Total synthesis of (+)-epiepoformin, (+)-epiepoxydon and (+)-bromoxone employing a useful chiral building block, ethyl (1R,2S)-5,5-ethylenedioxy-2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-epiepoformin 1, (+)-epiepoxydon 2 and (+)-bromoxone 3 using a chiral building block, ethyl (1R,2S)-5,5-ethylenedioxy-2-hydroxycyclo- hexanecarboxylate 6, is described. Since the synthesis afforded intermediates 18, 2 and 25, it accomplished a formal synthesis of (−)-theobroxide 19, (−)-phyllostine 22, (+)-herveynone 27 and (−)-asperpentyn 28. The usefulness of 6 for the synthesis of natural epoxycyclohexene derivatives was demonstrated.     

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles as progesterone receptor antagonists

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles is reported. Compound (2) prepared by radical cyclisation of (1) was used for the synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically pure 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles. Desulfurisation of (2) using Raney Ni yielded the racemate (5). Addition of (S)-1-phenylethanol to compound (2) yielded the diastereoisomer (21) the structure of which was determined using X-ray crystallography. Using a sequence of steps (21) was converted to the enantiomer (8). The enantiomer (9) was similarly prepared from (2) using (R)-1-phenylethanol.     

Synthetic study of hetisine-type aconite alkaloids. Part 3: Total synthesis of (±)-nominine

Completion of the total synthesis of (±)-nominine (1) is described in detail. Based on the results of the preceding two papers, total synthesis of (±)-nominine was accomplished diverging from the intermediate 7. Thus, following pyrrolidine ring formation through transformation from 7 to 8, the C-ring was constructed by radical cyclization to form 10 from the enyne precursor 9. Subsequent elaboration of the C-ring, followed by formation of the azabicyclic ring system, completed a total synthesis of (±)-1. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of (±)-1 unambiguously confirmed its molecular structure and racemic crystal structure.     

Synthesis of the marine furanoditerpene (−)-marginatone

A synthesis of the marine labdane furanoditerpene (−)-marginatone 1 has been accomplished by a short sequence of reactions starting from (+)-coronarin E 5. The key step is the stereocontrolled-intramolecular electrophilic cyclisation of the (+)-dihydrocoronarin E 6, to the tetracyclic marginatane skeleton 7, which is subsequently functionalized by allylic oxidation to give 1. As (+)-coronarin E 5 was previously synthesized from (−)-sclareol 10, the herein reported preparation constitutes the first formal total synthesis of (−)-marginatone 1, by which its absolute configuration has been confirmed.     

Synthesis of ferrocenylarenes and heteroarenes through nucleophile induced ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-ones

The synthesis of various ferrocenylarenes (3, 5a, 6) and heteroarenes (5b, c, 7) from 6-ferrocenyl-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitrile 1 through nucleophile induced ring transformation reactions has been delineated.     

Highly efficient, multigram and enantiopure synthesis of (S)-2-(2,4′-bithiazol-2-yl)pyrrolidine

(S)-2-(4-Bromo-2,4′-bithiazole)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidine ((S)-1) was obtained as a single enantiomer and in high yield by means of a two-step modified Hantzsch thiazole synthesis reaction when bromoketone 3 and thioamide (S)-4 were used. Further conversion of (S)-1 into trimethyltin derivative (S)-2 broadens the scope for further cross-coupling reactions.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol and (±)-pisiferal

The stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol (1) and (±)-pisiferal (2) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-octahydrophenanthrene derivative 20 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular cyclisation of the diazoketone 15 followed by catalytic hydrogenation provided, stereoselectively, the keto-ester 17 which was converted into the acetate 20 through the intermediates 18 and 19.     

Total synthesis of puerarin, an isoflavone C-glycoside

We completed the first total synthesis of puerarin (1), an isoflavone C-glycoside. The key intermediate, β-d-glucopyranosyl-2,6-dimethoxybenzene (9), was obtained by coupling of a lithiated aromatic reagent (3) with pyranolactone (2) in 56% yield. Condensation of (16) with p-methoxybenzaldehyde gave the chalcone (17). The protected chalcone (18) was cyclized to (19) in the presence of Tl(NO₃)₃. Demethylation of (19) was accomplished by refluxing with TMSI in CH₃CN to give puerarin (1).     

