Asymmetric syntheses of the homalium alkaloids (-)-(s,s)-homaline and (-)-(r,r)-hopromine

The highly diastereoselective conjugate additions of the novel lithium amide reagents lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide and lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methyl-p-methoxybenzyl)amide to α,β-unsaturated esters were used as the key steps in syntheses of the homalium alkaloids (-)-(S,S)-homaline and (-)-(R,R)-hopromine. The asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(S,S)-homaline was achieved in 8 steps and 18% overall yield, and the asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(R,R)-hopromine was achieved in 9 steps and 23% overall yield, from commercially available starting materials in each case. These syntheses therefore represent by far the most efficient total asymmetric syntheses of these alkaloids reported to date. A sample of the (4'R,4'S)-epimer of hopromine was also produced using this approach, which provided the first unambiguous confirmation of its absolute configuration and therefore that of natural (-)-(R,R)-hopromine.     

Isolation of pure (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine from Blighia sapida (Akee)

The isolation of (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (CCG I, 2) from Blighia sapida (Akee) was achieved through column chromatography on deactivated silica gel followed by ion-exchange chromatography. A HPLC method has also been devised in order to assess the purity of the isolated product.     

Synthesis and assignment of the absolute configuration of the anti-Helicobacter pylori agents CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014

The synthesis of the spiroacetal-containing anti-Helicobacter pylori agents (3S,2'S,5'S,7'S)- (ent-CJ-12,954) and (3S,2'S,5'R,7'S)- (ent-CJ-13,014) has been carried out based on the convergent union of a 1:1 mixture of heterocycle-activated spiroacetal sulfones and with (3S)-phthalide aldehyde . The synthesis of the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3R,2'S,5'R,7'S)- was also undertaken in a similar manner by union of (3R)-phthalide aldehyde with a 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Comparison of the (1)H and (13)C NMR data, optical rotations and HPLC retention times of the synthetic compounds (3S,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3S,2'S,5'R,7'S)- and the (3R)-diastereomers (3R,2'S,5'S,7'S)- and (3R,2'S,5'R,7'S)-, with the naturally occurring compounds, established that the synthetic isomers and were in fact enantiomeric to the natural products CJ-12,954 and CJ-13,014. The (2S,8S)-stereochemistry in protected dihydroxyketone , the precursor to the mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and was established via union of readily available (S)-acetylene with aldehyde in which the (4S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric allylation. Deprotection and cyclization of protected dihydroxyketone afforded an inseparable 1:1 mixture of spiroacetal alcohols and that were converted into a 1:1 inseparable mixture of spiroacetal sulfones and . Phthalide-aldehyde was prepared via intramolecular acylation of bromocarbamate in which the (3S)-stereochemistry was established via asymmetric CBS reduction of ketone .     

Total selective synthesis of enantiopure O1-acyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols by ring opening of aminoepoxides with carboxylic acids

[reaction: see text] Synthesis of (2R,3S)- or (2S,3S)-O1-acyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols by ring opening of enantiopure (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2, with carboxylic acids in the presence of BF3 x Et2O and chlorotrimethylsilane, is described. The conversion takes place with total selectivity and in good yield. In addition, (2R,3S)-O,O-diacyl-3-aminoalkane-1,2-diols 3 were also prepared from reaction of (2R,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 with carboxylic acids under the same reaction conditions and without chlorotrimethylsilane. Mechanisms to explain both transformations are proposed.     

Totally selective reaction of CO2 with enantiopure amino epoxides under mild reaction conditions. synthesis and synthetic applications of enantiopure (4R,1'S)- or (4S,1'S)-4-(1-Aminoalkyl)-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes

The reaction of chiral (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2 with CO2, generated from acidic treatment of an aqueous solution of NaHCO3 at room temperature, efficiently afforded enantiopure cyclic carbonates 3 or 4, respectively, with total selectivity. Compounds 3 and 4 were readily transformed into the corresponding diols 7 and 8 by reaction with LiAlH4 or by basic hydrolysis. When compounds 3 or 4 were allowed to react with methyllithium at -78 degrees C, O1-acetylalkane-1,2-diols 9 and 10 were obtained with total or high selectivity.     

Improved preparation of (1S,3’R,4’S,5’S,6’R)-5-chloro-6-[(4-ethylphenyl)methyl]-3’,4’,5’,6’-tetrahydro-6’-(hydroxymethyl)-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),2’-[2H]pyran]-3’,4’,5’-triol

A convenient approach for the preparation of(1S,3’R.4’S,5’S,6’R)-5-chloro-6-[(4-ethylphenyl)methyl]- 3’,4’,5’,6’-tetrahydro-6’-(hydroxymethyl)-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),2’-[2H]pyran]-3’,4’,5’-triol is developed. The targeted compound was synthesized from 2-bromo-4-methylbenzoic acid in nine steps and the isomers of undesired ortho-products were avoided during the preparation.     

Totally selective ring-opening of amino epoxides with ketones: a general entry to enantiopure (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols

[Reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure diastereoisomers (2R,1'S)- and (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides into the corresponding 4-(1-aminoalkyl)-1,3-dioxolanes is achieved by reaction with different ketones in the presence of BF3.Et2O. The conversion takes place in very high yields, total selectivity, and without epimerization. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed. The obtained 1,3-dioxolanes can be deprotected, and (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-3-aminoalkano-1,2-diols were isolated.     

(NEt(4))(2)[Fe(CN)(2)(CO)('S(3)')]: an iron thiolate complex modeling the [Fe(CN)(2)(CO)(S-Cys)(2)] site of [NiFe] hydrogenase centers

In the search for complexes modeling the [Fe(CN)(2)(CO)(cysteinate)(2)] cores of the active centers of [NiFe] hydrogenases, the complex (NEt(4))(2)[Fe(CN)(2)(CO)('S(3)')] (4) was found ('S(3)'(2-)=bis(2-mercaptophenyl)sulfide(2-)). Starting complex for the synthesis of 4 was [Fe(CO)(2)('S(3)')](2) (1). Complex 1 formed from [Fe(CO)(3)(PhCH=CHCOMe)] and neutral 'S(3)'-H(2). Reactions of 1 with PCy(3) or DPPE (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) yielded diastereoselectively [Fe(CO)(2)(PCy(3))('S(3)')] (2) and [Fe(CO)(dppe)('S(3)')] (3). The diastereoselective formation of 2 and 3 is rationalized by the trans influence of the 'S(3)'(2-) thiolate and thioether S atoms which act as pi donors and pi acceptors, respectively. The trans influence of the 'S(3)'(2-) sulfur donors also rationalizes the diastereoselective formation of the C(1) symmetrical anion of 4, when 1 is treated with four equivalents of NEt(4)CN. The molecular structures of 1, 3 x 0.5 C(7)H(8), and (AsPh(4))(2)[Fe(CN)(2)(CO)('S(3)')] x acetone (4 a x C(3)H(6)O) were determined by X-ray structure analyses. Complex 4 is the first complex that models the unusual 2:1 cyano/carbonyl and dithiolate coordination of the [NiFe] hydrogenase iron site. Complex 4 can be reversibly oxidized electrochemically; chemical oxidation of 4 by [Fe(Cp)(2)PF(6)], however, led to loss of the CO ligand and yielded only products, which could not be characterized. When dissolved in solvents of increasing proton activity (from CH(3)CN to buffered H(2)O), complex 4 exhibits drastic nu(CO) blue shifts of up to 44 cm(-1), and relatively small nu(CN) red shifts of approximately 10 cm(-1). The nu(CO) frequency of 4 in H(2)O (1973 cm(-1)) is higher than that of any hydrogenase state (1952 cm(-1)). In addition, the nu(CO) frequency shift of 4 in various solvents is larger than that of [NiFe] hydrogenase in its most reduced or oxidized state. These results demonstrate that complexes modeling properly the nu(CO) frequencies of [NiFe] hydrogenase probably need a [Ni(thiolate)(2)] unit. The results also demonstrate that the nu(CO) frequency of [Fe(CN)(2)(CO)(thiolate)(2)] complexes is more significantly shifted by changing the solvent than the nu(CO) frequency of [NiFe] hydrogenases by coupled-proton and electron-transfer reactions. The "iron-wheel" complex [Fe(6)[Fe('S(3)')(2)](6)] (6) resulting as a minor by-product from the recrystallization of 2 in boiling toluene could be characterized by X-ray structure analysis.     

