Synthesis of macrocyclic precursors of lankacidins using Stille reactions of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and related compounds for ring closure

In the context of a proposed total synthesis of lankacidins, the synthesis of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and their participation in Stille coupling reactions have been investigated. 1-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-4-(2-iodoethenyl)azetidinone was found to undergo a Stille coupling reaction with a 3-hydroxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene to give an acceptable yield of the corresponding conjugated diene but the analogous reaction with a 3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene was unsuccessful. A series of 4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]azetidinones, a ring-opened ester and a lactone were also found to undergo Stille reactions with 3-tributylstannylprop-2-enol albeit with variable yields. Asymmetric syntheses of methyl (2R,3R,5S)-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-5-(2-trimethylsilylethoxy)methoxy-6-oxohexanoate, (3R,4S)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]-3-methylazetidin-2-one, and (5S,2E,6E)-5-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-7-tributylstannylhepta-2,6-diene and their incorporation into macrocyclic precursors of the lankacidins were then investigated. Key reactions were a Julia reaction between the aldehyde and the sulfone to form the 12,13-double-bond, a stereoselective acylation of the azetidinone, and formation of macrocycles using intramolecular Stille reactions in the presence of a free hydroxyl group at C(8) (lankacidin numbering).     

Reaction of 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile with diones

2,3-Diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) was allowed to react with 2,6-heptanedione to produce (2Z)-2-amino-3-[(1E)-3-methylcyclohex-2-enylideneamino]but-2-enedinitrile and (2Z)-2-amino-3-[(1Z)-3-methylcyclohex-2-enylideneamino]but-2-enedinitrile. The reaction of DAMN with 2,7-octanedione yielded trans-5,8a-dimethyl-1,5a,6,7,8,8a-hexahydrocyclopenta[e]-1,4-diazepine-2,3-dicarbonitrile. DAMN reacted with 2,8-nonanedione to afford trans- and cis-5,9a-dimethyl-5a,6,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-benzo[e]-1,4-diazepine-2,3-dicarbonitrile. These compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.     

Photochemical polar addition of trialkylboranes

cis-2-Alkylcyclohexanols are obtained stereoselectively upon irradiation of a mixture of cyclohexene and the corresponding trialkylborane in the presence of p-xylene as a sensitizer and upon the successive oxidation of the photolysate with alkaline H₂O₂. The similar reaction of 1-ethylcyclohexene yields 2,2-dialkylcyclohexanols. Cycloheptene also reacts with the boranes to afford cis-2-alkylcycloheptanols. These reactions are explained by assuming the highly strained trans-cyclohexene or -heptene to be the reactive species. Photochemically produced trans-cyclo-oct-2-enone and cis,trans-cyclo-octa-2,7-dienone react thermally with the bora e to give 3-alkylcyclo-octanone and cis-7-alkylcyclo-oct-2-enone, respectively. Photoreactions of acridine with the boranes result in reductive alkylation, affording 9-alkylacridans in fairly good yields.     

Reactivity of 2-halo-2H-azirines. Part 3: Dehalogenation of 2-halo-2H-azirine-2-carboxylates

The dehalogenation of 2-halo-3-phenyl-2H-azirine-2-carboxylates is described. Using sodium borohydride and tributyltin hydride 3-phenyl-2H-azirine-2-carboxylates were obtained in moderate yields. The synthesis of a new 2-bromo-2H-azirines with a chiral auxiliary, 10-phenylsulfonylisobornyl 2-bromo-3-phenyl-2H-azirine-2-carboxylate, is reported. Its dehalogenation led to 10-phenylsulfonylisobornyl 2H-azirine-2-carboxylate as single stereoisomer together with the formation of 10-phenylsulfonylisobornyl acetate.     

Amination of 5-Spiro-Substituted 3-Hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones

The 3-hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one motif is a valuable scaffold in drug discovery. The replacement of the 3-oxy fragment in 3-hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones-based compounds with a 3-amino one (3-amino analogs of 3-hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones, 3-amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones) can play a crucial role in their biological effect. Thus, approaches to 3-amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones are of significant interest. We developed an approach to 5-spiro-substituted 3-amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones that could not be obtained using previously reported approaches (reactions of 3-hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones with amines). The developed approach is based on the thermal decomposition of 1,3-disubstituted urea derivatives of 5-spiro-substituted 3-hydroxy-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones, which were prepared via their reaction with carbodiimides.     

