Total synthesis of (+)-epiepoformin, (+)-epiepoxydon and (+)-bromoxone employing a useful chiral building block, ethyl (1R,2S)-5,5-ethylenedioxy-2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-epiepoformin 1, (+)-epiepoxydon 2 and (+)-bromoxone 3 using a chiral building block, ethyl (1R,2S)-5,5-ethylenedioxy-2-hydroxycyclo- hexanecarboxylate 6, is described. Since the synthesis afforded intermediates 18, 2 and 25, it accomplished a formal synthesis of (−)-theobroxide 19, (−)-phyllostine 22, (+)-herveynone 27 and (−)-asperpentyn 28. The usefulness of 6 for the synthesis of natural epoxycyclohexene derivatives was demonstrated.     

Total synthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, (+)-vittatine and (+)-haemanthamine, starting from d-glucose

The stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-vittatine 1 and (+)-haemanthamine 2 starting from d-glucose is described. The cyclohexene ring in 1 was prepared in an optically active form from d-glucose using Ferrier's carbocyclization reaction, and the critical quaternary carbon was stereoselectively generated via chirality transfer by the Claisen rearrangement of cyclohexenol 6. The hexahydroindole skeleton was effectively constructed by the intramolecular aminomercuration-demercuration of 14, followed by Chugaev reaction to provide 16. Finally, Pictet-Spengler reaction completed the first chiral synthesis of (+)-vittatine 1. On the other hand, the α-hydroxylation of the ester 5 stereoselectively proceeded to give α-hydroxy ester 19, to which was introduced an amino function to provide 4. A similar transformation of 4, as employed in the synthesis of vittatine, furnished (+)-haemanthamine 2.     

Formal total synthesis of aspergillide A

The formal total synthesis of aspergillide A 1 is described. The cross-metathesis of enone 6 with 6-hepten-2-ol derivative 5 provided E-olefin 15 corresponding to the C₄-C₁₄ backbone of 1. The CBS asymmetric reduction of 15 gave allyl alcohol 16, which was transformed into β-alkoxyacrylate 4 which had a formyl group. SmI₂-induced reductive cyclization of 4 gave a 2,6-syn-2,3-trans THP derivative 3 in good yield. After methoxymethylation of 3, the resulting compound 19 was submitted to desilylation and hydrolysis, to afford Fuwa’s key intermediate 2 for the total synthesis of 1.     

Synthesis of the marine furanoditerpene (−)-marginatone

A synthesis of the marine labdane furanoditerpene (−)-marginatone 1 has been accomplished by a short sequence of reactions starting from (+)-coronarin E 5. The key step is the stereocontrolled-intramolecular electrophilic cyclisation of the (+)-dihydrocoronarin E 6, to the tetracyclic marginatane skeleton 7, which is subsequently functionalized by allylic oxidation to give 1. As (+)-coronarin E 5 was previously synthesized from (−)-sclareol 10, the herein reported preparation constitutes the first formal total synthesis of (−)-marginatone 1, by which its absolute configuration has been confirmed.     

Exploration of a proposed biomimetic synthetic route to plumarellide. Development of a facile transannular Diels-Alder reaction from a macrocyclic enedione leading to a new 5,6,7-tricyclic ring system

A concise synthesis of the macrocyclic vinylbutenolide 19 is described, based on a facile RCM reaction of the substrates 16/18. Treatment of 19 with TFA containing water led to the 5,6,7-tricyclic compound 27, in a single step, in >90% yield, rather than to the alternative ring system 23 found in plumarellide (1). A rationale for the formation of 27 is presented, involving initial acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the furanmethanol intermediate 20 to the furanoxonium ion 21, which is next hydrolysed to the enol ether cyclic hemiketal 22. The intermediate 22 undergoes rapid tautomerisation and isomerisation producing enedione 24, which then takes part in a transannular Diels-Alder cyclisation to 26. Dehydration of 26 finally produces the tricyclic compound 27.     

