Synthesis and NMR Characterization of (Z,Z,Z,Z,E,E,ω)-Heptaprenol

We describe a practical, multigram synthesis of (2Z,6Z,10Z,14Z,18E,22E)-3,7,11,15,19,23,27-heptamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22,26-octacosaheptaen-1-ol [(Z(4),E(2),ω)-heptaprenol, 4] using the nerol-derived sulfone 8 as the key intermediate. Sulfone 8 is prepared by the literature route and is converted in five additional steps (18% yield from 8) to (Z(4),E(2),ω)-heptaprenol 4. The use of Eu(hfc)(3) as an NMR shift reagent not only enabled confirmation of the structure and stereochemistry of 4, but further enabled the structural assignment to a major side product from a failed synthetic connection. The availability by this synthesis of (Z(4),E(2),ω)-heptaprenol 4 in gram quantities will enable preparative access to key reagents for the study of the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell envelope.     

Vibrational analysis of the S—trans conformation of (E,E), (Z,E) and (Z,Z)-2,4-hexadienes in the gaseous and solid states

The infrared (IR) spectra of liquid, gaseous and solid states as well as the liquid and solid phases Raman ones of the pure (Z,Z)-2, 4-hexadiene are recorded for the first time between 3100–50 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the IR spectra of the gaseous and solid states and the solid Raman ones have been obtained (3100-50 cm⁻¹) for the (E,E) and (Z,E) isomers. A comparison between the present and our previous results for the liquid phase have enabled us to complete and confirm our previous assignment and to conclude that the planar s-trans conformation is prevailing in the three physical states under conditions used in this work.     

Stereoselective and Convenient Synthesis of Diethyl (E)-α-Triphenylstannyl or (Z)-α-Tributylstannyl α-Alkenylphosphonates

Diethyl (E)-α-triphenylstannyl or (Z)-α-tri-n-butylstannyl α-alkenylphosphonates are conveniently and stereoselectively prepared using a “tin-Peterson-like” reaction. Protonolysis of the carbon-tin bond of α-tributylstannyl derivatives proved to be easy and stereospecific.     

Palladium-catalyzed stereoconvergent formylation of (E/Z)-β-bromo-β-fluorostyrenes: straightforward access to (Z)-α-fluorocinnamic aldehydes and (Z)-β-fluorocinnamic alcohols

We report here the stereoconvergent formylation of (E/Z)-β-bromo-β-fluorostyrene mixtures with carbon monoxide and sodium formate catalyzed by palladium. Optimization of reaction conditions leads to the corresponding pure (Z)-α-fluorocinnamaldehydes in good yields. The reaction was extended to styrenes bearing electro-attracting or electro-donating groups. The obtained α-fluoroaldehydes were smoothly reduced to the corresponding (Z)-β-fluorocinnamic alcohol by NaBH(4). The reaction could be performed on functionalized substrates as demonstrated by the access to the glucoside of β-fluoroconiferyl alcohol, (Z)-β-fluoroconiferin, a strong inhibitor of lignin polymerization.     

α- and β-Mercaptoalkanoic Acids: Versatile Synthons in the Syntheses of Thiasteroid Analogues and Selenathiadiazoles

This review describes the reactions of α/β-mercaptoalkanoic acids as building blocks for the synthesis of heterosteroids, polyfunctional heterocycles with pharmacological interest. Annelated heterocycles have been prepared by the cyclocondensation reaction of α- and β-mercaptoalkanoic acids with carbonyl compounds. This reaction takes place by nucleophilic addition, followed by cyclization with elimination of water. The main objective of this survey is to provide a comprehensive account of this reaction type in building various heterocycles, and examining their potential in developing better chemotherapeutic agents.     

Rhodium catalyzed deuteroformylation of styrene: (E)- and (Z)-β-deuterostyrene and β,β-dideuterostyrene formation via selective β-hydride elimination from the branched alkylrhodium intermediate

Deuteroformylation of styrene in the presence of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ as a catalytic precursor was carried out at 160 atm of CO and D₂ 1/1 at two temperatures (20 and 90°C) and for times yielding partial or complete conversion. Compounds recovered from the mixture produced by reaction and partial conversion at 90°C include unlabeled styrene, (E)- and (Z)-β-deuterostyrene, C₆H₅CHCHD, and β,β-dideuterostyrene, C₆H₅CHCD₂, whereas at room temperature the styrene does not take up deuterium. These results indicate that under hydroformylation conditions the branched alkylrhodium intermediate, which affords the branched aldehyde, in part dissociates into rhodium hydride and deuterated olefin. By contrast the linear alkyl intermediate does not dissociate under the same conditions, but instead yields almost completely the corresponding aldehyde.     

Convenient Syntheses of Perdeuterioacrylonitrile and β,β-Dideuterioacrylonitrile

Perdeuterioacrylonitrile can be prepared conveniently from succinonitrile in a two-step process. Succinonitrile is exchanged with D₂O to obtain perdeuteriosuccinonitrile, which is then pyrolyzed at ～550°C to obtain perdeuterioacrylonitrile and DCN. CDBCN and CzDsCN are by-products of this reaction. A chemical procedure for separating perdeuterioacrylonitrile from these materials was developed. This involved formation of the Diels-Alder adduct of cyclopentadiene with perdeuterioacrylonitrile, followed by pyrolysis of the purified adduct at -330°C. Cyclopentadiene was removed from the resulting pyrolyzate by reaction with maleic anhydride. Purified perdeuterioacrylonitrile exchanged with H₂O to yield β,β-dideuterioacrylonitrile in good yield and good isotopic purity.     

Preparative separation of α- and β-santalenes and (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalols using silver nitrate-impregnated silica gel medium pressure liquid chromatography and analysis of sandalwood oil

The major sesquiterpene constituents of East-Indian sandalwood oil (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalols have shown to be responsible for most of the biological activities and organoleptic properties of sandalwood oil. The work reported here describes the strategic use of medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) for the separation of both α- and β-santalenes and (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalols. Silver nitrate impregnated silica gel was used as the stationary phase in MPLC for quantitative separation of α- and β-santalenes and (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalols with mobile phases hexane and dichloromethane, respectively. The purities of α-santalene and (Z)-α-santalol obtained were >96%; however, β-santalene and (Z)-β-santalol were obtained with their respective inseparable epi-isomers. Limits of quantification (LoQ) relative to the FID detector were measured for important sesquiterpene alcohols of heartwood oil of S. album using serial dilutions of the standard stock solutions and demonstrated that the quality of the commercial sandalwood oil can be assessed for the content of individual sesquiterpene alcohols regulated by Australian Standard (AS2112-2003), International Organization for Standardization ISO 3518:2002 (E) and European Union (E. U.).     

A Stereoselective Synthetic Route To (Z)-α-Stannyl-α, β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Acetylenic stannanes 1 react with Cp₂Zr(H)Cl (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) and CO to give acylzirconocene chloride derivatives 2, which are trapped with dilute HCl to afford (Z)-α-stannyl-α, β-unsaturated aldehydes 3.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (1Z,3E)-2-Ethoxycarbonyl-Substituted 1,3-Dienes via Stille Coupling of (E)-α-Stannyl-α,β-Unsaturated Esters with Alkenyl Halides

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylation of alkynyl esters in benzene at room temperature gives stereoselectively (E)-α-stannyl-α,β-unsaturated esters 1 in good yields. (E)-α-Stannyl-α,β-unsaturated esters 1 are difunctional group reagents that undergo Stille coupling reactions with alkenyl halides 2 in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ and CuI co-catalyst to afford stereoselectively (1Z,3E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-substituted 1,3-dienes 3 in good yields.     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Application of (E)-α-Selanyl Vinylstannanes

The palladium-catalyzed reaction of acetylenic selenides with tributyltin hydride give verstile (E)-α-selanyl vinylstannanes regio-and stereoselectively. By iododestannylation, stereodefined(E)-α-iodo-selanyl alkenes have been synthesized.

     

Efficient Syntheses of (E)-4-Hydroxy-5-Methoxy-and (E)-5-Hydroxy-4-Methoxy-2,β-Dinitrostyrenes

The key to efficient syntheses of the title compounds is chemoselective CF₃CO₂H debenzylation. The benzyl protecting group is necessary for regiospecific nitration.     

(E)-Selective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-α,β-unsaturated nitriles by the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

From stereoisomeric α,β-unsaturated nitriles (E,Z)-1, the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolyses the (E)-isomers exclusively to the corresponding (E)-carboxylic acids (E)-2 with high specificity. The (E)-selectivity can also be utilised for the preparation of the isomerically pure nitriles (Z)-1. From (E,Z)-2-hydroxycinnamonitrile (E,Z)-3, the otherwise difficult obtainable (Z)-3 was prepared in 66% isolated yield. With β,γ-unsaturated (E,Z)-3-heptenenitrile (E,Z)-4, however, (E)-selectivity was not observed. AtNIT1 exhibits not only diastereoselectivity but also regioselectivity. From a mixture of the four isomers A–D of 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenenitrile 6, exclusively isomer D ((E)-cis-6) was hydrolysed to 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenoic acid (E)-cis-7, as stated by X-ray crystal structure. Only after complete conversion of D and high enzyme concentrations, isomer C ((E)-trans-6) was hydrolysed to a small extent.     

Preparation of New Dialkyl Benzene-, Biphenyl-, and Naphthalene-bis(α-oxoethanedithioates)

Novel arene-bis- and -tris(α-oxoethanedithioate) esters of the benzene, the biphenyl, and, in particular, the naphthalene series were prepared by reaction of the corresponding diazoacetyl or bromoacetyl derivatives with elemental sulfur in the presence of triethylamine in dry DMF, and subsequent direct alkylation of the produced dithiocarboxylate anions. The thiolation reaction of the diazoketones was significantly promoted by the addition of anhydrous calcium chloride (calcium chloride–activated thiolation, or CAT). Certain carbonyl-activated methylene and methyl compounds exhibiting no bromo or diazo substituents could be also transformed into dithioesters by the CAT reaction. The structure of three dithioesters was corroborated by X-ray structural analyses.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

The Syntheses of 4,4′-(1,n-Dioxaalkane)-bisbenzaldehydes and 4,4′-(1,n-Dioxaalkane)-bis(α-methoxy Phenylacetic Acids)

The syntheses of 4,4′-(1,n-dioxaalkane)-bis(α-methoxyphenylacetic acids) were conducted using a base-catalyzed reaction. The reactants were potassium hydroxide (or lithium hydroxide/lithium chloride), bromoform, methanol and 4,4′-(1,n-dioxaalkane)-bisbenzaldehydes. The aldehyde starting materials were prepared using the Williamson ether synthesis, by condensing p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 1,n-dibromoalkanes with lithium hydride in ethanol. The effect of varying the hydrocarbon length in the dioxaalkane bridge unit is a significant consideration (the number of CH₂ units in the bridge varying from two to eight) in their acid salt formation.

     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-monosubstituted and β,β-disubstituted N-(p-toluenesulfinyl)-α-(aminoalkyl)acrylates via anionic additions of (α-carbalkoxyvinyl)cuprates to thiooxime S-oxides

A series of new Baylis–Hillman adducts, β-monosubstituted and β,β-disubstituted N-(p-toluenesulfinyl)-α-(aminoalkyl)acrylates has been synthesized via asymmetric nucleophilic additions of (α-carbalkoxyvinyl)cuprates to chiral p-toluenesulfinimines. Modest to good yields (52.0–72.0%) and excellent diastereoselectivity (>90% de) have been obtained. The Z/E selectivity was found to be effected by solvents or cosolvents.     

Synthesis of 6(E)- and 6(Z)-(3-ethoxycarbonylpropyl)oximes of 16α,17α-cyclohexanopregn-4-ene-3,6,20-trione and study of their interaction with proteins of the rat uterine cytosol and blood serum

6(E)- and 6(Z)-(3-Ethoxycarbonylpropyl)- and -(3-carboxypropyl)oximes of 16,17-cyclohexanopregn-4-ene-3,6,20-trione were synthesized. The reactions of these ester ligands with pentarane-binding proteins of the uterine cytosol and blood serum were studied; the latter exhibits a higher affinity. The preferred binding of the oxime (E)-isomer relative to the (Z)-isomer was noted.     

Binuclear metallochelates of 2-(N-tosylamino)benzal-2’-(hydroxymethyl)aniline: Syntheses,structures, and magnetic properties

Binuclear complexes of Co(II), Сu(II), and Pd(II) with 2-(N-tosylamino)benzal-2’-(hydroxymethyl)aniline are synthesized. The compositions and structures of the ligand and complexes are determined from the data of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, ¹Н, ¹³С, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetochemical measurements in a temperature range of 294–77.4 K. All complexes are dimeric. The Cu…Cu and Cо…Cо distances equal to 3.03 and 2.99 Å, respectively, are obtained for the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes. These complexes are characterized by the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with 2J = –630 and –42 cm^–1, respectively.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)- and (R)-α-methylserines: application to the synthesis of (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-N,O-isopropylidene-α-methylserinals

This report describes the synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)- and (R)-α-methylserines on a multigram scale, starting from the Weinreb amide of 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid and using a stereodivergent synthetic route that involves a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction. As a synthetic application of these quaternary α-amino acids, they were used as starting materials in the synthesis of the well-known valuable homochiral (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-N,O-isopropylidene-α-methylserinal building blocks.     

SmI2-induced cyclization of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones with aldehydes

SmI₂-induced reaction of (E)- and (Z)-β-alkoxyvinyl sulfones onto an aldehyde function afforded 2,6-syn-2,3-trans- and 2,6-syn-2,3-cis-tetrahydropyran-3-ols, respectively, via stereoselective cyclization. This reaction was applied to the synthesis of 2-methyl-tetrahydropyran, corresponding to the N-ring of gymnocin-A, and 2-exo-methylene-tetrahydropyran, a key intermediate for convergent synthesis of polycyclic ethers based on the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.