First asymmetric synthesis of a C2-symmetric 2-endo,6-endo-disubstituted bispidine

The enantioselective synthesis of a C₂-symmetric 2-endo,6-endo-disubstituted bispidine (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) has been accomplished for the first time. The key step was a Michael addition of the protected β-amino ester methyl (R)-3-{N-benzyl-N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]amino}-3-phenylpropionate to its α-methylene derivative delivering an anti,anti-configured α,α′-methylene-bridged bis(β-amino ester) as the major diastereomer. Deprotection, reduction and cyclisation furnished (1R,2R,5R,6R)-2,6-diphenyl-3,7-bis((S)-1-phenylethyl)-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in six steps and 15% overall yield.     

A chiral cyclohex-2-enone carrying a hexofuranosyl substituent which directs highly stereoselective 1,4-conjugate additions

The reaction of (Z)-3-deoxy-3-C-[(hydroxymethyl)methylene]-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribo-hexo-furanose, prepared from D-glucose, with 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexane in the presence of propanoic acid at 135°C, then at 200°C, provided two Claisen rearrangement products, namely (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,3-(isopropylidene)dioxy-5-[(1R)-1,2-(isopropylidene)dioxyethyl]-4-[(1S)- and (1R)-2-oxocyclohexyl]-4-vinyltetrahydrofuran in a ratio of 3.3:1. L-Selectride^® reduction of the major product gave the corresponding (S)-cyclohexanol exclusively. In contrast, the Claisen rearrangement of the aforementioned allylic alcohol with 3,3-dimethoxycyclohexene proceeded with complete stereoselectivity to provide the corresponding 4-[(1S)-2-oxocyclohex-3-enyl]-4-vinyltetrahydrofuran exclusively. The 1,4-conjugate additions to the thus formed cyclohexenone derivative with dimethyl and divinylcuprates proceeded with complete π-facial selection to provide the 3-methylated and 3-vinylated cyclohexanone derivatives, both in high yields.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 4-formyl-1-(ω-haloalkyl)-β-lactams and their transformation to functionalized piperazines and 1,4-diazepanes

Chiral piperazine and 1,4-diazepane annulated β-lactams, prepared from the corresponding (3R,4S)-4-imidoyl-1-(ω-haloalkyl)azetidin-2-ones through reduction with sodium borohydride in ethanol, were transformed into novel methyl (R)-alkoxy-[(S)-piperazin-2-yl]acetates and methyl (R)-alkoxy-[(S)-1,4-diazepan-2-yl]acetates upon treatment with hydrogen chloride in methanol. On the other hand, bromination of (3R,4R)-1-allyl-4-formyl-β-lactams and (3R,4S)-1-allyl-4-imidoyl-β-lactams in dichloromethane, followed by sodium borohydride reduction of the resulting dibrominated azetidin-2-ones in ethanol, did not afford the envisaged bicyclic β-lactams but unexpectedly furnished (3R,4S)-1-(2-bromo-2-propenyl)azetidin-2-ones instead.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of an unexpectedly stable N-silylated isomer isolated en route to the trinem antibiotic GV129606

The unexpected (3S,4R)-3-[(R)-1-(hydroxy)ethyl]-4-[(2′R,6′S)-1′-oxo-2′-(N-benzyloxy-N-methyl)aminocyclohexen-6′-yl]-1-(t-butyl-dimethylsilyl)azetidin-2-one was one of the main reaction products of the Lewis acid catalysed condensation of (3S,4R)-3-[(R)-1-(t-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-4-acetoxyazetidin-2-one with 1-trimethylsilyloxy-6-(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)cyclohexene. Its absolute configuration was established by NMR experiments on the corresponding, conformationally rigid, acetonide derivative.     

