Asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives

The use of several chiral trifluoromethylated building blocks 1a, 1b, 9a and 9b was attempted to synthesize of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine. A novel and efficient enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives 12a and 12b was successfully achieved.     

Convenient double-enzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone

Both enantiomers of 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone (6-MeCL) are obtained in high enantiomeric excess by the combination of an enzymatic ring opening of racemic 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone and subsequent enzymatic ring closure. Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) was selected as the biocatalyst for both the ring-opening and the ring-closing reaction. This route provides ready access to enantiopure (S)-6-MeCL (ee = 99.6%) and (R)-6-MeCL (ee = 98.8%).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of three lipases gave the (1R,3S)-monoester in high enantiomeric excess (ee > or = 98%). The hydrolysis of the corresponding meso-diacetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in phosphate buffer provided the opposite enantiomer. Optically active monoacetates were converted to both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone, a versatile chiral building block.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy- and 3-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid

Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (S)-2 was obtained by the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 3-phenyl-3-oxopropionate 1 with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9080). The kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propionate rac-3 with the same microorganism, gave after hydrolysis ethyl (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionates (R)-2 and (S)-2 which were converted by a straightforward series of reactions to the enantiomers of 3-amino-3-phenyl-propionic acids (S)-6 and (R)-6. The asymmetric reduction and hydrolytic kinetic resolution were also tested with several other whole cell systems under a variety of conditions.     

Asymmetric synthesis of both the enantiomers of trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid

Both the enantiomers of trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid have been synthesized employing the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and epoxidation as the key steps starting from a commercially available starting material 1,4-butanediol.     

Efficient synthesis of 3-oxygenated benzothiophene derivatives

An efficient synthesis of 2-bromo-3-aryloxybenzothiophene derivatives by a conjugate addition-elimination sequence of 2,3-dibromo benzothiophene dioxides with phenolic nucleophiles has been developed. These benzothiophene derivatives serve as important intermediates for the synthesis of SERM analogues.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of cispentacin

Based on the lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution of the silyloxyalcohol (1RS,2SR)-5 by transesterification with vinyl acetate in the presence of lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia a synthesis of both enantiomers of the β-amino acid cispentacin (1R,2S)-1 and (1S,2R)-1 using simple functional group interconversions is described.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone

The synthesis of both the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the natural product rugulactone has been achieved. Candida rugosa lipase hydrolyzes the butyrate ester of the protected 3-hydroxy homoallylic alcohol with very high enantioselectivity (E = 244) and provides the key intermediates with high enantiomeric purity (ee 98–99%) and excellent yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone

The stereoselective total synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone 1 has been completed by applying enantioselective allyl additions as key steps. Two different strategies based on highly stable and enantiomerically pure α-substituted allylboronic esters 2 and 3 were performed starting from boronic ester 4.     

Chromium-mediated asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran

Both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran were synthesized using enantioselective and diastereoselective dearomatization sequences starting from the benzaldehyde chromium tricarbonyl complex. Following aldol condensation, a sequence involving Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution was used in the synthesis of the (-)-enantiomer, whereas the (+)-enantiomer was reached via an Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement. Chiroptical data show that a revision of the previously assigned absolute configuration of the natural product is required.     

Diastereoselective total synthesis of both enantiomers of epolactaene

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of both the (+)- and (-)-epolactaene ((+)- and (-)-1) enantiomers from tetrahydropyran-2-ol is described. The following reactions in this synthesis are particularly noteworthy: (1) the stereoselective construction of the conjugated (E,E,E)-triene by a combination of kinetic deprotonation and thermodynamic equilibration, (2) the E-selective Knoevenagel condensation of beta-ketonitrile 33 with a chiral 2-alkoxyaldehyde, (3) a diastereoselective epoxidation achieved using a bulky nucleophile (TrOOLi) and an appropriate protecting group, (4) the mild hydrolysis of an alpha-epoxy nitrile by silica gel on TLC facilitated by hydroxyl-mediated, intramolecular assistance.     

First asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of andirolactone

We have achieved the first asymmetric synthesis of (+)- and (−)-andirolactone. The key steps were separation of limonene oxide diastereomers, asymmetric oxidation induced by the chiral intermediate and ring-closing metathesis in the presence of catalytic amounts of Lewis acid to form the spirocyclic butenolides.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one

4-Oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate is synthesized using manganese(III)acetate starting from 2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one. K₂CO₃ mediated hydrolysis of 4-oxo-3,4-dihdro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate furnished 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in high yield.The enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate in various organic solvent-phosphate buffer (pH7) systems and enantioselective transesterification of (±)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in organic solvents was investigated by screening a range of lipases. The lipase Amano PS, PPL, PLE and CCL-catalyzed asymmetric ester hydrolysis and transesterification afforded the enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate with high enantiomeric excess (up to 97% ee) and in good yields.     

Efficient synthesis of thiazoloquinazolinone derivatives

An original route to the rare 8H-thiazolo[5,4-f]quinazolin-9-one 1 and the novel 7H-thiazolo[4,5-h]quinazolin-6-one 2 is described. Access to the regioisomers was realized by fusion of a thiazole and a quinazoline ring via Appel's salt chemistry. Thermal reactions were carried out using a focused microwave reactor, reducing the overall time of the multi-step synthesis.     

Enantiodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of gypsy moth pheromone disparlure

Enantiodivergent synthesis of both (-)- and (+)-disparlure, a bioactive pheromone, possessing a cis-epoxide has been accomplished. The key step involves the cross metathesis of a chiral homoallylic alcohol derived from l-(+)-tartaric acid.     

Total synthesis of both enantiomers of the macrocyclic lactone citreofuran

Both enantiomers of the polyketide-derived lactone citreofuran (4) have been prepared. The enantiopure building blocks were obtained on a chemoenzymatic route ((S)-6) and by a chiral pool synthesis ((R)-6). The crucial step in the synthesis, a macrolactonization, was accomplished under Mitsunobu conditions.     

Modular and practical synthesis of 6-substituted pyridin-3-yl C-nucleosides

A novel modular and practical methodology for preparation of 6-substituted pyridin-3-yl C-nucleosides was developed. The Heck reaction of 2-chloro-5-iodopyridine with a 3'-TBDMS-protected glycal gave a 6-chloropyridin-3-yl nucleoside analogue, which was then desilylated, selectively reduced, and reprotected to give the TBDMS-protected 6-chloropyridin-3-yl C-2'-deoxyribonucleoside as a pure beta-anomer in a total yield of 39% over four steps. This key intermediate was then subjected to a series of palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, aminations, and alkoxylations to give a series of protected 1beta-(6-alkyl-, 6-aryl-, 6-hetaryl, 6-amino-, and 6-tert-butoxypyridin-3-yl)-2'-deoxyribonucleosides. 6-Unsubstituted pyridin-3-yl C-nucleoside was prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of the chloro derivative and 6-oxopyridine C-nucleoside by treatment of the 6-tert-butoxy derivative with TFA. Deprotection of all the silylated nucleosides by Et3N.3HF gave a series of free C-nucleosides (10 examples).     

A formal asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of the Erythrina alkaloid 3-demethoxyerythratidinone

A formal asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of the Erythrina alkaloid 3-demethoxyerythratidinone is reported through the application of a highly functionalised lactam template as an N-acyliminium precursor.     

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of a cis-lignan lactone

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in benzene gave the corresponding (+)-(2S,3R) monoester (ee ≥98%). Transesterification of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyl diacetate, in the presence of the same enzyme, by ethanol in benzene/isopropyl ether gave the corresponding (−)-(2R,3S) monoester (ee ≥98%). Both enantiomers of the known cis-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone were synthesized from these monoesters.