Free radical carbocyclic ring reconstruction

Alkenyl radical generated by β-fragmentation of tertiary cyclohexyloxy radical with carbocyclic ring opening, possessing a suitably located olefinic double bond, undergoes to the intramolecular 5-exo-trigonal cyclization and a new carbocyclic ring was formed.     

Total synthesis of (-)-conocarpan and assignment of the absolute configuration by chemical methods

(-)-Conocarpan (1) was synthesized by a method based on radical cyclization, and the absolute configuration was established by chemical degradation; the original 2R,3R-assignment to (+)-conocarpan should be reversed, as suggested by a later chiroptical study of model 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans.     

Oxidative decarboxylation as a route to ketene acetals: assignment of relative and absolute stereochemistry to the fungal metabolite benesudon by total synthesis

The unusual ketene acetal benesudon, which is a bioactive fungal metabolite, was synthesized from d-glucose by a route involving radical cyclization to form the five-membered ring and oxidative decarboxylation to generate the key central double bond. The originally suggested stereochemistry for the quaternary center C(5) must be revised, as both possibilities were prepared and a comparison with an authentic sample was made. The absolute configuration of benesudon is 4S,5R,6S.     

First enantioselective syntheses of (+)- and (-)-wilforonide by using chiral auxiliaries derived from the same chiral source

[see structure]. The first enantioselective syntheses of both (+)-wilforonide (>98% ee) and (-)-wilforonide (>98% ee) have been accomplished by employing chiral auxiliaries derived from the same chiral source, (R)-pulegone. The bicyclic skeleton of wilforonide was constructed by using Mn(III)-based oxidative radical cyclization reactions of chiral beta-keto esters. The absolute configuration of natural wilforonide has been established to be (5aR,9aR).     

The naturally occurring ketene acetal benesudon: total synthesis and assignment of relative and absolute stereochemistry

The densely functionalized ketene acetal benesudon, which is a bioactive fungal metabolite, was synthesized from D-glucose by a route involving radical cyclization to form the five-membered ring, and oxidative decarboxylation to generate the key central double bond. The originally suggested stereochemistry for the quaternary center C(5) must be revised, as both C(5) epimers were prepared and a comparison with an authentic sample was made. The absolute configuration of benesudon is 4S,5R,6S.     

Unusual effects in the pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations: synthesis of chiral chromans

An examination of earlier reports of poor-to-modest results using Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA) to effect cyclization to form tetrasubstituted carbons reveals several novel factors that can influence this class of reactions. Thus, carboxylate has a major effect on such cyclizations wherein the ee increases from 14% ee favoring the S with no carboxylate to 84% ee favoring the R enantiomer in the presence of 1 equiv of carboxylate. Changing the double bond geometry from E to Z further increases the ee to 97%. Furthermore, the chiral catalyst that forms the R enantiomer with the E-alkene forms the S enantiomer with the Z alkene. In contrast to trisubstituted alkene substrates, disubstituted ones show a decrease in ee in going from the E to Z alkenes. The role of carboxylate appears to be a ligand to Pd during the catalytic cycle, a previously unsuspected phenomenon since such reactions are generally believed to involve pi-allylpalladium cationic complexes. The dependence upon alkene geometry helps define the nature of the chiral pocket which better accommodates a Z alkene compared to an E alkene. The results are compatible with the enantiodiscriminating step being ionization which occurs by coordination of the palladium to one of the two prochiral faces of the double bond. A synthesis of (+)-clusifoliol, a constituent of a folk medicine for treatment of malignant tumors, which also assigns the absolute configuration, illustrates the utility of the method.     

Synthesis of chiral chromans by the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA): scope, mechanism, and applications

The Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of phenol allyl carbonates serves as an efficient strategy to construct the allylic C-O bond allowing access to chiral chromans in up to 98% ee. The effect of pH and the influence of olefin geometry, as well as substitution pattern on the ee and the absolute configuration of the chiral chromans were explored in detail. These observations suggest a mechanism involving the cyclization of the more reactive pi-allyl palladium diastereomeric intermediate as the enantiodiscriminating step (Curtin-Hammett conditions). This methodology led to the enantioselective synthesis of the vitamin E core, the first enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-clusifoliol and (-)-siccanin, and the synthesis of an advanced intermediate toward (+)-rhododaurichromanic acid A.     

