Dimeric aluminum-phosphorus compounds as masked frustrated Lewis pairs for small molecule activation

Hydroalumination of aryldialkynylphosphines RP(C≡C-(t)Bu)(2) (R = Ph, Mes) with equimolar quantities of diethylaluminum hydride afforded mixed alkenyl-alkynyl cyclic dimers in which the dative aluminum-phosphorus bonds are geminal to the exocyclic alkenyl groups. Addition of triethylaluminum to isolated 1 (R = Ph) or to the in situ generated species (R = Mes) caused diethylaluminum ethynide elimination to yield the arylethylphosphorus dimers 2 and 3. These possess a chair-like Al(2)C(2)P(2) heterocycle with intermolecular Al-P interactions. The boat conformation (4) was obtained by the reaction of (t)Bu-P(C≡C-(t)Bu)(2) with di(tert-butyl)aluminum hydride. Despite being dimeric, 2 behaves as a frustrated Lewis pair and activates small molecules. The reaction with carbon dioxide gave cis/trans isomeric AlPC(2)O heterocycles that differ only by the configuration of the exocyclic alkenyl unit. Four isomers resulted from the reaction with phenyl isocyanate. This is caused by cis/trans isomerization of the initial C=O adduct and subsequent rearrangement to the AlPC(2)N heterocycle, being the C=N adduct.     

Preparation of 1-benzoyl-4-(amino)-1,2,2a,3,4,5-hexahydrobenz[CD]indoles from L-tryptophan

Acid6a, derived from L-tryptophan, has been shown to be a useful precursor to partial ergot structures such as3. Optically pure amine(+)−13, a key intermediate in the synthesis of3, was prepared in 45% overall yield from6a via a four step sequence employing an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization and a C-5 deoxygenation procedure.     

Dihydrogen and silane addition to base-free, monomeric bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium oxides

Synthesis of a family of monomeric, base-free bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium oxide complexes, (eta5-C5Me4R)2Ti=O (R = iPr, SiMe3, SiMe2Ph), has been accomplished by deoxygenation of styrene oxide by the corresponding sandwich compound. One example, (eta5-C5Me4SiMe2Ph)2Ti=O, was characterized by X-ray diffraction. All three complexes undergo clean and facile hydrogenation at 23 degrees C, yielding the titanocene hydroxy hydride complexes (eta5-C5Me4R)2Ti(OH)H. For (eta5-C5Me4SiMe3)2Ti=O, the kinetics of hydrogenation were first-order in dihydrogen and exhibited a normal, primary kinetic isotope effect of 2.7(3) at 23 degrees C consistent with a 1,2-addition pathway. Isotope effects of the same direction but smaller magnitudes were determined for silane addition.     

An Unusual Formation of Cyclic Sulfite at C-4 and C-5 Positions of Taxane

An unusual formation of cyclic sulfite at C-4 and C-5 positions of taxane was accomplished by treatment of compound 1 with excess MeSOEC1/Et3N and a possible mechanism was proposed.     

Enantioselective Diels-Alder approach to C-3-oxygenated angucyclinones from (SS)-2-(p-tolysulfinyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone

Chiral racemic vinylcyclohexenes 2, bearing oxygenated substituents and/or a methyl group at the C-5 position of the cyclohexene ring, were submitted to Diels-Alder reactions with enantiomerically pure (SS)-(2-p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone [(+)-1]. The domino cycloaddition/pyrolytic sulfoxide elimination process led to the formation of enantiomerically enriched angularly tetracyclic quinones anti-6 and syn-7, which were obtained from the kinetic resolution of the racemic diene. In all cases, (SS)-(2-p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone reacted from the less hindered face of the more reactive s-cis conformation, to form products in good enantiomeric excesses. Steric effects and torsional interactions in the corresponding approaches account for the observed pi-facial diastereoselectivities at both partners. The usefulness of this methodology is illustrated with the four-step totally asymmetric synthesis of the C-3-oxygenated angucyclinone derivative (-)-8-deoxytetrangomycin 10 in 26% overall yield and with 50% enantiomeric purity.     

Total synthesis of natural dysidiolide

Dysidiolide (1), a novel sesterterpenoid previously isolated from the Caribbean sponge Dysidea etheria de Laubenfels, inhibits the action of the protein phosphatase, cdc25A. The authors establish a novel total synthesis of natural dysidiolide (1) using intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction as the key step from optically active cyclohexenone 3. Decalin, the core structure of 1, was constructed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the diene ester generated by elimination of the phenyl sulfoxide group from sulfoxide ester 6 prepared from cyclohexenone 3. Diastereoselective methylation at C-7, alkylation at C-6, and deoxygenation of C-12 and C-24 positions gave the fully substituted bicyclic core of 1. The two side chains of the bicyclic core were further extended so as to afford natural dysidiolide (1). The total yield of this synthesis exceeds that of previous syntheses of 1.     