Regioselective ring opening of amino epoxides with nitriles: an easy synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols with differently protected amine functions

[reaction: see text] Transformation of enantiopure (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides 1 or 2 into the corresponding (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-1,3-diaminoalkan-2-ols 3 or 4 is described. The opening of the epoxide ring with different nitriles (Ritter reaction) takes place with total selectivity and in high yields in the presence of BF3.Et2O. Interestingly, the two amine groups are differently protected. A mechanism to explain this transformation is proposed.     

Total synthesis and structural elucidation of (-)-maurenone

[reaction: see text] The total synthesis of (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydro-6-[(1'S, 2'R)-2-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl]-3,5-dimethyl-2-[(1'S)-1-methylpropyl]-4H-pyran-4-one (3), the (-)enantiomer of the marine polypropionate, maurenone, was achieved in nine linear steps (13% overall yield) from (R)-2-benzylpentan-3-one ((R)-14) and (R)-2-benzoyloxypentan-3-one ((R)-15). Key fragments were synthesized using highly diastereoselective syn and anti boron aldol reactions and were coupled using a lithium-mediated aldol reaction. Trifluoroacetic acid-promoted cyclization/dehydration was then used to install the gamma-dihydropyrone ring. Eight isomers of one enantiomeric series were synthesized by coupling two ketones with each of four aldehydes. Comparison of the 13C NMR data for the eight isomers with that reported for maurenone established the relative stereochemistry of the natural product.     

Activation and desoxygenation of CO, CO2, and SO2 with sulfur-rich azide and amide

The azide and amide complexes (NBu4)[Ni(N3)('S3')] (2) and (NBu4)[Ni[N(SiMe3)2]('S3')] (4) were found to react with CO, CO2, and SO2 under very mild conditions at temperatures down to -50 degrees C. Depending on the N oxidation state of the nitrogen ligands, addition or partial to complete desoxygenation of the oxides takes place. The reaction between 2 and CO gives (NBU4)[Ni(NCO)('S3')] (3). The reactions between 4 and CO, CO2, and SO2 afford selectively the cyano, isocyanato, and sulfinylimido complexes (NBu4)[Ni(X)('S3')] with X = CN- (5), NCO- (3), and NSO- (6). The silyl groups act as oxygen acceptors. Mechanisms are suggested which have in common the formation of reactive five-coordinate (NBu4)[Ni(L)(L')('S3')] intermediates. In these reactions, highly activated L and L' react with each other. The complexes were characterized by standard methods, and (NBu4)[Ni(CN)('S3')] (5) was also analyzed by X-ray crystallography.     

(-)-(S)-Nakinadine B: first asymmetric synthesis

(-)-(S)-Nakinadine B has been synthesized for the first time (in 9 steps and 17% overall yield from commercially available atropic acid) using the conjugate addition of lithium dibenzyl-amide to an N-α-phenylacryloyl SuperQuat derivative with in situ diastereoselective enolate protonation as the key step.     

Convergency and divergency as strategic elements in total synthesis: the total synthesis of (-)-drupacine and the formal total synthesis of (+/-)-cephalotaxine, (-)-cephalotaxine, and (+)-cephalotaxine

A concise route toward the syntheses of (-)-drupacine and (+)- and (-)-cephalotaxine has been developed. The syntheses rely on Pd(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative heterocyclization chemistry, which was employed to rapidly construct an important spirocyclic amine intermediate. A dynamic beta-elimination/conjugate addition process was strategically applied to complete the first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-drupacine.     

Total synthesis of (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-membrenone-A and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)- membrenone-B and structural assignment of membrenone-C

[reaction: see text] (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-Membrenone-A and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-B were prepared in 11 steps (3% and 2.4% overall yield, respectively). Key steps included a tin(II)-mediated aldol followed by a syn selective reduction, giving the C7-C9 stereocenters, a second chain extending aldol coupling, and a p-TsOH-promoted cyclization/dehydration giving the common gamma-dihydropyrone precursor. We have thus established that synthetic (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S,2'S)-membrenone-A, (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-B, and (-)-(6S,7S,8S,9R,10S)-membrenone-C are the enantiomers of the natural products.     

New ent-kaurane diterpenes with chiral epoxyangelate moieties from Wedelia prostrata

Four new ent-kaurane diterpenes with chiral epoxyangelate moieties, (2′R,3′R)-3 a- (2′,3′-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1), (2′S,3′S)-3 a- (2′,3′-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2), (2′S,3′R)-3 a- (2',3'-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (3) and (2′R,3′S)-3α- (2′,3'-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (4), along with eight known diterpenes (5-12), were isolated from Wedelia prostrata. The absolute configurations of the new structures were determined by X-ray crystallography,ECD calculations and chemical methods. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activities on human HepG-2 cells,with IC_(50) values of 11.72 ±0.22 μmol/L to 54.75±1.12 μmol/L.     

Synthesis of enantiopure (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)-beta-amino alcohols by complete regioselective opening of aminoepoxides by organolithium reagents LiAlH4 or LiAlD4

The reaction of chiral (2R,1'S)- or (2S,1'S)-2-(1-aminoalkyl)epoxides, 1 or 2 with a variety of organolithium compounds to obtain the corresponding (alphaS,betaS)- or (alphaR,betaS)- beta-amino alcohols in enantiopure form is reported. In both cases, the opening of the oxirane ring at C-3 proceeded with total regioselectivity. Moreover, the ring opening of aminoepoxides 1 or 2 by hydride (utilizing LiAlH4) to obtain the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-aminoalkan-2-ols is also described. The reaction of 1 or 2 with LiAlD4 in place of LiAlH4 gave the corresponding (2S,3S)- or (2R,3S)-3-amino-1-deuterioalkan-2-ols.     

The enantioselective synthesis of (-)-lycoramine with the Birch-Cope sequence

The first enantioselective synthesis of (-)-lycoramine has been achieved in 14 steps and 5% overall yield from the biaryl derivative 1. The synthesis applies the previously developed Birch-Cope sequence to create the key arylic quaternary stereocenter of (-)-lycoramine with excellent enantioselective control. The product of the Birch-Cope sequence, a versatile 4,4-disubstituted-2-carboxamide-2-cyclohexen-1-one, was elaborated through an intramolecular conjugate addition of a phenol to create the dihydrofuran ring. Chemoselective elaboration of the allyl group into an amide followed by a modified Pictet-Spengler reaction generated the azepine ring.     

A stereoselective approach to the azaspiro[5.5]undecane ring system using a conjugate addition/dipolar cycloaddition cascade: application to the total synthesis of (+/-)-2,7,8-epi-perhydrohistrionicotoxin

