Total synthesis of lycopene-5,6-diol and γ-carotene-5′,6′-diol stereoisomers and their HPLC separation

Lycopene-5,6-diol stereoisomers (1a,b) and (2a,b) and γ-carotene-5′,6′-diol stereoisomers (3a,b) and (4a,b) were synthesized by a stepwise C₁₅ + C₁₀ + C₁₅ double Wittig reaction strategy. The key compounds erythro(anti)-C₁₅-dihydroxy aldehydes 17a,b and their threo(syn)-stereoisomers 23a,b were prepared via Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of geraniol and nerol followed by acidic hydrolysis of the epoxides in a stereospecific manner. The enantiomerically enriched anti-isomers were obtained by way of recrystallization of 2,3-epoxygeranyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoates 9a,b, whereas syn-isomers were obtained as enantiomerically pure forms via recrystallization of dihydroxyneryl 3,5-dinitrobenzoates 21a,b. In order to determine the absolute stereochemistry of natural products, HPLC separation methods for each enantiomers 1a,b–4a,b were established by using a column carrying a chiral stationary phase.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 245: Synthesis and chromatographic analysis of the four stereoisomers of 4,8-dimethyldecanal, the male aggregation pheromone of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

All four stereoisomers of 4,8-dimethyldecanal (1) were synthesized from the enantiomers of 2-methyl-1-butanol and citronellal. Enantioselective GC analysis enabled separation of (4R,8R)-1 and (4R,8S)-1 from a mixture of (4S,8R)-1 and (4S,8S)-1, when octakis-(2,3-di-O-methoxymethyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-γ-cyclodextrin was employed as a chiral stationary phase. Complete separation of the four stereoisomers of 1 on reversed-phase HPLC at −54 °C was achieved after oxidation of 1 to the corresponding carboxylic acid 12 followed by its derivatization with (1R,2R)-2-(2,3-anthracenedicarboximido)cyclohexanol, and the natural 1 was found to be a mixture of all the four stereoisomers.     

Synthesis of novel β-amino alcohols and their application in the catalytic asymmetric sulfoxidation of sulfides

Novel chiral norephedrine-based β-amino alcohol ligands containing a thiophene ring were prepared from norephedrine and substituted furan carbaldehydes (methyl- or ethyl-substituted) and used in combination with VO(acac)₂ for the asymmetric oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. Amino alcohol derived Schiff bases 4,5a–b gave higher enantiomeric excesses than amino alcohol-derived reduced Schiff based ligands 6,7a–b. Of these chiral ligands, (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b gave high yields (90%) with moderate to high enantioselectivities (78%, 96% ee, respectively). The oxidation of other aryl methyl sulfides with (1S,2R)-5b and (1S,2R)-7b as ligands afforded the corresponding sulfoxides in 60–89% yields and with 92–99% ee.     

On the mechanism and diastereoselectivity of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran formation from sulfinylbenzoquinones and 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran

A mechanistic study of the reactions between 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran 1 and (SS)-2-(arylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinones 2a and 2b, giving rise to the diastereoselective formation of [3aS,8bS,SS]-3a,8b-dihydro-7-hydroxy-8-(arylsulfinyl)furo[3,2-b]benzofuran-2(3H)-ones 3a and 3b, is reported. The detection and ¹H NMR characterization of several precursors of 3a and 3b accounts for a Michael-type initial reaction which dictates the final diastereoselection of the process. A significant improvement of the stereoselectivity (up to 96% de) in the formation of the tert-butylsulfinyl substituted derivative 3c was achieved by using 2-(tert-butylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone 2c as the starting quinone.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new chiral diols based on the dicyclopentadiene skeleton

The resolution by Lipase PS of rac-5 (from reduction of ketone 6, obtained from dicyclopentadiene with a new environment-friendly synthesis) gives (2S)-5, which was further reduced to the endo(2R)-1a alcohol. The endo(2S)-1b alcohol was obtained from camphor with a multistep synthesis. Pinacol couplings of 3a,b, carried out with Mg/Hg or Corey's general procedure respectively, afforded with high diastereoselectivity the C₂ symmetry diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b, with endo oriented OH functions. The enantiogenic power of the endo alcohol (2R)-1a and (2S)-1b and of the diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b was tested towards the LiAlH₄ reduction of acetophenone. The C₂ symmetry appears to play a fundamental role.     

