Über die Stereospezifität der α-Alkylierung von β-Hydroxycarbonsäureestern. Vorläufige Mitteilung

About the Stereospecific α-Alkylation of β-Hydroxyesters It was found, that dianions derived from β-hydroxyesters with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at ?50 to ?20° were alkylated stereospecifically (Scheme 1). The stereospecificity was 95–98%, the threo-compound (threo -2, -3 and -4) being the main product. This was proved for threo -2 and -3 by preparing the β-lactones 7 and 8 , respectively, which were pyrolyzed to trans-1, 4-hexadiene (9) and trans-1-phenyl-2-butene (10) , respectively (Scheme 2). Moreover, the acid threo -6 from threo -3 was converted by dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal to cis-1-phenyl-2-butene (11) (s. footnote 6). The alkylation of α-monosubstituted β-hydroxyesters also turned out to be stereospecific. Reduction of 16 and 18 with actively fermenting yeast furnished (+) -17 and (+) -2. respectively (Scheme 4), which were each mixtures of the (2R, 3S)- and the (2S, 3S)-isomers. Alkylation of (+) -17 with allyl bromide yielded after chromatography (2S, 3S) -19 and of (+) -2 with methyl iodide (2R, 3S) -19 , the oxidation of which finally gave (S)-(?) -20 and (R)-(+) -20 , respectively.     

Stereoselective Conversion of Campholene- to Necrodane-Type Monoterpenes. Novel Access to (−)-(R,R)- and (R,S)-α-Necrodol and the Enantiomeric γ-Necrodols

Naturally occurring (?)-(R,R)-α-necrodol ((?)- 1 ) and its C(4)-epimer (?)- 2 are obtained in 84 and 44% yields, respectively, by lithium ethylenediamide (LEDA) treatment of the corresponding β-necrodols (?)- 3 and (?)- 4 (Scheme 1, Table), both readily available from (?)-campholenyl acetate ((?)- i ) by an efficient stereoselective synthesis. The thermodynamically preferred (?)-(R)-γ-necrodol ((?)- 5 ) becomes the major product (≥ 80% yield) after either prolonged treatment with LEDA or exposure of α- and β-necrodols to BF₃·Et₂O. In an alternative route, (+)- 5 is prepared starting from (+)-campholenal ((+)- ii ) via Pd-catalysed decarbonylation to (?)-(S)-1,4,5,5-tetramethylcyclopent-l-ene ((?)- 6 ) and subsequent application of an acid-catalysed CH₂O-addition/rearrangement sequence (Scheme 2).     

Photochemische Umsetzung von optisch aktiven 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilinen mit Methanol

Photochemical Reaction of Optically Active 2-(1′-Methylallyl)anilines with Methanol It is shown that (?)-(S)-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 4 ) on irradiation in methanol yields (?)-(2S, 3R)-2, 3-dimethylindoline ((?)-trans- 8 ), (?)-(1′R, 2′R)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl)aniline ((?)-erythro- 9 ) as well as racemic (1′RS, 2′SR)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-methylpropyl) aniline ((±)-threo- 9 ) in 27.1, 36.4 and 15.7% yield, respectively (see Scheme 3). By deamination and chemical correlation with (+)-(2R, 3R)-3-phenyl-2-butanol ((+)-erythro- 13 ; see Scheme 4) it was found that (?)-erythro- 9 has the same absolute configuration and optical purity as the starting material (?)-(S)- 4 . Comparable results are obtained when (?)-(S)-N-methyl-2-(1′-methylallyl)aniline ((?)-(S)- 7 ) is irradiated in methanol, i.e. the optically active indoline (+)-trans- 10 and the methanol addition product (?)-erythro- 11 along with its racemic threo-isomer are formed (cf. Scheme 3). These findings demonstrate that the methanol addition products arise from stereospecific, methanol-induced ring opening of intermediate, chiral trans, -(→(?)-erythro-compounds) and achiral cis-spiro [2.5]octa-4,6-dien-8-imines (→(±)-threo-compounds; see Schemes 1 and 2).     

