Total synthesis and absolute stereochemistry of plakortone E

The absolute stereochemistry of plakortone E, a cytotoxic metabolite of the Caribbean sponge, was established to be 1, by the synthesis of the racemic C-8 epimer (±)-2 and then of (−)-1 itself, which was identical with the natural compound.     

Model studies on the synthesis of pseudomonic acids

The efficient synthesis of racemic 4α-acetonyl-2?,3?-dihydroxycyclohexane-1α-acetanilide (1) from cyclohex-2-enol demonstrates a potential strategy for the control of the stereochemistry of the four contiguous chiral carbon atoms in the pyran ring of pseudomonic acids. An intermediate containing both a secondary amide and a tertiary amide reacted with methyl lithium to give a product derived from exclusive nucleophilic attack at the tertiary amide.     

Studies toward the synthesis of pinolidoxin, a phytotoxic nonenolide from the fungus Ascochyta pinodes. Determination of the configuration at the C-7, C-8, and C-9 chiral centers and stereoselective synthesis of the C(6)-C(18) fragment

The absolute stereochemistry at the C-7, C-8, and C-9 chiral centers of pinolidoxin (1) has been determined by chemical and spectral methods. First, the synthesis of four stereoisomeric fully benzoylated 2,3-erythro-1,2,3,4-heptanetetrols, corresponding to the C(6)-C(18) portion of the natural substance, has been accomplished starting from meso-tartaric acid. As next step, the selection of the synthetic tetrabenzoate possessing "natural" stereochemistry (10a'), suitable for absolute configuration determination, has been carried out by correlation with its "natural" homologue derived from degradation of pinolidoxin. Determination of the stereochemistry at the title chiral centers has been carried out by application of the Mosher's method both to 7a', a compound stereochemically related to 10a', and to pinolidoxin itself. The stereoselective synthesis of a protected form of the C(6)-C(18) portion of pinolidoxin, to be used in its total synthesis, has also been accomplished starting from commercially available D-erythronolactone.     

Synthesis and resolution of diethyl (1S,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropane-1-phosphonate for HCV NS3 protease inhibitors

We herein describe an efficient synthesis of optically active diethyl 1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropane-1-phosphonate (analogous to 1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate). The racemic phosphonate diethyl ester was obtained from an imine derived from aminomethylphosphonate diester and trans-1,4-dibromo-2-butene. Crystallizations of the dibenzoyl-l-tartaric acid salt allowed for separation of enantiomers. The enantiomerically pure material was used to synthesize an extremely potent tripeptide phosphonate inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease. X-ray crystal structure of the inhibitor bound to the HCV NS3 protease confirmed the absolute stereochemistry of the title compound.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(19)-to-C(27) Segment of Rifamycin S

The synthesis of diester 3 , a synthon for the C(19)-to-C(27) segment of rifamycin S ( 1 ), is described, starting from the meso-diester 4 (Schemes 2 and 3). Inversion of the configuration at the later C(23) and two aldol condensations with the lithium enolate 18 of 2,6-dimethylphenyl propionate each producing two new chiral centres of threo-configuration, led to the desired diester 3 . The absolute configuration of the new chiral centres was proven by a single X-ray analysis of intermediate 19 (Fig.) and by converting diester 3 into meso-diester 25 .     

Synthesis of monoacyl A-ring precursors of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 through selective enzymatic hydrolysis

An efficient synthesis of monoacylated 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 A-ring precursors 15, 16, 18, and 19 has been described through an enzymatic hydrolysis process. Candida antarctica A lipase (CAL-A) hydrolyzes the C-5 acetate ester in trans stereoisomers 9 and 13, with complete and high selectivity, respectively. In the case of cis isomers 11 and 14, Chromobacterium viscosum lipase (CVL) is the enzyme of choice, exhibiting opposite selectivity for these two enantiomers. This lipase selectively catalyzes the hydrolysis at the C-3 acetate in diester 11 and at C-5 position in diester 14. It is noteworthy that through a hydrolysis reaction CAL-A and CVL allow the synthesis of the four A-ring monoacetylated precursors of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, precursors which are complementary to those obtained by the enzymatic acylation process. In addition, with excellent yield CVL selectively hydrolyzes the C-3 chloroacetate ester instead of the C-5 acetate in diester 22, a key intermediate in the synthesis of new A-ring modified 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogues.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of optically active 4-methyl-tetrahydro-5-oxo-2-furancarboxylic acids and esters

