Super acid-induced Pummerer-type cyclization reaction: improvement in the synthesis of chiral 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

Improved synthesis of four stereoisomeric chiral 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (1a, b, ent-1a, b) was achieved via the super acid-induced cyclization of chiral N-[1-methyl-2-(phenylsulfinyl)ethyl]-N-(1-phenylethyl)formamides (4a, b, ent-4a, b) using the Pummerer-type cyclization reaction as a key step. The cyclization leading to the isoquinoline ring proceeded in a quantitative manner when trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TFSA) was used as the super acid, although Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation of 4-phenylsulfanyl TIQ derivatives (5) with benzene used as the solvent accompanied cyclization to yield the 4-phenyl-TIQs (7). The byproduct (7) was exclusively formed when a large excess amount of TFSA was used.     

A synthesis of 3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 2-phenyl-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-3H-3-benzazepine via Pummerer-type cyclization: enhancing effect of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate on the cyclization

A synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (14a) and 7,8-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-3H-3-benzazepine (14b) was achieved via the cyclization of N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfinyl)ethylformamide (6a) and N-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfinyl)-ethylformamide (6b) using the Pummerer reaction as a key step, respectively. The Pummerer reaction of 6a,b under usual conditions using trifluoroacetic anhydride yielded the vinyl sulfides (8a, b), non-cyclized products, as a major product. The cyclization proceeded when boron trifluoride diethyl etherate was used as an additive reagent, thus giving rise to the corresponding cyclized products (7a) and (7b) in moderate yields. We propose that the enhancing effect of the Lewis acid on the cyclization may be attributable to the involvement of a dicationic intermediate, sulfonium-carbenium dication (23).     

Quinone methide initiated cyclization reaction: synthesis of 4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

4-Aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were synthesized in very good yields by in situ generation of p-quinone methides resulting in a novel C-C bond formation.     

Solid-phase synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives employing support-bound tyrosine esters in the Pictet-Spengler reaction

The solid-phase synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamides employing carboxyl-supported, o-alkylated tyrosine esters in a Pictet-Spengler reaction is described. Esterification of [4-(hydroxyphenyl)thiomethyl]polystyrene (Marshall resin) with ethers of N-BOC-L-tyrosine using diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP) afforded the solid-supported ester derivatives. Removal of the BOC group with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) afforded the carboxyl-supported tyrosine ester, which was then treated with paraformaldehyde and TFA to afford the desired solid-supported counterpart. Acylation of the secondary amine with arylsulfonyl chlorides followed by reaction with amines resulted in the formation of the desired 2-arylsulfonyl-7-alkoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamides. Alternatively, the support-bound tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylate derivatives could be treated with an aldehyde and a reducing agent to give the corresponding support-bound tertiary amine. Exposure of these resin-bound products to amines afforded the corresponding 2-alkyl-7-alkoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamides after cleavage from the resin. Alternative routes to the desired chemotypes, as well optimization of the conditions for the Pictet-Spengler reaction and the conditions for the acylation and reductive amination of the support-bound secondary amines, are also described.     

Radical cation salt induced tandem cyclization between anilines and N-vinyl amides: synthesis of 2-methyl-4-anilino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

A tandem cyclization of imines with N-vinyllactams induced by TBPA⁺ was investigated, and a series of 2-methyl-4-anilino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines were synthesized based on a domino process in which N-vinyllactams serve as an acetaldehyde surrogate. A single electron transfer mechanism was proposed and radical cation salt acts as both a Lewis acid and one electron oxidant to induce such transformation.     

A catalytic homo-Nazarov cyclization protocol for the synthesis of heteroaromatic ring-fused cyclohexanones

A general protocol for the catalytic homo-Nazarov cyclization of cyclopropyl heteroaryl ketones has been developed, which employs indium triflate as the promoter. A range of heteroaromatic ring-fused cyclohexanones was synthesized in 56-91% yield using this protocol. An example of a tandem cyclopropanation/homo-Nazarov cyclization is also reported in which the one-pot yield is greater than the overall yield of the two individual steps.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-strychnine using the catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction and tandem cyclization

The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-strychnine was accomplished through the use of the highly practical catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction (0.1 mol % of (R)-ALB, more than kilogram scale, without chromatography, 91% yield and >99% ee) as well as a tandem cyclization that simultaneously constructed B- and D-rings (>77% yield). Moreover, newly developed reaction conditions for thionium ion cyclization, NaBH3CN reduction of the imine moiety in the presence of Lewis acid to prevent ring opening reaction, and chemoselective reduction of the thioether (desulfurization) in the presence of exocyclic olefin were pivotal to complete the synthesis. The described chemistry paves the way for the synthesis of more advanced Strychnos alkaloids.     

Total synthesis of (-)-neplanocin a by using lithium thiolate-initiated Michael-aldol tandem cyclization reaction.

(-)-Neplanocin A (1), S-adenosylhomocystein hydrolase inhibitor, was synthesized. The characteristic of this synthesis is a stereoselective construction of five-membered ring of neplanocin A by intramolecular aldol reaction of the lithium enolate that was generated by conjugate addition of lithium thiolate. TBS-protected chiral omega-oxo-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 16, which was prepared from D-mannitol, was treated with 1.2 equiv of lithium benzylthiolate in THF at -20 degrees C to give three separable cyclization products in good yields and stereoselectivity. After conversions of protective groups, the benzylsulfanyl part of 21 was removed by oxidation to sulfoxide and subsequent thermal elimination to give the requisite double bond. Through the functional group transformations of 30, total synthesis of (-)-neplanocin A (1) was accomplished.     