Über die Stereoselektivität der α-Alkylierung von (1R, 2S) (+)-cis-2-hydroxy-cyclohexancarbonsäureäthylester

The Stereoselectivity of the α-Alkylation of (+)-(1R, 2S)-cis-Ethyl-2-hydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylate In continuation of our work on the stereoselectivity of the α-alkylation of β-hydroxyesters [1] [2], we studied this reaction with the title compound (+)- 2 . The latter was prepared through reduction of 1 with baker's yeast. Alkylation of the dianion of (+)- 2 furnished (?)- 4 in 72% chemical yield (Scheme 1) and with a stereoselectivity of 95%. Analogously, (?)- 7 was prepared with similar yields. Oxidation of (?)- 4 and (?)- 7 respectively furnished the ketones (?)- 6 (Scheme 3) and (?)- 8 (Scheme 4) respectively, each with about 76% enantiomeric excess (NMR.). It is noteworthy that yeast reduction of rac- 6 (Scheme 3) is completely enantioselective with respect to substrate and product and gives optically pure (?)- 4 in 10% yield, which was converted into optically pure (?)- 6 (Scheme 3). The alkylation of the dianionic intermediate shows a higher stereoselectivity (95%) from the pseudoequatorial side than that of 1-acetyl- or 1-cyano-4-t-butyl-cyclohexane (71% and 85%) [9] or that of ethyl 2-methyl-cyclohexanecarboxylate (82%). The stereochemical outcome of the above alkylation is comparable with that found in open chain examples [1] [2]. Finally (+)-(1R, 2S)- 2 was also alkylated with Wichterle's reagent to give (?)-(1S, 2S)- 9 in 64% yield. The latter was transformed into (?)-(S)- 10 and further into (?)-(S)- 11 (Scheme 5). (?)-(S)- 10 and (?)-(S)- 11 showed an e.e. of 76–78% (see also [11]). Comparison of these results with those in [11] confirmed our former stereochemical assignment concerning the alkylation step.     

Reaction of Optically Active Oxiranes with Thiofenchone and 1‐Methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione: Formation of 1,3‐Oxathiolanes and Thiiranes

The SnCl₄‐catalyzed reaction of (?)‐thiofenchone (=1,3,3‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐thione; 10 ) with (R)‐2‐phenyloxirane ((R)‐ 11 ) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ at ?60° led to two spirocyclic, stereoisomeric 4‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxathiolanes 12 and 13 via a regioselective ring enlargement, in accordance with previously reported reactions of oxiranes with thioketones (Scheme 3). The structure and configuration of the major isomer 12 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. On the other hand, the reaction of 1‐methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione ( 14a ) with (R)‐ 11 yielded stereoselectively (S)‐2‐phenylthiirane ((S)‐ 15 ) in 56% yield and 87–93% ee, together with 1‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one ( 14b ). This transformation occurs via an S_N2‐type attack of the S‐atom at C(2) of the aryl‐substituted oxirane and, therefore, with inversion of the configuration (Scheme 4). The analogous reaction of 14a with (R)‐2‐{[(triphenylmethyl)oxy]methyl}oxirane ((R)‐ 16b ) led to the corresponding (R)‐configured thiirane (R)‐ 17b (Scheme 5); its structure and configuration were also determined by X‐ray crystallography. A mechanism via initial ring opening by attack at C(3) of the alkyl‐substituted oxirane, with retention of the configuration, and subsequent decomposition of the formed 1,3‐oxathiolane with inversion of the configuration is proposed (Scheme 5).     

Enzyme‐Mediated Preparation of (+)‐ and (−)‐β‐Irone and (+)‐ and (−)‐cis‐γ‐Irone from Irone alpha®

