Synthesis of (-)-7-epiaustraline and (-)-1-epicastanospermine

Highly efficient and selective syntheses of the title compounds are described. The cornerstone of the synthetic plan is the tandem inter [4 + 2]/inter [3 + 2] cycloaddition process. These syntheses differ from previous applications of this strategy in that they incorporate an alkylation in the hydrogenolysis step to close the second ring of the azabicyclic systems. Notable features of the sequence are (1) the highly regio- and stereoselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nitronate 15 with siloxymethyl (Z)-beta-silylvinyl ketone (Z)-22b and (2) the highly selective reduction of the resulting ketone 24a with L-Selectride. A single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of synthetic (-)-7-epiaustraline confirmed that the targeted structure was successfully synthesized. This stimulated a reexamination of the structural assignment of the natural product. (-)-1-Epicastanospermine was synthesized in four steps from the common intermediate 27a. The absolute configuration of (-)-1-epicastanospermine was assured by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of intermediate (-)-27a. Thus, the sign of the optical rotation had to be revised. The overall efficiency of these syntheses were 9 steps and 23% yield for (-)-7-epiaustraline and 10 steps and 20% yield for (-)-1-epicastanospermine     

Preparation,molecular structures,and characteristic properties of (E)-1-(2-furyl)- and (E)-1-(2-thienyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylenes and (E)-1-(3-furyl)- and (E)-1-(3-thienyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylenes

Wittig reactions of 2-furaldehyde (20) [and thiophene-2-carbaldehyde (21)] with (3-guaiazulenylmethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (19) in ethanol containing NaOEt at 25 °C for 24 h under argon give (E)-1-(2-furyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (22E) and (E)-1-(2-thienyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (23E) in 53 and 36% yields. Similarly, Wittig reactions of 3-furaldehyde (29) [and thiophene-3-carbaldehyde (30)] with 19 under the same reaction conditions as for 20 and 21 afford (E)-1-(3-furyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (31E) and (E)-1-(3-thienyl)-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (32E) in 32 and 46% yields. Molecular structures and characteristic properties as well as preparation of the title E (i.e., one of the geometrical isomers) forms, with a view to comparative study, are reported. Moreover, reactions of those conjugated π-electron systems with TCNE (=tetracyanoethylene) in benzene [and in DMF (=N,N-dimethylformamide)] at 25 °C for 24 h under argon yield unique products, possessing interesting molecular structures, respectively, whose characteristic properties and crystal structures are documented, also.     

Enzymatic synthesis of (-)- and (+)-acetoxyhexamides and (-)- and (+)-hydroxyhexamides.

The enantioselective hydrolysis of (+/-)-4-(1-acetoxyethyl)-N-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-benzenesulfona mides 3 with lipase Amano P from Pseudomonas sp. in a water-saturated solvent gave (R)-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)-N-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)benzenesulfonamide 2 (39%, > 99% ee) and unchanged (S)-3 (50%, 62% ee). On the other hand, enantioselective esterification of (+/-)-2 with lipase Amano P in the presence of vinyl acetate provided (R)-3 (41%, > 99% ee) and unchanged (S)-2 (46%, 78% ee).     

Total synthesis of (S)-(+)-curcudiol, and (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-curcuphenol.

A highly enantioselective synthesis of the versatile chiral synthons possessing one stereogenic center, (S)- and (R)-4-aryl-5-hydroxy-(2E)-pentenoate (3) was achieved based on the enzymatic reaction of (+/-)-3 with commercially available lipases MY-30 or OF-360 from Candida rugosa. Application of (S)-3 and (R)-3 to the total syntheses of(S)-curcuphenol (1), (S)-curcudiol (2), and (R)-curcuphenol (1), respectively, is described.     

Enantiocontrolled synthesis of (-)-9-epi-pentazocine and (-)-aphanorphine

We have developed novel asymmetric routes to (-)-9- epi-pentazocine and (-)-aphanorphine from a d-tyrosine derivative. The tricyclic frameworks of (-)-9- epi-pentazocine and (-)-aphanorphine were assembled stereoselectively via intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of the corresponding bicyclic precursors, generated with titanium-promoted enyne cyclization and indium-initiated atom-transfer radical cyclization, respectively.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Optically Pure (R)- and (S)-2-(aminomethyl)alanine ((R)- and (S)-ama) and (R)- and (S)-2-(aminomethyl)leucine ((R)- and (S)-aml)

An efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-2-(aminomethyl)alanine ((R)- and (S)-Ama) 1a and (R)- and (S)-2-(aminomethyl)leucine ((R)- and (S)-Aml) 1b is described (Schemes 1 and 2). Resolution of the racemic amino acids was achieved using L -phenylalanine cyclohexylamide ( 2 ) as chiral auxiliary. The free amino acids 1a, b were converted to the N^α-Boc,N^γ-Z-protected derivatives 11a, b (Scheme 3) ready for incorporation into peptides. Based on the three crystal structures of the diastereoisomeric peptides 8a, 8b , and 9b , the absolute configurations in both series were determined. β-Turn type-I geometries were observed for structures 8b and 9b , whereas 8a crystallized in an extended backbone conformation.     

