New chiral phosphine-phosphonites derived from (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate, (S)-binaphthol and (1R,2S)-ephedrine

The reaction of 2-lithiophenyldiphenylphosphine with phosphorus trichloride afforded the new unsymmetric phosphine, dichloro(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine (4). Condensation of 4 with (a) (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate or (b) (S)-binaphthol in the presence of triethylamine gave new chiral phosphine-phosphonite ligands, (2R,3R)-[2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4,5-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane] ((2R,3R)-5) and (S)-[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzene][1,1′-binaphthalen-2,2′-diyl]phosphonite] ((S)-6). The analogous reaction of 4 with (1R,2S)-ephedrine using N-methylmorpholine as the base, gave [2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaphospholidine] (7) as a 95:5 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

The synthesis of the insect pheromone (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethyltridec-2-yl acetate from racemic 3,4-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone by diastereoselective chiral resolution

The insect pheromone (2S,3R,7R)-3,7-dimethyltridec-2-yl acetate 1-Ac was prepared from diastereomerically enriched (2S¹,3R¹,7R)-1, which in turn was obtained by the coupling of racemic 3,4-dimethyl-γ-butyrolactone with (7S)-2-methyloctyllithium, followed by a Wolff–Kishner reduction of the resulting ketone. Conversion of (2S¹,3R¹,7R)-1 to the corresponding alkyl hydrogen phthalate and diastereomer salt formation with (S)-PhCHMeNH₂ provided after several crystallizations individual diastereomer, which was later transformed into target 1-Ac after hydrolysis and acylation.     

Studies towards the synthesis of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates and (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates

The trans-configured fosfomycin analogue, diethyl (1S,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonate, was synthesised by the intramolecular Williamson reaction of diethyl (1S,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate. The cis-analogue was obtained as O-ethyl or O,O-diethyl (1R,2S)-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxypropylphosphonates, when (1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonate or its 3-O-trityl derivative were used as starting materials, respectively. The intramolecular Williamson cyclisations of diethyl (1S,2R)- and (1R,2S)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxypropylphosphonates led to diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, respectively, with the concomitant formation of diethyl (E)-1-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyprop-1-en-1-phosphonate. From diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-2,3-epoxy-1-benzyloxypropylphosphonates, enantiomerically pure diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation, while diethyl (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-3-acetamido-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonates were produced after epoxide ring opening with dibenzylamine, acetylation and hydrogenolysis.     

Synthesis of chiral 1,5-disubstituted pyrrolidinones via electrophile-induced cyclization of 2-(3-butenyl)oxazolines derived from (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-norephedrine

Starting from (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-norephedrine, enantiomers of the corresponding 2-(3-butenyl)oxazolines were prepared in a two-step process. The cyclization of the intermediate alkenylamides with phenylselenyl bromide afforded cyclic imidates instead of the expected pyrrolidinones. The electrophile-induced cyclizations of 2-alkenyloxazolines with bromine or iodine produced diastereomeric mixtures of chiral 1,5-disubstituted pyrrolidinones. The ring closure of the all-cis (1R,2S,5R)-diastereomer 7 with NaH resulted in the tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazol-5-one derivative 18, which was alternatively prepared by the cyclocondensation of (1R,2S)-norephedrine with levulinic acid.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (1R,2S,4S)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-carboxylic acid

A scalable enantioselective access to (1R,2S,4S)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-exo-carboxylic acid 7, a key precursor in the synthesis of A2a receptor antagonist 1 by means of an enzymatic resolution of the respective butyl ester with lipase A from Candida antarctica, is described.     

New cyclic aminals derived from rac-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: synthesis and crystal structure of racemic 1,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo[8.3.1.1.8,1202,7] pentadecane and a route to its enantiomerically pure (R,R) and (S,S) isomers

New enantiomerically pure macrocyclic aminals (2R,7R)- and (2S,7S)-1,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo[8.3.1.1.^8,120^2,7]pentadecane (4a and 4b) were obtained by a three component reaction between their respective pure enantiomer of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Additionally, the X-ray structure of the racemic compound 4 and the specific rotations of the racemic and optically pure compounds were determined. To further understand the synthetic utilities of enantiomers 4a and 4b, Mannich-type reactions with 1H-benzotriazole were performed, affording (3aR,7aR)- and (3aS,7aS)-1,1′-{[2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,7a-octahydro-1H-1,3-benzimidazole-1,3-diyl]bis(methylene)}bis-1H-benzotriazole (9 and 10) and allowing for new possibilities related to the preparation of chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis.     