Novel enantiopure non-C2-symmetric NCN-pincer palladium complexes with l-proline chiral auxiliaries: mer η3-N,C,N versus square planar η4-N,C,N,O coordination

New chiral NCN-pincer palladium complexes containing proline ester moieties as chiral auxiliaries have been synthesized. The parent ligands 2,6-bis{[(S)-2-(methoxycarbonyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]methyl}-1-bromobenzene L^Me and 2,6-bis{[(S)-2-(benzoxycarbonyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]methyl}-1-bromobenzene L^Bn were prepared in a single synthetic step and were obtained enantiomerically pure. Neutral arylpalladium bromide complexes 1a and 1b, formed upon treatment of the respective ligands L^Me and L^Bn with [Pd₂(dba)₃]·CHCl₃, were isolated as mixtures of three stereoisomers (S_NS_NS_CS_C, R_NS_NS_CS_C and R_NR_NS_CS_C). The ratio of stereoisomers is approximately 1:1:0.6 in the case of methyl ester derivative 1a, whereas the bulkier benzyl ester derivative 1b predominantly forms the (S_NS_NS_CS_C)-stereoisomer. Upon abstraction of the bromide ion from unresolved mixtures of 1a and 1b, cationic complexes 2 and 3, respectively, form as single diastereoisomers in which one of the ester prolinate carbonyl groups is coordinated to palladium according to X-ray crystal structure determination. This coordination of a carbonyl group to the metal has a substantial influence on the stereochemistry and results in the formation of a single diastereoisomer, having the (R_NR_NS_CS_C)-configuration, regardless of the stereochemistry or ratio of stereoisomers of the starting bromide compound. The structures of compounds 2 and 3 were somewhat unexpected since formation of the corresponding cationic [Pd(NCN)(OH₂)]⁺ complexes was anticipated. In preliminary tests of these cationic complexes as catalysts in the enantioselective aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with methyl isocyanoacetate, modest selectivities were observed.     

Studies on the diastereoselective allylation of aldehydes with enantiopure 2-sulfinylallyl building blocks

A comparative study on the allylation of aldehydes with enantiopure (S_S)-2-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-prop-2-en-1-ol (S_S)-1a and the corresponding chloride (S_S)-1b under two different reaction systems is reported. In general, better yields were obtained from chloride (S_S)-1b, whereas higher diastereoinduction was observed from alcohol (S_S)-1a. The sense of diastereoinduction is the same in both systems and the stereochemistry of the major diastereomer has been determined. Moreover, the configurational stability of the sulfoxide group on the resulting sulfinyl homoallylic alcohols 3 has been proven in each reaction system, which demonstrates the efficiency of the sulfoxide group as chiral auxiliary in these allylation processes. Finally, as an example of the synthetic potential of the resulting adducts, a total synthesis of natural enantioenriched (S)-nicotine from sulfinylalcohol 3h is reported.     

Efficient synthesis of (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-enantiomers of 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG)

An efficient synthesis of the (S)-(−)- and (R)-(+)-enantiomers of 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG) is reported. The synthesis involves preparative HPLC separation and subsequent hydrogenolysis of two diastereoisomers 10a and 10b of fully protected 15-DSG penultimates. Alternatively, diastereomerically pure amide 10b (97% de) was also prepared from acid 8b (97% de), which was obtained via crystallization of a 1:1 diastereomeric mixture of 8a and 8b.     

Preparation of enantiomerically pure (1S,2S)-1-aminocyclopropanephosphonic acid from methylcyclopropanone acetal via spirophosphonate intermediates

An easy and efficient one-pot reaction from readily available methylcyclopropanone acetal (2S)-4b gave the spirophosphonates 8a–b with excellent diastereoselectivity. These phosphonates, after catalytic hydrogenolysis and hydrolysis, furnished the enantiomerically pure (1S,2S)-1-amino-2-methylcyclopropanephosphonic acid 3b (analogue of (1R,2S)-allo-norcoronamic acid).     

Reactions of β-substituted amines-IV: Kinetics and stereochemistry of the thermal to (r) 3-chloro-1-ethylpiperidine,and the stereo-chemical course of their reactions with nucleophiles

The rate of the thermal rearrangement of (S) 2 chloromethyl-1-ethylpyrrolidine [(S)-1a] to (R)-3-chloro-1-ethylpiperidine [(R) 2a] has been examined at three temperatures in benzene by PMR and polarimetry. The rearrangement was shown to be completely stereospecific and to obey a simple first order rate law. The calculated E_a ΔH3 and ΔS3 were 22 ± 2 $\text{kcal}\text{mole}$ (25°), 21 ± 2.5 $\text{kcal}\text{mole}$ (25°) and - 10 ± 2 e.u. (0°K) respectively. The effect of solvents having differing dielectric constants was also studied. A transition state 9'a and an ion pair intermediate 3a are suggested for the rearrangement. The stereochemical course of the reactions of (S)-1a, (R)-2a and (S)-2a with hydroxide and methoxide ions have been shown to be 100% stereospecific with an uncertainty of about 1%. The absolute configurations of all optically active reactants and products [(S)- and (R)-4a, (S)-4b (R)- and (S)-5a, (R)-5b, (S,S')-6a, (S,R')-7a and (R,R')-8a] were established by chemical correlations with known compounds or by ORD and chemical inference. The ring opening of both the primary and secondary aziridinium ion positions of 1-azonia-1-ethylbicyclo [3.1.0]hexane [(S)-3a] by nucleophiles proceeds entirely by S_N2 processes. The conversion of (R)-1-ethyl-3-hydroxypiperidine [(R)-5a] to (S)-2a. HCl with thionyl chloride in chloroform proceeds by inversion with 4.8% racemization, whereas the thermal rearrangement of (S)-1a to (R)-2a occurs with complete retention of absolute configuration.     

