Convenient synthesis of t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis

Reactions of mixtures of t-butyl E- and Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-h with 50% aq. sodium hydroxide and a catalyst, benzyltriethylammonium chloride, TEBAC in dichloromethane (phase-transfer catalysis, PTC) led to preferential hydrolysis of the E-isomers to afford pure (90-98%) t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-i in good yields; PTC cleavage of glycidates additionally substituted at C-2, 1g or C-3, 1h,i suggests that an aryl group in the Z isomers hampers attack of HO⁻ on the carbonyl carbon atom. As described in the literature, the diastereoselective PTC synthesis of Z-3-substituted glycidates and glycidonitriles consists of fast hydrolysis of E isomers present in mixtures with Z ones.     

Palladium-catalyzed epimerization of γ-alkenyl-γ-butyrolactone derivatives

γ-Alkenyl-α,β,γ-trisubstituted-γ-butyrolactones (12-16) and γ-alkenyl-furofurandione derivatives (21-Z-24-Z; 21-E-24-E; 25-Z-28-Z; and 25-E-28-E) were successfully epimerized in high yield by a palladium catalyst.     

A New Alkylation-Elimination Method for Synthesis of Antiviral Fluoromethylenecyclopropane Analogues of Nucleosides

A new method for the synthesis of fluoromethylenecyclopropane nucleosides by alkylation-elimination procedure is described. Fluorination of methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 6 gave fluoroester 7. Treatment of 7 with phenylselenenyl bromide afforded the desired ethyl (E)-2-bromomethyl-1-fluoro-2-phenylselenenylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate 11 in 85% yield. DIBALH reduction of 11 gave 13, which after acetylation to 14 was reacted with 2-amino-6-chloropurine to give the 9-alkylated product 15 in 87% yield. Se-oxidation of 15 with hydrogen peroxide afforded 16, which underwent smooth elimination in a mixture of THF-DMF at 60 °C giving rise to a Z,E mixture of protected nucleosides 17. Deacetylation gave Z-1a and E-1a which were separated on a silica gel column. Both Z-1a and E-1a were converted into the respective guanine analogues Z-1b and E-1b.     

π-Extended conjugate phenylacetylenes. Synthesis of 4-[(E) and (Z)-2-(4-ethenylphenyl)ethenyl]pyridine. Dimerization, quaternation and formation of charge-transfer complexes

The conjugate (E)- and (Z)-(4′-pyridylethenyl)-4-phenylethyne (E-4 and Z-4) has been satisfactorily prepared by two different routes: (a) by dehydrohalogenation of 4′-pyridylethenyl-4-phenyl-β-chloroethene; (b) by the Wittig reaction between p-(iodobenzyl)(triphenyl)phosphine ylide and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, E/Z isomer separation, and cross-coupling with 2-methyl-but-3-yn-2-ol followed the propanone elimination. The Glaser oxidative dimerization of (Z)-4 yields (Z,Z)-1,4-di[(4′-pyridylethenyl)-4-phenyl]-buta-1,3-diyne in good yield, (Z,Z)-5. (E,E)-5 was obtained by phase transfer oxidative dimerisation of (E)-4 in presence of their N-methyl salt (E)-10. Mono- and di-N-methylated salts of conjugate (E,E)-5 and (Z,Z)-5, were obtained by quaternation with iodomethane. The (Z,Z)-5 di-N-methylated salt forms charge-transfer complexes with TCNE, TCNQ and TMPD.     

Novel antifungal polyene amides from the myxobacterium Cystobacter fuscus: isolation, antifungal activity and absolute structure determination

Three new unstable metabolites, (6E,10Z)-2′-O-methylmyxalamide D (1), 2′-O-methylmyxalamide D (2) and (6E)-2′-O-methylmyxalamide D (3) were isolated from the myxobacterium Cystobacter fuscus. The planar structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses to be geometrical isomers of a polyene amide related to a myxobacterial metabolite, myxalamide D (4). Their absolute stereochemistry was determined by synthesis of degradation products. Antifungal activities of 1-3 as well as their acetates were evaluated against the phythopathogenic fungus Phythopthora capsici.     

Highly fluorinated C18 fatty acids: synthesis and interfacial properties

A fluorinated oleic acid 1-Z containing a perfluorooctyl group and its analogues (E-isomer 1-E, alkyne type 2 and saturated type 3) were synthesized in good yields. In these syntheses, it was found that a key compound 5 could be converted to each of 1-Z, 1-E and 2. Furthermore, equilibrium spreading pressures of their monolayers at the air-water interface were measured in order to demonstrate how the degree of unsaturation in the hydrophobic chain, the geometric isomerization, and the presence of F-atoms influence the monolayer stability. Irrespective of the structural alteration in the hydrophobic chains, the fluorinated fatty acids formed more stable monolayers with high spreading pressures as compared to their hydrocarbon counterparts.     

