Synthesis of trihydroxy quinolizidine alkaloids: 1,3-addition reaction of allylmagnesium bromide to a sugar nitrone

The synthesis of (1R,2R,3S,9aR) and (1R,2R,3S,9aS) trihydroxy quinolizidine alkaloids 3a and 3b from d-glucose derived nitrone 4 is described. The key transformation involves the 1,3-addition of allylmagnesium bromide to nitrone 4 that afforded high diastereoselectivity in the presence of TMSOTf. The N-O bond reductive cleavage, N-Cbz protection, ozonolysis, Wittig olefination, lactum formation and reductive amination cascade afforded the target compounds 3a and 3b in good overall yield.     

Stereo-controlled approach to pyrrolidine iminosugar C-glycosides and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-allitol using a d-mannose-derived cyclic nitrone

Intramolecular N-alkylation of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulfonyl-6-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-d-mannofuranose-oxime 7 afforded a five-membered cyclic nitrone 9, which on N-O bond reductive cleavage followed by deprotection of -OTBS and acetonide functionalities gave 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-allitol (DIA) 3. Addition of allylmagnesium chloride to nitrone 9 afforded α-allylated product 10a in high diastereoselectivity providing an easy entry to N-hydroxy-C1-α-allyl-substituted pyrrolidine iminosugar 4a after removal of protecting group, while N-O bond reductive cleavage in 10a afforded C1-α-allyl-pyrrolidine iminosugar 4b.     

Stereo-controlled approach to pyrrolidine iminosugar C-glycosides and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-allitol using a d-mannose-derived cyclic nitrone

Intramolecular N-alkylation of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulfonyl-6-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-d-mannofuranose-oxime 7 afforded a five-membered cyclic nitrone 9, which on N–O bond reductive cleavage followed by deprotection of –OTBS and acetonide functionalities gave 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-allitol (DIA) 3. Addition of allylmagnesium chloride to nitrone 9 afforded α-allylated product 10a in high diastereoselectivity providing an easy entry to N-hydroxy-C1-α-allyl-substituted pyrrolidine iminosugar 4a after removal of protecting group, while N–O bond reductive cleavage in 10a afforded C1-α-allyl-pyrrolidine iminosugar 4b.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of exo-methylenesugars with nitrone: approach to new amino-C-ketosyl disaccharides

Stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of exo-methylenesugars 1a-c to a sugar nitrone 2 were carried out with refluxing a toluene solution and afforded the corresponding cycloadducts, ketosyl spiro-isoxazolidine disaccharides 3a and 4a-c. Followed by reductive cleavage of the N-O bond of the isoxazolidine ring with the treatment of Zn-AcOH-Ac₂O or with catalytic hydrogenation (Pd(OH)₂/C), the cycloadduct 3a could be readily converted into a novel amino-C-disaccharide possessing a ketose form, providing an access to a novel amino-C-ketosyl disaccharides.     

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.     

On the mechanism of the reductive cleavage of anti-9-phenyl-cis-bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene

Treatment of the title compound (1a) with potassium in liquid ammonia at ca ?33° immediately afforded the benzylcyclooctatetraene dianion (4a) which, upon quenching with iodine-pentane, gave benzylcyclooctatetraene (5) as the only isolable product. In contrast, treatment of1a with potassium amide in liquid ammonia at ?69° initially afforded the 9-phenylmethylenecyclooctatrienyl anion (6a) as a short-lived intermediate which was then converted to the α-aminobenzylcyclooctatetraene dianion (7a). These results, coupled with the observation that cis-bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4-diene (12) in potassium amide-liquid ammonia affords the cis-bicyclo[6.1.0]nonadienyl anion (8b) which then slowly opens to the methylcyclooctatetraene dianion (4b) at ?12°, lead to the conclusion that4a is produced by a reductive cleavage of1avia a radical anion or dianion.     

Synthesis of eight-membered iminocyclitols from d-glucose

The Baylis-Hillman reaction of 3-O-benzyl-α-d-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose 2 afforded a diastereomeric mixture of l-ido- and d-gluco-configurated α-methylene-β-hydroxy esters 3a and 3b, respectively, in 1:1 ratio. Conjugate addition of benzyl amine on 3a gave adduct 4a as a major product while, addition of benzyl amine to 3b gave only one diastereomer 4b. Reduction of ester functionality in 4a/4b, opening of 1,2-acetonide functionality followed by reductive amino-cyclization under hydrogenation condition afforded azocanes 1c/1d in good yield.     

Synthesis of (−)-lentiginosine, its 8a-epimer and dihydroxylated pyrrolizidine alkaloid from d-glucose

The d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester 5 on 1,2-acetonide deprotection, oxidative diol cleavage followed by treatment with N-benzylamine in the presence of NaBH₃CN undergoes reductive amination and a concomitant intramolecular conjugate addition reaction leading to the formation of dihydroxypyrrolidine-ester 6a and monohydroxypyrrolidine-γ-lactone 6b. Intermediates 6a and 6b were efficiently converted to (−)-lentiginosine 3a, its 8a-epimer 3b, and pyrrolizidine azasugar 4 in good overall yield.     

