On the Formation of 2‐Sulfonylbenzo[a]heptalene‐1,3‐diols as Precursors for the Synthesis of Colchicinoids

The benzo[a]heptalene formation from 4‐[(R‐sulfonyl)acetyl]heptalene‐5‐carboxylates 15 and 5‐[(R‐sulfonyl)acetyl]heptalene‐4‐carboxylates 16 (R=Ph or morpholino) in the presence of R′SO₂CH₂Li and BuLi has been investigated (Scheme 6). Only the sulfonyl moiety linked to the C?O group at C(4) of the heptalene skeleton is found at C(3) of the formed benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols 3 in accordance with the general mechanism of their formation (Scheme 3). Intermediates that might rearrange to corresponding 2‐sulfonylbenzo[a]heptalene‐1,3‐diols lose HO^? under the reaction conditions to yield the corresponding cyclopenta[d]heptalenones of type 11 (Schemes 6 and 7). However, the presence of an additional Me group at C(α) of the lithioalkyl sulfones suppresses the loss of HO^?, and 4‐methyl‐2‐sulfonylbenzo[a]heptalene‐1,3‐diols of type 4c have been isolated and characterized for the first time (Schemes 8 and 10). A number of X‐ray crystal‐structure analyses of starting materials and of the new benzo[a]heptalenes have been performed. Finally, benzo[a]heptalene 4c has been transformed into its 1,2,3‐trimethoxy derivative 23 , a benzo[a]heptalene with the colchicinoid substitution pattern at ring A (Scheme 11).     

Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 31

The diastereoselectivity of the addition of NH₃ and MeNH₂ to glyconolactone oxime sulfonates and the structures of the resulting N‐unsubstituted and N‐methylated glycosylidene diaziridines were The ¹⁵N‐labelled glucono‐ and galactono‐1,5‐lactone oxime mesylates 1* and 9* add NH₃ mostly axially (>3 : 1; Scheme 4), while the ¹⁵N‐labelled mannono‐1,5‐lactone oxime sulfonate 19* adds NH₃ mostly equatorially (9 : 1; Scheme 7). The ¹⁵N‐labelled mannono‐1,4‐lactone oxime sulfonate 30* adds NH₃ mostly from the exo side (>4 : 1; Scheme 9). The configuration of the N‐methylated pyranosylidene diaziridines 17, 18, 28 , and 29 suggests that MeNH₂ adds to 1, 9, 19 , and 23 mostly to exclusively from the equatorial direction (>7 : 3; Schemes 5 and 8). The mannono‐1,4‐lactone oxime sulfonate 30 adds MeNH₂ mostly from the exo side (85 : 15; Scheme 10), while the ribo analogue 37 adds MeNH₂ mostly from the endo side (4 : 1; Scheme 10). Analysis of the preferred and of the reactive conformers of the tetrahedral intermediates suggests that the addition of the amine to lactone oxime sulfonates is kinetically controlled. The diastereoselectivity of the diaziridine formation is rationalized as the result of the competing influences of intramolecular H‐bonding during addition of the amines, steric interactions (addition of MeNH₂), and the kinetic anomeric effect. The diaziridines obtained from 2,3,5‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐D ‐ribono‐ and ‐D ‐arabinono‐1,4‐lactone oxime methanesulfonate ( 42 and 48 ; Scheme 11) decomposed readily to mixtures of 1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazines, pentono‐1,4‐lactones, and pentonamides. The N‐unsubstituted gluco‐ and galactopyranosylidene diaziridines 2, 4, 6, 8 , and 10 are mixtures of two trans‐substituted isomers ( S / R ca. 19 : 1, Scheme 2). The main, (S,S)‐configured isomers S are stabilised by a weak intramolecular H‐bond from the pseudoaxial NH to RO? C(2). The diaziridines 12 , derived from GlcNAc, cannot form such a H‐bond; the (R,R)‐isomer dominates ( R / S 85 : 15; Scheme 3). The 2,3‐di‐O‐benzyl‐D ‐mannopyranosylidene diaziridines 20 and 22 adopt a ⁴C₁ conformation, which does not allow an intramolecular H‐bond; they are nearly 1 : 1 mixtures of R and S diastereoisomers, whereas the ^OH₅ conformation of the 2,3:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐mannopyranosylidene diaziridines 24 is compatible with a weak H‐bond from the equatorial NH to O? C(2); the (R,R)‐isomer is favoured ( R / S ≥7 : 3; Scheme 6). The mannofuranosylidene diaziridine 31 completely prefers the (R,R)‐configuration (Scheme 9).     

