Efficient Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure α-Ionone from (R)- and (S)-α-Damascone

(R)- and (S)-α-ionone ((R)- and (S)- 1 , resp.) were prepared from (R)- and (S)-α-damascone ((R)- and (S)- 3 , resp.) without racemization in 48% yield employing a new enone transposition. The described transposition is complementary to existing methods whose application is often prohibited by the structural requirements of the substrate. The now easily accessible α-ionones of desired absolute configuration are useful as chiral building blocks for terpenoid synthesis.     

Efficient Synthesis of (−)‐(R)‐Muscone by Enantioselective Protonation

A new synthesis of (?)‐(R)‐muscone ((R)‐ 1 ) by means of enantioselective protonation of a bicyclic ketone enolate as the key step (see 6 →(S)‐ 4 in Scheme 2) is presented. The C₁₅ macrocyclic system is obtained by ozonolysis (Scheme 7).     

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).     

The Absolute Configuration of β-Bisabolol

From bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia RISSO), (?)-(4S, 8R)-8-epi-α-bisabolol ( 2 ) and (?)-(4R, 8S)-4-epi-β-bisabolol ( 3 ) were isolated. The absolute configuration of their stereoisomers 4 and 5 was established by an enantioselective synthesis starting from (?)-(S)-p-mentha-1,8-dien-4-ol.     

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).     

Synthese von diastereo- und enantio-selektiv deuterierten β,ε-, β,β-, β,γ- und γ,γ-Carotinen

Synthesis of Diastereo- and Enantioselectively Deuterated β,ε-, β,β-, β,γ- and γ,γ-Carotenes We describe the synthesis of (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-²H₃]-β, εcarotene, (1R, 1′R)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-²H₆]-β, β-carotene, (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-²H₃]-γ, γ-carotene and (1R, 1′R, 6S, 6′S)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-²H₆]-γ, γ-carotene by a multistep degradation of (4R, 5S, 10S)-[18, 18, 18-²H₃]-didehydroabietane to optically active deuterated β-, ε- and γ-C₁₁-endgroups and subsequent building up according to schemes \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm C}_{11} \to {\rm C}_{14}^{C_{\mathop {26}\limits_ \to }} \to {\rm C}_{40} $\end{document} and C₁₁ → C₁₄; C₁₄+C₁₂+C₁₄→C₄₀. NMR.- and chiroptical data allow the identification of the geminal methyl groups in all these compounds. The optical activity of all-(E)-[²H₆]-β,β-carotene, which is solely due to the isotopically different substituent not directly attached to the chiral centres, is demonstrated by a significant CD.-effect at low temperature. Therefore, if an enzymatic cyclization of [17, 17, 17, 17′, 17′, 17′-²H₆]lycopine can be achieved, the steric course of the cyclization step would be derivable from NMR.- and CD.-spectra with very small samples of the isolated cyclic carotenes. A general scheme for the possible course of the cyclization steps is presented.     

Synthèse des (−)-(6R)-et(+)-(6S)-tétrahydro-6-[(Z)-pent-2-ényl]-2H-pyran-2-one,lactones de Jasminum grandiflorum L. et de Polianthes tuberosa L.

Synthesis of (?)-(6R)- and (+)-(6S)-Tetrahydro-6-[(Z)-pent-2-enyl]-2H-Pyran-2-one, lactones from Jasminum grandiflorum L. and from Polianthes tuberosa L. (?)-(2S)-Ethyl 2-hydroxyhexanedioate ((2S)- 2 ) was obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-hydroxy-hexanedioate with baker's yeast. The key intermediates (+)-(5R)- and (?)-(5S)-ethyl 5,6-epoxyhexanoate ((5R)- and (5S)- 6 , resp.) are proved to be useful synthons for the total synthesis of chiral 6-alkyl-δ-lactones, as exemplified by the preparation of both enantiomers of jasmine lactone ((6R)- and (6S)- 10 , resp.).     

Axially Dissymmetric Bis(triaryl)phosphines in the Biphenyl series: Synthesis of (6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphine) (‘BIPHEMP’) and analogues,and their use in Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric isomerizations of N,N-diethylnerylamine

The axially dissymmetric diphosphines (?)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-(6-6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(diphenyl-phosphine) ((?)-(R)- 10 and (+)-(S)- 10 ; ‘BIPHEMP’) have been synthesized, starting from (R)- and (S)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diamine ((R)- and(S)- 16 ), respectively, via Sandmeyer reaction, liathiation, and phosphinylation. Moreover, racemic 4,4′- dimethyl- and 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)-substituted analogues 11 and 12 respectively, and the 6,6′-bridged analogues 1,11-bis(diphenylphosphino)-5,7-dihydrodibenz[c,e]oxepin (13) were synthesized and resolved into optically pure (R)- and(S)-enantiomers via complexation with di-μ-chlorob is {(R)-2-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]pheny-C? N}dipalladium(II) ((R)- 18 ). The molecular structures of the diphosphines (S)- 10 and (R)- 13 and of two derived cationic Rh(I) complexes,[Rh((S)- 10 )(nbd)]BF₄ and [Rh((R)- 13 )(nbd)]BF 4 were determined by x-ray analyses. Absolute configurations were established for (+)-(S)- 10 by X-ray analyses of both the free diphosphine and of the derived Rh(I) complex, and for (?)-(R)- 13 by X-ray analysis of the derived Rh(I) complex. Configurational assignments for the substituted BIPHEMP analogues 11 12 were achieved by means of ¹H-NMR comparisons. The BIPHEMP ligand 10 and analogues 11 , 12 and 13 are the first examples of optically active bis(triaylphosphines) containing the axially dissymmetric biphenyl moiety. All these new diphosphines proved to be excellent asymmetry-inducing ligands in Rh(I)-catalyzed isomerizations of N,N-diethylnerylamine affording citronellat enamine of 98-99% ee.     

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).     

Conversion of Campholene- to Necrodane-Type Monoterpenes. A short stereoselective synthesis of (−)-(R,R)-β-necrodol and its three stereoisomers

Application of a stereoselective Prins/retro-Prins rearrangement sequence from (?)-(R)-campholenyl acetate((?)- 4 ) opens a new access to the naturally occurring (?)-(R, R)-β-necrodol ((?)- 1 ) and its three stereoisomers with high optical purity.     

Synthesis of Polypropionate Fragments Containing Tertiary-Alcohol Moieties. Cross-aldolisations with lithium enolates of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one derivatives

The Diels-Alder adduct of 2,4-dimethylfuran to 1-cyanovinyl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)-(1R,2S,4R)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′R)-camphanate ((+)- 1 )) was converted into (+)-2,7-dideoxy-2,4-di-C-methyl-L -glycero- ((+)- 6 ) and -D -glycero-L -altro-heptono-1,4-lactone ((+)- 7 ), into (?)-(3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4:5,7-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-4,6-dimethylheptan-2-one ((?)- 22 ), and into (+)-(2R,3R,4R,5S,6S)-3,4:5,6-bis(isopropylidenedioxy)-2,4-dimethylheptanal ((+)- 34 ). Condensation of ((+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (?)-(1R,4R,5S,6R)-6-exo-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy]-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptan-2-one ((?)- 38 ; derived from (+)- 1 ) gave a 3:2 mixture of aldols (+)- 39 and (+)- 40 (mismatched pairs of a α-methyl-substituted aldehyde and (E)-enolate) whereas the reaction of (±)- 34 with (±)- 38 gave a 10:1 mixture of aldols (±)- 41 and (±)- 39 . A single aldol, (?)- 44 , was obtained to condensing (+)- 34 with the lithium enolate of (+)-(1S,4S,5S,6S)-5-exo-(benzyloxy)-1,5-endo-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- 43 ; derived from (?)-(1S,2R,4S)-2-exo-cyano-1,5-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-endo-yl (1′S)-camphanate ((?)- 3 )). All these cross-aldolisations are highly exo-face selective for the bicyclic ketones. The best stereochemical matching is obtained when the lithium enolates and α-methyl-substituted aldehydes can realize a ‘chelated transition state’ that obeys the Cram and Felkin-Anh models (steric effects). Polypropionate fragments containing eleven contiguous stereogenic centres and tertiary-alcohol moieties are thus prepared with high stereoselectivity in a convergent fashion. The chiral auxiliaries ((1R)- and (1S)-camphanic acid) are recovered at the beginning of the syntheses.     

Enantioselective Access to (−)‐Ambrox® Starting from β‐Farnesene

Starting from inexpensive (E)‐β‐farnesene ( 1 ), an eight‐step enantioselective synthesis of the olfactively precious Ambrox^® ((?)‐ 2a ) has been performed. The crucial step is the catalytic asymmetric isomerization of (2E,6E)‐N,N‐diethylfarnesylamine ( 3 ) to the corresponding enamine (?)‐(R,E)‐ 4a , applying Takasago's well‐known industrial methodology. The resulting dihydrofarnesal ((+)‐(R)‐ 5 ) (90% yield, 96% ee), obtained after in situ hydrolysis (AcOH, H₂O), was then cyclized under catalytic SnCl₄ conditions, via its corresponding unreported enol acetate (?)‐(R)‐ 4b , to afford trans‐decalenic aldehyde (+)‐ 6a . Subsequent transformations furnished bicyclic ketone (?)‐ 8a and unsaturated nitrile (+)‐ 11 , both reported as intermediates to access to (?)‐ 2a .     

Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine

(S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)- 13 ) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone ( l ) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)- 5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)- 9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.     

Synthèse énantiospécifique du (−)-(1R, 3R, 5S)-diméthyl-1,3-dioxa-2,9-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

Enantiospecific Synthesis of (?)-(1R, 3R, 5S)-1,3-Dimethyl-2,9-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane The isomer (?)-(1R, 3R, 5S)-endo-1,3-dimethyl-2,9-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ((1R, 3R, 5S)- 8 ) has been synthesized from (?)-(3R)-methyl 3-hydroxybutanoate. The key intermediate (3R, 5R)- 5 is proved to be a useful synthon for EPC syntheses.     

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%).     

β-Cleavage of Bis(homoallylic) Potassium Alkoxides. Synthesis of γ-damascone

Starting from the γ-lactone cis- 1 , two new syntheses of γ-damascone ((E)- 4 ) are described. In both syntheses, the key step involves the β-cleavage of a bis(homoallylic) potassium alkoxide, viz. the transformation of 3a to 20 and (E/Z)- 4 , and the conversion of 21a to 23 and (E/Z)- 24 .     

Circular Dichroism of Tricarbonyl(diene)iron Complexes. The Octant Rule Applied to Ketones Perturbed by Remote Fe(CO)3 Groups. Crystal Structure of (±)-Tricarbonyl[(1RS,4RS,5RS,6SR)-C5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron

The preparation and the CD spectra of optically pure (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C -η : C,7,8,C-η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo [2.2.2]octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 7 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C-η-(5,6,7,8,-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 8 ), and of its 3-deuterated derivatives (+)-trans-μ-[(1R,3R,4S,5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C-η-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]-(octanone)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((+)- 11 ) and (+)-tricarbonyl[(1S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-C-5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone)]iron ((+)- 12 ) are reported. The chirality in (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 is due to the Fe(CO)₃ moieties uniquely. The signs of the Cotton effects observed for (+)- 7 and (+)- 8 obey the octant rule (ketone n→π*_CO transition). Optically pure (?)-3R-5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene(3-D)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone ((?)- 10 ) was prepared. Its CD spectrum showed an ‘anti-octant’ behaviour for the ketone n→π*_CO transition of the deuterium substituent. The CD spectra of the alcoholic derivatives (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,4S, 5S,6R,7R,8S)-C,5,6,C-η : C,7,8,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 2 ) and (?)-tricarbonyl- [(1S,2R,4S,5S,6R)- C,5,6,C- η-(5,6,7,8-tetramethylidene-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanol)]iron ((?)- 3 ) and of the 3-denterated derivatives (?)- 5 and (?)- 6 are also reported. The CD spectra of the complexes (?)- 2 , (?)- 3 , (+)- 7 , and (+)- 8 were solvent and temperature dependent. The ‘endo’-configuration of the Fe(CO)₃ moiety in (±)- 8 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of(+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-Irone and of(-)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-Irone

A 3:1 mixture of (+)-(2S, 6S)-trans-α-irone ((+)-1) and (?)-(2S, 6S)-trans-γ-irone (?)-2) has been synthesized with ca. 70% e. e. by the ene reaction of (?)-(S)-3 and but-3-yn-2-one.     

Structure of Tricarbonyl(diene)iron Complexes in Solution. Variable-Temperature Circular Dichroism of trans-μ-(2,3,5,6-Tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane)bis(tricarbonyliron) Complexes

Optically pure (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,3S,4S,5S,6R)-C,2,3,C-η:C,5,6,C-η-(2,3,5,6,7-pentamethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 9 ), (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,3S,4S,5S,6R,7S)-C,2,3,C-η:C,5,6,C-η-(7-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetramethylidenebicyclo[2.2.2]octane)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 10 ), and (?)-trans-μ-[(1R,2R,3S,4S,5S,6R,7R)-C,2,3,C-η:C,5,6,C-η-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylidene(7D)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane)]bis(tricarbonyliron) ((?)- 16 ) have been prepared. Their CD spectra were solvent- and concentration-independent, but temperature-dependent, in accord with the existence of equilibria between rapidly interconverting diastereoisomeric species which can be interpreted as arising from distortions of the tricarbonyl(diene)iron units from the C_s symmetry.     

Total Syntheses of (−)-Conduritol B ((−)-1L-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,3/2,4-tetrol) and of (+)-Conduritol F((+)-1D-Cyclohex-5-ene-1,2,4/3-tetrol). Determination of the Absolute Configuration of (+)-Leucanthemito

The ‘naked sugar’ (+)-(1R,2R4R)-2-endo-cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-sn-2-exo-yl acetate ((+)- 4 ) was converted (7 steps, 45% overall) with high stereoselectivity into (?)-(4R,5S,6R)-4,5,6-tris{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}cyclohex-2-en-1-one ((?)- 11 ). Reduction of (?)- 1 with NaBH₄- CeCl₃ · 7 H₂O, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moieties gave (+)-conduritol F ((+)- 1 ; 47%) whose characteristics were identical to those of natural (+)-leucanthemitol. Reduction of (?)- 11 with DIBAH, followed by deprotection of the silyl ether moiety led to (?)-conduritol B ((?)- 3 ; 51 %).