Influence of Lewis acids on the [4+2] cycloaddition of (2R,2′R)-N,N′-fumaroylbis[fenchane-8,2-sultam] to cyclopentadiene and cyclohexadiene

Compared to the analogous bornane-10,2-sultam derived dienophile (−)-1b, the reversed topology observed during the [4+2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene or cyclohexadiene to the (−)-1a–TiCl₄ chelate can be rationalised on the basis of IR studies of their complexes with different Lewis acids. According to X-ray analyses, the origin of this differentiation resides in the loss of masked C₂ symmetry, due to the pseudoequatorial ‘down’ orientation of the SO(1) bond in (−)-1a,c as compared to the pseudoequatorial ‘up’ direction adopted by the SO(2) bond in (−)-1b,d, associated with the steric influence of the apical Ti–Cl atoms. Dependent on the strength of the Lewis acid, the much higher constraint of the SO₂/CO syn-s-cis conformer diminishes the chelating properties of this type of fenchane-8,2-sultam derived dienophiles (−)-1a and 1c.     

A new chiral oxazoline derived from camphor and its conversion to (R)-2-methylalkanoic acids

(1S,5R,7R)-(−)-10,10-Dimethyl-3-ethyl-4-oxa-2-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0^1,5]dec-2-ene 2 was prepared in 95% yield from (1S)-1-amino-2-exo-hydroxyapocamphane 1. The chiral oxazoline could be alkylated (LDA/THF/−78°C/RX, RX=ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl iodides or benzyl bromide) to 3 in 95% yield and >95% diastereoselectivity, and the products hydrolysed to (R)-2-methylalkanoic acids 4 (43–47% yield, 93–98% e.e.).     

Stereochemistry of terpene derivatives. Part 4: Fragrant terpenoid derivatives with an unsaturated gem-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system

Starting from (+)-3-carene 1 several chiral fragrant compounds with the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system 4–6 and 10–20 were synthesized. These compounds are structural analogues of naturally occurring fragrant compounds, such as ionones and damascones, and possess either an endo- or an exo-cyclic double bond in the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane moiety. The absolute configuration of selected products was confirmed by X-ray crystallography and circular dichroism analysis.     

Enantioselective diethylzinc addition to the exocyclic CN double bond of some 4-arylideneamino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-one derivatives

4-Arylideneamino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones 2a–f have been evaluated as substrates in the enantioselective diethylzinc addition reaction in the presence of (1S,2R)-N-alkyl-N-benzylnorephedrines 3a–d as chiral ligands. The utility of using a dual catalytic system (amino alcohol/halosilane) for the diethylzinc addition reaction has been also examined. The addition products 4-(1-arylpropyl)amino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones 4a–f were obtained in high yields and with enantiomeric excesses of up to 92%. The treatment of arylimines 2a–f with a diethylzinc reagent did not affect the hetero-ring opening although the CN double bond of the lateral chain did undergo an addition reaction to yield the C-ethylated products 4a–f. The reductive cleavage of the 1,2,4-triazinyl heterocyclic ring from addition products 4a–f led smoothly to the corresponding free primary amines 5a–f without a significant loss of enantiomeric purity.     

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-iodo Baylis–Hillman esters using MgI2 as promoter via a one-pot three-component reaction

An asymmetric synthesis of β-iodo-α-(hydroxyalkyl)acrylates has been developed involving conjugate addition of I⁻ to menthyl propiolates to give β-iodo allenolate intermediates which undergo 1,2-addition to form β-iodo Baylis–Hillman products. Modest diastereoselectivities (37–58% de) and excellent yields (80–87%) were obtained when (1R,2S,5R)-(−)-menthol was used as a chiral auxiliary. The two diastereoisomers of the product were separated by silica gel chromatography to give diastereomerically pure products.     

