Synthesis and structure of 8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,7-dimethylisochromane and its analogues

The title compound 1 was obtained by the reaction of alcohol 18 and triethyl orthoformate catalyzed by aluminum chloride followed by catalytic hydrogenation in good yield. Similarly, compounds 1 and 3 were obtained by intramolecular cyclization of MOM ether 19 with titanium(IV) chloride in moderate yields and isochromanes 1, 3, 26 and 27 by intramolecular cyclization of ether 20 with titanium(IV) chloride in high yields. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical reactions. The mechanisms on the formation of 1 and 3 are discussed.     

Preparation of new pyrido[3,4-b]thienopyrroles and pyrido[4,3-e]thienopyridazines

Two new types of pyrido-fused tris-heterocycles (1a,b and 2a,b) have been prepared from 3-aminopyridine in five/six steps. A synthetic strategy for the preparation of the novel pyrido[3,4-b]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-d]pyrroles (1a,b) and pyrido[4,3-e]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-c]pyridazines (2a,b) has been studied. The Suzuki cross coupling of the appropriate 2- and 3-thienoboronic acids (3,4) and 4-bromo-3-pyridylpivaloylamide (9) afforded the biaryl coupling products (10,11) in high yields (85%). Diazotization of the hydrolysed (2-thienyl)-coupling product (12) and azide substitution gave the 3-azido-4-(2-thienyl)pyridine intermediate (72%, 14). 3-Azido-4-(3-thienyl)pyridine (15) was prepared by exchanging the previous order of reactions. The desired β-carboline thiophene analogues (1a,b) were obtained via the nitrene by thermal decomposition of the azido precursors (14,15). By optimising conditions for intramolecular diazocoupling, the corresponding pyridazine products (72-83%, 2a,b) were afforded.     

An efficient synthesis of carbazole-based secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibitors LSN433771 and LSN426891

The flexible and efficient synthesis of two structurally similar carbazole derivatives is described. This general strategy features an intramolecular palladium-mediated biaryl coupling reaction to join two aromatic domains of the target molecules. Formation of the carbazole core is accomplished via nitrene insertion. The synthesis of secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) inhibitors LSN433771 (1) and LSN426891 (2) is detailed.     

Laboratory and practical synthesis of Suvorexant,a selective dual orexin receptor antagonist

The development of a laboratory and practical synthesis of Suvorexant 1, using intramolecular Mitsunobu cyclization reaction of intermediate 5 as the key reaction, has been reported. Compound 5 was obtained from known chiral ester 2 in three steps, and the key cyclization proceeded smoothly to provide the core seven-membered ring compound 6, which was transformed into 1 by an additional four-step sequence. The procedure described here needs no chiral-HPLC separation, no classical resolution, and no unique enzyme reactions, and offers an alternative practical synthesis of 1.     

Mg-promoted facile and selective intramolecular cyclization of aromatic δ-ketoesters

Treatment of various types of aromatic δ-ketoesters 2, 7, and 9 with Mg-turnings for Grignard reaction at −5 to 0 °C in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) containing trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl) brought about selective and reductive intramolecular cyclization to give the corresponding α-aryl-α-hydroxycyclopentanones 5, 8, and 10, respectively, in moderate to good yields. Similar reductive intramolecular cyclization of aromatic δ-ketodiesters 14, followed by acidic hydrolysis and decarboxylation easily gave the corresponding 2-aryl-2-cyclopenten-1-ones 15. The present facile coupling may be initiated through electron transfer from Mg metal to the aromatic carbonyl groups of 2, 7, 9, and 14 to generate the corresponding radical anions, followed by their intramolecular nucleophilic attack to the ester groups to give the corresponding five-membered ring compounds 5, 8, 10, and 15, respectively.     

Construction of the taxane skeleton via the stereoselective conjugate addition of cyanide and the intramolecular B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction

Construction of the taxane skeleton via the stereoselective conjugate addition of cyanide and the intramolecular B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction is described. A conjugate addition of cyanide to enone 17 proceeded diastereoselectively to provide the desired 18 incorporating the correct C3 stereogenic center in the taxol C-ring. The intramolecular B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of 22, which was derived from 18, successfully furnished the taxol B-ring in 81% yield.     

