Novel resolution of the anthracyclinone intermediate by the use of (2r, 3r)-(+)- and (2s, 3s)-(-).1,4-bis(4-chlorobenzyloxy)butane-2,3-diol: a simple and efficient synthesis of optically pure 4-demethoxydaunomycinone and 4-demethoxyadriamycinone

(±)-7-Deoxy-4-demethoxydaunomycinone((±)-3) was found to be cleanly resolved by forming a mixture of the diastereomereic acetals((-)-9and(+)-10 or(+)-9 and(-)-10)with the title vicinal-diol(+)-or ( )-5), affording optically pure (R)-( )-3. The resolving agents (( + )- and ( )-5) were readily synthesized from unnatural(2S,3S)-(-)-tartaric acid((-)-6)or D-(-)-mannitol and natural (2R,3R)-(+)-tartaric acid((+)6), respectively. The undesired enantiomer ((S)-(+ )-3) obtained by the optical resolution could be racemized by heating with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in aq acetic acid. Optically pure (R)-3 was elaborated to optically pure (+)-4-demethoxydaunomycinone ((+)-2b) and (+)-demethoxyadriamycinone ((+)-2a) by featuring highly stereoselective ( ? 20:1) introduction of the OH group into the C₇-position as a key step.     

Heterocycles 35. CaL-B mediated synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates

Herein we present the lipase catalyzed synthesis of four new enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates and their butanoates by enzymatic enantioselective acylation of the racemic alcohols rac-1a–d and by ethanolysis of the corresponding racemic esters rac-2a–d mediated by lipase B from Candida antarctica (CaL-B) in organic solvents. In terms of stereoselectivity and activity, both procedures, the acylation and alcoholysis, are successful (50% conversion, E ≫ 200). The absolute configuration of the resolution products was determined by a detailed ¹H NMR study of the Mosher’s derivatives of (S)-1a.     

Efficient preparation of enantiomerically pure (E)-4-(tributylstannanyl)but-3-en-2-ol via lipase-mediated resolution

The practical preparation of enantiomerically pure (E)-4-(tributylstannanyl)but-3-en-2-ol 1 from 3-butyn-2-ol 2 is reported. A modified Guibé's Pd-catalyzed hydrostannation of 2 provided the racemic γ-hydroxy vinylstannane 1 in a good yield. The enzymatic esterification of 1, with an inexpensive lipozyme, afforded (R)-3 and (S)-1 with very high enantiomeric excesses and chemical yields. This procedure is suitable for the multigram scale preparation of the potential chiral building blocks, (R)-1 and (S)-1.     

Microbiological transformations—XII: Microbiological reduction of racemic 1-(2',2',3'-trimethyl-cyclopent-3'-en-1'-yl)propan-2-one and 1-(2',2',3'-trimethyl-cyclopent-3'-en-1'-yl)butan-2-one by rhodotorula mucilaginosa

The microbiological reduction of (±)-l-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-one (4) and (±)-1-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-butan-2-one (5) by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was investigated. Both enantiomers of 4 are reduced stereospecifically to corresponding alcohols; (+)-(2S, l'R)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-ol (6) and (-)-(2S,l'S)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-ol (7). p ]The substrate selectivity in the reduction of 5 was observed: R enantiomer of 5 yields stereospecifically (+)-(2S,1'R)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-butan-2-ol (8) while S(-)5 remains unchanged.     

Chiral synthesis of (R)-( -)-mellein and (3R,4aS)-( + )-ramulosin

By employing an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction as the key-step, (R)-(—)-mellein 1a (a metabolite of Aspergittus melleus) and (3R,4aS)-( +)-ramulosin 2 (a metabolite of Pestalotia ramulosa) were synthesised from ethyl (R)-3-hydroxybutanoate 3a.     

A practical synthesis of (R)-3-chlorostyrene oxide starting from 3-chloroethylbenzene

A novel and practical synthesis of (R)-3-chlorostyrene oxide (−)-1 was achieved starting from commercially available 3-chloroethylbenzene 3. Enantiopure (−)-3-chlorostyrene bromohydrin (−)-5 was obtained by the treatment of racemic (±)-5 with lipase QL in the presence of acylating reagents. 3-Chloro-α,β-dibromoethylbenzene 4, a precursor of (±)-5, was synthesized via the expeditious bromination of 3 which was developed by these authors.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (3R,4S)- and (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

An efficient and a convenient enantioselective synthesis of (3R,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine has been carried out by a lipase-mediated resolution protocol. This method describes the preparation of (±)-1-Cbz-cis-3-azido-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from commercially available diallylamine followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) via S_N2 displacement reactions. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase immobilized on diatomaceous earth (Amano PS-D) provides (3R,4S)-11 and (3S,4R)-12 in an excellent enantiomeric excess.     