A simple synthesis of (−)-(R)-ipsdienol and (−)-(S)-ipsenol

A short and efficient synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of (+)-(S)-ipsdienol 1 and (−)-(S)-ipsenol 2 is presented via an asymmetric allylboration. The synthesis was achieved by using a one-pot reduction–methylenation of an exo-methylene lactone intermediate.     

Further enantioselective syntheses of α-arylalkanamines via intermediate addition of Grignard reagents to a chiral hydrazone derived from (R)-(−)-2-aminobutan-1-ol

Reaction of various aromatic aldehydes with the chiral hydrazine (R)-(−)-2, derived from 2-aminobutan-1-ol (R)-(−)-1, gave the corresponding hydrazones 5–12. Enantioselective addition of EtMgBr or n-BuMgBr to 5–8 gave the trisubstituted hydrazines 13a–f (d.e.s=100%). Catalytic hydrogenolysis (6 bar/Pd–C/110°C/5 h) of the N–N bond of the latter afforded the enantiomerically enriched α-arylalkanamines (R)-(+)-14a–f (e.e.s=90–93%).     

Double asymmetric induction in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of five-membered cyclic nitrones to 2-(5H)-furanones

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones 1–4 and their enantiomers 2ent–4ent to α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones, such as achiral 9 and d-glycero 10 provides an interesting example of a double asymmetric induction. The reactions are kinetically controlled. Upon heating and prolonged reaction time, however, the reversibility of the cycloaddition was observed and the presence of more stable thermodynamic products detected. Moreover, in the case of lactone 10, a partial racemization did occur and consequently adducts derived from 10ent were formed. Contrary to the corresponding additions involving δ-lactones, where only the exo approach of the reactants was observed, γ-lactones added nitrones in both exo and endo modes. The high preference of an anti addition to the terminal hydroxymethyl group in lactone 10 and to the 3-tert-butoxy group of the nitrone was observed; the 4-tert-butoxy substituent plays a secondary role. The endo addition of the reactants is energetically more demanding than the exo addition and occurs if none of the substituents present in the lactone or nitrone hinders such an approach. Due to the complex steric interactions a single product was formed in two cases only, 2ent/10 and 3/10. In one case, 3/9, a high preponderance of a single adduct was observed.     

Enantiodivergent syntheses of cycloheptenone intermediates for guaiane sesquiterpenes

The syntheses of enantiomeric 6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2-cycloheptenones 16 and 22 have been effected starting from (R)-(−)-carvone. In the synthesis of 16, (R)-(−)-carvone was reduced and the resulting dihydrocarvone transformed regioselectively into silyl enol ethers. Cyclopropanation with dibromocarbene and in situ rearrangement gave an α-bromo-cycloheptenone which was reduced to the (R)-(+)-cycloheptenone 16. In the synthesis of 22, (R)-(−)-carvone was cyclopropanated with a sulfur ylide, followed by reduction with LiAlH₄ and acid-catalyzed cyclopropylcarbinyl rearrangement to afford a cycloheptenol. Oxidation and double bond conjugation led to the (S)-(−)-cycloheptenone 22 in a partially racemized form. Four cycloheptenones have been obtained and are suitable intermediates for the enantiodivergent syntheses of guaiane sesquiterpenes.     

Reduction of various ketones by red algae

The reduction of acetophenone derivatives, (+)- and (−)-camphorquinones and steroidal ketones using red algae (Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D and Cyanidium caldarium) was investigated. It was found that fluoro, chloro and bromo acetophenone derivatives 1a–i were reduced with good enantioselectivity. On the contrary, reduction of methyl and methoxy acetophenone 1j–o showed low enantioselectivity. The reduction followed Prelog’s rule, giving the (S)-alcohols in all cases. Moreover, (+)- camphorquinone 5a was reduced to give (−)-3S- exo-hydroxycamphor 5d as the major product with high stereoselectivity in high yield. In addition, it was found that reduction of 5α-androstane-3,17-dione 8a gave the 3α-OH isomer (3α-OH/3β-OH = 76/24) with high stereoselectivity. Overall it was found that C. merolae and C. caldarium were able to reduce various substrates.     

