The conversion of 3,4-cis- to 3,4-trans-cannabinoids

An investigation of the conversion of Δ¹-3,4-cis-THC 1a to Δ⁶-3,4-trans-THC 2a with BBr₃ is described. By use of 1a of known optical purity it was determined that the main epimerization occurs at C-4. The small loss of optical purity observed during formation of 2a results from either competitive epimerization at C-3 or a racemization process. The conversion of 3,4-cis- to 3,4-trans-HHCs proceeds with exclusive C-4 inversion.     

A novel asymmetric synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) from (−)-shikimic acid

Oseltamivir phosphate 1 was synthesized starting from a readily available acetonide, that is, ethyl (3R,4S,5R)-3,4-O-isopropylidene shikimate 2, through a new route via 11 steps and in 44% overall yield. The synthesis described in this article is characterized by two particular steps: the highly regioselective and stereoselective facile nucleophilic replacement of an OMs by an N₃ group at the C-3 position of ethyl (3R,4S,5R)-3,4-O-bismethanesulfonyl-5-O-benzoyl shikimate 5, and the mild ring-opening of an aziridine with 3-pentanol at the C-1 position of ethyl (1S,5R,6S)-7-acetyl-5-benzoyloxy-7-azabicyclo[4,1,0]hept-2-ene-3-carboxylate 8.     

Novel 3,4- and 8,15-polyether analogues of macrocyclic trichothecenes

Protecting group chemistry on derivatives of T-2 toxin (2) involving silylation (TBDMS ethers) of the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-4, and acetalation (benzylidene acetals) of the C-8 and C-15 hydroxyl groups, has afforded the 3,4- and 8,15-polyether analogues 9–12 and 18 and 19 of macrocyclic trichothecenes.     

The first asymmetric synthesis of all four isomers of cis- and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin

Asymmetric synthesis of all the four stereoisomers of cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugins 4 and 6 and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugins 5 and 7 was achieved. The O-methoxymethyl mollugin derivatives were dihydroxylated to (−)- and (+)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin derivatives using both AD-mix-α and AD-mix-β. Deprotection of the MOM-ethers of cis-dihydroxy compounds resulted in the targeted stereoisomers (−)-(3R,4R)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 4, (−)-(3R,4S)-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 5, (+)-(3S,4S)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 6 and (+)-(3S,4R)-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 7. These routes were paved with difficulties, for example, incompatibility of the substrates with AD-mixes, the unexpected formation of trans-dihydroxy compounds and failures in deprotection protocols.     

Thermal rearrangements of tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoxazole-2,3-dicarboxylates. Synthesis of 3H-imidazol-1-ium ylides and their silver derivatives

Isoxazolines 2 from the cycloaddition of imidazoline 3-oxides 1 with DMAD undergo rearrangement to 3,4-dihydro-2H-imidazol-1-ium-1-(1,2-bis-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-ethanides) 3, which spontaneously undergo elimination to give 3H-imidazol-1-ium-1-(1,2-bis-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-ethanides) 5 or 1H-imidazoles 6 when heated in toluene at reflux. The presence of the aromatic ring at C-6 decelerated the conversion and enhanced the yield of 5. Solvents more polar than toluene (e.g., DMSO) provided quantitative conversion of 2 into 6 in mild conditions, while in less polar solvents such as CCl₄, the reaction rate was lowered and the yield of 5 enhanced. C-2 unsubstituted ylides 5 were treated with Ag₂O or AgNO₃ in the presence of Et₃N at room temperature to give C-2 metallated derivatives 9 in excellent yields.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 3-diphenylmethyl-6-substituted-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles: A condensed bridgehead nitrogen heterocyclic system

A series of 3-diphenylmethyl-6-substituted-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives (4a–j and 5a–d) were synthesized by condensation of 4-amino-5-diphenylmethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol with various substituted aromatic acids and aryl/alkyl-isothiocyanates. The structures of synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopic studies. These compounds were tested in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds which showed activity comparable to the standard drug ibuprofen were screened for their analgesic, ulcerogenic, lipid peroxidation and hepatotoxic effects. Compounds 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-diphenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole (4a) and 6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-diphenylmethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole(4c) emerged as the most active compounds of the series and were moderately more potent than the standard drug ibuprofen.     

