Stereoselective Synthesis of D‐ and L‐Carbocyclic Nucleosides by Enzymatically Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution

An efficient synthesis of (S)‐ or (R)‐3‐(benzyloxy‐methyl)‐cyclopent‐3‐enol was developed by appling an enzyme‐catalyzed kinetic‐resolution approach. This procedure allowed the syntheses of the enantiomeric building blocks (S)‐ and (R)‐cyclopentenol with high optical purity (>98 % ee). In contrast to previous approaches, the key advantage of this procedure is that the resolution is done on the level of enantiomers that only contain one stereogenic center. Owing to this feature, it was possible to chemically convert the enantiomers into each other. By using this route, the starting materials for the syntheses of carbocyclic D ‐ and L ‐nucleoside analogues were readily accessible. 3′,4′‐Unsaturated D ‐ or L ‐carbocyclic nucleosides were obtained from the condensation of various nucleobases with (S)‐ or (R)‐cyclopentenol. Functionalization of the double bond in 3′‐deoxy‐3′,4′‐didehydro‐carba‐D ‐thymidine led to a variety of new nucleoside analogues. By using the cycloSal approach, their corresponding phosphorylated metabolites were readily accessable. Moreover, a new synthetic route to carbocyclic 2′‐deoxy‐nucleosides was developed, thereby leading to D ‐ and L ‐carba‐dT. D ‐Carba‐dT was tested for antiviral activity against multidrug‐resistance HIV‐1 strain E2‐2 and compared to the known antiviral agent d4T, as well as L ‐carba‐dT. Whilst L ‐carba‐dT was found to be inactive, its D ‐analogue showed remarkably high activity against the resistant virus and significantly better than that of d4T. However, against the wild‐type virus strain NL4/3, d4T was found to be more‐active than D ‐carba‐dT.     

Nucleosides and nucleotides. 186. Synthesis and biological activities of pyrimidine carbocyclic nucleosides with a hydroxyamino group instead of a hydroxymethyl group at the 4'-position of the sugar moiety.

Pyrimidine carbocyclic nucleosides with a hydroxyamino group instead of a hydroxymethyl group at the 4'-position of the sugar moiety were designed as potential antitumor and/or antiviral agents. Pd (O)-catalyzed reactions of enantiomerically pure (+)-(1R,4S)-4-[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)oxy]-1-(ethoxycarbonylo xy)-2- cyclopentene (9) with N3-benzoylthymine and -uracil gave carbocyclic nucleosides 10 and 11. Subsequent Pd (O)-catalyzed reactions of N3-benzoyl-1-[(1R,4S)-4-(ethoxycarbonyloxy)-2-cyclopenten-1- yl]thymine (14) and -uracil (15) with O-benzylhydroxylamine smoothly gave the hydroxyamino-substituted carbocyclic nucleosides 16 and 17. From these nucleosides, the target compounds were prepared after deprotection or further reactions. The 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T) analogue 20 was the most effective compound, with IC50 values of 27.3 and 34.5 microM against KB and L1210 cells in vitro. Carbocyclic analogues of uridine and cytidine (29 and 32) were less effective than 20 against both cell lines.     

Carbocyclic ribosylamines: synthesis of 5-substituted carbocyclic beta-ribofuranosylamines

A synthesis of 5-substituted cyclopentylamine precursors for 5'-substituted carbocyclic nucleoside analogues was developed. We show that the stereochemistry of the OsO4-catalyzed hydroxylation of an apically brominated lactam, 7-bromo-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one, can be controlled through the appropriate selection of the lactam N-H protecting group. Sterically large groups direct the hydroxylation to the exo-face of the olefin, yielding hydroxylation products that can be converted into analogues of carbocyclic ribosides. Conversely, a sterically small protecting group permits OsO4 approach from the endo-face, yielding hydroxylation products analogous to carbocyclic lyxosides. A key intermediate for carbocyclic sugar production, (1S,2S,3R, 4R,5S)-1-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino-5-bromo-2,3-(dimethylmethylene)dioxy-4-hydroxymethylcyclopentane, was synthesized starting from a commercially available enantiomerically pure lactam, (1S)-(+)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one, in seven steps in an overall yield of 21%.     