Domino routes to substituted benzoindolizines: tandem reorganization of 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts of nitrones with allenic esters/ketones and alternative cycloaddition-palladium catalyzed cyclization pathway

Reactions of C-(4-oxo-4H[1]benzopyran-3-yl)-N-phenyl nitrones (7) with allenic esters (8a-c) and allenic ketones (18a-d) furnish benzoindolizines (9a-k, 19a-d) in good yields. The formation of benzoindolizines is postulated to involve regioselective addition of 1,3-dipole to C2-C3 π bond of allenic esters/ketones followed by domino transformation of the cycloadducts, which involve an intramolecular aza Diels-Alder reaction in the intermediate C. DFT calculations of various parameters for diene and dienophile components in the proposed intermediate C have revealed that conformational constraints imposed by the alkyl groups (R=Me, Et) favor intramolecular aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition. An alternative domino route to benzoindolizines (9a,d,g) involving sequential one-pot cycloaddition of azadienes (22a-c) with silyl-enol ether (23) followed by palladium(0)-catalyzed Heck coupling reaction has also been developed. Both these approaches represent novel domino routes for the synthesis of benzoindolizines.     

Magnesium-assisted intramolecular demethylation utilizing carborane C-H geometry

A novel type of demethylation reaction was designed in the Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction of iodocarboranes with several Grignard reagents, CH₃OPhMgBr. 3-Iodo-o-carborane 1 reacted with 2-CH₃OPhMgBr to afford the corresponding phenol compound 4b in 78% yield. However, when compound 1 was reacted with the other Grignard reagents, the corresponding methoxyl compounds 5a and 6a were obtained in excellent yields. 2-Iodo-p-carborane 3 reacted with 2-CH₃OPhMgBr to afford the corresponding phenol 8b in 50% yield and the methoxyl compound 8a in 41% yield. The carborane C-H geometry, which can form an intramolecular C-H?O hydrogen bonding, seems to be an important factor in the demethylation process. To examine the mechanism of the demethylation, compounds 1 and 4a were treated with CH₃MgBr and quenched with D₂O. While the two C-Hs of compound 1 were completely deuterated, compound 4a showed a replacement of one C-H with C-D. Therefore, we propose a mechanism involving intramolecular C-Mg?O interaction instead of intramolecular C-H?O interaction, via the generation of 3-iodo-o-carboranyl(MgBr)₂, 11. Since it is also possible to replace the C-Hs with various metals other than Mg, new applications of carboranes in coordination and metal catalyst chemistry can be expected.     

SnCl4-mediated oxidative biaryl coupling reaction of 1-naphthol and subsequent ring closure of 2,2′-binaphthol to the dinaphthofuran framework

A simple method for the direct synthesis of 2,2′-binaphthols 2 and dinaphtho[1,2-b;2′,1′-d]furans 3 under mild conditions was developed, utilizing a biaryl coupling reaction via electron donor-acceptor complexes of 1-naphthols with SnCl₄. Heating of the complex in a sealed tube for (18-24 h) afforded the corresponding o-o coupled product 2 in excellent yield. Prolonged reaction (56-65 h) under the same conditions afforded 3 in high yield in one step. We also found that in the case of α-naphthol without substituents other than a hydroxyl group at the C-1 position, regioselective o-o coupling reaction proceeded. The products 2a, 2b and 2g should be useful as synthetic intermediates for naturally occurring 3,3′-bijuglone, 3,3′-biplumbagin and elliptinone.     

Application of intramolecular cycloaddition/retro cycloaddition reactions for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,2′-bipyridine and 2-benzofuropyrazin-2-ylpyridine analogues

1,2,4-Triazines bearing cycloalkeno[c]pyridine substituents at the 5-position, 2a-d, prepared by an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction of bi-5,5-triazines with cyclic enamines, were provided with an alkynyloxy or a 2-cyanophenoxy group at the 3-position of the triazinyl unit. A subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the former, followed by loss of N₂ leads to two new classes of 2,2′-bipyridine analogues containing different heterocyclic units, namely cycloalkeno[c]pyridine and 2,3-dihydrofuro- or 2,3-dihydropyrano[2,3-b]pyridine 8a-h; the intramolecular reaction of the 2-cyanophenoxy compound gives benzo[4,5]furo[2,3-b]pyrazine 10a-c.     