Samarium diiodide-mediated reductive couplings of chiral nitrones with aldehydes/ketones and acyl chlorides

The SmI₂-mediated and H₂O-promoted reductive cross-coupling reactions of the l-tartaric acid derived nitrone (3S,4S)-8 with aldehydes/ketones, and the l-malic acid derived nitrone (S)-6 with aliphatic acyl chlorides have been investigated, respectively. (2R,3S,4S)-1,3,4-Trihydroxyprolinol derivatives 9a-f were obtained with high C-2/C-3 trans-selectivities, and 72:28-85:15 diastereoselectivities at the carbinol center from aromatic ketones/aldehydes, while low diastereoselectivities for aliphatic aldehydes. Conditions have been established for the syntheses of (2R,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyprolinol derivatives such as 18, by N-O bond cleavage of the corresponding N-hydroxyprolinol derivatives 9b-f, or more conveniently by a one-pot reductive coupling of nitrone 8 and in situ N-O bond cleavage of the resultant coupling product. The 2-acyl-3-benzyloxy-1-hydroxypyrrolidines 10a-f were formed in 48-82% yields, and in 74:26-78:22 diastereoselectivities. It was revealed that the amount of water required for the reaction is substrate-depending.     

Hochdruckversuche—IX: Die thermische isomerisierung von 1,2-diphenyl-3-methyl-cyclobuten-(1)-cis-3,4-dicarbonsäuredimethylester und 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-cyclobuten-(1)-cis-3,4-dicarbonsäuredimethylester

Dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-3-methyl-cyclobutene-(1)-cis-3,4-dicarboxylate 2 leads in a thermal reaction to an equilibrium with (E, Z)-dimethyl-3,4-diphenyl-5-methyl-muconate (4). The equilibrium is shifted to the cyclic compound by pressure. Dimethyl-3,4-diphenyl-cyclobutene-(1,2-diphenyl-cyclobutene-(1)-cis-3,4-dicarboxylate (3) isomerizes thermally to (E, Z)-dimethyl-2,5-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylmuconate (6). Both reactions are accelerated by pressure. The activation volumes ΔV₀⁺ are given for each ringopening reaction.     

Zamamidine C, 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A, and 3,4-dihydromanzamine J N-oxide, new manzamine alkaloids from sponge Amphimedon sp.

New manzamine alkaloids, zamamidine C (1), 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A (2), and 3,4-dihydromanzamine J N-oxide (3), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Amphimedon species. The structures and stereochemistries of 1-3 were elucidated from the spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization. Zamamidine C (1) is a new manzamine alkaloid possessing a second β-carboline ring via an ethylene unit at N-2 of manzamine D, while 3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-10,11-epoxymanzamine A (2) is the first manzamine alkaloid possessing an epoxide ring at C-10 and C-11. Zamamidine C (1) showed significant antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the parasite associated with sleeping sickness, and antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria in vitro.     

Synthesis of derivatives of cyclobuteno[c]thiophen and attempts to synthesise thiophen analogues of biphenylene

