Formal total synthesis of aspergillide A

The formal total synthesis of aspergillide A 1 is described. The cross-metathesis of enone 6 with 6-hepten-2-ol derivative 5 provided E-olefin 15 corresponding to the C₄-C₁₄ backbone of 1. The CBS asymmetric reduction of 15 gave allyl alcohol 16, which was transformed into β-alkoxyacrylate 4 which had a formyl group. SmI₂-induced reductive cyclization of 4 gave a 2,6-syn-2,3-trans THP derivative 3 in good yield. After methoxymethylation of 3, the resulting compound 19 was submitted to desilylation and hydrolysis, to afford Fuwa’s key intermediate 2 for the total synthesis of 1.     

Dipyrone approach toward the synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product auripyrone A

An approach to the synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product auripyrone A 1 via the cyclization of an alcohol onto a γ-pyrone in 3 is described. The bis(pyrone) alcohol 3 was prepared efficiently from the advanced aldolate 4 via silyl ether cleavage, oxidation, pyrone formation, and PMB ether removal. Instead of providing auripyrone A 1, the attempted cyclization of 3 gave the product of 1,5-acyl migration 8. Model studies show this to be a general process; therefore, cyclization of an alcohol on such a hindered γ-pyrone under normal conditions is very difficult.     

Synthesis of indenes by ytterbium-catalyzed carboalkoxylation/Friedel-Crafts reaction of arylidenecyclopropanes with acetals

Ytterbium-catalyzed tandem carboalkoxylation/Friedel-Crafts reaction of arylidenecyclopropanes 1 with acetals 2 afforded the corresponding indene derivatives 3 in good to high yields. For example, in the presence of 10 mol % of Yb(OTf)₃ the reaction of 1-phenylbenzylidenecyclopropane 1a with the dimethyl acetals of benzaldehyde 2a, p-tolualdehyde 2b, and p-anisaldehyde 2c gave 1,3-diphenyl-2-(2-methoxyethyl)indene 3a, 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-phenyl-1-(p-tolyl)indene 3b, and 1-(p-anisyl)-2-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-phenylindene 3c in 82%, 80%, and 80% yields, respectively.     

A novel method for the synthesis of 2,2-diaryl-1,1-difluoroethenes

β,β-Difluoro-α-phenylvinylstannane 3 was prepared in 60% yield from the reaction of β,β-difluoro-α-phenylvinylsulfone 2 with tributyltin hydride in refluxing benzene for 5 h. The cross-coupling reaction of 3 with aryl iodides bearing substituents such as proton, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, methyl, trifluoromethyl, and nitro on ortho, meta, para positions of the benzene ring in the presence of 10 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄/10 mol % CuI afforded the corresponding 2,2-diaryl-1,1-difluoroethenes 4 in 22-82% yields.     

Selective synthesis of 4,5-dihydroimidazo- and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines via modified Pictet–Spengler reaction

An efficient tandem approach for the selective synthesis of 4,5-dihydroimidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines 6a–g and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalines 7a–h by the reaction of 2-imidazolyl anilines 4a–c with aryl aldehydes 5a–k under mild reaction conditions is described. Introduction of electron releasing alkyl groups in substrates 4a–b was found to be instrumental for the success of the reaction.     

Synthesis of indenothiophenone derivatives by cycloaromatization of non-conjugated thienyl tetraynes

Non-conjugated thienyl tetrayne derivatives 1-3 are prepared as novel building block for the construction of indenothiophenone derivatives. Oxidation of 1-3, followed by cycloaromatization of the corresponding ketone derivatives 13-15 proceeds smoothly to afford indenothiophenone derivatives 16-21 in good yields.     

Naphthyridines. Part 3: First example of the polyfunctionally substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridines ring system