The absolute axial configurations of knipholone and knipholone anthrone by TDDFT and DFT/MRCI CD calculations: a revision

Triggered by a seemingly inconsistent twisting direction in the atroposelective ring cleavage reaction of biaryl lactones by using the ‘lactone concept’, the absolute axial configurations of the most important phenylanthraquinones, knipholone (1), and knipholone anthrone (2) were reassigned on the basis of renewed quantum chemical circular dichroism (CD) calculations using advanced, higher-level methods, viz. a time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) and a multireference configurational interaction approach (DFT/MRCI). Additional confirmation of the new configurational assignment of 1 and 2 was achieved by their stereochemically unambiguous interconversion, and further corroborated by the transformation of 1 into an ‘leuco’ phenylanthracene derivative 3, i.e., a compound with a substantially different chromophore, whose absolute configuration was independently assigned again by quantum chemical CD calculations. Accordingly, the dextrorotatory enantiomer of knipholone, (+)-1, and its anthrone, (+)-2, has the P-configuration, while the laevorotatory forms, (−)-1 and (−)-2 (which likewise exist in nature), are M-configured. From this new configurational assignment, the absolute axial stereostructures of a whole series of further naturally occurring phenylanthraquinones may now be deduced.     

A convenient synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolines and naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2-c]isoquinolines

A convenient method for the preparation of benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinoline derivatives is described. The condensation reaction of methyl 2-(chloromethyl)-benzoate with substituted salicylonitriles 7a-c and intramolecular cyclization of the resulting substituted methyl 2-[(2-cyanobenzyl)oxy]benzoates 10a-c using potassium tert-butoxide results in the substituted benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolin-5(6H)-ones 1a-c. The same sequence of reactions starting from 2-(chloromethyl)benzonitrile and compounds 7a-c gave substituted 5-aminobenzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolines 13a-c. In addition, this method is useful for the synthesis of other heterocycles. For example, using 1-cyano-2-naphthol 16, instead of the salicylonitriles 7a-c, gives naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2-c]isoquinolines.     

Towards the synthesis of [15]-membered stevastelins through the 2,3-epoxy analogues

A synthetic approach to the [15]-membered stevastelins, a novel class of immunosuppressant agents, is reported based on a macrolactamization route to the 2,3-epoxy derivative 6. The synthesis of this compound was achieved via a stereoselective epoxidation of the allylic alcohol 13, followed by a coupling reaction with a variety of peptide derivatives to give the epoxy peptides 7-10. After an extensive study of cyclizations with these precursors, the best result was achieved with the macrolactamization of 8 in the presence of DEPC, to obtain the epoxy cyclic depsipeptide 6 in 42% yield. From this product, an epoxy analogue of stevastelin B, compound 27, was prepared. Finally, the synthesis of the natural product was attempted through the opening of the oxirane ring contained in 6 and 26, with a variety of methyl cuprate reagents, but without success.     

A novel and convenient method for the synthesis of new derivatives of pyrido[3,2-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepine-6,11-dione

A novel methodology has been developed for the efficient synthesis of 1,4-pyridopyrrolodiazepine derivatives. The key reaction is the bromination under mild conditions by NBS of compounds resulting via peptide coupling of l-proline methyl ester with 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxylic acid 1, then intramolecular cyclization in the construction of 2-bromo-6a,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-pyrido[3,2-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepine-6,11-dione 4. This latter is then engaged in cross-coupling reactions to generate 1,4-pyridopyrrolodiazepines derivatives 5a-m, 6a-i, 7, and 8a-c. This strategy provides an efficient method to access a library of compounds based on privileged substructures that are of great interest in drug discovery.     

Efficient total synthesis of bastadin 6, an anti-angiogenic brominated tyrosine-derived metabolite from marine sponge

An efficient total synthesis of bastadin 6 (1), a cyclic tetramer of brominated tyrosine derivatives from the marine sponge, Ianthella basta, with selective anti-angiogenic activity, was accomplished. We developed a novel Ce(IV)-mediated oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6-dibromophenols to give the diaryl ether derivatives, the characteristic segment of 1. Condensation of two segments and subsequent intramolecular macrocyclization gave bastadin 6 (1) in nine steps, 26% overall yield.     