Synthesis and absolute configuration of (-)-meridinol and (-)-3-epimeridinol

The first synthesis of (-)-meridinol and (-)-3-epimeridinol was accomplished from (S)-malic acid. This synthesis unambiguously established the absolute stereochemistry of meridinol.     

Molecular rearrangements of (-)-modhephene and (-)-isocomene to a (-)-triquinane

The preparation and further rearrangement of (-)-modhephene (1) to a (-)-triquinane 5 has been assessed through acid catalysis. The rearrangement involved protonation, 1,2 sigma-bond and methyl shifts, and deprotonation. Monitored experiments by 1H NMR spectroscopy suggested the intermediate (-)-isocomene (3), which was further evidenced when a sample of natural (-)-3 undergoes acid-catalyzed conversion to the (-)-triquinane 5. In addition, deuterated (-)-modhephene (1-d) labeled stereospecifically at the 14beta geminal methyl group at C4 was synthesized, through the corresponding chiral deuterated primary alcohol, in 5 steps, starting from natural (-)-14-hydroxymodhephene (8), and rearranged under acid catalysis to elucidate the stereochemical factors that control the methyl shift at this position. The final deuterium-labeled (-)-triquinane, 5-d, obtained from [14-(2)H1]-1-d was established to have deuterium in the methyl group at C5 by 13C NMR spectroscopy. This stereoselective methyl migration is in accordance with the molecular orbital demand formulated by the quantum chemical calculations performed in the present study.     

A formal total synthesis of the sesterterpenoid (+/-)-dysidiolide and approaches to the syntheses of (+/-)-6-epi-, (+/-)-15-epi-, and (+/-)-6,15-bisepidysidiolide

A formal total synthesis of the sesterterpenoid (+/-)-dysidiolide (1), a structurally novel sponge metabolite that inhibits the cdc25A protein phosphatase, and approaches to the syntheses of (+/-)-15-epi- (34), (+/-)-6-epi- (36), and (+/-)-6, 15-bisepidysidiolide (39) are described.     

Synthesis of chlorinated 2-(aminomethyl)- and 2-(alkoxymethyl)pyrroles

The synthesis of chlorinated 2-(hydroxymethyl)-, 2-(alkoxymethyl)- and 2-(aminomethyl)pyrroles via aromatization of 2-aryl-3,3-dichloro-5-(bromomethyl)pyrrolines and via reduction of 2-formyl- and 2-cyanopyrroles is described. The former methodology also provided new 2-[(alkyl- or phenylamino)methyl]pyrroles and a 2-(phosphonomethyl)pyrrole. Halogenated and methylene-spaced functionalized pyrroles are of particular interest for their pronounced physiological activities.     

Total synthesis of (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine

Total synthesis of tropane alkaloids (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine were accomplished in nine steps each and in 55% and 46% overall yields, respectively, starting from the known Betti base derivative (+)-(7aR,10R,12S)-10-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-7a,8,9,10-tetrahydro-12-phenyl-12H-naphtho[1,2-e]pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine. In this novel route, RCM reaction and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were employed as key steps for the enantioselective construction of tropane skeleton and the regioselective introduction of 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring as masked cis-2,3-disubstituents. To obtain the desired precursor (2S,5R)-2-allyl-5-vinylpyrrolidine for RCM reaction, we developed a general and practical method for the preparation of enantiopure cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines bearing alkene- and/or alkyne-containing substituents. We also offered two highly efficient pathways for the conversion of the 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring into the desired cis-2,3-disubstituted groups in (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine.     

Smectic A and smectic C materials: partially deuteriated chiral liquid crystals (S)-(-)-2-methylbuty 4-(4-(d13)-hexyloxyphenyl)benzoate and (S)-(-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d17)-octyloxyphenyl)benzoate

In order to study the difference in microscopic orientation of ferro- and antiferroelectric liquid crystalline molecules, we synthesized the partially deuteriated chiral compounds, (S)-(^-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d₁₃)-hexyloxy- and (S)-(^-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d₁₇)-octyloxy-phenyl)benzoates. Fundamental physical properties such as phase transition temperatures, spontaneous polarization and tilt angle were determined. Polarized FTIR measurements were also made to provide information on molecular structure and orientation.     

