Regioselective synthesis of novel 4-aryl-2-ethylthio-7-methyl pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines 6a-d were obtained by an efficient one-step reaction from S,S-diethyl aroyliminodithiocarbonates 4a-d and 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole 5 or by an alternative two-step reaction from 5 and aroyl isothiocyanates 8a-d to give initially the thiourea derivatives 9a-d, which after S-ethylation and cyclization afforded compounds 6a-d. The intermediate 7a isolated from reaction between 4a and 5 permitted us to establish the orientation.     

The enantioselective synthesis of poison-frog alkaloids (−)-203A, (−)-209B, (−)-231C, (−)-233D, and (−)-235B″

The enantioselective synthesis of indolizidines (−)-203A, (−)-209B, (−)-231C, (−)-233D, and (−)-235B″ has been achieved and the absolute stereochemistry of both indolizidines 203A and 233D was established as 5S,8R,9S. The relative stereochemistry of natural 231C was established by the present asymmetric synthesis.     

Senepodines B-E, new C22N2 alkaloids from Lycopodium chinense

Four new C₂₂N₂Lycopodium alkaloids, senepodines B-E (2-5), consisting of an octahydroquinoline ring and a quinolizidine ring have been isolated together with senepodine A (1) from the club moss Lycopodium chinense. The relative and absolute stereochemistry of 2-5 were determined by combination of NOESY correlations and chemical transformation, while the absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by exciton chirality method.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α,β-substituted β-aminoalkanamides and stereochemical determination

Highly enantiomerically enriched β-aminoalkanamides 12 and β-phenylaminoalkanamides 13 have been prepared by the addition reaction of α-lithiated 2-alkyl-2-oxazolines 9-Li, derived from optically active oxazolines 9, to N-cumyl nitrones 2. The relative stereochemistry of alkanamides 5 and 6 has been established by 1D-NOESY experiments carried out on the related pyrimidinones 7, whereas the absolute configuration of alkanamides 12 and 13 has been confirmed by an X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and structure of {{amino(triorganosilyl)carbene}pentacarbonyltungsten(0)} complexes and attempted synthesis of {[2-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl-3-triorganosilyl-2H-azaphosphirene-κP]pentacarbonyltungsten(0)}

First examples of tungsten aminocarbene complexes [(OC₅)W{C(SiR¹_nR²_3-n)NH₂}] 2a-d (R¹ = Ph, R² = Me) were synthesized via ammonolysis of the corresponding methoxycarbene complexes 1a-d. They were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR, UV/Vis and elemental analysis, and in the case of the C-triphenylsilyl derivative 2a by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The reaction of P-chloro alkylidenephosphane 3 with complexes 2a-d, meant to give 2H-azaphosphirene complexes, was monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy to reveal the formation of the products 4-7, which were presumably formed via decomposition of the transient complexes 10a-d.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-methylenepyrrolizidines by tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals

Tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals, generated by N-chlorination of (E)-alk-4-enylamines 2a-d and 2f followed by treatment with tributyltin radical, afforded 2-methylenepyrrolizidines 3a-d and 3f in a highly stereoselective manner. A similar radical cyclization of (Z)-N-propargyl-1-methyl-5-phenylpent-4-enylamine (2e) gave pyrrolizidine 3b having the same stereochemistry as that obtained from the E isomer 2b.     

Synthesis of N,N-di(arylmethylidene)arylmethanediamines by flash vacuum pyrolysis of arylmethylazides

Flash vacuum pyrolysis of arylmethylazides 7a-d gave 2,4-diazapentadienes 5a-d in high yield (76-92%). The thermal cyclization of 5a-d gave cis-imidazolines 1a-d, further heating or Swern oxidation of 1a-d gave dehydrogenated products, imidazoles 2a-d.     