Reactions of zinc enolates derived from α,α-dibromo carbonyl compounds with 3-(2-oxo-4a,8a-dihydro-2H-chromene-3-carbonyl)chromen-2-one

Zinc enolates derived from 1-R-2,2-dibromoethanone reacted with 3-(2-oxo-4a,8a-dihydro-2H-chromene-3-carbonyl)chromen-2-one to give the corresponding 1-R-1a-{(1-R-2-oxo-1,7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]chromen-1(2H)-yl)carbonyl}-1a,7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]chromen-2(1H]-ones as a single diastereoisomer with cis arrangement of the hydrogen atoms with respect to the cyclopropane ring plane. Reactions of the same electrophilic substrate with zinc enolates obtained from 1-aryl-2,2-dibromoalkanones led to the formation of 1-alkyl-1a-{(1-alkyl-1-aroyl-2-oxo-1,7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]chromen-1(2H)-yl)carbonyl}-1-aroyl-1a,7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]chromen-2(1H)-ones as a single diastereoisomer with trans arrangement of the alkyl group and hydrogen atom with respect to the cyclopropane ring plane.     

Synthesis of N-allyl- and N-acyl-2-vinylindoline

Heating a mixture of (2R*,3R*)- and (2R*,3S*)-2-[(1S*)-1-iodoethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1-[(2-nitrophenyl) sulfonyl]indolines with N-isopropylpiperidine in xylene resulted in (2S*,3R*)-3,5-dimethyl-1-[(2-nitrophenyl) sulfonyl]-2-vinylindoline. The latter reacted with thiophenol to afford (2S*,3R*)-3,5-dimethyl-2-vinylindoline, whose reaction with allyl halides or acetyl bromide gave rise to N-allyl-, N-propenyl-, or N-acetyl derivatives. Nitration of 1-acetyl-3,5-dimethyl-2-vinylindoline yielded ortho-nitro derivative.     

Synthesis of aromatic carbamates derivatives with a chromen-2-one fragment

Condensation of methyl N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate with ethyl trifluoromethylacetoacetate, 2-methoxyethyl acetoacetate in the presence of conc. sulfuric acid, and also with acetonedicarboxylic acid formed in situ from citric acid under the action of conc. sulfuric acid afforded chromene derivatives. The esterification of 2-{7-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl}acetic acid with methanol in the presence of TsOH provided the corresponding ester. The oxidation of its α-methylene group with selenium dioxide led to the formation of methyl 2-{7-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl}-2-oxo-acetate entering into a condensation with o-phenylenediamine resulting in a derivative with a dihydroquinoxaline fragment. The reaction of phenyl N-(4-formylphenyl)carbamate with 3-acetyl-2H-chromen-2-one in butanol in the presence of catalytic quantity of piperidine and acetic acid furnished 4-[(E)-3-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-1-propenyl]phenyl N-phenylcarbamate.     

Synthesis of a novel pyrrolo[1,2-c][1.3]benzodiazepine analogue of VPA-985

The seven-step synthesis of a novel structural isomer of VPA-985, N-[3-chloro-4-(5H-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1.3]benzodiazepin-6(11H)-ylcarbonyl)phenyl]-5-fluoro-2-methylbenzamide, is described. (2-Aminophenyl)(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanone was converted with thiophosgene into (2-isothiocyanatophenyl)(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanone which was cyclised in the presence of base to 5-thioxo-5,6-dihydro-11H-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1.3]benzodiazepin-11-one. The latter underwent desulfurisation with Raney nickel followed by reduction with lithium aluminium hydride in the presence of aluminium trichloride and the resulting 6,11-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1.3]-benzodiazepine acylated with 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoyl chloride to afford 6-(2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoyl)-6,11-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1.3]benzodiazepine. The nitro group in the latter compound was reduced with zinc and ammonium chloride to give the corresponding aniline derivative which was then acylated with 2-methyl-5-fluorobenzoyl chloride to provide the final product.     

Chemistry of Spontaneous Alkylation of Methimazole with 1,2-Dichloroethane

Spontaneous S-alkylation of methimazole (1) with 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) into 1,2-bis[(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)thio]ethane (2), that we have described recently, opened the question about its formation pathway(s). Results of the synthetic, NMR spectroscopic, crystallographic and computational studies suggest that, under given conditions, 2 is obtained by direct attack of 1 on the chloroethyl derivative 2-[(chloroethyl)thio]-1-methyl-1H-imidazole (3), rather than through the isolated stable thiiranium ion isomer, i.e., 7-methyl-2H, 3H, 7H-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-4-ium chloride (4a, orthorhombic, space group Pnma), or in analogy with similar reactions, through postulated, but unproven intermediate thiiranium ion 5. Furthermore, in the reaction with 1, 4a prefers isomerization to the N-chloroethyl derivative, 1-chloroethyl-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thione (7), rather than alkylation to 2, while 7 further reacts with 1 to form 3-methyl-1-[(1-methyl-imidazole-2-yl)thioethyl]-1H-imidazole-2-thione (8, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c). Additionally, during the isomerization of 3, the postulated intermediate thiiranium ion 5 was not detected by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, nor by trapping with AgBF₄. However, trapping resulted in the formation of the silver complex of compound 3, i.e., bis-{2-[(chloroethyl)thio]-1-methyl-1H-imidazole}-silver(I)tetrafluoroborate (6_, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c), which cyclized upon heating at 80 °C to 7-methyl-2H, 3H, 7H-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-4-ium tetrafluoroborate (4b, monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c). Finally, we observed thermal isomerization of both 2 and 2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1-[(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)thioethyl]-1H-imidazole-2-thione (8), into 1,2-bis(2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thione-1-yl)ethane (9), which confirmed their structures.     

Tautomerism of Aza heterocycles: V. Structure of the spontaneous transformation products of 5-methyl-2-phenyl-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrazolo-[4,3-c]pyridin-3-one in crystal and solution

5-Methyl-2-phenyl-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-one exists as zwitterion with a proton localized on the nitrogen atom of the piperidine ring and negative charge delocalized over the pyrazololate fragment. The compound is stable in crystal but ustable in solution. Its chromatographic purification and attempts to recrystallize or synthesize by condensation of phenylhydrazine with alkyl 1-methyl-4-oxopiperidin-3-carboxylate on heating in alcohols or benzene lead to the formation of a complex mixture of products. Among these products, we isolated and identified 3a,3a′-methylenebis(5-methyl-2-phenyl-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-one), 1-methyl-3-(2-phenylhydrazinylidene)pyrrolidin-2-one, and 5-methyl-2-phenyl-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine. The structure of methyl 3-(2-phenylhydrazinylidene)-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate and 3a,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-one was proved by NMR spectroscopy. 3a,5-Dimethyl-2-phenyl-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-one was isolated as hydrochloride hydrate whose structure was determined by X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of Zwitter-Ionic Conjugate of Nido-Carborane with Cholesterol

9-HC≡CCH₂Me₂N-nido-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁, a previously described carboranyl terminal alkyne, was used for the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition with azido-3β-cholesterol to form a novel zwitter-ionic conjugate of nido-carborane with cholesterol, bearing a 1,2,3-triazol fragment. The conjugate of nido-carborane with cholesterol, containing a charge-compensated group in the linker, can be used as a precursor for the preparation of liposomes for BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy). The solid-state molecular structure of a nido-carborane derivative with the 9-Me₂N(CH₂)₂Me₂N-nido-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁ terminal dimethylamino group was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Phosphorus Substituted 4-Cyanooxazolines, 2-Aminocyanooxazolines, 2-Iminocyanooxazolidines and 2-Aminocyanothiazolines by Rearrangement of Cyanoaziridines

Several phosphorus-substituted N-acylated cyanoaziridines 2 and N-carbamoylated cyanoziridines 5 were prepared in good to high yields. N-Acylated cyanoaziridines 2 were used, after ring expansion, in an efficient synthesis of oxazoline derivative 3a and in a completely regio-controlled reaction in the presence of NaI. Conversely, N-carbamoyl cyanoaziridines 5 reacted with NaI to obtain a regioisomeric mixture of 2-aminocyanooxazolines 7. Mild acidic conditions can be used for the isomerization of N-thiocarbamoyl cyanoaziridine 6a into a 2-aminocyanothiazoline derivative 8a by using BF₃·OEt₂ as a Lewis acid. Likewise, a one pot reaction of NH-cyanoaziridines 1 with isocyanates obtained 2-iminocyanooxazolidines 9 regioselectively. This synthetic methodology involves the addition of isocyanates to starting cyanoaziridines to obtain N-carbamoyl cyanoaziridines 5, which after the ring opening, reacts with a second equivalent of isocyanate to give the final 2-imino cyanooxazolidines 9. In addition, the cytotoxic effect on the cell lines derived from human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) was also screened. 2-Iminooxazolidines 9 exhibited moderate activity against the A549 cell line in vitro. Furthermore, a selectivity towards cancer cells (A549) over non-malignant cells (MCR-5) was detected.     

Selective reactions of α-aryl wittig reagents with the formyl moiety of 4-formylbenzoyl chloride

The benzylic Wittig reagents 2a, 2b and 2e react with 4-formylbenzoyl chloride 1 to give 40–60% yields of products 3 derived from selective attack at the formyl group of 1; The same selectivity is not found for the non-stabilized ylids 2c and 2d or the stabilized ylid 2f.     

Synthesis and reactions of N-acetyl- and N-(2-chloroacetyl)-N-[(2E)-1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl]-2-iodoanilines

The reaction of N-(1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-2-iodaniline with Ac₂O or ClCH₂C(O)Cl results in a mixture of syn- and anti-atropisomers of N-acetyl- and N-chloroacetyl-N-(1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-2-iodaniline in a ratio of 1:1. Ozonolysis of the latter followed by reduction with dimethyl sulfide in CH₂Cl₂ gives rise to the atropisomers mixture of 2-[N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2-iodophenyl)]aminopropanal in a ratio of 1:3. When heated in boiling benzene, the mixture of atropoisomeric aldehydes reacts with triphenylphosphine to afford a mixture of 2-[(N-acetyl)-N-(2-iodophenyl)]aminopropanal atropisomers in 1:3 ratio.     

Diastereoselective and enantioselective alkaline-hydrolysis of 2-aryl-1-cyclohexyl acetate: a CAL-B catalyzed deacylation/acylation tandem process

Candida antarctica lipase proved to be a particularly efficient lipase for the resolution of racemic 2-arylcyclohexyl acetate in hydrolysis reaction with Na₂CO₃ in an organic medium. The (1R,2S)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanols 2a–2d were obtained with high ee values (up to >99%) and the selectivity reached E > 200. The influence of the enol ester and the solvent on (±)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanol in the CAL-B catalyzed acylation was also studied and compared with the deacylation. The CAL-B exhibits a better affinity for the alkaline hydrolysis reaction compared with acylation with the enol esters in the same organic solvents. The best conditions were applied to resolve a stereoisomeric mixture cis/trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol and its corresponding acetate by acylation and deacylation. The obtained results show a highly enantio- and diastereoselectivity of the CAL-B during the acylation and the deacylation in favor of the trans-(R)-enantiomer product. The resolution of a mixture of cis/trans-2-arylcyclohexanols was an easy, convenient approach to provide only one stereoisomer of a mixture of four with high enantiomeric excess.     

Reactions of epoxides derived from internal perfluoroolefins with o-phenylenediamine and 2-aminophenol

The reactions of epoxy derivatives of internal perfluoroolefins with o-phenylenediamine and 2-aminophenol in dioxane gave 23–67% of the corresponding 2,3-bis(perfluoroalkyl)quinoxalines and 2,3-bis(perfluoroalkyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ols, respectively. When N,N-dimethylacetamide was used as a solvent, the main reaction pathway was anionic isomerization of epoxides into ketones which were then converted into 2-perfluoroalkylbenzimidazoles (in the reactions with o-phenylenediamine) or 2-hydroxy-N-perfluoroalkanoylanilines (in the reactions with 2-aminophenol). The reaction of 3,4-epoxydodecafluorohexane with 2-aminophenol in N,N-dimethylacetamide was accompanied by unusual cyclization to afford 2-pentafluoropropanoyl-2-pentafluoroethyl-1,3-benzoxazolidine.     

Reaction of the zinc enolate derived from 1,1-dibromo-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one with 3-aryl-2-cyanopropenoic acid amides and esters and 2-oxochromene-3-carboxamides

Zinc enolate derived from 1,1-dibromo-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one reacts with 3-aryl-2-cyanoprop-2-enamides and aryl 3-aryl-2-cyanoprop-2-enoates to give the corresponding derivatives of 3-aryl-2-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)-1-cyanocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid as a single stereoisomer with cis arrangement of the hydrogen atoms at the cyclopropane ring. The reactions of the same zinc enolate with 3-morpholinocarbonyl-2H-chromen-2-one and 2-morpholinocarbonyl-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one lead to formation of 1-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)-1a-morpholinocarbonyl-1a,7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]chromen-2-one and 1-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)-1a-morpholinocarbonyl-1a,9c-dihydrobenzo[f]cyclopropa[c]chromen-2-one, respectively as a single stereoisomer.     

Imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates and its application to synthesis of cytoxazone

The imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates provides a novel method for the construction of 2-hydroxyoxime ethers. Upon treatment with LDA, Z-hydroximates smoothly underwent stereoselective rearrangement to give Z-2-hydroxyoxime ethers in good yield, which were converted into amino alcohols. On the other hand, the rearrangement of E-hydroximates gave a mixture of E- and Z-2-hydroxyoxime ethers. This method was successfully applied to a practical synthesis of cytoxazone.     

Syntheses of sulfoxide derivatives in the benzodiazine series. Diazines. Part 37

Syntheses of new sulfinylcinnolines, quinoxalines, quinazolines and phtalazines have been investigated starting from the appropriate halogenobenzodiazine derivatives. The latter were converted in one step to the corresponding sulfanyl benzodiazines which upon oxidation with m-CPBA led to the corresponding sulfoxide derivatives of benzodiazines in moderate to good yields. In parallel to this study, an improved method for the synthesis of 2-methylsulfinylquinoxaline starting from 2-sulfanylquinoxaline is also described and in the quinazoline series a synthetic route has been developed to prepare 2-tert-butyl-5-phenylsulfinylquinazoline with satisfactory yield as well as 2-tert-butyl-5-tert-butylsulfinyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone and 2-tert-butyl-8-tert-butylsulfinyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone.