Ring opening of 4',5'-epoxynucleosides: a novel stereoselective entry to 4'-C-branched nucleosides

Stereoselective synthesis of 4'-alpha-carbon-substituted nucleosides has been accomplished through epoxidation of 4',5'-unsaturated nucleosides with dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) and successive SnCl(4)-promoted ring opening of the resulting 4',5'-epoxynucleosides with organosilicon reagents. [reaction: see text]     

Total synthesis of the antitumor active pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline alkaloid (±)-crispine A

Addition of a propargyl Grignard reagent to 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline, silver(I)-promoted oxidative cyclization, and chemoselective hydrogenation of the pyrrole ring provide a simple three-step route to the antitumor active pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline alkaloid (±)-crispine A.     

Tetrakis Sn(IV) alkoxides as novel initiators for living ring‐opening polymerization of lactides

The use of tetrakis Sn(IV) alkoxides as highly active initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization of D ,L ‐lactide is reported. The activities of prepared Sn(IV) tetra‐2‐methyl‐2‐butoxide, Sn(IV) tetra‐iso‐propoxide, and Sn(IV) tetra‐ethoxide were compared to a well‐known ring‐opening polymerization initiator system, Sn(II) octoate activated with n‐butanol. All polymerizations were conducted at 75 °C in toluene. The activities of tetrakis Sn(IV) alkoxides grew in order of increasing steric hindrance, and the bulky Sn(IV) alkoxides showed higher activity than the Sn(II) octoate/butanol system. The living character of the polymerization was demonstrated in homopolymerization of D ,L ‐lactide and in block copolymerization of L ‐lactide with ?‐caprolactone. ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR were used to characterize the prepared Sn(IV) alkoxides and the polymer microstructure, and size exclusion chromatography was used to determine the molar masses as well as the molar‐mass distributions of the polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1901–1911, 2004     

Asymmetric ring opening of epoxides with cyanides catalysed by chiral binuclear titanium complexes

A series of Schiff bases obtained from salicylaldehydes and 3,3′-diformyl-BINOL were synthesized. The complexes of these Schiff bases with Ti(IV) were active for the asymmetric ring opening of epoxides with TMSCN. A mixture of unpurified ligands was found to be as effective as the best one. The influence of temperature, solvent polarity and structural modification of the pre-catalysts on the enantioselectivity of the process has also been investigated.     

Ring‐Opening and polymerization of 1‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotrisiloxane

1‐[2′‐(Heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotetrasiloxane ( II ) was prepared from 1‐[2′‐(methyldichlorosilyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5,7,7‐heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane ( I ) and tetramethyldisiloxane‐1,3‐diol. Acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening of II in the presence of tetramethyldisiloxane gave 1,9‐dihydrido‐5‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( III ) and 1,9‐dihydrido‐3‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( IV ). Both acid‐ and base‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of II gives highly viscous, transparent polymers. The structures of I – IV and polymers were determined by UV, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. In addition, molecular weights obtained by GPC and NMR end group analysis were confirmed with mass spectrometry. On the basis of ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, the polymers appear to result exclusively from ring‐opening of the cyclotrisiloxane ring. No evidence for ring‐opening of the cyclotetrasiloxane ring was observed. Polymer properties were determined by DSC and TGA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 137–146, 2006     

Stereoselective synthesis of piperidinone and quinolinone systems via ring opening reactions using TiCl4/silyl reagents

Titanium(IV) chloride and silyl reagents mediated regio- and chemoselective ring opening reactions of oxa-bridged piperidinone ring systems were demonstrated. This methodology interestingly undergoes the stereoselective ring opening at the C-O bond of oxa-bridged piperidinone ring systems. Study of TiCl₄ with hydride or non-hydride silyl reagents furnished the product with selectivity. This protocol is highly valuable to synthesize a range of stereoselective piperidinones, quinolinones ring systems.     

Theoretical Study of the AlEt3-Promoted Tandem Reductive Rearrangement of Epoxides

The AlEt3-promoted tandem reductive rearrangement reactions of epoxides was studied at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. For the model compound σ-hydroxy epoxides, two possible reaction pathways I and II were calculated. The main difference is the order of ethylene release and six- to five-member ring rearrangement.The ring contraction rearrangement in pathway I is the first step and this step is the rate controlling step with a free energy barrier of 116.62 kJ/mol. For pathway II, the ethylene release occurs first, and is followed by a six-member ring opening reaction which is the rate controlling step, and the barrier is 251.38 kJ/mol.The reason for such high barrier is that the ethylene release results in the following reaction being moredifficult. The results show that pathway I (C-C rearrangement and then ethylene release) is more favorable,which is consistent with experimental results.     

Highly Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Halohydrins from Epoxides Catalyzed with Ceric Ammonium Nitrate

Ce(IV) as ceric ammonium nitrate can effectively catalyze ring opening of epoxides with halides under very mild conditions and easy procedure to give the corresponding β-chloro-and β-bromohydrins in excellent yields. The reactions occur with both substituted and unsubstituted quaternary ammonium halides and with high regio- and stereoselectivity. The reaction of optically active styrene oxide with chloride ion was found to be highly stereospecific and afforded the corresponding β-halohydrin in 96% ee.     

B2O3/Al2O3 as an Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Synthesis of β-Amino Alcohols under Solvent-Free Conditions

A convenient and efficient procedure for the solvent-free synthesis of β-amino alcohols has been achieved via B₂O₃/Al₂O₃-promoted highly regioselective ring opening of epoxides with aromatic amines in good to excellent yields at room temperature. Additionally, the catalyst can be recycled without affecting the catalytic property.     

A highly selective turn-on colorimetric, red fluorescent sensor for detecting mobile zinc in living cells

We describe ZRL1, a turn-on colorimetric and red fluorescent zinc ion sensor. The Zn(2+)-promoted ring opening of the rhodamine spirolactam ring in ZRL1 evokes a 220-fold fluorescence turn-on response. In aqueous media, ZRL1 turn-on luminescence is highly selective for Zn(2+) ions, with no significant response to other competitive cations, including Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), or Hg(2+). In addition to these characteristics, preliminary results indicate that ZRL1 can be delivered to living cells and can be used to monitor changes in intracellular Zn(2+) levels.     

Rhodamine-based Hg2+-selective chemodosimeter in aqueous solution: fluorescent OFF-ON

[reaction: see text] N-(Rhodamine-6G)lactam-N'-phenylthiourea-ethylenediamine (1) was developed as a fluorescent and colorimetric chemodosimeter in aqueous solution with a broad pH span (5 approximately 10) and high selectivity toward Hg2+ but no significant response toward other competitive cations, such as Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, etc. The Hg2+-promoted ring opening of spirolactam of the rhodamine moiety induced cyclic guanylation of the thiourea moiety, which resulted in the dual chromo- and fluorogenic observation (OFF-ON).     

Synthesis,Evaluation and Proposed Binding Pose of Substituted Spiro-Oxindole Dihydroquinazolinones as IRAP Inhibitors

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a new potential macromolecular target for drugs aimed for treatment of cognitive disorders. Inhibition of IRAP by angiotensin IV (Ang IV) improves the memory and learning in rats. The majority of the known IRAP inhibitors are peptidic in character and suffer from poor pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, we present a series of small non-peptide IRAP inhibitors derived from a spiro-oxindole dihydroquinazolinone screening hit (pIC₅₀ 5.8). The compounds were synthesized either by a simple microwave (MW)-promoted three-component reaction, or by a two-step one-pot procedure. For decoration of the oxindole ring system, rapid MW-assisted Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings (1 min) were performed. A small improvement of potency (pIC₅₀ 6.6 for the most potent compound) and an increased solubility could be achieved. As deduced from computational modelling and MD simulations it is proposed that the S-configuration of the spiro-oxindole dihydroquinazolinones accounts for the inhibition of IRAP.     

Diquinones II the formation of dibenzofuran derivatives by rearrangement of diquinones

Several diquinones (I, III, V) undergo photochemical and/or thermal rearrangement to dibenzofuranquinones (II, IV, VI). Structure IV has been established by synthesis and unambiguous structures have been assigned to several of its isomers.

It is shown that the hydroxyquinone II, and related compounds, undergo fission of the furan ring when dissolved in alkaline solution, the blue colour produced arising from the anion of the resultant o-hydroxyphenylquinone. It is suggested that the mechanism of ring opening is analogous to the alkyl-oxygen fission of esters.     

Titanocene(II)-promoted carbonyl cyclopropylidenation utilizing 1,1-dichlorocyclopropanes

A variety of alkylidenecyclopropanes bearing various substituents on their cyclopropane ring were obtained by the titanocene(II)-promoted reaction of 1,1-dichlorocyclopropane derivatives with carbonyl compounds including esters and lactones.     

Bridgehead arylation: a direct route to advanced intermediates for the synthesis of C-20 diterpene alkaloids

[reaction: see text] Rapid access to the ABCE ring system of the C(20) diterpene alkaloids was achieved by silver(I)-promoted intramolecular Friedel-Crafts arylation of a functional group-specific 5-bromo-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivative.     

Enantioselective fluoride ring opening of aziridines enabled by cooperative Lewis acid catalysis

The enantioselective ring opening of aziridines using a latent source of HF is described. A combination of two Lewis acids, (salen)Co and an achiral Ti(IV) cocatalyst, provided optimal reactivity and enantioselectivity for the trans β-fluoroamine product. The use of a chelating aziridine protecting group was crucial. Acyclic and cyclic meso N-picolinamide aziridines underwent fluoride ring opening in up to 84% ee, and the kinetic resolution of a piperidine-derived aziridine was performed with k_rel=6.6. The picolinamide group may be readily removed without epimerization of the fluoroamine. Preliminary studies revealed a bimetallic mechanism wherein the chiral (salen)Co catalyst delivers the nucleophile and the Ti(IV) cocatalyst activates the aziridine.     

Ring opening reaction of 3,6-Dihydro-2-(1H)pyrimidinones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride

1,4,6-Trisubstituted 3,6-dihydro-2-(1H)pyrimidinones (Ia-d) easily underwent the ring opening reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to afford the oximes (IIa-d) in good yields. In the case of 3,6-dihydro-6-methyl-I-phenyl-2-(1H)pyrimidinone (Ie), 2-anilinobutyronitrile (III) was obtained in addition to the oxime (IIe). Dihydro-2-(1H)pyrimidinone (IV) and -thiones (V and VI) did not undergo the ring opening reaction.     

ZrCl4-Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Aminosulfides from Aziridines and Thiols

A simple and efficient synthesis of β-aminosulfides has been introduced by ring opening of aziridine rings with aromatic thiols in the presence of zirconium(IV) chloride under solvent-free conditions at room temperature.     

Mild,Efficient and Selective Opening of Epoxides with Alcohols Catalyzed by Ceric(IV) Ammonium Nitrate

Commercially available Ceric(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) catalyzes nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides in primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols under mild conditions. The corresponding β-alkoxy-alcohols were obtained with high regio and stereoselectivity in high yields.     

Free‐radical polymerization of dioxolane and dioxane derivatives: Effect of fluorine substituents on the ring opening polymerization

Partially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives have been prepared to investigate the effect of fluorine substituents on their free‐radical polymerization products. The partially fluorinated monomer 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (I) was readily polymerized with free‐radical initiators azobisisobutyronitrile or tri(n‐butyl)borane–air and yielded a vinyl addition product. However, the hydrocarbon analogue, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (II), produced as much as 50% ring opening product at 60 °C by free‐radical polymerization. 2‐Difluoromethylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (III) was synthesized and its free‐radical polymerization yielded ring opening products: 28% at 60 °C, decreasing to 7 and 4% at 0 °C and −78 °C, respectively. All the fluorine‐substituted, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (IV) produced only a vinyl addition product with perfluorobenzoylperoxide as an initiator. The six‐membered ring monomer, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (V), caused more than 50% ring opening during free‐radical polymerization. However, the partially fluorinated analogue, 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VI), produced only 22% ring opening product with free‐radical polymerization and the perfluorinated compound, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VII), yielded only the vinyl addition polymer. The ring opening reaction and the vinyl addition steps during the free‐radical polymerization of these monomers are competitive reactions. We discuss the reaction mechanism of the ring opening and vinyl addition polymerizations of these partially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5180–5188, 2004