Study of the oxidation of 3-hydroxypyrroloindoles to pyrrolobenzoxazine alkaloids

This report describes a detailed study of the oxidation-Meisenheimer rearrangement of N-methyl-3-hydroxy-7-chloropyrroloindoline ethyl ester and the corresponding O-Boc and N-Boc derivatives. Experimental conditions were found, which allowed the selective Boc protection of either the tertiary alcohol substituent or the NH group of the aminal function. It was shown that both the parent compound and its O-Boc derivative yielded a mixture of oxazines and, in some cases, N-oxides upon treatment with m-CPBA. MS fragmentation (APCI) clearly differentiates formation of N-oxides and oxazines. The N-Boc derivatives exclusively yielded the N-oxides showing that the Meisenheimer rearrangement requires the presence of a high energy lone pair on the neighbouring nitrogen atom. Both the parent compound and the O-Boc derivative gave a mixture of rearranged products and N-oxide depending on the reaction conditions.     

(N-Arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides: Synthesis and characterization of potential ligand systems and the formation of their N,O-chelate aluminum complexes

Pyridine-N-oxide-2-carbaldehyde (4a) was converted to the corresponding imine (5a) by treatment with 2,6-diisopropylaniline. Subsequent reduction with a sodium borohydride gave the corresponding (N-arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxide derivative (6a). A series of analogous compounds was prepared starting from the respective (aldimino)quinoline-N-oxide (4b) or (ketimino)pyridine-N-oxide (10) systems. Deprotonation of the (aminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides resulted in a series of unexpected reactions, such as coupling, internal redox reactions or fragmentation. Eventually, the N,O-chelate aluminum complexes (22, 23) derived from the (aminoethyl)pyridine-N-oxide ligand systems could be obtained by treatment of the respective iminopyridine-N-oxides with trimethylaluminum. Many products were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and reactions of 3-halomethyl-substituted oxazine N-oxides

A series of 3-halomethyl-5,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazine N-oxides (halogen = Cl, Br, I) is prepared from 4-phenyl-3,6,6-trimethyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-oxazine N-oxide by means of a silylation/halogenation sequence. The obtained halogenated N-oxides undergo reactions typical of cyclic six-membered nitronates including 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, addition of nucleophiles, and substitution of the halogen by C-, S-, and N-nucleophiles.     

Solid-phase synthesis of benzimidazole N-oxides on SynPhase™ Lanterns

A solid-phase synthesis of benzimidazole N-oxides was developed while attempting to synthesize 1,5-benzodiazepine-2,4-diones. The key step of the synthesis involves the reduction of an arylnitro to a hydroxyamino intermediate which subsequently condenses with an internal carbonyl group to give a benzimidazole N-oxide. A library of nine benzimidazole N-oxides was prepared on SynPhase™ Lanterns using this reduction-cyclization methodology.     

Probing the metal complexing ability of bis-quinolizidine N-oxides: Synthesis, spectroscopy and crystal structures

New ZnX₂ (X = Cl, Br) complexes with sparteine N1-oxide, sparteine epi-N16-oxide, lupanine (2-oxosparteine) N-oxide and α-isosparteine N-oxide were obtained and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Complexation with N1-oxides involves inversion of the configuration at the N16 atom of sparteine, converting its C ring from a boat into a chair form, whereas the structure of sparteine epi-N16-oxide, typified by the trans boat/chair C/D quinolizidine moiety, remains unchanged upon complexation. Coordination of zinc salts in the above compounds is realized solely through the oxygen atom of the N-O group and is accompanied by protonation of the “not-N-oxide” nitrogen atom. At variance lupanine N-oxide forms bis-monodentate complexes with ZnX₂ utilizing both the N-oxide and the lactam carbonyl oxygen atoms to bridge the neighboring ZnX₂ units, while reaction of α-isosparteine N-oxide with ZnX₂ leads to formation of complex salts of the general formula [H(−)α-Sp(N-oxide)][(ZnX₃)(H₂O)].     

Preparation of chiral bipyridine bis-N-oxides by oxidative dimerization of chiral pyridine N-oxides

The direct preparation of chiral 2,2′-bipyridine bis-N-oxides has been developed. The method involves two stages, first, the deprotonation of substituted chiral pyridine N-oxides and second, the oxidative dimerization of the resulting 2-lithiopyridine N-oxides. Optimization of the reaction conditions led to the selection of LiTMP in THF for the deprotonation and molecular iodine as the oxidant. The corresponding 2-iodopyridine N-oxide is invariably formed as a by-product. A series of 11 chiral pyridine N-oxides was prepared that bear substituents at the C(2) and C(5) positions. Oxidative dimerization of these mono-N-oxides proceeded in 33–77% yield. In all cases, the dimerization was highly diastereoselective for the formation of the P-configuration of the chiral axis.     

Natural abundance 17O NMR spectroscopy of heterocyclic N-oxides and Di N-oxides. Structural effects

The ¹⁷O chemical shift data for a series of azine N-oxides, diazine N-oxides and di-N-oxides at natural abundance are reported. Isomeric methyl substituted quinoline N-oxides exhibited chemical shifts which are interpreted in terms of electronic and compressional effects. The ¹⁷O chemical shift for 8-methylquinoline N-oxide (370 ppm) is deshielded by 25 ppm more than predicted, based upon electronic considerations. The ¹⁷O chemical shift for the N-oxide of 8-hydroxyquinoline (289 ppm) is substantially shielded as a result of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The relative ¹⁷O chemical shifts for diazine N-oxides of pyrazine, pyridazine and pyrimidine follow predictions based on back donation considerations. Because of solubility limitations, spectra of only two N,N′-dioxides were obtained. The chemical shift of benzopyrazine di N-oxide in acetonitrile was shielded by 18 ppm compared to that of its mono N-oxide.     

One-pot synthesis of fluorinated 2-amino-pyrimidine-N-oxides. Competing pathways in the four-atom side-chain rearrangements of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles

Trifluoromethylated 2-amino-pyrimidine N-oxides have been synthesized by reaction of the 3-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with trifluoromethyl-β-diketones in the presence of perchloric acid, followed by hydrolysis. In this ring-to-ring transformation an initial formation of (unisolated) 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyrimidinium salts, and subsequent ring-opening at the oxadiazole moiety occurs. Isolation of 2-(hydroxyamino)-pyrimidine from the reaction mixture evidenced the presence of a competing pathway where the N(4) nitrogen of the oxadiazole is involved in the formation of a regioisomeric pyrimidinium salt. The effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the product distribution is discussed. By X-ray analysis, the crystal structure of two different N-oxide regioisomers has been unambiguously ascertained.     

Three new Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia carinata and Huperzia squarrosa

Eleven Lycopodium alkaloids with lycodine-type, lycopodine-type, and fawcettimine-related skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Huperzia carinata (Desv. Ex. Poir.) Trevis and Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst) Trevis (Huperziaceae). Among them, 8,15-dihydrohuperzine A (2), lycocarinatine A (3), and lycoposerramine U N-oxide (11) are new compounds. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations. Some of these isolated alkaloids were assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity.     

Sulfonium ylides derived from 2-hydroxy-benzoquinones: crystal and molecular structure and their one-step conversion into Mannich bases by amine N-oxides

Reaction of 2-hydroxy-para-benzoquinones with DMSO/Ac₂O produced dimethylsulfonium ylides, of which crystal structures as well as solid and liquid state NMR spectra were recorded. The ylides react with tertiary methylamine N-oxides in a one-pot, multi-step process to 3-methylamino-substituted benzoquinones. The mechanism starts with a deoxygenative deprotonation of the amine N-oxides, followed by a formal electrophilic displacement of DMSO by the resulting carbonium-iminium ion.     

Deoxygenation of tertiary amine N-oxides under metal free condition using phenylboronic acid

A simple and efficient method for the deoxygenation of amine N-oxides to corresponding amines is reported using the green and economical reagent phenylboronic acid. Deoxygenation of N,N-dialkylaniline N-oxides, trialkylamine N-oxides and pyridine N-oxides were achieved in good to excellent yields. The reduction susceptible functional groups such as ketone, amide, ester and nitro groups are well tolerated with phenylboronic acid during the deoxygenation process even at high temperature. In addition, an indirect method for identification and quantification of tert-amine N-oxide is demonstrated using UV–Vis spectrometry which may be useful for drug metabolism studies.     

The Oxidation of Isoquinoline Alkaloids with m-Chloroperbenzoic Acid

The physical properties of the N-oxides prepared by the oxidation of tertiary isoquinoline alkaloids with m-chloroperbenzoic acid are presented and are compared with those of their parent alkaloids.     

Access to lincomycin N-oxide isomers controlled by reaction conditions

Oxidation of lincomycin with H₂O₂ in alkaline media leads to N-oxides, besides the conversion of thiomethyl group into sulfoxides and sulfones. NH₄OH favors formation of the S-isomer; both R- and S-isomers of the N-oxide are formed in the presence of NaOH. Addition of acetonitrile markedly accelerates the reaction.     

New pyrrolidine alkaloids from the roots of Pandanus amaryllifolius

Four new alkaloids, pandamarilactonines-E, -F, and -F-N-oxide consisting of a pyrrolidine moiety and two α-methyl-γ-lactone residues, and pandamarilactonine-G, possessing a pyrrolidinone function, were isolated from the roots of Pandanus amaryllifolius. Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analyses and chemical syntheses.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities and bioguided fractionation of the Ocotea percoriacea extracts: HPLC-DAD-MS/MS characterization and molecular modeling of their alkaloids in the active fraction

In vitro acetylcholinesterase activities of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Ocotea percoriacea Kosterm. (Lauraceae) were evaluated. The bioguided fractionation of the most active extract (dichloromethane) using silica gel open-column chromatography led to an active alkaloidal fraction composed of isocorydine N-oxide, isocorydine N-oxide derivative, palmatine, roemerine and roemerine N-Oxide. The identification of the chemical structure of these compounds was carried out with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization multiple-stage mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Aiming to understand their inhibitory activities, these alkaloids were docked into a 3D model of Electrophorus electricus Acetylcholinesterase (EelAChE) built in the Modeller 9.18 employing homology modeling approach. The results suggest that the alkaloids had the same binding mode and, possibly, the inhibition mechanism of classic drugs (ex. tacrine and donepezil). The structural difference of these compounds opens a new opportunity for the optimization of leading compounds.     

Click novel glycosyl amino acid hydrophilic interaction chromatography stationary phase and its application in enrichment of glycopeptides

A novel glycosyl amino acid hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) stationary phase was prepared via click chemistry. The key intermediate N₃-glycosyl d-phenylglycine was prepared by a three steps procedure, including selective condensation of amino glucose with N-succinimidyl ester of Boc-d-phenylglycine, deprotection and transformation of amino group to azido group. The structure of all the intermediates and functionalized silica beads were confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR, elemental analysis and ¹³C CP-MAS. The chromatography test showed that this new type of separation material possessed good HILIC properties and glycopeptide enrichment characteristics. Nucleosides and bases could be separated in a simple eluent composition (only acetonitrile in combined with water), and with the same condition, these model compounds could not be separated on the commercial HILIC column (Atlantis). Click glycosyl amino acid thus prepared also showed longer retention and better separation ability in the separation of polar organic acids.     

Oxidation of secondary amines by molecular oxygen and cyclohexanone monooxygenase

Cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus catalyzed the oxidation of tertiary and secondary amines to N-oxides and nitrones, respectively. The formation of a hydroxylamine intermediate was involved with secondary amines as starting substrates.     

A general method for the deoxygenation of aromatic N-oxides using RuCl3·xH2O

An efficient, simple and selective method for the deoxygenation of aromatic N-oxides, such as N-arylnitrones, azoxybenzenes, N-heteroarene N-oxides using ruthenium(III) chloride to afford deoxygenated products in excellent yields, is described.     

Bromamine-T/RuCl3 as an efficient system for the oxidation of tertiary amines to N-oxides

A variety of tertiary amines were efficiently and selectively oxidized to the corresponding N-oxides by bromamine-T using ruthenium trichloride as catalyst in alkaline (pH 8.4) acetonitrile/water (1:1) at 80 °C.     

Isolation of some quaternary alkaloids from the extract of roots ofChelidonium Majus L. by column and thin-layer chromatography

Summary A chromatographic system comprising untreated silica gel and an aqueous buffer—methanol eluent was investigated for the micropreparative separation of the alkaloids ofChelidonium majus L. The relationship between the logarithm of the retention factorsk of the alkaloids and volume fraction of methanol at pH^* 6 was linear for volume fractions in the range of 0.1 to 0.4. From this relationship it is possible to estimate the value of the retention factor for a given alkaloid in pure buffer and then the maximum volume of alkaloid extract that can be sampled on micropreparative column filled with silica gel.