Synthesis of (+/-)- and (-)-vibralactone and vibralactone C

Mander reductive alkylation of methyl 2-methoxybenzoate with prenyl bromide and hydrolysis of the enol ether afforded methyl 6-oxo-1-prenyl-2-cyclohexenecarboxylate. This was converted in five steps (reduction of the ketone, saponification, iodolactonization, ozonolysis, and intramolecular aldol reaction) to a spiro lactone cyclopentenal. An efficient first synthesis of (+/-)-vibralactone was completed by retro-iodolactonization with activated Zn, formation of the beta-lactone (vibralactone C), and reduction of the aldehyde. Except for the novel use of an iodolactone to protect both the prenyl double bond and carboxylic acid, no protecting groups were used. A similar sequence starting with asymmetric reductive alkylation of the (2S)-2-methoxymethoxymethylpyrrolidine amide of 2-methoxybenzoic acid with prenyl bromide afforded (-)-vibralactone confirming the absolute stereochemical assignment that was based on computational methods.     

Smectic A and smectic C materials: partially deuteriated chiral liquid crystals (S)-(-)-2-methylbuty 4-(4-(d13)-hexyloxyphenyl)benzoate and (S)-(-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d17)-octyloxyphenyl)benzoate

In order to study the difference in microscopic orientation of ferro- and antiferroelectric liquid crystalline molecules, we synthesized the partially deuteriated chiral compounds, (S)-(^-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d₁₃)-hexyloxy- and (S)-(^-)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-(d₁₇)-octyloxy-phenyl)benzoates. Fundamental physical properties such as phase transition temperatures, spontaneous polarization and tilt angle were determined. Polarized FTIR measurements were also made to provide information on molecular structure and orientation.     

Effects of (+)-, (-)- and (+/-)-indenestrols A and B on microtubule polymerization.

Indenestrol A (IA) is a metabolite of diethylstilbestrol (DES), and indenestrol B (IB) is an analog of IA. IA was simply obtained from E,E-dienestrol in the presence of dilute sulfuric acid, and a mixture of IA and IB was formed by thermal cyclization of E,E-dienestrol. In order to elucidate the effects of optically active IA and IB on microtubule assembly, the IA and IB enantiomers were separated to greater than 99% purity by high-pressure liquid chromatography using a chiral column. The di(4-bromobenzoate) of (-)-IB was analyzed by X-ray crystallography and its absolute structure was determined as C(3)-S. The (+)-, (-)-, and (+/-)-indenestrols A and B were shown to be inhibitors of microtubule assembly in vitro using microtubule proteins from porcine brain. (+/-)-IB is more active than (+/-)-IA, and the order of inhibitory activity of the enantiomers on microtubule assembly was (+)-IB greater than (+)-IA greater than (-)-IA greater than (-)-IB.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-flustramines A and C, (+/-)-flustramide A, and (-)- and (+)-debromoflustramines A

Here we describe the efficient total synthesis of the three title hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole alkaloids and debromo derivative from readily available indolin-3-ones using key domino reactions, olefination-isomerization-Claisen rearrangement (OIC), and reductive cyclization (RC). (+/-)-Flustramine C (5) was synthesized in five steps from 6-bromoindolin-3-one 9 via a key intermediate 13a. (+/-)-Flustramine A (1) has been obtained by reduction of flustramide A (6), which has been prepared in five steps from 13a. (+/-)-Debromoflustramine A (19) was provided in a similar manner from 13b. The (-)- and (+)-enantiomers of 19 were synthesized through optical resolution of (+/-)-carboxylic acid 17b using (R)-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one.     

Novel (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles from (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones: the unexpected case of (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles

An efficient synthetic method for the preparation of (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles has been developed. The reaction of (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-4-styrylpyrazoles, respectively, saved 4′-nitro-derivatives where both (E)- and (Z)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations was discussed and the stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments.     

Synthesis of (-)-(S)-3-sec-butyl- and (+)-(S)-5-sec-butyl-2(1H)-pyridinone

Optically active (+)-(S)-5-sec-butyl- and (-)-(S)-3-sec-butyl-2(1H)-pyridinone are synthesized and the relationship between optical activity and minimum optical purity of the latter is determined.     

Biosynthesis of (+)-,(-)- and (±)-tetrahydropalmatines

Specific incorporation of didehydroreticuline and reticuline into (±)- (+)-, and (-)-tetrahydropalmatines in Cocculus laurifolius and of (R)- and (S)-reticulines into (R)- and (S)-tetrahydropalmatines respectively has been demonstrated. Feeding of[l-³H, 4'-methoxy-¹⁴C]reticuline suggested that reticuline was not converted in the plants into didehydroreticuline and racemisation of optically active forms of tetrahydropalmatine did not take place via dehydrotetrahydropalmatine     

Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles

Abstract  

An efficient synthesis method for the preparation of a series of new (Z)- and (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles was developed. The reaction of (Z)- and (E)-3-styrylchromones with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding (Z)- and (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-styrylpyrazoles, except for nitro derivatives, where both (Z)- and (E)-4′-nitro-3-styrylchromones afforded (E)-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-nitrostyryl)pyrazoles. The reaction mechanism for these transformations is discussed and the stereochemistries of all products were established by NMR experiments.