.4% ee, respectively). A diastereoselective oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction of (S)-7 with ethyl glyoxalate (OHC–CO₂Et) followed by a Dieckmann cyclization provided the tricyclic ring system 11, which allowed the diastereoselective introduction of an amino group at the 6-position. The absolute configuration of alcohol (S)-7 was determined with the tricyclic alcohol 13. The quantum mechanically calculated specific optical rotation of (S,S,S)-configured alcohol 13 is in accordance with the measured specific rotation of the synthesized compound. Moreover, X-ray crystal structure analysis of the synthesized compound, determined with the three-beam interference method, proved the (S,S,S)-configuration of 13. The enantiomerically pure dimethylamine 12 showed moderate affinity toward σ₂ receptors.     

Stereoselective and versatile approach for the synthesis of gossyplure and its components

Efficient synthetic routes to gossyplure and its components (1a and 1b) were formulated. The three key units viz the alkynol 3, the bromide 5, and the alkanal 13 were derived from easily accessible starting materials. Alkylation of 3 with 5, and subsequent semihydrogenation followed by oxidation, provided the C₁₁-alkenal 8 which was subjected to a stereocontrolled Wittig reaction with a C₅-phosphonium salt, to yield directly the desired pheromone (1a + 1b). The synthesis of its individual components involved the manipulation via an acetylenic intermediate, viz the alkynol 14 which was obtained through alkylation of 3. A sequence of well-established reactions on 14, then provided the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-alkenylphosphonium salts which upon a (Z)-specific Wittig olefination with the C₇-aldehyde (13), led to the stereoselective synthesis of 1a and 1b.     

The synthesis and decomposition of 3-p-nitrophenyl-3,4,5-triazatricyclo(5.2.1.02,6endo)dec-4-ene : Triazoline thermolyses

A stereospecific synthesis of the endo triazoline 20 has been accomplished by the sequential conversion of norbornylene to the oxime of 3-exo-chloronorbornanone followed by reduction of its acetate or p-nitrobenzoate with diborane to give 2-endo-amino-3-exo chloronorbornane, then coupling of the latter with p-nitrobenzene diazonium chloride to give diazoamine 19, which was cyclized with ethanolic sodium ethoxide in the presence of silver nitrate. Photolysis of endo triazoline 20 gave exclusively endo aziridine 3 (R = p-NO₂C₆H₄), while on pyrolysis in decalin at 165–170° there was obtained endo aziridine 3, exo axiridine 2, imine 4 and a large amount of polymer. Under identical conditions, the isomeric exo triazoline 1 (R = p-NO₂C₆H₄) gave exo aziridine 2, endo aziridine 3, imine 4 and no polymer. The “triazoline-aziridine inversion” is presumed to occur via the diazoimine intermediate 7. While photolysis of exo triazolines 23 and 24 and pyrolysis of 23 gave, as expected, the corresponding exo aziridines 25 and 26, pyrolysis of 24 appears to have given the isoxazoline 28. Evidence for the intermediacy of the diazoimine 27 in the formation of 28 is presented.     

Substituent dependent regioselective synthesis of pyranopyrandiones and 1,2-teraryls from 2H-pyran-2-ones

The one-pot substituent-directed regioselective synthesis of 1,7-diaryl-2-methyl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-4,5-diones 3 as the major and 3,4-diaryl-2-methyl-6-methylsulfanylbenzonitriles 4 as the minor products has been delineated through ring transformation of suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones 1 with aryl acetones 2. Under similar reaction conditions, 6-aryl-4-sec-amino-2H-pyran-2-ones 5 led, regioselectively, to 3,4-diaryl-2-methyl-6-sec-aminobenzonitriles 6.     

Furanyl spiroketals as stereochemical relays in the synthesis of 1,9-anti diols: synthesis of insect pheromones

A suite of spiroketal insect pheromones (15 and 17a-d) has been synthesised in good yield and with very high levels of diastereoselectivity via furanyl spiroketals. Remote asymmetric induction is achieved under thermodynamic control. The use of furanyl spiroketals as temporary scaffolds in the synthesis of 1,9-anti diols has been demonstrated with the synthesis of the swede midge pheromone (2S,10S)-2,10-diacetoxyundecane 1. The enzymatic resolution of a C₂ symmetric 1,9-anti diol was used as a confirmation of diastereomeric purity.     

Total synthesis of two isoflavone C-glycosides (6-tert-butyl puerarin and 6-tert-butyl-4′-methoxypuerarin) through the deoxybenzoin pathway

The total synthesis of two isoflavone C-glycosides (6-tert-butylpuerarin and 6-tert-butyl-4′-methoxypuerarin) was achieved through the deoxybenzoin pathway with overall yields of 14.6% and 14.2%. The key intermediate 12 was obtained by de-tert-butylation of 10 with trifluoroacetic acid and Friedel-Crafts acetylation of 2-C-β-d-glucopyranoside 11. The ring closure of 12 with the POCl₃/DMF reagent resulted glucosyl isoflavone formation 13, which was debenzylated and demethylated by BBr₃ to obtain 14 and 15. This pathway represents a novel synthetic pathway based on Friedel-Crafts acetylation and Vilsmeier-Haack cyclization to achieve isoflavone C-glycosides in high yields.     

Efficient and practical synthesis of both enantiomers of 6-silyloxy-3-pyranone derivatives

Lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic cis-6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (rac)-1 was achieved in high enantiomeric excess. Transesterification of (rac)-1 with vinylacetate in ^tBuOMe yielded the alcohol (3S,6R)-1 in 99.0% ee, whereas (3R,6S)-1 was obtained, in 99.0% ee, by the lipase catalyzed ester hydrolysis of acetate (3R,6S)-2, which was obtained along with the transesterification. Both (3S,6R)-1 and (3R,6S)-1 were subjected to oxidation to provide the corresponding 6-silyloxy-3-pyranone (6R)-3 and (6S)-3, respectively. Application to the synthesis of 7, which is the key intermediate of asymmetric synthesis of pseudomonic acid A 9 is also described.     

Asymmetric synthesis and σ receptor affinity of enantiomerically pure 1,4-disubstituted tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines

A very short (three steps) asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically pure 1,4-disubstituted tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines 14 has been elaborated upon, starting from the trans- and cis-configured 11a-substituted 3-phenyl-2,3,11,11a-tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b]-[3]-benzazepin-5(6H)-ones 6 and 7. The stereoisomerically pure lactams 6 and 7 were benzylated to give 6-benzyl-substituted products 8 and 9. NOE experiments showed a trans-configuration of the benzyl residue and the residue in the 11a-position indicated that the stereochemistry of the benzylation reaction was controlled by the stereocenter at the 11a-position. Reduction of the benzylated tricyclic benzolactams 8 and 9 with AlCl₃/LiAlH₄ (1/3) yielded the 1,3,4-trisubstituted 3-benzazepines 12 and 13, which were formed stereoselectively with the retention of configuration. Finally, removal of the N-(2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl) residue by hydrogenolytic cleavage resulted in the formation of enantiomerically pure 1,4-disubstituted 3-benzazepines 14. The σ₁, σ₂, and NMDA receptor affinities of the enantiomerically pure 3-benzazepines 14 and ent-14 were investigated in competitive receptor binding studies. The butyl derivative ent-14c showed a high affinity towards σ₁ and σ₂ receptors, with K_i-values of 26 nM and 41 nM, respectively.     

Synthetic access to optically active isoflavans by using allylic substitution

A general approach to the (S)- and (R)-isoflavans was invented, and efficiency of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of (S)-equol ((S)-3), (R)-sativan ((R)-4), and (R)-vestitol ((R)-5). The key step is the allylic substitution of (S)-6a (Ar¹=2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) and (R)-6b (Ar¹=2,4-(BnO)₂C₆H₃) with copper reagents derived from CuBr·Me₂S and Ar²-MgBr (7a, Ar²=4-MeOC₆H₄; 7b, 2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃; 7c, 2-MOMO-4-MeOC₆H₃), furnishing anti S_N2′ products (R)-8a and (S)-8b,c with 93-97% chirality transfer in 60-75% yields. The olefinic part of the products was oxidatively cleaved and the Me and Bn groups on the Ar¹ moieties was then removed. Finally, phenol bromide 9a and phenol alcohols 9b,c underwent cyclization with K₂CO₃ and the Mitsunobu reagent to afford (S)-3 and (R)-4 and -5, respectively.     

Improved synthesis of a C3-symmetrical pyridinophane

The formation of the C₃-symmetrical 2,11,20-triaza[3.3.3](2,6)pyridinophane 1 was undertaken with the aim of improving the synthesis of this highly desirable macrocycle, with the future aim of functionalizing 1 with amide pendent arms for the recognition of lanthanide ions. The synthesis of 1 involves the stepwise transformation of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid into two key intermediates; N,N-bis[(6-hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-p-tosylamide 7 and 6-bis[(amino-p-tosyl)methyl]pyridine 5. The macrocyclization of these two intermediates gave 8, from which 1 was formed upon deprotection of the three tosyl groups.     