A ‘One-Pot’ Anellation Method for the Transformation of Heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates into Benzo[a]heptalenes

It has been found that dimethyl heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates, when treated with 4 mol-equiv. of lithiated N,N-dialkylamino methyl sulfones or methyl phenyl sulfone, followed by 4 mol-equiv. of BuLi in THF in the temperature range of ?78 to 20°, give rise to the formation of 3-[(N,N-dialkylamino)sulfonyl]- or 3-(phenylsul-fonyl)benzo[a]heptalene-2,4-diols of. (cf. Scheme 4, and Tables 2 and 3). Accompanying products are 2,4-bis{[(N,N-dialkylamino)sulfonyl]methyl}- or 2,4-bis[(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]-4,10a-dihydro-3H-heptaleno[1,10-bc]furan-3-carboxylates as mixtures of diastereoisomers of. cf. Scheme 4, and (Tables 2 and 3) which are the result of a Michael addition reaction of the lithiated methyl sulfones at C(3) of the heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates, followed by (sulfonyl)methylation of the methoxycarbonyl group at C(5) and cyclization of. (cf. Scheme 5). It is assumed that the benzo[a]heptalene formation is due to (sulfonyl)methylation of both methoxycarbonyl groups of the heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates of. (cf. Schemes 6 and 8). The resulting bis-enolates 35 are deprotonated further. The thus formed tris-anions 36 can then cyclize to corresponding tris-anions 37 of cyclopenta[d]heptalenes which, after loss of N,N-dialkylamido sulfite or phenyl sulfinate, undergo a ring-enlargement reaction by 1,2-C migration finally leading to the observed benzo[a]heptalenes of. (cf. Schemes 8 and 9). The structures of the new product types have been finally established by X-ray crystal-structure analyses (cf. Figs. 1 and 2 as well as Exper. Part).     

From Blue Azulenes to Blue Heptalenes – New Strongly Polarized π‐Convertible Heptalenes

The 1,5,6,8,10‐pentamethylheptalene‐4‐carboxaldehyde ( 4b ) (together with its double‐bond‐shifted (DBS) isomer 4a ) and methyl 4‐formyl‐1,6,8,10‐tetramethylheptalene‐5‐carboxylate ( 15b ) were synthesized (Schemes 3 and 7, resp.). Aminoethenylation of 4a / 4b with N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (=1,1‐dimethoxy‐N,N‐dimethylmethanamine=DMFDMA) led in DMF to 1‐[(1E)‐2‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐5,6,8,10‐tetramethylheptalene‐2‐carboxaldehyde ( 18a ; Scheme 9), whereas the stronger aminoethenylation agent N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″‐hexamethylmethanetriamine (=tris(dimethylamino)methane=TDMAM) gave an almost 1 : 1 mixture of 18a and 1‐[(1E)‐2‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐5,6,8,10‐tetramethylheptalene‐4‐carboxaldehyde ( 20b ; Scheme 11). Carboxylate 15b delivered with DMFDMA on heating in DMF the expected aminoethenylation product 19b (Scheme 10). The aminoethenylated heptalenecarboxaldehydes were treated with malononitrile in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of TiCl₄/pyridine to yield the corresponding malononitrile derivatives 23b, 24b , and 26a (Schemes 13 and 14). The photochemically induced DBS process of the heptalenecarboxaldehydes as ‘soft’ merocyanines and their malononitrile derivatives as ‘strong’ merocyanines of almost zwitterionic nature were studied in detail (Figs. 10–29) with the result that 1,4‐donor/acceptor substituted heptalenes are cleaner switchable than 1,2‐donor/acceptor‐substituted heptalenes.     