Efficient and regioselective chromium(0)-catalyzed reaction of 2-substituted furans with diazo compounds: stereoselective synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters

Pentacarbonyl(η²-cis-cyclooctene)chromium(0) (1) catalyzes efficiently reactions of diazo compounds with electron-rich furans. The reaction of 2-methoxyfuran (2) with alkyl α-diazoarylacetate (3a-g) furnishes the (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g) in excellent yields. These reactions are highly regioselective. The cyclopropanation intermediates formed from 1 and diazo compounds 3a-g always arise from a carbene addition to the less substituted CC bond of 2. The resulting cyclopropanation product undergoes a ring opening reaction to form the corresponding (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g). The pentacarbonylchromium(0)-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkylfuran (5a-b) with ethyl α-diazophenylacetate (3a) and 9-diazo-9H-fluorene (3h) produce the 1(E),3(E)-butadienes (6a-d) in very good yields.     

Short-step syntheses and complexation properties of Z,Z-tribenzodidehydro- and all-Z-tribenzo[12]annulenes

Syntheses of all-Z-tribenzo[12]annulenes (1a-c) and Z,Z-tribenzodidehydro[12]annulenes (2a-c) by the reduction of the corresponding tribenzohexadehydro[12]annulenes 3a-c were carried out using a low valent titanium complex generated from Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ and i-PrMgCl. The unique structure of the first reduction products 2a-c as well as 1a-c was fully characterized. Complexation of these annulenes with silver(I) ions produces the corresponding silver complexes. Among them, the silver complexes of 2a-c exhibit interesting monomer-dimer equilibrium.     

A thorough study on the reaction of DMAD with 1-arylaminoimidazole-2-thiones. Expeditious synthesis of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazoles through a novel arylamino rearrangement

Upon reaction of 1-arylamino-imidazole-2-thiones 1 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in the presence of 2.2 equiv of sodium hydride, imidazothiazoles 4 were exclusively formed (71-82% yield). However, from the reaction of 1 with DMAD in the absence of base, only the S-substituted products 5 were formed as an E/Z mixture (53-55%), which could also be converted to 4 with 2.0 equiv of sodium hydride (65-68%). Furthermore, 5a-E/Z was converted to arylamino-substituted derivatives 8a upon reaction with 1.1 equiv of sodium hydride in 78% yield. Formation of 8a (75% yield) was also possible by reaction of thione 1a with DMAD in the presence of sodium methoxide in methanol. Substitution on the imidazole 3-NH of thione 1a leading to 6a-Z was observed either by heating 1a with DMAD (91%) or by heating the 5a-E/Z mixture in benzene (90% yield). Finally, when 5a-E reacted with acetic anhydride the acetylated derivative 7a-Z was the only isolated product (58%). Full assignment of all ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts has been unambiguously achieved.     

1-Iodo-1-selenoalkenes as versatile alkene 1,1-dianion equivalents. Novel connective approach towards the tetrahydropyran subunit of polycavernoside A

syn-Hydroalumination of 2,4,6-triisopropylphenylselanyl-1-alkynes with DIBAL-H followed by Al/I exchange with I₂ afforded exclusively (E)-1-iodo-1-selenoalkenes in good yields. 1-Iodo-1-selenopropene 10 proved to be a convenient 1,1 dianion equivalent, leading to the stereodivergent synthesis of allylsilanes (Z)-6 and (E)-6. Adduct 3, an intermediate in the synthesis of the tetrahydropyran subunit of polycavernoside A, was efficiently synthesised from allylsilane (Z)-6 and aldehyde 7 via an intramolecular Sakurai cyclisation.     

Alternative synthesis of cystothiazole A

Palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of (−)-(2R,3S)-1-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-3-methyl-2-methoxypenta-4-yne 9 derived from (2R,3S)-epoxy butanoate 5 gave the acetylenic ester 10, which was treated with MeOH in the presence of Bu₃P to afford selectively (Z)-β-methoxy acrylate congener 11 in 86% yield. Treatment of (Z)-11 with 99.8% enrichment of CDCl₃ followed by consecutive desilylation and oxidation afforded the left-half aldehyde (+)-2. The overall yield (10 steps from 5; 23%) of (+)-2 via the present route was improved in comparison to that (10 steps from 5; 10%) of the previously reported route. By applying the modified Julia's coupling method, selectivity (E/Z=14:1) of the (E)-form (cystothiazole A 1) against the (Z)-form was improved in comparison to the Wittig method (E/Z=4:1 to 6.9:1).     

Facile access to stereodefined dienoates and cyclopropylenoates containing a trifluoromethyl group

Ethyl (2E,4E)-3-trifluoromethyl-2,4-dienoates 1a-e and ethyl (E)-3-trans-alkylcyclopropyl-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-butenoates 2a-e were prepared from the trans-alkenylboronic acids 3a-e and the trans-cyclopropylboronic acids 4a-e with ethyl (Z)-3-iodo-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-butenoate (5) by the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction in high yields (88-95%). The configurations of both 3a-e or 4a-e and 5 were retained in the reaction.     

