Autoxidation of isotachysterol

Isotachysterol, the acid-catalyzed isomerization product of vitamin D₃, produces seven previously unknown oxygenation products in a self-initiated autoxidation reaction under atmospheric oxygen in the dark at ambient temperature. They are (5R)-5,10-epoxy-9,10-secocholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol (6a), (5S)-5,10-epoxy-9,10-secocholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol (6b), (10R)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,14-trien-3β,10-diol (7a), (10S)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,14-trien-3β,10-diol (7b), (7R,10R)-7,10-epoxy-9,10-secocholesta-5,8(14)-dien-3β-ol (8), 5,10-epidioxyisotachysterol (9) and 3,10-epoxy-5-oxo-5,10-seco-9,10-secocholesta-6,8(14)-dien-10-ol (10). The formation of these products is explained in terms of free radical peroxidation chemistry.     

(+)-Cystothiazole G: isolation and structural elucidation

Palladium-catalyzed cyclization-methoxycarbonylation of (2R,3S)-3-methylpent-4-yne-1,2-diol (6) derived from (2R,3S)-epoxybutanoate 5 followed by methylation gave the tetrahydro-2-furylidene acetate (−)-7, which was converted to the left-half aldehyde (+)-3. A Wittig reaction between (+)-3 and the phosphoranylide derived from the bithiazole-type phosphonium iodide 4 using lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide afforded the (+)-cystothiazole G (2), whose spectral data were identical with those of the natural product (+)-2. Thus, the stereochemistry of cystothiazole G (2) was proved to be (4R,5S,6(E)).     

Positional isomerization of quinine and quinidine via rhodium on alumina catalysis: practical one-step synthesis of Δ-isoquinine and Δ-isoquinidine

The synthesis of Δ^3,10-isoquinine (5Z,5E) and Δ^3,10-isoquinidine (6Z,6E) was achieved in one-step through positional isomerization of the terminal alkene in the parent cinchona alkaloids using catalytic amounts of 5% Rh/Al₂O₃ and excess hydrochloric acid in refluxing 50% aqueous EtOH. The products were obtained in good yields as a mixture of E and Z geometric isomers and fully characterized using spectroscopic methods.     

Novel tocopherol derivatives. Part 32: On the bromination of pyrano[3,2-f]chromenes related to γ-tocopherol

While bromination of γ-tocopherol (2) with elemental bromine affords 5-bromo-γ-tocopherol quantitatively (3), the analogous reaction of its truncated model compound, 2,2,7,8-tetramethylchromanol (2a) is known to be accompanied by side reactions and to produce hitherto unknown byproducts. These compounds originate from pyrano[3,2-f]chromene (6), a byproduct in the synthesis of model compound 2a, which affords bromochromene 7 as the major product. The reaction mechanism was shown to proceed via chromene 8 and its 1,2-dibromo addition compound 9, which eliminates HBr in an E1 process to finally afford 7. Analytical data including crystal structures of both 6 and 7 are reported.     

A facile preparation, spectroscopic and chemical properties, crystal structures, and electrochemical behavior of monocarbenium ion compounds stabilized by 3-guaiazulenyl and dihydroxyphenyl (or hydroxymethoxyphenyl) groups

Reaction of guaiazulene (8) with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (9) in methanol in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid (i.e., 65% aqueous solution) at 25 °C for 2 h gives (3-guaiazulenyl)(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)methylium hexafluorophosphate (13) in 86% yield. Similarly, reaction of 8 with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (10) [or 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (11) or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (12)] under the same reaction conditions as for 9 affords the corresponding monocarbenium ion compound 14 (63% yield) [or 15 (43% yield) or 16 (77% yield)], respectively, each product of which is stabilized by 3-guaiazulenyl and dihydroxyphenyl (or hydroxymethoxyphenyl) groups. A facile preparation and crystal structures as well as spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of 13-16, possessing two interesting resonance structures, respectively, i.e., a protonated o- (or p-) benzoquinonemethide form and a 3-guaiazulenylium ion form, in a solution of acetonitrile and further, in a single crystal, are reported.     

