An enzymatic approach to the desymmetrization of disubstituted pyrrolines

The enzymatic desymmetrization of 2,2- and 2,5-disubstituted pyrroline compounds is reported in a procedure which gives access to both enantiomers in excellent enantiomeric excess and good yield. The enzyme reaction precursors are formed easily from two readily available substituted pyrroles using both ammonia (Na/NH3) and ammonia-free (Li/DBB) Birch reduction conditions.     

Synthesis of the pyrrolidinone core of KSM-2690 B

[reaction: see text] The first synthesis of the pyrrolidinone core of the polyene beta-lactone antibiotic KSM-2690 B is described. An ammonia-free Birch reductive aldol reaction utilizing acetaldehyde is one of the key steps, together with a ruthenium-catalyzed alkene isomerization reaction.     

Scope of the reductive aldol reaction: application to aromatic carbocycles and heterocycles

The reductive aldol reaction of electron deficient aromatic compounds has been investigated and found to be a viable method for carbon-carbon bond formation. Reductions under ammonia and ammonia-free conditions were both capable of facilitating the aldol reaction although the latter showed more scope for reaction with enolisable aldehydes. Moreover, reduction under ammonia-free conditions allowed the addition of Lewis acids which improved stereoselectivity to favour the anti stereoisomer. Production of the syn diastereoisomer was possible through either one of two different protocols performed after partial reduction was complete. While the main emphasis of this paper concerns the reductive aldol reaction of electron deficient pyrroles, it was also shown that both benzenoid and furan aromatic compounds were amenable to such reducing conditions.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of cis-Decalins by Merging the Birch Reduction and Inverse-Electron-Demand Diels–Alder Reaction

Herein, we show that the combination of the Birch reduction of readily available anisole derivatives and the catalytic asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of 2-pyrones can serve as a powerful platform for the diverse synthesis of synthetically important cis-decalin scaffolds. Enabled by a well-modified chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand/Cu^II complex, a wide range of polysubstituted cis-decalin scaffolds with up to six contiguous stereocenters were generated efficiently. The synthetic potential of this method is demonstrated by the concise synthesis of the sesquiterpene (+)-occidentalol and a key intermediate for seven triterpenes. Mechanistic studies suggest the 1,3-cyclohexadienes formed in situ are the key intermediates, and efficient kinetic resolution occurs when C2- and/or C3-substituted 1,4-cyclohexadienes are utilized as substrates. DFT calculations elucidated that the Diels–Alder reaction proceeds in a stepwise fashion and revealed the origins of the stereoselectivities.     

The Metal-Ammonia Reduction of 1-Naphthoic Acid

The reduction of aromatic compounds with alkali metals in liquid anhydrous ammonia (Birch Reduction and its modifications) has developed as an effective method for the synthesis of 1,4-cyclohexadiene derivatives, and has been the subject of several reviews.^1,2 In many cases, particularly with polynuclear compounds,² the reaction is complicated by subsequent isomerizations, and/or the reduction of initial products which are often themselves subject to reduction under the reaction conditions. Recently, we have shown that inverse quenching techniques can provide a substantial improvement in this reduction reaction by minimizing the effect of excess metal during the quenching process.³ Application of these methods to 1-naphthoic acid 1 have not only provided an excellent synthesis of 1,4-dihydro-1-naphthoic acid, but we believe will furnish a much improved general technique f o r the reduction of polynuclear aromatic carboxylic acids.     

2-Isopropylbenzimidazole and 2-methylbenzimidazole as bulky proton sources: Stereoselective protonation and application to the synthesis of γ- and δ-lactones

2-Isopropylbenzimidazole and 2-methylbenzimidazole have been found to be effective bulky proton sources for stereoselective protonation of chiral enolate anions. 2-Isopropylbenzimidazole worked in the stereoselective protonation of the Birch reduction of chiral α,β-unsaturated imides. On the other hand, 2-methylbenzimidazole was found to be the best protonation reagent in the isomerization reaction of α,β-unsaturated imide into β,γ-unsaturated imide. The Birch reduction using 2-isopropylbenzimidazole realized a concise and stereoselective synthesis of δ-lactone 14, a sex pheromone of Macrocentrus grandii, while the isomerization reaction using 2-methylbenzimidazole was employed in the highly stereoselective synthesis of the γ-lactone intermediate in the synthesis of depsipeptide antibiotics. These bulky proton sources would be powerful tools to achieve a concise synthesis of natural products.     

