Asymmetric synthesis of 1-deoxynojirimycin and its congeners from a common chiral building block

A new, promising chiral building block 9 for the synthesis of 1-deoxy-4,5-trans-oriented azasugars such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (1) was prepared in only four steps from the Garner aldehyde 10 using catalytic ring-closing metathesis (RCM) for the construction of the piperidine ring. In practical test, the first synthesis of all four isomers (1 and 6-8) of trans-4,5-orientated 1-deoxyiminosugars using 9 as a common chiral building block was demonstrated.     

The synthesis and application of fluorous boronates without perfluorinated solvents

The synthesis of a fluorous diol 4 bearing a perfluorodecyl chain was described. A series of boronic acid were attached to 4 by esterification. The purification of the products was fulfilled by facile filtration instead of expensive and environmental troublesome fluorous liquid-liquid extraction. The Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of the formed fluorous boronates 5 underwent smoothly and the fluorous diol 4 was recycled in good yields.     

The effect of vicinyl olefinic halogens on cross-coupling reactions using Pd(0) catalysis

(trans) 1-Chloro-2-iodoethylene (3), (trans) 1-bromo-2-iodoethylene (4), (trans) 1,2-diiodoethylene (5) and (cis and trans) 1,2-dibromoethylene (11) were reacted under Suzuki, Sonogashira and Negishi cross-coupling conditions using Pd catalysis to obtain mono coupled products. Only olefin template 3 provided the desired coupling products reliably under all reaction conditions. Compound 5 did not provide cross coupled products under any of the reaction conditions used. The Negishi reaction was the only one that worked for templates 4 and 11. Studies indicate that oxidative addition of the most reactive carbon-halogen bond to Pd(0) is followed by elimination of the second halide, when the second halide is a bromide or an iodide. This happens to a much lesser degree when the second halogen is a chloride.     

(Z)-(2-bromovinyl)-MIDA boronate: a readily accessible and highly versatile building block for small molecule synthesis

Iterative cross-coupling represents a potentially general approach for the simple, efficient, and flexible construction of a wide range of functional small molecules. In this context, (Z)-(2-bromovinyl)-N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronate is a very useful building block for small molecule synthesis. This compound can serve as a starting material for the preparation of a wide range of cis-alkene-containing MIDA boronates. This compound can also be used for the iterative cross-coupling-based synthesis of various cis-olefin-containing targets. Collectively, these results contribute to the expanding generality of the MIDA boronate platform.     

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.     

Imino Diels-Alder reaction of boronates: A new route to 3,4-dihydroquinolines

The synthesis of a series of 3,4-dihydroquinolines (3b-e, 3h and 3i) by Imino Diels-Alder reactions involving sulfolene and boronates 2a-j derived from Schiff bases is described. The reactions are regioselective leading to 4-substituted dihydroquinolines with a cis relative stereochemistry between the phenyl group on the boron atom and the vinyl substituent at position 4, as established by X-ray diffraction analyses of 3b, 3e, 3h and 3i.Boronates 2 containing substituents meta to the imino fragment lead to 4-ethenyl-dihydroquinolines while para substituted derivatives are more reactive and lead to 4-cyclohexenylquinolines 4 formed by a second Diels-Alder reaction with excess of butadiene. The results show that boronates derived from Schiff bases are electron deficient species that react with sulfolene providing a new route to 3,4-dihydroquinolines. Moreover, polarization of the imine bond activates these system toward cycloaddition.     

A facile synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-ribitol (LRB) and (−)-8a-epi-swainsonine from d-glutamic acid

A facile synthesis of (−)-8a-epi-swainsonine 2 and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-l-ribitol (LRB) 4 has been achieved by using the versatile building block 3, which was available from cheap d-glutamic acid. The new forming stereogenic center in synthesis of 2 was constructed by highly selective reduction of the ketone 13 with Li(t-BuO)₃AlH in THF (dr=95:5).     

A versatile approach to pyrrolidine azasugars and homoazasugars based on a highly diastereoselective reductive benzyloxymethylation of protected tartarimide

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of enantio-enriched all trans-3,4-dibenzyloxyl-5-benzyloxymethyl-2-pyrrolidinone 13a was developed based on SmI₂-mediated benzyloxymethylation of O,O′-dibenzyltartarimide. The versatility of 13a and its antipode as the key building blocks for the asymmetric synthesis of pyrrolidine azasugars and homoazasugars has been demonstrated by elaborating them into naturally occurring DAB 1 (1), LAB 1 (2), N-hydroxyethyl-DAB 1 (4), 6-deoxy-DMDP 7, and 5-epi-radicamine B 36 as well as the reductive ring-opening product 35.     