Convenient synthesis of 3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran-2(5H)-one from benzoin ethers : Novel and efficient Z-E isomerisation and cyclisation of 2-fluoroalkenoate precursors, substitution of vinylic fluorine

Mixtures of ethyl (E)- and (Z)-4-alkoxy-2-fluoro-3,4-diphenylbut-2-enoates (6-8) prepared from benzoin ethers and ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-2-fluoroacetate were transformed in high yields to the target 3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran-2(5H)-one (14) using bromine in tetrachloromethane at room temperature. The non-cyclisable Z-isomers 6b-8b were gradually isomerised to the cyclisable E-isomers 6a-8a during the process. The reaction of the (E)-butenoates 6a-8a with boron trifluoride led to furanone 14, while in Z-isomers 6b-8b both alkoxy group and vinylic fluorine were substituted with bromine during the reaction. Mechanisms for both complex reactions have been proposed. Furanone 14 was transformed to 2-[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyloxy]-3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran (18) as a novel building block.     

Different recognitions of (E)- and (Z)-1,1′-binaphthyl ketoximes using lipase-catalyzed reactions

Lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of (E)-2-[α-(acetoxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(±)-1a] and (Z)-2-[α-(acetoxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(±)-1b] yielded optically active (E)-2-[α-(hydroxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(S)-2a] and (Z)-2-[α-(hydroxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(R)-2b], respectively, with high enantiomeric excess. Selectivity for the opposite enantiomer of the axial binaphthyl skeleton was shown by (Z)-isomer 1b against (E)-isomer 1a.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-methylenepyrrolizidines by tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals

Tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals, generated by N-chlorination of (E)-alk-4-enylamines 2a-d and 2f followed by treatment with tributyltin radical, afforded 2-methylenepyrrolizidines 3a-d and 3f in a highly stereoselective manner. A similar radical cyclization of (Z)-N-propargyl-1-methyl-5-phenylpent-4-enylamine (2e) gave pyrrolizidine 3b having the same stereochemistry as that obtained from the E isomer 2b.     

A non-catalytic regioselective approach to the synthesis of (E)-stilbenes from suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones

Highly functionalized (E)-stilbenes 3a-m and 4-aryl-6-styryl-pyran-2-ylidineacetonitriles 4a-b have been prepared and delineated through the ring transformation of 6-aryl-3,4-disubstituted-2H-pyran-2-ones 1 with commercially available (E/Z)-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one 2 without the use of any catalyst.     

(2-Formyl-1-phenylcyclopropyl)phosphonates as building blocks for (2-aminomethyl-cyclopropyl)phosphonates

A diastereomeric mixture of dimethyl (2-formyl-2-methyl-1-phenylcyclopropyl)phosphonate ((Z)-6, (E)-6) was obtained by thermally induced cyclopropanation of α-methylacrolein with α-diazobenzylphosphonate 5. Application of proline or proline-derived organocatalysts accelerated the reaction, but had a minor effect on the Z/E ratio of 6. By reaction with benzylamine or methyl esters of glycine, (S)-alanine, and (S)-phenylalanine, the Z/E-mixture of 6 was converted into cyclopropylaldimines, which after reduction gave the corresponding N-substituted (2-aminomethyl-cyclopropyl)phosphonates.     

Base-catalyzed stereoselective intermolecular addition of imidazoles onto alkynes: an easy access to imidazolyl enamines

An efficient transition metal-free approach for the regio- and stereoselective addition of imidazoles 1a–f onto alkynes 2a–l to provide the Z- and E isomers of imidazolyl enamines 3a–q and 4a–d using catalytic amount of KOH is described. Stereoselectivity of the addition products (Z and E isomer) was found to be dependent upon time. Competitive experiments show that imidazole is less reactive than pyrrole and more reactive than aniline towards hydroamination.     

Rearrangements of tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoxazole-2,3-dicarboxylates to pyrrolo[1,2-e]imidazol-6-ols, precursors of 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole derivatives

Isoxazolines 2 from the cycloaddition of imidazoline 3-oxides 1 with DMAD rearrange in the presence of methoxide to give cis-3-methoxy-7-(methoxycarbonyl)-2,7a-diaryl-5-oxo-2,3,5,7a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-e]imidazol-6-olates 3 with 100% de. The acidic hydrolysis of 3 led to kinetically controlled formation of methyl 1-formyl-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2-phenyl-2-((arylamino)methyl)-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates 6a-e. The intramolecular transformylations of the latter to the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-methyl 4-hydroxy-2-((N-(aryl)formamido)methyl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates 7a-e were shown to be substituent dependent (correlate with σ) and characterized by Hammett type equations. The effect of temperature was investigated and the ρ constants determined for the same reaction series at 50, 60 and 70 °C. The amide diastereomeric ratio [(E)-7]/[(Z)-7] is substituent dependent and can be described by the equation log[(E)]/[(Z)]_x=−ρσ_I+log[(E)]/[(Z)]_x=H.