Efficient synthesis of optically active atropisomeric anilides through catalytic asymmetric N-arylation reaction

In the presence of (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS-Pd(OAc)2 catalyst, N-arylation of ortho-tert-butyl-NH-anilides with 4-nitroiodobenzene proceeds with high enantioselectivity (89-95% ee) to give optically active atropisomeric anilides possessing N-C chiral axis. Furthermore, the intramolecular version of the present catalytic asymmetric N-arylation gave atropisomeric lactams with high optical purity (94-96% ee).     

Efficient synthesis of esermethole and its analogues

In this work, a general and flexible synthetic route towards the synthesis of pyrroloindoline alkaloids was developed. This new strategy features with a palladium mediated sequential arylation-allylation of o-bromoanilides and leads to the construction of oxindoles bearing a full carbon quaternary center. The cheap triphenylphosphine was proved to be a highly effective ligand for this one pot transformation. On the basis of this new method, esermethole and its analogues were synthesized.     

A facile route for the synthesis of limonidilactone analogues from andrographolide

Labdane diterpenes are an important class of natural products with a wide variety of biological properties. (−)-Limonidilactone is a labdane diterpene with a novel skeleton isolated from Vitex limonifolia. A new semi-synthetic route from andrographolide, the major constituent of Andrographis paniculata, has been described towards the synthesis of novel labdanes having a limonidilactone type skeleton.     

A novel general route for the synthesis of C-glycosyl tyrosine analogues

A general method for the synthesis of C-glycosyl amino acids is described here. The stereoisomerically pure tyrosine analogues alpha-L-4 and beta-L-6 are prepared in reasonable overall yields from allyl derivatives 10 and 11. The key step is a benzannulation procedure which is employed in the creation of the aromatic ring that bears the amino acid function.     

Efficient synthesis of flupirtine analogues derived from pyrimidine

The synthesis of novel N²‐substituted 5‐alkoxycarbonylamino‐2,4‐diaminopyrimidines, 5‐acylamino‐2,4‐diaminopyrimidines, and 2,4‐diamino‐5‐ureidopyrimidines as analogues of the analgesic flupirtine is described. J. Heterocyclic Chem.,, (2012).     

Efficient synthesis and antioxidant activity of coelenterazine analogues

A convenient and highly convergent method for the synthesis of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based coelenterazine analogues is reported. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine core was constructed through a condensation between 2-aminopyridine analogues and arylglyoxals. Additionally, a new approach to the synthesis of benzylglyoxals was introduced. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines display moderate antioxidant activities at a low micromolar level in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).     

General route to the total synthesis of sempervirine analogues containing modified E rings, potential cytostatics

Sempervirine analogues 13a–c with different E rings have been obtained via inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reactions of 5-acetyl-3-(methylsulfanyl)-1,2,4-triazine with cyclic enamines (formation of D and E rings) followed by Fischer indole synthesis under microwave irradiation on solid support (formation of A and B rings) and subsequent annulation of indole derivatives 10a–c via a directed metallation route (formation of C rings).     

A new convenient route to enantiopure 2-coumarinyloxypropanals: application to the synthesis of optically active geiparvarin analogues

A new convenient route to enantiopure 2-coumarinyloxypropanals is described: Rosenmund reduction of (R)- or (S)-2-coumarinyloxypropanoyl chlorides afforded in good yields the corresponding 2-coumarinyloxypropanals. Their subsequent aldolic condensation with 3(2H)-furanones, followed by dehydration, led to enantiopure geiparvarin analogues now being investigated as promising antitumoral compounds.     

Two-step route to indoles and analogues from haloarenes: a variation on the Fischer indole synthesis

In a new variation on the Fischer indole synthesis, readily available haloarenes are converted into a wide range of indoles in just two steps by halogen-magnesium exchange and quenching with di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate, followed by reaction with aldehydes or ketones under acidic conditions. The protocol, which is readily extended to the preparation of indole isosteres, 4- and 6-azaindoles and thienopyrroles, obviates the need to prepare potentially toxic aryl hydrazines, simultaneously avoiding undesirable anilines such as naphthylamines.     

Efficient synthesis of beetle aggregation pheromone frontalin and its analogues

(−)-Frontalin is an aggregation pheromone that has found application in selective exterminating of certain harmful insects. This paper discloses an expedite synthesis of (±)-frontalin from a symmetric molecule, 2,6-dimethyl-1,6-heptadiene, in 64% yield. The one-flask operation consists of double dihydroxylation, mono-cleavage, and acid-catalyzed intramolecular acetalation. Our unique strategy was also successfully applied to additional diene substrates such as 4a and 4b.     

Efficient synthesis of alpha-galactosyl ceramide analogues using glycosyl iodide donors

The combination of reactive galactosyl iodide donors with electron-rich acceptor lipids provides highly stereoselective and efficient routes to alpha GalCer analogues. Using per-O-silylated donors, key intermediates can be obtained in a three-step, one-pot sequence providing useful constructs for analogue development.     

Efficient synthesis of isoflavone analogues via a Suzuki coupling reaction

Analogues of 3-aryl-8-isobutyl-5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one were synthesized with high yields via the Suzuki coupling reaction of 3-iodo-8-isobutyl-5,6,7-trimethoxy-2-methyl-4H-chromen-4-one with different aryl boronic acids.     

An expedient route to the tetrazole analogues of alpha-amino acids

[reaction: see text] Convenient conditions are described for the transformation of alpha-aminonitriles to the tetrazole analogues of alpha-amino acids. Refluxing the starting material in water/2-propanol at 80 degrees C with sodium azide and catalytic zinc bromide affords the tetrazole product in yields generally exceeding 90%.     

Room-temperature Rh-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to maleimides and enones in the presence of CF3-substituted MeOBIPHEP analogues

A Rh-based catalytic system implying electron-poor MeOBIPHEP analogues has been developed for the 1,4-addition of boronic acids to maleimides and enones under mild conditions at room temperature and led to succinimide derivatives and arylated cyclic ketones in good to excellent yields and ee. We uncovered the crucial role of the electronic and steric properties of diphosphine ligand and observed a strong boronic acid/ligand dependency in the case of maleimide derivatives and substrate/ligand matching in the case of cyclic enones.     

Efficient synthesis and cytotoxicity of novel microtubule-stabilizing agent ceratamine A analogues

An efficient synthesis of microtubule-stabilizing agent ceratamine A analogues is described. The key step is the application of either reductive Heck reaction or Heck reaction to construct the imidazo[4,5-d]azepine core. Thirteen novel analogues of ceratamine A were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, A549 and A2780). It was the first report about the systematic structural modification and SARs study of ceratamine A. The results demonstrated that bulky substituents at C-14 and C-16 could enhance the cytotoxicy and modification at N-7 was crucial for high potency. Especially compound 1f bearing methyl group at C-14 and C-16, and compound 1k bearing benzyl group on N-7, showed better cytotoxicy than ceratamine A against A549.     

Efficient conditions for the synthesis of C-glycosylidene derivatives: a direct and stereoselective route to C-glycosyl compounds

Efficient conditions for the synthesis of C-glycosylidene compounds from lactones based on Wittig reactions of cyanomethyl triphenylphosphoranylidene involving microwave heating are described: subsequent stereoselective reduction of the anomeric olefins gave the corresponding C-glycosides in good yields with high stereocontrol.     

A short route to enantiomerically pure benzophenanthridinone skeleton: synthesis of lactone analogues of narciclasine and lycoricidine

Condensation of functionalized o-toluamide anions on a carbohydrate-derived lactone, followed by intramolecular aldol cyclization, provides enantiomerically pure 2-arylcyclohexenones. Different approaches for the stereoselective transformation of the carbonyl group of these key intermediates into an amino group were unsuccessful. However 1,4-addition of thiolate and concomitant ring closure to isocoumarine provided a useful method for the transformation of the tertiary amide function. Opening of the isocoumarin with ammonia provided the corresponding amide and recovery of the enone system. Subsequent reductive amination of this cyclohexenone was found to depend on the nature of the protecting groups and led to the protected form of 4-epi- and -iso-narciclasine. Oxo analogues of narciclasine and epi-narciclasine and lycoricidine were also obtained after reduction of the enone and subsequent lactonization. They showed no biological activity as antitumor agents.     

New synthetic route for the enantioselective total synthesis of salinosporamide A and biologically active analogues

[reaction: see text] A total synthesis of the salinosporamide analogue 3 is described that starts with the novel cyclization 4 --> 5.