Synthesis of novel simplified eleutheside analogues with potent microtubule-stabilizing activity, using ring-closing metathesis as the key-step

The synthesis of a number of novel simplified eleutheside analogues with potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties is described, using ring-closing metathesis as the key-step for obtaining the 6-10 fused bicyclic ring system.     

Synthesis of a simplified sarcodictyin analogue which retains microtubule stabilising properties

A strategy featuring ring-closing metathesis as key reaction is applied to the synthesis of the sarcodictyin analogue 15. The precursor diene is accessed via a brief and efficient protocol, employing multiple stereoselective allylations. Simplified analogue 15 retains microtubule stabilising properties.     

Synthesis of novel, simplified, C-7 substituted eleutheside analogues with potent microtubule-stabilizing activity

The synthesis of a number of novel, simplified, C-7 substituted eleutheside analogues with potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties is described, using ring closing metathesis as the key-step for obtaining the 6-10 fused bicyclic ring system. The RCM precursors were synthesized starting from aldehyde 3 [prepared in six steps on a multigram scale from R-(−)-carvone in 30% overall yield] via multiple stereoselective Hafner-Duthaler allyltitanations and/or Brown allylborations. ‘Second generation’ RCM-catalyst 15 gave the desired ring closed ten-membered carbocycles as single Z stereoisomers in good yields. The RCM stereochemical course (100% Z) is likely to reflect thermodynamic control. Molecular mechanics and semi-empirical calculations also show that the Z stereoisomers of these ten-membered carbocycles are consistently more stable than the E. The crucial role of the homoallylic and allylic substituents and of their protecting groups for the efficiency of the RCM reactions is discussed. In particular, we have found that p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) protected allylic alcohols, the products of a stereoselective oxyallylation, are compatible with the RCM reaction and give better yields than the corresponding free allylic alcohols. One of the simplified analogues of the natural product (44, lacking inter alia the C-4/C-7 ether bridge) retains potent microtubule-stabilizing activity. However, the cytotoxicity tests did not parallel the potent tubulin-assembling and microtubule-stabilizing properties: limited cytotoxicity was observed against three common tumor cell lines (human ovarian carcinoma, human colon carcinoma and human leukemia cell lines, IC₅₀ in the μM range), approximately two orders of magnitude less than paclitaxel (IC₅₀ in the nM range). The mechanism of cell cycle arrest induced by compound 44 is similar to that obtained with paclitaxel.     

Synthesis of a simplified analogue of eleutherobin via a Claisen rearrangement and ring closing metathesis strategy

The enantioselective synthesis of a simplified eleutherobin analogue by ring closing metathesis (RCM) of the 2,9-divinyl-substituted tetrahydro-oxonin is described; the analogue and an advanced intermediate revealed microtubule stabilising properties in the micromolar range.     

Synthesis of huperzine B through ring closing metathesis

Huperzine B and its analogues were obtained through ring closing metathesis of N-alkenyl amine to the corresponding tricyclic compounds.     

Synthesis of bruguierol A employing ring closing metathesis

An expedient synthesis of bruguierol A encompassing a novel 2,3-benzo-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system is described employing ring closing metathesis to generate the oxa-bridged tricyclic core.     

Four-component Pd-catalysed cascade/ring closing metathesis. Synthesis of heterocyclic enones

A palladium-catalysed four-component process is described involving carbon monoxide, allene and aryl/heteroaryl iodides generating (π-allyl) palladium species, which are intercepted by alkene tethered nitrogen nucleophiles to afford 1,6- and 1,7-dienones. Subsequent ring closing metathesis affords five- and six-membered N-heterocyclic enones. The N-heterocyclic enones are active dipolarophiles in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions as exemplified by azomethine ylide and nitrone cycloadditions.     

Effects of allylic and homoallylic substituents on the ring closing metathesis reaction used to synthesise simplified eleuthesides

During the course of our synthetic studies towards simplified eleuthesides, we have found that p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) protected allylic alcohols are compatible with the RCM reaction and can give better yields than the corresponding free allylic alcohols.     

Synthesis of a para-quinone macrolactam related to geldanamycin by ring closing metathesis

Model studies conducted with the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated 3-alkenyl-2,4,5-trimethoxyanilides 11 revealed that a ring closing metathesis (RCM) of these compounds is possible if the ansa chain contains more than 14 atoms. The (Z)-configurated products 12c-e were obtained in good yields (77-87%) and with perfect simple diastereoselectivity. Since the oxidation of the 2,4,5-trimethoxyanilides led predominantly to undesired ortho-quinones such as 15 or to para-azaquinones such as 16 the macrocyclic 2,5-di-iso-propoxy-4-methoxyanilide 22 was prepared. The iso-propyl protecting groups could be selectively cleaved and the intermediate para-hydroquinone oxidized on air to the desired para-quinone 2 (86% yield). The compound shows some key features (macrolactam ring with the same ring size, α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated anilide, para-quinone) of geldanamycin.     