Controlling regioselectivity in cyclization of unsaturated amidyl radicals: 5-exo versus 6-endo

Intramolecular cyclization of an amidyl radical onto an olefin provides an appealing method for the synthesis of lactams and other nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Here we conducted the first, systematic theoretical study on the regioselectivity in the cyclization of various types of pent-4-enamidyl radicals that carried synthetically relevant substituents. It was found that the cyclization of most of the substituted pent-4-enamidyl radicals produced the 5-exo products (gamma-lactams) almost exclusively. Marcus theory analysis showed the involvement of both the thermodynamic (stabilization of the starting double bond or the resulting radical center) and intrinsic (mainly steric effects) contributions in determining the 5-exo selectivity. Nonetheless, in two types of systems we found that the delta-lactams became the favored products through the 6-endo cyclization. In one of the systems an aromatic substituent was placed at the C4-position, whereas in the other system an electron-rich aromatic ring was incorporated into the pent-4-enamidyl radical backbone at the C2- and C3-positions. This unprecedented 6-endo mode of amidyl radical cyclization provided an interesting route for the preparation of mono- and bicyclic delta-lactams (pyridinones).     

Synthesis of diverse 2,3-dihydroindoles, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, and benzo-fused azepines by formal radical cyclization onto aromatic rings

2,3-Dihydroindoles, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines, and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenzo[b]azepines are available by a process that represents formal radical cyclization onto aromatic rings. Optically pure benzo-fused heterocycles are also accessible by this method. p-Iodophenols, especially those with the phenolic oxygen protected as a MOM-ether, can be coupled with amino alcohols to produce N-aryl amino alcohols, which can be converted into the corresponding alkyl iodides in which the nitrogen is protected as a carbamate. These compounds give cross-conjugated ketones after removal of the phenolic protecting group and oxidation with PhI(OAc)(2) in the presence of MeOH. The ketones undergo 5-, 6- or 7-exo-trigonal radical cyclization, and then exposure to acid, or sequential treatment with a Grignard reagent and then acid, effects rearomatization to produce the benzo-fused nitrogen heterocycles.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-allo-quercitol and (+)-talo-quercitol via free radical cycloisomerization of an enantiomerically pure alkyne-tethered aldehyde derived from a carbohydrate.

We describe for the first time the free radical cyclization of enantiomerically pure alkyne-tethered aldehydes obtained from a carbohydrate (6, 7). The synthesis of compounds 6 and 7 obtained from a derivative of D-ribose is reported. These radical precursors have been submitted to cyclization with tributyltin hydride plus azobisisobutyronitrile to yield, after ring closure, two carbocycles, respectively. These carbocycles have been obtained as mixtures of E and Z vinyltin isomers, but with excellent diastereoselection at the new stereocenter formed during the ring closure. After protodestannylation, only one diastereomer was detected and isolated. The absolute configuration at the new stereocenter formed during the carbocyclization has been established by detailed (1)H NMR analysis. The specific transformation of 7-methoxymethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-4-methylene-5-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-(3aR,5S,7S,7aS)-perhydrobenzo[d][1,3]dioxole into optically pure (+)-allo-quercitol and (+)-talo-quercitol is described. From these results, we conclude that under an appropriate choice of radical precursors and conditions, the synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexane derivatives of biological interest is now available.     

A stereocontrolled access to ring-fused piperidines through a formal [2+2+2] process

[reaction: see text] A formal [2+2+2] process has been devised that allows the stereocontrolled formation of ring-fused piperidines from allylsilanes possessing an oxime moiety. The cascade involves an intermolecular radical addition of an alpha-iodoacetate onto an allylsilane double bond, which is followed by a 5-exo-trig cyclization onto an oxime and is completed by the formation of the amide bond by nucleophilic attack of the amine onto the ester function.     

Independent generation of C5'-nucleosidyl radicals in thymidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine

The synthesis of the C5' tert-butyl ketone of thymidine 1a and 2'-deoxyguanosine 2 is achieved by reaction of 5'-C-cyano derivatives with tert-butyl lithium followed by acid hydrolysis. The 5'R configuration is assigned by X-ray crystal structure determination of an opportunely protected derivative of 1a. The (5'S)-isomers of both nucleosides are not stable, and a complete decomposition occurs in the reaction medium. The photochemistry of 1a and 2 effectively produced the thymidin-5'-yl radical and the 2'-deoxyguanosin-5'-yl radical, respectively. In the thymidine system, the C5' radical is fully quenched in the presence of a physiological concentration of thiols. In the 2'-deoxyguanosine system, the C5' radical undergoes intramolecular attack onto the C8-N7 double bond of guanine leading ultimately to the 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine derivative. The cyclization of the 2'-deoxyguanosin-5'-yl radical occurs with a rate constant of ca. 1x10(6) s-1 and is highly stereoselective affording only the (5'S)-diastereomer.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure,highly functionalized,medium-sized carbocycles from carbohydrates: formal total synthesis of (+)-calystegine b(2)