Asymmetric Catalysis with a Phosphoramidite Derived from (−)‐(aR)‐ [1,1′‐Binaphthalene]‐8,8′‐diol

Treatment of (aR)‐[1,1′binaphthalene]‐8,8′‐diol ((−)‐ 1 ) with hexamethylphosphorous triamide afforded the N,N‐dimethylphosphoramidite (−)‐ 3 (Scheme 1). The synthesis of the analogous N,N‐diisopropylphosphoramidite 4 failed, however, and afforded the acyclic phosphonamidate (−)‐ 5 . The application of the cyclic phosphoramidite (−)‐ 3 towards asymmetric catalysis was investigated. The borane reduction of acetophenone ( 6 ) to (R)‐1‐phenylethanol ( 7 ) in the presence of (−)‐ 3 proceeded with 96% ee (Scheme 2). The use of (−)‐ 3 as ligand in several Cu‐catalyzed addition and substitution reactions resulted in enantioselectivities ranging from 0 to 50% (Schemes 3 and 4).     

New Synthetic Approach to Naphtho[1,2‐b]furan and 4′‐Oxo‐Substituted Spiro[cyclopropane‐1,1′(4′H)‐naphthalene] Derivatives

A one‐step synthesis of ethyl 2,3‐dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐2‐carboxylate and/or ethyl 4′‐oxospiro[cyclopropane‐1,1′(4′H)‐naphthalene]‐2′‐carboxylate derivatives 2 and 3 , respectively, from substituted naphthalen‐1‐ols and ethyl 2,3‐dibromopropanoate is described (Scheme 1). Compounds 2 were easily aromatized (Scheme 2). In the same way, 3,4‐dibromobutan‐2‐one afforded the corresponding 1‐(2,3‐dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐2‐yl)ethanone and/or spiro derivatives 8 and 9 , respectively (Scheme 6). A mechanism for the formation of the dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan ring and of the spiro compounds 3 is proposed (Schemes 3 and 4). The structures of spiro compounds 3a and 3f were established by X‐ray structural analysis. The reactivity of compound 3a was also briefly examined (Scheme 9).     

Synthesis of Functionalized Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes from Aucubin: An Access to Fused Aminocyclopentitols

Treatment of iodolactone 8a , having a cyclopentano[c]pyran skeleton and deriving from aucubin ( 1 ) (Scheme 1), with sodium trimethylsilanolate permitted a straightforward rearrangement to bicyclo[3.1.0]hexenes 10a and 10b (Schemes 3 and 4). Introduction of an N‐atom via a modified Curtius reaction provided an easy entry to fused aminocyclopentitols (Schemes 4 and 5). Target 4 is a conformationally restricted cyclopropane‐fused analogue of the glycosidase inhibitors mannostatins A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ).     

Synthesis of (±)‐Kempa‐6,8‐dien‐3‐ol (=(2aRS,3SR,4aSR,7RS,7aSR,10bSR,10cSR)‐2,2a,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,8,10b,10c‐Dodecahydro‐2a,7,10,10c‐tetramethylnaphth[2,18‐cde]azulen‐3‐ol)

The synthesis of kempa‐6,8‐dien‐3β‐ol ( 4a ), as a synthetic leading model of the natural product 4b , was carried out starting from intermediate 12 , the synthetic route of which has been developed previously (Scheme 1). The conversion of 12 to the model compound 4a involved the elaboration of three structure modifications by three processes, Tasks A, B, and C (see Scheme 2). Task A was achieved by epoxy‐ring opening of 41 with Me₃SiCl (Scheme 9), and Task B being performed by oxidation at the 13‐position, followed by hydrogenation, and then epimerization (Schemes 4 and 5). The removal of the 2‐OH group from 12 (Task C) was achieved via 30b according to Scheme 6, whereby 30b was formed exclusively from 30a / 31a 1 : 1 (Scheme 7). In addition, some useful reactions from the synthetic viewpoint were developed during the course of the present experiments.     