Enantiomerically pure 4-methyl-tetrahydro-5-oxo-2-furancarboxylic acids and esters are prepared by enzymatic resolution of the chiral racemic esters. Their stereochemistry as well as their absolute configurations have been established by chemical correlation. The influence of the alkoxycarbonyl group at C-2 and that of the methyl group at C-4 on the sign of the Cotton effect in their CD spectra have been investigated. Formation of enantiomerically pure hydroxydiesters, precursors of the above-mentioned γ-lactones, by baker’s yeast reduction of the corresponding ketodiesters was unsatisfactory.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of scopadulcic acids analogues

The synthesis and antiviral properties of several scopadulcic acid analogues functionalized at C-6/C-7 and C-13 is reported. The preparation of advanced intermediates for the synthesis of scopadulcic acid B/scopadulciol analogues is also described. The biological study revealed the importance of polar groups at C-13, while the stereochemistry at C-8 was not critical for activity.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of semperoside a

A versatile and concise strategy has been developed (Scheme 1) for the enantioselective synthesis of semperoside A 1 which is endowed with an unusually glucosylated iridane structure. The crucial step was a Hg(II)-mediated electrophilic heteroatom cyclization of beta-glucoside 4 that readily led to the iridane skeleton while installing the C-2 and C-3 stereocenters with complete stereocontrol. This expeditious route is unprecedented among synthetic approaches to iridoid glycosides and smoothly overcomes the hemiacetals glucosidation issue. The present inaugural total synthesis of semperoside A was achieved in 10 steps and 17% overall yield from the enantiomerically pure lactone 8, thus proving the absolute stereochemistry of 1 unequivocally.     

First asymmetric synthesis of 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-amino-4-aryl-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans

The first asymmetric synthesis of 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-amino-4-aryl-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans, by Michael addition of 1-naphthol to chirally modified arylidenecyanoacetates 6 and 7 , is described. Good yields and low diastereomeric excesses have been obtained in the 1,4-conjugate additions. The absolute stereochemistry at C-4 in major isomers of pyrans 8 and 9 has been assigned as 5 by X-ray analysis of major pyran 8 .     

Synthesis,resolution, and absolute stereochemistry of (-)-blestriarene C

A naturally occurring 1,1'-biphenanthrene, blestriarene C (1), was prepared in 13 steps and 30% overall yield. The key steps are the ester-mediated nucleophilic aromatic substitution on 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl 5-isopropoxy-2-methoxybenzoate (4) by 2-methoxy-4-methoxymethoxy-6-methylphenylmagnesium bromide (5) and a novel intramolecular cyclization of the resulting 4-isopropoxy-2'-methoxy-4'-methoxymethoxy-6'-methylbiphenyl-2-carboxylic ester 14 to 7-isopropoxy-4-methoxy-2-(methoxymethoxy)phenanthren-9-ol (15). The racemic blestriarene C was optically resolved by chiral HPLC on a preparative scale to give several 10-mg yields of both the enantiomers in up to 95% ee. The absolute stereochemistry was determined to be S(a)-(-) by the axial chirality recognition method, which was based on the stereospecific formation of a 12-membered cyclic diester containing two biaryl-o,o'-diyl unites joined by ester -CO(2)- linkages. The validity of the method was confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis and ab initio conformational analyses of such 12-membered cyclic diesters. It was found that blestriarene C and its 7,7'-diisopropyl ether 2 underwent rapid photoracemization even under ambient light exposure.     

