Regiospecific synthesis of quercetin O-β-d-glucosylated and O-β-d-glucuronidated isomers

Quercetin, the polyphenolic compound, which has the highest daily intake, is well known for its protective effects against aging diseases and has received a lot of attention for this reason. Both quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide and quercetin 3′-O-β-d-glucuronide are human metabolites, which, together with their regioisomers, are required for biological as well as physical chemistry studies. We present here a novel synthetic route based on the sequential and selective protections of the hydroxyl functions of quercetin allowing selective glycosylation, followed by TEMPO-mediated oxidation to the glucuronide. This methodology enabled us to synthesize the five O-β-d-glucosides and four O-β-d-glucuronides of quercetin, including the major human metabolite, quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide.     

Synthesis of quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside

A concise method to construct a unique 2,6-branched trisaccharide was established by regioselective glycosylation of three free hydroxyl groups on a 3-O-protected glucose moiety, and successfully used in the synthesis of quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside, a flavonol O-glycoside isolated from glandless cotton seeds which showed notable antidepressant activities.     

Synthesis of d-fructopyranosides with 2-O-acyl-β-d-fructopyranosides

Glycosylation of 2-O-acyl fructopyranosides was investigated, which were shown to be effective glycosyl donors for d-fructopyranoside synthesis with good β-selectivity and yields. For bulky acceptor 4e, α-anomer 5e was obtained with α/β = 65:23. Unexpected ring-opening was observed during acetylation of 9, indicating the sensitivity of the fructopyranosyl ring.     

Synthesis of analogues of naturally occurring 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-fagomine

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-α-C-glucosides of d- and l-fagomine from the corresponding C-disaccharides is reported. The ethyl glycoside of perbenzylated C-disaccharide 8 was converted via the corresponding thioglycoside 10 and reducing C-disaccharide 11, into substituted alditol 12 which, upon oxidation and double reductive amination stereoselectively afforded pure perbenzylated d-fagomine C-glucoside 14. In the same manner, the ethyl glycoside of perbenzylated C-disaccharide 9 was stereoselectively converted into perbenzylated l-fagomine C-glucoside 15.     

First synthesis of natural phosphatidyl-β-d-glucoside

Herein, we report the chemical synthesis of naturally occurring mammalian phosphatidyl-β-d-glucoside (PtdGlc), in order to confirm the proposed structure and to clarify its stereochemistry. We designed a convergent synthetic strategy, suitable to prepare sensitive PtdGlc derivatives. As an initial demonstration of our strategy, we successfully prepared both PtdGlc diastereomers as well as its sensitive arachidonyl analogue. The presence of both diastereomers in the natural sample was confirmed.     

First synthesis and full characterization of mexiletine N-carbonyloxy β-d-glucuronide

A simple, convergent synthesis of the N-carbonyloxy β-d-glucuronide of mexiletine (sodium salt) in moderate yield is described. The compound is now available as an authentic reference standard for analytical studies, enabling more detailed investigation on the metabolism of mexiletine.     

Stereoselective synthesis of decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose

Decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) is known to be a key arabinose donor in mycobacteria. In order to study the biosynthesis of the major polysaccharides from the mycobacterial cell wall, it was necessary to develop a practical and stereoselective synthetic scheme for DPA. This goal was achieved by coupling of a suitably protected β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphate intermediate with an activated form of decaprenol and subsequent deprotection.     

Stereoselective syntheses of heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabino-and β-d-ribo-furanoses

The stereoselective syntheses of heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose and heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-ribofuranose are described. In the synthesis of the d-arabino product, the stereoselectivity was achieved by the coupling of a suitably protected β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphate intermediate with an activated form of heptaprenol and subsequent deprotection. In the case of the ribo-analog, the desired β-anomer could be obtained by the more convenient phosphoramidite method. The products were successfully employed in the mycobacterial epimerase assay.     