Enantioselective syntheses of α-phenylalkanamines via intermediate addition of Grignard reagents to chiral hydrazones derived from (R)-(−)-2-aminobutan-1-ol

The hydrazine (R)-(−)-28 was obtained in four steps from 2-aminobutan-1-ol (R)-(−)-11, and reacted with benzaldehyde to give the hydrazone (R)-(−)-29. Nucleophilic addition of various alkyl Grignard reagents to the latter yielded the corresponding trisubstituted hydrazines (R,R)-30a–g in 70–89% yields and having d.e.s=100% (¹H and ¹³C NMR). Catalytic hydrogenolysis of these hydrazines afforded the corresponding (R)-(+)-α-phenylalkanamines (R)-(+)-31a–g having e.e.s=90–92% (chiral GPC).     

2-Methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid,a powerful chiral auxiliary for enantioresolution of alcohols and determination of their absolute configurations by the 1H NMR anisotropy method

Racemic 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid (1, MαNP acid) was enantioresolved as its esters derived from various chiral alcohols. For example, a diastereomeric mixture of esters prepared from (±)-1 and (1R,3R,4S)-(−)-menthol was easily separated by HPLC on silica gel yielding esters (−)-2a and (−)-2b, the separation factor α=1.83 being unusually large. The ¹H NMR chemical shift differences, Δδ=δ(R)–δ(S), between diastereomers 2a and 2b, are much larger than those of conventional chiral auxiliaries, e.g. Mosher’s MTPA and Trost’s MPA acids. This acid 1 is therefore very powerful for determining the absolute configuration of chiral alcohols by the ¹H NMR anisotropy method. Solvolysis of the separated esters yielded enantiopure acids (S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(−)-1, which are useful for enantioresolution of racemic alcohols.     

Synthesis and structure of nitrones derived from 2-trifluoromethyl bornane 3-imines

Upon treatment with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF₃SiMe₃), 3-(N-alkyl or 3-N-aryl)imines of camphorquinone of type 1 smoothly undergo stereoselective conversion to yield 2-endo-trifluoromethylated 1:1 adducts 2, which, after subsequent desilylation with sodium borohydride in boiling alcoholic solutions, were converted into imino alcohols 3. Unexpectedly, oxidation of 3 with m-CPBA resulted in the formation of a new type of trifluoromethylated nitrones 5 (and not the expected oxaziridines) in a stereoselective manner. In the case of 5a, the (Z)-configuration of the CN double bond of the nitrone unit was unambiguously established by an X-ray crystal-structure determination. However, photolysis of 5a led to the exo,exo/exo,endo mixture of the isomeric oxaziridine 7; the two stereoisomers were separated chromatographically.     

Synthesis of (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-O-methylbharatamine using a diastereoselective Pomeranz–Fritsch–Bobbitt methodology

Laterally lithiated (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-o-toluamides 6 with a chiral auxiliary derived from (S)- and (R)-phenylalaninol, respectively, were used as the building blocks and chirality inductors in the asymmetric modification of the Pomeranz–Fritsch–Bobbitt synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids. Their addition to imine 2 proceeded with partial cyclization, giving isoquinolones (+)-7 and (−)-7 along with acyclic products, (−)-8 and (+)-8, respectively. LAH-reduction of (+)-7 and (−)-7, followed by cyclization, afforded both enantiomers of the alkaloid, (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-O-methylbharatamine 5, in 32% and 40% overall yield and with 88% and 73% ees, respectively.     