The (−)‐ and (+)‐β‐irones ((−)‐ and (+)‐ 2 , resp.), contaminated with ca. 7 – 9% of the (+)‐ and (−)‐trans‐α‐isomer, respectively, were obtained from racemic α‐irone via the 2,6‐trans‐epoxide (±)‐ 4 (Scheme 2). Relevant steps in the sequence were the LiAlH₄ reduction of the latter, to provide the diastereoisomeric‐4,5‐dihydro‐5‐hydroxy‐trans‐α‐irols (±)‐ 6 and (±)‐ 7 , resolved into the enantiomers by lipase‐PS‐mediated acetylation with vinyl acetate. The enantiomerically pure allylic acetate esters (+)‐ and (−)‐ 8 and (+)‐ and (−)‐ 9 , upon treatment with POCl₃/pyridine, were converted to the β‐irol acetate derivatives (+)‐ and (−)‐ 10 , and (+)‐ and (−)‐ 11 , respectively, eventually providing the desired ketones (+)‐ and (−)‐ 2 by base hydrolysis and MnO₂ oxidation. The 2,6‐cis‐epoxide (±)‐ 5 provided the 4,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐cis‐α‐irols (±)‐ 13 and (±)‐ 14 in a 3 : 1 mixture with the isomeric 5‐hydroxy derivatives (±)‐ 15 and (±)‐ 16 on hydride treatment (Scheme 1). The POCl₃/pyridine treatment of the enantiomerically pure allylic acetate esters, obtained by enzymic resolution of (±)‐ 13 and (±)‐ 14 , provided enantiomerically pure cis‐α‐irol acetate esters, from which ketones (+)‐ and (−)‐ 22 were prepared (Scheme 4). The same materials were obtained from the (9S) alcohols (+)‐ 13 and (−)‐ 14 , treated first with MnO₂, then with POCl₃/pyridine (Scheme 4). Conversely, the dehydration with POCl₃/pyridine of the enantiomerically pure 2,6‐cis‐5‐hydroxy derivatives obtained from (±)‐ 15 and (±)‐ 16 gave rise to a mixture in which the γ‐irol acetates 25a and 25b and 26a and 26b prevailed over the α‐ and β‐isomers (Scheme 5). The (+)‐ and (−)‐cis‐γ‐irones ((+)‐ and (−)‐ 3 , resp.) were obtained from the latter mixture by a sequence involving as the key step the photochemical isomerization of the α‐double bond to the γ‐double bond. External panel olfactory evaluation assigned to (+)‐β‐irone ((+)‐ 2 ) and to (−)‐cis‐γ‐irone ((−)‐ 3 ) the strongest character and the possibility to be used as dry‐down note.     

Reduction of carbonyl compounds via hydrosilylation: V. Synthesis of optically active allylic alcohols via regioselective asymmetric hydrosilylation

Regioselective asymmetric reduction of prochiral α,β-unsaturated ketones to optically active allylic alcohols was performed via hydrosilylation catalyzed by a rhodium(I) complex with (+)-BMPP, (+)-DIOP and (?)-DIOP as chiral ligands. The allylic alcohols with optical purity up to 69% e.e. were obtained in good yields. The extent of asymmetric induction was found to depend on the stereo-electronic matching of the chiral ligand, ketone and hydrosilane employed. In the asymmetric reduction of (R)-carvone, leading to carveol, the extent of asymmetric induction was found to depend markedly on the ligand/rhodium ratio. Either trans-(5R,1S)-carveol or cis-(5R,1R)-carveol was obtained with good stereoselectivity by using (?)-DIOP or (+)-DIOP as chiral ligand, and it turned out that the chiral center present in carvone had only a slight influence on the asymmetric induction by the chiral catalysts.     

Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalysis by Quaternary Ammonium Ions Derived from Cinchona-Alkaloid Analogs Containing 1,1′-Binaphthalene Moieties