Synthesis of 5-Substituted-3-[(2’R,4’R)-4’-Hydroxy-2’-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran-4’-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and Their Epimers

The syntheses of 5-substituted-3-[( 2' R, 4' R)-4 ' -hydroxy-2 ' -hydroxymethyltetra-hydrofuran-4' -yl]D-1 ,2, 4-oxadiazoles and their epimers were accomplished with the aid of th construction of 1,2, 4-oxadiazoles by condensation of O-acylated cyanohydrins with hydroxylamine via intramolecular transacylation and subsequent cyclization.     

A general enantioselective approach to jasmonoid fragrances: synthesis of (+)-(1R,2S)-methyl dihydrojasmonate and (+)-(1R,2S)-magnolione

Methyl dihydrojasmonate 1 and magnolione 3 are of both academic and industrial interest. In this paper, we describe a flexible, high-yielding route to diastereomerically pure (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-methyl dihydrojasmonate 1 and the first synthesis of (+)-cis-(1R,2S)-magnolione 3, both with enantiomeric excesses up to 93%. The two syntheses diverged from the same advanced intermediate 5, readily available from the enantioenriched hydroxymethyl delta-lactone (-)-(3aS,4S,6aR)-6. The olfactory properties of (1R,2S)-1 and (1R,2S)-3 are reported.     

An efficient synthetic approach to 6,5'-(S)- and 6,5'-(R)-cyclouridine

Here we present new routes for the efficient syntheses of 6,5'-(S)- and 6,5'-(R)-cyclouridine. The syntheses utilize readily accessible uridine as a starting material. This route to the R diastereomer is significantly more efficient than previous synthetic efforts, allowing us to obtain large amounts of pure material for future biological testing.     

Synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration of fugomycin and desoxyfugomycin: CD spectroscopy and fungicidal activity of butenolides

The dibromoalkenes (S)-3 and (R)- and (S)-4 are intermediates in the syntheses of the naturally occurring fungicidal butenolides fugomycin (1) and desoxyfugomycin (2), respectively. The stereoselective bromine-lithium exchange that leads to the carbenoid 12 and the vinyllithium reagent 17 a on the one hand, and palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of the dibromoalkene 3 and the bromolactone 22 on the other are key steps en route to the butenolides 1 and 2. The chiral building blocks (S)-3, (R)-4, and (S)-4 are readily available from (R)-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde 5, isobutyl (R)-lactate 6 a, and ethyl (S)-lactate 6 b, respectively. The synthetic procedure adopted here permits the absolute configuration of the natural products fugomycin (1) and desoxyfugomycin (2) to be assigned by comparison of their chiroptical properties with those of the synthetic products. The CD spectra of the bromolactone 22, calculated by two different density functional methods (TDDFT, DFT/MRCI), are found to be in good agreement with the measured spectra. On the basis of these calculations, the two CD bands observed could be assigned to n-pi* and pi-pi* transitions, respectively. Fugomycin (1) and the synthetic butenolide 20 displayed high fungicidal activity against botrytis in greenhouse experiments, whereas the saturated lactone 21 was practically inactive.     

Syntheses and biological activities of renin inhibitors containing statine analogues

Syntheses and biological activities of dipeptide renin inhibitors that contain statine analogues are described. The key steps of the synthetic approach to dipeptide renin inhibitors are the asymmetric synthesis of 2(R)-substituted-3-aminocarbonylpropionic acids and the diastereoselective syntheses of (3S,4S)-statine analogues. These inhibitors (2,14-40) inhibited human renin in the 3-140 nM range. Inhibitor ES 6864 (2) was found to be a highly potent inhibitor of human renin (IC50: 4.6 x 10(-9) M) and showed high enzyme specificity. Oral administration of ES 6864 at 3 mg/kg to conscious, sodium-depleted marmosets inhibited plasma renin activity (PRA) more than 80% after 1 h.     

