Total syntheses of macrosphelides (+)-A, (−)-A and (+)-E

Total syntheses of (+)-macrosphelide A 1 (18.5% overall yield in 11 steps) and (+)-macrosphelide E 2 (23.9% overall yield in 11 steps) have been achieved via the chemoenzymatic reaction product (4R,5S)-4-benzyloxy-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 4. The enantiomer (−)-A (1) (14.2% overall yield in 11 steps) of (+)-1 was also synthesized from the chemoenzymatic reaction product (4S,5R)-4-benzyloxy-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 4.     

Practical synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline, a constituent of papuamides, using a diastereoselective tandem Michael-aldol reaction

(2S,3R)-3-Hydroxy-3-methylproline, a constituent of cyclodepsipeptides polyoxypeptins A and B, was efficiently synthesized by lithium chloride-induced diastereoselective tandem Michael-aldol reaction using methyl vinyl ketone and N-1-naphthylsulfonylglycine (R)-binaphthyl ester and subsequent hydrolysis of the product in 39% overall yield and five steps.     

Dienic sex pheromones : Stereoselective syntheses of (7E,9Z)-7,9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate, (E)-9,11-dodecadien-1-yl acetate,and of (9Z), 11E)-9,11- tetradecadien-1-yl acetate by palladium-catalyzed reactions

Pure (7E,9Z-7, 9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (1), the sex pheromone of Lobesiabotrana, has been prepared in 21.6% overall yield by a reaction scheme involving; (i) the cross-coupling of (E) - 8 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) -1 - octenyldisiamylborane with 1 - bromo - 1 - butyne, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base; (ii) the acetylation of the crude product of this reaction; (iii) the (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained conjugated (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate. (E)-9,11-Dodecadien-1-yl acetate (2), a sex pheromone component of Diparopsiscastanea, has been analogously obtained (in 54.3% overall yield) by cross-coupling of (E) - 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decenyl borane with vinyl bromide, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base, followed by acetylation of the crude product. Compound 2, which was 87.7% chemically pure, was purified by column chromatography over SiO₂-AgNO₃. Chemically pure (9Z, 11E) - 9,11 - tetradecadien - 1 - yl acetate (3), a sex pheromone component of Spodopteralittoralis, has been prepared (in 30.2% overall yield) by reaction of 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decynylamagnesium bromide with (E)-1-iodo-1-butene, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst, followed by acetylation of the crude product and by (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate.The stereoisomeric purity of 1, 2 and 3 has been evaluated by glc analysis on glass capillary columns or by reverse phase hplc analysis.     

Novel and enantioselective syntheses of (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid: a synthon for sitagliptin and its derivatives

A new synthetic strategy for (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid, a building block in the preparation of sitagliptin and its derivatives, was developed. Pd(OAc)₂ catalyzed coupling of 2,4,5-trifluoro-1-iodobenzene with allyl alcohol gave 3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propanal in a yield of 95%. l-Proline catalyzed reaction of the 3-phenylpropanal (in only 1.2 molar equiv) with nitrosobenzene followed by reduction with NaBH₄ and Pd/C catalyzed hydrogenation gave (R)-3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propane-1,2-diol with >99% ee and 65% yield. Selective tosylation of primary hydroxyl group of the 1,2-propandiol unit followed by cyanide displacement afforded (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanenitrile (80%). The nitrile was converted to the title β-hydroxy acid under basic hydrolysis in a yield of 90%. Thus, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid was prepared enantioselectively from the starting material in four steps and 45% overall yield. The reaction sequence was repeated with d-proline as the catalyst to give (S)-3-hydroxy-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acid in 45% overall yield and >99% enantiomeric excess.     

Radical mediated stereoselective synthesis of (4R,8R)-4,8-dimethyldecanal, an aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles

(4R,8R)-4,8-Dimethyldecanal, a common aggregation pheromone of Tribolium flour beetles, has been synthesized from (R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde in 11 steps and 7% overall yield. The key step in the synthesis is the highly diastereoselective chelation-controlled radical reaction of ethyl (4S,5R)-4-benzyloxy-5,6-(isopropylidenedioxy)-2-methylenehexanoate with ethyl (R)-5-iodo-3-methylpentanoate performed in the presence of 7 equiv of MgBr₂·OEt₂.     