The synthesis and catalytic properties of a new type of enantioselective phase-transfer catalysts, incorporating both the quinuclidinemethanol fragment of Cinchona alkaloids and a 1,1′-binaphthalene moiety, are described. Catalyst (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9S)- 4 with the quinuclidine fragment attached to C(7′) in the major groove of the 1,1′-binaphthalene residue was predicted by computer modeling to be an efficient enantioselective catalyst for the unsymmetric alkylation of 6,7-dichloro-5-methoxy-2-phenylindanone ( 1 ; Scheme 1, Fig. 1). Its synthesis involved the selective oxidative cross-coupling of two differently substituted naphthalen-2-ols to afford the asymmetrically substituted 1,1′-binaphthalene derivative (±)- 17 in high yield (Scheme 3). Chromatographic optical resolution via formation of diastereoisomeric camphorsulfonyl esters and functional-group manipulation gave access to the 7-bromo-1,1′-binaphthalene derivative (−)-(aS)- 11 (Scheme 4). Nucleophilic addition of lithiated (−)-(aS)- 11 to the quinuclidine Weinreb amide (+)-(3R,4S,8R)- 8 afforded the two ketones (aS,3R,4S,8R)- 27 and (aS,3R,4S,8S)- 28 as an inseparable mixture of diastereoisomers (Scheme 6). Stereoselective reduction of this mixture with DIBAL-H (diisobutylaluminum hydride; preferred formation of the C(8)−C(9) erythro-pair of diastereoisomers with 18% de) or with NaBH₄ (preferred formation of the threo-pair of diastereoisomers with 50% de) afforded the four separable diastereoisomers (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8S,9S)- 29 , (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9R)- 30 , (−)-(aS,3R,4S,8S,9R)- 31 , and (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9S)- 32 (Scheme 6). A detailed conformational analysis, combining ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and molecular-mechanics computations, revealed that the four diastereoisomers displayed distinctly different conformational preferences (Figs. 2 and 3). These novel Cinchona-alkaloid analogs were quaternized to give (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9S)- 4 , (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8S,9S)- 5 , (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9R)- 6 , and (−)-(aS,3R,4S,8S,9R)- 7 (Scheme 7) which were tested as phase-transfer agents in the asymmetric allylation of phenylindanone 1 . Without any optimization work, (+)-(aS,3R,4S,8R,9S)- 4 was found to catalyze the allylation of 1 yielding the predicted enantiomer (+)-(S)- 3b in 32% ee. The three diastereoisomeric catalysts (+)- 5 , (+)- 6 , and (−)- 7 gave access to lower enantioselectivities (6 to 22% ee's), which could be rationalized by computer modeling (Fig. 4).     

Preparation of Bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,8-dione- and Declain-1,8-dione-Derivatives

Alkylation of bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,8-dione ( 1 ), which is prepared by a modification of the procedure described in the literature, gives the methyl- and propynyl-derivatives 6 and 7 (Scheme 1). In addition to the method described previously (Scheme 2), 9-methyl-cis-decalin-1,8-dione 9 is obtainable stereoselectively either by cyclization of keto-acid 16 , or by aldol cyclization of keto-aldehyde 26 and oxydation of the resulting alcohols 24 and 25 (Scheme 4). The β-keto-alcohols 24 and 25 undergo a base-catalyzed isomerization; the trans-decalin isomers 27 and 28 are not detected in this equilibrium mixture (Schemes 4 and 5)l. Monoreduction of cis-dione 9 gives the endo-alcohol 25 , while 27 is the favored product of the reductin of trans-dione 10 (Scheme 4). Optically pure (+)- 25 can be prepared from (9S,10R)-monoacetal 29 (Scheme 5).     

Synthèse énantiospécifique des acides (+)-(2R)- et (−)-(2S)-éthyl-6-dihydro-3,4-méthyl-2-oxo-4–2H pyranecarboxylique-5

Enantiospecific Synthesis of (+)-(2R)- and (?)-(2S)-6-Ethyl-3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-2H-pyran-5-carboxylic Acid The two enantiomers (?)-(2S)- and (+)-(2R)-6-ethyl-3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-2H-pyran-5-carboxylic acid ((S)- and (R)- 7 ) have been synthesized from (+)-(3S) and (?)-(3R)-3-hydroxybutanoates, respectively (Scheme 1). By reduction and decarboxylation, the tetrahydro-2H-pyranols (2R, 4R, 6S)- and (2S, 4S, 6R)- 13 , respectively, were obtained with an enantiomeric excess of ≥ 93%.     

Synthesis of the Enantiomerically Enriched Macrocyclic Lactones (+)-(S)- and (−)-(R)-Phoracantholide I and (+)-(S)-Tetradecan-13-olide

Synthesis of two naturally occurring macrocyclic lactones is described. (?)-(R)-Phoracantholide I ((?)- 1 ; Scheme 2) was synthesized by asymmetric and chemoselective reduction of the side-chain C?O group of (?)4-(1-nitro-2-oxocyclohexyl)butan-2-one ((?)- 6 ) with (R)-Alpine-Hydride (47% ee). It was shown that the formation of only one diastereoisomer of the hemiacetal 5 , by methylation with (i-PrO)₂TiMe₂ of ketoaldehyde (?)- 2 is thermodynamically controlled. (+)-(S)-Tetradecan-13-olide ((+)- 10 ) was obtained by reduction of diketone (±)- 11 with optically active borohydrides followed by denitration (Scheme 3).     

Synthesis of (R)- and (R)-4-methyl-6-2′-methylprop-1′-enyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran (Nerol oxide) and Natural Occurrence of its Racemate

Following a known procedure, a mixture of (?)-(2S,3R)- and (+)-(2R,3R)-2,3-epoxy-citronellols ( 5 ) was prepared from (?)-(R)-linalool ( 3 ) via epoxy alcohol 4 and then reduced to (?)-(R)-3-hydroxy-citronellol ( 6 ). Sensitized photooxygenation of (?)-(R)-diol 6 led in part to (?)-(R)-triol 8 which was cyclodehydrated by dilute acid to a mixture of diastereoisomeric tetrahydropyran-4-ols 9 and 10 . Dehydration of hydroxy ethers 9 and 10 afforded (?)-(S)-nerol oxide ( 11 ) and (+)-(R)-nerol oxide ( 12 ), respectively, with an optical purity of 91%. Nerol oxide isolated from Bulgarian rose oil (0.038%) proved to be racemic. These results shed some light on the formation of nerol oxide in plants.     

Regio-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Synthesis of Vicinal Diols via α-Silyl Ketones

A new versatile and efficient regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective synthesis of vicinal diols s-trans- 4 , s-trans- 5 , and s-cis- 4 is described. Symmetrical ketones are converted into their SAMP-or RAMP-hydrazones which are then silylated with (isopropyloxy)dimethylsilyl chloride, followed by ozonolysis to afford the α-silyl ketones (R)- 2 of high enantiomeric purity (ee 90– ≥ 98%). On the other hand, methyl ketones, after conversion into the corresponding (?)–(S)-1-amino-2-(methoxymethyl) pyrrolidine (SAMP) hydrazones, are silylated and then alkylated with RI to afford unsymmetrical α-silyl ketones (S)- 3 of high enantiomeric purity (ee 90- ≥ 98%). The reduction of the above obtained α-silyl ketones with L -Selectride, followed by oxidative cleavage of the C? Si bond gives rise to s-trans-4, s-trans- 5 , and s-cis- 4 with high diastereoselectivity (de 95- ≥ 98%) and without racemization (ee ≥ 90– ≥ 98%).     

Preparation and Absolute Configuration of (−)-(E)-α-trans-Bergamotenone

The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (?)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (?)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (?)- 1 ), as well as its homologue (?)- 19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (?)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (?)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (?)- 2 ), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (?)- 3a,b and alcohols (?)- 4a,b , have been rigorously assigned.     

Synthesis of New Chiral Bidentate (Phosphinophenyl)benzoxazine P,N-Ligands

Two new chiral bidentate (phosphinophenyl)benzoxazine P,N-ligands 2a and 2b were synthesized from highly enantiomer-enriched 2-(1-aminoalkyl)phenols 4 . Ligand rac- 2a was obtained on refluxing the t-Bu-substituted (aminomethyl)phenol 4a with 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzonitrile in chlorobenzene in the presence of anhydrous ZnCl₂ followed by decomplexation (Scheme 2). This reaction, when carried out with (+)-(S)- 4a , was accompanied by racemization at the stereogenic center of the alkyl side chain. The enantiomerically pure ligands (+)-(R)- 2a and (−)-(S)- 2a were obtained using a stepwise procedure via the amides (−)-(R)- and (+)-(S)- 5b , respectively, followed by cyclization to benzoxazines (+)-(R)- and (−)-(S)- 7b , respectively, with triflic anhydride and by F-atom substitution by diphenylphosphide (Schemes 3 and 5). In the case of the i-Pr analogue 2b , this last step resulted in racemization (Scheme 6). This was overcome by preparing the bromo derivative and introducing the diphenylphosphine group via Br/Li exchange and reaction with chlorodiphenylphosphine (Scheme 7). The first application of (+)-(R)- 2a in an asymmetric Heck reaction showed high enantioselectivity (91%) (Scheme 8).     

The Asymmetric Synthesis of Fused Cyclopentenone Ring Systems: A formal asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-isocomene

Optically active tricyclic oxazolidine lactams 10 have been prepared using two different routes (Scheme 1). They can be obtained by acid-mediated intramolecular cyclization of bicyclic lactams 13 via their acyliminium intermediates producing appended five-, six-, and seven-membered tricyclic systems. Alternatively, 10 can be prepared by cyclocondensation of chiral amino alcohols with cyclopentane-1,2-dicarboxylic acids 12 to give the imide which is reduced or alkylated to the amino alcohols and cyclized to a diastereoisomer mixture of 10 . Alkylation of 10 (R″ = H) via its enolate gives stereospecifically α-quaternary products 10 ( R ″ = alkyl). Degradation of the latter with MeLi or Red-Al® followed by mild acid hydrolysis and aldol cyclization produces the bicyclic ketones 14 and 15 as 1:1 mixtures, readily separated and isolated in > 99% ee. This sequence produced a known non-racemic intermediate 69 for the synthesis of (?)-isocomene.     

Eine thermische,intramolekulare [2 + 2]-Cycloaddition eines Allenyl-benzols; Synthese von Allenylbenzolen durch säurekatalysierte Dienol-Benzol-Umlagerung

A thermal Intermolecular [2 + 2]-Cycloaddition of an Allenyl-Allyl-Benzene; Synthesis of Allenylbenzenes via Acid-Catalyzed Dienol-Benzene Rearrangement A few years ago, it has been shown that the acid-catalyzed dienol-benzene rearrangement of 2-propinyl-substituted cyclohexadienols is a convenient synthesis for allenyl-substituted benzene derivatives. The cyclohexadienols 20 and 21 were prepared via C-alkylation of the corresponding phenols with 2-propinylbromide (Scheme 3), followed by reduction of the cyclohexadienone 13 and 17 with LiAlH₄. Treatment of 20 and 21 with p-toluenesulfonic acid in ether at ?15°) yielded the desired allenyl benzenes 8 and 9 , respectively, via [3,4]-sigmatropic rearrangements (Scheme 4). The 2-propinylbenzenes 22–24 , formed via [1,2]-sigmatropic shift of the 2-propinylgroup, were found as by-products. Thermolysis of allenyl benzene 8 in decane yielded two bicyclic ( 25 and 26 ) and two tricyclic products ( 27 and 28 ; Scheme 5). For the formation of 25 and 26 , a pericyclic reaction mechanism (Scheme 6) as well as a mechanism via biradical intermediates (Scheme 7) is discussed. A [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of the α,β-allenic and the allylic C,C-double bound of 8 led to the tricyclic products 27 and 28 (Scheme 9). All attempts to realize a [1,7]-sigmatropic H-shift in the allene 9 failed so far, and the starting material underwent a rapid polymerisation.     

Preparation of optically active cyclohexenones: Chirons for the lipophilic moiety of flowery- and woody-like odorant ketones

Optically active 2,5,6,6- and 2,4,4,5-tetraalkylcyclohex-2-en-1-ones ((+)- 2a – d and (?)- 5a – d ), important building blocks for flowery- and woody-like odorants, have been prepared. Compounds (+)- 2a – d and (?)- 5a – d were obtained by ozonolysis of the corresponding cyclopentenic precursors, followed by intramolecular aldol condensation. Alternatively, enones (+)- 2a – d were reduced to the corresponding allylic alcohols ad converted to enones (-)- 5a – d via acidic isomerization and oxidation. ¹³C-NMR assignments are presented.     

Synthesis of the Alleged Natural Monoterpenoid α-Santolinenone

Authentic α-santolinenone ( = (+)-(4R)-1(7)-p-menthen-2-one; (+)- 1 ) is made available for the the first time in 30% overall yield from (+)-(4R)-p-menthene ((+)- 2 ) via the diastereoisomeric allylic alcohols (+)- 4a /(+)- 4b , which are oxidized to (+)- 1 with Ag₂CO₃/Celite. Yields are good, except for the last stage; indeed, only alcohol (+)- 4a , with equatorial OH-group, undergoes oxidation, and (+)- 1 is partly substracted via a hetero Diels-Alder dimerization giving a mixture of the diastereoisomeric dihydropyrans (+)- 5a /(+)- 5b . When Cr(VI) reagents ae used, (+)- 4a /(+)- 4b mainly give phellandral ( 6 ) and carvotanacetone ( 7 ), NnO₂ reacts too sluggishly with (+)- 4a /(+)- 4b . A camphor pyrolyzate, previously thought to be 1 must be a different compound, probably 7 .     

Analogues of α‐Campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐Trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde) as Building Blocks for (+)‐β‐Necrodol (= (1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐Trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol) and Sandalwood‐like Alcohols

To complete our panorama in structure–activity relationships (SARs) of sandalwood‐like alcohols derived from analogues of α‐campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde), we isomerized the epoxy‐isopropyl‐apopinene (?)‐ 2d to the corresponding unreported α‐campholenal analogue (+)‐ 4d (Scheme 1). Derived from the known 3‐demethyl‐α‐campholenal (+)‐ 4a , we prepared the saturated analogue (+)‐ 5a by hydrogenation, while the heterocyclic aldehyde (+)‐ 5b was obtained via a Bayer‐Villiger reaction from the known methyl ketone (+)‐ 6 . Oxidative hydroboration of the known α‐campholenal acetal (?)‐ 8b allowed, after subsequent oxidation of alcohol (+)‐ 9b to ketone (+)‐ 10 , and appropriate alkyl Grignard reaction, access to the 3,4‐disubstituted analogues (+)‐ 4f,g following dehydration and deprotection. (Scheme 2). Epoxidation of either (+)‐ 4b or its methyl ketone (+)‐ 4h , afforded stereoselectively the trans‐epoxy derivatives 11a,b , while the minor cis‐stereoisomer (+)‐ 12a was isolated by chromatography (trans/cis of the epoxy moiety relative to the C₂ or C₃ side chain). Alternatively, the corresponding trans‐epoxy alcohol or acetate 13a,b was obtained either by reduction/esterification from trans‐epoxy aldehyde (+)‐ 11a or by stereoselective epoxidation of the α‐campholenol (+)‐ 15a or of its acetate (?)‐ 15b , respectively. Their cis‐analogues were prepared starting from (+)‐ 12a . Either (+)‐ 4h or (?)‐ 11b , was submitted to a Bayer‐Villiger oxidation to afford acetate (?)‐ 16a . Since isomerizations of (?)‐ 16 lead preferentially to β‐campholene isomers, we followed a known procedure for the isomerization of (?)‐epoxyverbenone (?)‐ 2e to the norcampholenal analogue (+)‐ 19a . Reduction and subsequent protection afforded the silyl ether (?)‐ 19c , which was stereoselectively hydroborated under oxidative condition to afford the secondary alcohol (+)‐ 20c . Further oxidation and epimerization furnished the trans‐ketone (?)‐ 17a , a known intermediate of either (+)‐β‐necrodol (= (+)‐(1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol; 17c ) or (+)‐(Z)‐lancifolol (= (1S,3R,4Z)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐(4‐methylpent‐3‐enylidene)cyclopentanemethanol). Finally, hydrogenation of (+)‐ 4b gave the saturated cis‐aldehyde (+)‐ 21 , readily reduced to its corresponding alcohol (+)‐ 22a . Similarly, hydrogenation of β‐campholenol (= 2,3,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐1‐ene‐1‐ethanol) gave access via the cis‐alcohol rac‐ 23a , to the cis‐aldehyde rac‐ 24 .