Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Ferrocenes from Glycofuranosyl-cyclopentadienes,synthetic equivalents of (alkoxyalkyl)fulvenes

Cyclopentadienyl C-glycosides (= glycosyl-cyclopentadienes) have been prepared as latent fulvenes. Their reaction with nucleophiles leads to cyclopentadienes substituted with (protected) alditol moieties and, hence, to enantiomerically pure metallocenes. Treatment of 1 with cyclopentadienyl anion gave the epimeric glycosyl-cyclopentadienes 6 / 7 (Scheme 1). Each epimer consisted of a ca. 1:1 mixture of the 1, 3-and 1, 4-cyclopentadienes a and b , respectively, which were separated by prep. HPLC. Slow regioisomerisation occurred at room temperature. Diels-Alder addition of N-phenylmaleimide to 6a / b ca. 3:7 at room temperature yielded three ‘endo’-adducts, i.e., a disubstituted alkene ( 8 or 9 , 25%) and the trisubstituted alkenes 10 (45%) and 11 (13%). The structure of 10 was established by X-ray analysis. Reduction of 6 / 7 (after isolation or in situ) with LiAlH₄ gave the cyclopentadienylmannitols 12a / b (80%) which were converted to the silyl ethers 13a / b (Scheme 2). Lithiation of 13a / b and reaction with FeCl₂ or TiCl₄ led to the symmetric ferrocene 14 (76%) and the titanocene 15 (34%), respectively. The mixed ferrocene 16 (63%) was prepared from 13a / b and pentamethylcyclopentadiene. Treatment of 6 / 7 with PhLi at ?78° gave a 5:3 mixture of the 1-C-phenylated alcohols 17a / b and 18a / b (71%) which were silylated to 19a / b and 20a / b , respectively. Lithiation of 19 / 20 and reaction with FeCl₂ afforded the symmetric ferrocenes 21 and 22 and the mixed ferrocene 23 (54:15:31, 79%) which were partially separated by MPLC. The configuration at C(1) of 17–22 was assigned on the basis of a conformational analysis. The reaction of the ribofuranose 24 with cyclopentadienylsodium led to the epimeric C-glycosides 27a / b and 28a (57%, ca. 1:1, Scheme 3). The in-situ reduction of 27 / 28 with LiAlH₄ followed by isopropylidenation gave 25a / b (65%) which were transformed into the ferrocene 26 (79%) using the standard method. Phenylation of 27 / 28 , desilylation, and isopropylidenation gave a 20:1 mixture of 33a / b and 34a / b (86%) which was separated by prep. HPLC. The same mixture was obtained upon phenylation of the fulvene 32 which was obtained in 36% yield from the reaction of the aldehydo-ribose 30 with cyclopentadienylsodium at ?100°. Lithiation of 33 / 34 and reaction with FeCl₂ gave the symmetric ferrocene 35 (88%). Similarly, the aldehydo-arabinose 36 was transformed via the fulvene 37 (32%) into a 18:1 mixture of 38a / b and 39a / b (78%) and, hence, into the ferrocene 40 (83%). Conformational analysis allowed to assign the configuration of 33–35 , whereas an X-ray analysis of 40 established the (1S)-configuration of 38a / b and 40 . The opposite configuration at C(1) of 38a / b and 33a / b was established by chemical degradation (Scheme 4). Hydrogenation (→ 41 and 44 , resp.), deprotection (→ 42 and 45 , resp.), NaIO₄ oxidation, and NaBH₄ reduction yielded (+)-(S)- 43 and (?)-(R)- 43 , respectively.     

Glycosylsulfenyl- und (Glycosylthio)sulfenyl-halogenide (Halogeno- bzw. Halogenothio-(1-thioglycoside)): Herstellung und Umsetzung mit Alkenen

Glycosylsulfenyl snf (Glycosylthio) sulfenyl Halides (Halogeno and Halogenothio 1-Thioglycosides, Resp.): Preparation and Reaction with Alkenes The disulfides 11–17 and 20 were prepared from 7, 9 , and 18 via the dithiocarbonates 8, 10 , and 19 , respectively (Scheme 2). The structure of 11 and of 13 was established by X-ray analysis. Chlorolysis (SO₂Cl₂) of 11 gave mostly the sulfenyl chloride 24 , characterized as the sulfenamide 26 , a small amount of 21 , characterized as the (glycosylthio)sulfenamide 23 , and the glycosyl chloride 27 (Scheme 3). Bromolysis of 11 followed by treatment of the crude with PhNH₂ yielded only 28 . Chlorolysis of the diglycosyl disulfide 13 , however, gave mostly the (glycosylthio)sulfenyl chloride 21 and 27 , besides 24 . Bromolysis of 13 (→ 22 and traces of 25 ) followed by treatment with PhNH₂ gave an even higher proportion of 23 . Similarly, 20 led to 29 and hence to 30 . In solution (CH₂Cl₂), the sulfenyl chloride 24 decomposes faster than the (thio)sulfenyl chloride 21 , and both interconvert. Addition of crude 24 to styrene (?78°) yielded the chloro-sulfide 31 and some 37 , both in low yields. The product of the addition of 24 to l-methylcyclohexene was transformed into the triol 32 . Silyl ethers of allylic alcohols reacted with 24 only at room temperature, yielding, after desilylation, isomer mixtures 33 and 34 , and pure 35 . Much higher yields were achieved for the addition of (thio)sulfenyl halides yielding halogeno-disulfides. Good diastereoselctivites were only obtained with 21 , its cyclohexylidene-protected analogue, and 22 , and this only in the addition to styrene (→ 36, 37, 38 ), to (E)-disubstituted alkenes (→ 46, 48, 49a/b, 50a/b, 53 ), and to trisubstituted alkenes (→ 47, 51, 52, 54, 55 ). Other monosubstituted alkenes (→ 41–45 ) and (Z)-hex-2-ene (→ 49c/d,50c/d ) reacted with low diastereoselectivities. Where structurally possible, a stereospecific trans-addition was observed; regioselectivity was observed in the addition to mono- and trisubstituted alkenes and to derivatives of allyl alcohols. The absolute configuration of the 2-chloro-disulfides was either established by X-ray analysis ( 47a ) or determined by transforming (LiAlH₄) the chloro-disulfides into known thiiranes (Scheme 5). Thus, 37, 48 , and the mixture of 49a/b and 50a/b gave the thiiranes 56, 61 , and 64 , respectively, in good-to-acceptable yields (Scheme 5). Harsher conditions transformed 56 into the thiols 57 and 58 . Similarly, 61 gave 62 . The enantiomeric excesses of these thiols were determined by GC analysis of their esters obtained with (?)-camphanoyl chloride. Addition of 21 to {[(E)-hex-2-enyl]oxy}trimethylsilane, followed by LiAlH₄ reduction and desilylation, gave the known 66 (63%, e.e. 74%). The diastereoselectivity of the addition of 21 to trans-disubstituted and trisubstituted alkenes is rationalized by assuming a preferred conformation of the (thio)sulfenyl chloride and destabilizing steric interactions with one of the alkene substituents, while the diastereoselectivity of the addition to styrene is explained by postulating a stabilizing interaction between the phenyl ring and the C(1)–S substituent (Fig.4).     

Oligosaccharide Analogues of Polysaccharides. Part 4. Synthesis of a monosaccharide-derived octamer

NaSMe in toluene leads to regioselective de-C-silylation of the bis[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]saccharide 2 , but to decomposition of butadiynes such as 1 or 12 . We have, therefore, combined the known reagent-controlled, regioselective desilylation of 2 and of 12 (AgNO₂/KCN) with a substrate-controlled regioselective de-C-silylation, based on C-silyl groups of different size. This combination was studied with the fully protected 3 which was mono-desilylated to 4 or to 5 (Scheme 1). Triethylsilylation of 5 (→ 6 ) was followed by removal of the Me₃Si group (→ 7 ), introduction of a (t-Bu)Me₂Si group (→ 8 ) and removal of the Et₃Si group yielded 9 ; these high-yielding transformations proceed with a high degree of selectivity. Iodination of 4 gave 10 . The latter was coupled with 5 to the homodimer 11 and the heterodimer 12 , which was desilylated to 13 . The second building block for the tetramer was obtained by coupling 14 (from 7 ) with 5 , leading to 15 and 16 . Removal of the Me₃Si group (→ 17 ) and iodination led to 18 which was coupled with 13 to the homotetramer 20 and the heterotetramer 19 (Scheme 2). Deprotection of 19 gave 21 , which was, on the one hand, iodinated to 22 , and, on the other hand, protected by the (t-Bu)Me₂Si group (→ 23 ). Removal of the Et₃Si group (→ 24 ) and coupling afforded the homooctamer 26 and the heterooctamer 25 . Yields of iodination, silylation, and desilylation were consistently high, while heterocoupling proceeded in only 50–55%. Cleavage of the (i-Pr)₃SiC and MeOCH₂O groups of 11 (→ 27 ), 15 (→ 28 ), 20 (→ 29 ) and 26 (→ 30 ) proceeded in high yields (Scheme 3). Complete deprotection in two steps of the heterocoupling products 16 (→ 31 → 32 ), 19 (→ 33 → 34 ), and 25 (→ 35 → 36 ) gave the unprotected dimer 32 , tetramer 34 , and octamer 36 in high yields (Scheme 4). Only the dimer 32 is soluble in H₂O; the ¹H-NMR spectra of 32 , 34 , and 36 in (D₆)DMSO (relatively low concentration) show no signs of association.     

Total Synthesis of Crenulatan Diterpenes: Strategy and stereocontrolled construction of a bicyclic keto-lactone building block

The bicyclic keto lactone 26 was synthesized for the purpose of developing a viable route to marine diterpenes of the crenulatan type. Following the efficient conversion of (S)-citronellol ( 5 ) to the allylated alcohol 9a (Scheme 2), the αβ-unsaturated lactone 12 was efficiently accessed in preparation for stereocontrolled conjugate addition. The hydroxymethyl equivalent most suited to this task was (i-PrO)Me₂SiCH₂MgCl, which gave 13 predominantly in the presence of CuI and Me₃SiCl. Once the OH group was deprotected (→ 14 ), it proved an easy matter to implement acid-catalyzed isomerization to lactone 15 , oxidation of which gave the pivotal aldehyde 16 . Condensation of 16 with PhSeCH₂Li led via 21 to 22 (Scheme 3). Once the OH group was protected (→ 22b ), it proved possible to effect aldolization with crotonaldehyde (→ 23 ). Exposure of 23 to acid gave the sub-target compound 25 . Its subsequent oxidation and thermal activation resulted in sequential selenoxide elimination with Claisen rearrangement (→ 26 ). The structural features of 26 require that a chair-like transition state be adopted during the [3.3]sigmatropic event. With the clarification of these issues, a highly serviceable and more advanced assault on the crenulatans should prove capable of being mounted.     

Synthesis of a Phosphonic Acid Analogue of N-Acetyl-2,3-didehydro-2-deoxyneuraminic Acid,an Inhibitor of Vibrio cholerae Sialidase

The synthesis of the phospha analogue 10 of DANA ( 2 ) is described. Bromo-hydroxylation of the known 11 (→ 12 and 13 ) followed by treatment of the major bromohydrin 13 with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) gave the oxirane 14 (Scheme 1). Depending on the solvent, TiBr₄ transformed 14 into 16 or into a 15 / 16 mixture. Reductive debromination of 16 (→ 17 ), followed by benzylation provided 18 . Oxidattve decarboxylation (Pb(OAc)₄) of the acid, obtained by saponification of 18 , yielded the anomeric acetates 19 and 20 . While 19 was inert under the conditions of phosphonoylation, the more reactive imidate 22 , obtained together with 23 from 19 / 20 via 21 (Scheme 2), gave a mixture of the phosphonates 24 / 25 and the bicyclic acetal 26 . Debenzylation of 24 / 25 and acetylation led to the acetoxyphosphonates 27 / 28 . Since β-elimination of AcOH from 27 / 28 proved difficult, the bromide 34 was prepared from 27 / 28 by photobromination and subjected to reductive elimination with Zn/Cu (→ 35 ; Scheme 3). This two-step sequence was first investigated using the model compounds 30 and 31 . Transesterification of 35 , followed by deacetylation gave 10 , which is a strong inhibitor of the Vibrio Cholerae sialidase.     

Synthese eines 1,2-trans-konfigurierten, äquatorialen Glycosyl-phosphonat-Analogen von D-myo-Inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphat

Synthesis of a 1,2-trans-Configurated, Equatorial Glycosylphosphonate Analogue of D -myo-Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate The diphosphonate analogue 3 of D -myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ( 1 ), a 1,2-trans-configurated, equatorial glycosylphosphonate, was synthesized and characterized as its hexasodium salt 3a . In a first approach, the silylated galactal 4 (Scheme 1) was transformed into the oxirane 5 and hence, by treatment with Me₃SiP(OMe)₂, into a mixture of the glycosylphosphonate 6 and its silyl ether 7 . This mixture was desilylated and then treated with acetone and FeCl₃ to yield 8 and 9 (64 and 22%, resp., from 4 ). In a second approach, the acetates 11/12 (Scheme 2) were treated with P(OMe)₃/Me₃SiOTf in MeCN to afford the anomeric glycosylphosphonates 16/17 (1:1, 60%), while the trichloroacetimidate 10 gave mostly the αD -anomer 16 . The αD -anomer 20 was obtained from 12 and P(OPh)₃. The highest yield of a β-D phosphonate was realized by treating 12 with the cyclic phosphite 15 (→ 18/19 , 40% each). The β-D -phosphonate 17 was debenzylated (→ 21 ) and protected to give 8 . Transformation of 8 into the bromide 22 (43%) proved difficult due to the facile demethylation of thephosphonate, and was best followed by treatment of the crude product with CH₂N₂ and 2,2-dimethoxyporpane. Phosphorylation of 22 yielded 41% of the (dimethoxyphosphoryl)phosphate 23 . The conditions of the Arbuzov reaction slowly converted the bromide 23 into the bis(phosphoryl)phosphate 24 (69%), which was then deprotected. The resulting 3 was purified via the ammonium salt and transformed into 3a (72%).     

Synthesis of N-Acetylallosamine-Derived Disaccharides

The protected disaccharide 44 , a precursor for the synthesis of allosamidin, was prepared from the glycosyl acceptor 8 and the donors 26–28 , best yields being obtained with the trichloroacetimidate 28 (Scheme 6). Glycosidation of 8 or of 32 by the triacetylated, less reactive donors 38–40 gave the disaccharides 46 and 45 , respectively, in lower yields (Scheme 7). Regioselective glycosidation of the diol 35 by the donors 38–40 gave 42 , the axial, intramolecularly H-bonded OH? C(3) group reacting exclusively (Scheme 5). The glycosyl acceptor 8 was prepared from 9 by reductive opening of the dioxolane ring (Scheme 3). The donors 26–28 were prepared from the same precursor 9 via the hemiacetal 25 . To obtain 9 , the known 10 was de-N-acetylated (→ 18 ), treated with phthalic anhydride (→ 19 ), and benzylated, leading to 9 and 23 (Schemes 2 and 3). Saponification of 23 , followed by acetylation also gave 9 . Depending upon the conditions, acetylation of 19 yielded a mixture of 20 and 21 or exclusively 20 . Deacetylation of 20 led to the hydroxyphthalamide 22 . De-N-acetylation of the 3-O-benzylated β-D -glycosides 11 and 15 , which were both obtained from 10 , was very sluggish and accompanied by partial reduction of the O-allyl to an O-propyl group (Scheme 2). The β-D -glycoside 30 behaved very similarly to 11 and 15 . Reductive ring opening of 31 , derived from 29 , yielded the 3-O-acetylated acceptor 32 , while the analogous reaction of the β-D -anomer 20 was accompanied by a rapid 3-O→4-O acyl migration (→ 34 ; Scheme 4). Reductive ring opening of 21 gave the diol 35 . The triacetylated donors 38–40 were obtained from 20 by debenzylidenation, acetylation (→ 36 ), and deallylation (→ 37 ), followed by either acetylation (→ 38 ), treatment with Me₃SiSEt (→ 39 ), or Cl₃CCN (→ 40 ).     

Thermal Reaction of Azulenes with Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

1,3,4,6,8-Pentamethylazulene ( 9 ), when heated at 100° in supercritical CO₂ at 150 bar in the presence of 4 equiv. of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM), led to the formation of 16% of a 1:1 mixture of dimethyl 3,5,6,8,10-pentamethylheptalene-1,2-dicarboxylate 12a ) and its double-bond-shifted isomer 12b as well as 4% of the corresponding azulene-1,2-dicarboxylate 13 (Scheme 4). The formation of the [1 + 2] adduct 11 (cf. Scheme 2) was not observed. Similarly, benz[a]azulene ( 25 ) yielded in supercritical CO₂ (150°/170 bar) in the presence of 4 equiv. of ADM dimethyl benzo[d]heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate ( 29 ; 30%) and dimethyl benzo[a]cyclopent[cd]azulene-1,2-dicarboxylate ( 28 ; 22%; Scheme 5). The reaction of 5,9-diphenylbenz[a]azulene ( 26 ) and ADM in supercritical CO₂ (100°/150 bar) gave the corresponding benzo[d]heptalene-6,7-dicarboxylate 31 (22%) and dimethyl 5,9-diphenyl-4b,10-etheno-10H-benz[a]azulene-11,12-dicarboxylate( 30 ; 25%; Scheme 5).     

Analogues of Sialic Acids as Potential Sialidase Inhibitors. Synthesis of C6 and C7 Analogues of N-Acetyl-6-amino-2,6-dideoxyneuraminic Acid

The piperidines 12 – 18 , piperidmose analogues of Neu5Ac ( 1 ) with a shortened side chain, were synthesized from N-acetyl-D -glucosamine via the azidoalkene 32 and tested as inhibitors of Vibrio cholerae sialidase. Deoxygenation at C(4) of the uronate 22 , obtained from the known D -GlcNAc derivative 20 , was effected by β-elimination (→ 23 ), exchange of the AcO at C(3) with a (t-Bu)Me₂SiO group and hydrogenation (→ 26 ; Scheme 1). Chain extension of 26 by reaction with Me₃SiCH₂MgCl gave the D -ido-dihydroxysilane 28 , which was transformed into the unsaturated L -xylo-mesylate 29 and further into the L -lyxo-alcohol 30 , the mesylate 31 , and the L -xylo-azide 32 . The derivatives 29 – 31 prefer a sickle zig-zag and 32 mainly an extended zig-zag conformation (Fig. 2). The piperidinecarboxylate 15 was obtained from 32 by ozonolysis (→ 33 ), intramolecular reductive animation (→ 34 ), and deprotection, while reductive animation of 34 with glycolaldehyde (→ 35 ) and deprotection gave 16 (Scheme 2). An intramolecular azide-olefin cycloaddition of 32 yielded exclusively the fused dihydrotriazole 36 , while the lactone 39 did not cyclize (Scheme 3). Treatment of 36 with AcOH (→ 37 ) followed by hydrolysis (→ 38 ) and deprotection led to the amino acid 18 . To prepare the (hydroxymethyl)piperidinecarboxylates 12 and 17 , 32 was first dihydroxylated (Scheme 4). The L -gluco-diol 40 was obtained as the major product, in agreement with Kishi's rule. Silylation of 40 (→ 42 ), oxidation with periodinane (→ 44 ), and reductive animation gave the L -gluco-piperidine 45 . It was, on the one hand, deprotected to the amino acid 12 and, on the other hand, N-phenylated (→ 46 ) and deprotected to 17 . While 45 and 12 adopt a ²C₅ conformation, the analogous N-Ph derivatives 46 and 17 adopt a ₅C² and a B_3,6 conformation, respectively, on account of the allylic 1,3-strain. The conformational effects of this 1,3-strain are also evident in the carbamate 47 , obtained from 45 (Scheme 5), and in the C(2)-epimerized bicyclic ether 48 , which was formed upon treatment of 47 with (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST). Fluorination of 40 with DAST (→ 49 ) followed by treatment with AcOH led to the D -ido-fluorohydrin 50 . Oxidation of 50 (→ 51 ) followed by a Staudinger reaction and reduction with NaBH₃CN afforded the (fluoromethyl)piperidine 52 , while reductive amination of 51 with H₂/Pd led to the methylpiperidine 55 , which was similarly obtained from the keto tosylate 54 and from the dihydrotriazole 36 . Deprotection of 52 and 55 gave the amino acids 13 and 14 , respectively. The aniline 17 does not inhibit V. cholerae sialidase; the piperidines 12 – 16 and 18 are weak inhibitors, evidencing the importance of an intact 1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl side chain.     

Synthesis of Pyrrolidine Analogues of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid as Potential Sialidase Inhibitors

The pyrrolidine derivatives 3 , 4 , and 5 were prepared from the methyl ester 7 of Neu2en5Ac via lie pyrrolidine-borane adduct 33 . They inhibit Vibrio cholerae sialidase competitively with K_i = 4. 4 10^?3 M, 5. 3 10^?3 M, and 4. 0 10^?2 M, respectively. Benzylation of 7 gave the fully O-benzylated 8 besides 9, 10 , and 11. Ozonolysis and reduction with NaBH₄ of 8 and 9 gave the 1, 4-diols 12 and 15 , the hydroxy acetates 13 and 16 , and the furanoses 14 and 17 (Scheme 1), respectively. The diol 12 was selectively protected (→ 19 → 20 → 23 ) and transformed into the azide 27 by a Mitsunobu reaction. Selective base-catalysed deprotection of the diacetate 22 , obtained from 12 , was hampered by an easy acetyl-group migration. The mesylate 28 proved unstable. The azide 27 was transformed via 29 into the ketone 30 (Scheme 2). Hydrogenation of 30 gave the dihydropyrrole 31 and, hence, the pyrrole 32. The adduct 33 was obtained from 30 by a Staudinger reaction (→31) and reduction with LiBH₄/HBF⁴. It was transformed into the pyrroudine 34 . The structure of 34 was established by X-ray analysis. Reductamination of the pyrrolidine-borane adduct with glyoxylic acid gave 40 and, hence, 3. N-Alkylation afforded 44 and, hence, the phosphonate 4. The acid 5 was obtained from 33 by acylation (→ 47 ) and deprotection (Scheme 4).     

Oligosaccharide Analogues of Polysaccharides. Part 1. Concept and synthesis of monosaccharide-derived monomers

It is proposed to study the influence of interresidue H-bonds on the structure and properties of polysaccharides by comparing them to a series of systematically modified oligosaccharide analogues where some or all of the glycosidic O-atoms are replaced by buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl groups. This group is long enough to interrupt the interresidue H-bonds, is chemically versatile, and allows a binomial synthesis. Several approaches to the simplest monomeric unit required to make analogues of cellulose are described. In the first approach, allyl α-D -galactopyranoside ( 1 ) was transformed via 2 and the tribenzyl ether 3 into the triflate 4 (Scheme 2). Substitution by cyanide (→ 5–7 ) followed by reduction with DIBAH led in high yield to the aldehyde 9 , which was transformed into the dibromoalkene 10 and the alkyne 11 following the Corey-Fuchs procedure (Scheme 3). The alkyne was deprotected via 12 or directly to the hemiacetal 13 . Oxidation to the lactone 14 , followed by addition of lithium (trimethylsilyl)acetylide Me₃SiC?CLi/CeCl₃ (→ 15 ) and reductive dehydroxylation afforded the disilylated dialkyne 16 . The large excess of Pd catalyst required for the transformation 11 → 13 was avoided by deallylating the dibromoalkene 10 (→ 17 → 18 ), followed by oxidation to the lactone 19 , addition of Me₃SiC?CLi to the anomeric hemiketals 20 (α-D /β-D 7:2), dehydroxylation to 21 , and elimination to the monosilylated dialkyne 22 (Scheme 3). In an alternative approach, treatment of the epoxide 24 (from 23 ) with Me₃SiC?CLi/Et₂AlCl according to a known procedure gave not only the alkyne 27 but also 25 , resulting from participation of the MeOCH₂O group (Scheme 4). Using Me₃Al instead of Et₂AlCl increased the yield and selectivity. Deprotection of 27 (→ 28 ), dibenzylation (→ 29 ), and acetolysis led to the diacetate 30 which was partially deacetylated (→ 31 ) and oxidized to the lactone 32 . Addition of Me₃SiC?CLi/TiCl₄ afforded the anomeric hemiketals 33 (α-D /β-D 3:2) which were deoxygenated to the dialkyne 34 . This synthesis of target monomers was shortened by treating the hydroxy acetal 36 (from 27 ) with (Me₃SiC?C)₃Al (Scheme 5): formation of the alkyne 37 (70%) by fully retentive alkynylating acetal cleavage is rationalised by postulating a participation of HOC(3). The sequence was further improved by substituting the MeOCH₂O by the (i-Pr)₃SiO group (Scheme 6); the epoxide 38 (from 23 ); yielded 85% of the alkyne 39 which was transformed, on the one hand, via 40 into the dibenzyl ether 29 , and, on the other hand, after C-desilylation (→ 41 ) into the dialkyne 42 . Finally, combined alkynylating opening of the oxirane and the 1,3-dioxolane rings of 38 with excess Et₂Al C?CSiMe₃ led directly to the monomer 43 which is thus available in two steps and 77% yield from 23 (Scheme 6).     

Oligosaccharide Analogues of Polysaccharides. Part 2. Regioselective deprotection of monosaccharide-derived monomers and dimers

The Me₃Si? C(1) bond of the bis-(trimethylsilyl)ethynylated anhydroalditol 2 is selectively cleaved with BuLi to yield 3 / 4 , while AgNO₂/KCN in MeOH cleaves the Me₃Si? C(2′) bond, leading to 5 (Scheme 1). Both Me₃Si groups are removed with NaOH in MeOH (→ 7 ), the (i-Pr)₃Si group is selectively cleaved with HCl in aq. MeOH ( → 6 ); all silyl substituents are removed with Bu₄NF ( → 8 ). Acetolysis transformed 9 into 13 , which was desilylated to 14 , while thiolysis of 9 led to a mixture 11 / 12 . The tetraacetate 14 has also been obtained from 9 via 10 . Oxidative dimerisation of either 3 or 5 , or of a mixture 3 / 5 yields only the homodimers 15 and 16 (Scheme 2); treatment of 16 with AgNO₂/KCN yielded 17 , deprotection proceeding much more slowly than the cleavage of the Me₃Si? C(2′) group of 2 . The iodoalkyne 20 , required for the cross-coupling with 5 according to Cadiot-Chodkiewicz, was prepared by deprotection of 3 / 4 to 18 , methoxymethylation (→ 19 ), and iodination. Cross-coupling yielded mostly 21 , besides the homodimer 22 . Similarly, cross-coupling of 20 and 23 (obtained from 5 ) led to 24 and 22 . The structure of 24 was established by X-ray analysis (Fig.), showing a C(6)–C(5′) distance of 5.2 Å. The conditions for deprotecting 2 were applied to 21 , and led to 25 (AgNO₂/KCN), 26 (aq. NaOH), 27 (Bu₄NF), and 29 (HCl/MeOH; Scheme 3). Attempted deprotection of the propargylic-ether moiety with BuLi, however, failed. The dimer 27 was further deprotected to 28 . Acetolytic (Ac₂O/Me₃SiOTf) debenzylation of the dimer 30 , obtained from 10 , gave 31 (83%) which was deacetylated to 32 (Scheme 4). Cross-coupling of 5 and the bromoalkyne 33 , obtained from 10 , yielded 34 ; again, acetolysis proceeded well, leading to 35 . The cellobiose derivative 38 was prepared from the lactone 36 via 37 . The glycosidic linkage of 38 proved resistant to the conditions of acetolysis, leading to 39 . Acetolysis of the benzylated thiophene 40 (from 30 with Na₂S) yielded the octaacetate 41 , but proceeded in substantially lower yields (50%).     

Domino‐Heck Reactions of Carba‐ and Oxabicyclic,Unsaturated Dicarboximides: Synthesis of Aryl‐Substituted,Bridged Perhydroisoindole Derivatives

The C? C coupling of the two bicyclic, unsaturated dicarboximides 5 and 6 with aryl and heteroaryl halides gave, under reductive Heck conditions, the C‐aryl‐N‐phenyl‐substituted oxabicyclic imides 7a – c and 8a – c (Scheme 3). Domino‐Heck C? C coupling reactions of 5, 6 , and 1b with aryl or heteroaryl iodides and phenyl‐ or (trimethylsilyl)acetylene also proved feasible giving 8, 9 , and 10a – c , respectively (Scheme 4). Reduction of 1b with LiAlH₄ (→ 11 ) followed by Heck arylation and reduction of 5 with NaBH₄ (→ 13 ) followed by Heck arylation open a new access to the bridged perhydroisoindole derivatives 12a , b and 14a , b with prospective pharmaceutical activity (Schemes 5 and 6).     

Exploring a New General Pathway to Parent Hydrocarbons Heptafulvene,Heptapentafulvalene, and Heptafulvalene

A new general pathway to the parent cross‐conjugated hydrocarbons heptafulvene ( 1 ) (Scheme 3), sesquifulvalene ( 2 ) (Scheme 4), and heptafulvalene ( 3 ) (Scheme 5) has been explored, starting with easily available 7,7‐dibromobicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐3‐ene ( 13 ). Promising precursors have been synthesized by halo/lithio exchange of 1,1‐dibromocyclopropane 13 → 14 , followed by methylation (→ 1 ), cyclopentadienylation (→ 2 ) and CuCl₂‐induced `carbene dimerization' (→ 3 ) of the carbenoid 14 . So far, the main obstacle of all three sequences (cf. Schemes 3, 4, and 5) is the final base‐induced dehydrobromination of precursors 17 , 24 , and 27 , which should be investigated in more detail.     

Oligosaccharide Analogues of Polysaccharides. Part 3. A new protecting group for alkynes: Orthogonally protected dialkynes

Dialkynes of the type 3 (Scheme 1) are regioselectively deprotected by treating them either with base in a protic solvent (→ 4 ), or– after exposing the OH group– by catalytic amounts of base in an aprotic solvent (→ 5 and 8 ). The Me₃Si-protected 12 (Scheme 2) is inert to catalytic BuLi/THF which transformed 11 into 9 , while K₂CO₃/MeOH transformed both 10 into 9 , and 12 into 13 , evidencing the requirement for a more hindered (hydroxypropyl)silyl substituent. C-Silylation of the carbanions derived from 17–19 (Scheme 3) with 15 led to 20–22 , but only 22 was obtained in reasonable yields. The key intermediate 27 was, therefore, prepared by a retro-Brook rearrangement of 23 , made by silylating the hydroxysulfide 16 with 15 . The OH group of 27 was protected to yield the {[dimethyl(oxy)propyl]dimethylsilyl}acetylenes (DOPSA's) 21, 28 , and 29 . The orthogonally protected acetylenes 20–22, 28 , and 29 were de-trimethylsilylated to the new monoprotected acetylene synthons 30–34 . The scope of the orthogonal protection was checked by regioselective deprotection of the dialkynes 39–42 (Scheme 4), prepared by alkylation of 35 (→ 39 ), or by Pd⁰/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling with 36–38 (→40–42 ). The cross-coupling depended upon the solvent and proceeded best in N,N,N′,N′ -teramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). Main by-product was the dimer 43 . On the one hand, K₂CO₃/MeOH removed the Me₃Si group and transformed 39–42 into the monoprotected 44–47 ; catalytic BuLi/THF, on the other hand, transformed the alcohols 48–51 , obtained by hydrolysis of 39–42 , into the monoprotected dialkynes 52–55 , all steps proceeding in high yields. Addition of the protected DOPSA groups to the lactones 56 (→57–59 ) and 62 (→63 ) (Schemes 5 and 6) gave the corresponding hemiketals. Reductive dehydroxylation of 57 and 58 failed; but similar treatment of 59 yielded the alcohol 61 . Similarly, 63 was transformed into 64 which was protected as the tetrahydropyranyl (Thp) ether 65 . In an optimized procedure, 62 was treated sequentially with lithiated 31 , BuLi, and Me₃SiCl (→ 66 ), followed by desilyloxylation to yield 60% of 67 , which was protected as the Thp ether 68 . Under basic, protic conditions, 68 yielded the monoprotected bisacetylene 69 ; under basic, aprotic conditions, 67 led to the monoprotected bisacetylene 70 . These procedures are compatible with the butadiynediyl function. The butadiyne 73 was prepared by cross-coupling the alkyne 69 and the iodoalkyne 71 (obtained from 70 , together with the triiodide 72 ) and either transformed to the monosilylated 76 or, via 77 , to the monosilylated 78 . Formation of the homodimers 74 and 75 was greatly reduced by optimizing the conditions of cross–coupling of alkynes.     

Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 22. α-D-Selectivity in the Glycosidation by Carbenes Derived from 2-Acetamido-hexoses

Glycosylidene carbenes derived from the GlcNAc and AllNAc diazirines 1 and 3 were generated by the thermolysis or photolysis of the diazirines. The reaction of 1 with i-PrOH gave exclusively the isopropyl α-D -glycoside of 5 besides some dihydrooxazole 9 (Scheme 2). A similar reaction with (CF₃)₂CHOH yielded predominantly the α-D -anomer of 6 , while glycosidation of 4-nitrophenol (→ 7 ) proceeded with markedly lower diastereoselectivity. Similarly, the Allo-diazirine 3 gave the corresponding glycosides 12–14 , but with a lower preference for the α-D -anomers (Scheme 3). The reactions of the carbene derived from 1 with Ph₃COH (→ 8 ) and diisopropylideneglucose 10 (→ 11 ) gave selectively the α-D -anomers (Scheme 2). The αD -selectivity increases with increasing basicity (decreasing acidity) of the alcohols. It is rationalized by an intermolecular H-bond between the acetamido group and the glycosyl acceptor. This H-bond increases the probability for the formation of a 1,2-cis-glycosidic C–O bond. The gluco-intermediates are more prone to forming a N–H…?(H)OR bond than the allo-isomers, since the acetamido group in the N-acetylallosamine derivatives forms an intramolecular H-bond to the cis-oriented benzyloxy group at C(3), as evidenced by δ/T and δ/c experiments.     

Synthesis of Novel 8,14‐Secoursane Derivatives: Key Intermediates for the Preparation of Chiral Decalin Synthons from Ursolic Acid

The novel 8,14‐secoursatriene derivative 6 was synthesized starting from ursolic acid ( 1 ) via methyl esterification of the 17‐carboxylic acid group and benzoylation of the 3‐hydroxy group (→ 2 ; Scheme 1), ozone oxidation of the C(12)?C(13) bond (→ 3 ), dehydrogenation with Br₂/HBr (→ 4 ), enol acetylation of the resulting carbonyl group (→ 5 ; Scheme 2), and ring‐C opening with the aid of UV light (→ 6 ). Ring‐C‐opened dienone derivative 7 of ursolic acid was also obtained via selective hydrolysis of 6 (Scheme 2). Both compounds 6 and 7 are key intermediates for the preparation of chiral decalin synthons from ursolic acid.     

α,α-Disubstituted Allyl Sulfones: An approach to the synthesis of vinyl-branched pheromone analogues

The two-step alkylation of phenyl prop-2-enyl sulfone ( 1 ) with protected ω-bromoalkanols and 1-iodoalkanes (→ 3 ; see Scheme 1) followed by a Pd-catalyzed desulfonylation with LiBH₄ affords a 96:4 mixture of vinylbranched, protected alcohols and corresponding ethylidene-branched isomers (see Scheme 2; 4 and 5 , respectively). By utilizing the large difference in reactivity of mono- and trisubstituted C?C bonds towards singlet oxygen, the ethylidene derivatives are easily removed from the mixture by photo-oxygenation. The vinyl-branched compounds are inert to this reaction and can be conveniently isolated in highly pure form (99.5%) and ca. 45% overall yield.     

Glyconothio-O-lactones. Part I. Preparation and reactions with nucleophiles

Furanoid and pyranoid glyconothio-O-lactones were prepared by photolysis of S-phenacyl thioglycosides or by thermolysis of S-glycosyl thiosulfinates, which gave better results than the thionation of glyconolactones with Lawesson's reagent. Thermolysis of the thiosulfinates obtained from the dimannofuranosyl disulfide 7 or the manofuranosyl methly disulfide 8 (Scheme 2) gave low yields of the thio-O-lactone 2 . However, photolysis of the S-phenacyl thioglycoside 6 obtained by in situ alkylation of the thiolato anion derived from 5 led in 78–89% to 2 . Similarly, the dithiocarbonate 10 was transformed, via 11a , into the ribo-thio-O-lactone 12 (79%). Thermolysis of the peracetylated thiosulfinates 14 (Scheme 3) led to the intermediate thio-O-lactone 15 , which underwent facile β-elimination of AcOH (→ 16 , 75%) during chromatography. The perbenzylated S-glucopyranosyl dithiocarbonate 18 (Scheme 4) was transformed either into the S-phenacyl thioglucoside 19 or into a mixture of the anomeric methyl disulfides 21a/b . Whereas the photolysis of 19 led in moderate yield to 2-deoxy-thio-O-lactone 20 , oxidation of 21b and thermolysis of resulting thiosulfinates gave the thio-O-lactone 4 (79%), which was transformed into 20 (36%) upon photolysis. The pyranoid manno-thio-O-lactone 26 was prepared in the same way and in good yields from 22 via the dithiocarbonate 24b and the disulfide 25 . The ring conformations of the δ-thio-O-lactones, flattened ⁴C₁ for 15 and 4 and B_2,5 for 26 , are similar to the ones of the O-analogous oxo-glyconolactones. The reaction of 2 (Scheme 5) with MeLi and then with MeI gave the thioglycoside 27 (29%) and the dimeric thio-O-lactone 29 (47%). The analogous treatment of 2 with lithium dimethylcuprate (LiCuMe₂) and MeI led to a 4:1 mixture (47%) of 31 and 27 . The structure of 2 was proven by an X-ray analysis, and the configuration at C(6) and C(5) of 29 was deduced from NOE experiments. Substitution of MeI by CD₃I led to the CD₃S analogues of 27 , 29 , and 31 , i.e. 28 , 30 , and 32 , respectively, evidencing carbophilic addition and ‘exo’-attack on 2 by MeLi and the enethiolato anion derived from 2 . The preferred ‘endo’-attack of LiCuMe₂ is rationalized by postulating a single-electron transfer and a diastereoselective pyramidalization of the intermediate radical anion.     

7-Deazaguanosine: Synthesis of an oligorbonucleotide building block and disaggregation of the U-G-G-G-G-U G4 structure by the modified base

Building blocks derived from 7-deazaguanosine (c⁷G, 1 ) were prepared for solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis. Compound 1 was converted into the isobutyurl derivative 2b and the (dimethylamino)methylidene compound 3 (Scheme 1). After tritylation (→ 4a , b ), silylation was studied with regard to regioselectivity. It was found that the triisopropylsilyl group in combination with the (dimethylamino)methylidene residue gave the highest 2′ -selectivity (→ 5e ). The 2′ -O -silyl derivative 5e was reacted with PCl₃ affording the 3′ -phosphonate 7 which was used in solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis. Oligonucleotides derived from U-G-G-G-G-U with an increasing number of c⁷G residues instead of G were synthesized. Aggregation was studied by polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis and CD Spectroscopy. Disaggregation of the G₄-structure of U-G-G-G-G-U was observed when c⁷G replaced G, demonstrating that guanine N(7) participates in the aggregation process.