Uncommon transformations of methyl (1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-5-iodomethyl-2-tetrahydrofurylacetate initiated by bases

Methyl (1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-5-iodomethyl-2-tetrahydrofurylacetate prepared in two stages from D-ribose acetonide underwent a series of uncommon transformations under the treatment with bases providing the following different products depending on the base applied: methyl 3-(5-acetyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)propionate (DBU), methyl 2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-6-carboxylate (t-BuOK), methyl {(5R)-2,2-dimethyl-5-[(2R)-oxiranyl]-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylidene}propionate and methyl-(E)-3-{(4S,5R)-2,2-dimethyl-5-[(1R)-(2-oxiranyl)]-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl}-2-propenoate (t-BuOK and LDA).     

Preparation of novel bicyclic piperazines by reduction of bicyclo[4.2.2]diketopiperazines: rearrangement involving 1,2-bond migration

Reduction of (1R,6R)-7,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.2]dec-3-ene-8,10-dione (5) with lithium aluminum hydride gave a mixture of the expected (1R,6R)-7,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.2]dec-3-ene (2) as well as 7,9-diazabicyclo[4.3.1]dec-3-ene (3), resulting from 1,2-σ (C-C) migration of the pendant cis-2-butenyl ring. More of the rearranged product was observed in polar solvents and upon the addition of HMPA. The relief of ring strain imparted by the olefin may promote this rearrangement, as it was not observed when the olefin was reduced prior to the reduction.     

Novel octulosonic acid derivatives in the composite Smallanthus sonchifolius

Two novel octulosonic acid derivatives with a 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton that are major water-soluble phenolic compounds were found in the roots of Smallanthus sonchifolius. The structures of these compounds were determined to be (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S,7R)-4-hydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyloxy]-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-5-carboxylic acid (4-O-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-d-glycero-β-d-galacto-oct-2-ulopyranosonic acid) and (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S,7R)-2,4-dihydroxy-7-hydroxymethyl-2,3-bis[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyloxy]-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-5-carboxylic acid (4,5-di-O-caffeoyl-2,7-anhydro-d-glycero-β-d-galacto-oct-2-ulopyranosonic acid) by MS, NMR and CD spectral analyses.     

An approach to an asymmetric synthesis of stemofoline

A stereoselective Mannich reaction between an (S)-tert-butylsulfinimine and methyl (S)-4-benzyloxy-3-methylbutanoate followed by treatment with acid and N-protection was used to prepare methyl (2R,3S)-2-[(S)-2-benzyloxy-1-methylethyl]-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-6-methylenedecanoate. This was taken through to methyl (4R,5S)-4-[(S)-2-benzyloxy-1-methylethyl]-5-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3,8-dioxododecanoate which on treatment with trifluoroacetic acid cyclised stereoselectively to give (1R,2S,4R,5S)-4-[(S)-2-benzyloxy-1-methylethyl]-1-butyl-2-methoxycarbonyl-8-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-oxo-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, a potential precursor of stemofoline. Reduction and N-deprotection of this ketone gave (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S)-4-[(S)-2-benzyloxy-1-methylethyl]-1-butyl-2-methoxycarbonyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.     

Preparation of l-serine and l-cystine stereospecifically labeled with deuterium at the β-position

The synthesis of l-serine and l-cystine stereospecifically labeled with deuterium at the β-position is described. The carboxyl group of d-serine was transformed into chirally deuterium-labeled alcohol via asymmetric reduction of 1-deuterio aldehyde, while the original hydroxymethyl group was converted into a carboxyl functionality to afford (2S,3R)-[3-²H]serine. Functional group interconversions of the hydroxyl group in the obtained deuterium-labeled l-serine gave (2R,2′R,3S,3′S)-[3,3′-²H₂]cystine.     

Application of MerCO as a chiral catalyst in asymmetric synthesis: asymmetric borane reduction of ketones

The borane reduction of aryl methyl ketones catalyzed by MerCO [(1R,2S,3R)-3-mercaptocamphan-2-ol] produced 1-aryl ethyl alcohols in 92% e.e. at 50°C in toluene. Significant temperature and solvent effects were observed in this reaction.     

