Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzene‐sulfonyl Azide and Its Synthetic Utility for the Transformation to (Z)‐N‐[4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates

A novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide by simultaneous azidation and debrominative decarboxylation of anti‐2,3‐dibromo‐3‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid using NaN₃ only was developed. Facile transformation of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide to (Z)‐N‐[4‐ (2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates was also achieved by Cu‐catalyzed three‐component coulping of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide, terminal alkynes and alcohols/phenols.     

Synthesis of (2′S)‐2′‐Deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylpurine Nucleosides and Their Phosphoramidites

We describe the stereoselective synthesis of (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methyladenosine ( 12 ) and (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylinosine ( 14 ) as well as their corresponding cyanoethyl phosphoramidites 16 and 19 from 6‐O‐(2,6‐dichlorophenyl)inosine as starting material. The methyl group at the 2′‐position was introduced via a Wittig reaction (→ 3 , Scheme 1) followed by a stereoselective oxidation with OsO₄ (→ 4 , Scheme 2). The primary‐alcohol moiety of 4 was tosylated (→ 5 ) and regioselectively reduced with NaBH₄ (→ 6 ). Subsequent reduction of the 2′‐alcohol moiety with Bu₃SnH yielded stereoselectively the corresponding (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylnucleoside (→ 8a ).     

Synthesis of optically active hydroxyalkylbenzothiazepinones by ring transformation of 2‐alkylidenelactons with o‐aminothiophenol

A stereoselective synthesis of new optically active 3‐(hydroxyalkyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepin‐4‐ones 4 and 7 was achieved by Michael‐like addition of o‐aminothiophenol to chiral α‐alkylidenelactons 1 and 5 followed by ring chain transformation of the resulting adducts 3 and 6.     

Practical Stereo‐ and Regioselective,Copper(I)‐Promoted Strecker Synthesis of Sugar‐Modified α,β‐Unsaturated Imines

The regio‐ and stereoselective, Lewis acid catalyzed Strecker reaction between Me₃SiCN and different aldimines incorporating a 2,3,4,6‐tetrakis‐O‐pivaloyl‐D ‐glucopyranosyl (Piv₄Glc) chiral auxiliary has been worked out. Depending on the conditions used, high yields (up to 95%) and good diastereoselectivities (de > 86%) were achieved under mild conditions (Table 1), especially with CuBr ? Me₂S as catalyst. Our protocol allows the ready preparation of asymmetric β,γ‐unsaturated α‐amino acids such as (R)‐2‐amino‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐enoic acid ( 13 ; Scheme 2) and congeners thereof.     

Synthesis of Substituted α‐(Hydroxymethyl)‐β‐iodoacrylates via MgI2‐Promoted Stereoselective Aldol Coupling

The efficient and highly stereoselective syntheses of a variety of (Z)‐configured, substituted α‐(hydroxymethyl) ‐ β‐iodo‐acrylates from prop‐2‐ynoate and various aldehydes was achieved. The synthetic protocol involves a simple one‐pot coupling reaction under mild conditions, promoted by MgI₂, which serves both as a Lewis acid and iodine source for a Baylis? Hillman‐type reaction. All adducts were generated in good‐to‐excellent yields, the (Z)‐isomers being formed in high selectivity (>98%). The conversion of methyl prop‐2‐ynoate into an active ‘β‐iodo allenolate’ intermediate, which then nucleophilically attacks an aldehyde, is proposed as a plausible reaction mechanism.     

A Novel Synthesis of the Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐Dihydroperiphylline

A novel, short, and highly stereoselective synthesis of the macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐dihydroperiphylline ( 15 ) is described. The key synthetic steps were the stereoselective addition of the chiral amine 1 to the cinnamate 2 and cyclization of the bis[toluene‐4‐sulfonamide] precursor 12 in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as a template. Unambiguous assignments of the signals in both the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of 15 were achieved by 2D NMR spectra.     

A Convenient Synthesis of 1‐Alkoxy‐2‐alkyl‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline‐3,4‐diones Utilizing the Reaction of 2‐(Dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithiums with Dimethyl Oxalate

A new and convenient method for the preparation of 1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline‐3,4‐diones with alkoxy and alkyl groups at the 4‐ and 3‐positions, respectively, using an easily operated three‐step sequence starting from 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyl bromides has been developed. Thus, the starting materials are treated with BuLi to generate 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithiums, which are allowed to react with (COOMe)₂ to give methyl 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyl‐2‐oxoacetates. These are then transformed into the corresponding secondary amides by the reaction with primary amines. Treatment of these keto amides with a catalytic amount of TsOH?H₂O affords the desired products. In order to demonstrate the synthetic utility of these products, transformation of one of them into the corresponding isoquinoline‐1,3,4(2H)‐trione derivative by the oxidation with PCC was achieved.     

