Highly diastereoselective chemoenzymatic synthesis of (2′R)- and (2′S)-2′-deoxy[2′-H]guanosines

In an effort to develop an efficient synthetic method of highly diastereoselective (2′R)- and (2′S)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]guanosines, chemoenzymatic conversion was investigated. The synthesis of (2′R > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]guanosine was achieved by biological transdeoxyribosylation using (2′R > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]uridine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and Enterobacter aerogenes AJ-11125, followed by treatment with adenosine deaminase. (2′S > 98% de)-2′-Deoxy[2′-²H]guanosine was synthesized from (2′S > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]uridine and 2,6-diaminopurine using thymidine phosphorylase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase instead of E. aerogenes AJ-11125.     

A facile synthesis of oxazolo[3,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines via a new multicomponent reaction

The synthesis of N-cyclohexyl-10-(2-fluorophenyl)-8aH-oxazolo[3,2-a][1,10]phenanthroline and N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-10-(2-fluorophenyl)-8aH-oxazolo[3,2-a][1,10]phenanthroline by reaction of 2-fluorobenzaldehyde, phenanthroline and cyclohexyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide is reported.     

Solution-phase parallel synthesis of new 2H-pyrimido-[4,5-e][1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidenecyanamides

A practical synthesis of 2H-pyrimido[4,5-e][1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidenecyanamides has been developed. The key step is the coupling reaction of an aryldiazonium salt with 1-cyano-3-(2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-ylamino)-2-methylisothiourea followed by intramolecular cyclization. A library of 2H-pyrimido[4,5-e][1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidenecyanamides was prepared in two steps from 6-aminouracils using this method.     

Asymmetric [4+2] cycloadditions employing 1,3-dienes derived from (R)-4-t-butyldimethyl-silyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one

1,3-Dienes derived from (R)-4-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one react with activated dienophiles to form predominately (or sometimes exclusively) syn/endo products. These controlled [4+2] cycloadditions increase the asymmetric complexity from one asymmetric center in the starting material to five asymmetric centers in the products in a single step, and provide a powerful approach for the asymmetric synthesis of compounds containing the bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone carbon skeleton.     

Regioselective synthesis of 1H,3H,6H[2]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones and 12H-benzopyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5-ones by radical cyclization

5-Hydroxy uracils or 4-hydroxy[1]benzopyran-2-ones were refluxed with 2-bromobenzyl bromides in acetone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate to afford a number of 5-(2′-bromobenzyloxy) pyrimidine-2,4-dione (80-92%) or 4-(2′-bromobenzyloxy) benzopyran-7-ones (70-82%) respectively. These were then refluxed with tri-n-butyltin chloride and sodium cyanoborohydride in the presence of a catalytic amount of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) for 3-4 h to give 1H,3H,6H [2]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones (75-85%) or 12H-benzopyrano[3,2-c][1]benzopyran-5-ones (70-85%) respectively.     

A new synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes utilizing an interrupted Pummerer reaction

A convenient synthesis of 3-arylbenzo[b]thiophenes utilizing an interrupted Pummerer reaction of 2-(1-arylvinyl)phenyl ethyl sulfoxides is described. Thus, treatment of these sulfoxides, which were readily prepared from 2-sulfanylphenyl ketones or 2-fluoro-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, with acetic anhydride at 100 °C afforded 3-arylbenzo[b]thiophenes in reasonable yields.     

Synthesis of a novel family of water-soluble 2H,3H-[1,3]thia- and -selenazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-4-ium heterocycles by annulation reactions

Regioselective synthesis of a novel family of water-soluble 2H,3H-[1,3]chalcogenazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-4-ium derivatives was developed based on 2-pyridinesulfenyl and -selenenyl halides and unsaturated compounds. The annulation reactions with divinyl sulfide, selenide and N-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one led to addition of the chalcogen atom to the terminal carbon of the double bond whereas the reaction with tetravinylsilane proceeded with opposite regiochemistry. Tricyclic condensed heterocycles were obtained from 2,3-dihydrofuran and cycloalkenes. The products represent novel promising scaffolds for organic synthesis and possible drug discovery.     

N-Alkyl- and N-aryl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole-containing organic dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Two new organic sensitizers, 2-cyano-3-(6-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrol-2-yl)acrylic acid and 2-cyano-3-(6-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4-(4-(hexyloxy)phenyl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrol-2-yl)acrylic acid, consisting of electron donating (triphenylamine) and electron accepting (cyanoacrylic acid) functionalities linked by two different rigidified π-spacers, N-alkyl- and N-aryl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole, were designed, synthesized and applied for dye-sensitized solar cells, respectively. The materials were successfully synthesized through Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra revealed that the use of either of rigidified π-spacer resulted in similar charge transfer transition, however, enhanced spectral response was observed when compared with an oligothiophene analogue. In terms of their photovoltaic performance, new dyes outperformed the reference bithiophene sensitizer when tested with nitrile-based and ionic liquid-based electrolytes.     

Reaction of 3,4,4,5-tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine with benzyltriethylammonium chloride

3,4,4,5-Tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine was reacted with BnEt₃NCl (10?mol%) to give perchloro-9-thia-1,5,8,10-tetraazaspiro[5.5]undeca-1,4,7,10-tetraene (up to 18% yield), 4,5,6-trichloropyrimidine-2-carbonitrile (up to 44% yield) and four minor side products: 2,7-dichlorothiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile, 2-(4-chloro-6H-thiazolo[5,4-c][1,2,6]thia-diazin-6-ylidene)malononitrile, 4,8-dichloropyrrolo[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c][1,2,6]thiadiazine-6,7-dicarbonitrile and 4,7-dichloro-[1,2,6]thiadiazino[3,4-b]thiazolo[5,4-e][1,4]diazepin-9(10H)-one. Single crystal X-ray studies support the structures of the minor products. Tentative rationale for the formation of these minor products and the synthesis of 8-bromo-4-chloropyrrolo[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c][1,2,6]thiadiazine-6,7-dicarbonitrile are presented.     

New synthetic approach to α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones and their application in Diels-Alder reactions

A new pathway towards α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones was elaborated. The reaction of β-bromo-β-fluorostyrenes with sodium 4-methylphenylsulfinate proceeds with maximum 94:6 stereoselectivity and 72-90% yields. The formed α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones were found to be good dienophiles for Diels-Alder reactions with simple 1,3-dienes. From corresponding (E)-configured dienophiles and cyclopentadiene, cycloadducts bearing the fluorine substituent in exo-position were formed predominantly, while with diphenylisobenzofuran the products with endo-orientation of the fluorine were obtained as the major products. From these cycloadducts, as a proof of principle, p-toluenesulfinic acid was eliminated to give 2-fluoro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)norbornadiene, the formal [4+2]-cycloadduct of cyclopentadiene and 1-fluoro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetylene, or the corresponding diphenylisobenzofuran cycloadducts, respectively. This reaction was not successful when other β-hydrogen atoms are accessible for elimination.     

New ‘2-phenylnaphthalene’-mediated synthesis of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]furan-6,11-diones and 6-oxa-benzo[a]anthracene-5,7,12-triones: first total synthesis of 6-oxa-benzo[a]anthracen-5-ones

We describe here a novel synthesis of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]furan-6,11-diones based on the heteroannulation of 2-(2-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones. The naphthoquinones were prepared from 3-(2-bromophenyl)naphthalen-2-ols, which were obtained by intramolecular aldol condensation of 2-[3-(2-bromophenyl)-2-oxo-propyl]benzaldehydes. Alternatively, benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]furan-6,11-diones were obtained more directly and efficiently by cyclization of 3-(2-bromophenyl)naphthalen-2-ols to benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]furans and oxidation of the resulting compounds. Furthermore, the first 6-oxabenzo[a]anthracen-5-one described was similarly obtained from 2-[3-(2-formylphenyl)-2-oxopropyl]benzoic acid and oxidized to 6-oxa-benzo[a]anthracene-5,7,12-trione.     

Synthesis of 9-nitro-5H-spiro[benzo[b]tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,4]oxazepine-4,2′-oxirane] via an unusual ring-expansion

Attempted cyclization of (4-(hydroxymethyl)-8-nitro-4H-benzo[b]tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,4]oxazin-4-yl)methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate 2 did not give the expected spirooxetane product 1, but instead provided 9-nitro-5H-spiro[benzo[b]tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,4]oxazepine-4,2′-oxirane] 3via an unusual ring-expansion process. The structure of compound 3 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The spiroepoxide (oxirane) in compound 3 could be ring-opened with a variety of nucleophiles to give products of potential interest to medicinal chemists.     

Spirooxindoles: reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4(3H)-one and isatins

A simple and efficient cyclocondensation reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4(3H)-one and isatins for the synthesis of spiro[pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-5,5′-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine] and spiro[indoline-pyrido[2,3-d:6,5-d′]dipyrimidine] derivatives is reported.     

Versatile synthesis of 3,4-b diheteropentalenes

We describe a new route for the synthesis of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene, alkyl derivatives thereof, seleno[3,4-b]thiophene, and thieno[3,4-b]furan made from inexpensive starting materials, such as thiophene-2-carboxylic acid and furan-2-carboxylic acid. Such fused heterocycles are of great interest for low band gap organic semiconductors and applications including OLEDs, organic photovoltaic cells, and electrochromics.     