Synthesis of 2′-O,3′-O bicyclic adenosine analogues using ring closing metathesis

The synthesis of 2′-O,3′-O bicyclic adenosine derivatives is presented as the first examples of a new family of 13-membered ring bicyclic nucleoside analogues. Cyclisation was achieved through ring closing metathesis (RCM) on a diene intermediate using Grubbs’ catalyst. The Z and E isomers were purified and characterised.     

Synthesis of spirocyclic butenolides by ring closing metathesis

Spirocyclic butenolides were efficiently prepared by a ring closing metathesis strategy.     

Studies toward Taxuspine X, a potent multidrug-resistance reversing agent, via ring closing metathesis strategy

The synthesis of bicyclic 3,8-secotaxane diterpenoids, which includes Taxuspine U and X, has been achieved through an approach that involves a ring closing metathesis reaction as key step for the macrocycle formation.     

Synthesis of benzo-fused medium ring cyclic ethers via a Michael addition-ring closing metathesis strategy involving nitroaliphatic compounds

Nitroalkenes derived from O-protected salicylaldehyde undergo facile Michael-type addition of nucleophiles possessing unsaturated tether. Ring closing metathesis of the Michael adducts provides benzo-fused medium ring cyclic ethers possessing a nitroalkyl functionality.     

Synthesis of pyranonaphthoquinone antibiotics involving the ring closing metathesis of a vinyl ether

The synthesis of two antibiotic pyranonaphthoquinones was performed by a straightforward synthetic route utilizing ring closing metathesis. Vinylation of 3-(1-propenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-1,4-dimethoxynaphthalene under iridium catalysis and subsequent ring closing metathesis of 3-(1-propenyl)-2-vinyloxymethyl-1,4-dimethoxynaphthalene with Grubbs' catalyst paved the way to the natural antibiotics pentalongin and psychorubrin.     

Synthesis of phosphorus containing medium ring heterocycles by sequential Claisen rearrangement and ring closing metathesis

An efficient method for the synthesis of novel medium ring phosphorus containing heterocycles starting from phenol derivatives by ruthenium catalyzed ring closing metathesis is described. This work deals with a sequential aromatic Claisen-rearrangement, coupling of an allyl/vinyl phosphonate, and ring closing metathesis reaction. All of these reactions were carried out at ambient temperature to afford the medium-sized phosphorus heterocycles in excellent yields.     

S-Transalkylation/ring closing metathesis as a route to azathiamacrocycles incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits

A new route to cyclophanes 6a,b incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits has been elaborated using as the key steps (1) S-transalkylation of 6,6′-bis(methylsulfanyl)-2,2′-bipyridines 2a,b with ethyl bromoacetate resulting in the formation of 6,6′-bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methylsulfanyl]-2,2′-bipyridines 3a,b and (2) ring-closing metathesis of the corresponding alkenyl ethers 5a,b.     

Design and synthesis of novel propellanes by using claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis as the key steps

Novel hexacyclic caged compounds are prepared by a combination of Claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis (RCM). Additionally, a Grignard reaction in conjugation with RCM produced intricate hexacyclic caged molecules.     

Synthesis of fused dihydropyrido[e]purines via ring closing metathesis

Ring closing metathesis (RCM) of 8,9-diallylpurines or 9-butenyl-8-vinylpurines with the Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst resulted in fused 6,9- or 8,9-dihydropyrido[e]purines, respectively. The 8,9-dialkenylpurines were prepared from 8-bromopurines after 9-alkenylation and subsequent Stille coupling at C-8 with alkenylstannanes in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ or Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂.     

Studies towards the synthesis of the bicyclic 3,8-secotaxane diterpenoid system using a ring closing metathesis strategy

Molecular modelling studies on the interations between taxanes and tubulins, developed by us, revealed that modified Taxuspines U and X could adopt a conformation similar to that of the bioactive conformation of paclitaxel and could be well accommodated within the proposed model. Accordingly, simplified Taxuspine U and X analogues have been rationally designed and their bicyclic 3,8-secotaxane diterpenoids intermediates have been synthesized through an approach that involves ring closing metathesis (RCM) as the key step for the macrocycle formation. Extensive studies on RCM have been performed using chemically diverse substrates, outlining the influence in the macrocyclization of the presence and position of functionalities, the molecular constraints and the importance of the site of ring closure.     

Synthesis of biaryl compounds using tandem ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis

Tandem ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEM)/ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) of tetraenynes with Grubbs second-generation catalyst, followed by elimination, was found to be a new and efficient synthetic approach to biaryl compounds. A preliminary asymmetric version of this approach, which used homochiral Ru-alkylidene catalysts, is also presented.