A facile synthesis of novel 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones using microwave heating

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (7a–w) have been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a–d) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (6a–g) under microwave conditions. The thioxothiazolidin-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aryl/alkyl amines (1a–d) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a–g) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a–g) using HsnBu₃.     

Synthesis of (S,Z)-3-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-4(1H)-one: an alternative, enaminone based, route to unsaturated cyclodipeptides

A series of racemic and enantiopure (S,Z)-3-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-4(1H)-one (cyclic Pro-ΔTrp) dipeptide analogues were prepared. Racemic analogues 6a-c were prepared by direct coupling of racemic cyclodipeptide enaminone (R,S)-5 with various indole derivatives. On the other hand, enantiopure analogues were prepared through a copper(I) catalyzed vinyl amidation reaction in which acyclic (S)-Pro-ΔTrp dipeptide analogues 20 and 21 were formed. Acyclic dipeptides were cyclized to enantiopure (S)-Pro-ΔTrp dipeptide analogues 24 and 25. For coupling reactions, vinyl bromides were prepared in several steps. From ethyl acetate (7), enaminone 8 was prepared and coupled with 2-methylindole and 2-phenylindole to give 9 and 10. Direct bromination of 3-(indole-3-yl)propenoates 9 and 10 at position 2 results in vinyl bromides 11 and 12. The Boc protecting group on the indole nitrogen 1′ in vinyl bromides 11 and 12 was introduced, before the copper(I) catalyzed coupling with N-Boc prolinamide 18 was performed. Enantiomeric purity of chiral intermediates and final products was determined mostly by HPLC or ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.     

Cyclic allylamine/enamine systems-6: Some reactions of 4-(indol-2-ylcarbonyl)-, 4-(indol-3-ylcarbonyl and 4-(indol- 3-ylmethyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1 -methylpyridines

Indol-3-yl 1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl ketone (1d) can be isomerised to indol-3-yl l-methyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl- ketone but the protonated form of this enamine could not be cyclised to the indole α-position. Both indol-2-yl l-methyl-l,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl ketone (1c) and its isomer (1d) were cyclised to 5-membered ketones by mineral acid catalysed Michael-type addition of indole β- and α-positions respectively onto the unsaturated ketone systems. Ketone (1d)was transformed to l-acetylindol-3-yl 3-acetyl-l,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl ketone by hot acetic anhydride. Strong base treatment of indol-3-yl(l,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl) methane caused isomerisation of the double bond into conjugation with the indole rather than into the endocyclic enamine position.     

Synthesis of enantiopure (R)-2-(4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)-benzyl)-3-methylbutanoic acid—a key intermediate for the preparation of Aliskiren

The enantioselective hydrogenation of (E)-2-(4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)-benzylidene)-3-methylbutanoic acid (1) to (R)-2-(4-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)-benzyl)-3-methylbutanoic acid (2)—a key intermediate in the synthesis of the pharmacologically important renin inhibitor Aliskiren—is described. The stereochemistry of the catalytic transformation has been studied using a number of homogeneous chiral Rh(I) and Ru(II) complexes bearing ferrocene-based phosphine ligands. The highest enantioselectivity for the homogeneous hydrogenation of 1 (up to 95% ee) was achieved with a [Rh(NBD)₂]BF₄ pre-catalyst (substrate/catalyst ratio 100:1, 10 bar H₂, 40 °C, in MeOH). To bring the enantioselectivity to perfection an effective method for the isolation of the enantiopure carboxylic acid is suggested likewise.     

Highly stereoselective preparation of (3R,4S)-3,4-chromanediol by deracemization of (±)-3-hydroxy-4-chromanone by Trichosporon cutaneum

Deracemization of (±)-3-hydroxy-4-chromanone 2 through stereoselective bioreduction to the corresponding (3R,4S)-3,4-chromanediol 3, with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%), mediated by resting cells of the yeast Trichosporon cutaneum CCT 1903, is reported. In addition, 3-hydroxychromone (7) was obtained as a secondary product.     

Synthesis of optically pure 1-(3-furyl)-1,2-dihydroxyethane derivatives

The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure 1-(3-furyl)-1,2-dihydroxyethane derivatives 1- (R), 2- (R), 3- (S) and 3- (R) is described.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure (E)-1,1,3,3,6,6-hexamethyl-1-sila-4-cycloheptene and its absolute configuration

The title compound 1, a highly strained (E)-cycloalkene, was prepared in enantiomerically pure form from the corresponding trans-1,2-diol 4 via the thionocarbonate 5. The racemic 4 was separated by enantioselective HPLC on an amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) column. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy in connection with theoretical calculations; the (+)-enantiomer has the (S)- and the (−)-enantiomer the (R)-configuration.     