Studies on the synthesis of 2-(2-arylvinyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 5-(2-arylvinyl)triazolothieno[3,2-e]pyrimidines

Synthesis of 2-(2-arylvinyl)thienopyrimidines, by the acid catalyzed condensation of nitriles with thiophene o-aminocarbonyl compounds, the condensation of aldehydes with thiophene o-aminoamides, the base catalyzed condensation of aldehydes with 2-methylthienopyrimidines and by the Wittig condensation of 2-thieno-pyrimidinylmethylphosphonium salts with aldehydes is described. Isomeric 5-methyltriazolothienopyrimidines were found to react, under basic condition, with aldehydes yielding 5-(2-arylvinyl)triazolo[2,3-c]thieno-pyrimidines. While 5-styryltriazolo[4,3-c] isomers resisted acid catalysed isomerization, they were found to isomerize to triazolo[2,3-c]pyrimidines under base catalysis.     

Two novel carbonic acid esters conjugated with oligophenyl glucosides from Rhamnus nakaharai

Two novel carbonic acid esters conjugated with oligomeric phenyl glycosides have been isolated and characterized from the wood of Rhamnus nakaharai. The structures are characterized as 5,7-dihydroxyphthalide 5-O-β-[6-O-{3″-methoxy-4″-O-β-[6?-O-(4?-O-carboxy-3?,5?-dimethoxy)phenyl]glucopyranosyl}phenyl]glucopyranoside (1) and 6-O-{3′-methoxy-4′-O-β-[6″-O-(3?-mercapto-5?-methoxy-4?-O-methylcarboxy)phenyl]glucopyranosyl}phenyl β-glucopyranose (2), namely, rhamnakoside A (1) and B (2), all by NMR and other spectral methods, respectively. They could be a novel case of phase II detoxification products and biogenetic diversity in plant kingdom.     

2,6-Cyclo-xenicanes from the brown algae Dilophus fasciola and Dilophus spiralis

Seven new diterpenes, featuring the rare 2,6-cyclo-xenicane skeleton, along with eleven previously reported metabolites were isolated from the organic extracts of the brown algae Dilophus fasciola and Dilophus spiralis. The structure elucidation of the isolated natural products was based on detailed analyses of their spectroscopic data (NMR, MS, IR, UV), whereas the assignment of their relative configurations was assisted by molecular modelling studies.     

Intermolecular stacking of a tetranuclear cyclic Pt(II) complex: NMR characterization and X-ray crystal structure of cis-trans-cis-trans tetra[μ-2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline-bis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine)platinum(II)]

The synthesis and characterization of a tetranuclear Pt complex, cis-trans-cis-trans tetra[μ-2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline-bis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine) platinum(II)], namely [L₂Pt-DENA]₄ with L = tri-p-tolylphosphine, is reported. The complex was obtained by the dehydrohalogenative condensation of 2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline (DENA) with cis-[dichlorobis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine)platinum(II)]. The single crystal structure determination of [L₂Pt-DENA]₄ indicated the formation of a neutral molecular cycle with four alternating platinum units in cis and trans configurations, all bridged with DENA spacers with the presence of solvent (toluene) crystallization molecules. A twisted tetranuclear cyclic feature was identified. The formation of intermolecular stacks of the tetranuclear complex in solution was assessed by means of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) and rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) characterizations.     

Thermal cyclization of N-[2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthyl] ketenimines: intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction versus [1,5] hydrogen migration. Synthesis of dibenz[b,h]acridines and benzo[h]quinolines

The thermal treatment of N-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines provided the expected aza-Claisen rearranged products, 2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines and benz[g]indoles, these last derived from an intramolecular hydroamination reaction on those primary products. The 2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthylamines were converted into their triphenylphosphazene derivatives, which by aza-Wittig reaction with disubstituted ketenes yielded N-[2-(2-propenyl)-1-naphthyl] ketenimines. The heating of these ketenimines in boiling toluene induced their cyclization either via an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, to afford dibenz[b,h]acridines, or via [1,5] hydrogen migration from the sp³ carbon atom of the propenyl substituent to the central carbon atom of the ketenimine fragment, followed by a 6π electrocyclic ring closure, to give benzo[h]quinolines.     

Reactions of 3,5-dibromo-1-(thiiran-2-ylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazole with NH-azoles

Reactions of 3,5-dibromo-1-(thiiran-2-ylmethyl)-1,2,4-triazole with 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 1,3-dimethyl-3,7-dihydropurine-2,6-dione, 3,5-dibromo-1,2,4-triazole, 2,4,5-tribromoimidazole, and 2-chlorobenzimidazole lead to the formation of 5-azolylmethyl-2-bromo-5,6-dihydrothiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazoles. In the case of 8-bromo-1,3-dimethyl-3,7-dihydropurine-2,6-dione the intermediate thiolate anion undergoes cyclization into 7-[(3,5-dibromo-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1,3-dimethyl-6,7-dihydrothiazolo[2,3-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione. The structure of reaction products depends on the relative rate of substitution of leaving groups in the reagents.