Enantioselective synthesis of (10S)- and (10R)-methyl-anandamides

For the development of novel endocannabinoid templates with potential resistance to hydrolytic and oxidative metabolism, we are targeting the bis-allylic carbons of the arachidonoyl skeleton. Toward this end, we recently disclosed the synthesis and preliminary biological data for the (13S)-methyl-anandamide. We report now the total synthesis of the (10S)- and (10R)-methyl-counterparts. Our synthetic approach is stereospecific, efficient, and provides the analogs without the need for resolution. Peptide coupling, P-2 nickel partial hydrogenation, and cis-selective Wittig olefination are the key steps.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)-alpha-alkylcysteines via phase-transfer catalytic alkylation

We reported efficient enantioselective synthetic methodologies for (R)-alpha-alkylcysteines and (S)-alpha-alkylcysteines. The phase-transfer catalytic alkylation of 2-phenyl-2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and 2-o-biphenyl-2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, in the presence of chiral catalysts (1 or 2), gave the corresponding alkylated products, which could be hydrolyzed to provide (R)-alpha-alkylcysteines (67->99% ee) and (S)-alpha-alkylcysteines (66-88% ee), respectively.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)-5-dimethylaminomethyl-4,5-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone methobromide - constrained analogues of acetylcholine

S6 and R6 represent constrained analogues of acetylcholine. Two effective routes to synthesize the enantiopure title compounds starting from either D- or L- glutamic acid are reported.     

Enantioselective syntheses of (S)- and (R)-8,9-dihydroxydihydromagnolol

8,9-Dihydroxydihydromagnolol 5 was synthesized in four steps in which the synthesis of magnolol 4 was improved and the absolute configuration of 5 was confirmed as (R).     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-(+)-pantolactone

[reaction: see text] The Prins reaction of a chiral alkylidene morpholinone derived from (1R,2S)-ephedrine and 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoic acid proceeds with good diastereoselectivity to generate a spiro bis-acetal. Lewis acid mediated diastereoselective reductive cleavage of the spiro acetal and subsequent removal of the ephedrine portion generates a alpha-hydroxy-gamma-methoxy carboxamide which is readily converted to (S)-(+)-pantolactone with high enantiomeric excess.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)-(−)-praziquantel (PZQ)

Praziquantel 8 (2-cyclohexylcarbonyl-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline-4-one), a powerful anti-worm drug, has been synthesized in its enantiopure form via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation according to the Noyori protocol. Initially, the reduction of prochiral imine 4 afforded product 5 in 62% ee, but a single crystallization amplified the enantiomeric purity to 98% ee. The final (R)-(−)-praziquantel 8 was prepared in three subsequent steps in 56% chemical yield.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (+)(R)- and (-)(S)-nicotine based on Ir-catalysed allylic amination

The synthesis of nicotine with enantiomeric excess of >99% ee was accomplished by asymmetric Ir-catalysed allylic amination followed by ring closing metathesis and racemization-free double bond reduction.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)-curcumene and curcuphenol: an efficient chemoenzymatic route

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of curcumene and curcuphenol is described. The key intermediates, substituted butanoates 7a and 7b and their acids 8a and 8b are obtained in high enantiopurity (>99% ee) by a lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution process. The enantiopure intermediates thus obtained were utilized for the total synthesis of the target compounds.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-2- [(3-chlorophenyl)-(2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]morpholine

The enantioselective synthesis of the (R,R)- and (S,S)-enantiomers of 1 from commercially available 3-chlorocinnamic acid is reported. The Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation was used to establish the stereocenters in the synthesis of both enantiomers of 1.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-dapoxetine

An efficient enantioselective synthesis leading directly to (+)-(S)-dapoxetine has been described for the first time using a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Barton–McCombie deoxygention, and Mitsunobu reaction as the key steps.     

New analogues of fosfomycin—synthesis of diethyl (1R,2R)- and (1S,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1R,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised via the intramolecular Williamson reaction from 3-O-protected (trityl or TBDMS) or even unprotected diethyl (1S,2R)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-mesyloxypropylphosphonate, which was obtained from the known diethyl (1S,2R)-2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-1,2,3-trihydroxypropylphosphonate. On the other hand, the cis-analogue, diethyl (1S,2R)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, could only be prepared from diethyl (1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-mesyloxy-3-trityloxypropylphoshonate.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxamides

Enantiomers of 2-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxamides bearing different substituents in the aromatic ring are obtained by the cyclization of (R)-monomethyl 2-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenoxy)malonates with the participation of the carboxy and methoxycarbonyl group, respectively.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (S,R)- and (R,R)-methiin stereoisomers

Abstract

An asymmetric synthesis of (+)- and (–)-methiine (S-methyl-(R)-cysteine sulfoxide) diastereomers has been developed. These natural sulfur compounds were isolated from a variety of Brassica vegetables. As the starting compound, (R)-cysteine was used, which was methylated to form (R)-S-methylcysteine. Then the oxidation of S-methylcysteine with tert-butyl hydroperoxide catalyzed by the chiral tetra(isopropylate)titanium/(S)- or (R)-Binol complex led to the formation of (1?R,2S)-(+)- or (1?R,2R)-(–)-methiin stereomers.     

An enantioselective synthesis of (S)- and (R)-curcuphenol

The enantioselective synthesis of the phenolic sesquiterenses (S)- and (R)-curcuphenol is reported. The key step in this synthesis is the asymmetric conjugate addition using a readily available enantiomerically pure sulfoxide as the chiral auxiliary.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pentalenene

A short, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pentalenene is described. Catalytic enantioselective cyclopropenation with (R,R)-Rh2(OAc)(DPTI)3 was used to set the absolute stereochemistry, and an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of the resulting cyclopropenyne was used to establish the quaternary center.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-paeonilide

The first enantioselective synthesis of (-)-paeonilide is reported. Starting from inexpensive furan-3-carboxylic acid the targeted monoterpene was obtained in 12 steps via an asymmetric cyclopropanation-lactonization cascade and a stereoselective side chain insertion at an acetal-like position.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (-)-codeine and (-)-morphine

A new synthetic strategy for the synthesis of the opiate and amaryllidaceae alkaloids emerges employing a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to set the stereochemistry. The pivotal tricyclic intermediate is available in six steps from 2-bromovanillin and the monoester of methyl 6-hydroxycyclohexene-1-carboxylate, the latter available from glutaraldehyde and the Emmons-Wadsworth-Horner phosphate reagent. This intermediate requires only two steps to convert to (-)-galanthamine. Using a Heck vinylation, we found that the fourth ring of codeine/morphine is formed. The final ring formation involves a novel visible light-promoted hydroamination. Thus, six steps are required to convert the pivotal tricyclic intermediate into codeine, which has been demethylated in high yield to morphine.