Studies toward the total synthesis of diterpene antibiotic guanacastepene A: construction of the hydroazulenic core

[reaction: see text] As a part of studies aimed toward the total synthesis of biologically important natural product guanacastepene A of contemporary interest, a new and concise route to a fully functionally endowed hydroazulenic core is delineated. The strategy involves the building of the requisite stereochemical features on a endo-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decane matrix and excision of the five-membered ring through a retro-Diels-Alder reaction. Generation of the seven-membered ring to access the hydroazulenic framework was achieved employing ring closure metathesis (RCM) reaction as the key step.     

Basicity and structure of α,Β-unsaturated heterocyclic ketones

The constants of the protolytic equilibrium and the displacement of the frequency of the stretching vibrations of the hydroxy group of phenol taking place under the influence of the formation of a hydrogen bond with the compounds studied have been measured for dibenzylideneacetone and dibenzylidenecycloalkanones (with five-, six-, and seven-membered rings) and their furan and selenophene analogs. It has been shown that the screening of the carbonyl group of the aliphatic ring creates considerable steric hindrance for the solvation of the carbenium ions formed in an acid medium, as the result of which the constants of the protolytic equilibrium fall on passing from compounds with an open chain to the cycloalkanone derivatives. The inclusion of a carbonyl group in a five-membered aliphatic ring creates more favorable conditions for conjugation than exist in analogous compounds with an open chain and in those with six- and seven-membered rings, in consequence of which the capacity for forming a hydrogen bond changes in the corresponding sequence.For preceding communication, see [1].     

Intramolecular Heck cyclization to the galanthamine-type alkaloids: total synthesis of (±)-lycoramine

A novel approach towards the construction of the galanthamine skeleton was demonstrated by the total synthesis of (±)-lycoramine. The key steps include a Pd-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization to form the seven-membered azepane ring and a spontaneous intramolecular Michael addition to afford the five-membered furan ring. This synthetic route has also been demonstrated to be useful for the preparation of novel derivatives with simplified galanthamine skeletons.     

Synthetic study of gymnocin-A: synthesis of the ABC ring fragment

The synthesis of the ABC ring fragment of gymnocin-A is described. The key feature of this approach was the convergent BC ring formation using an oxiranyl anion coupling, which was followed by intramolecular Williamson ether synthesis and the reductive etherification of an α-acetoxy acetal. The five-membered A ring was then constructed on the seven-membered B ring by radical cyclization of a β-alkoxy acrylate derivative.     

Cobalt-mediated two-carbon ring expansion of five-membered rings. Electrophilic carbon-carbon bond activation in the synthesis of seven-membered rings

Electrophilic cobalt(III) mediates an unprecedented two-carbon ring expansion of coordinated five-membered rings, leading to a remarkably general new strategy for the synthesis of seven-membered carbocycles from readily available five-membered ring substrates. The reaction, a metal-mediated [5 + 2] cyclopentenyl/alkyne cycloaddition, proceeds via initial protonation of a cobalt(I) cyclopentadiene complex, followed by rearrangement to an agostic eta3-cyclopentenyl intermediate. The cyclic eta3-allyl residue then undergoes migratory coupling with alkyne followed by carbon-carbon bond activation of the unstrained five-membered ring and recyclization to the ring expanded product, although the order of events and intimate mechanism has not been conclusively established. The reaction is highly selective with respect to which five-membered ring ligand undergoes activation, presumably a consequence of rapid cobalt-mediated interannular hydride transfer and kinetic preference for alkyne insertion into the less substituted cyclopentenyl ring. The alkyne insertion is itself highly regioselective, proceeding via migration to the sterically smaller end of the alkyne. The reaction is sensitive to both the cobalt counterion and the ancillary eta5-cyclopentadienyl substituent but proceeds for a considerable range of alkyl-, aryl-, and trialkylsilyl-substituted terminal and internal alkynes.     

Bisamides derived from azulene-1,3- and -5,7-dicarboxylic acids as new building blocks for anion receptors

Bisamides based on the azulene moiety were investigated as building blocks for anion receptors. In the course of these studies, derivatives of azulene-1,3- and -5,7-dicarboxylic acid were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The anion affinities of the derivatives based on functionalization in the five-membered ring and in the seven-membered ring were determined by (1)H NMR titration. The structural analysis of these building blocks was performed by X-ray diffractometry, molecular modelling and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The five-membered ring derivatives are easy to obtain, offer a binding site preorganized in the syn-syn conformation and bind anions with a strength similar to those of pyrrole-based analogues. There is also strong evidence for aromatic CH...anion interactions. The ligands substituted at the 5- and 7-positions offer a binding cleft with an uncommon geometry that originates from the seven-membered ring and seems to be complementary to the chloride anion.     