Efficient synthesis of cephalotaxine- and deoxyharringtonine analogues by a trimethylaluminium-mediated domino reaction

The synthesis of cephalotaxine- and cephalotaxine amide analogues 14a-c and 16a-c as well as of the deoxyharringtonine analogues 5a,b was performed employing a trimethylaluminium-mediated domino reaction of 9a-c and 8 to give the spirocyclic compounds 7a-c, which was followed by a palladium catalyzed α-arylation.     

Regioselective synthesis of 4- and 5-oxazole-phosphine oxides and -phosphonates from 2H-azirines and acyl chlorides

A simple and efficient regioselective synthesis of 4-oxazole-phosphine oxides 11 and -phosphonates 12 from 2H-azirine-phosphine oxides 1 and -phosphonates 6 is described. The key step for the synthesis of oxazoles 11 is a base-mediated ring closure of vinylogous α-aminophosphorus compounds derived from phosphine oxides 4 and from phosphonates 8. These derivatives 4 and 8 are obtained by reaction of functionalized azirines 1 and 6 with acyl chlorides 2 and subsequent acid-catalyzed ring opening of N-acylaziridine-phosphine oxides 3 and -phosphonates 7. Regioselective thermal ring cleavage of N-acylaziridine-phosphine oxides 3 leads α-chloro-β-(N-acylamido)-phosphine oxides 13 and their treatment with bases gives 5-oxazole-phosphine oxides 16.     

The synthesis of bromo and iodo trifunctionalised tribenzosilatranes

In this report we present a direct synthesis of bromo 8 and iodo 9 trisubstituted tribenzosilatranes. Commercially available o-anisidine 1 was transformed into the triarylamine 3 in a two-step sequence, which was halogenated to furnish the tribromo 4 or the triiodo 5 substituted triamines, respectively. Subsequent deprotection of the methyl ethers furnished the novel tripod ligands 6 and 7. A transilylation reaction in the last step led to the synthesis of the desired para-halogenated tribenzosilatranes 8 and 9.     

Large-scale synthesis of 1,1,3,3,6-pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-ol via a CoBr2/Zn-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction

1,1,3,3,6-Pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-ol (2) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of new sila-substituted gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonists, such as 1. In order to produce sufficient quantities of 1 for pharmacological and toxicological evaluation, an efficient synthesis of 2 has been developed. (1,1,3,3,6-Pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindan-5-yl)methanal (11) was synthesized in a one-pot procedure. CoBr₂/Zn-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diyne 3 with the commercially available monoalkyne 15 was achieved through a slow addition of 3 and CoBr₂ to a mixture of 15 and zinc powder in refluxing acetonitrile, giving rise to 5-(diethoxymethyl)-1,1,3,3,6-pentamethyl-1,3-disilaindane (14). In-situ aqueous acidification yielded 11. Conversion to 2 was then achieved via a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation followed by hydrolysis under basic condition. This novel methodology is useful, not only for the rapid, large-scale synthesis of 2, but also for the synthesis and development of new sila-substituted drugs derived from 11.     

Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part of ciguatoxin CTX3C

Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part (2) of ciguatoxin CTX3C has been achieved from the I-ring and the L-ring parts (4 and 5) in total eight steps in 27% overall yield. The carbanion derived from 4, stabilized by a dimethyldithioacetal S-oxide group, was readily reacted with aldehyde 5 to give an adduct, which was facilely transformed into the corresponding α,ε-dihydroxy ketone 3. The JK-ring formation from 3 under reductive conditions followed by oxidative M-ring cyclization efficiently led to the pentacyclic ether 2. Improved synthesis of 6, a synthetic intermediate for 4, was also established.     