Preparation of (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide A and (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide B,potential substrates for the biological synthesis of new macrolide antibiotics

Synthetic studies are reported in the erythromycin analogue area. Reaction of trifluoromethyl hypofluorite (CF₃OF) with 8,9-anhydroerythronolide A 6,9-hemiketal (1) or 8,9-anhydroerythronolide B 6,9-hemiketal (2) afforded, as major product, (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide A 6,9;9,ll-spiroketal (3) or (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide B 6,9;9,ll-spiroketal (4) and, as minor product, (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide A (5) or (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide B (6). Hydrolysis of 3 in boiling aqueous acetic acid gave 5, 9,10-anhydro-(8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide A 6,9-hemiketal (7), (8S)-8-fluoroerythronolide A 5,9;9,12-spiroketal (9) and 5,8-epoxy-8-epi-erythronolide A (10). Analogous range of products was obtained by acid hydrolysis of 4     

A novel enantiopure tricyclic β-lactam via stereoselective intramolecular nitrilimine cycloaddition

Starting from the Staudinger [2+2] cycloaddition between the 1-azadiene 1 and acetoxyacetylketene, generated in situ from acetoxyacetyl chloride, we developed a seven-step synthesis of the novel azeto[3′,4′:2,3]pyrano[4,5-c]pyrazole skeleton 9 in both racemic and enantiopure forms. Silver carbonate treatment of the functionalised hydrazonoyl chloride 7 promoted in situ generation of the corresponding nitrilimine 8, which underwent a clean, stereoselective cycloaddition to the target tricyclic β-lactam 9. The key step of the synthetic pathway leading to enantiopure 9 was the production of the enantiopure azetidinone (3R,4S)-3 by enzymatic resolution with Amano Lypase PS of the racemic precursor (3S1,4R1)-2.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy- and 3-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid

Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (S)-2 was obtained by the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 3-phenyl-3-oxopropionate 1 with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9080). The kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propionate rac-3 with the same microorganism, gave after hydrolysis ethyl (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionates (R)-2 and (S)-2 which were converted by a straightforward series of reactions to the enantiomers of 3-amino-3-phenyl-propionic acids (S)-6 and (R)-6. The asymmetric reduction and hydrolytic kinetic resolution were also tested with several other whole cell systems under a variety of conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of 2-alkyl -5-{4-[(3-nitrophenyl-5-isoxazolyl)methoxy]phenyl}-2H-tetrazoles

Heteroaryl substituted analogs of antirhnoviral (A), was prepared by a convergent approach. 3-Nitrophenyl-5- bromooromethylisoxazoles 5a–b were synthesized by [3+2] cycloaddition of 3-(benzoyloxy)-propyne 2 to in situ generated arylnitrile oxides followed by deprotection of cycloadducts 3a–b and bromination of the resulting alcohols 4a–b. Coupling of 3- nitrophenyl-5-bromooromethylisoxazoles (5a–b) with 4-[5-(2-alkyl-2H-tetrazolyl)]phenols (6a–d) in N-methylpyrrolidinone under mild conditions afforded a new series of 2-alkyl-5-{4-[1-(3-nitrophenyl-5-isoxazolyl)methyloxy]phenylr}-2H-tetrazoles (7a–h) in high yields. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by their ¹H NMR, Mass spectral, and Elemental Analysis data.     

The dynamic kinetic resolution of 3-oxo-4-phenyl-β-lactam by recombinant E. coli overexpressing yeast reductase Ara1p

Using a recombinant E. coli strain overexpressing yeast reductase Ara1p, we reduced racemic 3-oxo-4-phenyl-β-lactam to cis-(3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-β-lactam as a single enantiopure product. The dynamic kinetic resolution occurred over the course of fermentation at pH 7. Under the same conditions, 3-oxo-4-(2-thiophenyl)-β-lactam 4 and 3-oxo-4-(2-furyl)-β-lactam 5 were not resolved.     

Homochiral (R)- and (S)-1-heteroaryl- and 1-aryl-2-propanols via microbial redox

Preparation of various heteroaryl propanols 2a–g and of the corresponding propanones 3a–g as starting materials for microbial redox is described. The kinetic resolution of the racemic propanols 2a–g is obtained via oxidation with Pseudomonas paucimobilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus [(R)-alcohols, ee 74–100%]. Similar results are achieved with 3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 7 (44%, ee 100% of the (R)-alcohol 6). The reduction of the propanones 3a–d and 3g with baker's yeast and other fungi gives the (S)-alcohols (ee 100%). The pure (S)-alcohols are also obtained by reduction of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-propanone 7. 1-[(4,4-Dimethyl)-2-(Δ²)oxazolinyl]-2-propanone 3e and 1[2-(Δ²)-thiazolinyl)-2-propanone 3f are not reduced. The heterocyclic rings of (S)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 2d and of (S)-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-4-methylthiazole 2g are deblocked to the homochiral enamino ketone 8 (78%) and to the protected β-hydroxy aldehyde 9 (73%), respectively. The (R)-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)trifluoromethylbenzene 6 is transfomed into the homochiral precursor of (S)-fenfluramine 10 (overall yield 65%).