Stereoselective total synthesis of alkaloid caulophyllumine B using iterative olefin cross-metathesis protocol

Herein we report the first total synthesis of alkaloid caulophyllumine B in 14 steps by an iterative olefin cross-metathesis strategy from l-glutamic acid.     

Synthesis of substituted p-stereogenic vinylphosphine oxides by olefin cross-metathesis

[reaction: see text] Substituted vinylphosphine oxides have been prepared in good yield and exclusive (E)-olefin selectivity via olefin cross-metathesis using Grubbs and Hoveyda-type ruthenium catalysts. In addition, metathesis of chiral vinylphosphine oxides proceeds without racemization of the phosphorus chirality center, providing easy access to functionalized chiral nonracemic (E)-alkenylphosphine oxides.     

Chemoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylide with conjugated dienes

Methods are described of synthesizing various 3-carboxy-4-vinyl pyrrolidines, versatile building blocks for our drug discovery efforts. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between activated olefins and nonstabilized azomethine ylide is a known method for synthesizing pyrrolidines in a stereospecific manner. Steric and electronic effects on the chemoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylide and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated carboxylates have been explored.     

Synthesis of chlorophyll a glycoconjugates using olefin cross-metathesis

Chlorophyll a glycoconjugates were obtained by cross-metathesis between olefin moieties of chlorophyll derivatives and allylβ-galactopyranoside tetraacetate.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-andrachcinidine via an olefin cross-metathesis protocol

A stereoselective total synthesis of 1-(2S,6R)-6-[(2S)-2-hydroxypentyl]-hexahydro-2-pyridinylacetone, (−)-andrachcinidine is reported. The strategy utilizes olefin cross-metathesis and intramolecular S_N2 cyclization as the key steps.     

Characterization and dynamics of substituted ruthenacyclobutanes relevant to the olefin cross-metathesis reaction

The reaction of the phosphonium alkylidene [(H(2)IMes)RuCl(2)=CHP(Cy)(3))](+) BF(4)(-) with propene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene at -45 °C affords various substituted, metathesis-active ruthenacycles. These metallacycles were found to equilibrate over extended reaction times in response to decreases in ethylene concentrations, which favored increased populations of α-monosubstituted and α,α'-disubstituted (both cis and trans) ruthenacycles. On an NMR time scale, rapid chemical exchange was found to preferentially occur between the β-hydrogens of the cis and trans stereoisomers prior to olefin exchange. Exchange on an NMR time scale was also observed between the α- and β-methylene groups of the monosubstituted ruthenacycle (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CHRCH(2)CH(2)) (R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), (CH(2))(3)CH(3)). EXSY NMR experiments at -87 °C were used to determine the activation energies for both of these exchange processes. In addition, new methods have been developed for the direct preparation of metathesis-active ruthenacyclobutanes via the protonolysis of dichloro(1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinylidene)(benzylidene) bis(pyridine)ruthenium(II) and its 3-bromopyridine analogue. Using either trifluoroacetic acid or silica-bound toluenesulfonic acid as the proton source, the ethylene-derived ruthenacyclobutane (H(2)IMes)Cl(2)Ru(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)) was observed in up to 98% yield via NMR at -40 °C. On the basis of these studies, mechanisms accounting for the positional and stereochemical exchange within ruthenacyclobutanes are proposed, as well as the implications of these dynamics toward olefin metathesis catalyst and reaction design are described.     

Chemoselective epoxidation of dienes using polymer-supported manganese porphyrin catalysts

Manganese porphyrin catalysts supported on different polymer resins were assessed in the selective epoxidation of three dienes. The recyclability of the catalysts was examined.     

Synthesis of the pro-gly dipeptide alkene isostere using olefin cross-metathesis

An approach to the synthesis of dipeptide olefin isosteres using intermolecular olefin cross-metathesis is presented. In particular, a synthesis of the Pro-Gly isostere (1) is reported. Conversion of N-BOC-proline into the corresponding vinyl-substituted carbamate provides the N-terminal cross-metathesis partner (2). Methyl 3-butenoate (3) is employed as the C-terminal component. Treatment of the two partners in an optimized molar ratio affords the cross product 1 (83% yield). Three other examples are demonstrated to evaluate the potential of the approach.     

Synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes via olefin cross-metathesis

[formula: see text] Trisubstituted alkenes have been prepared for the first time via intermolecular olefin cross-metathesis, using 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium alkylidene complexes 3a,b in good yields with moderate E selectivity. In addition, protected alcohols near the geminal disubstituted olefin improve reactivity for cross-metathesis.     

Synthesis of vinyl-functionalized oxazoles by olefin cross-metathesis

A ruthenium-based catalyzed olefin cross-methathesis reaction involving 2- and 4-vinyl-functionalized oxazoles was developed. A wide range of olefinic partners was coupled in good to excellent yields and high stereoselectivities under mild conditions. This methodology offers new opportunities for the synthesis of a plethora of biologically active natural products.     

Synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines via an olefin cross-metathesis/Heck-cyclisation-elimination sequence

Heck reactions were performed on α,β-unsaturated-δ-sulfonamido intermediates, derived from cross metathesis, to allow the instalment of substituents at the β position. Subsequent one-pot cyclisation/elimination provides an operationally simple, catalytic and convergent synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines.     

Short, stereoselective synthesis of C-glycosyl asparagines via an olefin cross-metathesis

The Grubbs second generation ruthenium catalyst was employed for the cross metathesis between α- and β-C-allyl glycosides and suitably protected l-vinyl glycines to furnish olefinic products in 57-94% yields. Hydrogenation afforded the C-glycosyl asparagines in high yield.     

Efficient and Z-selective cross-metathesis of conjugated enynes

[reaction: see text] The generation of a conjugated alkynyl alkylidene has been achieved using an allyl ether moiety as an intramolecular catalyst delivery vehicle. The reaction of this intermediate with alkenes and alkynes yields conjugated enynes with Z-selectivity.     

Synthesis of tri-substituted vinyl boronates via ruthenium-catalyzed olefin cross-metathesis

Tri-substituted vinyl pinacol boronates, which are key reactive intermediates in a variety of transformations, are synthesized using ruthenium-catalyzed olefin cross-metathesis of α-substituted vinyl boronates and various alkenes. Cross-metathesis of 2-isopropenyl pinacol boronate proceeds with moderate yield and high Z-selectivity when sterically unhindered cross partners are used. Cross-metathesis of vinyl boronates that possess α-substitution larger than a methyl group is also achieved. Yield and Z-selectivity are lower in these cases, and the success of a cross-metathesis reaction is highly dependent on the steric bulk surrounding the double bond of the α-substituted vinyl boronate.     

Understanding the effect of allylic methyls in olefin cross-metathesis

A series of NMR spectroscopy experiments have been conducted with both the model compound, 3-methyl-1-pentene and the corresponding ADMET monomer 3,6,9-trimethylundeca-1,10-diene (11) to better understand the effect of allylic methyls during olefin metathesis chemistry. Traditional ADMET catalysts such as Schrock’s molybdenum (1), and Grubbs’ ruthenium 1st and 2nd generation (2 and 3) were examined under cross-metathesis and ADMET conditions. Regardless of catalyst selection, 50% or less metathesis conversion was observed for all reactions, especially in the case of the more sterically encumbered diene. With Schrock’s molybdenum catalyst 1, the reaction leads to an accumulation of the non-productive metallacyclobutane, trapping the catalyst in an inactive form. With Grubbs’ ruthenium catalysts 2 and 3, the substrate coordinates to the metal center primarily to yield non-productive metathesis, which results in a build-up of the methylidene complex leading to catalyst decomposition. These results are directly correlated to the orientation of the substrate’s bulk during the metallacyclobutane formation, the alkyl branch being adjacent to the metal center in the case of the molybdenum catalyst 1, and opposite to it in the case of ruthenium catalyst 2 and 3.     

Synthesis of erythromycin derivatives via the olefin cross-metathesis reaction

Olefin cross metathesis (CM) was applied to the synthesis of 6-O-substituted erythromycin derivatives. The reactions were catalyzed by transition metal alkylidene complexes, particularly bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)benzylidine ruthenium (IV) dichloride (Grubbs' first-generation catalyst). This approach allowed for the elaboration of the 6-O-allyl group of highly functionalized macrolides at various stages of the synthetic sequence, affording 6-O-3-aryl-propenyl products with excellent E-selectivity. Little or no self-dimerization of the reacting components was found in the crude mixtures. Preliminary kinetic data accounts for the observed cross-selectivity based on substrate reactivity and steric factors.     

Sensitized photo-oxygenation of acyclic conjugated dienes

Sensitized photo-oxygenation of a wide variety of acyclic 1,3-dienes was investigated. The 1,4-cycloaddition of singlet oxygen to acyclic conjugated dienes was closely related to the thermal Diels-Alder reaction in stereospecificity, and steric and electronic effects of substituents. Reactivity order of singlet oxygen toward conjugated dienes and isolated C—C double bonds was exhibited as follows: trisubstituted mono-olefins > 2-substituted 1,3-dienes > disubstituted mono-olefins.     

The preparation of C-glycosyl amino acids—an examination of olefin cross-metathesis

A study investigating the structural features directing olefin cross-metathesis to afford C-glycoamino acids was carried out. These results lead to an appreciation of the importance of proximal functionality to the relative reactivity of olefins in metathesis reactions providing a variable that is useful to suppress undesirable self-metathesis.