Carbocyclische Verbindungen aus Monosacchariden. I. Umsetzungen in der glucosereihe

Carbocyclic Compounds from Monosaccharides. 1. Transformations in the Glucose Series A method for the preparation of pentasubstituted cyclopentanes from monosaccharides is presented, involving two crucial steps, viz. the reductive fragmentation of 5-bromo-5-deoxyglucosides (such as 10, 17 and 23 , see Scheme 3) with Zn or butyl lithium yielding 5,6-dideoxy-hex-5-enoses (such as 11 and 24 , see Schemes 3 and 4), and the subsequent cyclization of these hexenoses with N-methyl- or N-(alkoxyalkyl)hydroxylamines (via the corresponding nitrones) to form cyclopentano-isoxazolidines (see Scheme 2). Thus, the glucosides 17 and 23 were converted diastereoselectively and in good yields into the cyclopentano-isoxazolidines 27 and 45 (Schemes 5 and 7), which were characterized by their transformation into various derivatives. 27 and 45 were correlated through the common derivative 62 . The configuration of the cyclization products were established by pyrolysis of the N-oxide 65 to the enol ether 67 (Scheme 10).     

Novel Fluoride‐Labile Nucleobase‐Protecting Groups for the Synthesis of 3′(2′)‐O‐Aminoacylated RNA Sequences

With the aim to develop a general approach to a total synthesis of aminoacylated t‐RNAs and analogues, we describe the synthesis of stabilized, aminoacylated RNA fragments, which, upon ligation, could lead to aminoacylated t‐RNA structures. Novel RNA phosphoramidites with fluoride‐labile 2′‐O‐[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]methyl (=tom) sugar‐protecting and N‐{{2‐[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]benzyl}oxy}carbonyl (=tboc) base‐protecting groups were prepared (Schemes 4 and 5), as well as a solid support containing an immobilized N⁶‐tboc‐protected adenosine with an orthogonal (photolabile) 2′‐O‐[(S)‐1‐(2‐nitrophenyl)ethoxy]methyl (=(S)‐npeom) group (Scheme 6). From these building blocks, a hexameric oligoribonucleotide was prepared by automated synthesis under standard conditions (Scheme 7). After the detachment from the solid support, the resulting fully protected sequence 34 was aminoacylated with L ‐phenylalanine derivatives carrying photolabile N‐protecting groups (→ 42 and 43 ; Scheme 9). Upon removal of the fluoride‐labile sugar‐ and nucleobase‐protecting groups, the still stabilized, partially with the photolabile group protected precursors 44 and 45 , respectively, of an aminoacylated RNA sequence were obtained (Scheme 9 and Fig. 3). Photolysis of 45 under mild conditions resulted in the efficient formation of the 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated RNA sequence 46 (Fig. 4). Additionally, we carried out model investigations concerning the stability of ester bonds of aminoacylated ribonucleotide derivatives under acidic conditions (Table) and established conditions for the purification and handling of 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated RNA sequences and their stabilized precursors.     

Synthesis of Monosaccharide‐Derived Spirocyclic Cyclopropylamines and Their Evaluation as Glycosidase Inhibitors

The glucose‐, mannose‐, and galactose‐derived spirocyclic cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a – 1d, 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d were prepared as potential glycosidase inhibitors. Cyclopropanation of the diazirine 5 with ethyl acrylate led in 71% yield to a 4 : 5 : 1 : 20 mixture of the ethyl cyclopropanecarboxylates 7a – 7d , while the Cu‐catalysed cycloaddition of ethyl diazoacetate to the exo‐glycal 6 afforded 7a – 7d (6 : 2 : 5 : 3) in 93–98% yield (Scheme 1). Saponification, Curtius degradation, and subsequent addition of BnOH or t‐BuOH led in 60–80% overall yield to the Z‐ or Boc‐carbamates 11a – 11d and 12a – 12d , respectively. Hydrogenolysis of 11a – 11d afforded 1a – 1d , while 12a – 12d was debenzylated to 13a – 13d prior to acidic cleavage of the N‐Boc group. The manno‐ and galacto‐isomers 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d , respectively, were similarly obtained in comparable yields (Schemes 2 and 4). Also prepared were the differentially protected manno‐configured esters 24a – 24d ; they are intermediates for the synthesis of analogous N‐acetylglucosamine‐derived cyclopropanes (Scheme 3). The cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a – 1d, 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d are very weak inhibitors of several glycosidases (Tables 1 and 2). Traces of Pd compounds, however, generated upon catalytic debenzylation, proved to be strong inhibitors. PdCl is, indeed, a reversible, micromolar inhibitor for the β‐glucosidases from C. saccharolyticum and sweet almonds (non‐competitive), the β‐galactosidases from bovine liver and from E. coli (both non‐competitive), the α‐galactosidase from Aspergillus niger (competitive), and an irreversible inhibitor of the α‐glucosidase from yeast and the α‐galactosidase from coffee beans. The cyclopropylamines derived from 1a – 1d or 3a – 3d significantly enhance the inhibition of the β‐glucosidase from C. saccharolyticum by PdCl , lowering the K_i value from 40 μM (PdCl ) to 0.5 μM for a 1 : 1 mixture of PdCl and 1d . A similar effect is shown by cyclopropylamine, but not by several other amines.     

Enantioselective Entry to the Homalium Alkaloid Hoprominol: Synthesis of an (R,R,R)‐Hoprominol Derivative

The diastereoselective synthesis of the N‐ and O‐protected hoprominol derivative (R,R,R)‐ 6 is described. The building up of the bicyclic O‐silylated and di(N‐tosylated) asymmetric scaffold 6 succeeded by convergent preparation of the two basic chiral azalactam units 7a and 7b and their subsequent iterative linking by a known method (Scheme 5). Both 4‐alkyl‐hexahydro‐1,5‐diazocin‐2(1H)‐ones 7a and 7b were prepared from the chiral β‐amino acid portions 10a and 10b , respectively, by application of a set of reactions (e.g., N‐alkylation of 10a , b and Sb(OEt)₃‐assisted cyclization of the resulting open‐chain intermediates) already known. In comparison with the total syntheses of homaline ( 1 ) and homoprine ( 2 ), the newness of the described synthesis lies in the asymmetric approach to the difunctionalized fatty acid derivative 10b starting from (?)‐(S)‐malic acid ( 9 ) (Schemes 3 and 4). Key step in the preparation of 10b was the diastereoselective amination of the optically pure α,β‐unsaturated δ‐hydroxy homoallylic ester 14 via conjugate intramolecular aza‐Michael cyclization of the acylic δ‐(carbamoyloxy) intermediate 11 .     

Cross‐Linked‐Polymer‐Supported N‐{2′‐[(Arylsulfonyl)amino][1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl}prolinamide as Organocatalyst for the Direct Aldol Intermolecular Reaction under Solvent‐Free Conditions

A bottom‐up strategy was used for the synthesis of cross‐linked copolymers containing the organocatalyst N‐{(1R)‐2′‐{[(4‐ethylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino}[1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl}‐D ‐prolinamide derived from 2 (Scheme 1). The polymer‐bound catalyst 5b containing 1% of divinylbenzene as cross‐linker showed higher catalyst activity in the aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde than 5a and 5c . Remarkably, the reaction in the presence of 5b was carried out under solvent‐free, mild conditions, achieving up to 93% ee (Table 1). The polymer‐bound catalyst 5b was recovered by filtration and re‐used up to seven times without detrimental effects on the achieved diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities (Table 2). The catalytic procedure with polymer 5b was extended to the aldol reaction under solvent‐free conditions of other ketones, including functionalized ones, and different aromatic aldehydes (Table 3). In some cases, the addition of a small amount of H₂O was required to give the best results (up to 95% ee). Under these reaction conditions, the cross‐aldol reaction between aldehydes proceeded in moderate yield and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (Scheme 2).     

