Synthetic studies towards complex diterpenoids—VI : New synthetic routes to tetracyclic bridged-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane intermediates by intramolecular alkylation reactions through α-diazomethyl ketones of hydroaromatic γ,δ-unsaturated acids

Two new synthetic routes to a number of tetracyclic intermediates, for the total synthesis of some diterpenoids incorporating the bicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety, are described. The syntheses of the bicyclo[3,2,1]octane derivatives begin with preparation of the hydroaromatic γ,δ-unsaturated acids 6, 15 and 17, and proceed via the α-diazomethyl ketones to the corresponding pentacyclic ketones 20, 24 and 26 by an intramolecular carbenoid insertion reaction, followed by a regiospecific acid-catalysed cleavage of the aromatic conjugated cyclopropane bond to the respective unsaturated ketones 27, 29 and 30. The second route to these unsaturated ketones involves a single step boron trifluoride etherate catalysed intramolecular alkylation in the corresponding α-diazomethyl ketones. The tetracyclic ketones 31, 34 and 35 were obtained in quantitative yields by a regiostereospecific hydrogenolytic cleavage of the aromatic conjugated cyclopropane bond in the respective pentacyclic precursors with PdC in ethanol. Under the same conditions, reduction of the styrenoid bond in the ketones 29 and 30 proceeds stereospecifically leading to 34 and 35 respectively, whereas the unsaturated ketone 27 gave a mixture of epimeric ketones 31 and 32 in a ratio of 69:31.     

Synthesis of analogues of naturally occurring 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-fagomine

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-α-C-glucosides of d- and l-fagomine from the corresponding C-disaccharides is reported. The ethyl glycoside of perbenzylated C-disaccharide 8 was converted via the corresponding thioglycoside 10 and reducing C-disaccharide 11, into substituted alditol 12 which, upon oxidation and double reductive amination stereoselectively afforded pure perbenzylated d-fagomine C-glucoside 14. In the same manner, the ethyl glycoside of perbenzylated C-disaccharide 9 was stereoselectively converted into perbenzylated l-fagomine C-glucoside 15.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of (Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus.     

Domino intramolecular enyne metathesis/cross metathesis approach to the xanthanolides. Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-8-epi-xanthatin

The first total synthesis of (+)-8-epi-xanthatin (1) has been achieved in 14 steps starting from the commercially available ester 24, which was converted into aldehyde 23 in six steps. An enantioselective aldol reaction of 23 gave 30, which was transformed into triflate 22 in four steps, setting the stage for a palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reaction to form acrylate 34. Compound 34 was then subjected to a deprotection/lactonization sequence to furnish enyne 21, which underwent a domino enyne ring-closing metathesis/cross metathesis process to form a seven-membered carbocycle and (E)-conjugated dienone, thereby completing the synthesis of 1. This domino ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis reaction thus serves as an efficient method to construct the core of xanthanolide and other sesquiterpene lactones.     

A novel and practical synthetic route for the total synthesis of lycopene

A novel route for the total synthesis of lycopene 1 is described. The synthesis is based on: (i) a condensation between 4,4-dimethoxy-3-methylbutanal 4 and methylenebisphosphonic acid tetraethyl ester 5, leading to the C6-phosphonate 6, followed by (ii) a modified Wittig-Horner reaction between 6 and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one 7 producing dimethoxy-3,5,9-triene 8, and (iii) another modified Wittig-Horner reaction between C15-phosphonate 2 and C10-triene dialdehyde 3 producing all-E-lycopene. The synthetic steps are easily operated and practical for the large-scale production.     

Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part of ciguatoxin CTX3C

Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part (2) of ciguatoxin CTX3C has been achieved from the I-ring and the L-ring parts (4 and 5) in total eight steps in 27% overall yield. The carbanion derived from 4, stabilized by a dimethyldithioacetal S-oxide group, was readily reacted with aldehyde 5 to give an adduct, which was facilely transformed into the corresponding α,ε-dihydroxy ketone 3. The JK-ring formation from 3 under reductive conditions followed by oxidative M-ring cyclization efficiently led to the pentacyclic ether 2. Improved synthesis of 6, a synthetic intermediate for 4, was also established.     

Methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropanes: synthesis and biological activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[2-ethynyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine

Synthesis of methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane analogues of nucleosides 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b is described. Ethyl methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 14 was hydroxymethylated to give alcohol 15, which was reduced to diol 16. Selective protection with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group gave derivative 17, which was oxidized to aldehyde 18. Wittig reaction with CBr₄ gave dibromoalkene 19. Elimination of both bromine atoms afforded methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane 20. Bromoselenenylation using N-bromosuccinimide and diphenyldiselenide gave intermediate 21. Alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with 21 provided the Z,E-isomeric mixtures 22a and 22c. Oxidation afforded selenoxides 23a and 23c. Mild thermolysis furnished methylenecyclopropanes Z-24a, E-24a, and 24c. Deprotection and separation of Z,E-isomers gave adenine analogues 12a and 13a, and 2-amino-6-chloropurine intermediates 12c and 13c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 12c and 13c afforded guanine analogues 12b and 13b. Adenine Z-isomer 12a inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus through its cytotoxicity. The E-isomer 13a is a substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Novel biotransformation of pentacyclic triterpenoid acids by Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646