Masked constrained cysteines: diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of 1-amino-2-mercaptocyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives

A diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of (Z)-1-benzoylamino-2-tritylsulfanylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives 8a,b and 9a,b was achieved starting from (−)- or (+)-menthyl 2-benzoylamino-3-tritylsulfanylacrylates 3a,b. Compounds 3 were reacted with diazomethane giving the corresponding pyrazolines 4a,b and 5a,b. These compounds, on melting, were transformed, under steric control, into the cyclopropaneamino acid derivatives (R,R)-8a,b and (S,S)-9a,b. The synthesis of a large class of chiral 2-S-alkyl-1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives is possible after removing the trityl protecting group and subsequent alkylation reactions.     

Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key step in the enantioselective synthesis of spirocyclic σ1 receptor ligands

The enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated spirocyclic σ₁ ligands involved three key steps: (1) the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 2-bromostyrene 5 provided enantiomerically pure diols (R)-6 and (S)-6 establishing the stereogenic center; (2) the intramolecular opening of the oxirane ring of (R)-11 and (S)-11, which occurred with excellent regioselectivity and complete inversion of configuration giving access to enantiomerically pure alcohols (S)-7a and (R)-7a; (3) the treatment of alcohols (S)-7b and (R)-7b with DAST, which led to the fluoromethyl derivatives (S)-1 and (R)-1 without racemization. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the tosylate (R)-13 confirmed the absolute configuration of the spirocyclic compounds as well as the enantioselectivity during the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of 5. The (S)-configured fluoromethyl derivative (S)-1 revealed a high σ₁ affinity (K_i = 1.8 nM), high eudismic ratio (factor 8) and high selectivity over the σ₂ subtype (667-fold).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of all of the four possible stereoisomers of erythro-3,7-dimethyl-pentadec-2-yl acetate and propionate,the sex pheromone of the pine sawflies

All of the four possible stereoisomers of 2,3-erythro-3,7-dimethylpentadecan-2-ol 1 were synthesized by a stereospecific S_N2 oxirane cleavage of (2S,3S)-2,3-epoxybutane or its antipode with lithium di[(R)- or (S)-4-methyldodecyl]cuprate. Their acetates or propionates were prepared to test their pheromone activity.     

Univocal syntheses of 2- and 3-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine enantiomers

The enantiomers of 2- and 3-hydroxymethyl substituted 2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine 1 and 2, important chiral building blocks for the preparation of several biologically active compounds, were synthesized. (S)- and (R)-1 were obtained from either one or both the enantiomers of benzylglycerol, while (S)- and (R)-2 were obtained from (R)- and (S)-isopropylideneglycerol, respectively. The novel efficient synthetic strategies, which do not follow routes already reported for the corresponding racemates, ensure very high regioselectivity and maintenance of the enantiomeric purity of the starting materials. The enantiomeric composition of the title compounds was determined by chiral HPLC or NMR. The key intermediate in the synthesis of non-racemic 1, namely 1-benzyl-2-mesyl-3-tritylglycerol, is a new high melting chiral C₃ synthon, worth considering for its stability, versatility, easy isolation by simple crystallization and, potential of configuration inversion through a simple one-pot reaction sequence.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Synthesis of tricyclic isoindoles and thiazolo[3,2-c][1,3]benzoxazines

The thermolysis of (3R,9bS)-5-oxo-2,3,5,9b-tetrahydrothiazolo[2,3-a]isoindole-3-carboxylic acids in Ac₂O led to novel 3-methylene-2,5-dioxo-3H,9bH-oxazolo[2,3-a]isoindoles and chiral (9bS)-5-oxo-2,3,5,9b-tetrahydrothiazolo[2,3-a]isoindoles were obtained on FVP. Starting from l-cysteine methyl ester (3R,10bR)-5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-10bH-[1.3]thiazolo[3,2-c][1,3]benzoxazines were obtained as single stereoisomers. The thermolysis of (3R,10bR)-5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-10bH-[1.3]thiazolo[3,2-c][1,3]benzoxazine-3-carboxylic acid in Ac₂O gave 5-acetyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrothiazole. The structures of methyl (3R,9bS)-5-oxo-2,3,5,9b-tetrahydrothiazolo[2,3-a]isoindole-3-carboxylate 1a and methyl (2R,4R)-N-chlorocarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylate 9 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthetic access to optically active isoflavans by using allylic substitution