Treatment of 1,2,4-triazoles (1) with diethylmalonate in bromobenzene gave 1,2,4-triazolo-[1,5-a]pyridines 2. Chlorination of 2 using POCl₃/DMF (Vilsmeier reagent) led to the isolation of 7-chloro-6-formyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative 4, which reacted with the stabilized ylid 5 to afford 6-ethoxycarbonylvinyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]-pyridines 6. Azidation of 6 yielded the corresponding azido compound 7, (Scheme 2). Reduction of 7 with Na₂S₂O₄ gave the corresponding 7-amino compound 8, which cyclized in boiling DMF to give the novel 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridines 9. On the other hand, reacting 7 with one equivalent of PPh₃ (aza-Wittig reaction) in CH₂Cl₂ gave 7-imino-phosphorane derivative 10, and subsequent cyclization in boiling DMF afforded the new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridine derivative 11 (Scheme 3). However, treatment of 10 with phenyl isothiocyanate in 1,2-dichlorobenzene at reflux temperature gave the new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridine derivative 14 (Scheme 4). Refluxing 6 with excess of a primary amines 15a,b in absolute. EtOH yielded the corresponding 7-alkyl-amino-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines 16a,b. These obtained amines 16a,b underwent intramolecular heterocyclization in boiling DMF to give the novel 9-alkyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]-naphthyridines 17a,b, in excellent yields (Scheme 5).     

A novel synthesis of 2-arylhydrazono-6-amino-4-arylbenzene-1,3-dicarbonitriles and their conversion into phthalazines

Compounds 1a-d react with benzylidenemalononitrile 2 to yield dihydroaminopyridazines 3a-d and, in contrast, compounds 1e,f react with 2 under the same conditions to yield aminobenzenedicarbonitriles 8e,f compound 8e underwent intramolecular cyclization to phthalazine 9e. Compound 10e reacted with 2a to yield 11e.     

Heck reaction with 3-fluoro-3-buten-2-one

3-Fluoro-3-buten-2-one (2) is readily prepared from 1-fluoro-1-chloro-2-methoxy-2-methylcyclopropane (1) in 82% yield by heating the cyclopropane in aqueous quinoline solution. Ketone 2 reacts with aryl iodides (3) in a Heck reaction catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ to give Z-3-fluorobenzalacetones (4) in 36-86% yield.     

Efficient synthesis of (±)-γ-lycorane employing stereoselective conjugate addition to nitroolefin

(±)-γ-Lycorane 3 was synthesized in 52% overall yield via seven steps from 5 by employing the highly stereoselective nitro-Michael cyclization of 5 to 9 and diastereoselective conjugate addition of aryllithium to a nitroolefin 10 as two key steps.     

Reactions of novel trifluoromethyl propargylic carbocation with carbon nucleophiles

Trifluoromethyl propargylic carbocation [I] generated from the reaction of 1-amino substituted 3-trifluoromethyl-2-propynyl trimethylsilyl ether 1 with TMSOTf in CH₂Cl₂ at −15 °C, followed by warming to room temperature reacted with 1.2 equiv of substituted benzenes, RMgBr and allylsilane to give the enones 3a-l and 5, respectively. The reaction of [I] with anisole, followed by treatment with Grignard reagents afforded the corresponding allyl amine derivatives 7, which underwent cyclization reaction to give indene derivatives 8 by using 2 equiv of TMSOTf.     

Bu3SnH-mediated 5-exo selective radical cyclization of N-vinyl-α,β-unsaturated amides leading to γ-lactams

Treatment of N-vinyl-α,β-unsaturated amides 1a-h with Bu₃SnH and a catalytic amount of AIBN in boiling benzene caused 5-exo cyclization of allylic O-stannyl ketyl radicals generated by addition of Bu₃Sn· on the amide-oxygen atoms to provide γ-lactams 2a-h after acidic workup. When enamide 1d was treated with Bu₃SnH in the presence of AIBN followed by aldehydes 3a-d, sequential radical cyclization and aldol reactions occurred to afford anti-adducts 4a-d and syn-adducts 5a,b.     

Synthesis and structure of 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,7-dimethylisochromane and its analogues

The title compound 1 was obtained by the reaction of alcohol 18 and triethyl orthoformate catalyzed by aluminum chloride followed by catalytic hydrogenation in good yield. Similarly, compounds 1 and 3 were obtained by intramolecular cyclization of MOM ether 19 with titanium(IV) chloride in moderate yields and isochromanes 1, 3, 26 and 27 by intramolecular cyclization of ether 20 with titanium(IV) chloride in high yields. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical reactions. The mechanisms on the formation of 1 and 3 are discussed.     

Synthesis of novel fluorescent 3-aryl- and 3-methyl-7-aryl-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

Two series of compounds, 3-aryl- (series A, compounds 2a-j) and 3-methyl-7-aryl-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines (series B, compounds 3a-j) have been synthesized by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, with a triazolopyridine halide and an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid in moderate to good yields. All compounds obtained are fluorescents, the quantum yields, particularly those of compounds 3f-j, are very high.     