New pinene-derived pyridines as bidentate chiral ligands

A synthesis of new bidentate pyridines 8a-d, 9, and 10 has been developed, starting from triflate 14, readily available from β-pinene 11. A copper complex of the pyridine-oxazoline ligands 8a has been found to catalyze asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins 36a-c with good conversion rates and acceptable enantioselectivity (≤67% ee). The imidazolium salt 10 has been identified as a precursor of the corresponding N,N′-unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, whose complex with palladium catalyzed the intramolecular amide enolate α-arylation leading to oxindole 45 in excellent yield but with low enantioselectivity.     

Stereochemical challenges in characterizing nitrogenous spiro-axane sesquiterpenes from the Indo-Pacific sponges Amorphinopsis and Axinyssa

An investigation was conducted to identify the structures and bioactive properties of five compounds isolated from the Halichondrida sponges Amorphinopsis foetida and Axinyssa aplysinoides. All compounds possessed the spiro-axane sesquiterpene core and all were substituted at C-2 with nitrogen containing functionality. The stereochemistry of one known compound has been revised to (2R,5R,10S)-2-formamido-6-axene (3). It exhibited mild selective solid tumor and mild antibacterial activity and was found from Axinyssa. A second known substance whose stereochemistry has also been revised, (2R,5R,10S)-2-isothiocyanato-6-axene (4) plus its undescribed diastereomer (5) were isolated from Amorphinopsis. Both sponges were the source of two new N-phenethyl-2-formamido-6-axene diastereomeric compounds 6 and 7. No solid tumor or antibacterial activity was found for 4-7.     

Alternative synthesis and novel oxidizing ability of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-dione derivatives

Synthesis of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-diones 7a-g was accomplished by ring opening and ring closure sequences of 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8,10(9H)-dione derivatives induced by several amines. Furthermore, alternative synthetic methodology for compounds 7a-e was also accomplished by single-step reaction of 2-chlorotropone with 6-aminouracil derivatives under mild conditions. X-ray crystal analysis of 7a was carried out to clarify the structural characteristics. The properties of 7a-e were studied by the UV-vis spectra and reduction potentials (−1.24 to −1.39 V vs Ag/AgNO₃). Novel photo-induced oxidation reaction of 7a-d toward some amines under aerobic conditions was carried out to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a-d], suggesting the oxidation reaction occurs in an autorecycling process.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

2-Allyl-N-benzyl substituted α-naphthylamines as building blocks in heterocyclic synthesis. New and efficient syntheses of benz[e]naphtho[1,2-b]azepine and naphtho[1,2-b]azepine derivatives

A new series of 13-acetyl-7,12-dihydro-7-ethylbenz[e]naphtho[1,2-b]azepine (4a-d) and 2-aryl-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-b]azepine derivatives (6a-d) have been synthesized from N-allyl-N-benzyl substituted α-naphthylamines (1a-d) by utilizing aromatic amino-Claisen rearrangement, intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation and intramolecular dipolar 1,3-cycloaddition nitrone-olefin reactions.     

Eight new limonoids from Turraea pubescens

Eight new ring B-seco limonoids, turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) and turrapubesins C-G (4-8), along with turraflorin E and isoazadironolide were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Turraea pubescens. Turrapubesic acids A-C (1-3) are a group of ring B-seco limonoid 17-carboxylic acids with a new C₂₃ skeleton, and turrapubesin C (4) incorporates an unprecedented 1,30-oxygen bridge. The structures including absolute stereochemistry of 1-8 were established on the basis of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and CD study. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against the P-388 and A-549 cells was evaluated.     

Imidomethylation of C-nucleophiles using O-phthalimidomethyl trichloroacetimidate and catalytic amounts of TMSOTf

The O-phthalimidomethyl trichloroacetimidate (1), as a latent aminomethylating agent, exhibits high electrophilicity towards a variety of C-nucleophiles in the presence of catalytic amounts of TMSOTf and mild reaction conditions. The nucleophiles include aromatics, alkenes and active methylene compounds 2-11 whereby a phthalimidomethyl group could be introduced to give compounds 12-22. Removal of the phthaloyl group gave the respective amines, β-amino ketones, and β-amino acids. The O-(trichloroacetamido)methyl trichloroacetimidate (35) was also found to be a good amidomethylating agent.     