A general approach to the (S)- and (R)-isoflavans was invented, and efficiency of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of (S)-equol ((S)-3), (R)-sativan ((R)-4), and (R)-vestitol ((R)-5). The key step is the allylic substitution of (S)-6a (Ar¹=2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) and (R)-6b (Ar¹=2,4-(BnO)₂C₆H₃) with copper reagents derived from CuBr·Me₂S and Ar²-MgBr (7a, Ar²=4-MeOC₆H₄; 7b, 2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃; 7c, 2-MOMO-4-MeOC₆H₃), furnishing anti S_N2′ products (R)-8a and (S)-8b,c with 93-97% chirality transfer in 60-75% yields. The olefinic part of the products was oxidatively cleaved and the Me and Bn groups on the Ar¹ moieties was then removed. Finally, phenol bromide 9a and phenol alcohols 9b,c underwent cyclization with K₂CO₃ and the Mitsunobu reagent to afford (S)-3 and (R)-4 and -5, respectively.     

Stereoselective and versatile approach for the synthesis of gossyplure and its components

Efficient synthetic routes to gossyplure and its components (1a and 1b) were formulated. The three key units viz the alkynol 3, the bromide 5, and the alkanal 13 were derived from easily accessible starting materials. Alkylation of 3 with 5, and subsequent semihydrogenation followed by oxidation, provided the C₁₁-alkenal 8 which was subjected to a stereocontrolled Wittig reaction with a C₅-phosphonium salt, to yield directly the desired pheromone (1a + 1b). The synthesis of its individual components involved the manipulation via an acetylenic intermediate, viz the alkynol 14 which was obtained through alkylation of 3. A sequence of well-established reactions on 14, then provided the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-alkenylphosphonium salts which upon a (Z)-specific Wittig olefination with the C₇-aldehyde (13), led to the stereoselective synthesis of 1a and 1b.     

Resolution of ortho- and meta-substituted 1-phenylethylamines with isopropylidene glycerol hydrogen phthalate

The hydrogen phthalate of isopropylidene glycerol 1, previously reported as an efficient resolving agent of p-substituted 1-phenylethylamines, was also found to resolve selected o- and m-isomers. In particular, the (S)-enantiomers of 1-(2-methylphenyl)ethylamine 2, 1-(3-methylphenyl)ethylamine 3, 1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethylamine 4 and 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine 5 were obtained in good yields and very high enantiomeric excess (e.e.) by selective crystallization of the respective salts with (S)- or (R)-1. The e.e.s of the resolved substrates were determined by chiral HPLC analysis. The (S)-configuration of (−)-3 was established according to Raban's procedure. Optical rotations of non-racemic free amines 2 and 3 are reported. The success of the resolutions presented and of the precedent ones using 1 indicate that the position of the substituent on the 1-phenylethylamine framework does not affect the resolution, showing the uncommon versatility of 1 in the resolution of monosubstituted 1-phenylethylamines.     

Salen-ligands based on a planar-chiral hydroxyferrocene moiety: Synthesis, coordination chemistry and use in asymmetric silylcyanation

Condensation of the O-protected hydroxyferrocene carbaldehyde (S_p)-1 with suitable diamines, followed by liberation of the hydroxyferrocene moiety leads to a new type of ferrocene-based salen ligands (3). While the use of ethylenediamine in the condensation reaction yields the planar-chiral ethylene-bridged ligand [(S_p,S_p)-3a], reaction with the enantiomers of trans-1,2-cyclohexylendiamine gives rise to the corresponding diastereomeric cyclohexylene-bridged systems [(S,S,S_p,S_p)-3b and (R,R,S_p,S_p)-3c], which feature a combination of a planar-chiral ferrocene unit with a centrochiral diamine backbone. Starting with the ferrocene-aldehyde derivative (R_p)-1, the enantiomeric ligand series (3d/e/f) is accessible via the same synthetic route.The (S_p)-series of these newly developed N₂O₂-type ligands was used for the construction of the corresponding mononuclear bis(isopropoxy)titanium (4a/b/c), methylaluminum (5a/b/c) and chloroaluminum-complexes (6a/b/c), which were isolated in good yields and identified by X-ray diffraction in several cases. The aluminum complexes (5/6) were successfully used in the Lewis-acid catalyzed addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to benzaldehyde, yielding the corresponding cyanohydrins in 45-62% enantiomeric excess.