Synthesis of novel photolabile glycosides from methyl 4,6-O-(o-nitro)benzylidene-α-d-glycopyranosides

Novel photolabile sugar derivatives bearing a 4- or 6-O-(o-nitro)benzyl group have been prepared from the corresponding methyl 4,6-O-(o-nitro)benzylidene α-d-glycopyranosides. Regioselective cleavage with BF₃·Et₂O/Et₃SiH led to the methyl 6-O-(o-nitro)benzyl gluco- and manno-α-d-glycopyranosides 3 and 6. Inversion of configuration at 4-OH position of gluco and manno derivatives offered the otherwise inaccessible methyl 6-O-(o-nitro)benzyl galacto- and talo-α-d-glycopyranosides 4, 5, and 7. Careful reaction with PhBCl₂/Et₃SiH (3 equiv of reagents, 10 min at −78 °C) led to the desired methyl 4-O-(o-nitro)benzyl gluco- and manno-α-d-glycopyranosides 8 and 9 in very good yield. However, prolonged reaction with 6 equiv of PhBCl₂/Et₃SiH transformed the methyl 4,6-O-(o-nitro)benzylidene α-d-glucopyranoside 11 into the reduced d-glucitol derivative 15. Oxidative cleavage of 5,6-diol function of 15 gave the corresponding photolabile l-xylose 17. The photolabile glucosides 3 and 8 have been further transformed into the photolabile α-C-allyl d-glucopyranosides 20 and 22.     

Stereoselectivity in the synthesis of polyprenylphosphoryl β-d-ribofuranoses

Decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) is a key arabinose donor in mycobacteria. The ribo analog of DPA (DPR) has also been found in mycobacteria. It has recently been confirmed that DPA is formed via a two-step epimerization of DPR. The stereoselective synthesis of DPR as well as two shorter analogs of DPR is described.     

New alkaloids sinomacutines A–E,and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside from rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum

Phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Sinomenium acutum led to the isolation of new alkaloids sinomacutines A–E (1–5), and cephalonine-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), along with known tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids (7–9). Among them, sinomacutines A–C were new bistetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids with morphinane–proaporphine and morphinane–benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline types, and coupled with unique C–CH₂–N unit. Their structures with absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, and ECD spectra analysis. The new compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities, and sallisonine B (2) showed moderate ability to inhibit NO production of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as sallisonine A (1) showed weak inhibitory effects against five cancer cell lines.     

Facile synthesis of 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-talopyranoside, 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-idopyranoside and 2,4-dideoxy-2,4-difluoro-α-d-talopyranoside

The title compounds were prepared by two independent syntheses using inexpensive commercially available starting materials. 4-Deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-talopyranoside served as a precursor to 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-idopyranoside, allowing for inversion of configuration at C-3 via a three-step protocol. The synthesis of 2,4-dideoxy-2,4-difluoro-α-d-talopyranoside is based on two nucleophilic fluorination events at C-2 then at C-4 using TBAF·3H₂O and TBAF·4tBuOH as a fluoride source. All compounds are prepared as pure stereoisomers and are therefore suitable probes for OH?F H-bonding studies by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of pelargonidin 3-O-6″-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, an acylated anthocyanin, via the corresponding kaempferol glucoside

The first total synthesis of pelargonidin 3-O-6″-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside, an acylated anthocyanin of magenta-colored Verbena flowers, was successfully carried out. The key intermediate, protected kaemferol 3-O-glucoside, was constructed by the Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement from a glucosyloxyacetophenone followed by Zn-Hg reduction to the corresponding acylated anthocyanin.     