Synthesis of (+)-1,3,5,7 -tetrakis[2-(1S,3S,5R,6S,8R,10R)-D3-trishomocubanylbuta-1,3-diynyl]adamantane : The first optically active organic molecule with t symmetry and of known absolute configuration

(-)-(1S,3S,5R,6S,8R,10R)-Trishomocubanethanoic acid (5) of known absolute configuration and absolute rotation was converted into (+)-(1S,3S,5S,6S,8R,10R)-2-bromoethynyl-D₃-trishomocubane (27) of C₃ symmetry. 1,3,5,7-Tetraethynyladamantane (22), with Td symmetry, was prepared from 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)adamantane(13). Coupling of the C₃-component 27 with the Td component 22 was successfully accomplished by Chodkiewicz and Cadiot's procedure providing (+)-1,3,5,7-tetrakis[2-(1S,3S,5R,6S,8R,10R)-D₃-trishomocubanylbuta-1,3-diynyl]adamantane(4) whose highest attainable static and time-averaged dynamic symmetry are T and (C₃)⁴ XXX T,respectively.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

A chiron approach to (1R,2R,5S,7S)-2-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin: a component of the volatiles produced by the male mountain pine beetle,Dendroctonus ponderosae

A chiron approach for the synthesis of (1R,2R,5S,7S)-2-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin 1, a component of the volatiles obtained from male mountain pine beetles, Dendroctonus ponderosae has been achieved. Our synthesis started with commercially available d-ribose and involves a Wittig olefination, an acid catalyzed one pot hydrogenation and the internal acetalization as key steps.     

Enantiopure vic-amino alcohols and vic-diamines from (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene

(1S,2S)-2-Hydroxy-1-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, (1R,2R)-1-hydroxy-2-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, (1S,2R)-1,2-diamino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, (2R,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and (2S,3S)-2,3-diammino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene have been synthesized from (1R,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene. The latter was obtained, using a protocol reported in a previous paper, from naphthalene using an Escherichia coli recombinant strain containing the naphthalene dioxygenase gene cloned from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3.     

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.     

Solvent-induced chirality switching in the enantioseparation of regioisomeric hydroxyphenylpropionic acids via diastereomeric salt formation with (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol

The enantioseparation of three hydroxyphenylpropionic acid isomers via diastereomeric salt formation with (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol has been demonstrated. The racemates of all three acid isomers were successfully separated with high efficiency (0.56–0.84) after single crystallization. For 2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acid 4, the configuration of the less-soluble salt was controlled by the crystallization solvent: the (R)-4 salt was crystallized from water, while 2-propanol afforded the (S)-4 salt. The chiral recognition mechanism of the three acids was discussed based on the crystal structures of the diastereomeric salts.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S,3R)-2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)thiazole

Two different methods for preparing the thiazole analogue 3 of the biologically active compound (1R,2S,3R)-2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4- tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole 1 are reported.     

Solid-state structure determination and solution-state NMR characterization of the (2R,4R)/(2S,4S)- and (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-diastereomers of the agricultural fungicide propiconazole,the (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-symmetrical triazole constitutional isomer,and a ditriazole analogue