The free radical cyclization (FR) and the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction have been analyzed in order to develop new and original synthetic protocols for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure, highly functionalized, medium-sized carbocycles from carbohydrates. As a result, we report here for the first time examples of the 7-exo FR cyclization of acyclic radical precursors derived from sugars. This process appears to be extremely sensitive to the conformational mobility of the radical species in the transition state. The use of two isopropylidene groups blocking four of the total present hydroxyl groups and a good radical acceptor (as an alpha,beta-unsaturated ester) are mandatory conditions for a successful ring closure protocol. The RCM reaction by using Grubbs' catalyst on selected carbohydrate-derived precursors has afforded variable yields of the expected unsaturated cycloheptane or cycloctane derivatives. The synthesis of the cycloheptitols has been carried out in good yields, regardless of the absolute configuration at the different stereocenters and the nature of the O-functional groups bound in allylic positions to one of the double bonds implicated in the metathesis reaction. Conversely, in the cyclooctane synthesis, we have observed that the success of the reaction depends not only on the absolute configuration at the different stereocenters close to the double bonds but also on the nature of the O-protecting groups on these stereocenters. Finally, the RCM strategy has been used in an attempt to prepare natural (+)-calystegine B(2) from D-glucose. The synthesis of compound 92 from D-glucose constitutes a formal total synthesis of (+)-calystegine B(2), showing the importance of the steric hindrance in allylic positions for a successful RCM reaction.     

Preparation of polycyclic systems by sequential 5-exo-digonal radical cyclization, 1,5-hydrogen transfer from silicon, and 5-endo-trigonal cyclization

Radicals of type 1 undergo 5-exo diagonal cyclization, and the resulting vinyl radical abstracts hydrogen from silicon to afford a silicon-centered radical. This radical closes in a 5-endo trigonal manner to generate radicals of type 4, which are reduced (4 --> 5) by stannane, except when the starting acetylene carries a terminal trimethylstannyl group. In this case, radicals 4 expel trimethylstannyl radical to afford vinyl silanes 6. The stereochemical outcome of the radical cascade 1 --> 5 is controlled by the stereochemistry of the oxygen-bearing carbon in 1 (see starred atom). The sequence can be initiated by carbon-, alpha-substituted carbon-, oxyacyl-, and carbamoyl radicals and generates a silicon-containing ring fused onto a carbocycle or heterocycle. Numerous examples are described, as well as a number of transformations of the final cyclization products, especially their response to n-Bu(4)NF and to BF(3).OEt(2), reagents that cleave the newly formed carbon-silicon bond.     

Radical 4‐exo Cyclizations onto O‐Alkyloxime Acceptors: Towards the Synthesis of Penicillin‐Containing Antibiotics

The 4‐exo cyclizations of two types of carbamoyl radicals onto O‐alkyloxime acceptor groups were studied as potential routes to 3‐amino‐substituted azetidinones and hence to penicillins. A general synthetic route to ‘benzaldehyde oxime oxalate amides’ (= 2‐[(benzylideneamino)oxy]‐2‐oxoacetamides; see, e.g., 10c ) of 2‐{[(benzyloxy)imino]methyl}‐substituted thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid methyl esters 9 was developed (Scheme 3). It was shown by EPR spectroscopy that these compounds underwent sensitized photodissociation to the corresponding carbamoyl radicals but that these did not ring close. An analogous open‐chain precursor, benzaldehyde O‐(benzylaminoacetaldehyde‐O‐benzyloxalyl)oxime, 15 , lacking the 5‐membered thiazolidine ring, was shown by EPR spectroscopy to release the corresponding carbamoyl radical (Scheme 4). The latter underwent 4‐exo cyclization onto its C?NOBn bond in non‐H‐atom donor solvents. The rate constant for this cyclization was determined by the steady‐state EPR method. Spectroscopic evidence indicated that the reverse ring‐opening process was slower than cyclization.     