Iterative two-step strategy for C2-C4′ linked poly-oxazole synthesis using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

An iterative method for the synthesis of C2-C4′ linked poly-oxazoles has been developed. This efficient two-step repetitive process includes TBS-iodine exchange reaction and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with oxazolylboronate 8, which allows appending a bis-oxazole moiety per each iteration. The synthesis of bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, pentakis-, and hexakis-oxazoles (10, 14, 22, 18, and 24) was achieved starting from the common intermediate 7 in 1-5 steps.     

First synthesis of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans via the ipso-nitration reaction

The first synthesis of a series of nitro-substituted 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans is reported. Our synthetic approach is based on a linear synthesis in two steps from appropriate brominated 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans 12-17, which requires the preliminary preparation of bromophenols 7-11. These latter were easily obtained by the reaction of phenols 1-5 with a mild and selective brominating agent tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBA·Br₃). The key intermediates 12-17 were efficiently elaborated through an univocal classic chromenization between the commercially available 1,1-diphenyl-2-yn-1-ol and the brominated phenols 6-11. The compounds 12-17 so obtained were converted into arylboronic acids 18-23 by a metalation/boronylation sequence, followed by acid hydrolysis. From advanced building blocks 18-23, the introduction of nitro group, which constitutes the ultimate step of our strategy, was achieved by an ipso-nitration reaction using the Crivello's reagent. This highly selective method provides only the ipso-nitrated products 24-29 in moderate to high yield.     

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles as progesterone receptor antagonists

A convenient enantioselective synthesis of 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles is reported. Compound (2) prepared by radical cyclisation of (1) was used for the synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically pure 3-asymmetrically substituted oxindoles. Desulfurisation of (2) using Raney Ni yielded the racemate (5). Addition of (S)-1-phenylethanol to compound (2) yielded the diastereoisomer (21) the structure of which was determined using X-ray crystallography. Using a sequence of steps (21) was converted to the enantiomer (8). The enantiomer (9) was similarly prepared from (2) using (R)-1-phenylethanol.     

Rapid, microwave-assisted synthesis of N1-substituted 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles

A robust, regioselective synthesis of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles is described. This reaction employs a key intermediate 2, which is coupled to carboxylic acids in good yields to afford intermediates 3a-d. These entities, in turn, react with a variety of hydrazines or hydrazine hydrochlorides to provide proposed intermediates 4a-j, which under microwave conditions cyclize to the desired 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles (compounds 5a-j). This approach permits the rapid synthesis of regioselective N1-substituted 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles, and is shown to afford a variety of such compounds in 34-70% isolated yields.     

Efficient synthesis and applications of 2-substituted azulene derivatives: towards highly functionalized carbo- and heterocyclic molecules

An efficient synthesis of 2-substituted azulene derivatives (3-6) was accomplished from ethyl 2-oxo-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-3-carboxylate 1 and its derivative 2, which in turn were prepared from readily available tropolone. Compounds 1 and 2 were utilized to construct densely functionalized benz[a]azulene and azulene-furan frameworks (16-25, 29-34, 37, 38).     

Total synthesis of (+)-ambruticin S

A convergent total synthesis of the novel antifungal agent ambruticin S (1) has been completed from the assembly of intermediates 18, 33 and 52 that served as the respective A-, B-, and C-ring precursors. The first generation approach to a potential A-ring intermediate eventuated in the synthesis of 9a via a route that featured oxidation of the dihydroxy furan 2 and elaboration of the dihydropyranone 3 derived therefrom. Although 9a served as a precursor of 31E to complete a formal synthesis of 1, there were several inefficiencies associated with the preparation of 9a. A more expedient and efficient route to an A-ring subunit was devised that commenced with the carbohydrate-derived bisacetonide aldehyde 10 and produced 18 in five steps and 46% overall yield. The synthesis of the cyclopropyl sulfone 33 was initiated with the enantioselective cyclopropanation of 19 catalyzed by Rh₂[5(S)-MEPY]₄. Ring opening of the resultant lactone 20 followed by a series of refunctionalizations gave 33 in a total of seven steps and 46% yield from 19. Coupling of the A- and B-ring precursors 18 and 33 was then achieved via a modified Julia coupling followed by deprotection and oxidation to furnish the key intermediate 35. The dihydropyran core of the C-ring subunit precursor 49 was formed from the ring closing metathesis of the diene 48, which was prepared in three steps from the known epoxide 45, followed by oxidation. A chelation-controlled addition to the methyl ketone 49 set the stage for a stereoselective [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement that delivered the alcohol 51 that was then transformed in two steps to the sulfone 52. A traditional Julia coupling of 52 and 35 proceeded with excellent stereoselectivity, and subsequent removal of the various protecting groups gave ambruticin S (1). The longest linear sequence was 13 steps and proceeded in 4.3% overall yield.     

