Regio- and stereospecific models for the biosynthesis of the indole alkaloids—III : The Aspidosperma-Iboga-secodine relationship

In vitro transformation of the Aspidosperma alkaloid (?) tabersonine (1) to (±)-pseudocatharanthine (7) via (+) allocatharanthine (6) and dehydrosecodine A (3) is described as a model for the biochemical interconversion of Aspidosperma and Iboga alkaloids. Facile conversion of 1, 2 and 7 in xylene solution to the carbazole (9) suggests the intermediacy of dehydrosecodines (as 8) in these reactions. In methanol solution the racemic salt (12) is formed in 50% yield from catharanthine at 175°. Further pyrolysis of the salt yields the carbazole (9). Reduction of the salt (12) with NaBH₄ affords (±) dihydrosecodine (16) identical with the natural alkaloid from Rhazya stricta.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of propellanes : Photoelectron spectra of thia[4.4.3]propellanes

The photoelectron spectra of 12-thia[4.4.3]propell-3-ene (), 12-thia[4.4.3]propell-3-ene-12-oxide (2), 12-thia[4.4.3]propella-3,8-diene-12-oxide (3), 12-thia[4.4.3]propella-3,8-diene-12-dioxide (4), 12 thia[4.4.3]propella-2, 4-diene-12-oxide (5), 12-thia(4.4.3]propella-2,4,7,9 tetraene-12-oxide (6) and 12-thia[4.4.3]propella-2,4,7,9 tetraene-12-dioxide (7) have been investigated and the first bands have been interpreted. For compounds 3 and 4 the endo-endo conformation could be excluded. For 6 and 7 the interaction of the two butadiene moieties is of the same order as that of the π-orbitals in norbornadiene. The electronic structure of 3 and 4 allows us to rationalize and to predict the direction of the addition of cations and carbenes.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine, 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine, and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol

A short, versatile, and enantioselective synthesis of 1-deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine (5), 1-deoxy-8-hydroxymethyl castanospermine (6), and (6S,7S,8R,8aR)-8-amino-octahydroindolizine-6,7-diol (7) is achieved from a common template 12. The key step utilized is PET provoked amine radical cyclization of 11 to 12 in excellent diastereoselectivity. The exocyclic double bond at C-8 of the template is functionalized to obtain 5-7 as exclusive diastereomers. 1-Deoxy-8-epi-castanospermine exhibited inhibition of α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Compounds 6 and 7 were found to be weak inhibitors of β-glucosidase.     

Quinolizidines—IV: Total syntheses of (±)-ankorine and (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol

The first total synthesis of ankorine (4), an Alangium lamarckii alkaloid, has been accomplished in the form of a recemic modification by means of an initial condensation of 2-benzyloxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenacyl bromide with the lactim ether 6, derived from ethyl (±)-trans-5-ethyl-2-oxo-4-piperidineacetate (5), and succeeding steps proceeding through the intemediates 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a (X=Cl), 11a, and 12a. A parallel synthetic route starting with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl bromide and 6 gave (±)-11-methoxyprotoemetinol (12c) via the intermediates 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c (X =I,ClO₄), and 11c. The trimethyl ether 12c did not match the O-Me derivative (type 12e) of natural ankorine. Thus, the formula 4 defines the structure and relative stereochemistry of ankorine.     

A nitro sugar mediated synthesis of 6-amino-1,5,6-trideoxy-1,5-imino-d-glucitol (6-amino-1,6-dideoxynojirimycin)

6-Benzoylamino-3-O-benzyl-1,5,6-trideoxy-N-(1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1,5-imino-d-glucitol 12a and its epimer 6-benzoylamino-3-O-benzyl-1,5,6-trideoxy-N-(1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1,5-imino-l-iditol 12b, the protected forms of 6-amino-1,6-dideoxynojirimycin 4 and its C-5 epimer 5, respectively, were easily prepared from diacetone-d-glucose via 6-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-C-nitromethyl-α-d-glucofuranose 7a or 6-O-benzoyl-3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-C-nitromethyl-β-l-idofuranose 7b. 6-Amino-1,6-dideoxynojirimycin 4 (an important precursor of a wide range of glycosidase inhibitors) was easily prepared from 1,5-imino-d-glucitol 12a.     

The photolysis of berbine N-oxides

Photolysis of trans-canadine N-oxide (3) leads to lactam 5 and formamide 7. Similarly, photolysis of trans-xylopinine N-oxide (12) supplies lactam 14 and amide 15. Oxaziridine 4 is a probable intermediate in these transformations, so that selective oxidation of the berbine nucleus at C-6 has been achieved, accompanied by fission of the N-7-C-14 bond. LAH reduction of lactam 5 gives rise to dibenzazecine 8, while similar treatment of amide 7 generates dibenzazonine 10. Alternatively, acid hydrolysis of 7 furnishes dibenzazonine 11.     

A short route to the phthalideisoquinolines and the 13-hydroxylated protoberberines

CrO₃ oxidation of 2′-hydroxymethylpapaverine (2) yields the aromatic phthalideisoquinoline 3. Catalytic reduction of 3 gives the erythro-norphthalideisoquinoline 7 and the threo analog 9. Respective N-methylation furnishes the erythro-phthalideisoquinoline 8, and the threo isomer 10. The nor compounds 7 and 9 can be converted in hydroxylic base to the lactam alcohols 11 and 12, respectively; but 12 tends to dehydrate to the oxyprotoberberine 15. LAH reduction of 11 and 12 affords in turn the 13-hydroxyprotoberberines 13 and 14. Three fractors affect the conformation of the phthalideisoquinolines, namely the relative stereochemistry at C-1 and C-9, substitution on nitrogen, and substitution at C-8.     

Sesterterpenes and phenolic alkenes from the Thai sponge Hyrtios erectus

Sesterterpene, erectusolide A (1), six phenolic alkenes, erectuseneols A?F (2–7) and nine known compounds, luffalactone (8), luffariolide E (9), (6E)- and (6Z)-neomanoalide 24,25-diacetates (10 and 11), 6,6-dimethylundecane-2,5,10-trione (12), threo- and erythro-cavernosines (13 and 14), (4E,6E)-dehydromanoalide (15), echinoclerodane A (16), were isolated from the marine sponge Hyrtios erectus. Compound 13 was isolated for the first time from a natural source. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The phenolic alkenes 3 and 7, the sesterterpenes 8–11 and 15, and compounds 12–14 were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against six cancer cell lines, MOLT-3, HepG2, HeLa, HuCCA-1, A549, and MDA-MB-231.     

Two New Daucane Sesquiterpenoids from <em>Daphne aurantiaca</em>

Two new daucane sesquiterpenoids 1β,2β-epoxy-10(H)α-dauca-11(12)-ene-7α,14-diol (1) and 1α,2α-epoxy-10(H)α-dauca-11(12)-ene-7α,14-diol (2) were isolated from the plateau medicinal plant Daphne aurantiaca Diels. (Thymelaeceae). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as HR-ESI-MS data.     

[4+2]Cycloadditions of organometallic-substituted siloles with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and tetracyanoethylene

1-Sila-2,4-cyclopentadienes (siloles) bearing five organyl groups and a diethylboryl group in 3-position (3), four organyl groups, a trimethylstannyl and a diethylboryl group in 2,4-positions (4), four organyl groups, a diethylboryl group in 3-position and a hydrido function at the silicon atom (5) react by [4+2]cycloaddition with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, MeOC(O)CCC(O)OMe (1), and tetracycanoethylene, (NC)₂CC(CN)₂ (2), to give 7-silanorbornadienes (6–8) and 7-silanorbornenes (10–12), respectively. The silole 5 is converted into isomers 8 and 8′, and 12 and 12′, in which the SiMe group in each major isomer (8 and 12) occupies the syn-position with respect to the C(2)C(3) bond. The molecular structure of 10a was determined by X-ray analysis. The 7-silanorbornadiene (7) rearranges into a benzene derivative by formation of an SiO bond and 1,3-migration of the trimethylstannyl group. All products were characterised in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C-, ²⁹Si-, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR spectroscopy). The geometries of 1,4,7,7-tetramethyl-7-silanorbornadiene, -7-silanobornene, and -7-silanorbornane were optimised by ab initio MO calculations (RHF/6-311+G(d,p) and chemical shifts δ²⁹Si were calculated (GIAO-RHF/6-311+G(d,p)).     

Deoxycholic acid degradation by a pseudomonas sp: Phenolic and neutral products

The microbial degradation of deoxycholic acid by Pseudomonas sp. MR108 was studied, and four products were isolated. Evidence is presented that one is the phenol 3,12β - dihydroxy - 9,10 - secoandrosta -1,3,5(10) - trien - 9,17 - dione (11) and that the other three are the neutral compounds 3aαH - 4α - [3' - propionic acid] - 5α - hydroxy - 7aβ - methyl - hexahydro -1 - indanone - δ - lactone (12), 12β - hydroxyandrosta -1,4 - dien -3,17 - dione (10), and 12α - hydroxyandrosta - 1,4 - dien - 3,17 - dione (7).     