Enantioselective synthesis of valoneic acid derivative

The enantioselective synthesis of trimethyl octa-O-methylvaloneate (1) was accomplished using the Bringmann’s ‘lactone concept’, which involves the intramolecular biaryl coupling reaction of a phenyl benzoate derivative and the asymmetric lactone-opening reaction.     

Synthesis of the common FGHI-ring part of ciguatoxins

The common FGHI-ring part (2) of ciguatoxins has been synthesized from the F- and I-ring parts (6 and 5, respectively). The Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling of 6 with 5 followed by regio- and stereoselective epoxidation at C29 and C30 afforded an epoxide (4), which was transformed into a tricyclic compound (3) corresponding to the F-HI-ring part by 6-exo-epoxide opening and the subsequent inversion of the C29 stereocenter. Reductive cyclization of 3 forming the C31-O26 bond of the G-ring successfully produced 2.     

Exploration of a proposed biomimetic synthetic route to plumarellide. Development of a facile transannular Diels-Alder reaction from a macrocyclic enedione leading to a new 5,6,7-tricyclic ring system

A concise synthesis of the macrocyclic vinylbutenolide 19 is described, based on a facile RCM reaction of the substrates 16/18. Treatment of 19 with TFA containing water led to the 5,6,7-tricyclic compound 27, in a single step, in >90% yield, rather than to the alternative ring system 23 found in plumarellide (1). A rationale for the formation of 27 is presented, involving initial acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the furanmethanol intermediate 20 to the furanoxonium ion 21, which is next hydrolysed to the enol ether cyclic hemiketal 22. The intermediate 22 undergoes rapid tautomerisation and isomerisation producing enedione 24, which then takes part in a transannular Diels-Alder cyclisation to 26. Dehydration of 26 finally produces the tricyclic compound 27.     

Synthetic studies towards complex diterpenoids—VI : New synthetic routes to tetracyclic bridged-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane intermediates by intramolecular alkylation reactions through α-diazomethyl ketones of hydroaromatic γ,δ-unsaturated acids

Two new synthetic routes to a number of tetracyclic intermediates, for the total synthesis of some diterpenoids incorporating the bicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety, are described. The syntheses of the bicyclo[3,2,1]octane derivatives begin with preparation of the hydroaromatic γ,δ-unsaturated acids 6, 15 and 17, and proceed via the α-diazomethyl ketones to the corresponding pentacyclic ketones 20, 24 and 26 by an intramolecular carbenoid insertion reaction, followed by a regiospecific acid-catalysed cleavage of the aromatic conjugated cyclopropane bond to the respective unsaturated ketones 27, 29 and 30. The second route to these unsaturated ketones involves a single step boron trifluoride etherate catalysed intramolecular alkylation in the corresponding α-diazomethyl ketones. The tetracyclic ketones 31, 34 and 35 were obtained in quantitative yields by a regiostereospecific hydrogenolytic cleavage of the aromatic conjugated cyclopropane bond in the respective pentacyclic precursors with PdC in ethanol. Under the same conditions, reduction of the styrenoid bond in the ketones 29 and 30 proceeds stereospecifically leading to 34 and 35 respectively, whereas the unsaturated ketone 27 gave a mixture of epimeric ketones 31 and 32 in a ratio of 69:31.     

Approaches to the synthesis of arisugacin A

Approaches to the synthesis of the important acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, arisugacin A, are described. Two different routes to the key AB ring system are described: the first utilizes an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction on a furan substrate and the second a 6π-electrocyclization of a substituted triene followed by cycloaddition with singlet oxygen. The successful synthesis of a fully functionalized AB ring system of arisugacin A, the tetraol 52 from hydroxy-β-ionone 22 in 16 steps and 9.3% overall yield is described. Several useful synthetic transformations to this molecule and its analogues are reported, e.g., the formation of the furan Diels-Alder cycloadduct 14 and its conversion into the oxa-bridged structures 17 and 21, the preparation of the dienes 25 and 26 and the conversion of the later into the endoperoxide 30 and its diol 36, the preparation of the endoperoxide 40 and the oxa-bridged system 42, and finally the use of the enelactone 43 and its ultimately successful conversion into 52. In addition, several novel rearrangements are described, producing the unusual compounds 62, 65, and 67. Finally, the successful coupling of the pyrone unit to the AB ring system is described to give compounds 70 and 71. The novel reduction of these compounds to the cyclic ether 74 is described.