Starting from 2,5-dichlorothiophen many new 3,4-disubstituted thiophens have been made including the dialdehyde. Treatment of this with phosphorus pentabromide could be made to give 2,5-dichloro-3- dibromomethylthiophen-4-aldehyde, 2,5-dichloro- or 2-bromo-5-chloro-3,4-bisdibromomethylthiophen. the latter two compounds reacted with sodium iodide to give the corresponding cis- and trans-3,4-dibromo cyclobuteno[c]thiophen derivatives (18–21). Reaction of trans-3,4-dibromo-2,5-dichlorocyclobuteno[c]thiophen with N-bromosuccinimide resulted in fission of the 4-membered ring regenerating 2,5-dichloro-3,4-bisdibromomethylthiophen.When 2,5-dichloro-3,4-di-iodothiophen was treated with butyl-lithium followed by dimethylsulphate it gave 2,5- dichloro-3,4-dimethylthiophen together with a low yield of a red compound which is considered to be a dichloro dimethyl derivative (11) of bisthiophenindigo.Several unsuccessful approaches to the synthesis of dithiophen analogues of biphenylene are outlined. These included heating various 3,4-di-iodothiophens and 4,4′-di-iodo-3,3′-bithienyls with copper as well as the flash vacuum pyrolysis of the latter compounds, of thiophen-3,4-dicar?ylic anhydrides and of 2,5-dichloro-3-iodothiophen-4-car?ylic acid.     

Two novel 3,4-seco-trinorlanostane triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma fornicatum

Two novel 3,4-seco-25,26,27-trinorlanostane triterpeniod compounds, fornicatins A and B (1 and 2) have been isolated from the fruiting body of G. fornicatum. The structural elucidation of 1 and 2 were accomplished by extensive NMR analysis. The relative stereochemistry of 2 was established by single crystal X-ray crystallography, which also confirmed the novel carbon skeleton of the new triterpenoid. An ether linkage of C-4 with C-7 in 1 is unprecedented in natural triterpenoids. Both compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on rabbit platelet aggregation induced by PAF, ADP, or AA.     

Chemical constituents from Piper marginatum Jacq. (Piperaceae)—antifungal activities and kinetic resolution of (RS)-marginatumol by Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym 435)

The leaves of Piper marginatum contain the antifungal compounds 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone 1, 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone 2, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-ol 3 (marginatumol), 5,4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone 4 and 5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone 5. The absolute configuration of natural marginatumol was determined as (+)-(R)-3 (ee 48%) by comparison of its optical properties with the chiral forms obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic 3 using Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym 435).     

Enantiospecific synthesis of the sugar amino acid (2S,5S)-5-(aminomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid

An enantiospecific synthesis of the tetrahydrofuran amino acid (2S,5S)-5-(aminomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid 1 is reported. The sugar enone 2-(S)-octyl 6-O-acetyl-3,4-dideoxy-α-d-glycero-hex-3-enopyranosid-2-ulose 2a, derived from galactose, was employed as a chiral precursor. The enone 2a was converted by chemical manipulation of the functional groups into the 6-azido-2-O-tosyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-d-erythro-hexono-1,5-lactone 9 as key intermediate. Methanolysis of 9 induced the opening of the lactone and the attack of the hydroxyl group at C-5 to C-2 with the displacement of the tosylate. This reaction led to the formation of the tetrahydrofuran ring of methyl (2S,5S)-5-(azidomethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylate 10, which was readily converted into 1. The overall yield of the sequence was 35%, and all the intermediates and the final product have been fully characterized. In addition, the preferential conformations in solution of lactone 9 and target molecule 1 have been established.     

Reaction of aspartic acid derivatives with Grignard reagents—synthesis of γ,γ-disubstituted α- and β-amino-butyrolactones

A series of γ,γ-dimethyl and γ,γ-diphenyl substituted α- and β-amino-butyrolactones have been prepared in enantiomerically pure form using l-aspartic acid as a chiral building block. For the final Grignard reaction the difference in chemical reactivity between the carboxyl groups of aspartic acid was increased or inverted by preparing the corresponding semiesters, diesters and anhydrides. The resulting hydroxyacids and hydroxyesters lactonised in most cases during work up. Thus, (2S)-2-ethoxycarbonylamino-succinic acid-4-methylester 1 reacted with methylmagnesium iodide to form (3S)-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-5,5-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one 2b. Two interesting side products were obtained and were found to result from attack at the C-1 carboxylic acid rather than the C-4 carboxylic ester group leading to (3S)-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-4-oxo-pentanoic acid methylester 3 and (4S)-4-ethoxycarbonylamino-5,5-dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one 5a.     