Enantiomerically pure 4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids

(1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)- and (1S,2R,3R)-4-amino-1,2,3-trihydroxybutylphosphonic acids were synthesised. The synthetic strategy involved preparation of the respective 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose, addition of dialkyl phosphites, separation of C-1 epimeric O,O-dibenzyl phosphonates, the reduction of azides and the removal of the protecting groups. The (2R,3S) and (2R,3R) configurations in the final products were secured by employing diethyl l-tartrate and d-isoascorbic acid as starting materials. The stereochemical course of the addition to the carbonyl groups in 4-azido-2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threose or -d-erythrose followed that established earlier for 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde and similar (3:1-4:1) diastereoselectivities were achieved.     

A chemo-enzymatic route to diastereoisomers of 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanediol: the dual role of microorganisms

Diastereoisomers (1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)-, (1R,2S,3S)- and (1S,2S,3S)-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanediols were prepared by simple and convenient strategies using two different chemo-enzymatic approaches for the reduction of racemic 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, both involving in situ racemization. The first method comprised a one-pot microbial reduction coupled with a chemical reduction, while in the second method, stepwise chemo-enzymatic reductions were performed.     

Stereocontrolled transformation of nitrohexofuranoses into cyclopentylamines via 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes. Part 6: synthesis and incorporation into peptides of the first reported 2,3-dihydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid

Herein we report the intramolecular alkylation of nitronates of methyl-5-O-benzyl-3,6-deoxy-6-nitro-β-d-glucofuranoside and methyl-5-O-benzyl-3,6-deoxy-6-nitro-α-d-glucofuranoside into the corresponding 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives. Similarly, methyl-3-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-5-nitromethyl-β-d-xylofuranoside and methyl-3-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-5-nitromethyl-α-d-xylofuranoside were cyclized to (1R,3R,4S,5R,7R)-7-benzyloxy-3-methoxy-5-nitro-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and (1R,3S,4S,5R,7R)-7-benzyloxy-3-methoxy-5-nitro-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, respectively. These 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives were eventually transformed into enantiopure methyl (1S,2S,3R,4S,5R)-2-amino-2,3-dihydroxycyclopentanecarboxylate and this novel β-amino acid was incorporated into peptides.     

Synthesis of (−)-(4R,5R)-4,5-bis[di-3′-(2′,6′-dimethoxypyridyl)phosphinomethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and its application in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reactions

The chiral ligand (−)-(4R,5R)-4,5-bis[di-3′-(2′,6′-dimethoxypyridyl)phosphinomethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane 3 [(R,R)-Py*-DIOP] was synthesized via a key intermediate bis[3-(2,6-dimethoxypyridyl)]phosphine-borane 9. The asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins was investigated using a rhodium catalyst containing 3. For the hydrogenation of amidoacrylic acids, enols and itaconic acid, while the enantioselectivity of [Rh-(R,R)-Py*-DIOP] was similar to that of [Rh-(R,R)-DIOP] the absolute configurations of the products from the two catalyst systems were found to be opposite.     

Stereocontrolled transformation of nitrohexofuranoses into cyclopentylamines via 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes. IV: Synthesis of enantiopure methyl (1S,2R,3R,4R,5S)-5-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2,3-isopropylidenedioxy-4-methoxycyclopentanecarboxylate

The first total synthesis of a new enantiopure polyhydroxylated cyclopentyl β-amino acid [methyl (1S,2R,3S,4R,5S)-2-benzyloxy-5-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-hydroxy-4-methoxycyclopentanecarboxylate] was achieved according to our recent novel strategy for the transformation of nitrohexofuranoses into cyclopentylamines. This approach is based on an intramolecular cyclization leading to 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives. Epimerization of this amino acid derivative to methyl (1S,2R,3R,4R,5S)-2-benzyloxy-5-benzyloxycarbonylamino-3-hydroxy-4-methoxycyclopentanecarboxylate constitutes the first example of the preparation of one of the members of this family of amino acids with a stereochemistry that is not compatible with the above key cyclization step.     