Flash vacuum thermolysis of dispiro[2.2.n.2]alkadienes

The Flash Vacuum Thermolysis (FVT) of dispiro[2.2.6.2]-tetradeca-4,13-diene (7a), dispiro[2.2.5.2]trideca-4,12-diene (7b) and dispiro[2.2.2.2]deca-4,9-diene (7e) at 500 – 750 °C is reported. The complicated reaction mixture from 7a and 7b (Scheme 3) included at lower temperatures vinylspiroalkadienes 9, ethylidenespiroalkadiene 10b, β-ethylcycloalkabenzenes 11, while at higher temperatures, p-n-alkyl- (5) and p-sec-alkylstyrenes 14 and p-divinylbenzene (15) dominated. Product formation is explained by invoking diradicals 8, 6 and 12 as well as the cyclophanes 1 and 13 as intermediates. For 7e, the product mixture was less complicated and consisted of p-ethylstyrene (5e), 15 and, unexpectedly, p-isopropylstyrene (14e) which contains one carbon more than the starting material. The analysis and interpretation of product formation largely confirms previously suggested reaction pathways and furnishes further interesting details. However, new and unexpected features are also encountered, especially in the fragmentations of 1 and 13 which may stimulate future investigations on the thermal behaviour of these relatively simple hydrocarbons.     

Chemical studies of marine invertebrates—XLIII: Novel sesquiterpenes from clavularia inflata and clavularia koellikeri (Coelenterata,Octocorallia,Stolonifera)

Two novel sesquiterpenes, 12-acetoxycyclosinularane (1) and 12-acetoxysinularene(2),have been isolated from Clavularia inftata. Their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and chemical correlation respectively. Moreover, the new aromadendrane sesquiterpene(1R^*, 1aS^*, 4R^*, 7R^*, 7aS^*, 7bS^*, 5Z)-4,4a,7-trihydroxyaromadendr-5-en-8-oic acid methyl ester (19) has been isolated from the related species C. koellikeri. Its structure has been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds are the first sesquiterpenes isolated from Octocorallia of the order Stolonifera.     

1,N-Etheno-2′-deoxytubercidin and pyrrolo-C: synthesis, base pairing, and fluorescence properties of 7-deazapurine nucleosides and oligonucleotides

The synthesis of 1,N⁶-etheno-7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine (12b) which was prepared from 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine (5a) with chloroacetaldehyde is described. Also the regioselective glycosylation of the 7-deazapurine-2-one at nitrogen-1 (19) furnishing the pyrrolo-C nucleoside 7a is reported and a side chain derivative with a terminal triple bond (7d) is prepared. The fluorescence properties of these nucleosides and related compounds were determined. The etheno nucleoside 12b is strongly fluorescent showing a Stokes shift of 134 nm and a quantum yield of Φ=0.53. It proved to be stable, both in acidic and in alkaline medium while the parent purine compound 10b is labile under both conditions. Compound 12b was converted into its phosphoramidite 14 and was incorporated into oligonucleotides. Compound 12b destabilizes oligonucleotide duplexes when it is located in the center of the molecule; it stabilizes when it is incorporated in the terminal base pair or acts as an overhanging nucleoside. Temperature-dependent fluorescent measurements yielded sigmoidal melting profiles when compound 12b is stacked to the terminal base pair while a linear decrease of the fluorescence is observed when the molecule is located opposite to the four canonical nucleosides in the center of the duplex.     

Synthesis of some acyclonucleosides with the alkylating chain of acyclovir

The synthesis of some acyclic 1-[1,2,3-triazol-(4 and 5)-ylmethyl]-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides, via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, from 4-substituted N₁-propargyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines 7a,b and azido derivative 8 is described. Compounds 7a,b and all deprotected acyclic nucleosides 11a,b, 12a,b and 13–22 were evaluated against: HIV-1, HIV-2 and a series of tumour cell-lines. No marked activity was found. Their anti-tuberculosis evaluation showed that compound 7b had marked activity.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically pure tricyclic benzomorphan analogues