Synthesis of planar-chiral bridged bipyridines and terpyridines by metal-mediated coupling reactions of pyridinophanes

We have accomplished efficient synthesis of planar-chiral bridged 2,2′-bipyridine (S)-6, C₂-symmetric bipyridinophane (S,S)-7, bridged 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines (S)-11, and C₂-symmetric terpyridine (S,S)-12 by metal-mediated biaryl cross-coupling or homo-coupling reactions of the corresponding 6-halo[10](2,5)pyridinophanes. Stille-type and Negishi cross-coupling reactions are particularly useful for the syntheses of 6, 11, and 12. On the other hand, nickel-mediated homo-coupling reaction worked best for achieving the synthesis of structurally unique bipyridinophane 7.     

A new total synthesis of (±)-oestrone

A conceptually new total synthesis of oestrone, based on a novel cascade of radical cyclisations from the iodo aryl vinylcyclopropane 2, via 10, 15, 16 and 17, leading to the intermediate trans,anti,trans-oestradiol derivative 11 in one step, is described. Oxidation of 11, followed by demethylation of the resulting aryl methyl ether 18 then gives (±)-oestrone 1.     

Synthesis of podophyllotoxin analogues: δ-lactone-containing picropodophyllin, podophyllotoxin and 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin derivatives

Non-epimerizable cis and trans δ-lactone analogues of podophyllotoxin have been prepared. Thus the synthesis of the cis isomer 4 has been achieved in 8 steps and 4% overall yield from podophyllotoxin 1 via the reduction of the γ lactone ring into the trans diol, selective protection of the 4-OH and 11-OH as a benzylidene acetal, and Wittig elongation at C-13 with inversion of configuration at C-2. Same elongation at C-13 but via the formation of a mesylate and introduction of a cyano group, led to the trans δ-lactone 5 (7 steps from 1 and 6% overall yied) with a small amount of its C-4 epimer 6. The synthesis of non-epimerizable δ-lactone analogues of 4′-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 7 and of 4-demethyl podophyllotoxin 8 are also reported. The synthesis of 7 and 8 was based upon the reduction of the γ-lactone ring of 4′-demethyl-4-epipodophyllotoxin followed by selective protection at C-11 and elongation at C-13. (8-15% and 4% overall yields). Compounds 4, 5 and 7 did not display relevant cytotoxicity in vitro against L1210 murine leukemia.     

A chemoenzymatic total synthesis of ent-narciclasine

The synthesis of the title compound [(−)-1] has been achieved, for the first time, by reacting the aryl boronic acid ester 4 with the aminoconduritol derivative 6 under Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling conditions then subjecting the product phenanthridinone 23 to a global deprotection process using trimethylsilyl bromide. The aromatic building block 4 was prepared in ten steps from piperonal while compound 6 was obtained in nine steps from the enantiomerically pure cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 7. This last compound is available, in multi-gram quantities, through a whole-cell-mediated biotransformation of bromobenzene using genetically engineered organisms that over-express the responsible enzyme, namely toluene dioxygenase. Since the enantiomer of compound 7 is available by related means, the present work also represents a formal total synthesis of the alkaloid narciclasine [(+)-1]. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of compound 13 is reported.     

Improved synthesis of (R)-7-hydroxycarvone from (S)-α-pinene

A three-step synthesis of (R)-7-hydroxycarvone (1), which is anticipated to be a valuable building block for the versatile preparation of natural products, is described. Optimization of the reaction conditions for photooxygenation and migration of (S)-α-pinene 2, tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) oxidation of the generated alcohol, and a subsequent ring-opening reaction in the presence of Cu(OTf)₂ led to the synthesis of 1 with good reproducibility. The desired product 1 was thus obtained in 46% yield over three steps.     