Formation of cyclic ethers via the palladium-catalyzed cycloaddition of activated olefins with allylic carbonates having a hydroxy group at the terminus of the carbon chain

The reaction of the activated olefins 1 with the allylic carbonate 2, having a hydroxy group at the terminus of the carbon chain, in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(2)dba(3).CHCl(3) and dppe in THF at room temperature gave the corresponding cycloaddition products, tetrahydrofuran derivatives 5, in good to very high yields. The diastereoselectivities (trans/cis ratios) of the products were in the range of ca. 60-70/40-30. The reaction of 1 with the hydroxy allylic carbonate 3 in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(2)dba(3).CHCl(3) and (o-tolyl)(3)P in THF at 50 degrees C afforded the corresponding cycloaddition products, tetrahydropyran derivatives 6, in good to high yields. The trans/cis ratios of the products were in the range of ca. 0-40/99-80. The reaction of 1a with the hydroxy allylic carbonate 4 needed higher reaction temperatures (approximately 100 degrees C) to give the cycloaddition product, the oxepane 7a, in 31% yield with low diastereoselectivity. Next, catalytic asymmetric syntheses of tetrahydrofuran and -pyran derivatives were carried out. With the Trost ligand 15, good to high ees were accomplished in the cycloaddition, although the diastereoselectivities were of low level. With the Hayashi ligand 16, good to high ees were also achieved in the cycloaddition. The absolute stereochemistries of the major enantiomers of 5l, 5m, and 6d were determined unambiguously by X-ray crystallographic analysis: trans-(2R,4R)-5l, cis-(2S,4R)-5l, 4R-5m, trans-(2S,4S)-6d, and cis-(2R,4S)-6d were major enantiomers. Based upon the absolute stereochemistries of the major enantiomers, the mechanism of catalytic asymmetric induction in the cycloaddition reaction is discussed.     

Preparation of carbocyclic S-adenosylazamethionine accompanied by a practical synthesis of (-)-aristeromycin

For the preparation of a carbocyclic nitrogen analogue of S-adenosylmethionine (carba-AdoazaMet, 4), a practical synthesis of (-)-aristeromycin (7) has been developed using variations of literature procedures. This approach called for a stereospecific synthesis of (3aR,6aR)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,6a-dihydrocyclopenta[1,3]dioxol-4-one ((4R, 5R)-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2-cyclopentenone) (8), which was achieved by modifying reported procedures from D-(-)-ribose.     

A stereodivergent,two-directional synthesis of stereoisomeric C-linked disaccharide mimetics

Dipyranones, such as 1,2-bis[(2R,3S,6S)-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-oxo-6H-pyran-2-yl]ethane, were exploited as templates for the synthesis of some novel C-linked disaccharide analogues. Efficient methods, such as stereoselective reduction and dihydroxylation, were developed for two-directional functionalisation of these templates. Peracetylated derivatives of ten stereoisomeric disaccharide analogues [acetic acid 4,5-diacetoxy-6-methoxy-[(3',4',5'-triacetoxy-6'-methoxytetrahydropyran- 2'-yl)ethyl]tetrahydropyran-3-yl esters] were synthesised from a virtual library of 136 compounds; furthermore, an additional eight stereoisomers could have been synthesised simply by using the enantiomeric ligand in the enantioselective step. The ability of (2S,3S,4R,5R,6R)-6-methoxy-2-[2'-((2'R,3'R,4'S, 5'R,6'S)-3',4',5'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxytetrahydropyran-2'-yl) ethyl]tetrahydropyran-3,4,5-triol to bind to the repressor protein, LacI, was estimated to be similar to that of isopropyl-beta-thiogalactoside. The disaccharide mimetics were concluded to be a new and interesting class of C-linked disaccharide mimetics with promising, though largely unstudied, biological activity.     