The first enantiospecific total synthesis of the 3-oxygenated sarpagine indole alkaloids affinine and 16-epiaffinine, as well as vobasinediol and 16-epivobasinediol

The first enantiospecific total synthesis of the 3-oxygenated sarpagine indole alkaloids affinine (1) and 16-epiaffinine (2) as well as the synthesis of vobasinediol (3) and 16-epivobasinediol (4) was accomplished from d-(+)-tryptophan methyl ester.     

Synthesis of symmetrical amino and aminomethyl derivatives of Tröger's base via Pd-catalyzed C-C and C-N bond formation

In this paper, we report the synthesis of amino and aminomethyl derivatives of Tröger's base (±)-1 and (±)-2. The key steps in the synthesis of (±)-1 and (±)-2 are Pd-catalyzed amination and cyanation, respectively, of the easily accessible dihalo derivatives (±)-3. These compounds are important intermediates in the synthesis of new ligands and building blocks for H-bonded supramolecular architectures.     

(Fluorosilyl)ethylenediamines and fluorosilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentanes

This paper presents the chemistry of ethylenediamines and fluorosilanes. The synthesis of thermally stable monosilyl (1-5)- and bis(fluorosilyl)ethylenediamines (6) is described. Starting with the dilithium salt of ethylenediamine and F₂Si(CMe₃)₂ the five-membered 1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentane (8) is obtained. The reaction of tetra- and trifluorosilanes with dilithiated bis(silyl)ethylenediamines leads to the formation of 1,3-diaza-2-fluorosilylsilacyclopentanes (9-14). Fluorosilanes substitute 8 in 1 and 3 positions (15-28). A fluorosilyl-bridged five-membered ring (29) is isolated in the reaction of 1-trimethylsilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentane, BuLi and MeSiF₃. In the synthesis of N-fluorosilyl-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopentanes constitutional isomers were formed (30-33). Quantum-chemical calculations support the isomerisation mechanism. An iminosilane with an SiN double bond is the intermediate product of the rearrangement process.Crystal structures of 7, 13, 20 and 23 are reported.     

Biomimetically inspired total synthesis of (12S)-12-hydroxymonocerin and (12R)-12-hydroxymonocerin

A concise asymmetric total synthesis of (12S)-12-hydroxymonocerin (1) and (12R)-12-hydroxymonocerin (2) were efficiently achieved from the known 4-bromo-2,6-dimethoxyphenol. The synthetic approach was inspired by our biomimetic synthesis of (+)-monocerin (3) and 7-O-demethylmonocerin (4). The cis-fused furobenzopyranones of 1 and 2 was efficiently constructed via an intramolecular nucleophilic trapping of a quinonemethide intermediate, which was obtained by benzylic oxidation of compound 10 using 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ).     

(2-Halogeno-5-pyridyl)dimethyl(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)silanes: New potential building blocks for the synthesis of silicon-containing drugs

(2-Fluoro-5-pyridyl)dimethyl(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)silane (1a) and (2-chloro-5-pyridyl)dimethyl(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)silane (1b) were prepared in two-step syntheses, starting from allylchlorodimethylsilane. Compounds 1a and 1b were characterized by elemental analyses and NMR studies. With the synthesis of 1a and 1b, new potential building blocks for the synthesis of silicon-containing drugs have been made accessible.     

Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of highly soluble phthalocyanines substituted with four 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methoxy groups

The synthesis and characterization of new peripherally tetra-3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methoxy substituted metal-free (4), zinc (5), nickel (6), cobalt (7), copper (8) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are described for the first time in this study. The photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes) and photochemical (photodegradation and singlet oxygen quantum yields) properties of metal-free (4), zinc (5) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Nickel (6), cobalt (7) and copper (8) phthalocyanines (6-8) did not evaluate for this purpose due to transition metal and paramagnetic behavior of central metals in the phthalocyanine cavity. The fluorescence quenching behavior of metal-free (4), zinc (5) and lead (9) phthalocyanines are also investigated. The fluorescence emissions of these phthalocyanines are effectively quenched by 1,4-benzoquinone in DMSO.     