Constrained cycloalkyl analogues of glutamic acid: stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740) and its 6-phosphonic acid analogue

A new stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2.6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740) 1, a potent and selective 2mGluR agonist, has been accomplished in four steps with an overall yield of 27% starting from the enantiopure (+)-(R)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)cyclopent-2-enone 3. The key steps include asymmetric cyclopropanation of 3 with (dimethylsulfuranylidene)acetate (EDSA) and removal of the chiral p-tolylsulfinyl auxiliary from the cycloadduct ent-4c upon treatment with iso-propylmagnesium chloride. The stereoselective hydantoin formation from the bicyclic ketone 6 formed (Bucherer–Bergs reaction) and subsequent hydrolysis completed the synthesis of 1. The same reaction sequence has been applied in the first synthesis of enantiopure (+)-2-amino-6-phosphonobicyclo[3.0.1]hexane-2-carboxylic acid 2, a structural 6-phosphono analogue of 1. The starting bicyclic ketophosphonates 9–11 have been obtained by asymmetric cyclopropanation of (?)-(S)-3 with phosphoryl sulfonium ylides, producing only two endo-isomers. The major endo-isomer (+)-11a containing the 6-diisopropoxyphosphoryl group has been converted in three steps into (+)-endo-2 in 46% overall yield.     

A novel building block for the synthesis of isofagomin analogues

The de novo synthesis of the novel potent building blocks phenyl (R)-3-acetoxymethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate (−)-7 and phenyl (S)-3-butyryl-oxymethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridine-1-carboxylate (+)-8 starting from commercially available methyl-1-benzyl-4-oxo-3-piperidinecarboxylate is described. The key steps are the enantioselective esterification of the racemic alcohol 6 and the enantioselective hydrolysis of the racemic acetate 5, respectively, using lipase P from Pseudomonas caepacia.     

First synthesis of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans via the ipso-nitration reaction

The first synthesis of a series of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans is reported. Our synthetic approach is based on a linear synthesis in two steps from appropriate brominated 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans 12-17, which requires the preliminary preparation of bromophenols 7-11. These latter were easily obtained by the reaction of phenols 1-5 with a mild and selective brominating agent tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBA·Br₃). The key intermediates 12-17 were efficiently elaborated through an univocal classic chromenization between the commercially available 1,1-diphenyl-2-yn-1-ol and the brominated phenols 6-11. The compounds 12-17 so obtained were converted into arylboronic acids 18-23 by a metalation/boronylation sequence, followed by acid hydrolysis. From advanced building blocks 18-23, the introduction of nitro group, which constitutes the ultimate step of our strategy, was achieved by an ipso-nitration reaction using the Crivello's reagent. This highly selective method provides only the ipso-nitrated products 24-29 in moderate to high yield.     

An elegant approach for stereocontrolled synthesis of furopyran building blocks

An elegant approach for stereocontrolled synthesis of furopyran (hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-b]pyran) building blocks was reported. The key steps in the sequence involved an efficient intramolecular 3-oxidopyrylium-alkene [5+2] cycloaddition for the synthesis of cycloadduct 6 and Beckmann fragmentation of ketoxime 13 to yield the furopyrans (5a-c).     

Regioselective anion generation and alkylation at carbon α to nitrogen in (CO)5WC[N(CH3)2]C6H4-p-CH3

Treatment of (CO)₅WC[N(CH₃)₂]C₆H₄-p-CH₃ (1) with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) in THF at −78°C followed by quenching with D₂O leads to incorporation of deuterium into the (E)-N-methyl group only. Reaction of the anion of 1 with benzyl bromide at −78°C followed by quenching with water gave the E-isomer of (CO)₅WC[N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂C₆H₅]C₆H₄-p-CH₃ (2E, 26%) and recovered 1. When a mixture of the anion of 1 and benzyl bromide was warmed from −78°C to ambient temperature, a mixture of the E-isomer of the dibenzylated product (CO)₅WC[N(CH₃)CH(CH₂C₆H₅)₂]C₆H₄-p-CH was obtained. Reaction of the anion of 1 with allyl bromide gave (CO)₅WC[N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CHCH₂]C₆H₄-p-CH₃ (5, 38%) and with methyl iodide gave a mixture of (CO)₅WC[N(CH₃)CH₂CH₃]C₆H₄-p-CH₃ (6, 7%) and (CO)₅W C[N(CH₃)CH(CH₃)₂]C₆H₄-p-CH₃ (7, 16%).     

Synthesis and evaluation of new chiral diols based on the dicyclopentadiene skeleton

The resolution by Lipase PS of rac-5 (from reduction of ketone 6, obtained from dicyclopentadiene with a new environment-friendly synthesis) gives (2S)-5, which was further reduced to the endo(2R)-1a alcohol. The endo(2S)-1b alcohol was obtained from camphor with a multistep synthesis. Pinacol couplings of 3a,b, carried out with Mg/Hg or Corey's general procedure respectively, afforded with high diastereoselectivity the C₂ symmetry diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b, with endo oriented OH functions. The enantiogenic power of the endo alcohol (2R)-1a and (2S)-1b and of the diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b was tested towards the LiAlH₄ reduction of acetophenone. The C₂ symmetry appears to play a fundamental role.