Access to Wieland-Miescher ketone in an enantiomerically pure form by a kinetic resolution with yeast-mediated reduction

Both enantiomers of Wieland-Miescher ketone [3,4,8, 8a-tetrahydro-8a-methyl-1,6(2H,7H)-naphthalenedione], in a highly enantiomerically enriched form, became readily available by a newly developed kinetic resolution with yeast-mediated reduction. From a screening of yeast strains, Torulaspora delbrueckii IFO 10921 was selected. The collected cells of this strain, obtained by an incubation in a glucose medium, smoothly reduced only the isolated carbonyl group of the (S)-enantiomer, while the (R)-enantiomer remained intact. Starting from both enantiomers ( approximately 70% ee) prepared by an established proline-mediated asymmetric Robinson annulation, the reduction with T. delbrueckii gave the (R)-enantiomer (98% ee) and the corresponding alcohol (4aS,5S)-4,4a, 5,6,7,8-hexahydro-5-hydroxy-4a-methyl-2(3H)-naphthalenone (94% ee, 94% de) in preparative scale in nearly quantitative yields. An approach for the asymmetric synthesis of the Wieland-Miescher ketone was also successful. 2-Methyl-2-(3-oxobutyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione, the prochiral precursor, was reduced with this strain to give a cyclic acetal form of (2S, 3S)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(3-oxobutyl)cyclohexanone, in a stereomerically pure form.     

Practical synthesis of D- and l-2-cyclopentenone and their utility for the synthesis of carbocyclic antiviral nucleosides against orthopox viruses (smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox virus)

Highly efficient and practical methodology for the syntheses of D- and l-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2-cyclopentenone (9 and 22), versatile intermediates for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides, have been developed via a ring-closing metathesis reaction from d-ribose in eight steps. The utility of D- and l-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2-cyclopentenone is demonstrated by their application for the preparation of D-cyclopentyl-6-azauridine 12 and D-cyclopentenyl-5-halocytosine nucleosides (33-35) using Mitsunobu reaction to introduce pyrimidine bases as potential antiviral agents. Preliminary antiviral activity against orthopox viruses (smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox virus) of the synthesized nucleosides are described.     

Polyphenols from Sophora yunnanensis, and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

A new flavonoid, (2R,3R)-3,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavanone, named sophorayunnanol (1), together with eight known polyphenols (2-9), were isolated from the roots of Sophora yunnanensis C.Y.MA (Leguminosae). The structure including absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by spectroscopic (high resolution (HR)-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and circular dichroism (CD)) methods. The inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined against nitric oxide (NO) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ activated macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. 3,7,3',5'-Tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (6) and piceatannol (9) showed potent inhibitory activity against the production of NO with IC(50) values of 14.4±2.5 and 12.9±1.8 μM, respectively. This article is the first report on phytochemical study of S. yunnanensis.     

Asymmetric chemoenzymatic synthesis of miconazole and econazole enantiomers. The importance of chirality in their biological evaluation

A simple and novel chemoenzymatic route has been applied for the first time in the synthesis of miconazole and econazole single enantiomers. Lipases and oxidoreductases have been tested in stereoselective processes; the best results were attained with oxidoreductases for the introduction of chirality in an adequate intermediate. The behaviors of a series of ketones and racemic alcohols in bioreductions and acetylation procedures, respectively, have been investigated; the best results were found with alcohol dehydrogenases A and T, which allowed the production of (R)-2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethanol in enantiopure form under very mild reaction conditions. Final chemical modifications have been performed in order to isolate the target fungicides miconazole and econazole both as racemates and as single enantiomers. Biological evaluation of the racemates and single enantiomers has shown remarkable differences against the growth of several microorganisms; while (R)-miconazole seemed to account for most of the biological activity of racemic miconazole on all the strains tested, both enantiomers of econazole showed considerable biological activities. In this manner, (R)-econazole showed higher values against Candida krusei , while higher values were observed for (S)-econazole against Cryptococcus neoformans, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus niger.     