Six pentacyclic triterpene acids, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, betulinic acid, 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, and senegenin, were metabolized by the microbe Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646 to selectively furnish their corresponding 28-methyl esters. Notably, ursolic acid (1) was converted to oleanolic acid methyl ester (4) via two intermediates, oleanolic acid (2), and ursolic acid methyl ester (3), which are formed by participation of ‘retro-biosynthetic’ methyl migration from C-19 to C-20. Senegenin (11) was selectively converted to a nortriterpene methyl ester, senegenic acid methyl ester (12), via an unprecedented C-C bond cleavage. The stereochemical assignments of compounds 11 and 12 were made unambiguously for the first time using 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methylpodocarpate

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methyl podocarpate (4) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-fused diester 21 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular Michael reaction of the enone-diester 18 afforded the cis-fused keto-diester 19 in high yield which was stereoselectively converted into 21 via the enone 20.     

Design and synthesis of a novel ring-expanded 4′-thio-apio-nucleoside derivatives

The synthesis of a ring-expanded 4′-thio-apio-nucleoside derivative 4, designed to serve as a potential anti-HIV agent, is described. The epoxy alcohol derivative 10, prepared from 2-butene-1,4-diol, was converted to an allylsulfide derivative 13 in 3 steps. Ring-closing-metathesis of 13 gave the dihydrothiopyran derivative 20, which was further converted into sulphoxide 24. A Pummerer-type thioglycosylation reaction of 24 with a persilylated uracil derivative, followed by conversion to a cytosine derivative and deprotection, gave a racemic mixture of the ring-expanded 4′-thio-apio-nucleoside derivative 4 in good yield.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

An efficient and tunable route to AG7088, a rhinovirus protease inhibitor

Aldol reaction of N,N-dibenzyl valinal with propiolic acid ethyl ester derived lithium reagent provides anti-aminoalcohol 8 and syn-aminoalcohol 9, which are converted into the lactone 6 via two different routes. Alkylation of 6 followed by lactone ring opening afford the acid 2a, which is coupled with the amine 3 and 5-methylisoxazole-3-carboxylate acid 1, respectively, to deliver AG7088.     

Synthesis of new tetracyclic 7-oxo-pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine derivatives

A series of (±)3-hydroxyl- and 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines were synthesized for antitumor evaluation. These agents can be considered as analogues of glyfoline or (±)1,2-dihydroxyacronycine derivatives. The key intermediates, 3,7-dioxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines (15a,b or 24a,b), for constructing the target compounds were synthesized either from 3-(N,N-diphenylamino)propionic acid (14a,b) by treating with Eaton’s reagent (P₂O₅/MsOH) (Method 1) or from (9-oxo-9H-acridin-10-yl)propionic acid (23a-c) via ring cyclization under the same reaction conditions (Method 2). Compounds 15a,b and 24a,b were converted into (±)3-hydroxy derivatives (25a-d), which were then further transformed into pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridin-7-one (28a-d) by treating with methanesulfonic anhydride in pyridine via dehydration. 1,2-Dihydroxylation of 28a-d afforded (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine (29a-d). Derivatives of (±)3-hydroxy (25a,b) and (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy (29a-d) were further converted into their O-acetyl congeners 26a,b and 30a-d, respectively. We also synthesized 2,3-cyclic carbonate (31, 32, and 33) from 29a-c. The anti-proliferative study revealed that these agents exhibited low cytotoxicity in inhibiting human lymphoblastic leukemia CCRF-CEM cell growth in culture.     

Chemoenzymatic enantiodivergent total syntheses of (+)- and (−)-codeine

Whole-cell fermentation of β-bromoethylbenzene with the recombinant strain Escherichia coli JM109 (pDTG601) that over-expresses toluene dioxygenase provided the corresponding cis-dihydrodiol 19, which served as a starting material for both enantiomers of codeine. The key intermediate for the synthesis of (+)-codeine was diol 25b, whose Mitsunobu coupling with bromoisovanillin was followed by an intramolecular Heck cyclization to aldehyde 35b. Elaboration of this material to vinyl bromide 27b allowed for the second Heck cyclization 36b. Adjustment of the C-6 stereogenic center and hydroamination completed the synthesis of ent-codeine in 14 steps from β-bromoethylbenzene. Diol 33b was converted via Mitsunobu reaction to epoxide 29, whose allylic opening with bromoisovanillin provided ether 54, the enantiomer of 35b. The synthesis of (−)-codeine was completed via two Heck cyclizations and a hydroamination protocol, in an analogous manner as that of ent-codeine. In addition, both enantiomers of epoxide 29, convenient precursors for the coupling with bromoisovanillin, were prepared from diol 33b by Mitsunobu reactions and cyclizations of the trans-diol moiety. Spectral and experimental data are provided for all compounds.     