A facile synthesis of (6S,1′S)-(+)-hernandulcin and (6S,1′R)-(+)-epihernandulcin

A facile total synthesis of (+)-hernandulcin (1) was accomplished from (−)-isopulegol in 6 steps with 15% overall yield. Epoxidation of (−)-isopulegol with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by opening of the epoxide 3a with prenyl Grignard afforded the tertiary alcohol 4a with correct C-6 and C-1′ stereochemistry as a major product. Oxidation of the secondary alcohol in compound 4a to the ketone 5a was accomplished in high yield by using TPAP and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. Conversion of the ketone 5a to α,β-unsaturated ketone via organoselenium intermediate gave (+)-hernandulcin (1). This method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of (+)-epihernandulcin (2).     

Total synthesis of Daphnodorin A

A total synthesis of Daphnodorin A, a member of the Daphnodorins, was accomplished. Key features of the synthetic strategy include construction of 2-substituted-3-functionalized benzofuran via intramolecular Heck reaction and a mild Barton–McCombie deoxygenation process mediated by triethylborane. The total synthesis provided Daphnodorin A in 19.7% or 5.6% overall yield over 7 or 15 steps.     

Synthetic studies on amipurimycin: total synthesis of a thymine nucleoside analogue

Amipurimycin, a member of the complex peptidyl nucleoside family of antibiotics, is a Streptomyces-derived potent antifungal agent. The mechanism of action of amipurimycin, however, remains undetermined. Additionally, there are no reports on the total synthesis or structure-activity relationships (SAR) of this potentially useful bioactive compound. In a study aimed at the total synthesis and SAR studies of this natural product, the present research reports the development of a synthetic route to the central pyranosyl amino acid core of amipurimycin and its further elaboration, culminating in the synthesis of a unique thymine analogue. Utilizing a d-serine-derived dihydroaminopyrone as a strategic building block, the synthesis involves de novo construction of the fully functionalized C-3-branched carbohydrate amino acid core, followed by glycosidic attachment of thymine at C-1, and peptidic linking of the C-6 amine with the 1,2-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid side chain.     

Encapsulation of hydride by molecular main group metal clusters: manipulating the source and coordination sphere of the interstitial ion

The sequential treatment of Lewis acids with N,N'-bidentate ligands and thereafter with ButLi has afforded a series of hydride-encapsulating alkali metal polyhedra. While the use of Me3Al in conjunction with Ph(2-C5H4N)NH gives Ph(2-C5H4N)NAlMe2 and this reacts with MeLi in thf to yield the simple 'ate complex Ph(2-C5H4N)NAlMe3Li.thf, the employment of an organolithium substrate capable of beta-hydride elimination redirects the reaction significantly. Whereas the use of ButLi has previously yielded a main group interstitial hydride in which H- exhibits micro6-coordination, it is shown here that variability in the coordination sphere of the encapsulated hydride may be induced by manipulation of the organic ligand. Reaction of (c-C6H11)(2-C5H4N)NH with Me3Al/ButLi yields [{(c-C6H11)(2-C5H4N)N}6HLi8]+[(But2AlMe2)2Li]-, which is best viewed as incorporating only linear di-coordination of the hydride ion. The guanidine 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (hppH) in conjunction with Me2Zn/ButLi yields the micro8-hydride [(hpp)6HLi8]+[But3Zn]-.0.5PhMe. Formation of the micro8-hydride [(hpp)6HLi8]+[ButBEt3]- is revealed by employment of the system Et3B/ButLi. A new and potentially versatile route to interstitial hydrides of this class is revealed by synthesis of the mixed borohydride-lithium hydride species [(hpp)6HLi8]+[Et3BH]- and [(hpp)6HLi8]+[(Et3B)2H]- through the direct combination of hppLi with Et3BHLi.     