Synthesis and evaluation of eight- and four-membered iminosugar analogues as inhibitors of testicular ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase, testicular β-glucosidase 2, and other glycosidases

Eight- and four-membered analogues of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ), a reversible male contraceptive in mice, were prepared and tested. A chiral pool approach was used for the synthesis of the target compounds. Key steps for the synthesis of the eight-membered analogues involve ring-closing metathesis and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and for the four-membered analogues Sharpless epoxidation, epoxide ring-opening (azide), and Mitsunobu reaction to form the four-membered ring. (3S,4R,5S,6R,7R)-1-Nonylazocane-3,4,5,6,7-pentaol (6) was moderately active against rat-derived ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase, and four of the other eight-membered analogues were weakly active against rat-derived β-glucosidase 2. Among the four-membered analogues, ((2R,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-1-nonylazetidine-2,4-diyl)dimethanol (25) displayed selective inhibitory activity against mouse-derived ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase and was about half as potent as NB-DNJ against the rat-derived enzyme. ((2S,4S)-3-Hydroxy-1-nonylazetidine-2,4-diyl)dimethanol (27) was found to be a selective inhibitor of β-glucosidase 2, with potency similar to NB-DNJ. Additional glycosidase assays were performed to identify potential other therapeutic applications. The eight-membered iminosugars exhibited specificity for almond-derived β-glucosidase, and the 1-nonylazetidine 25 inhibited α-glucosidase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with an IC(50) of 600 nM and β-glucosidase (almond) with an IC(50) of 20 μM. Only N-nonyl derivatives were active, emphasizing the importance of a long lipophilic side chain for inhibitory activity of the analogues studied.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the cis- and trans-stereoisomers of 4-aminopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid and 4-aminotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid

The diastereoselective conjugate addition of lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-[small alpha]-methylbenzylamide has been successfully applied to the first asymmetric syntheses of cis-(3S,4R)- and trans-(3R,4R)-4-aminotetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acids (26% and 25% overall yield respectively, >98% d.e. and >97% e.e. in each case). Furthermore, the most efficient asymmetric synthesis to date of cis-(3R,4R)- and trans-(3R,4S)-4-aminopyrrolidine carboxylic acids is delineated: for cis-(3R,4R), four steps, >98% d.e., 52% overall yield; for trans-(3R,4S), five steps, >98% d.e., 50% overall yield.     

Novel stereoselective synthesis of functionalized oxazolidinones from chiral aziridines

Enantiomerically pure N-(R)-alpha-methylbenzyl-4(R)-(chloromethyl)oxazolidinones (4R)-5a-k were synthesized in one step and high yields from various aziridine-2-methanols (S)-2a-k by intramolecular cyclization with phosgene. The alpha-methylbenzyl substituent on the nitrogen was easily cleaved to give both enanatiomers of 4-(chloromethyl)oxazolidinones (R)-7a and (S)-7a. (R)-7a was used for the efficient syntheses of (L)-homophenylalaninol analogues (S)-12a-j. We also applied the same methodology to prepare oxazolidinones 9a-c containing a heteroatom-substituted alkyl group at C-4 in high yields.     

Synthesis and antiviral activities of carbocyclic oxetanocin analogues

9-Cyclobutyladenine (4a), cis- and trans-9-[3- (hydroxymethyl)cyclobutyl]adenine (4b) and 9-[3,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclobutyl]adenine(4d) were prepared from the corresponding cyclobutylamine derivatives (1a, 1b and 1d). Guanine congeners (9a, cis- and trans-9b and 9d) and carbocyclic oxetanocin G (1',2'-trans-9f) were also prepared. Carbocyclic oxetanocin A(1',2'-trans-4f), the preparation of which we have already published, and G were found to be active against herpes simplex virus (type 1 and 2) in vitro, while cis-4b and cis-9b showed an in vitro antiretroviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus (type 1).     

Synthesis of both the enantiomers of sclerosporin and sclerosporal,sporogenic substance of sclerotinia fructicola1

Both the enantiomers of sclerosporin $\text{1}$ and sclerosporal $\text{2}$ were synthesized from (-)-carvone. (4R,9R,10S)-(+)-Sclerosporin and (4R,9R,10S)-(-)-sclerosporal were identified as the natural enantiomers by a comparison of their CD-spectra. An intramolecular Diels-Alder route was proved to be an efficient method of preparing sufficient amounts of (+)-$\text{1}$ for the biological study.