The biosynthesis of the fungal meroterpenoids boviquinone-3 and -4 follows two different pathways

A key step in the biosynthesis of the fungal meroterpenoids boviquinone-3 and -4 is the prenylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. In fruit-bodies of Suillus bovinus boviquinone-4 is formed by geranylgeranylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid at C-5, whereas in Chroogomphus rutilus the farnesyl side chain of boviquinone-3 is introduced at C-2. The biosynthesis of the terpenoid chain of boviquinone-4 follows the mevalonate route.     

One pot,three-component synthesis of novel 3,4-dihydrophthalazin-2(1H)-yl-4-phenyl-4H-pyrans

Green and efficient one pot, three-component synthesis of novel 2-amino-6-(1,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazin)-2(1H)-yl-4-phenyl-4H-pyran-3,5-dicarbonitriles 6 has been developed by condensing 3-(1,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazin-(1H)-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile 3, benzaldehydes 4 and active methylene compounds 5 using l-proline as catalyst in EtOH at RT.     

Efficient and practical asymmetric synthesis of 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl (3R,4R)-4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)piperidine-1,3-dicarboxylate,a useful intermediate for the synthesis of nociceptin antagonists

An efficient and practical asymmetric synthesis of 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl (3R,4R)-4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)piperidine-1,3-dicarboxylate 1, a useful intermediate for the synthesis of nociceptin antagonists, has been developed. This method includes the following key steps: (1) diastereoselective reduction of a chiral enaminoester 3 having (R)-1-phenylethylamine as a chiral pool constituent with the use of a combined TFA–NaBH₄ reduction system and (2) efficient isomerization from 3,4-cis-substituted piperidine 8 to 3,4-trans-substituted piperidine 1 under basic conditions. The above methods proved to be applicable for large-scale operation and hundred grams of enantiomerically pure compound 1 (>98% ee) was obtained.     

The behaviour of the natural pyranonaphthoquinone pentalongin in alcoholic solvents

Pentalongin, the major constituent of the roots of the East African medicinal plant Pentas longiflora Oliv., undergoes degradation reactions when dissolved in alcoholic solvents. Although these reactions were thought initially to be of a photochemical nature, it is proven that degradation occurs also in the dark. These degradation reactions result in four new derivatives of pentalongin, which were elucidated as 3,4-dihydro-3-methoxypentalongin 4, 3,4-dihydro-trans-3,4-dimethoxypentalongin 5, 10b-hydroxy-3-methoxy-2a,3,6,10b-tetrahydro-2H,5H-furo[2,3,4-ed]naphtho-[2,3-c]pyran-6-one 6 and 3,4-dihydro-trans-3,4-diethoxypentalongin 7.     

Antifungal diastereomeric furanones from Mutisia friesiana: structural determination and conformational analysis

Two diastereomeric furanones, (4S,5S)-5-(4′-methyl-3′-pentenyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrofuran-2-one 1 and (4S,5R)-5-(4′-methyl-3′-pentenyl)-4-hydroxy-5-methyldihydrofuran-2-one 2 were isolated for the first time from the shrub Mutisia friesiana. The relative stereochemistries of 1 and 2 were ascertained from NOESY NMR data and confirmed by a combination of molecular modeling (molecular mechanics and ab initio molecular orbital calculations) and NMR data. Comparison between experimental and calculated ¹H–¹H vicinal coupling constants revealed that both furanones exist in an equilibrium of two stable conformers of the five-membered ring. Application of Mosher's method suggests that both diastereomeric furanones have the same (S)-configuration at C-(4) and are epimers at C-(5). Furanones 1 and 2 showed antifungal activity against the pathogenic fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum.