Shorter synthesis of trifunctionalized cryptophane-A derivatives

Efficient syntheses of trisubstituted cryptophane-A derivatives that are versatile host molecules for many applications are reported. Trihydroxy cryptophane was synthesized in six or seven steps with yields as high as 9.5%. By a different route, trihydroxy cryptophane modified with three propargyl, allyl, or benzyl protecting groups was synthesized with yields of 4.1-5.8% in just six steps. Hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR chemical shifts of 57-65 ppm were measured for these trisubstituted cryptophanes.     

Shorter and modular synthesis of hemicryptophane-tren derivatives

Hemicryptophanes are host molecules with many applications as supramolecular catalysts or in ion selective recognition. A very convenient and efficient modular approach for the synthesis of hemicryptophane-tren (tren, tris(2-aminoethyl)-amine) derivatives has been developed. For instance, hemicryptophane 1 was synthesized at the gram scale in four steps from vanillyl alcohol compared to the previous seven-step procedure. The size, shape, and functionalities of the molecular cavity were also easily modified.     

Shorter response times and improved selectivity for potentiometric electrodes

The response times of potentiometric electrodes of the coated-wire variety are shortened by the addition of non-selective charge carriers to the ion-selective membrane. As a charge carrier, ferrocene was effective in decreasing the response time by a factor of 2–3, e.g. from 19 to 6 s. The optimum amount of ferrocene in the polymer film was 1.5% (w/w). As an unexpected benefit, the selectivity of the electrodes containing ferrocene improved by up to two orders of magnitude.     

Shorter puromycin analog synthesis by means of an efficient Staudinger-Vilarrasa coupling

An efficient Staudinger-Vilarrasa coupling generates amides from azides and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole esters of amino- or hydroxy acid derivatives in very high isolated yields and purity. New puromycin analogs, mostly putative biosynthetic intermediates, were synthesized in nine steps from adenosine.     

Synthesis of poinsettifolin A

A synthesis of poinsettifolin A (1), a prenylated flavonol isolated from Dorstenia poinsettifolia, is described. Two routes starting from quercetin were explored, and 1 could be prepared if a prenyl group first was incorporated at C-6 of the protected quercetin followed by a condensation with citral at C-8. The key synthetic steps are a Mitsunobu reaction, an europium (III)-catalysed Claisen rearrangement coupled with cross-metathesis, and a benzopyran-forming geranylation. The two geranylated 3,5,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavonols prepared, 1 and 3, were assayed for antileishmanial activity against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis, and found to be active. Compound 3 showed cytotoxic activity against leukaemia and lung cancer cells while 1 lacked cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis of diospongin A

A stereoselective synthesis of Diospongin A using a cross-metathesis-intramolecular Michael addition has been achieved.     

Synthesis of azacridone A

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of the only known naturally occurring azaacridone alkaloid (1) has been achieved in 10 steps from phloroglucinol. A variety of ortholithiation reactions are described, and a method for overcoming the originally unfavorable regiochemistry of one of them is provided.     

Synthesis of bistramide A

We have developed an efficient and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of bistramide A, a selective activator of protein kinase C isotype delta. Our synthetic strategy featured a novel bidirectional approach for spiroketal construction based on the ring-opening/cross-metathesis sequence employing a highly strained cyclopropenone acetal. The synthesis afforded the final target with the longest linear sequence of 15 steps and provided unambiguous structural determination of bistramide A, including assignment of the previously unknown C(37) stereochemistry.     

Synthesis of adenophostin A

The natural product and potent agonist of the d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, adenophostin A, was synthesised from adenosine and d-glucose using efficient methodology. The synthetic material was equipotent with naturally occurring adenophostin A in evoking Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular stores of permeabilised cells.     

Synthesis of pterocellin A

The first total synthesis of pterocellin A (1) was achieved in 10 linear steps from commercially available kojic acid (6) and 2-bromo-3-pyridinol (11) in a convergent sequence. The key constructive steps are a directed lithiation to couple two pyridines and an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution to form 1. [structure: see text]     

A Synthesis of Thalidomide

A synthesis of racemic thalidomide ( 1 ) was described and the important formal [3+3] cycloaddition strategy was a keystep. The total yield of thalidomide ( 1 ) was 18% in five steps from known 3 .     

Synthesis and Oxidation of N‐Aminoglyconolactams: A Synthesis of Mannostatin A

The N‐amino‐ribono‐1,5‐lactam 4 was prepared in two high‐yielding steps from the known methanesulfonate 2 . Oxidation of 4 with t‐BuOCl in the presence of 2,6‐lutidine afforded the tetrazene 6 (63%). Oxidation with MnO₂ gave the deaminated lactam 7 (40%), which was also obtained, together with the lactone 8 , upon oxidation of 4 with PhSeO₂H. Oxidation with Mn(OAc)₃/Cu(OAc)₂ provided the lactam 7 as the major and the dimer 9 as the minor product. Oxidation of 4 with 3 equiv. of Pb(OAc)₄ in toluene at room temperature gave two cyclopentanes, viz. the acetoxy epoxide 10 and the diazo ketone 11 in a combined yield of 78%. Oxidation with Pb(OBz)₄ provided 11 and the crystalline benzoyloxy epoxide 12 . The crystal structure of 12 was established by X‐ray analysis. The N‐amino‐glyconolactams 41, 46 , and 51 were prepared similarly to 4 . Their oxidation with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the diazo ketones 56, 57 , and 58 as the only isolable products. Oxidation of the N‐amino‐mannono‐1,5‐lactam 55 with Pb(OAc)₄ in the presence of DMSO gave the sulfoximine 59 . Mannostatin A, a strong α‐mannosidase inhibitor, was synthesized from the acetoxy epoxide 10 (obtained in 48% from 4 ) in seven steps and in an overall yield of 45%.