Synthesis and reactions of 3-alkylsulfanyl-1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzisothiazole 2,2-dioxides

Alkyl- and arylsulfanylation of 1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzisothiazole 2,2-dioxides (benzosultams) 1a-c and pyridosultam 1d with dialkyl and diaryl disulfides provides dithioacetals of 2-aminobenzaldehydes 6-13. 1,3-Dimethylbenzosultam 19 with disulfides forms 3-alkyl(aryl)sulfanyl-1,3-dimethylbenzosultams 20-22 that undergo thermal extrusion of SO₂ followed by a [1,5] sigmatropic hydrogen shift in the intermediate aza-ortho-xylylene leading to 1-arylvinyl sulfides 24-26. Tandem alkylation-sulfanylation of benzo- and pyridosultams 1a-d with 4-bromobutyl thiocyanate gives tetrahydrothiopyrano-spiro-benzosultams 27-30 that, after extrusion of SO₂ and [1,5] hydrogen shift, form 2-aryl-5,6-dihydro-4H-thiopyrans 32-35. Alkylation of pyridosultam 1d with 3-chloropropyl thiocyanate leads directly to 2-pyrido-3,4-dihydrothiophene derivative 37.     

Bimacrocyclic NHC transition metal complexes

The preparation of seven concave NHC metal complexes derived from bimacrocyclic imidazolinium salt 1 is reported. The silver complex 2, obtained in 86% yield by reacting 1 with silver(I) oxide, was used to give copper complex 3, rhodium complex 5 and iridium complex 6 by transmetalation in good yields. Palladium complex 4 was obtained by reaction of the azolium salt 1 with palladium dichloride in 3-chloropyridine. The rhodium and iridium dicarbonyl complexes 7 and 8 were prepared via ligand exchange from the COD complexes 5 and 6. Silver complex 2, copper complex 3 and palladium complex 4 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Silver complex 2 and copper complex 3 were tested in the cyclopropanation of styrene and indene with EDA (ethyl diazoacetate), where good results were obtained with 3, while low conversion and catalyst decomposition was observed with 2.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-1-deoxynojirimycin and (+)-castanospermine

Asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-1-deoxynojirimycin (1) and (+)-castanospermine (2) are described. Starting from diene 3, the required absolute stereochemistry is introduced by an asymmetric hydroxylation followed by epoxidation. An intramolecular cyclization of amine 17 gives access to the corresponding tetrasubstituted piperidine 18, which is a precursor to compounds 1 and 2. (+)-Deoxynojirimicyn (1) was obtained in 36% yield over 11 steps from diene 3, while (+)-castanospermine (2) was achieved in 13% after 19 steps from the same starting material.     

A comparison of hydrogen bonding solvent effects on the singlet oxygen reactions of allyl and vinyl sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones

The singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g) photooxidations of 2-methyl-3-phenylthio-2-butene (1a), 1-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (2c), 2-methyl-3-phenylsulfinyl-2-butene (3), 2-methyl-3-phenylsulfonyl-2-butene (6), and 1-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (7c) were conducted in the following deuterated solvents: acetonitrile, benzene, chloroform, methanol, or methanol/water mixture. In each case the ene allylic hydroperoxide products and/or the [2+2] cycloaddition products were quantified and inspected for possible hydrogen bonding induced differences in product selectivity and regiochemistry. After comparison to literature values for related substrates, the results indicate that only photooxidations of vinyl sulfides are susceptible to hydrogen bonding solvent effects.     

Synthesis of functionalized 3-spirocyclopropane-2-indolones from isomerised Baylis-Hillman adducts of isatin

A facile, high yield stereoselective synthesis of functionalized diastereomeric 3-spirocyclopropane-2-indolones (10-17a,b) from the isomerised bromo derivatives of Baylis-Hillman adducts of isatin(2-9a,b) by reductive cyclization with sodium borohydride is reported.     

Synthesis of (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin and isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives from l-aspartic acid

This paper describes a new total synthesis for (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin, (S)-7-MeO-AT, from l-aspartic acid in an overall yield of 10% over nine steps. The major loss was ascribed to a key intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization step, which afforded up to 36% yield. Attempts to perform a Friedel–Crafts cyclization of an intermediate phthalimide protected amino alcohol 13 did not give the desired protected (S)-7-MeO-AT. On the other hand, two new isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives 14 and 15, were isolated in 21 and 11% yield, respectively. The yield of 15 was improved to 70%.