Diversity synthesis via C-H bond functionalization: concept-guided development of new C-arylation methods for imidazoles

Herein, we have formulated the concept of systematic derivatization of a structural motif via C-H bond functionalization. This concept may not only serve as a blueprint for new strategies in diversity synthesis but also provide systematic guidance for the identification of unsolved and important synthetic challenges. To illustrate this point, 2-phenylimidazole was selected as the core motif for this study, a choice inspired by numerous azole-based synthetics, including pharmaceuticals (compound SB 202190), and also fluorescent and chemiluminescent probes. We were able to show that systematic and comprehensive arylation of the 2-phenylimidazole core was feasible, and in the context of this study new arylation methods were developed. The direct 4-arylation of free 2-phenylimidazole was achieved with iodoarenes as the aryl donors in the presence of palladium catalyst (Pd/Ph(3)P) and magnesium oxide as the base. A complete switch from C-4 to C-2' arylation was accomplished using a ruthenium catalyst [CpRu(Ph(3)P)(2)Cl] and Cs(2)CO(3). The corresponding transformations for (N,2)-diphenylimidazole (C-5 and C-2' arylation) were accomplished via the palladium-based method [Pd(OAc)(2)/Ph(3)P/Cs(2)CO(3)] and a rhodium-catalyzed procedure [Rh(acac)(CO)(2)/Cs(2)CO(3)], respectively. All of the arylation methods described herein demonstrated broad synthetic scope, high efficiency, and exclusive selectivity. Furthermore, these new methods proved to be orthogonal to one another and applicable to sequential arylation schemes. With these methods in hand, arrays of arylated imidazoles may now be accessed in a direct manner from 2-phenylimidazole. This strategy stands in sharp contrast to a traditional approach, wherein a distinct and multistep synthesis would be required for each analogue.     

A new efficient synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) from (−)-shikimic acid

New synthesis of oseltamivir phosphate was accomplished in 9 steps with a 27% overall yield from a readily available (?)-shikimic acid. Selective ring opening reaction of ketal and azide Mitsunobu reaction for facile replacement of a hydroxyl group by the N3 group at the C-3 position of (3R,4R,5R)-ethyl 4-hydroxy-5-(methoxymethoxy)-3-(pentan-3-yloxy)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylate 4 and at the C-4 position of (3R,4S,5R)-ethyl 4-acetamido-5-hydroxy-3-(pentan-3-yloxy)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylate 7 successfully served as the key steps.     

Total stereoselective synthesis of (+)-goniothalesdiol

[reaction: see text] The stereoselective synthesis of (+)-goniothalesdiol (1) was accomplished in nine steps starting from commercially available (-)-(2S,3S)-dimethyl D-tartrate (3). The key features were a completely diastereoselective reduction of a beta-ketosulfoxide to generate the stereogenic center at C-5 in 7 and formation of the 2,5-cis-substituted tetrahydrofuran ring in 10 from a stereoselective Et(3)SiH/TMSOTf-promoted reductive cyclization/deoxygenation.     

5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase: chemical synthesis of the tetrahedral intermediate and assignment of the stereochemical course of the enzymatic reaction

A chemical synthesis of both diastereomers of the tetrahedral intermediate involved in 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) catalysis has been accomplished. Combination of methyl dibromopyruvate with a protected shikimic acid derivative, phosphorylation, and lactonization afforded the intermediates (S)-15 and (R)-15, whose configurations were assigned by NMR. After introduction of the 3-phosphate group and deprotection, photoinitiated radical debromination of the dibromo analogues (S)-5 and (R)-5 was accomplished with tributyltin hydride in mixed aqueous solvents in the presence of surfactant to give the pyruvate ketal phosphates (R)-TI and (S)-TI, respectively. These compounds are stable at high pH, but decompose at pH 7 with a half-life of ca. 10 min. (R)-TI proved to be inert to EPSPS, while (S)-TI was converted by the enzyme to a mixture of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate, shikimate 3-phosphate, and phosphoenolpyruvate. The demonstration that the enzymatic intermediate possesses the S-configuration at the ketal center confirms the mechanism as an anti addition followed by a syn elimination. Furthermore, it appears that the syn stereochemistry of the second step requires the phosphate leaving group to serve as the base in catalyzing its own elimination.     

Alpha-hydroxylation at C-15 and C-16 in cholesterol: synthesis of (25R)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,15alpha,26-triol and (25R)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,16alpha,26-triol from diosgenin

[reaction: see text] (25R)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,16alpha,26-triol 7b and (25R)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,15alpha,26-triol 10b were synthesized, via (25R)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,16beta,26-triol 5a, from diosgenin 3 in 52% yield over six steps and 47% yield over eight steps, respectively. An efficient method for inversion of a C-16beta hydroxyl to the C-16alpha position and a short method for transposition of a C-16beta hydroxyl to the C-15alpha position via the unexpected beta-reduction of a C-15 ketone in a steroid are reported.     