Synthesis of (+/-)-secosyrin 1 and a formal synthesis of (-)-secosyrin 1

[reaction: see text] A short synthesis of (+/-)-secosyrin 1 is presented that starts from an electron-deficient furan; reductive alkylation under Birch conditions gives rapid access to the natural product skeleton. Two aspects of stereoselectivity are explored, the first being directed dihydroxylation of a homoallylic alcohol. Second, the facial selectivity obtained during reduction of a highly substituted cyclic ketone was examined. Finally, our synthesis was rendered enantioselective by the reduction of a furan bearing a chiral auxiliary.     

The design of cone-fixed calix[4]arene analogs by takingsyn-[2.n]metacyclophanes as a building block

Rigidified calix[4]arene analogs were synthesized fromsyn-[2.n]metacyclophanes as a building block. Their structure was firmly locked in the cone conformation. An enlarged calix[4]arene analog was obtained after the cyclobutane ring cleavage of the parent analog by Birch reduction. Several ionophores have been derived from the analogs and been found to select the larger ions during the extraction of alkali metals, transition metals, and lanthanoids. The ionophore having oligoethylene glycol units showed an effective catalytic activity for S_N2 reactions such as ester synthesis, Williamson ether synthesis, and Finkelstein reaction in several media.This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

Total Syntheses of Polyhydroxylated Steroids by an Unsaturation-Functionalization Strategy

Highly oxygenated cardiotonic steroids, such as ouabain, possess a wide spectrum of biological functions and remain significant synthetic challenges. Herein, we have applied an unsaturation-functionalization strategy and developed a synthetic method in addressing the C19-hydroxylation issue for efficient synthesis of polyhydroxylated steroids. An effective asymmetric dearomative cyclization allowed the construction of the C19-hydroxy unsaturated steroidal skeleton in only four steps from the Hajos-Parrish ketone ketal 7 . The synthetic sequence featured C3−OH-directed hydrogenation/epoxidation, m-CPBA-triggered epoxidation/S_N2′ nucleophilic substitution, Birch reduction of an enone, and regioselective LiAlH₄ reduction to furnish the polyhydroxy functionalities on the steroid skeleton with high stereochemical control and efficiency. This approach ultimately enabled the total synthesis of 19-hydroxysarmentogenin and ouabagenin in 18 and 19 steps, respectively, overall. The synthesis of these polyhydroxylated steroids offers synthetic versatility and practicality in the search for new therapeutic agents.     

Selective partial reduction of various heteroaromatic compounds with bridgehead nitrogen via Birch reduction protocol

[reaction: see text] For the first time various heteroaromatic compounds with bridgehead nitrogen, including indolizines, bispyrrolopyrimidines, pyrroloquinolines, pyrroloisoquinolines, and bispyrrolopyrazines, were selectively partially reduced under Birch reduction conditions. It was found that the double bond in the fused heterocycles which possesses the highest LUMO density can be selectively reduced under these conditions. Indolizine 6, containing an ester group at C-6, was reductively alkylated to give dihydroindolizines 8 and 9 possessing a quaternary carbon center in good yield. It was found that ambident substrate 12, under Birch reduction conditions, underwent smooth partial reduction to give 4,5-dihydroquinoline 14 as a sole product with no evidence of reduction of the side chain olefin. It was also shown that electron-rich pyrroloisoquinoline 15, which cannot be reduced via catalytic hydrogenation conditions, was efficiently transformed into its dihydrocounterpart 16 by using the Birch reduction protocol. Finally, it was shown that various fused diazines were smoothly and stereoselectively reduced under Birch reduction conditions to give trans-4,5-disubstituted dihydropyrimidines 30 and 32 in virtually quantitative yields.     

溴化镁催化的1,2,3,4-四氢吡啶酮无溶剂合成研究

An efficient and environmentally friendly procedure for the one-pot synthesis of tetrahydropyrimidinones from aldehydes, β-diketones and urea/thiourea by using magnesium bromide as an inexpensive and easily available catalyst under solvent-free conditions was described. Compared with the classical Biginelli reaction conditions, this new method has the advantage of good to excellent yields (74%-94%) and short reaction time (45-90 min). The structure of the Biginelli reaction product from β-diketone, salicylaldehyde and urea has been proposed to possess an oxygen-bridge by cyclization (intramolecular Michael-addition).     

(±)‐2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones by a tandem reduction–Michael addition reaction

An efficient synthesis of (±)‐2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1H)‐quinolinones has been developed from chalcones prepared from 2′‐nitroacetophenone and a series of substituted benzaldehydes. The cyclization sequence is initiated by reduction of the nitro group under dissolving metal conditions using iron powder in concentrated hydrochloric acid. Milder conditions, using acetic acid or acetic acid–phosphoric acid as the reaction medium, were less satisfactory. Procedural details as well as a mechanistic discussion and reaction optimization studies are presented. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Construction of Chiral Tetrahydro‐β‐Carbolines: Asymmetric Pictet–Spengler Reaction of Indolyl Dihydropyridines

A highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines was developed by using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reaction of indolyl dihydropyridines. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions to afford the desired chiral tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines in good to excellent yields (up to 96 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee ). With this method, a formal synthesis of tangutorine and a total synthesis of deplancheine were achieved in a highly efficient manner.     

