Enantioselective construction of 6-substituted-α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactone: total synthesis of anti-bacterial agent (−)-cleistenolide

An efficient and straightforward stereoselective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated lactone (1) cleistenolide is described. The synthesis was started from commercially available d-tartaric acid and completed within 13 steps with an overall yield of 7.92%. The cis-olefin was generated from Still–Gennari protocol and one of the hydroxyl groups was from dihydroxylation methodology. All the reactions were very clean and the products were obtained in very good yields.     

Hydroacylation of 2-butyne from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level via ruthenium catalyzed C-C bond forming transfer hydrogenation

Under the conditions of ruthenium catalyzed transfer hydrogenation, 2-butyne couples to alcohols 1a-1j to deliver α,β-unsaturated ketones 3a-3j in good to excellent isolated yields with complete E-stereoselectivity. Under identical conditions, aldehydes 2a-2j couple to 2-butyne to provide an identical set of α,β-unsaturated ketones 3a-3j in good to excellent isolated yields with complete E-stereoselectivity. Nonsymmetric alkyne 4a couples to alcohol 1d or aldehyde 2d in good yield to deliver enone 3k as a 5:1 mixture of regioisomers. Thus, intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation is achieved from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level. In earlier studies employing the same ruthenium catalyst under slightly different conditions, alkynes were coupled to carbonyl partners from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level to furnish allylic alcohols. Therefore, under the conditions of C-C bond forming transfer hydrogenation, all oxidation levels of substrate (alcohol or aldehyde) and product (allylic alcohol or α,β-unsaturated ketone) are accessible.     

Enantiomeric synthesis of carbocyclic d-4′-C-methylribonucleosides as potential antiviral agents

An efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of enantiomerically pure carbocyclic d-4′-C-methylribonucleosides 3a–f is reported. The key intermediate, d-2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-4-methylcyclopentenone 8, was prepared starting from d-ribose in eight steps via an oxidative rearrangement. Conjugate addition of a catalytic vinylcopper(I) reagent to the α,β-unsaturated ketone 8 yielded cyclopentyl alcohol 10, which bears a quaternary stereogenic carbon at the C4-position. The cyclopentyl alcohol 10 was subsequently coupled with 6-chloropurine or 2-amino-6-chloropurine via an S_N2 reaction, followed by a series of functional group transformations and deprotections to furnish purine ribonucleosides 3a–c. Pyrimidine bases were constructed on cyclopentylamine 29 using a linear approach, which furnished the pyrimidine nucleosides 3d–f.     

Convenient construction of a variety of glycosidic linkages using a universal glucosyl donor

This letter deals with the concept of constructing four types (cis-α, trans-α, cis-β, and trans-β) of glycosidic linkages using a universal glucosyl donor. The selectively protected universal glucosyl donor 8 was synthesized in 36% yield from d-glucose (eight steps). The donor 8 undergoes glycosidation with a primary carbohydrate alcohol 7 to give disaccharide 9 having a 1,2-cis-α-glycosidic linkage in 90% yield. The construction of the corresponding 1,2-trans-α-glycosidic linkage was performed in 68% yield (three steps) from 9. A similar glycosidation of the 2-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-glucosyl donor 6 derived from 8 with 7 gave disaccharide 11 having a 1,2-trans-β-glycosidic linkage in 75% yield. The construction of the corresponding 1,2-cis-β-linkage was performed in 53% yield (three steps) from 11.     

Total synthesis of geralcin A,a representative of a new family of hydrazine-containing natural products

The first total synthesis of geralcin A (2), a naturally occurring α,β-unsaturated γ-lactonohydrazide produced by Streptomyces sp. LMA-545, was achieved according to the hypothetical biosynthesis we have previously published. MH-031 (1), the plausible natural precursor isolated together with geralcin A, was synthesized in 6 steps and in a 25% overall yield. Condensation of glycolic acid with key intermediate Boc-hexylhydrazine afforded the desired geralcin A in 46% overall yield. Spectroscopic data of the synthetic compound were identical to those recorded for the natural one.     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones

An enantioselective Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with chiral cyclohexane-based amidophosphine ligands was developed. With 2 mol% of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O/L5, the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved in good-to-excellent yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). This catalytic system was shown to be efficient for the 1,4-conjugate addition of Et₂Zn to (2E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one with 85% yield and 90% ee. Moreover, with 1 mol% of Cu(OTf)₂/L11, the conjugate addition of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was accomplished with 1,4-regioselectivity, good yields (79–86%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Stereoselective synthesis of the enantiomer of the key fragment of crocacin

A novel, stereoselective synthesis of the enantiomer of alcohol 5 is disclosed. The key steps of the synthesis include mercuric trifluoroacetate promoted regio- and stereoselective hydration of an α,β-unsaturated ester, Frater-alkylation and use of morpholine derived amide for acylation.     

A new approach to indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines through radical cyclization of 2-acyl-1-phenylthiotetrahydro-β-carbolines bearing pendent α,β-unsaturated esters

A new method is reported for the preparation of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines based on radical cyclization of a 2-acyl-1-phenylthiotetrahydro-β-carboline bearing a pendent α,β-unsaturated ester. The required radical cyclization precursor is efficiently assembled from E-5-ethoxycarbonyl-4-pentenoic acid and 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline through a DCC/HOBt-activation/N-acylation and BF₃·Et₂O/PhSH iminium-ion trapping sequence. Tin-mediated radical cyclization of the radical cyclization precursor affords stereoselectively a cis-lactam (dr = 7:1) in good yield (81%), bearing the correct D/E ring fusion stereochemistry for the Tacaman alkaloids. The methodology has been applied to formal syntheses of the indoloquinolizidine alkaloids, (±)-eburnaminol and (±)-larutensine.     

Total synthesis of (+)-negamycin and its 5-epi-derivative

(+)-Negamycin was prepared in 13 steps in an overall yield of 31% from commercially available ethyl (R)-(+)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate. The key step in the reaction sequence was a highly stereoselective asymmetric Michael addition of chiral amine (−)-21 [(1S,2R)-(−)-2-methoxybornyl-10-benzylamine] into the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of key intermediate 8, thus establishing the second chiral center in (+)-negamycin. 5-epi-Negamycin was also prepared in a similar fashion.     

Asymmetric halolactonisation reaction-2 : Elucidation of general applicability and mechanism of the asymmetric bromolactonisation reaction

Detailed studies on the asymmetric bromolactonisation were carried out by employing several structural types of α,β-unsaturated acids (2) as reaction substrates and various (S)-α-amino acids as chiral sources.Following several novel aspects of the asymmetric bromolactonisation were uncovered by combining the results obtained in this study with those of the previous report. Thus, the bromolactonisation of (S)-N-(cis(E)-α,β-disubstituted-α,β-unsaturat acylproline((S)-3a,b) proceeds more stereoselectively than that of the trans(Z)-α,β-disubstituted analogue ((S)-3c), to give the 6-membered bromolactone(4A) via the symmetrical and/or the carbocationic bromonium ions (5AB and/or 5AC). While (S)-N-(trans(E)-β-monosubstituted-α,β-unsaturated)acyl-proline((S)-3d) undergoes no bromolactonisation, (S)-N-(β,β-disubstituted-α,β-unsaturated)acylproline((S)-3e) regiospecifically gives the 7-membered bromolactone(11e) via the carbocationic bromonium ion(5AA) when submitted to the bromolactonisation. (S)-Proline((S)-8) is found to the superior chiral source for the asymmetric bromolactonisation among those examined.     

Solvent effects in copper(I)-mediated 5-endo cyclisation of secondary bromo-enamides

Secondary bromoenamides 5, 14-18, 32 and 33 undergo efficient 5-endo cyclisation reactions to give α,β-unsaturated monoene lactams 9, 19–23, 34 and 35 under atom transfer conditions mediated by CuBr and the tripyridylamine 6 in refluxing toluene (59–87%). Changing the solvent to refluxing 1,2-dichloroethane furnishes α,β-unsaturated diene lactams 26-31, 36, and 37 instead (42–86%).     

α,β-Unsaturated nitroso system—I : The generation and transformations of ω-nitroso camphene

MO calculations predict a pronounced 1,4-dipolar character for the α,β-unsaturated nitroso synthon, much above that for traditional systems like the α,β-unsaturated Nitro and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl. The work on ω-nitroso camphene-generated from interalia ω-Nitrocamphene 3 is in agreement with the expectations. Thus, the 3 → tricyclene aldehyde 4 change is rationalized on the basis of a σ shift and the 5 → 20 and 6 → 21 changes highlight the overwhelming influence of the α,β-unsaturated nitroso synthon over even the enol ether and enamine functions present in 5 and 6. Amongst other noteworthy features are the deep seated 3 → 8 rearrangement and the preparation and transformation of the extraordinarily stable and the first reported bridgehead nitrile oxide 14.     

A facile synthesis of (6S,1′S)-(+)-hernandulcin and (6S,1′R)-(+)-epihernandulcin

A facile total synthesis of (+)-hernandulcin (1) was accomplished from (−)-isopulegol in 6 steps with 15% overall yield. Epoxidation of (−)-isopulegol with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by opening of the epoxide 3a with prenyl Grignard afforded the tertiary alcohol 4a with correct C-6 and C-1′ stereochemistry as a major product. Oxidation of the secondary alcohol in compound 4a to the ketone 5a was accomplished in high yield by using TPAP and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. Conversion of the ketone 5a to α,β-unsaturated ketone via organoselenium intermediate gave (+)-hernandulcin (1). This method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of (+)-epihernandulcin (2).     

Metal-mediated allylation of mucohalic acids: facile formation of γ-allylic α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones

Mucohalic acids {mucochloric acid (1, 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one and mucobromic acid (2, 3,4-dibromo-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one)} were employed as aldehydes in the indium- and tin-mediated Barbier-type allylation reactions and afforded γ-allylic α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones in good to excellent yield.     

(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.     

[3+2] Cycloaddition reactions: a simple entry to the 1-aza-2-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxybicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring system

The [3+2] intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition (INC) reaction on appropriately designed olefinic nitrones derived from d-glucose, having the nitrone at C-1 and α,β-unsaturated ester functionalities at C-5 of the sugar backbone, afforded the isoxazolidine fused carbocycles 11-13, which were subsequently transformed into the chiral, tetrahydroxylated cis-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octanones 14-18 in good yields.     

Development of copper-mediated allylation of γ-activated-α,β-unsaturated lactam toward peptide mimetic synthesis

Reactions of γ-activated-α,β-unsaturated lactams with allylboronate in the presence of LiOi-Pr and CuX (stoichiometric or catalytic amount) proceed in an anti-S_N2′ manner to yield α-allylated compounds that serve as a potential synthetic intermediate for cis-aminoacyl-Pro mimetics.     

A simple and efficient enantioselective route to 2,6-disubstituted piperidines: synthesis of (2R,6S)-isosolenopsin A and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsin

The enantioselective synthesis of 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine alkaloids, (2R,6S)-isosolenopsin A 2 and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsin 5 from fire ant venom is described. Starting from the dodecanal and decanal, the synthesis presents two key steps. The first step involves Keck allylation to afford the chiral homoallylalcohol with the required stereochemistry and the second key step consists of Grubbs olefin cross metathesis. The synthesis was achieved in five steps with 44% overall yield.     

Limonoids from the aerial parts of Munronia pinnata

Six new limonoids, munropins A?F (1–6), were isolated from the aerial parts of a Chinese medicinal plant, Munronia pinnata (Meliaceae). The structures of 1–6 were assigned by detailed analyses of their spectroscopic data. Munropins A (1) and B (2) are limonoids possessing a prieurianin skeleton with α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam moieties at C-17. Munropins C (3), D (4), and E (5) are also prieurianin type limonoids with an α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety, an acetyl group, and an acetoxyacetyl group at C-17, respectively. Munropin F (6) was assigned as a nimbolinin type limonoid with a γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of α,β-unsaturated α′-acetoxy ketones

The lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions of the α,β-unsaturated α′-acetoxy ketones 3a,b have been investigated. Of the lipases examined, CAL-B from Candida antarctica (fraction B) has been shown to be an efficient biocatalyst, which may be used effectively in preparative scale reactions.