Total Synthesis of the Polyoxygenated Sesquiterpenes Guignarderemophilanes C and D

The total syntheses of the neural anti‐inflammatory agents guignarderemophilanes C and D have been accomplished for the first time starting from γ‐hydroxy carvone in 15 and 14 steps, respectively. The presented synthetic route proceeds via a known intermediate, whose synthesis has been elaborated in our group in the course of the total synthesis of the sesquiterpenoid periconianone A. Key for the successful conversion of this intermediate into both targets was finding a suitable strategy to install the 1,2,3‐trihydroxylated A‐ring scaffold. For this purpose, we effectively employed a Mitsunobu inversion, epoxidation, and regioselective epoxide opening sequence, before the bicyclic ring system was constructed by an aldol condensation reaction on a sterically demanding substrate. Our reported synthesis set the stage for SAR studies to prepare even more potent compounds by modification and derivatization of the natural product's scaffold.     

Stereoselective hydrogenation of conjugate diene directed by hydroxy group and asymmetric synthesis of deoxypolypropionate units

Optically active cyclic compounds carrying a conjugate diene and two hydroxy groups were prepared through the intramolecular Büchner reaction with a chiral tether and succeeding stereoselective conversion. Hydrogenation of the diene in the first step was not regioselective but resulted in three regioisomeric monoenes. Nevertheless, the final saturated product carrying two stereogenic centers could be obtained in 98% stereochemical purity on further hydrogenation under optimized conditions. The high stereoselectivity throughout the multiple pathways is attributable to the effective direction by the hydroxy group. Ring cleavage of the produced stereochemically pure seven-membered ring compounds successfully resulted in synthetic intermediates for deoxypolypropionates.     

N-Vinyl as N-H protecting group. Synthesis of cyclic imines from N-vinyllactams and organolithium reagents

On reaction with organolithium reagents followed by hydrolysis and distillation, N-vinylpyrrolidone ( 1 ) gives five-membered ring imines 3-8 , whereas N-vinylcaprolactam ( 2 ) gives mixtures of seven-membered ring imines and the corresponding ∈-amino ketones.     

Convergent, enantioselective syntheses of guanacastepenes A and E featuring a selective cyclobutane fragmentation

The evolution of a convergent strategy that led to efficient, enantioselective syntheses of both natural (+)- and unnatural (-)-guanacastepene E and formal total syntheses of (+)- and (-)-guanacastepene A is described. A union of five- and six-membered ring intermediates by an efficient pi-allyl Stille cross-coupling reaction was followed by an intramolecular enone-olefin [2 + 2] photocycloaddition and a stereoelectronically controlled, reductive fragmentation of the resulting cyclobutyl ketone. The latter two transformations enabled controlled formation of the C-11 quaternary stereocenter and the central seven-membered ring of the guanacastepenes. An enantiospecific synthesis of the functionalized five-membered ring vinyl stannane from the monoterpene R-(-)-carvone featuring a carbon-carbon bond forming ring contraction was also developed.     

Enantio- and stereospecific syntheses of 15(R)-Me-PGD2, a potent and selective DP2-receptor agonist

The first total synthesis of 15(R)-Me-PGD2 3 is reported. The synthesis is based on the enantioselective and stereospecific syntheses of synthon 17 and its attachment to the five-membered ring by a olefin cross metathesis reaction. This approach permits the introduction of a side chain with a predetermined stereogenic center into the prostanoid ring, resulting in the synthesis of 15R-methyl prostaglandin D2 and allows rapid access to other prostanoids.     

A novel approach to the taxane BC ring system through formation of alpha-ketol by oxidative removal of the phenylsulfonyl group with subsequent in situ oxidation

Cis-fused bicyclo[6.4.0]dodecene 11 was converted into taxane BC ring system 21 in three steps; transformation of the phenylsulfonyl group to an alpha-hydroxy carbonyl group by the treatment with potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) and triethyl phosphite under oxygen atmosphere, followed by reductive elimination of the hydroxyl group of alpha-ketol moiety, and inversion of ring juncture. Epimerization of the sulfonyl group of 11 was indispensable for the first oxidation process (17 --> 18) and the second oxidation of 12 leading to hydroxylation at the alpha-position of the carbonyl group proceeded with high regio- and stereoselectivity to give 13. On the other hand, reaction of the cross-conjugated compound 5 with KHMDS at 0 degrees C brought about a complete reorganization of molecular framework to provide the compound 7 in which the five-membered ring and the conjugated seven-membered ring were connected through a single bond.     

Azepiphthalocyanine--an unprecedented large twist of a π-conjugation system upon core-modification with a seven-membered ring unit

Aromatic dicarbonitrile bearing cyano groups in a 1,4-relationship was utilized for a phthalocyanine synthesis to give azepiphthalocyanine having a seven-membered ring unit instead of a five-membered ring unit. This molecule exhibits a significantly twisted structure and large splitting of the Q band absorption, indicative of its azachlorin-like conjugation system.     

Synthesis of small-medium ring thioanhydrides

Reaction of five-membered ring anhydrides with sodium sulfide has previously been employed for synthesis of the corresponding thioanhydrides in low yields. Re-examination of the stoichiometry reveals reaction of cyclic anhydride with sodium sulfide (2:1 respectively), affords the thioanhydride accompanied by the corresponding dicarboxylate in a 1:1 molar ratio. The mechanistic pathway for this reaction has also been elucidated. Optimization of reaction conditions has resulted in the synthesis of a variety of four to seven-membered ring thioanhydrides in yields approaching theoretical.     

Total synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of (+)-neoisoprelaurefucin

The first total synthesis of the seven-membered ring ether marine natural product (+)-neoisoprelaurefucin (1) has been achieved employing a regioselective internal alkylation of amide 3, a novel sequence for removal of the triethylsilyl group from the resulting triethylsilyloxepene 2, and a bromoetherification of alcohol 16 as key steps. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product was assigned.     

Intramolecular thermal transformations of N-phthalimidoaziridines: 1,3-dipolar cyclo-addition and rearrangements*

The intramolecular thermal cycloaddition of N-phthalimidoaziridines at multiple bonds of substituents with the intermediate formation of azomethine ylides leads to condensed pyrrole derivatives, in which the five-membered ring is adjacent to a five-, six-, or seven-membered ring. Rearrangements, which sometimes become the predominant reactions, compete with cycloaddition. Thus, aziridines with aryl substituents readily isomerize to give imines with a 1,2-shift of the phthalimide group to one of the carbon atoms. Aziridines with one electron-withdrawing substituent probably do not open to give 1,3-dipoles but rather undergo a Cope-type rearrangement involving the three-membered ring and C = O bond of the second substituent. Even in intramolecular reactions, very low activity is found for the cyano group triple bond and aromatic ring bonds as dipolarophiles.     

Telomerization Studies with Allyl Ethene Sulfonate and Allyl Allyl Sulfonate

Telomerization of allyl ethene sulfonate (AES) in the presence of butyl mercaptan yielded a mixture of two products: the first was a five-membered ring sultone containing a sulfide group and the second a five-membered ring sulfonium salt formed by reaction of the sultone of the Just product with its own sulfide function. If cyclotelomerizations and cyclopolymerizations give the same ring structures, these results indicate that the cyclic units in poly-AES are five-membered rings. Telomerization of allyl allyl sulfonate (AAS) in the presence of butyl mercaptan yielded a mixture of two products formed by addition of butyl mercaptan to one of the two allyl functions. Telomerization of AAS in bromotrichloromethane yielded a small amount of 1,5-hexachIoro-3-bromopentane formed via fission of an oxygen-carbon bond, and a rearranged adduct. The rearrangement of the allyl group to a propenyl group in the case of AAS was not observed when allyl ethane sulfonate or propyl allyl sulfonate were telomerized under the same conditions. Therefore a mechanism is proposed in which the rearrangement of the allyl double bond in AAS is due to the presence of a second double bond in the same molecule. This observation also indicates that poly-AAS might have a more complicated structure than expected from a simple cyclopolymerization mechanism.     

Total synthesis of crotophorbolone

As a natural diterpenoid, crotophorbolone possesses a challenging trans,trans-5/7/6 framework decorated with six contiguous stereogenic centers and is structurally and biogenetically related to tigliane-type diterpenoids with intriguing bioactivities such as phorbol and prostratin. Based on the convergent strategy, we completed an eighteen-step total synthesis of crotophorbolone starting from (−)-carvone and (+)-dimethyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-tartrate. The key elements of the synthesis involve expedient installation of the six-membered ring and the five-membered ring with multiple functional groups at an early stage, cyclization of the seven-membered ring through alkenylation of the ketone between the five-membered ring and the six-membered ring, functional group-sensitive ring-closing metathesis and final selective introduction of hydroxyls at C₂₀ and C₄.

Convergent total synthesis of crotophorbolone was accomplished in 18 longest linear steps. Observation of unexpected thermodynamic stability of a cis,trans-5/7/6 tricycle would benefit synthetic design of tigliane- and daphnane-related diterpenoids.     

Core-modified phthalocyanine analogues with a seven-membered ring unit in place of a five-membered ring unit

A variety of phthalocyanine analogues with a seven-membered ring unit in place of a five-membered ring unit were synthesized from aromatic dicarbonitriles bearing cyano groups at 1,4-separate positions. Based on the spectroscopic analyses and theoretical calculations, tetraazachlorine-like electronic structures of these novel compounds stemming from severe twist of the conjugation system at the seven-membered ring unit have been revealed.     

Total synthesis of (-)-heptemerone B and (-)-guanacastepene E

A concise, stereoselective, and convergent total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of the neodolastane diterpenoid heptemerone B has been completed. Saponification of (-)-heptemerone afforded (-)-guanacastepene E. The absolute stereochemistry of (-)-heptemerone B was thus established as 5-(S), the same as (-)-guanacastepene E. The longest linear sequence of the synthesis comprises 17 (18) steps from simple known starting materials. Our general synthetic approach integrates a diverse set of reactions, including an intramolecular Heck reaction to create one quaternary stereocenter and a cuprate conjugate addition for the establishment of the other. The central seven-membered ring was closed with an uncommon electrochemical oxidation, whereas the five-membered ring was formed through ring-closing metathesis. The absolute configuration of the two key building blocks was established through an asymmetric reduction and an asymmetric ene reaction.