Solid-phase synthesis of amine-bridged cyclic enkephalin analogues via on-resin cyclization utilizing the Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction

An efficient solid-phase synthetic route is described for the preparation of 13-membered amine-bridged cyclic enkephalin analogues (ABEs) 1a and 1c-1j (Figure 1) resulting from a sulfonamide-containing peptide whose backbone is bound to a resin. The Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction of the 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl-protected amine bound to the solid support with protected aminoethanol in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (DIAD) is utilized to prepare a resin-bound sulfonamide-protected secondary amine. After peptide cyclization, this protected amine functionality becomes the "amine bridge" of the target molecule. In addition, the reagent DIAD was found to be a superior reagent compared to diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) in the solid-phase Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction.     

Au-catalyzed tandem cyclization/[1,2]-alkyl migration reaction of epoxy alkynes: synthesis of spiropyranones

A novel gold-catalyzed tandem cyclization/[1,2]-alkyl migration process of epoxy alkynes to spiropyranones has been discovered. From this process, the construction of adjacent multiple stereocenters with a new quaternary carbon atom is achieved. The gold-catalyzed domino process is stereospecific with respect to the migrating carbon atom. A type of unusual C-C bond cleavage of epoxide systems has also been discovered, which can lead to the formation of two Z alkenes and a carbonyl functional group in one step with excellent stereoselectivity. Furthermore, this efficient domino process could be achieved in the presence of the simplest and least expensive gold catalyst [NaAuCl(4)].2H(2)O with a low catalyst loading.     

Efficient construction of 1,2-dihydroquinoline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline rings using tandem Michael-aldol reaction

1,2-Dihydroquinolines and a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline were efficiently constructed using tandem Michael-aldol reaction starting from N-protected o-aminobenzaldehydes and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in good yield.     

Gold-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzenes through tandem allylation/cyclization reaction of alkynals

Treatment of alkynals with 2-substituted allylsilanes and PPh₃AuCl/AgOTf (5/3 mol%) catalyst led to formation of 1,3-disubstituted benzenes efficiently. This reaction sequence comprises an initial allylation of aldehyde, followed by cycloisomerization of enynes; PPh₃AuOTf is active in both steps.     

A straightforward synthesis of cyclobutenones via a tandem Michael addition/cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenoates with organozincs

An efficient method for synthesis of polysubstituted cyclobutenones, which are not readily available from traditional methods due to the intrinsic ring strain, is described. The reaction of 2,3-allenoates and organozinc reagents proceeds via a tandem Michael addition/cyclic 1,2-addition/elimination mechanism with the functional groups from the organozinc reagents being introduced to the 3-position of the cyclobutenone products regiospecifically in moderate to excellent yields. Application to the synthesis of stereodefined β,γ-unsaturated enones is demonstrated.     

A chiral synthesis of four stereoisomers of 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an inducer of Parkinson-like syndrome

Four stereoisomers of 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an inducer of Parkinson-like syndrome, were synthesized by applying a new method of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) synthesis utilizing the Pummerer reaction as a key step. The chiral centers at C-1 and C-3 were constructed by two routes starting from alaninol (3) and 1-phenylethylamine (4) as a chiral source. Enantiomerically pure 1,3-dimethyl-TIQs (1R,3S)-(2) [corrected], (1S,3R)-(ent-2) [corrected], (1S,3S)-(1) [corrected], and (1R,3R)-(ent-1) [corrected] were prepared in a stereochemically unambiguous manner from 3 in 11 steps (route I) and from 4 in 6 steps (route II). The conformations of tetrahydroisoquinoline ring in 1-methyl, 3-methyl, and 1,3-dimethyl-TIQs were discussed on the basis of their CD, 1H-NMR spectra, and steric energies.     

A short diastereoselective synthesis of the putative alkaloid jamtine,using a tandem pummerer/mannich cyclization sequence

Treatment of 2-phenylhex-5-enal with benzylamine followed by sequential reaction with ethylthioacetyl chloride and sodium periodate oxidation afforded a E/Z mixture of alpha-sulfinylamides. As anticipated from a 4pi-conrotatory mechanism, cyclization of each olefin afforded fused isoquinoline lactams as single diastereomers epimeric at the ethylthio position without any cross contamination. Some preliminary studies were directed toward the synthesis of mesembrine using a 3,4-dimethoxy aryl group. In this case, the Z-enamide prefers to undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution to give a substituted azepinone as the preferred product in 87% yield. In contrast, the E-enamide isomer provided the desired hydroindolone. The convergency and stereochemical control associated with the tandem Pummerer /Mannich cyclization make it particularly suited for the assembly of jamtine, a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid reputed for its therapeutic properties. The key step in the synthesis involves a domino thionium/N-acyliminium ion cyclization to provide the tricyclic ring skeleton 27a as the major diastereomer. Deprotonation of 27a with NaH gave 28a, which contains the fully assembled skeleton of jamtine. Completion of the synthesis entailed installation of the double bond and reduction of the lactam. Oxidation of a synthetic sample of jamtine with MCPBA afforded the corresponding N-oxide, which does not match the spectral data reported in the literature for this alkaloid. Our synthetic efforts raise the possibility of a revision of the earlier assignment.     

Synthesis, Crystalline Structure, and Spectra of 3,3-Dimethyl-1-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-onylidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

3,3-Dimethyl-1-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-onylidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline has been synthesized and its crystalline and molecular structures determined. It was found by IR and electronic absorption spectroscopic methods that the structure of this compound is not changed in solutions.