New approach to the enantiomerically pure 1,2,3-trihydroxypropylphosphonates

The replacement of 2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-d-glyceraldehyde with (2R,5R,6R)-5,6-dimethoxy-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2-carbaldehyde (Ley’s aldehyde) has led to significant improvements in the isolation of both diastereoisomers of the respective 2,3-O-BDA 1,2,3-trihydroxypropylphosphonates. The triethylamine-catalysed addition of dialkyl phosphites and lithium diethyl phosphonate gave the products in moderate (ca. 1:2) diastereoselectivity while the application of diethyl trimethylsilyl phosphite afforded a 1:9 mixture of diethyl (R)- and (S)-hydroxy-[(2R,5R,6R)-5,6-dimethoxy-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-yl]methylphosphonates.     

Stereoselective carbon–carbon bond forming reactions of chiral cyclopent-2-enone and cyclopentene-1-methanol,both spiro-connecting a 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranosyl ring

The conjugate additions of a variety of organocopper reagents or dimethyl malonate anion to a spirocyclic cyclopent-2-enone connecting a 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranosyl ring as a constituent of the spiro structure, namely (1S,3R,4R,5R)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)-1-[(1R)-1,2-(isopropylidenedioxy)ethyl]-2-oxa-spiro[4.4]non-6-en-8-one, proceeded stereoselectively in some cases affording a variety of β-functionalized cyclopentanone derivatives. The thermal treatment of (1S,3R,4R,5R)-7-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)-1-[(1R)-1,2-(isopropylidenedioxy)ethyl]-2-oxaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene, another d-glucose-derived spirocyclic substrate, with triethyl orthoacetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of acid afforded the Claisen rearrangement product with a high level of diastereoselectivity.     

Exploring the unique reactivities of heterobicyclic tetrazoles—access to functionally diverse and versatile heterocyclic scaffolds

The benzylic hydrogen atom in oxabicyclic tetrazoles such as (6R,8R)-(8-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-8H-tetrazolo[5,1-c][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-alkanols (A, X=CH₂OH) is highly acidic, being alkylated in preference to a hydroxymethyl group with NaH and active alkyl halides. The enantioenriched products B now contain a phenyl and alkyl group on a stereogenic benzylic carbon atom. The products are subject to β-elimination to give 1-{1-[3-propenyl]-1H-tetrazol-5-yl}-1-phenyl-alkanols. Cleavage of the propenyl chain leads to chiral non-racemic 1-phenyl-1-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-alkanols C. Free-radical ‘anomeric’ azidation of the oxabicyclic tetrazoles followed by reduction and ring closure with inversion of configuration produces azabicyclic tetrazoles D as constrained functionalized piperazines.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones catalyzed by achiral monophosphine TPPTS-stabilized Ru in ionic liquids

Achiral monophosphine TPPTS [TPPTS: P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃]-stabilized Ru was synthesized by reduction of RuCl₃·3H₂O with hydrogen in ethanol using TPPTS as the stabilizer. The catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using TPPTS-stabilized Ru modified by a chiral diamine (1R,2R)-DPENDS [disodium salt of sulfonated (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylene-diamine] was investigated in hydrophilic ionic liquid [RMIM]Ts (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium p-methylphenylsulfonates, R = ethyl, butyl, octyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl). Hundred percent conversion and 85.1% ee were obtained for acetophenone under optimized conditions. The resulting products can be easily separated from the catalyst immobilized in ionic liquid by simple extraction with n-hexane, and the catalyst can be reused several times without a significant loss of ee value or conversion. In particular, the addition of water can improve the catalyst performance.     

Assymetric synthesis of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[2-C;3-H] glutamic acid

We have developed a synthetic route for (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[2-¹³C;3-²H] glutamic acids with high enantioselectivity. The key reactions in this synthesis are the asymmetric reduction of the 2,3-didehydroornithine derivative using the (S,S)-Et-DuPHOS-Rh catalyst and the oxidation of the δ-position by ruthenium catalysis.