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was used to determine the structure of a racemic diastereomer of the agricultural fungicide propiconazole [1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-n-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole] and of two by-products (a symmetrical 1,3,4-triazole racemic-constitutional isomer and a propiconazole ditriazole analogue). All three crystalline racemic-diastereomers had (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-stereochemistry in which then-propyl group was observed in atrans-to-phenyl disposition. Propiconazole (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-diastereomer gives crystals belonging to the monoclinic space group P2₁,/a, and, at 293 K,a=8.1192(3),b=18.9769(6),c=10.7137(4) å,Β=99.765(3)?,V=1626.8(1) å³, Z=4,R(F)=0.060, andR _w(F)=0.058. The constitutional isomer by-product (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-n-pro-pyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,3,4-triazole gives crystals belonging to the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, and, at 293 K,a=11.1763(6),b=10.7716(4),c=14.5804(8) å,Β=107.445(4)?,V=1674.6(1) å³, Z=4,R(F)=0.043, andR _w(F)=0.043. The ditriazole byproduct (2R,4S)/(2S,4R)-1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)phenyl)-4-n-propyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-yl-methyl)-1-H-1,2,4-triazole gives crystals belonging to the triclinic space groupP¯ 1, and, at 193 K,a=5.3329(8),b=8.3738(7),c=20.240(2) å, α=84.213(6)?,Β=87.20(1)?,γ=86.23(1)?,V=896.5(2) å³, Z=2,R(F)=0.046, andR _w(F)=0.051. The presence of both propiconazole (2R.4S)- and (2S,4R)-enantiomers enables the formation of a crystalline racemic modification, while the diastereomeric propiconazole (2R,4R)- and (2S,4S)-enantiomers are viscous oils. In the absence of its enantiomorphic partner, the propiconazole (2R,4S)- or (2S,4R)-enantiomers remain as viscous oils rather than form chiral crystals.     

Synthesis of fully protected (2R,3R,4S)-4-amino-7-guanidino-2,3-dihydroxy heptanoic acid

(2R,3R,4S)-4-Amino-7-guanidino-2,3-dihydroxyheptanoic acid (AGDHE), a common constituent of biologically active marine peptides, callipeltin A (1) and neamphamide A, was synthesized as its orthogonally protected derivative from l-glutamic acid in 15 steps. Guanidination by the Mitsunobu condition and osmium-catalyzed dihydroxylation of the corresponding Z-olefin were employed as the key steps.     

Enantiomerically pure piperazines via NaBH4/I2 reduction of cyclic amides

Enantiomerically pure (3S,7R,8aS)-3-phenyloctahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-7-ol, (3S,7R,8aS)-3-methyl octahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-7-ol, (3S,7R,8aS)-3-isopropyloctahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-7-ol and (3S,7R,8aS)-3-isobutyloctahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-7-ol 16d were synthesized via preparation of the corresponding cyclic amides from enantiomerically pure l-proline and hydroxyproline derivatives followed by reduction using sodium borohydride-iodine.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Enantio- and diastereo-convergent synthesis of (2R,5R)- and (2R,5S)-Pityol through enzyme-triggered ring closure

A short chemoenzymatic synthesis of the (2R,5S)- and (2R,5R)-stereoisomer of the bark beetle pheromone Pityol 1 was achieved from (±)-Sulcatol 2 in an enantio- and diastereo-convergent fashion without the formation of any ‘unwanted’ stereoisomer. The key steps include: (i) lipase-catalyzed deracemization of (±)-2 using kinetic resolution coupled to an in-situ inversion or, alternatively, dynamic resolution using combined lipase- and Ru-catalysis; and (ii) creation of the second stereogenic center by an epoxide hydrolase-catalyzed diastereo-convergent hydrolysis of a haloalkyl oxirane, followed by spontaneous ring closure to form 1 in a stereoselective fashion.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (3R,4S)- and (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

An efficient and a convenient enantioselective synthesis of (3R,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine has been carried out by a lipase-mediated resolution protocol. This method describes the preparation of (±)-1-Cbz-cis-3-azido-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from commercially available diallylamine followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) via S_N2 displacement reactions. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase immobilized on diatomaceous earth (Amano PS-D) provides (3R,4S)-11 and (3S,4R)-12 in an excellent enantiomeric excess.     

Novel stereocontrolled synthesis of the tricyclic lactone (1R,3R,6R,9S)-6,9-dimethyl-8-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonane

The stereocontrolled synthesis of (1R,3R,6R,9S)-6,9-dimethyl-8-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.0^3,9]nonane 1 from (R)-(−)-carvone has been accomplished by application of a 13-step sequence with 12% overall yield. The absolute stereochemistry of the unsaturated acid 8a has been established by X-ray analysis of the chiral amide 8c.