Imino Diels-Alder reaction of boronates. Preparation and characterization of new 3,4-dihydroquinoline and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives

The preparation of 3,4-dihydroquinolines (2a-d and 3a,b,d), as well as 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines (4a-e) by imino Diels-Alder reaction of boronates (1a-e) with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene is reported. Boronates (1a-d) containing substituents meta and para relative to the imino fragment lead to diastereomeric mixtures of 4-methyl-4-ethenyl-3,4-dihydroquinolines (2, 3) and tetrahydropyridines (4). In contrast, the presence of an electron withdrawing substituent at the para position (1e), favors the iminodienophile behavior giving 4,5-dimethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (4e) as the main product. The results show that boronates derived from Schiff bases are electron deficient species which can act either as dienophiles or dienes in the reaction with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene to give 3,4-dihydroquinolines and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines. All products were characterized by NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis of 2b, 2d, 3d and 4c allowed to assign the relative configuration of the newly formed stereogenic centers.     

Highly efficient, multigram and enantiopure synthesis of (S)-2-(2,4′-bithiazol-2-yl)pyrrolidine

(S)-2-(4-Bromo-2,4′-bithiazole)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidine ((S)-1) was obtained as a single enantiomer and in high yield by means of a two-step modified Hantzsch thiazole synthesis reaction when bromoketone 3 and thioamide (S)-4 were used. Further conversion of (S)-1 into trimethyltin derivative (S)-2 broadens the scope for further cross-coupling reactions.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes via (Z)-2-fluoroalkenyliodonium salts

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoroalkenes is described. (Z)-2-Fluoro-1-alkenyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (1) were synthesized stereoselectively in good yields by Michael-type addition of HF to 1-alkynyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates (2) with a commercially available HF reagent, hydrofluoric acid or Et₃N-3HF. Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using 1 gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives in moderate yields. The treatment of 1 with KI in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuI gave (Z)-2-fluoro-1-iodo-1-alkenes (3). Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 3 gave better results than that of 1, and a variety of (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkene derivatives were synthesized in good yields.     

o-(Trialkylstannyl)anilines and their utility in Migita-Kosugi-Stille cross-coupling: direct introduction of the 2-aminophenyl substituent

We have developed shelf- and air-stable ortho-stannylated aniline reagents that can directly be coupled with alkenyl and aryl halides via Migita-Kosugi-Stille cross-coupling. We report (i) the efficient preparation of o-(tributylstannyl)aniline (2a) and o-(trimethylstannyl)aniline (2b), (ii) the comparison of the reactivities of 2a and 2b with those of related organostannanes in cross-coupling reaction with an alkenyl halide, and (iii) the cross-coupling of 2a and 2b with a series of arylhalides and triflate.     

Synthesis of febrifugine derivatives and a solution to the puzzle of the structural determination of febrifugine

The stereo-structure of piperidine lactone (3), a synthetic intermediate of the antimalarial agent febrifugine ((+)-1) with a piperidine ring in the trans relative configuration, was re-revised to the cis-form. We determined that isomerization to the trans-form from the cis-form occurred in the stage (6 from 5) of deprotection in Baker's synthesis.     

Synthesis of new 8-arylisoquinoline derivatives by application of palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

New 8-(het)aryltetrahydroisoquinolines (10-14), 8-aryltetrahydroisoquinolin-4-ols (15,16), and 8-phenylisoquinolin-4-ol (17), flexible analogues of aporphine, were synthesized in good yields using palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions from 8-bromotetrahydroisoquinolin-4-one (6) as a common intermediate. We also describe the synthesis of this novel intermediate through an easy and efficient method, which involved intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization.     

Chemo enzymatic synthesis of Rengyol and Isorengyol

Cyanohydrins 2 of O-protected 4-hydroxycyclohexanones 1 are excellent starting compounds for the synthesis of Isorengyol (I) and Rengyol (II). The cyano group of the O-benzyl derivative 2d is first converted into the corresponding aldehyde 4, which via Wittig olefination led to the vinyl compound 6. Hydroboration of the trans-derivative (trans-6) leads, after debenzylation, to Isorengyol, whereas hydroboration and debenzylation of the cis-isomer (cis-6) gives Rengyol. With hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) as catalysts the stereoselective preparation of cis- as well as trans-cyanohydrin 2d is possible, which enables the selective preparation of Isorengyol or Rengyol, respectively. The trans-configuration of Isorengyol and the cis-configuration of Rengyol were secured by X-ray crystal structure analysis.