The key step in the synthesis of enantiomerically pure benzomorphan analogous tricyclic amines 2 is the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohol 7 using the lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescence. The (S)-configured alcohol (S)-7 and the (R)-configured ester (R)-8 were obtained in good yield (40% and 46%, respectively) and excellent enantiomeric excess (99% ee and 98.4% ee, respectively). A diastereoselective oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction of (S)-7 with ethyl glyoxalate (OHC–CO₂Et) followed by a Dieckmann cyclization provided the tricyclic ring system 11, which allowed the diastereoselective introduction of an amino group at the 6-position. The absolute configuration of alcohol (S)-7 was determined with the tricyclic alcohol 13. The quantum mechanically calculated specific optical rotation of (S,S,S)-configured alcohol 13 is in accordance with the measured specific rotation of the synthesized compound. Moreover, X-ray crystal structure analysis of the synthesized compound, determined with the three-beam interference method, proved the (S,S,S)-configuration of 13. The enantiomerically pure dimethylamine 12 showed moderate affinity toward σ₂ receptors.     

Enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 1-(1-naphthyl)isoquinolines and 2-(1-naphthyl)pyridines through sulfoxide ligand coupling reactions

Racemic 1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanol rac-12 was prepared through a ligand coupling reaction of racemic 1-(tert-butylsulfinyl)isoquinoline rac-7 with the 1-naphthyl Grignard reagent 10. Resolution of rac-12 was achieved through chromatographic separation of the Noe-lactol derivatives 14 and 15, providing (R)-(−)-12 of >99% ee and (S)-(+)-12 of 90% ee. The ligand coupling reaction of optically enriched sulfoxide (S)-(−)-7 (62% ee) with Grignard reagent 10 furnished rac-12, with the absence of stereoinduction resulting from competing rapid racemisation of the sulfoxide 7. Reaction of optically enriched (S)-(−)-7 with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide was also accompanied by racemisation of the sulfoxide 7, and furnished optically active (+)-1-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)isoquinoline (+)-3b in low enantiomeric purity (14% ee). The absolute configuration of (+)-3b was assigned as R using circular dichroism spectroscopy, correcting an earlier assignment based on the Bijvoet method, but in the absence of heavy atoms. Optically active 2-pyridyl sulfoxides were found not to undergo racemisation analogous to the 1-isoquinolinyl sulfoxide 7, with the ligand coupling reactions of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-2-[(4′-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-3-methylpyridines, (R)-(+)-17 and (S)-(−)-17, with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide providing (−)- and (+)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)-3-methylpyridines, (−)-18 and (+)-18, in 53 and 60% ee, respectively. The free energy barriers to internal rotation in 3b and 18 have been determined, and the isoquinoline (R)-(−)-12 examined as a ligand in the enantioselectively catalysed addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde; (R)-(−)-12 was also converted to (R)-(−)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanamine (R)-(−)-19, and this examined as a ligand in the enantioselective Pd-catalysed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate.     

The fate of the tryptophan stereocenter in the synthesis of 7,10,16,16a-tetrahydro-11H-quinazolino[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazino[1,2-b]β-carboline-5,8-diones

Condensation reactions of anthranilic acid with iminoethers 14–17 derived from tetracycles 9–13 to give the title hexacyclic compounds reflect a preferred trans-relationship for H(10)–H(16a) protons in C(7)-unsubstituted products and a cis-relatioship for H(7)–H(16a) protons in C(10)-unsubstituted analogs. This synthetic strategy is limited by the steric hindrance of the substituent at C(10). Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental results. The regioselectivity in favor of the linear tetracyclic compound 11 with respect to 12 has also been confirmed.     

Synthesis of (S-(−)-wybutine,the fluorescent minor base from yeast phenylalanine transfer ribonucleic acids

The Wittig reaction of 1-benzyl-7-formylwye (12) with (R)-[2-carboxy-2-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]ethyl]triphenylphosphonium chloride (8) followed by successive methylation and reduction gave (-)-wybutine [(S)-1a].     

Synthesis of (1R,4E,5S)-4-{[(E)-(azinyl)diazenyl]methylidene}-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones and (1R,4R,5R)-4-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones

4-[(Heteroaryldiazenyl)methylidene] and 4-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl) substituted (1R,5R)-4-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 6/6′ and 7/7′ were obtained in a one-pot transformation of the enamino lactone 2 with hydrazinoazines 3a–g followed by oxidation of the intermediate mixture of isomeric enehydrazines 4/4′ and hydrazones 5/5′ with lead tetraacetate. The oxidation selectivity was dependent on the ratio of isomeric intermediates 4/4′ and 5/5′. Treatment of 7b with lead tetraacetate led to α-acetoxylated compound 11, while bromination of 9b afforded a 1:1 mixture of α-bromination products 12 and 12′, which were separated by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The structures of intermediates and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.