Construction of Chiral Tetrahydro-β-Carbolines: Asymmetric Pictet–Spengler Reaction of Indolyl Dihydropyridines

A highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched tetrahydro-β-carbolines was developed by using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reaction of indolyl dihydropyridines. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions to afford the desired chiral tetrahydro-β-carbolines in good to excellent yields (up to 96 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). With this method, a formal synthesis of tangutorine and a total synthesis of deplancheine were achieved in a highly efficient manner.     

Cu-catalyzed one-pot multicomponent approach for the synthesis of symmetric and asymmetric 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives

Abstract

Synthesis of various symmetric and asymmetric 1,4-DHP linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives from economical and readily available starting materials via a convenient methodology in a single-pot method using CuSO₄·5H₂O as an efficient catalyst has been reported. The reaction proceeded efficiently under the optimized reaction conditions with excellent functional group compatibility providing the desired products in good yields. The method appears to be an efficient combinatorial strategy for the synthesis of new 1,4-DHP linked triazole derivatives.     

Regioselective Arene Functionalization: Simple Substitution of Carboxylate by Alkyl Groups

Arenes with various alkyl side‐chains were synthesized in high yields and excellent regioselectivities. Starting from toluic and naphthoic acids, the carboxylate group was conveniently substituted by alkyl halides by Birch reduction and subsequent decarbonylation. The method is characterized by inexpensive starting materials and reagents, and methylation of arenes was realized. Besides simple alkyl substituents, the scope of arene functionalization was extended by benzyl, fluoro, amino, and ester groups. We were able to control the alkylation of 1‐naphthoic acid during Birch reduction by the addition of tert‐butanol. This allowed the regioselective synthesis of mono and bis‐substituted naphthalenes from the same starting material.     

Efficient Protocol for Stereoselective Epoxidation of Cinnamic Esters Using TsNBr2

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of epoxide from cinnamic esters without any catalyst. The reaction was performed in CH₃CN–water (4:1) using N,N-dibromo-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNBr₂) in alkaline conditions. This procedure can be utilized for stereoselective synthesis of epoxides from cinnamic esters in excellent yield in a shorter reaction time with exclusive formation of the trans-isomer. The method was further extended successfully for styrenes.     

Me3SiCl and Et3SiI‐promoted one‐pot synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridine derivatives

An efficient synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridine derivatives has been achieved by the one‐pot cyclocondensation reaction of methyl 3‐aminocrotonate and a range of aldehydes in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane as a promoter under solvent‐free conditions. The cyclocondenstion reaction requires a very short time and takes place in good to excellent yields. Furthermore iodotriethylsilane, generated in situ by the reaction of triethylsilane and methyl iodide in the presence of palladium chloride, has been investigated for the synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridine derivatives. This facile and efficient method affords high yields for the preparation of 1,4‐dihydropyridines at room temperature and short reaction times. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A fluorous-assisted synthesis of oligosaccharides using a phenyl ether linker as a safety-catch linker

We report on the fluorous-assisted synthesis of oligosaccharides using a phenyl ether linker. The phenyl ether linker is stable under both acidic and basic conditions but can be cleaved under mildly acidic conditions after reduction to a vinyl ether. The utility of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of a trisaccharide. A protected trisaccharide with a light-fluorous tag was directly prepared by one-pot glycosylation using three building blocks that contained a building block with a light-fluorous tag though a phenyl ether. A Birch reduction of the trisaccharide provided a fully deprotected trisaccharide with the fluorous tag attached through a vinyl ether, which was easily purified by solid-phase extraction. The tag was cleaved from the sugar portion by treatment with 3% TFA in MeOH.     

Selective Synthesis of Z‐Cinnamyl Ethers and Cinnamyl Alcohols through Visible Light‐Promoted Photocatalytic E to Z Isomerization

A photocatalytic E to Z isomerization of alkenes using an iridium photosensitizer under mild reaction conditions is disclosed. This method provides scalable and efficient access to Z‐cinnamyl ether and allylic alcohol derivatives in high yields with excellent stereoselectivity. Importantly, this method also provides a powerful strategy for the selective synthesis of Z‐magnolol and honokiol derivatives possessing potential biological activity.