Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones

An enantioselective Cu(II)-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to α,β- or α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with chiral cyclohexane-based amidophosphine ligands was developed. With 2 mol% of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O/L5, the conjugate addition of diethylzinc to α,β-unsaturated ketones was achieved in good-to-excellent yields (up to 98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). This catalytic system was shown to be efficient for the 1,4-conjugate addition of Et₂Zn to (2E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-2,4-dien-1-one with 85% yield and 90% ee. Moreover, with 1 mol% of Cu(OTf)₂/L11, the conjugate addition of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was accomplished with 1,4-regioselectivity, good yields (79–86%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Asymmetric halolactonisation reaction—4: Asymmetric synthesis of optically active α,β-epoxyaldehydes from α,β-unsaturated acids

The bromolactones (5) stereoselectively produced by the asymmetric bromolactonisation of (S)-N-(α,β-unsaturated) acylprolines(3), were elaborated to highly optically active 2(R),3(S)-epoxyaldehydes(8)(84–98% ee) by successive epoxide formation and reductive cleavage of the proline moiety. The overall process constitutes a highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of 8 from α,β-unsaturated acids(1).     

Limonoids from the aerial parts of Munronia pinnata

Six new limonoids, munropins A?F (1–6), were isolated from the aerial parts of a Chinese medicinal plant, Munronia pinnata (Meliaceae). The structures of 1–6 were assigned by detailed analyses of their spectroscopic data. Munropins A (1) and B (2) are limonoids possessing a prieurianin skeleton with α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam moieties at C-17. Munropins C (3), D (4), and E (5) are also prieurianin type limonoids with an α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety, an acetyl group, and an acetoxyacetyl group at C-17, respectively. Munropin F (6) was assigned as a nimbolinin type limonoid with a γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety.     

Synthesis of γ,γ-difluoro-β-hydroxy-δ-lactones as new precursors of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

A series of γ,γ-difluoro-β-hydroxy-δ-lactones 1 were efficiently synthesized as new precursors of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in one pot by treatment of readily prepared gem-difluoromethylenated acetonides 3 with trifluoroacetic acid. Contrarily, acetonides 3 could be transformed to the γ,γ-gem-difluoromethylenated α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones 2 through hydrolyzation and lactonization in refluxing toluene.     

Two-carbon homologation of ketones via sily ketene acetals: Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated acids and α-trimethylsilyl δ-ketoacids

The reaction of C,O,O-tris(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetal 1 with saturated, cyclic and aromatic ketones 2 proceeds smoothly in the presence of titanium chloride to give (E)-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids 3 with fairly good stereoselectivity. With α,β-unsaturated ketones 4, α-trimethylsilyl δ-ketoacids 5 (syn + anti) are obtained according to Michael-type 1,4 addition. These diastereoisomers are separated and the configurations of 5a are achieved by X-ray molecular analysis.     

Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols from α,β-unsaturated ketones via tandem Michael addition–MPV reduction

A new and effective asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,3-mercapto alcohols 3 from α,β-unsaturated ketones 1 utilizing tandem Michael addition–Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction is described. Transformation of the MPV products anti-4 via the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement was optimized under acidic or basic conditions to afford 1,3-mercapto alcohols anti-3, depending on the substituent R² of 4.     

Favorskii rearrangement of α,β-epoxy ketones

Reactions of α,β-epoxy ketones with nucleophilic bases generally take one of two courses: (1) α-displacement followed by β-elimination of water or (2) Favorskii rearrangement via a cyclopropanone or zwitterion intermediate. Among the factors that appear to control these reactions, it is suspected that an α′-substituent effect may operate. Such an effect has been confirmed by observing the conversion of 3,5,5,6 - tetramethyl - 2,3 - epoxycyclohexanone (1) to the ring-contracted γ-lactone 3, together with other Favorskii rearrangement products, on treatment with refluxing methanolic potassium hydroxide. The α′-methyl substituted steroid 2 under similar reaction conditions was transformed into roughly equal amounts of 4, 5 and 4 (all rationalized by a Favorskii-like mechanism). In each case the analogous epoxy ketone lacking an α′-Me substituent failed to give any Favorskii products.     

Synthesis and reactions of sulfur-substituted α,β-unsaturated δ- and γ-lactones

A new synthetic method for the preparation of sulfur-substituted α,β-unsaturated δ- and γ-lactones has been developed by reaction of the allylic bromides of 5,6-dihydro-2-pyridinones with NaOH in refluxing MeOH or t-BuOH. The substituents at C5 and C6 of these substrates are very important for the success of this reaction. Some synthetic transformations of the α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones have also been carried out.     

α,β-Unsaturated nitroso system—I : The generation and transformations of ω-nitroso camphene

MO calculations predict a pronounced 1,4-dipolar character for the α,β-unsaturated nitroso synthon, much above that for traditional systems like the α,β-unsaturated Nitro and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl. The work on ω-nitroso camphene-generated from interalia ω-Nitrocamphene 3 is in agreement with the expectations. Thus, the 3 → tricyclene aldehyde 4 change is rationalized on the basis of a σ shift and the 5 → 20 and 6 → 21 changes highlight the overwhelming influence of the α,β-unsaturated nitroso synthon over even the enol ether and enamine functions present in 5 and 6. Amongst other noteworthy features are the deep seated 3 → 8 rearrangement and the preparation and transformation of the extraordinarily stable and the first reported bridgehead nitrile oxide 14.     

Applications of the intramolecular diels-alder reactions of heterodienes to the syntheses of indole alkaloids

A novel intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction involving the addition of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde to an electron-deficient, dienophilic partner has been exploited as the key step in the development of a general entry to the heteroyohimboid and corynantheioid alkaloids. Thus, the thermal cyclization of the nitrogen-linked triene 11, which is readily available in eight steps from propargyl alcohol, proceeded smoothly to afford the cis-cycloadduct 20 in 73% yield. The cis-lactam 20 serves the dual role of being the pivotal intermediate for the preparation of the secondary amine 24 (13 steps and 18% overall yield from propargyl alcohol), a known precursor of tetrahydroalstonine (4) and other heteroyohimboid bases, as well as for the syntheses of the α,β-unsaturated 2-piperidones 27 and 29, model compounds that have been designed to test the feasibility of a new strategy for the synthesis of the corynantheioid alkaloids bearing an (E)-ethylidene moiety at C(20).     

Features and applications of reactions of α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles with amino compounds

Promoted by triethylamine, α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles reacted with amino compounds in a variety of ways. Thus, N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles reacting with aromatic amines afforded novel addition products β-benzotriazolyl amides 3, which might be normally formed from the alternative but unknown 1,4-addition of benzotriazole to N-cinnamoylamides. The type 3 compounds could also result from the reaction between N-crotonoylbenzotriazole and aliphatic amines. However, normal 1,4-addition could occur between α,β-unsaturated aliphatic N-acylbenzotriazoles and aromatic amines, leading to β-amino N-acylbenzotriazoles 4 in good yields. In addition, exclusive 1,2-addition of aliphatic amines to N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles gave excellent yields of cinnamides 5. Accordingly, three possible routes were proposed to rationalize the formation of compounds 3-5. Finally, with o-phenylenediamine and o-aminothiophenol as the substrates, the 1,4- and 1,2-addition to α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles could take place concurrently and the corresponding heterocycles 1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one and 1,5-benzothiazepine-4-one were constructed, respectively.     

A new, chiral aminoanthracene for the Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder sequence in lactam and butenolide synthesis

9-(2-Phenylethyl)aminoanthracene has been prepared and used as a template in the Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder sequence to produce α,β-butenolides and α,β-unsaturated lactams. In this sequence the aminoanthracene serves as a stereo- and regiocontrolling chaperone in guiding maleic anhydride or N-alkylmaleimides through transformations to the butenolide or lactam targets.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel N-(α-l-arabinofuranos-1-yl)-l-amino acids

In lead detoxification, the α-anomer of N-glycocyl-l-amino acid is more potent than its β-anomer. Here a six-step-reaction route for stereoselectively preparing N-(α-l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids is reported. Treating l-arabinose with acetic anhydride and sodium acetate provided 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose in 90% yield. After removing the 1-acetyl group, the thus formed 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranose and N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-l-amino acid t-butylesters were treated with triphenylphosphine to perform Mitsunobu dehydration and form 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl-l-[N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)]amino acid t-butylesters 2a–f, and the ratios of their α- to β-anomer ranged from 8/1 to 9/1. Chromatographic separation provided epimerically pure 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β. In the presence of CF₃CO₂H, 2a–f-α and 2a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β, in 87–92% yields. While in the presence of NaOCH₃, 3a–f-α and 3a–f-β were converted to α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinofuranosyl)-N-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-l-amino acids, 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β, in 90–96% yields. Treating 4a–f-α and 4a–f-β with N-ethyldiisopropylamine (DIPEA) and thiophenol, their 2-nitrophenylsulfonyl groups were removed, and the α- and β-anomers of N-(l-arabinose-1-yl)-l-amino acids were formed in 70–79% yields. The bioassay confirmed that the lead detoxification activity of the α-anomer was significantly higher than that of the β-anomer.     