Synthesis of the FG ring fragment of pectenotoxins 1-9

The synthesis of the FG ring fragment common to pectenotoxins 1-9 is reported. The successful, convergent synthesis relied on high yielding routes to access two key intermediates; aldehyde 1 and phosphonium salt 2. A Z-selective Wittig reaction gave access to advanced linear precursor 3, which was converted to FG ring fragment 4 using two sequential cyclization reactions.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of allylic alcohols from unsymmetrical and symmetrical racemic allylic carbonates featuring C-O-bond formation and dynamic kinetic resolution

Described is the asymmetric synthesis of the allylic alcohols 11 (85% ee), 15 (99% ee), 17 (93% ee), 19 (61% ee), and 21 (69% ee) through a Pd-catalyzed reaction of the unsymmetrical carbonates rac-10, rac-12, rac-14, rac-16, rac-18, and rac-20, respectively, with KHCO₃ and H₂O in the presence of bisphosphane 6. Similarly the allylic alcohols 23 (99% ee) and 25 (97% ee) have been obtained from the symmetrical carbonates rac-22 and rac-24, respectively. Reaction of the meso-biscarbonate 26 with H₂O and Pd(0)/6 afforded alcohol 27 (96% ee), which was converted to the PG building block 32. The unsaturated bisphosphane 33 showed in the synthesis of alcohols 36, 37, and 39 a similar high selectivity as 6. The formation of alcohols 11, 15, and 17 involves an efficient dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Synthesis of 5-alkyl(or aryl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones by denitrocyclisation of N-alkyl(or aryl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides. Evidence of a Smiles rearrangement

An efficient method for the synthesis of hitherto unknown alkyl(or aryl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones 8a-g, 16 and 17 has been established. The method is based on the synthesis of the corresponding N-alkyl(or aryl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides 3a-c and 7a-c,e which undergo denitrocyclisation with NaH in DMF in 4.5 or 2 h. When 3a was treated with NaH in DMF for 30 min the product of a Smiles rearrangement, 9, was isolated. Under similar conditions but for 4.5 h 9 was converted into 8a. This confirms the involvement of a Smiles rearrangement during the denitrocyclisation process. Conversion of 3b into isomeric pyrroloquinoxalinones 12 and 13 confirms a process involving two pathways, direct denitrocylisation of 3b and Smiles rearrangement of 3b followed by denitrocylisation, respectively. Furthermore, denitrocylisation of 7d into pyrroloquinoxalinones 16 and 17 suggests that similar cyclisation pathways are followed by N-arylcarboxamides.     

Facile total synthesis of the (−)-Heliconol A

The facile total synthesis of the (−)-Heliconol A (ent-1) as well as its diastereoisomer 18 is described, in which different reaction sequences lead to different results. The osmylation of 15 followed by hydrolysis afforded a single isomer 18, otherwise, a mixture of ent-1 and 18 resulted. Other important processes include the catalytic asymmetric CBS reduction and induced osmylation. The synthesis proceeded with a sequence of 11 steps, affording ent-1 in 9.0% and 18 in 22% overall yield, respectively.