Synthesis of five- to seven-membered polyfunctional terpenic carbocycles via Ti(III)-catalyzed radical cyclizations of epoxypolyprenes

Ring size on Ti(III)-mediated radical cyclization of monoepoxypolyprenoids can be controlled by varying the substitution pattern and/or the electronic distribution of the double bond involved in the ring closure. The feasibility of applying this idea to tandem cyclizations has also been proven. Besides, when a silyloxy function is located in α position to the oxirane ring of the acyclic polyprene, the cyclization leads to carbocyclic terpenoids doubly functionalized in the A ring with acceptable yields. These results widen significantly the scope of this methodology.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-triptolide, (-)-triptonide, (+)-triptophenolide, and (+)-triptoquinonide

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-triptolide (1), (-)-triptonide (2), (+)-triptophenolide (3), and (+)-triptoquinonide (4) was completed. The key step involves lanthanide triflate-catalyzed oxidative radical cyclization of (+)-8-phenylmenthyl ester 30 mediated by Mn(OAc)3, providing intermediate 31 with good chemical yield (77%) and excellent diastereoselectivity (dr 38:1). (+)-Triptophenolide methyl ether (5) was then prepared in > 99% enantiomeric excess (> 99% ee), and readily converted to natural products 1-4. In addition, transition state models were proposed to explain the opposite chiral induction observed in the oxidative radical cyclization reactions of chiral beta-keto esters 17 (without an alpha-substituent) and 17a (with an alpha-chloro substituent).     

Taxadiene synthase-catalyzed cyclization of 6-fluorogeranylgeranyl diphosphate to 7-fluoroverticillenes

The mechanism of the taxadiene synthase-catalyzed cyclization of (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP, 7) to taxadiene (5) is proposed to proceed through a verticillen-12-yl carbocation intermediate (8) that undergoes an 11 --> 7 proton transfer leading to formation of the C ring. The substrate analogue 6-fluoroGGPP (17) was synthesized to elucidate the stereochemistry of the putative verticillenyl intermediate. It was expected that the inductive electron-withdrawing effect of the fluoro substituent would prevent the critical proton transfer to the Delta(7) double bond and thereby derail the cyclization at the bicyclic stage. Incubation of the fluoro analogue with recombinant taxadiene synthase yielded a mixture of three major and two minor fluoro diterpenes according to GC/MS analyses. The three major products were identified as the exocyclic, endocyclic, and 4(20)-methylene 7-fluoroverticillenes, i.e., Delta(3,7,12 (18)), Delta(3,7,12), and Delta(4(20),7,11) isomers (22, 23, and 24) on the basis of (1)H NMR analyses and comparisons with the parent bicyclic diterpenes. The H1beta, H11alpha (1S,11R) configurations at the bridgehead positions of 22 were established by means of NOE experiments and CD spectra. The absolute configuration of (+)-verticillol (4) was revised after the anomalous dispersion X-ray analysis of (+)-verticillol p-iodobenzoate. Of particular note, all absolute configurations of verticillane diterpenes in the literature should be reversed. This work affords compelling evidence supporting the H11alpha (11R) stereochemistry of the verticillen-12-yl(+) ion intermediate in the taxadiene synthase-catalyzed reaction and illustrates the capability of vinyl fluoro analogues to intercept complex cyclization cascades.     

Total synthesis and absolute configuration determination of (+)-subincanadine F

The first asymmetric synthesis of indole alkaloid (+)-subincanadine F was successfully accomplished with the uncommon 7-endo-trig stereoselective radical cyclization as the key step and its absolute configuration was thus assigned.     

Asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydropalmatine via tandem 1,2-addition/cyclization

[Reaction: see text]. The enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of tetrahydropalmatine (2) (ee = 98%), a natural alkaloid belonging to the tetrahydroprotoberberine family, is described. The key step of this total synthesis is based on our tandem 1,2-addition/ring-closure methodology employing lithiated methylbenzamide and benzaldehyde SAMP or RAMP hydrazones as substrates. An initial route was investigated for the formation of N- and 3-substituted dihydroisoquinolones starting from 2-substituted benzaldehyde SAMP hydrazones, but although high diastereoselectivity was achieved, only disappointing yields were obtained. In our subsequent synthetic strategy, 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methylbenzamide 6 and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde SAMP or RAMP hydrazone 19 gave the dihydroisoquinolones 20 in high diastereomeric purity (de > or = 96%) and reasonable yield (54-55%), taking into account the complex functionalities established in one step. Cleavage of the N-N bond of the chiral auxiliary and reduction of the carbonyl group of the amide moiety were performed in the same step, and the resulting tetrahydroisoquinolines 22 (ee = 99%) were N-functionalized by treatment with various electrophiles to investigate the ring closure by Pummerer, Friedel-Crafts, and Pomeranz-Fritsch reactions. The Pummerer cyclization led to the formation of (S)-(-)-2 with slight racemization (ee = 89%), whereas the Friedel-Crafts reaction proved to be unsuccessful. Finally, Pomeranz-Fritsch-type cyclization afforded the desired title compound (R)-(+)-2 in excellent enantioselectivity in 9% overall yield over seven steps and after optimization of the last step (S)-(-)-2 in 17% overall yield.