Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-(S)-7,8-dihydrokavain and (4R,6R)-4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one, lactone analog of compactin and mevinolin

A simple and efficient asymmetric synthesis was performed of (+)-(S)-7,8-dihydrokanian and (4R,6R)-4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one involving Keck allylation in the key stage of building up the carbon scaffold of the target molecules.     

Studies on the transformation of nitrosugars into iminosugars III: synthesis of (2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5,6-tetraol and (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5,6-tetraol

A divergent synthesis of the two novel polyhydroxylated azepanes (2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5,6-tetraol and (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5,6-tetraol from d-mannose is described. The method involves a Henry reaction between dimethyl-tert-butylsilyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-d-lyxo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside and 2-nitroethanol followed by a reductive ring closure of the resulting epimeric nitro aldols. Glycosidase inhibition tests showed that (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)azepane-3,4,5,6-tetraol exhibits a weak but selective inhibition against α-l-fucosides.     

A new route to (2S,4R)- and (2R,4S)-4-hydroxypipecolic acid

Both enantiomers of cis-4-hydroxypipecolic acid have been prepared by asymmetric synthesis using (S)- or (R)-glycidol as the chiral source, and involving a stereoselective hydrogenation of a six-membered cyclic imine. The latter is obtained by reduction and cyclization of a cyano β-hydroxy ketone.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (6R)-4-hydroxy-6-substituted-δ-lactones

A novel approach for the asymmetric synthesis of (6R)-4-hydroxy-6-substituted-δ-lactones has been achieved using asymmetric reduction of a prochiral ketone in the presence of (S)-(?)-diphenyl-prolinol/borane as a key step. The enantiomeric purity of the products was determined by chiral GC.     

(R)- and (S)-N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-3,4-epoxybutylamine. New 4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl synthons for the synthesis of hypusine reagents and (R)-6- and (S)-7-hydroxyspermidine

The synthesis and application of the chiral reagents (R)- and (S)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-3,4-epoxybutylamine is described for the first time. These 4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl synthons are successfully employed in the assembly of two hydroxylated triamines, (R)-6- and (S)-7-hydroxyspermidine, and a previously described hypusine reagent, (2S,9R)-11-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-7-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-[(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)amino]-9-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-7-azaundecanoic acid, useful for solution- and solid-phase peptide synthesis.     

Synthesis of D-(6R) - and D-(6S) -(6-2H1) glucose

Chemical synthesis ofD-(6R)- and D(6S)-(6-²H₁) glucose is described comprising (i) formation of 6-²H₁)-3-o-benzyl-5,6-dideoxy-l, 2-0-isopropylidene-α-D-xylo-hex-5-ynofuranose from D-glucose; (ii) stereospecific reduction of the deuterated acetylene functionality to (E)- or (Z)-deuterated olefin; (iii) stereospecific cis-dihydroxylation of the deuterated olefin; and (iv) separation of stereoisomers based on the intrinsic chirality of D-glucose and subsequent deprotection.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (6S)-5,6-dihydro-6-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-6-phenylhexyl]-2H-pyran-2-one

A stereoselective synthesis of (6S)-5,6-dihydro-6-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-6-phenylhexyl]-2H-pyran-2-one is reported. The strategy utilizes an olefin cross-metathesis, syn-benzylidene acetal formation and a preferential (Z)-Wittig olefination reaction and lactonization as the key steps.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-strictifolione and (6R)-6[(E,4R,6R)-4,6-dihydro-10-phenyl-1-decenyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-2-pyrone

The stereoselective total synthesis of two naturally occurring α-pyrone derivatives, (+)-strictifolione and (6R)-6[(E,4R,6R)-4,6-dihydroxy-10-phenyl-1-decanyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-2-pyrone has been accomplished involving the Sharpless kinetic resolution and olefin cross-metathesis as the key reactions.     

Efficient synthesis of (1R,4S,6R)-4-Isopropenyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one

A simple and convenient one-pot synthesis of (1R,4S,6R)-4-isopropenyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one was developed consisting in a thermodynamic methylation of carvone (NaH, MeI, THF, 20°C) followed by the epoxidation with alkalinized hydrogen peroxide. The reduction of the obtained epoxyketone with sodium borohydride proceeded stereoselectively to give a β-alcohol. The attempts to convert its isopropenyl fragment into an acetate group by a rearrangement of products or intermediates of the oxidative fragmentation resulted only in obtaining intermediate acyl derivatives.     

Synthesis of enantiopure bis-isoxazolines from (4R)-(+)-4-acetoxycyclopent-2-enone

(4R)-(+)-4-Acetoxycyclopent-2-enone was used as a starting material in the stereoselective synthesis of enantiopure bis-isoxazolines.     

An efficient synthesis of (R)- and (S)-8-ethoxy-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-nitro-2H-chromene

Racemic 8-ethoxy-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-nitro-2H-chromene (S14161) was recently identified as a potent inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). In order to investigate the effects of its two enantiomers on tumor cell lines, we designed a novel synthesis for (R)-S14161 and (S)-S14161 using a chemical resolution and derivation strategy. The readily available 3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-salicylaldehyde underwent a tandem oxa-Michael–Henry reaction with trans-4-fluoro-β-nitrostyrene in the presence of a catalytic amount of l-proline and triethylamine to give the 3-nitro-2H-chromene. Upon removal of the TBS protecting group, the resolution of the resulting racemic 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-8-hydroxy-3-nitro-2H-chromene was achieved via diastereomeric ester formation using (S)-(+)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid as the derivatizing agent, followed by aminolysis. Finally, the ethyl ether formation of each enantiomer furnished (R)-S14161 and (S)-S14161 in enantiomerically pure forms. The absolute configurations of these chiral molecules were determined by a circular dichroism method. The two enantiomers showed no marked differences in inhibition of growth of human myeloma LP1 and OPM-2 cells.     

Modified synthesis of methyl (1R,2R,3E,5R)-3-(hydroxyimino)-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylate from (R)-4-menthen-3-one

A modified stereospecific synthesis of potentially biologically and pharmacologically active methyl (1R,2R,3E,5R)-3-(hydroxyimino)-5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate from (R)-4-menthen-3-one was developed using sequential 1,4-conjugate addition of Norman reagent catalyzed by CuI?CBF₃?Et₂O?CCuCl₂ and ozonolysis?Creduction of the intermediate (R,R,R)-vinylmenthone by hydroxylamine hydrochloridein MeOH.     

Synthesis and structure of (2S,4S)-2-alkyl(aryl)-3-(3-sulfanylpropanoyl)-6-oxohexahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acids

Proceeding from natural amino acid L-asparagine and commercially available aldehydes a stereoselective synthesis was developed of (2S,4S)-2-alkyl(aryl)-3-(3-sulfanylpropanoyl)-6-oxohydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acids, potential antihypertensive drugs, inhibitors of the angiotensin converting enzyme.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-strictifolione and (6R)-6-[(4R,6R)-4,6-dihydroxy-10-phenyldec-1-enyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one by Prins reaction and olefin cross-metathesis

Prins and olefin cross-metathesis reactions were used as the key steps for the stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-strictifolione and (6R)-6-[(4R,6R)-4,6-dihydroxy-10-phenyldec-1-enyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one. Removal of MOM protecting groups under neutral conditions using CeCl₃·7H₂O is an attractive addition to the present strategy.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

Preparation of dimethyl (R)- and (S)-2-(2-aminophenyl)-2-hydroxyethylphosphonate from anthranilic acid

An efficient synthesis of both enantiomers of dimethyl δ-amino-β-hydroxyethylphosphonate 6 has been achieved starting from anthranilic acid, through the resolution of dimethyl (±)-2-(2-N,N-dibenzylaminophenyl)-2-hydroxyethylphosphonate 9 with (S)-O-methylmandelic acid. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers 9 was assigned by the Dale and Mosher approach using the extended Newman projections and molecular mechanics.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 2-tosyloxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone derivatives: synthesis of (R)-tembamide, (R)-aegeline, (R)-octopamine,and (R)-denopamine

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of 2-tosyloxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone derivatives leads to efficient synthesis of β-adrenergic agonists, (R)-tembamide, (R)-aegeline, (R)-octopamine, and (R)-denopamine.     

Synthesis of optically active (1R,4S,6S)-6-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one

Bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone is an important building block for the synthesis of bioactive compounds and natural products. Herein, we present a new synthetic route for the formation of (1R,4S,6S)-6-hydroxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-one derivatives via a catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction in high stereoselectivity and yields.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (3R,4S)- and (3S,4R)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

An efficient and a convenient enantioselective synthesis of (3R,4S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine has been carried out by a lipase-mediated resolution protocol. This method describes the preparation of (±)-1-Cbz-cis-3-azido-4-hydroxypyrrolidine starting from commercially available diallylamine followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) via S_N2 displacement reactions. Pseudomonas cepacia lipase immobilized on diatomaceous earth (Amano PS-D) provides (3R,4S)-11 and (3S,4R)-12 in an excellent enantiomeric excess.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate

A new biocatalytic strategy to obtain the ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate precursor of ethyl (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyrate, an important intermediate in the synthesis of a variety of ACE inhibitors, has been set up. Starting from ethyl 2,4-dioxo-4-phenylbutyrate, a screen of microorganisms has been performed in order to find the best catalyst able to reduce the keto group in the α-position with high chemo- and enantioselectivity. The biotransformation catalyzed by Pichia pastoris CBS 704 gave the best results in terms of conversion and enantioselectivity. The addition of adsorbing resins in the fermentation medium is effective in controlling substrate and product concentration in the medium, thus improving both conversion and enantioselectivity of the biotransformation. Preliminary experiments in a continuous batch reactor with growing culture of P. pastoris will be also presented.