A facile approach for the synthesis of novel substituted 4H-chromenes and condensation reactions of 4H-chromenes leading to chromenopyrrolones and triazolylchromenopyrrolones

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-hydroxy-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates 2a–d with triethylsilane in the presence of BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂. Cyclocondensation of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d with benzylamines 4a–d afforded a series of 2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 5a–p and with propargylamine afforded 2-propynyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 6a–d. Click reaction of 6a–d with benzyl azides 7a–d provided a series of 1H-1,2,3-triazolylmethyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 8a–p. Thus synthesized compounds 3a–d, 5a–p, 6a–d, and 8a–p are novel heterocyclic compounds and being reported for the first time.     

Dolastanes from the brown alga Dilophus spiralis: absolute stereochemistry and evaluation of cytotoxicity

Five new dolastanes (1-5) were isolated from the brown alga Dilophus spiralis. The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds and the assignment of relative stereochemistry were based on analyses of their spectroscopic data. The structure proposed for 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, whereas its absolute stereochemistry was determined using the modified Mosher's method. The cytotoxicity of 1-4 was evaluated against seven cell lines.     

Efficient synthesis of novel dipyridoimidazoles and pyrido[1′,2′;1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine derivatives

Novel dipyrido[1,2-a;3′,4′-d]imidazoles 7a-d, dipyrido[1,2-a;4′,3′-d]imidazoles 8a,c and pyrido[1′,2′;1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine derivatives 9a-d were synthesized by two pathways: thermal electrocyclic reaction of 3-alkenylimidazopyridine-2-oximes 10 and direct condensation of ethyl glycinate (or hydrazine) with 2,3-dicarbonylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 11.     

Synthesis of fluorine containing glycolurils and oxazolines from oxides of internal perfluoroolefins

The reaction of oxides of internal perfluoroolefins 1-3 with urea gave two kinds of novel fluorine containing N-heterocyclic compounds depending on the solvent nature: 1,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-diones 4a-c and 2-amino-5-fluoro-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-ols 7a-d. Use of polar dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and acetonitrile afforded glycolurils 4a-c in moderate yields. In dioxane, unexpected cyclization occurred resulting in oxazolines 7a-d in high yields. A similar reaction of oxiranes 2, 3 with urea in aqueous dioxane gave mixtures of 4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)imidazolidine-2-ones 9b, c, glycolurils 4b, c and oxazolines 7b-d. The molecular structure of trans-isomers of oxazoline 7b and imidazolidine 9b has been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Regioselectivity in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of adamantylidenefulvene and its modification by inclusion in cyclodextrins' solutions

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of adamantylidenefulvene (1) with 2 equiv of nitrile oxides 2a-d gave 1/1 cycloadducts, 3a-d and 4a-d, as the major products, and four other 1/2 minor cycloadducts 5-8a,b. The ratios of 1/1 cycloadducts 3a-d to 4a-d in THF solution were about 1/1 in the four different nitrile oxides 2a-d studied and microwave was found to accelerate the reactions and enhance their yields. It is noteworthy that the regioselectivity of 3a/4a was enhanced to 71/29 in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) aqueous solution compared to that of 40/60 in the absence of β-CD. The regioselectivity of 3b/4b was further enhanced to 99/1 when 4-tert-butylphenyl hydroximinoyl chloride (9b) was complexed with β-CD and then proceeded to react with 1; this is in sharp contrast with that of 33/67 in the absence of β-CD. The binding constant of 1·β-CD in acetone-d₆/D₂O (1/1) was determined to be 188±9 M⁻¹ by ¹H NMR titration experiments. The binding mode of 1·β-CD was further determined by ROESY experiment. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations were carried out to provide information of the complexation modes of 1·β-CD, 3a·β-CD, 4a·β-CD, 9a·β-CD, and 9b·β-CD. It was found that both steric and electrostatic effects play important roles in determining the regio- and stereochemistry of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1. Finally, β-CD is shown to serve as a chiral shift reagent to differentiate the enantiomers of 4a in ¹H NMR.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.