Total synthesis of (−)-funebrine via Au-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective γ-butyrolactonization of allenylsilane

The stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-funebrine from 2-butyn-1-ol was described. The crucial steps in the synthesis involved the stereoselective enolate Claisen rearrangement of the (S)-α-acyloxy-α-alkynylsilane 8, the Au-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective lactonization of the allenylsilane 7, and the Paal-Knorr pyrrole condensation using an unsymmetrical 1,4-diketone 4b.     

Ester-enolate Claisen rearrangement of proline-containing α-acyloxy-α-vinylsilane. Synthesis of pyrrolidine-fused glutamate analogs

The stereoselective syntheses of pyrrolidine-fused aspartate and glutamate analogs, (S)-α-carboxymethyl-proline 3 and (S)-α-2-carboxyethyl-proline 4, using a chirality-transferring ester-enolate Claisen rearrangement of α-vinyl-α-acyloxysilane having a Boc-Pro as an acyloxy group, are described. The stereochemical outcome of the proline ester-derived ester-enolate Claisen rearrangement is also disclosed.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-α-herbertenol

A stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-α-herbertenol starting from the allyl alcohol 12, readily available in three steps from the monoterpene (R)-limonene, is described. Claisen rearrangement of the aryl allyl ether 10 and concomitant cyclisation furnished a 5:3 mixture of the tricyclic compounds 13 and 14. Degradation of the isopropenyl group followed by cleavage of the central ring and functional group manipulation transformed 13 into (+)-α-herbertenol (1b).     

Solid-state and solution photocycloadditions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones with maleimide

Solid-state photosensitized reactions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones (1b,c) with maleimide (2) afforded endo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (3b,c) with high stereoselectivity. Sensitized photoreactions of 1a-d with 2 in solution gave exo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (4a-d). 2-Pyrones 1a-d were photolyzed to give carboxylic acids (5a-d) via their valence isomerization in the solid state and in solution. Such kinds of photoreaction of the 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones were dramatically different from regio- and stereoselective [2+2] cycloadditions of 4-alkyloxy-2-pyrones. The photoreaction mechanisms of 1 with 2 and 1 itself were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and MO calculations.     

Total synthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, (+)-vittatine and (+)-haemanthamine, starting from d-glucose

The stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-vittatine 1 and (+)-haemanthamine 2 starting from d-glucose is described. The cyclohexene ring in 1 was prepared in an optically active form from d-glucose using Ferrier's carbocyclization reaction, and the critical quaternary carbon was stereoselectively generated via chirality transfer by the Claisen rearrangement of cyclohexenol 6. The hexahydroindole skeleton was effectively constructed by the intramolecular aminomercuration-demercuration of 14, followed by Chugaev reaction to provide 16. Finally, Pictet-Spengler reaction completed the first chiral synthesis of (+)-vittatine 1. On the other hand, the α-hydroxylation of the ester 5 stereoselectively proceeded to give α-hydroxy ester 19, to which was introduced an amino function to provide 4. A similar transformation of 4, as employed in the synthesis of vittatine, furnished (+)-haemanthamine 2.     

Efficient macrocyclization using methylene-tethered terminal dienes and bis(manganese(III)-enolate)s

Macrocyclic compounds, which have two fused dihydrofuran rings, were synthesized with complete control by the oxidation of α,α,ω,ω-tetraaryl-α,(ω-1)-alkadienes 1_x with manganese(III)-oligomethylenebis(enolate) complexes directly formed by the reaction of the oligomethylene bis(3-oxobutanoate)s 2_y with manganese(III) acetate in situ. The oxamethylene-tethered macrodiolides 5 and 7 were also produced in good to moderate yields by a similar oxidation. The key intermediate, an electron donor-acceptor-like complex, was proposed for the efficient macrocyclization reaction.     

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of (+/−)-erythro-methylphenidate

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of racemic erythro-methylphenidate (1) is described. The coupling reaction between piperidine-2-thione (3) and 2-bromo-2-phenylmethylacetate (4) afforded the β-enaminocarbonyl compound 2 in 60% yield by a modified Eschenmoser sulfide contraction reaction. In most cases the bicyclic thiazolidinone 5 was produced. Diastereoselective reduction of 2 in the presence of borohydrydes furnished the (+/−)-erythro-methylphenidate in good yields with dr >95%.     

Two novel α-tocopheroids from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa

Two novel α-tocopheroids, namely α-tocospiros A (1) and B (2), together with α-tocopherol (3) were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods. Under basic conditions, compounds 1 and 2 were obtained from α-tocoquinon-2,3-oxide (6a and 6b) via a highly stereoselective nucleophilic addition reaction. Reaction and biotransformation mechanisms of 1 and 2 are proposed.     