Furanyl spiroketals: thermodynamic control of remote asymmetry

(E,E)-2-Alkyl-8-furanyl-1,7-dioxa-spiro[5.5]undecanes (1a-i) have been prepared in good yield and with very high diastereoselectivity from lactones (2a-e) and alkynes (3a,b) using lithium acetylide coupling, hydrogenation, desilylation and acid catalysed cyclisation/equilibration.     

Selective lithiation of 1,6-dihalohex-1-enes and 1,6-dihalohex-1-ynes

The lithiation of 1-choro- and 1-bromo-6-chlorohex-1-yne (2, 3) with lithium naphthalene in the presence of benzaldehyde in THF at −78 °C leads after hydrolysis with water to the corresponding chloroalkynol (5) resulting from a regioselective lithiation at the alkynylic position. However, the lithiation of 1-chloro-6-iodohex-1-yne (4) under the same reaction conditions and using pentan-3-one as electrophile leads to the corresponding chloroalcohol (6) from the exclusive lithiation at the aliphatic carbon-iodine bond. Double lithiation of compounds 2 and 3 under Barbier conditions allows the isolation of diols (9), whereas the two-step process leads to differently substituted diols 13. The monolithiation of (E)-1-bromo-6-chlorohex-1-ene (14) under the above conditions and using pentan-3-one as electrophile affords a mixture of chloroalcohols 15 and 16, the process being not stereospecific. However, the lithiation of the same starting material with t-BuLi leads exclusively to a bromine-lithium exchange with retention of the configuration, so after treatment with pentan-3-one only compound 16 was isolated. Finally, whereas double lithiation of compound 14 under the conditions for compounds 9 gives the mixture of compounds 18 and 19, the tandem process involving the t-BuLi-promoted bromine-lithium exchange as the first step followed by lithiation under DTBB-catalysed conditions allows the isolation of (E)-diols 19 as the only reaction products isolated.     

Aza-annulation of β-enaminolactones: application to the synthesis of enantiopure difunctionalized bicyclic lactams

Diastereoselective aza-annulation of seven-membered β-enaminolactones 2 gives access to bicyclic heterocyles 5. Fragmentation of molecule 5a with lithium methoxide affords cis or trans bicyclic lactams 8 with excellent stereoselectivities.     

New α-substituted alkylbenzene- and dialkylbenzene-1,2-diphosphonates: side-chain metalation of tetraethyl 4-methyl- and 4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,2-diphosphonates

Carbocyclic 1,2-diphosphonates (1a, 1b) are prepared by the Diels-Alder reaction of classical donor alka-1,3-dienes (isoprene and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) with tetraethyl acetylene bisphosphonate. Their aromatization by the KMnO₄-Al₂O₃ system affords 4-methyl and 4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,2-diphosphonates (2a, 2b), used as precursor for the generation of benzyl-type carbanions (3a, 3b) by lithiation with lithium isopropylamide in THF at −80 °C. The carbanions react with electrophilic reagents (chlorotrimethylsilane, p-fluorobenzaldehyde, and ethyl trifluoroacetate) in situ to form corresponding α-substituted monoalkyl- and dialkylbenzenediphosphonates in good yields.     

An expedient route to indoles via a cycloaddition/cyclization sequence from (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-en-3-yne and 2H-pyran-2-ones

The cycloaddition of (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-en-3-yne (2) with 5,6-disubstituted 3-acylamino-2H-pyran-2-ones 1 under microwave-irradiation conditions, with classical heating or at high-pressures (13-15 kbar) affords the benzene derivatives 3 with a strategically positioned 2-methoxyethenyl moiety. In some cases, at high-pressures after long reaction times, 2,2-dimethoxyethyl products 4 were obtained. Adducts 3 and 4 can be cyclized under mild conditions into 1,5,6-trisubstituted indole derivatives 5.     

Dipheno-silyliminoquinones - A 14π-system

Lithium salts of 2.6-dialkylanilines react with di-tert-butylfluorosilanes to give mono (1-3) - and bis (7, 8)-(2.6-dialkylphenylamino)silanes. Amino-2.6-dimethylphenyl-(di-tert-butylfluoro)silane (1) forms with BuLi a dimeric lithium salt (4) containing an eight-membered (LiFNSi)₂ ring system. Thermally, 4 loses LiF and a bicyclic compound (9) via iminosilenes is obtained. The lithium salt of the bulkier amino-2.6-diisopropylphenyl-(di-tert-butylfluorosilanes) (5-7) thermally loses LiH and iminosilanes (10-12) with a 14π-system are isolated. The reaction mechanisms and crystal structures are discussed.     