Insertion of unactivated acetylenes into the metal-aryl bond of bis(triphenylphosphine)phenylbromonickel(II)

2-Butyne reacts stereospecifically with (PPh₃)₂Ni(Ph)(Br) in CH₃OH at room temperature, leading to the isolable vinyl complex trans-(PPh₃)₂-Ni(Br)[cis-C(CH₃)C(CH₃)(Ph)] in 70% yield. Carbonylation (CO/CH₃OH) of this material gives a 98% yield of cis-α,β-dimethylcinnamate. Reaction of the phenylnickel complex with 3-hexyne is more complicated; insertion again occurs, but the ultimate products of the reaction are phenyl-substituted styrenes and butadienes. Evidence is presented that free vinyl radicals are involved as intermediates in the 3-hexyne reaction.     

syn-Selective dihydroxylation of γ-amino-α,β-unsaturated (Z)-esters from d-serine: stereoselective synthesis of d-iminolyxitol

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of d-iminolyxitol, a potent α-galactosidase inhibitor, is achieved in 11 steps over 45% overall yield from N-Boc-O-Bn-d-serine. The key step involves the OsO₄-catalyzed syn-selective dihydroxylation reaction of the acyclic γ-amino-α,β-unsaturated (Z)-ester controlled by an N-diphenylmethylene group.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of JBIR-81, a peptide enamide derived from aspergilli

The absolute stereochemistry of an aspergilli-derived peptide enamide, JBIR-81, was determined to be 12S, 15S by the first synthesis of (12S,15S)-JBIR-81 and its epimer. The overall yield was 56% over six steps from N-methyl-l-leucine. The (Z)-enamide structure was effectively constructed with use of a copper (I) catalyzed coupling reaction between a vinyl halide and a carboxamide.     

Total synthesis of (±)-sterpuric acid

The unusual sesquiterpenoid fungal metabolite sterpuric acid (1) has been assembled in 11 steps and 11% overall yield from the readily available vinyl sulfone 2.     

Superelectrophilic activation of N-aryl amides of 3-arylpropynoic acids: synthesis of quinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives

The superelectrophilic activation of N-aryl amides of 3-arylpropynoic acids by Bronsted superacids (CF₃SO₃H, HSO₃F) or strong Lewis acids AlX₃ (X=Cl, Br) results in the formation of 4-aryl quinolin-2(1H)-ones in quantitative yields. The vinyl triflates or vinyl chlorides may be formed as additional reaction products. The investigated amides in reactions with benzene give 4,4-diaryl 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-(1H)-ones under the superelectrophilic activation. 4-Aryl quinolin-2(1H)-ones in POCl₃ are converted into 4-aryl 2-chloroquinolines. 4-Fluorophenyl-4-phenyl 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-(1H)-one give N-formylation products in a yield of 79% under the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction conditions.     

New total synthesis of (+)-ambrein

The convergent synthesis of (+)-ambrein 1 was achieved based on a modified Julia coupling reaction between aldehyde 14 corresponding to the left-half A and sulfone 25a or 25b corresponding to the right-half B. Aldehyde 14 was synthesized in 14% overall yield (nine steps) from the enzymatic resolution product, epoxy alcohol (8aS)-2. Sulfone 25a or 25b was synthesized in 11 steps (25a: 41% overall yield, 25b: 56% overall yield) from the enzymatic resolution product, (1S,6S)-2,2-dimethyl-6-hydroxyhexane-1-carboxylate 4.     

Constrained cycloalkyl analogues of glutamic acid: stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740) and its 6-phosphonic acid analogue

A new stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2.6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740) 1, a potent and selective 2mGluR agonist, has been accomplished in four steps with an overall yield of 27% starting from the enantiopure (+)-(R)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)cyclopent-2-enone 3. The key steps include asymmetric cyclopropanation of 3 with (dimethylsulfuranylidene)acetate (EDSA) and removal of the chiral p-tolylsulfinyl auxiliary from the cycloadduct ent-4c upon treatment with iso-propylmagnesium chloride. The stereoselective hydantoin formation from the bicyclic ketone 6 formed (Bucherer–Bergs reaction) and subsequent hydrolysis completed the synthesis of 1. The same reaction sequence has been applied in the first synthesis of enantiopure (+)-2-amino-6-phosphonobicyclo[3.0.1]hexane-2-carboxylic acid 2, a structural 6-phosphono analogue of 1. The starting bicyclic ketophosphonates 9–11 have been obtained by asymmetric cyclopropanation of (?)-(S)-3 with phosphoryl sulfonium ylides, producing only two endo-isomers. The major endo-isomer (+)-11a containing the 6-diisopropoxyphosphoryl group has been converted in three steps into (+)-endo-2 in 46% overall yield.     

Synthesis of a diastereomeric mixture of deuterium-labeled lovastatin and its acid ammonium salt

In this communication, a facile synthesis for (2S/2R)-[²H₃]lovastatin and (2S/2R)-[²H₃]lovastatin acid ammonium salt was described. The stable isotope-labeled (2S/2R)-lovastatin and its acid ammonium salt were prepared from butyric acid via several reaction steps with 11.1 and 6.3 % overall yield, respectively.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)-incrustoporin,an antibiotic isolated from Incrustoporia carneola

Highly enantiomerically enriched (R)-incrustoporin was enantioselectively synthesized in 43.6% overall yield starting from 4-iodotoluene. The key steps of the synthesis included the asymmetric hydrogenation of 1-(p-tolyl)-1-pentyn-3-one catalyzed by a non-racemic Ru(II) complex and the Pd-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation of so-obtained highly enantiomerically enriched 1-(p-tolyl)-1-pentyn-3-ol. This Pd-catalyzed reaction, whose stereochemical outcome was previously unknown, proceeded with retention of configuration and 2.5% or less racemization. The enantiomeric purities of (R)-1-(p-tolyl)-1-pentyn-3-ol and (R)-incrustoporin were evaluated by HPLC analysis on a Chiralcel OJ column as well as by performing the ¹H NMR spectra of these compounds in a D₂O solution which was saturated with α- or β-cyclodextrin, respectively.     

Total synthesis of malyngamide M and isomalyngamide M

The stereoselective synthesis of malyngamide M (1) was accomplished in nine steps from o-cresol in 12% overall yield. The key steps involved the Wittig reaction of an α-NHBoc aryl ketone 4 for the introduction of vinyl chloride functionality, an amidation of lyngbic acid 3 with a secondary amine 2 for the framework of target molecule, and an isomerization of a (Z)-vinyl chloride to the (E)-configuration using benzophenone as a photosensitizer. The isomalyngamide M (Z-1) was also synthesized.     

Synthesis of acetals containing a primary amino group

Amino acetals of the general formula MeCH(OR)(OXNH₂) (R = Et, Bu, X = CH₂CH₂, CH₂CH₂CH₂, CH₂CMe₂) were synthesized in 53?C91% yield by acid-catalyzed reaction of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-, N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-, and N-(2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamides with vinyl ethers, followed by removal of the trifluoroacetyl protection by alkaline hydrolysis.     

Stereoselective synthesis of CF3-substituted trans- and cis-enediynes via carbocupration or hydrostannation reactions of CF3-containing diyne

CF₃-containing diyne, readily prepared from (Z)-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-iodoprop-1-ene in two steps, was smoothly subjected to carbocupration reaction with various organocuprates, followed by treatment of the resultant carbocupration adducts with iodine, the corresponding vinyl iodides being formed in good yields in a cis-addition manner. Thus obtained iodide could be successfully converted into CF₃-substituted trans-enediynes in high yields. Also, hydrostannation reaction of the diyne proceeded well in a trans-addition manner to give the corresponding vinylstannane in high yield. The vinylstannane was also found to be effectively convertible to CF₃-substituted cis-enediynes in high yields.     

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.     

A new and efficient synthetic route to enantiopure (+)-anatoxin-a from (−)-cocaine hydrochloride

The potent nAChR agonist (+)-anatoxin-a was efficiently synthesized in enantiomerically pure form starting from a readily available confiscated grade (−)-cocaine hydrochloride. The eight-step synthesis providing novel extensions to existing methodology proceeded with 26% overall yield and with stereochemical integrity of the relevant original stereogenic centers. Key steps were an effective ring expansion of the (+)-2-tropinone 2 to the 9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]nonanone 5 with TMSCHN₂/Al(CH₃)₃ and the introduction of the required methyl ketone side chain in masked form by reacting the corresponding enol triflate 6 with ethyl vinyl ether/Pd(OAc₂) under Heck reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin and isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives from l-aspartic acid

This paper describes a new total synthesis for (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin, (S)-7-MeO-AT, from l-aspartic acid in an overall yield of 10% over nine steps. The major loss was ascribed to a key intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization step, which afforded up to 36% yield. Attempts to perform a Friedel–Crafts cyclization of an intermediate phthalimide protected amino alcohol 13 did not give the desired protected (S)-7-MeO-AT. On the other hand, two new isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives 14 and 15, were isolated in 21 and 11% yield, respectively. The yield of 15 was improved to 70%.