Synthesis of vinylcyclopropanes by allylation/ring-closing metathesis/Claisen rearrangement

A facile double allylation/ring-closing metathesis/Claisen rearrangement route for preparing vinylcyclopropanes 6 is developed. The efficient synthesis includes O-allylation of α-allyl-α-sulfonylketones 8 with allylic bromides, ring-closing metathesis of diallyl compounds 9 and sequential Claisen rearrangement of the resulting oxepines.     

Synthesis of (Z)-α-chloro-α,β-unsaturated esters with complete stereoselectivity promoted by samarium diiodide

Stereoselective β-elimination in α,α-dichloro-β-hydroxyesters 2 was achieved by using samarium diiodide, yielding (Z)-α-chloro-α,β-unsaturated esters 1. The starting compounds 2 were easily prepared by reaction of the lithium enolate of ethyl dichloroacetate with different aldehydes at −78 °C. A mechanism to explain this process is proposed.     

A facile and highly stereoselective synthesis of 1-thiotrehalose

A facile and highly stereoselective synthesis of 1-thiotrehalose, that is, α,α-S-linked trehalose, is described. Glycosylation of configurationally pure α-glucosyl thiol 5 with glucosyl trichloroacetimidate 6 or glucosyl thioimidate 9 followed by deprotection afforded 1-thiotrehalose in excellent α-stereoselectivity and high yield. A different synthetic route to the key building block, α-glucosyl thiol 5, was also investigated in this report.     

The first synthesis of secondary sugar sulfonic acids by nucleophilic displacement reactions

The 4-deoxy-4-C-sulfonic acid and 6-deoxy-6-C-sulfonic acid derivatives of methyl α-d-gluco- and α-d-galactopyranosides were prepared by triflate-mediated nucleophilic displacement reactions, either with NaHSO₃ or with AcSK. The triflate esters of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl- 1, methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranoside 9 and methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside 5 provided methyl 6-deoxy-6-C-sulfo-α-d-glucopyranoside 4, methyl 4-deoxy-4-C-sulfo-α-d-galactopyranoside 12 and α-d-glucopyranoside 8, respectively. The triflate derivative of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside 13 gave methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside 14. Formation of the 3,6-anhydro derivative was prevented by using 3,4-O-isopropylidene acetal protection to obtain methyl 6-deoxy-6-C-sulfo-α-d-galactopyranoside 19. The aim of the research is to replace the sulfate esters by sulfonic acids in the repeating oligosaccharide units of glycosaminoglycans or in different oligosaccharide ligands.     

Synthesis of five and six membered aminocyclitols: stereoselective Michael and Henry reaction approach with d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester

The stereoselective intermolecular Michael addition of nitromethane to d-glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester 7 afforded l-ido-configurated nitroester 8 as the only product that on reduction of the ester functionality, cleavage of 1,2-acetonide and the intramolecular Henry reaction afforded exclusively muco-nitroinositol 9. While reduction of the ester functionality in 8, deprotection of 1,2-acetonide, oxidative cleavage with NaIO₄ and the intramolecular Henry reaction afforded nitrocyclopentitol 13. Nitrocyclitols 9 and 13 were converted to the hydroxyethyl substituted aminocyclohexitol 5 and aminocyclopentitol 6, respectively.     

Synthesis of 3-aminoaspartic acid derivatives from glycine precursors

3-Aminoaspartic acid derivatives 3 have been synthesized via stereoselective alkylation of α-acetyloxyglycine Schiff base 2 with the enolate of glycine anion equivalent 1 as a carbon nucleophile in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂ and BINAP at room temperature. High chemical yields and moderate stereoselectivities were observed. The enantiomeric excess of the dl diastereomer can be increased to 95% after a single recrystallization from isopropanol and hexanes.     

Synthesis of new triazole substituted pyroaminoadipic and pipecolic acid derivatives

Racemic 5-(4,5-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1yl)-pyroaminoadipic and pipecolic acid derivatives were synthesized from meso dimethyl-α,α′-dibromoadipate 1 in good yields using mild reaction conditions. The key step of this reaction sequence was the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an acetylenic compound on α-azido-α′-bromoadipate 2. A reactive α-(substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-α′- bromoadipate derivative 3a-d was generated and reacted with sodium azide followed by Pd/C-catalyzed hydrogenation to provide lactams 5a-d. The chemoselective reduction of the amide carbonyl group of 5a-d with BH₃ followed by acid hydrolysis provided 5-(4,5-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) pipecolic acids in racemic form.     