Nitroalkylation and nitroalkenylation reactions of γ-lactone enolates. A facile ring switch from polysubstituted γ-lactones to polysubstituted γ-lactams

Michael addition of lithium enolates of γ-butyrolactone 1 and α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone 1′ to (E)-1-nitropropene 2, (E)-β-nitrostyrene 3 and (E)-2-nitro-1-phenylpropene 4 is described. Reactions of the lithium enolate of 1′ with 2 and 4 occurred with high diasteroselectivity (80 and 92% d.e., respectively). Reactions of the zinc enolate of 1′ with two β-nitroenamines and two methylthio-substituted 1-amino-2-nitro-1,3-dienes were also examined. Catalytic reduction of the nitroalkylated and nitroalkenylated products allowed the achievement of functionalized γ-lactams and/or cyclic hydroxamic acids.     

Novel reduction of perfluoroalkyl ketones with lithium alkoxides

The reaction of tert-butyl N-(2-bromophenyl)carbamate (1) with ethyl perfluorooctanoate in the presence of tert-butyllithium did not give the desired N-(2-perfluorooctanoylphenyl)carbamate (3) but gave 1-hydroxy-1H-perfluorooctyl compound (4), which was supposed to be formed by the reduction of 3. A similar reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone with tert-butyllithium did not gave any reduction product. Detailed investigation showed that lithium ethoxide worked as the reducing agent of this abnormal reduction. By the reaction of lithium isopropoxide, an aldol product from 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone with acetone was isolated, while perfluoroheptyl or perfluoropropyl phenyl ketones were reduced by this alkoxide in a high yield without formation of the aldol adduct.     

Preparation of α,α-difluoroalkanesulfonic acids

Chlorodifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1) was prepared using a new procedure starting from perchloromercaptan, which is readily obtained from chlorination of CS₂. Modified Swarts reaction transformed N,N-diethyl trichloromethanesulfenamide into N,N-diethyl chlorodifluoromethanesulfenamide, and the latter species was further oxidized and hydrolyzed into chlorodifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The preparations of other two new α,α-difluoroalkanesulfonic acids, phenyl difluoromethanesulfonic acid (2) and 2-phenyl-1,1,2,2,-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid (3), are also disclosed. The acids 2 and 3 are stable in the forms of sodium (lithium) salts or in aqueous solutions; however, the pure forms of 2 and 3 can readily undergo defluorinations. 1-3 and their salts have potential applications as superacid catalysts and lithium battery electrolytes.     

Synthesis and properties of 3-arylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and related compounds: photo-induced autorecycling oxidation of some amines

Novel 3-phenyl- and 3-(4-nitrophenyl)cyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and the corresponding imino derivatives 5a,b and 6a,b were synthesized in modest to moderate yields by the abnormal and normal aza-Wittig reaction of 2-(1,3-diazaazulen-2-ylimino)triphenylphosphorane with aryl isocyanates and subsequent heterocyclization reaction with a second isocyanate. The related cationic compound, 1-methyl-3-phenylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 7a, was also prepared. The electrochemical reduction of these compounds exhibited more positive reduction potentials as compared with those of the related compounds of 3,10-disubstituted cyclohepta[4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione systems. In a search of the oxidizing ability, compounds 5a, 6a, and 7a were demonstrated to oxidize some amines to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield under aerobic and photo-irradiation conditions, while even benzylamine was not oxidized under aerobic and thermal conditions at 100 °C. The oxidation reactions by cation 7a are more efficient than that by 5a and 6a. Quenching of the fluorescence of 5a was observed, and thus, the oxidation reaction by 5a probably proceeds via electron-transfer from amine to the excited singlet state of 5a. In the case of cation 7a, the oxidation reaction is proposed to proceed via formation of an amine-adduct of 7a and subsequent photo-induced radical cleavage reaction.     