Preparation of glycoluril monomers for expanded cucurbit[n]uril synthesis

Glycoluril derivatives bearing free ureidyl groups (1) and bis(cyclic ethers) (2) are the fundamental building blocks for the synthesis of cucurbituril, its derivatives, and its congeners. The known derivatives of 1 and 2 fall into two main classes—those bearing alkyl or aryl functional groups on their convex face. In this paper we present a third class of glycolurils, namely those bearing substituents that are electron withdrawing in character. This class of compounds carries carboxylic acid derived functional groups on their convex face and are derived from diesters 1e and 2e. An improved synthesis of 1e and 2e is reported and their modification described. For example, 1e and 2e are converted into secondary amides (10-15) by heating in solutions of the neat primary amines. The secondary amides can be transformed into imides (19-22, 24, 25) by heating with PTSA in ClCH₂CH₂Cl. The isolation of these compounds in pure form in high yields is accomplished by simple and scalable washing or recrystallization procedures. We also present the X-ray crystallographic characterization of bis(cyclic ethers) 2e, 8, and 22. We anticipate that the ready availability of ester, carboxylate, acid, secondary amide, imide, and tertiary amide derivatives of 1 and 2 will expand the scope of the synthesis of cucurbituril derivatives by providing a new class of building blocks with electron withdrawing substituents.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-trifluoromethylepinephrine

An asymmetric synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-trifluoromethylepinephrine (1R and 1S) is presented. Trifluoromethylation involves nucleophilic aromatic substitution of halobenzene 4 most likely via a copper mediated CF₃ anion equivalent generated in situ. The asymmetric step involves conversion of 3,4-dimethoxy-2-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde (5) to silyl cyanohydrin (6R and 6S) using a chiral salen catalyst in the presence of titanium. 1R and 1S are potential alternatives to currently used vasoconstrictors in local anesthetic formulations.     

Electrochemical synthesis of 5,6-dihydroxy-2-methyl-1-benzofuran-3-carboxylate derivatives

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols (1a-c) has been studied in the presence of methyl acetoacetate (2a) and ethyl acetoacetate (2b) as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from catechols (1a-c) participate in Michael addition reactions with 2a and 2b to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives (3a-f). The electrochemical synthesis of 3a-f has been successfully performed in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. The oxidation mechanism was deduced from voltammetric data and by coulometry at controlled potential. The products have been characterized after purification by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Deuterated ammonium formate as deuterium source in a mild catalytic deuterium transfer reaction of pyridines, pyrazines and isoquinolines

The application of deuterated ammonium formate as deuterium source in transfer deuteration reactions of aromatic heterocycles (4-6) for the synthesis of highly deuterated, substituted piperidines (1), piperazines (2) and tetrahydroisoquinolines (3) has been developed.     

Solvent-free reactions of N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole with ferrocenylcarbinols

The efficient and simple routes for the synthesis of various ferrocenyl derivatives from ferrocenylcarbinols and N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) are described. It involves grinding the two substrates in a Pyrex tube with a glass rod at room temperature. The reaction of ferrocenylmethanol (1a) provided S,S-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)dithiocarbonate (1b), whose crystal structure and a plausible mechanism for its formation are also reported. The reaction of 1-ferrocenyl-1-phenylmethanol (2a) and 1-ferrocenylbutanol (2b) gave the products 2c and 2d, respectively. The reaction of ω-ferrocenyl alcohols 4-ferrocenylphenol (3a) and 6-ferrocenylhexan-1-ol (3b) yielded the products 3c and 3d, respectively. Reaction of 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol (3e) afforded 3f in moderate yield, and by contrast, it was not similar to 1b. Reaction of [4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanol (4a) provided the thiocarbonate 4b in good yield.     

Synthesis of (+)-perillyl alcohol from (+)-limonene

(+)-Perillyl alcohol (1) has been synthesised in four steps and 39% overall yield from commercially available limonene oxide (4). The sequence features, as its key step, a palladium(0)-mediated transformation of a secondary allylic acetate (6) into its primary isomer (7). An application of (+)-perillyl alcohol (1) in a formal synthesis of naturally occurring (−)-mesembrine (2) and (−)-mesembranol was demonstrated.