Synthesis, resolution and assignment of absolute configuration of trans 3-amino-1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-4-carboxylic acid (POAC), a cyclic, spin-labelled β-amino acid

Racemic trans 3-(9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonylamino)-1-oxyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-4-carboxylic acid (Fmoc-POAC-OH), prepared by conventional methods, was resolved upon esterification with (aR)-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl. Separation of the obtained diastereomeric monoesters Fmoc-(±)-trans-POAC-O-(aR)-binaphthol by crystallization/chromatography, and removal of the chiral auxiliary by saponification of the aryl ester function furnished both enantiomers (+)-(3R,4R)-Fmoc-POAC-OH and (−)-(3S,4S)-Fmoc-POAC-OH. The absolute configuration of the asymmetric C³, C⁴ carbons of POAC were assigned from the induced circular dichroism of a flexible biphenyl probe present in the terminally protected dipeptide derivatives Boc-Bip-(+)-POAC-OMe and Boc-Bip-(−)-POAC-OMe (Bip, 2′,1′:1,2;1″,2″:3,4-dibenzcyclohepta-1,3-diene-6-amino-6-carboxylic acid). This assignment was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of the diastereomeric monoester Fmoc-(+)-trans-POAC-O-(aR)-binaphthol, shown to be (aR,3R,4R). Solution synthesis of peptides to the hexamer level, based on the (3R,4R)-POAC enantiomer combined with (1S,2S)-2-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, was carried out to examine coupling conditions at both C- and N-termini of the POAC residue, in view of further syntheses and 3D-structural investigations.     

Efficient synthesis of the cyclopentanone fragrances (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone and Magnolione

This paper describes the selective syntheses of two cis-isomer-enriched cyclopentanone fragrances: (Z)-3-(2-oxopropyl)-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopentanone (four steps, 62% overall yield, 67% cis) and Magnolione^® (five steps, 60% overall yield, 55% cis). In addition, the asymmetric synthesis of (3aR,7aS)-5-methyl-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-inden-1-one as well as (3a′R,7a′S)-5′-methyl-2′,3′,3a′,4′,7′,7a′-hexahydrospiro[[1,3]dioxolane-2,1′-indene] has been realized by an efficient kinetic resolution, which enables the selective synthesis of the 2S,3R-isomer-enriched 3 and 4.     

Enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 1-(1-naphthyl)isoquinolines and 2-(1-naphthyl)pyridines through sulfoxide ligand coupling reactions

Racemic 1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanol rac-12 was prepared through a ligand coupling reaction of racemic 1-(tert-butylsulfinyl)isoquinoline rac-7 with the 1-naphthyl Grignard reagent 10. Resolution of rac-12 was achieved through chromatographic separation of the Noe-lactol derivatives 14 and 15, providing (R)-(−)-12 of >99% ee and (S)-(+)-12 of 90% ee. The ligand coupling reaction of optically enriched sulfoxide (S)-(−)-7 (62% ee) with Grignard reagent 10 furnished rac-12, with the absence of stereoinduction resulting from competing rapid racemisation of the sulfoxide 7. Reaction of optically enriched (S)-(−)-7 with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide was also accompanied by racemisation of the sulfoxide 7, and furnished optically active (+)-1-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)isoquinoline (+)-3b in low enantiomeric purity (14% ee). The absolute configuration of (+)-3b was assigned as R using circular dichroism spectroscopy, correcting an earlier assignment based on the Bijvoet method, but in the absence of heavy atoms. Optically active 2-pyridyl sulfoxides were found not to undergo racemisation analogous to the 1-isoquinolinyl sulfoxide 7, with the ligand coupling reactions of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-2-[(4′-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-3-methylpyridines, (R)-(+)-17 and (S)-(−)-17, with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide providing (−)- and (+)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)-3-methylpyridines, (−)-18 and (+)-18, in 53 and 60% ee, respectively. The free energy barriers to internal rotation in 3b and 18 have been determined, and the isoquinoline (R)-(−)-12 examined as a ligand in the enantioselectively catalysed addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde; (R)-(−)-12 was also converted to (R)-(−)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanamine (R)-(−)-19, and this examined as a ligand in the enantioselective Pd-catalysed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate.     

Nucleophilic substitution of (sulfonyloxymethyl)aziridines: an asymmetric synthesis of both isomers of mexiletine

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of 1-[1′(R)-α-methylbenzyl]-(2R)- and (2S)-(sulfonyloxymethyl)aziridines were carried out with various nucleophiles including N₃⁻, MeO⁻, CN⁻, SCN⁻, and diarylcuprates. The reaction pathway is influenced by the stereochemistry of the substrates, nucleophiles, and also the structure of the leaving groups. When the reaction site is less sterically hindered for the reactive nucleophiles to approach to the substrate 1-[1′(R)-α-methylbenzyl]-(2S)-(p-toluenesulfonyloxymethyl)aziridines, product is obtained as a single isomer while all the other starting materials afford a mixture of two isomers from two different reaction pathways. Application of this method enabled us to prepare both isomers of orally effective antiarrhythmic agent mexiletine.     

Asymmetric syntheses of (1R,1R,5R,7R) and (1S,1R,5R,7R)-1-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin and a formal synthesis of (+)-exo-brevicomin

Asymmetric syntheses of (1R,1^′R,5^′R,7^′R) and (1S,1^′R,5^′R,7^′R)-1-hydroxy-exo-brevicomins 1 and 2, volatiles of the male mountain pine beetle, and a formal synthesis of (+)-exo-brevicomin 3, a component of the attracting pheromone system of several bark beetles have been achieved. The key steps are Birch reduction of commercially available α-picoline, selective Wittig olefination, and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation.     

Convenient synthesis of a marine cyclopentanoid: untenone A

(±)-Untenone A, one of the marine cyclopentanoids, has been conveniently synthesized via (±)-cis-1-hexadecylcyclopent-2-en-1,4-diol 9 which has been produced from 1-hexadecylcyclopenta-1,3-diene 6 via photo-oxidation and the following reduction. The key step of the present synthesis is the selective alkylation of cyclopenta-1,3-diene to form 6. Optically active (−)- and (+)-untenone A have been prepared from (−)- and (+)-9, respectively, after enzymatic kinetic resolution of (±)-9.     

Syntheses of C-substituted icosahedral dicarbaboranes bearing the 8-dioxane-cobalt bisdicarbollide moiety

The treatment of 1,2-, 1,7- and 1,12-carbaborane lithiated isomers with [3,3′-Co-8-(CH₂CH₂O)₂-(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)-(1′,2′-C₂B₉H₁₁)] (1) at molar ratios 1:1 or 1:2 at room temperature in THF leads generally to the formation of a series of orange double-cluster mono and dianions. These were characterized by NMR and MS methods as [1′′-X-1′′,2′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]⁻, [2]⁻; [1′′-X-1′′,7′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]⁻, [3]⁻ and [1′′-X-1′′,12′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₁], [4]⁻ for the monoanions, whereas [1′′,2′′-X₂-1′′,2′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [2]²⁻; [1′′,7′′-X₂-1′′,7′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [3]²⁻; and [1′′,12′′-X₂-1′′,12′′-closo-C₂B₁₀H₁₀]²⁻, [4]²⁻ for the dianions (where X = 3,3′-Co-8-(CH₂CH₂O)₂-(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)-1′,2′-(C₂B₉H₁₁)). Moreover, these borane-cage subunits can be easily modified via attaching variable substituents onto cage carbon and boron vertices, which makes these compounds structurally flexible potential candidates for BNCT of cancer and HIV-PR inhibition.     

Nitrogenous sesquiterpenes from the Thai marine sponge Halichondria sp.

Five nitrogenous sesquiterpenes having an isonitrile [(−)-axisonitrile-3], a formamide [(+)-axamide-3, axamide-2 and (3S^*,5R^*,6R^*,9R^*)-3-formamido-1(10)-cadinene], and an amine [(−)-halichamine] functionality were isolated from the Thai marine sponge Halichondria sp., together with two steroids, ergosterol and ergosterol peroxide. (−)-Axisonitrile-3 was isolated from the natural source for the first time, while (+)-axamide-3 and (−)-halichamine were new metabolites. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and by chemical transformations. All sesquiterpenes were tested for their cytotoxic activity against six cancer cell lines (HeLa, HuCCA-1, A549, MOLT-3, HepG2, MDA-MB231). Only (−)-axisonitrile-3 showed strong activity to the HepG2 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 1.3 μM.     

The use of (−)-8-phenylisoneomenthol and (−)-8-phenylmenthol in the enantioselective synthesis of 3-functionalized 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives via aza-Diels-Alder reaction

The asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction of the (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl or (1R)-8-phenylisoneomenthyl glyoxylate-derived N-benzylimine with cyclopentadiene resulted in the enantioselective synthesis of the corresponding pure [(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene]-3-carboxylates (80 or 69% yield, respectively). Reduction of these cycloadducts with LiAlH₄ afforded pure (−)-[(1S,3-exo)-2-benzyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-yl]methanol. Furthermore, a reaction sequence based on Barbier-Wieland degradation of both (1S,3-exo)-adducts afforded pure (+)-(1R)-2-benzoyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one. In the course of the two transformation sequences referred, the chiral auxiliaries were recovered in a virtually quantitative way.     

Enantioselective synthesis of planar chiral azaferrocenes via chiral ligand-mediated ring- and lateral-lithiations

Lithiation of 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentamethylazaferrocene (1) with sec-BuLi/(−)-sparteine (3) in Et₂O at −78°C followed by quenching with electrophiles gave the ring-substituted products 2 in 74-81% ee. On the other hand, lithiation of 1′,2,2′,3′,4′,5,5′-heptamethylazaferrocene (6) with sec-BuLi in the presence of S-valine-derived bis(oxazoline) 5 in Et₂O at −55°C and subsequent reaction with electrophiles afforded the laterally functionalized products 7 in excellent enantioselectivity (96-99% ee).     

Determination of the absolute configuration of the male aggregation pheromone, 2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol, of the stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi (Distant) as 2Z,6R,1′S,5′S by its synthesis

Lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acetylation of a mixture of (6R,1′S,4′S,5′R)- and (6R,1′R,4′R,5′S)-7′-norsesquisabinen-4′-ol (3) afforded a separable mixture of the recovered former and the acetate of the latter. The recovered alcohol was oxidized to (6R,1′S,5′R)-sesquisabina ketone (2), whose absolute configuration could be assigned by its CD comparison with (1R,5S)-sabina ketone (4). Conversion of (6R,1′S,5′R)-sesquisabina ketone (2) to the bioactive pheromone revealed the stereostructure of the male aggregation pheromone of the stink bug Erysarcoris lewisi (Distant) to be (2Z,6R,1′S,5′S)-2-methyl-6-(4′-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl)hept-2-en-1-ol (sesquisabinen-1-ol, 1).     

The synthesis of compounds related to the indole-indoline core of the vinca alkaloids (+)-vinblastine and (+)-vincristine

A series of α′-aryl-α′-carbomethoxycycloalk-2-en-1-ones, 16, has been prepared using the Pinhey arylation methodology for introducing the aromatic residue. Subjection of these compounds to Johnson iodination and Pd[0]-catalyzed Ullmann cross-coupling of the resulting α-iodocycloalkenones 11 with 2-iodonitrobenzene (5, X = I) then affords α,α′-diaryl-α′-carbomethoxycycloalk-2-en-1-ones of the general form 10. Reductive cyclization of this last type of compound gives the corresponding indoles 9a-f (n = 1-3), some of which resemble the indole-indoline cores of the clinically important alkaloids (+)-vinblastine (1) and (+)-vincristine (2).     

Synergistic liquid-liquid extractive spectrophotometric determination of gold(III) using 1-(2′,4′-dinitro aminophenyl)-4,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol

Synergistic liquid-liquid extractive spectrophotometric determination of gold(III) using 1-(2′,4′-dinitro aminophenyl)-4,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-dihydro pyrimidine-2-thiol [2′,4′-dinitro APTPT] has been described. Equal volumes (5 cm³) of the 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT (0.02 mol L⁻¹) in the presence of pyridine (0.5 mol L⁻¹) form an orange-red coloured ternary complex with gold(III) of molar ratio 1:1:1 at pH 1.8-2.4 with 5 min of shaking. The absorbance of coloured organic layer in 1,2-dichloroethane is measured spectrophotometrically at 445 nm against reagent blank. A pronounced synergism has been observed by the binary mixture of 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT and pyridine, which shows that the enhancement in the absorbance is observed in the presence of pyridine by the adduct formation in the organic phase. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range 2.5-20.0 μg mL⁻¹, with molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity values of 8.7 × 10³ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and 0.023 μg cm⁻² respectively. A repetition of the method was checked by finding relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) (n = 10) which was 0.17%. The composition of the gold(III)-2′,4′-dinitro APTPT-pyridine adduct was established by slope analysis, molar ratio and Job's method. The ternary complex was stable for more than 48 h. The influence of various factors such as pH, 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT concentration, solvent and pyridine on the degree of complexation has been established. A number of foreign ions tested for their interferences and use of suitable masking agents wherever necessary are tabulated, which show that selectivity of the method has been enhanced. The method is successfully employed for the determination of gold(III) in binary, synthetic mixtures and ayurvedic samples. The reliability of the method is assured by inter-comparison of experimental values, using an atomic absorption spectrometer.     

Synthesis and ring opening reactions of 2-glyco-1,4-dimethyl-3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes

The high-pressure asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions of d-galacto- (1a) and d-manno-3,4,5,6,7-penta-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-1-nitrohept-1-enitol (1b) with 2,5-dimethylfuran (2) afforded mixtures of cycloadducts, from which the (2S,3R)-3-exo-nitro (3a and 3b), (2R,3S)-3-exo-nitro (4a and 4b), and (2R,3S)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta-O-acetyl-1′-C-(1,4-dimethyl-3-endo-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl)-d-galacto-pentitol (5b) were isolated pure. Deacetylation of these compounds led to new chiral mono-, bi-, and tricyclic ethers, being their asymmetric centers arising from the chiral inductor used in the cycloaddition reaction. A ring opening mechanism through a 1-nitro-1,3-cyclohexadiene intermediate has been proposed.     

Four new ginkgolic acids from Ginkgo biloba

Four new compounds, 2-hydroxy-6-(12′-hydroxyheptadec-13′(E)-en-1-yl)benzoic acid (1), 2-hydroxy-6-(13′-hydroxyheptadec-11′(E)-en-1-yl)benzoic acid (2), 2-hydroxy-6-(10′-hydroxypentadec-11′(E)-en-1-yl)benzoic acid (3), and 2-hydroxy-6-(11′-hydroxypentadec-9′(E)-en-1-yl)benzoic acid (4) were isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba and the structures of new ginkgolic acids were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic methods and chemical means. Compounds 1 and 2, and 3 and 4 examined as an inseparable mixture of hydroxyl and double bond positional isomers, were ultimately defined by total synthesis. Compounds 1–4 showed moderate lipid droplets accumulation inhibitory activity on mouse pre-adipocyte cell line, MC3T3-G2/PA6.     

Complexes derived from the general copper(II)/maleamic acid/N,N′,N′′-chelate reaction systems: Synthetic,reactivity, structural and spectroscopic studies

The synthetic investigation of the Cu^II/maleamate(−1) ion (HL⁻)/N,N′,N′′-chelate general reaction system has allowed access to compounds [Cu₂(HL)₂(bppy)₂](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (1·H₂O), [Cu(HL)(bppy)(ClO₄)] (2) and [Cu(HL)(terpy)(H₂O)](ClO₄) (4) (bppy = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine, terpy = 2,2′;6′,2′′-terpyridine). In the absence of externally added hydroxides, compound [Cu₂(L′)₂(bppy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) was obtained from MeOH solutions; L′⁻ is the monomethyl maleate(−1) ligand which is formed in situ via the Cu^II-assisted HL⁻ → L′⁻ transformation. In the case of tptz-containing (tptz = 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) reaction systems, the Cu^II-assisted hydrolysis of tptz to pyridine-2-carboxamide (L1) afforded complex [Cu(L1)₂(NO₃)₂] (5). The crystal structures of 1–5 are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the ligands.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (R)-(+)-1-methoxyspirobrassinin, (2R,3R)-(−)-1-methoxyspirobrassinol methyl ether and their enantiomers or diastereoisomers

Stereoselective synthesis of cruciferous indole phytoalexin (R)-(+)-1-methoxyspirobrassinin and its unnatural (S)-(−)-enantiomer was achieved by spirocyclization of 1-methoxybrassinin in the presence of (+)- and (−)-menthol and subsequent oxidation of the obtained menthyl ethers. Methanolysis of menthyl ethers in the presence of TFA afforded (2R,3R)-(−)-1-methoxyspirobrassinol methyl ether as well its unnatural (2S,3S)-, (2R,3S)-, and (2S,3R)-isomers.     

Optically active pentacyclic binuclear diorganotin compounds

Three optically active binuclear diorganotin compounds (2-4) were prepared from an optically active oxalamide: (1S,2R)-(−)-[N-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-N′-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-oxalamide (1). The new compounds [1-(2′,2′-diorganyl-1′-oxa-3′-aza-2′-stanna-indan-3′-yl)-2-(2″,2″-diorganyl-4″-methyl-5″-phenyl[1,3,2]-oxazastannolidin-3″-yl)-ethane-1,2-dione {organyl = methyl (2), n-butyl (3) or phenyl (4)} were characterized by IR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. Compounds 3 and 4 were submitted to a detailed NMR study in order to assign their resonances (¹H and ¹³C) and specially the two different ¹¹⁹Sn signals for each compound. The X-ray diffraction analysis of compound 4 showed a planar pentacyclic framework with two penta-coordinated tin atoms with a distorted tbp geometry and 12 intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis of the antiepileptic (R)-Stiripentol by a combination of lipase catalyzed resolution and alkene metathesis

The enantiopure (ee >99%) antiepileptic (R)-(+)-Stiripentol has been stereoselectively synthesized via cross metathesis of 5-vinylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole 1 and (R)-(+)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-ol (R)-(+)-2. A novel one-pot two-step pathway for the synthesis of 5-vinylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxole 1 starting from 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid has been introduced. A lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution access to enantiopure (R)-(+)-4,4-dimethylpent-1-en-3-ol (R)-(+)-2 (ee >99%) has also been developed.     

Enantiospecific synthesis of 5′,5′,5′-trifluoro-5′-deoxyneplanocin A

(−)-(1S,4R)-4-Hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate provided a convenient entry point for a 12-step chiral preparation of 5′,5′,5′-trifluoro-5′-deoxyneplanocin A.