1′-Azido- and 1′-amino-1,3-dioxolan-4-ones

1,3-Dioxolanone alcohols, prepared via the addition of chiral lithium enolates of 1,3-dioxolan-4-ones to aldehydes, are suitable intermediates for the synthesis of chiral trisubstituted isoserines or trisubstituted 3-hydroxy-β-lactams. In particular, the methyl ester of 2-methyl-3-(2-furyl)isoserinic acid and two 3-methyl-3-hydroxy-β-lactams bearing either a 2-furyl or a phenyl substituent at C-(4) have been prepared. The (2R,3S) stereochemistry of the isoserine, and the (3R,4S) stereochemistry of the two β-lactams is that required for the synthesis of taxoid analogues having the side-chain with the proper (2′R,3′S) configuration.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety: synthetic application to chiral seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acid

Chiral cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols (+/-)-3 and (+/-)-8 having a diester moiety have been prepared from dimethyl dialkenylmalonate using olefin metathesis by Grubbs catalyst, followed by epoxidation and acidic hydrolysis. Kinetic resolution of racemic cyclopentane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-3 by lipase-catalyzed transesterification afforded an optically active monoacetate (-)-5 of 95% ee in 46% yield and the recovered diol (-)-3 of 92% ee in 51% yield, and that of cycloheptane-trans-1,2-diol (+/-)-8 gave a monoacetate (+)-10 of 95% ee in 51% yield and the diol (-)-8 of >99% ee in 43% yield, respectively. The enantiomer selectivity of racemic cyclic trans-1,2-diols bearing a diester moiety by lipases (Amano PS and Amano AK) was opposite to that of the reported simple racemic cycloalkane-trans-1,2-diols. To explain the lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selectivity, computer modeling of lipase-substrate complexes was performed. Furthermore, the optically active diester (-)-8 could be efficiently converted into an optically active seven-membered-ring alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acid (4R,5R)-(-)-15.     

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-ingenol

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-ingenol has been achieved. The key features of the synthesis include the use of a highly diastereoselective Michael reaction to fix the C-11 methyl stereochemistry and the incorporation of the dimethylcyclopropane via diastereoselective carbene addition to the Delta13,14 olefin. The intramolecular dioxenone photoaddition-fragmentation sequence leads to the establishment of the critical C-8/C-10 trans intrabridgehead stereochemistry, a central challenge in the synthesis of ingenanes. The completion of the synthesis proceeds using the C-6alpha hydroxymethyl group as the sole handle for oxidation of seven contiguous carbon centers.     

The first total synthesis and reassignment of the relative stereochemistry of 16-hydroxy-16,22-dihydroapparicine

We report the first total synthesis and reassignment of the relative stereochemistry of naturally occurring 16-hydroxy-16,22-dihydroapparicine. Our novel route proceeds by a cascade reaction to efficiently construct a 1-azabicyclo[4.2.2]decane core, along with two stereocenters (C-15 and C-16). The C-16 quaternary carbon was constructed through stereospecific 1,2-addition using an indole nucleophile to an aldehyde or a methylketone. The stereospecific synthesis of two diastereomers of the target product has revealed the true relative stereochemistry of the natural compound.     

Total synthesis of (+)-erogorgiaene using lithiation-borylation methodology, and stereoselective synthesis of each of its diastereoisomers

A short (8 steps) synthesis of (+)-erogorgiaene in 44% overall yield from p-methylacetophenone is described. Key steps include lithiation/borylation-protodeboronation to build up the molecule and control the stereochemistry at C1 and C4. The C11 stereochemistry was similarly set up by using lithiation/borylation methodology. The use of a mixed, unhindered borane in the lithiation/borylation reaction proved critical to success in the reaction of the tetralone-derived carbamate to control the C4 stereochemistry. The power of the reagent controlled methodology is illustrated in the stereocontrolled synthesis of all of the diastereomers of (+)-erogorgiaene.     