3-Amino- and 3-acylamido-2-phosphonopyridines: synthesis by Pd-catalyzed P-C coupling, structure and conversion to pyrido[b]-anellated PC-N heterocycles

Palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of 3-amino- and 3-acylamido-2-bromopyridines 1a-f with triethyl phosphite allowed the synthesis of 3-amino- and 3-acylamido pyridine-2-phosphonic acid diethyl esters 2a-f, whereas nickel catalysts, although providing access to related anilido-2-phosphonates, proved inactive. Reduction of the aminophosphonate 2a with LiAlH₄ afforded 3-amino-2-phosphinopyridine (3a), which was cyclocondensed with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFA) via phosphaalkene intermediates 4a to the novel pyrido[b]-anellated 1,3-azaphosphole 5a. Reaction of amidophosphonates 2b-f with LiAlH₄ did not result in the expected reductive cyclization, as shown by closely related anilido-2-phosphonates, but led to product mixtures containing N-secondary 3-amino-2-phosphinopyridines 3b-f as the main or major component. The conversion of 3b,d,e with DMFA to 5b,d,e provides first examples of N-substituted pyrido[b]-anellated azaphospholes. Structures were confirmed by multinuclear NMR and X-ray crystallography (for 2c, 3b).     

Solvent-dependent reactivities of acyclic nitrones with β-diketones: catalyst-free syntheses of endiones and enones

Reactions of the nitrones ^?O⁺N(Me)C(H)Ar 1 (Ar=phenyl 1a, 4-methylphenyl 1b, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1c, and anthracen-9-yl 1d) with the cyclic β-diketones 1,3-indandione 2 or barbituric acid 3 in CH₂Cl₂, afford the corresponding endiones 2′a–2′d or 3′a–3′d. In contrast, dimedone 4 reacts with 1a or 1b to give the endione 4′a or 4′b and the bis-adduct 4″a or 4″b. Nevertheless, reaction of 4 with 1c or 1d in CH₂Cl₂ furnishes only the endione adducts 4′c or 4′d. However, the reaction of 4 with 1a or 1b in methanol gives only 4″a or 4″b, respectively. Among acyclic β-diketones only malonic acid 7 reacts with 1a–1c. Reaction of 7 with 1a in CH₂Cl₂ forms cinnamic acid 7″a, whereas in the case of 1b, the endione 7′b and (E)-3-p-tolylacrylic acid 7″b are obtained. The nitrone 1c reacts with 7 in CH₂Cl₂ to afford the endione 7′c or with acetone yielding (E)-4-mesitylbut-3-en-2-one 8. X-ray analyses are reported for 4′c, 5, and 7″b. In addition, the calculated acidity of the hydrogen at the α-C atom is shown to correlate with the reactivity of the β-diketones with nitrones.     

Enzymatic resolution of (±)-2-(Nβ-t-butoxycarbonyl-Nα-methylhydrazino)cycloalkanols

Racemates of cis- and trans-2-(N_β-t-butoxycarbonyl-N_α-methylhydrazino)cyclopentanols and -cyclohexanols 1–4 were resolved through lipase PS- or Novozym 435-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the secondary OH group at the (R)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E >200) was observed when vinyl acetate or vinyl butyrate was used in diisopropyl ether, resulting in the enantiopure hydrazino esters 1a–4a and hydrazino alcohols 1b–4b. Methanolysis of the esters 1a–4a afforded the corresponding 2-hydrazinocycloalkanols 1c–4c (ee usually >95%).     

Synthesis of organosilicon polymers by using the Lewis-acid-catalyzed trans-allylsilylation of alkynes

The HfCl₄ catalyzed polymerization of allyl(4-ethynylphenyl)dimethylsilane (1a) proceeded smoothly to give poly[dimethyl-(1,4-pentadienyl)phenylsilane] (2a), and the HfCl₄ catalyzed reaction of 1-allyl-2-(4-ethynyphenyl)-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane (1b) afforded poly[1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1-(1,4-pentadienyl)-2-phenyldisilane] (2b). These polymerization reactions proceeded via the stereoselective trans-allylsilylation of the 4-ethynyl group attached to the aromatic ring.     

Synthesis of novel β-amino alcohols and their application in the catalytic asymmetric sulfoxidation of sulfides

Novel chiral norephedrine-based β-amino alcohol ligands containing a thiophene ring were prepared from norephedrine and substituted furan carbaldehydes (methyl- or ethyl-substituted) and used in combination with VO(acac)₂ for the asymmetric oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. Amino alcohol derived Schiff bases 4,5a–b gave higher enantiomeric excesses than amino alcohol-derived reduced Schiff based ligands 6,7a–b. Of these chiral ligands, (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b gave high yields (90%) with moderate to high enantioselectivities (78%, 96% ee, respectively). The oxidation of other aryl methyl sulfides with (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b as ligands afforded the corresponding sulfoxides in 60–89% yields and with 92–99% ee.     

Synthesis of procyanidins by stepwise- and self-condensation using 3,4-cis-4-acetoxy-3-O-acetyl-4-dehydro-5,7,3′,4′-tetra-O-benzyl-(+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin as a key building monomer

3,4-cis-4-Acetoxy-3-O-acetyl-4-dehydro-5,7,3′,4′-tetra-O-benzyl-(+)-catechin (1a) or (−)-epicatechin (1b) reacted high regio- and stereo-selectively with 1.5 equiv of the 5,7,3′,4′-tetra-O-benzyloxyflavan-3-ol (4a or 4b) in the presence of 1 equiv of TMSOTf to give the corresponding procyanidins. On the other hand, the self-condensation of 1a in the presence of a catalytic amount of B(C₆F₅)₃ afforded wide-range procyanidins from dimer to 15-mer like a biomass.     

Forskolin studies

a) The reactions of 1,9-dideoxyforskolin (3a) with various silylating agents were investigated. The 9(11)-silyl enol ether could not be obtained. Reaction of 3a with (Me₃Si)₂NH - Me₃SiI afforded cleavage products 9a and 10a.b) Reaction of 9b with phenylselenophthalimide - camphorsulfonic acid gave the 8,12-epoxy labdane derivatives 15 and 17. Phenylselenyl chloride reacted uith 9b by addition across the double bond betmeen C-14 and C-15.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Übergangsmetall-Carbin-Komplexe: CI. Gezielter Aufbau eines Diethylaminocarbin-Liganden am Wolfram aus Ethylisocyanid-Vorstufen

An effective route to the W⁰-diethylaminocarbyne complex Cp(CO)(EtNC)WCNEt₂ (5) (Cp = η⁵C₅H₅) is reported starting from the easily accessible, isomeric mixture of the W^II-isocyanide compounds cis- and trans-CpW(CO)₂(EtNC)I (1a, 1b). Thus oxidative decarbonylation of 1a/1b with one equivalent of I₂ results in the quantitative formation of the W^IV complex CpW(CO)(EtNC)(I)₃ (2). Subsequent reductive elimination of two iodide ligands in 2 with Na/Hg leads in the presence of EtNC to an isomeric mixture of the W^II-compounds cis- and trans-CpW(CO)(EtNC)₂I (3a, 3b), the formal carbonyl substitution products of 1a and 1b, in high yield, Further reduction of 3a/3b is achieved with Na powder and yields the electron-rich W⁰-metallate Na[CpW(CO)EtNC)₂] (4) in quantitative yield. Finally ethylation of 4 with Et₃OBF4 occurs exclusively at the isocyanide-nitrogen and affords the desired complex 5.     

Synthesis and characterization of chalcogen (S and Se) derivatives of 4-chloro- and 4-methoxy-N,N-diisopropylpyridine-2-carboxamide: X-ray structure of 4-methoxy-3-(sulfanylmethyl)- and 4-chloro-3-(selenenylbenzyl)-N,N-diisopropylpyridine-2-carboxamide

Synthesis of chalcogen (S and Se) derivatives of 4-chloro- and 4-methoxy-N,N-diisopropylpyridine-2-carboxamide (1a and 1b respectively) has been reported. 1a and 1b were lithiated with 2 equiv. of n-BuLi or LDA at ?78 °C. Addition of elemental sulfur or selenium to the carbanion led to the formation of corresponding thiolate or selenolate anions respectively. The selenolate anions were aerial oxidized to afford the corresponding diselenides. The thiolate/selenolate anions were quenched with a variety of electrophiles to give unsymmetrical thio/selenoalkanes in moderate to good yields. Reductive cleavage of Se–Se bond has also been studied. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se), FT-IR and mass spectral techniques. Crystal structures of two compounds, 6b and 7a, were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Their crystal structure exhibits 1,4-type S?OCH₃ and Se?Cl intramolecular secondary interactions respectively. The relative thermal stability of 3a, 3b and 4a has also been established by thermogravimetric analysis.     

Reversal of enantioselectivity by adding Ti(OiPr)4: novel sulfamide-amine alcohol ligands for the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Novel sulfamide-amine alcohol ligands (6) derived from (−)-ephedrine (4a) and (+)-pseudoephedrine (4b) with multiple stereogenic centers were applied to the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes, providing (S)-products in high yields and good enantioselectivities. These sulfamide-amine alcohols together with Ti(OⁱPr)₄ were shown to obtain the (R)-products in significant enantiomeric excesses (e.e.) and high yields. In addition, sulfamide-amine alcohols were superior to the original chiral sources 4a and 4b, which afforded no enantioselectivity in the Ti(OⁱPr)₄-mediated reaction.     

Preparation of β-hydroxyesters from isoxazolines. A selective Nibpy-catalyzed electrochemical method

An electrocatalytic method for the reductive N-O cleavage of isoxazolines is described. Ni⁰bpy, generated in situ, was used to promote selective ring opening of 3-methoxy-5-phenylisoxazoline (1a) and 3-methoxy-[4,5]cyclohexylisoxazoline (1b). DMF and NaI were used as solvent and supporting electrolyte, and β-hydroxyesters 2a and 2b were obtained in high yields respectively, after acid hydrolysis. β-Hydroxynitriles 3a and 3b were also identified as side products.