Synthesis and Reactivity of π‐Electron‐Deficient (Arylsulfonyl)acetates

Different π‐electron‐deficient (arylsulfonyl)acetates 9 were synthesized (Scheme 1, Table 1), and their behavior as soft nucleophiles in the dialkylation reaction under phase‐transfer catalysis conditions was studied (Schemes 2 and 3, Tables 2 and 3). The [3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonyl group was shown to be the best substituent for the stereoselective synthesis of (E)‐aconitates 18 via an alkylation hydro‐sulfonyl‐elimination integrated process under very mild phase‐transfer‐catalysis conditions (Scheme 5, Table 4). Sulfonylacetates 9h , i also underwent smooth Diels‐Alder reactions with acyclic and cyclic dienes via in situ formation of the appropriate dienophile through a Knoevenagel condensation with paraformaldehyde (Scheme 6). Reductive desulfonylation with Zn and NH₄Cl in THF was shown to be an efficient method for removal of the synthetically useful sulfonyl moiety (Scheme 7).     

Synthesis of Galactose- and N-Acetylglucosamine-Derived Tetrazoles and their evaluation as β-glycosidase inhibitors

The title compounds 6 and 7 have been prepared from the known 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-D -galactose ( 18 ) and N²-acetyl-tri-O-benzyl-D -glucosamine oxime ( 29 ) in eight and six steps, respectively. The azidonitrile leading to the benzylated galacto-tetrazole 16 was prepared from 14 and cyclized under the conditions of its formation (Scheme 1). The alcohol 13 was obtained by oxidation of 10 followed by reduction. Better yields and diastereoselectivities were realized, when the benzylidene-protected D -galacto-alcohol 20 was subjected to oxido-reduction, yielding the L -altro-alcohol 22 via the ketone 21 (Scheme 2). Treatment of the corresponding tosylate 24 with NaN₃ yielded the tetrazole 25 , which was deprotected to 6 . The tetrabenzyl ether 16 (from 14 , or from 25 via 27 ) was reduced to 28 and deprotected to give the known deoxygalactostain 8 (Scheme 2). Oxidation of the hydroxynitrile 30 , derived from 29 , followed by reduction of 32 yielded mostly the L -ido-hydroxynitrile (Scheme 3), which was tosylated and treated with NaN₃ to give the tetrazole 35a and its manno-isomer 36a , while Al(N₃)₃ yielded (E)- and (Z)- 38 (Scheme 4). The intermediate azide 39 was isolated besides 40 when NH₄N₃/DMF was used; thermolysis of 39 gave mostly 35a , which was deprotected to 7 , besides some elimination product 41 . Both 6 and 7 are stable in the pH range 1–10; at pH 12, 6 is unaffected but, 7 shows some epimerization to the manno-configurated isomer 43 . The tetrazole 6 is a competitive inhibitor of the β-galactosidases from E. coli (K₁ = 1 μM , pH 6.8) and bovine liver (K₁ = 0.8 μM , pH 7.0); the N-acetyl-β-D -glucosaminidase from bovine kidney is competitively inhibited by 7 (K₁ ? 0.2 μM , pH 4.1).     

Photochemical Reactions of N‐(2‐Halogenoalkanoyl) Derivatives of Anilines

The photochemical reactions of 2‐substituted N‐(2‐halogenoalkanoyl) derivatives 1 of anilines and 5 of cyclic amines are described. Under irradiation, 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropananilides 1a – e undergo exclusively dehydrobromination to give N‐aryl‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides (=methacrylanilides) 3a – e (Scheme 1 and Table 1). On irradiation of N‐alkyl‐ and N‐phenyl‐substituted 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropananilides 1f – m , cyclization products, i.e. 1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐indol‐2‐ones (=oxindoles) 2f – m and 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones (=dihydrocarbostyrils) 4f – m , are obtained, besides 3f – m . On the other hand, irradiation of N‐methyl‐substituted 2‐chloro‐2‐phenylacetanilides 1o – q and 2‐chloroacetanilide 1r gives oxindoles 2o – r as the sole product, but in low yields (Scheme 3 and Table 2). The photocyclization of the corresponding N‐phenyl derivatives 1s – v to oxindoles 2s – v proceeds smoothly. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the photoproducts is proposed (Scheme 4). Irradiation of N‐(2‐halogenoalkanoyl) derivatives of cyclic amines 5a – c yields the cyclization products, i.e. five‐membered lactams 6a , b , and/or dehydrohalogenation products 7a , c and their cyclization products 8a , c , depending on the ring size of the amines (Scheme 5 and Table 3).     