Deoxygenation at C-4 and Stereospecific Branched-Chain Construction at C-3 of a Methyl Hexopyranuloside. Synthetic Approach to the Amipurimycin Sugar Moiety

A five-step synthesis from 3 leading to a partially protected amipurimycin sugar moiety 14 in an overall yield of 47% is described and includes deoxygenation at C-4 and regio- and stereoselective construction of the branched chain. Deoxygenation at C-4 of 3 was possible by three different methods. Radical reduction with tri-n-butyltin hydride of the appropriate phenoxythiocarbonyl derivative afforded the desired deoxysugar 5 in 47% overall yield together with the secondary products 6 and 7 due to depivaloylation at C-2 and elimination of methanol. The most adequate deoxygenation procedure used the system Ph(3)P/I(2)/imidazole which led to the preparation of 5 in one step in 61% yield. When the system Ph(3)PBr(2)/Ph(3)P was tried, only 8 was formed due to elimination of methanol. The synthesis of 5 was then accomplished by reaction of 8 with methanol in the presence of triphenylphosphine hydrobromide in 37% overall yield. Branched-chain construction was accomplished by Wittig reaction of 5 with [(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]triphenylphosphorane, followed by osmilation and reduction with lithium aluminum hydride. Isopropylidenation of 14 afforded 16 with a free hydroxy group at C-6 for chain elongation and further synthesis of amipurimycin.     

Synthesis of dihydroarbiglovin and stereochemistry of arbiglovin*

Dihydroarbiglovin (III) has been synthesized by a stereoselective route starting with photolysis of santonin. The synthesis determines the stereochemistry at C-1 and C-10 as shown for arbiglovin (I).     

Biomimetic synthesis of the racemic angucyclinones of the aquayamycin and WP 3688-2 types

The first synthesis of the racemic 8-deoxy WP3688-2 angucycline antibiotic (3), with characteristic cis-hydroxy groups at C-4 a and C-12b, is reported. Key steps involve the coupling, mediated by samarium diiodide, of the bicyclic trione 37 to the tricyclic cis-diol 39. Biomimetic aldol cyclization of the corresponding dione 41 gave a mixture of the tetracyclic cis- and trans-3,4a-diols 42 and 43, which were oxidized by cerium ammonium nitrate to the quinones 45 and 3. The synthetic compounds 45 and 3 corresponded in configuration to the angucycline antibiotics aquayamicin (1) and WP 3688-2 (2), respectively.     

Synthesis and Kinetic Evaluation of Inhibitors of the Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus

Substrate analogues of phosphatidylinositol (1) were synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of the bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus cereus. The chiral analogues of the water-soluble phospholipid substrate 5 were designed to probe the effects of varying the inositol C-2 hydroxyl group, which is generally believed to serve as the nucleophile in the first step of the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositols by PI-PLC. In the analogues 6-9, the C-2 hydroxyl group on the inositol ring of the phosphatidylinositol derivatives was rationally altered in several ways. Inversion of the stereochemistry at C-2 of the inositol ring led to the scyllo derivative 6. The inositol C-2 hydroxy group was replaced with inversion by a fluorine to produce the scyllo-fluoro inositol 7 and with a hydrogen atom to furnish the 2-deoxy compound 8. The C-2 hydroxyl group was O-methylated to prepare the methoxy derivative 9. The natural inositol configuration at C-2 was retained in the nonhydrolyzable phosphorodithioate analogue 10. The inhibition of PI-PLC by each of these analogues was then analyzed in a continuous assay using D-myo-inositol 1-(4-nitrophenyl phosphate) (25) as a chromogenic substrate. The kinetic parameters for each of these phosphatidylinositol derivatives were determined, and each was found to be a competitive inhibitor with K(i)'s as follows: 6, 0.2 mM; 10, 0.6 mM; 8, 2.6 mM; 9, 6.6 mM; and 7, 8.8 mM. This study further establishes that the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol analogues by bacterial PI-PLC requires not only the presence of a C-2 hydroxyl group on the inositol ring, but the stereochemistry at this position must also correspond to the natural myo-configuration. For future inhibitor design, it is perhaps noteworthy that the best inhibitors 6 and 10 each possess a hydroxyl group at the C-2 position. Several of the inhibitors identified in this study are now being used to obtain crystallographic information for an enzyme-inhibitor complex to gain further insights regarding the mechanism of hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides by this PI-PLC.