Synthesis and RNA-selective hybridization of α-l-ribo- and β-d-lyxo-configured oligonucleotides

Three α-l-ribofuranosyl analogues of RNA nucleotides (α-l-RNA analogues) have been synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides using the phosphoramide approach on an automated DNA synthesizer. The 4′-C-hydroxymethyl-α-l-ribofuranosyl thymine monomer was furthermore synthesized. Relative to the unmodified duplexes, incorporation of a single α-l-RNA monomer into a DNA strand leads to reduced thermal stability of duplexes with DNA complements but unchanged thermal stability of duplexes with RNA complements, whereas incorporation of more than one α-l-RNA monomer lead to moderately decreased thermal stability also of duplexes with RNA complements. Efficient hybridization with an RNA complement and no melting transition with a DNA complement were observed with stereoregular chimeric oligonucleotides composed of a mixture of α-l-RNA and affinity enhancing α-l-LNA monomers (α-l-ribo-configured locked nucleic acid). Furthermore, duplexes formed between oligodeoxynucleotides containing an α-l-RNA monomer and complementary RNA were good substrates for Escherichia coli RNase H. RNA-selective hybridization was also achieved by the incorporation of 1-(4-C-hydroxymethyl-β-d-lyxofuranosyl)thymine monomers into a DNA strand, whereas stable duplexes were formed with both complementary DNA and RNA when these monomers were incorporated into an RNA strand.     

One pot protecting group free synthesis of multifunctional biphenyl methyl-C-β-d-glycosides in aqueous medium

One pot synthesis of the butenonyl-C-β-d-glycosides with malononitrile in the presence of K₂CO₃ in water under mild and green reaction conditions leading to the formation of small library of multifunctional biphenyl methyl-C-β-d-glycosides in good yields has been reported. The reaction is equally applicable with the substrates having different glycosyl pyranoses and aromatic rings with different substituents.     

A stereoselective synthesis of 9-(3-O-benzyl-5-O-tetrahydropyranyl-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine, a potentially useful intermediate for ribonucleoside synthesis

A novel synthesis for preparing 9-(3-O-benzyl-5-O-tetrahydropyranyl-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine (6) has been developed which does not require sub zero temperatures or exotic reagents. A key step in this synthesis is the selective protection of the 3′-OH of ara-A with a benzyl group. The 5′-OH is then selectively protected with DHP to yield 6, a potentially useful intermediate. A synthesis of 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-β-d-threo-pentofuranosyl)adenine (1, FddA), an anti-viral compound, is given to illustrate the utility of this new approach.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluoro-β-d-guanosine via 2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-α-d-ribose 1-phosphate

2,3-Dideoxy-3-fluoro-α-d-ribose 1-phosphate 2 was stereoselectively synthesized and converted to 2′,3′-dideoxy-3-fluoro-β-d-guanosine 1 by enzymatic reaction using purine nucleoside phosphorylase. This chemo-enzymatic strategy was first applied to the synthesis of 1.     

Synthesis of 2′-O-α-d-ribofuranosyladenosine, monomeric unit of poly(ADP-ribose)

The first chemical synthesis of 2′-O-α-d-ribofuranosyladenosine, monomeric unit of poly(ADP-ribose), has been achieved starting from 3′,5′-O-bis protected 9-(2-O-α-d-arabinofuranosyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-adenine. Configurational inversion of 2′-hydroxyl group of arabinose moiety was performed by oxidation-reduction sequence.     

Synthetic studies on pterin glycosides: the first synthesis of 2′-O-(α-d-glucopyranosyl)biopterin

l-Rhamnose was led, in a 14-step-sequence, to N²-(N,N-dimethylaminomethylene)-1′-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]biopterin (23), an appropriately protected precursor for 2′-O-glycosylation, while 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-di-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide (32), a novel glycosyl donor, was efficiently prepared from d-glucose in 8 steps. The first synthesis of 2′-O-(α-d-glucopyranosyl)biopterin (2a) was achieved by treatment of the key intermediate 23 with 32 in the presence of silver triflate and tetramethylurea, followed by successive removal of the protecting groups.     

A convenient new route to protected and free 2,6-anhydro-d-glycero-d-gulo-heptoses (1-formyl-β-d-glucopyranosides)

A new and efficient process has been developed for the synthesis of 1-formyl-β-d-glucopyranosides from d-glucose.