An efficient stereocontrolled route to the spirocyclic perhydrohistrionicotoxin derivative (+/-)-2,7,8-epi-PHTx (4) is described. The reaction of 2-butyl-3-(methoxymethoxy)cyclohexanone oxime with 2,3-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene gives rise to a 7-oxa-1-azanorbornane cycloadduct in high yield. The formation of the bicyclic isoxazolidine arises from conjugate addition of the oxime onto the diene to give a transient nitrone which then undergoes an intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition. Treatment of the cycloadduct with 5% Na/Hg results in reductive nitrogen-oxygen bond cleavage to furnish an azaspiro[5.5]undecane. Elaboration to the dihydropyridin-4(1H)-one 24 was followed by stereoselective conjugate addition using n-pentyl cuprate to give azaspirocycle 25. The stereochemistry of the product was deduced from an X-ray crystal structure of the corresponding N-tosylhydrazone derivative. The dominant factor controlling the stereochemistry of the conjugate addition is the A(1,3)-strain present in the planar vinylogous amide. A stereoelectronically preferred axial attack by the organocuprate at the beta-position leads to the observed diastereoselectivity. Azaspirocycle 25 was transformed into 2,7,8-epi-PHTx (4) in five additional steps. Utilizing this tandem conjugate addition/dipolar cycloaddition cascade, we have also successfully synthesized azaspiro[5.5]undecane 36, which had previously been converted into (+/-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin (2), thereby completing a formal total synthesis of this alkaloid.     

Enzyme-assisted asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin and (-)-picropodophyllin

Described is the first catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of (-)-podophyllotoxin and its C(2)-epimer, (-)-picropodophyllin. Asymmetry is achieved via the enzymatic desymmetrization of advanced meso diacetate 20, through PPL-mediated ester hydrolysis. A second key feature of the synthesis is the strategically late introduction of the highly oxygenated natural ring E through an arylcopper species. The successful implementation of this approach augers well for the introduction of other functionalized rings E for future SAR work. The synthesis begins from piperonal, which is fashioned into isobenzofuran (IBF) precursor 14 in three steps (bromination, acetalization, and halogen-metal exchange/hydroxymethylation). Interestingly, treatment of 14 with HOAc in commerical dimethyl maleate (contains 5% dimethyl fumarate) leads to a nearly equimolar mixture of fumarate- (15) and maleate-IBF Diels-Alder adducts (16 and 17), indicating that IBF 11 reacts about 15 times faster with dimethyl fumarate than with dimethyl maleate. With scrupulously pure dimethyl maleate a 2.8:1 endo:exo mixture of maleate DA adducts is still obtained. On the other hand, the desired meso diester 16 is obtained pure and in nearly quantitative yield by employing neat dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate as the dienophile, followed by catalytic hydrogenation. Reduction (LiAlH(4)) of 16 provides meso diol 19, which is then treated with Ac(2)O, BzCl, and PhCH(2)COCl to provide the corresponding meso diesters, 20-22. Screening of these meso benzoxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl substrate candidates across a battery of acyl transfer enzymes leads to an optimized match of diacetate 20 with PPL. Even on 10-20 g scales, asymmetry is efficiently introduced here, yielding the key chiral intermediate, monoacetate 25 (66% isolated yield, 83% corrected yield, 95% ee). Protecting group manipulation and oxidation (Swern) provide aldehyde 27b, which undergoes efficient retro-Michael ring opening to produce dihydronaphthalene 30, in which the C(3) and C(4) stereocenters are properly set. Following several unsuccessful approaches to the intramolecular delivery of ring E (via Claisen rearrangement, Heck-type cyclization, or radical cyclization), a highly diastereoselective, intermolecular conjugate addition of the arylcopper reagent derived from (3,4,5-trimethoxy)phenylmagnesium bromide and CuCN to acyl oxazolidinone 50 was developed (85% yield, only the required alpha-stereochemistry at C(1) is observed). The conjugate addition product is converted to (-)-picropodophyllin in two steps (lactonization, SEM deprotection) or to (-)-podophyllotoxin, in three steps, through the introduction of a C(2)-epimerization step, under Kende conditions, prior to the final conjugate addition.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (+)- and (-)-dihydroepiepoformin and (+)-epiepoformin

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of dihydroepiepoformin (1) and (+)-epiepoformin (2) was achieved from (p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl-p-quinols (SR)- or (SS)-3 and (4R,SR)-4, respectively. Key features include the stereocontrolled conjugate addition of AlMe3 to p-quinol 3 and retrocondensation to the ketone functionality, previous to oxidation of the beta-hydroxy sulfoxide moiety of advanced intermediates to the corresponding sulfone.