Ein neues 3-Amino-2H-azirin als Aib-Pro-Baustein: Synthese des C-terminalen Nonapeptids von Trichovirin I 1B

A New 3-Amino-2H-azirine as an Aib-Pro Synthon: Synthesis of the C-Terminal Nonapeptide of Trichovirin I 1B The synthesis of methyl N-(2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirin-3-yl)-L -prolinate ( 3 ), a novel 3-amino-2H-azirine, is described (Scheme 2). It is shown that the reaction of COCl₂ with thioamide 5 is remarkably faster than with the corresponding amide 4 , and the yield of 3 is much better in the synthesis starting with 5 . The 3-amino-2H-azirine 3 has been used as a building block of the dipeptide moieties Aib-Pro in the synthesis of nonapeptide 17 (Schemes 4 and 5), the C-terminal 6–14 segment of the peptaibole trichovirin I 1B. The structure of 17 was established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (Figs.1 and 2).     

Preparation and Characterization of New C2‐ and C1‐Symmetric Nitrogen,Oxygen, Phosphorous,and Sulfur Derivatives and Analogs of TADDOL. Part II

TADDOL (=α,α,α′,α′‐Tetraaryl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4,5‐dimethanol) and the corresponding dichloride are converted to TADDAMINs (=(4S,5S)‐2,2,N,N′‐tetramethyl‐α,α,α′,α′‐tetraphenyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4,5‐dimethanamines) (Scheme 2) and ureas, 12 – 15 , and to TADDOP derivatives with seven‐membered O? P? O ester rings (Schemes 3 and 4). Cl/P‐Replacement via the Michaelis? Arbuzov reaction (Scheme 7) on mono‐ and dichlorides, derived from TADDOL, are described. It was not possible to obtain phosphines with the P‐atom attached to the benzhydrylic C‐atom of the TADDOL skeleton (Schemes 6 and 7). The X‐ray crystal structures (Figs. 1 and 2) of ten of the more than 30 new TADDOL derivatives are discussed. Full experimental details are presented.     

Enantioselective Syntheses and Fragrance Properties of the Four Stereoisomers of Magnolione® (Magnolia Ketone)

Enantioselective total syntheses of the four stereoisomers of the fragrance Magnolione® ( 1 ) are described. Key step is a Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation displaying enantiomer excess of ≥ 99% (Scheme 2). The resultant methyl α‐acetyl‐2‐pentylcyclopent‐2‐ene‐1‐acetate) was subjected to demethoxycarbonylation, carbonyl protection by acetalization, and epoxidation (Schemes 2 and 3). Subsequent Lewis acid catalyzed epoxide/ ketone rearrangement followed by deprotection gave cis/trans mixtures of Magnolione® in 28% overall yield (Scheme 3). The cis/trans isomers were separated by prep. HPLC, and fragrance properties as well as odor threshold values were determined (Table 2).     

Asymmetric induction bny enantiotopically differentiating retro-claisen reaction of P{rochiral bicyclic β-diketones

The possibility of preparing cycloalkanones with an asymmetric β-C-atom by enantiotopically differentiating retro-Claisen reactions of bicyclic diketones a (Scheme l) is tested with the decalin-1,8-diones 1 and 7 , as well as with the bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,8-diones 10 and 11 . Treatment of the reactive dione 1 with chiral tetra-alkyl titanate catalysts results in a low optical induction (13%, Scheme 2). Cleavage with the Nasalts of a-amino-alcohols and hydrolysis of the resulting amides or esters gives much better optical yields, reaching 86% ee with dione 1 and (?)-ephedrine (Scheme 3). Almost as efficient is N-methylephedrine with 75% optical induction (Scheme 5). Lower enantiotopical differentiation is, however, observed with (?)-ephedrine and diones 7 (44% ee), 10 (8% ee), and 11 (48% ee) (Schemes 3 and 4, Table l), or with dione 1 and _L-prolinol (37% ee) or (?)-2-amino-1-butanol (11% ee) (Scheme 5, Table 2). The moderate chemical yields of these transformations (500–70%) can be ascribed to side-reactions of the ketones under the strongly basic conditions.