Asymmetric halolactonisation reaction-2 : Elucidation of general applicability and mechanism of the asymmetric bromolactonisation reaction

Detailed studies on the asymmetric bromolactonisation were carried out by employing several structural types of α,β-unsaturated acids (2) as reaction substrates and various (S)-α-amino acids as chiral sources.Following several novel aspects of the asymmetric bromolactonisation were uncovered by combining the results obtained in this study with those of the previous report. Thus, the bromolactonisation of (S)-N-(cis(E)-α,β-disubstituted-α,β-unsaturat acylproline((S)-3a,b) proceeds more stereoselectively than that of the trans(Z)-α,β-disubstituted analogue ((S)-3c), to give the 6-membered bromolactone(4A) via the symmetrical and/or the carbocationic bromonium ions (5AB and/or 5AC). While (S)-N-(trans(E)-β-monosubstituted-α,β-unsaturated)acyl-proline((S)-3d) undergoes no bromolactonisation, (S)-N-(β,β-disubstituted-α,β-unsaturated)acylproline((S)-3e) regiospecifically gives the 7-membered bromolactone(11e) via the carbocationic bromonium ion(5AA) when submitted to the bromolactonisation. (S)-Proline((S)-8) is found to the superior chiral source for the asymmetric bromolactonisation among those examined.     

Metal-mediated allylation of mucohalic acids: facile formation of γ-allylic α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones

Mucohalic acids {mucochloric acid (1, 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one and mucobromic acid (2, 3,4-dibromo-5-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-one)} were employed as aldehydes in the indium- and tin-mediated Barbier-type allylation reactions and afforded γ-allylic α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones in good to excellent yield.     

Enantioselective formal synthesis of tridemethylisovelleral

A simple and efficient synthetic route to the bicyclic α,β-unsaturated β-keto ester methyl (3aS,7aS)-6-oxo-2,3,3a,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-indene-5-carboxylate, a versatile intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active unsaturated 1,4-dialdehydes, is described. The synthesis includes a chirality introducing nonenzymatic asymmetric desymmetrization (ADS) reaction of a cyclic meso-anhydride 4 and a modified Hofmann method for preparing exocyclic dienes. The ester was synthesized in a moderate overall yield (19%) from 6 and with an excellent enantioselectivity (>90%).     

Total synthesis of (+)-negamycin and its 5-epi-derivative

(+)-Negamycin was prepared in 13 steps in an overall yield of 31% from commercially available ethyl (R)-(+)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate. The key step in the reaction sequence was a highly stereoselective asymmetric Michael addition of chiral amine (−)-21 [(1S,2R)-(−)-2-methoxybornyl-10-benzylamine] into the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of key intermediate 8, thus establishing the second chiral center in (+)-negamycin. 5-epi-Negamycin was also prepared in a similar fashion.     

Stereoselective synthesis of conformationally constrained (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine

A convenient and efficient route is described for the highly stereoselective synthesis of δ-amino protected and conformationally restricted (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyornithine through the N-benzylnitrone adduct to the α,β-unsaturated bicyclic lactam 2 derived from (S)-pyroglutaminol.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of α,β-unsaturated α′-acetoxy ketones

The lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions of the α,β-unsaturated α′-acetoxy ketones 3a,b have been investigated. Of the lipases examined, CAL-B from Candida antarctica (fraction B) has been shown to be an efficient biocatalyst, which may be used effectively in preparative scale reactions.     

Prepackaged Ramberg-Bäcklund reagents: useful tools for organic synthesis

The synthesis and reactions of several α,β-unsaturated chloromethyl sulfones is presented, for example [(chloromethyl)sulfonyl]-1,3-propadiene (4), [(chloromethyl)sulfonyl]ethene (5), [(dichloromethyl)sulfonyl]ethene (6) and (E,Z)-1,2-bis[(chloromethyl)sulfonyl]ethene (7). These compounds serve as ‘prepackaged’ Ramberg-Bäcklund reagents, which following an appropriate first step, such as Diels-Alder addition, react with base giving Ramberg-Bäcklund products.