Synthesis of 5-alkyl(or aryl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones by denitrocyclisation of N-alkyl(or aryl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides. Evidence of a Smiles rearrangement

An efficient method for the synthesis of hitherto unknown alkyl(or aryl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones 8a-g, 16 and 17 has been established. The method is based on the synthesis of the corresponding N-alkyl(or aryl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides 3a-c and 7a-c,e which undergo denitrocyclisation with NaH in DMF in 4.5 or 2 h. When 3a was treated with NaH in DMF for 30 min the product of a Smiles rearrangement, 9, was isolated. Under similar conditions but for 4.5 h 9 was converted into 8a. This confirms the involvement of a Smiles rearrangement during the denitrocyclisation process. Conversion of 3b into isomeric pyrroloquinoxalinones 12 and 13 confirms a process involving two pathways, direct denitrocylisation of 3b and Smiles rearrangement of 3b followed by denitrocylisation, respectively. Furthermore, denitrocylisation of 7d into pyrroloquinoxalinones 16 and 17 suggests that similar cyclisation pathways are followed by N-arylcarboxamides.     

Design and synthesis of (E)-4-((3-ethyl-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)methyl)benzoic acid

(E)-4-((3-Ethyl-2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)methyl)benzoic acid, 6, was synthesized in 87% starting from β-cyclocitral. The target compound 6 was synthesized starting from 1 via a Grignard reaction to form alcohol 2. Compound 2 was converted to Wittig salt 3 by treatment with aldehyde 4 in butyllithium and hexane at −78 °C to form ester 5. Ester 5 was saponified and, following acidification, acid 6 was isolated as white solid yield 87%.     

Synthesis of enamides from aldehydes and amides

A range of double unsaturated amides (15, 19, and 21), obtained by cross-coupling reactions was reacted with aldehydes to hemiaminals. Heating the hemiaminals in the presence of Ac₂O and pyridine affected clean conversion to the corresponding enamides, such as 42, 45, and 47. Alternatively, N,S-acetals were prepared which were oxidized to the sulfones. Treatment with base also gave the enamides, favoring the cis-isomer. However, this method is less general. Application of these methods led to the natural products lansiumamide-A (30_cis), lansiumamide-I (31) and lansiumamide-B (32).     

Chemo enzymatic synthesis of Rengyol and Isorengyol

Cyanohydrins 2 of O-protected 4-hydroxycyclohexanones 1 are excellent starting compounds for the synthesis of Isorengyol (I) and Rengyol (II). The cyano group of the O-benzyl derivative 2d is first converted into the corresponding aldehyde 4, which via Wittig olefination led to the vinyl compound 6. Hydroboration of the trans-derivative (trans-6) leads, after debenzylation, to Isorengyol, whereas hydroboration and debenzylation of the cis-isomer (cis-6) gives Rengyol. With hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) as catalysts the stereoselective preparation of cis- as well as trans-cyanohydrin 2d is possible, which enables the selective preparation of Isorengyol or Rengyol, respectively. The trans-configuration of Isorengyol and the cis-configuration of Rengyol were secured by X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Racemic [1SR,2RS,(RS)]-N-cyano(phenyl)methyl-1-aminoindan-2-ol: crystal structure and reactivity towards thermal epimerization in the solid state

A diastereomeric mixture of racemic α-amino nitriles [1SR,2RS,(SR)]- (1) and [1SR,2RS,(RS)]-N-cyano(phenyl)methyl-1-aminoindan-2-ol (2) was thermally epimerized in the solid state to give diastereopure [1SR,2RS,(SR)]-1. The reaction was about 26 times slower than the same reaction of a mixture of their enantiopure counterparts, showing that different mechanisms operated between the two transformations. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that in the former transformation, racemic-compound crystals of 2 were converted into conglomerate crystals of 1, while in the latter, enantiomeric crystals of 2 were converted into enantiomeric crystals of 1. The difference in the reactivity toward the epimerization between the racemic and the enantiopure mixture could be rationalized by the difference in the stability of compound 2 in the two crystal forms.     

New 2-functionalized 2H-3,4-dihydro-1,4-benzothiazin-3-ones and their application in the synthesis of spiro heterocycles

The reaction of 2-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothiazin-3-ones 1 with enamines is an efficient synthetic method to produce 2-substituted derivatives. The resulting bifunctional compounds such as 6a,b, 7c,d and 8b react with hydrazines to furnish the spiro derivatives of N-aminopyrrole or 3-pyridazinone depending on the direction of the primary nucleophilic attack and the nature of the nucleophile. Under the reaction conditions, spiro pyridazinones 13 are converted into the 3-pyridazinone-4-carboxylic acid derivatives 9 via the 1,4-thiazine ring opening.