Methoxymethyl (MOM) group nitrogen protection of pyrimidines bearing C-6 acyclic side-chains

Novel N-methoxymethylated (MOM) pyrimidine (4-13) and pyrimidine-2,4-diones (15-17) nucleoside mimetics in which an isobutyl side-chain is attached at the C-6 position of the pyrimidine moiety were synthesized. Synthetic methods via O-persilylated or N-anionic uracil derivatives have been evaluated for the synthesis of N-1- and/or N-3-MOM pyrimidine derivatives with C-6 acyclic side-chains. A synthetic approach using an activated N-anionic pyrimidine derivative afforded the desired N,N-1,3-diMOM and N-1-MOM pyrimidines 4 and 5 in good yield. Introduction of fluorine into the side-chain was performed with DAST as the fluorinating reagent to give a N,N-1,3-diMOM pyrimidine 13 with a 1-fluoro-3-hydroxyisobutyl moiety at C-6. Conformational study of the monotritylated N-1-MOM pyrimidine 12 by the use of the NOE experiments revealed the predominant conformation of the compound to be one where the hydroxymethyl group in the C-6 side-chain is close to the N-1-MOM moiety, while the OMTr is in proximity to the CH(3)-5 group. Contrary to this no NOE enhancements between the N-1-MOM group and hydroxymethyl or fluoromethyl protons in 13 were observed, which suggested a nonrestricted rotation along the C-6 side-chain. Fluorinated N,N-1,3-diMOM pyrimidine 13 emerged as a model compound for development of tracer molecules for non-invasive imaging of gene expression using positron emission tomography (PET).     

6,19-carbon-bridged steroids. Synthesis of 6,19-methanoprogesterone

6,19-Methanoprogesterone (4) was synthesized in nine steps from the readily available 3 beta,20 beta-diacetyloxy-5 alpha-bromo-6,19-oxidopregnane (5) in 14% overall yield. The additional carbon atom was introduced by reaction of a C-19 aldehyde with Ph3PCHOCH3 under salt free conditions and subsequent hydrolysis to give the homologous aldehyde. Intramolecular addition of the newly incorporated carbonyl (C-19a) to the olefinic C-6 in ring B was achieved by means of a Prins reaction with TiCl4 as Lewis acid.     

A convenient and asymmetric protocol for the synthesis of natural products containing chiral alkyl chains via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes. Synthesis of phytol and vitamins E and K

[reaction: see text]. A convenient and asymmetric protocol for the synthesis of chiral oligoisoprenoids is described. Typically, a C14 vitamin E side chain 5 was synthesized in 47% yield over four steps. Isomeric purity of 5 was upgraded to >99% R at C-2 and 97% R at C-6 by the statistical formation of stereoisomeric p-phenylenebisurethanes and their diastereomeric separation. In addition, phytol and vitamin K were synthesized in 21% and 28% overall yields, respectively, over five steps from 1.     

A new highly efficient method for the synthesis of trans-tetrahydro-3,4-furandiamine

A new four-step, highly efficient synthesis of trans-tetrahydro-3,4-furandiamine is described. Nitromercuration of 2,5-dihydrofuran with sodium nitrite and mercuric chloride in aqueous solution followed by base catalyzed elimination yielded 3-nitro-2,5-dihydrofuran which was aminated with ammonium hydroxide to give trans-tetrahydro-4-nitro-3-furanamine. Catalytic reduction of this material afforded the desired product 5 in 37% overall yield.     

Enantioselective functionalisation of the C-2' position of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylazaferrocene via sparteine mediated lithiation: potential new ligands for asymmetric catalysis

The s-BuLi-sparteine base combination deprotonated the C-2' position of 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylazaferrocene and subsequent reaction with a range of electrophiles gave C-2 substituted products in 76-93% yield and approximately 80% ee. The products could be recrystallised to enrich ee's to >90%. Resubjection of the initial addition products ( approximately 80% ee) to the deprotonation conditions led to a kinetic resolution to give products with >90% ee and superior overall yields compared to recrystallisation for the cases where the electrophiles were Ph2CO, MeI and Ph2S2. Transmetallation of the 2-lithiopentamethylazaferrocene ( approximately 80% ee) with ZnCl2 allowed palladium catalysed cross coupling with a variety of C-2 haloaryl, heteroaryl and vinyl groups to give some novel C-2' substituted pentamethylazaferrocene derivatives in 61-77% yield in 80% ee. Potential N,N-chelate ligands were recrystallised to >95% ee. A novel C2-symmetric bis-pentamethylazaferrocene could be synthesised by an iron catalysed oxidative coupling of the enatioenriched C-2 lithio derivative and in the presence of a PhMe-Et2O solvent mixture proceeded in 97% ee.