Stereoselective carbonyl reductions of chloro-substituted 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ones

The lithium aluminium hydride reduction of 2,2,4,4-tetrachloro-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one (8) was reinvestigated. In contrast to most halogeno-substituted oxabicyclic ketones, which give predominantly the corresponding endo alcohols, the expected (3endo)-2,2,4,4-tetrachloro-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol (9n) is formed in a minute proportion. An X-ray structure analysis of the dominating product gave proof of the exo-alcohol, i.e., (3exo)-2,2,4,4-tetrachloro-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-ol (9x). On the other hand, reduction of trichloroketone 11, 2,2,endo-4-trichloro-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one, and the methoxy-substituted chloroketones 13 and 14 provided the corresponding endo alcohols (12 and 15).     

New total synthesis of (+)-cystothiazole A based on palladium-catalyzed cyclization-methoxycarbonylation

Palladium-catalyzed cyclization-methoxycarbonylation of (2R,3S)-3-methylpenta-4-yne-1,2-diol (6) derived from (2R,3S)-epoxy butanoate 7 followed by methylation gave the tetrahydro-2-furylidene acetate (−)-10, which was converted to the left-half aldehyde (+)-3. A Wittig reaction between (+)-4 and the phosphoranylide derived from the bithiazole-type phosphonium iodide 4 using lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide afforded the (+)-cystothiazole A (2).     

Enantioselective alkylation and protonation of prochiral enolates in the asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acids

Achiral 1-benzoyl-3-methylperhydropyrimidin-4-one (1) was deemed a useful, potential precursor for the enantioselective synthesis of α-substituted β-amino acids. Pyrimidinone 1 was prepared from inexpensive β-aminopropanoic acid in 62% overall yield. Prochiral enolate derivative 1 -Li was alkylated in good yield and moderate enantioselectivity in the presence of chiral amines (S)-8, (S,S)-9, (S,S)-10, or (−)-sparteine. The enantioselectivity of the alkylation process is highest in toluene as the solvent and in the presence of lithium bromide as additive. The racemic alkylated derivatives 2 and 3 were readily metallated with LDA to give prochiral enolates 2-Li and 3-Li, that were reprotonated with novel chiral phenolic acids (S)-11, (S,S)-12, (S)-13, and (S,S)-14 in moderate enantioselectivity in the case of 2-Li and good enantioselectivity in the case of 3-Li. The acid (6N HCl) hydrolysis of enantioenriched 2 and 3 proceeded in good yield and without racemization to afford α-alkyl-β-amino acids 4 and 5, respectively.     

Rh(II)-Catalyzed asymmetric carbene transfer with ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-diazopropionate

The asymmetric cyclopropanation of 1,1-diphenylethylene (2) with ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-diazopropionate (1) in the presence of chiral Rh(II) catalysts affords cyclopropane 3 with yields and enantioselectivities of up to 72 and 40%, respectively. Similar results are obtained for asymmetric cyclopropenation of hex-1-yne (4), although enantioselectivity is lower. The cyclopropanation of mono-substituted olefins (8a-8e) with 1 leads to cis/trans-mixtures of cyclopropanes 9a-9e with a maximum ee of 75% for 4-methoxystyrene (8c).     

Synthesis of sulfur containing analogues of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 8-bromo-4H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[3,4-c][1,4]benzoxazin-1-one NS2028

Sulfur analogues of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor NS2028 1a are synthesized. Treating 8-bromo-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3(4H)-one oxime (6) with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (1.1 equiv) gave the carbamothioate 8-bromo-4H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[3,4-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1-thione (3a) in 83% yield. Alternatively reacting NS2028 1a with P₂S₅ (0.5 equiv) affords the carbamothioate 3a in 80% yield. Similar treatment of 8-aryl substituted NS2028 analogues 1b-d with P₂S₅ gave the carbamothioates 3b-d in 64-91% yields. Although quite stable, the carbamothioates 3a-d could be thermally isomerized in the presence of Cu (10 mol %) to afford the thiocarbamates 4a-d in high yields. Interestingly, in the case of carbamothioate 3a Pd and In metals also facilitated the isomerization. Furthermore, treatment of the thiocarbamates 4a-d with P₂S₅ (0.5 equiv) affords the carbamodithioates 5a-d in 72-89% yields. All new compounds are fully characterized including single crystal X-ray data for carbamothioate 3a and thiocarbamate 4a. Finally, a mechanism is proposed for the carbamothioate to thiocarbamate isomerization.