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of the brassinolide and related compounds’ side chains

A stereoselective synthesis of brassinolide, which involves construction of the side chain by highly stereoselective aldol reaction of 20S-6β-methoxy-3α,5-cyclo-5α-pregnane-20-carboxadehyde 5 with the anion of α-silyloxy ketone 6 is described.     

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of Fmoc-l-cyclopentylglycine via diastereoselective alkylation of glycine enolate equivalent

Stereoselective alkylation of the enolate derived from benzyl (2R,3S)-(−)-6-oxo-2,3-diphenyl-4-morpholinecarboxylate (1) with cyclopentyl iodide afforded anti-α-monosubstituted product, benzyl (2R,3S,5S)-(−)-6-oxo-2,3-diphenyl-5-cyclopentyl-4-morpholinecarboxylate (3) in 60% yield. Catalytic hydrogenolysis over PdCl₂ cleaved the auxiliary ring system to give l-cyclopentylglycine (4) in 84% yield. Subsequent protection of the α-amino function with Fmoc-OSu gave Fmoc-l-cyclopentylglycine (5) in high yield.     

Use of epoxidation and epoxide opening reactions for the synthesis of highly functionalized 1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-ones and related compounds

Epoxidation of ethyl 3-(6-hydroxycyclohex-1-en-1-yl)propanoate (11) provided the syn epoxide 12. By invoking chelation controlled epoxide opening the triol derivatives 13 and 14 or the spiro lactone 25 could be obtained. Elimination of HBr from the bromides 26 and 27 produced the spiro cyclohexenones 28 and 29. Epoxidation of the double bond occurred in a diastereoselective manner to give epoxides 30 and 31, respectively. Treatment of the epoxide 31 with LiBr/AcOH gave the bromo hydrin 38. In a ‘merry go round’ fashion 38 was further functionalized on the cyclohexane ring by elimination, epoxidation, and epoxide opening resulting in the bromo hydrin 43. Other cyclohexane derivatives that were produced during these studies include the cyclohexenone 19 and the cyclohexanediol 23. In addition, enolate azidation of the spiro lactone 29 proceeded in a diastereoselective manner providing the α-azido lactone 32.     

Studies on the α-acetylation of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone

The synthetic approach to α-acetylated δ-valero- (7a) and ε-caprolactone (7b) is reported. While 7a was isolated in 21% yield from the respective iodoester 5a by an alkylation sequence involving transesterification and Finkelstein reaction, 7b was not obtained from 5b but the dimer 8. Also transesterification and olefin ring closing metathesis (RCM) failed to prepare 7b. RCM resulted in the dimeric lactone 10, showing that the formation of 14-membered rings is favored over that of seven-membered rings. A Mukaiyama-type Claisen reaction finally gave α-acetyl lactones 7a and 7b in practically useful quantity of about 10 g (62% yield): starting lactones 13a,b were converted to silylenolethers 14a,b, which were acetylated with acetic anhydride in presence of the Lewis acid catalyst TiCl₄. However, acetylation depends on the addition sequence of starting materials: if the mixture of Ac₂O/TiCl₄ is added to 14b, lactone 7b can be further converted to give bis-oxepanonyl ethanols 15a,b. Both compounds 15 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR.     

β,β-Difluoro analogs of α-oxo-β-phenylpropionic acid and phenylalanine

A simple three-step procedure converted the readily accessible (2-bromo-1,1-difluoroethyl)arenes (2) into α-aryl-α,α-difluoroacetaldehydes (1). Subsequent hydrocyanation, hydrolysis, oxidation and again hydrolysis afforded β-aryl-β,β-difluoro-α-oxopropionic acids (3). Reductive amination transformed the oxoacids 3 into a separable mixture of α-hydroxyacids 11 and racemic β,β-difluoro-β-phenylalanine derivatives (4). Enantiomerically pure β,β-difluorophenylalanine (l-4a) was obtained when α,α-difluoro-α-phenylacet-aldehyde (1a) was condensed with homochiral 1-phenylethylamine, hydrogen cyanide added to the resulting imine, the diastereomeric mixture thus produced hydrolyzed to the carboxamides (15) which were found to be separable by fractional crystallization or chromatography. The pK_a values of the β-aryl-β,β-difluoroalanines (4) were measured and biological profile of the latter probed. 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3,3-difluoro-2-oxopropionic acid (4c) proved to be a potent (K_i 27 μM) and selective inhibitor of arogenate dehydratase, a key enzyme catalyzing the last step of the phenylalanine biosynthesis.