A stereocontrolled access to 9-methyl cyclobuta[a]indan: en route to rigid atipamezole analogues

This work deals with the preparation of a benzofused bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane intermediate en route to rigid analogues of atipamezole. We show that an intramolecular hydrosilylation in which a hydroxyl group serves as directing element can be used for the stereoselective synthesis of the target compound 7 from the exo-methylene derivative 4. The Si-H addition onto the proximal double bond is regioselective and the cyclization occurs exclusively via a 5-exo-trig mode. Although the γ-silyl alcohol 8a resisted 1,4-Brook-type rearrangement, its sodium salt was found to cyclize under thermal conditions to give the siloxacyclopentane 6a in good yield.     

Synthesis of (−)-aphanorphine using a sulfur-directed aryl radical cyclization

Treatment of radical precursor 15a having a vinyl sulfide moiety with Bu₃SnH in the presence of AIBN in boiling benzene afforded exclusively the 6-exo cyclization product 16a, whereas similar treatment of the exo-methylene compound 15b gave a mixture of the 6-exo cyclization product 16b and the endo-olefin product 17 formed by a 1,5-hydrogen shift. Based on these findings, the synthesis of (−)-aphanorphine was achieved using a sulfur-directed 6-exo-selective aryl radical cyclization of 22.     

Enantioselective synthesis of epimeric cis-3-carboxycyclopentylglycines

Two epimeric chiral cyclopentylglycines (−)-16 and (+)-17, functionalised with a carboxy group cis to the amino acid group, were prepared starting from chiral 2-amino-3-oxo-norbornanecarboxylic acid derivative exo-9 by combining two classical reactions such as the Diels–Alder and retro-Claisen reactions. Compounds 16 and 17 are non-proteinogenic amino acids of biological interest containing conformational constraints in which the skeletons of both 2-aminoadipic acid and 2-aminopimelic acid are included.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation reactions mediated by a new class of bicyclic bisphosphinites

The bicyclic alcohol (−)-4 was prepared from (−)-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one (−)-1 in 50% yield. The diol (−)-4 was coupled to selected chlorophosphines 6–12 to produce a series of bisphosphinites 13–19 in 89–95% yield. From these bisphosphinites were prepared the rhodium complexes 20–26 which were characterised by ³¹P NMR and used in situ for the asymmetric hydrogenation of α-enamides 27–29. Complexes 21, 23–25 proved to be the superior catalysts for the production of (R)-N-acetylphenylalanine (91, 84, 90 and 87.5% ee) from 27 and (S)-N-acetylalanine methyl ester (70, 72, 68 and 71% ee) from 28.     

Indenone chemistry—II : Synthesis and reactions of 2,3-dimethylene-6-methoxyindanone

Debromination of the dibromoindenone 5 affords the title compound 8, which dimerizes immediately via a Diels-Alder reaction to the dimers 7a and 7b. The diene 8 can be trapped with cyclopentadiene affording the exo -adduct 9a and the endo -adduct 9b. The norbornene double bond in the adduct 9a can be selectively oxidized to the cis-exo-dial 10.     

Remote stereocontrol by the sulfinyl group. Diels–Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with substituted (S)-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)styrenes and (S)-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl] vinyl ketones

The ability of a homochiral sulfinyl group at the dienophile to act as a remote stereocontrol inductor in the Diels–Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene has been evaluated. High pressure conditions were required for the reactions of (S)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)styrenes 3–5 (E-1,2-disubstituted double bond) and 6–8 (1,1-disubstituted double bond). A good facial selectivity and total endo selectivity were attained with 1,1-disubstitued dienophiles, though the 1,2-disubstituted ones afforded poorer results. In contrast, (S)-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl] vinyl ketones 9–11 reacted readily at low temperature (?40 °C) with complete endo selectivity and high facial selectivity in the presence of Yb(OTf)₃ as a chelating reagent of sulfinyl and carbonyl oxygen atoms. Concerning furan reactions, β-trifluoromethyl enone 14 afforded Diels–Alder adducts with high facial selectivity in the presence of the Lewis acid, but β-non-substituted enones 9 and 12 yielded products of furan conjugate addition to the double bond.