Synthesis of 5‐[2‐(guanin‐9‐yl)‐ and 5‐[2‐(2‐aminopurin‐9‐yl)ethyl]‐2‐D‐ribo‐(1,2′,3′,4′‐tetrahydroxybutyl)‐1,3‐dioxane

Stereoselective synthesis of 5‐[2‐(guanin‐9‐yl)‐ and 5‐[2‐(2‐aminopurin‐9‐yl)ethyl]‐2‐D‐ribo‐(1′,2′,3′,4′‐tetrahydroxybutyl)‐1,3‐dioxane, 2‐5, as potential prodrugs of penciclovir, has been accomplished in six steps from readily available 2,3,4,5‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐aldehydo‐D‐ribose ( 6 ) and the 1,3‐diol 7 . It has been demonstrated that the use of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BF₃·Et₂O) in dichloromethane along with excess anhydrous copper(II) sulfate was crucial for the efficient formation of cyclic acetal 8 . In addition, the chromatographic separation of cis and trans isomers of the cyclic acetal at the bromide stage 10 was feasible, which was requisite for the successful stereoselective synthesis of the ribosyl derivatives 2–5 .     

The Absolute Configuration of (+)‐Ethyl cis‐1‐Benzyl‐3‐hydroxypiperidine‐4‐carboxylate and (+)‐4‐Ethyl 1‐Methyl cis‐3‐Hydroxypiperidine‐1,4‐dicarboxylate; a Revision

Discrepancies between chiroptical data from the literature and our determination of the structure of the title compounds (+)‐ 5 and (+)‐ 9a were resolved by an unambiguous assignment of their absolute configuration. Accordingly, the dextrorotatory cis‐3‐hydroxy esters have (3R,4R)‐ and the laevorotatory enantiomers (3S,4S)‐configuration. The final evidences were demonstrated on both enantiomers (+)‐ and (?)‐ 5 by biological reduction of 4 by bakers' yeast and stereoselective [Ru^II(binap)]‐catalyzed hydrogenations of 4 (Scheme 2), by the application of the NMR Mosher method on (+)‐ and (?)‐ 5 (Scheme 3), as well as by the transformation of (+)‐ 5 into a common derivative and chiroptical correlation (Scheme 4).     

Synthesis of β‐Chlorohydrins in Water

2,4,6‐Trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TCT, cyanuric chloride) was found to mediate the regio‐ and stereoselective ring opening of epoxides in H₂O in the presence of morpholine at room temperature to afford the corresponding β‐chlorohydrins in excellent yields (Table). The transformation is very simple, fast, efficient, and ecologically beneficial.     

First Stereoselective Synthesis of the Cytotoxic Polyketide (4R)‐1‐(3,5‐Dihydroxyphenyl)‐4‐hydroxypentan‐2‐one

The first stereoselective synthesis of the cytotoxic polyketide (4R)‐1‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐4‐hydroxypentan‐2‐one ( 1 ) was achieved from readily available propylene oxide and 3,5‐dimethoxybenzyl alcohol. The synthesis involves Jacobsen's hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) and Grignard reaction as key steps.     

Two‐step Synthesis of New γ‐Lactones via Cyclization of 7‐Chloro‐2‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐6‐dimethylocta‐(2E,4E,6E)‐trienoic acid

A new rapid synthesis of γ‐lactones, cis fused with a cyclopentenic ring by thermal cyclization of 7‐chloro‐2‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐6‐dimethylocta‐7‐phenyl (or methyl) (2E,4E,6E)‐trienoic acids was reported. The key step implicates an intramolecular cyclization to a cyclopentenyl cation, according to an electrocyclic π_2s + π_2a conrotatory process, published in a recent paper (from the corresponding diacids). We have investigated the thermal behavior of the corresponding half‐esters since; if the cyclization obeys to the proposed mechanism, the diacids, half‐esters must also cyclize in a similar manner. Saponification of these led to γ‐dilactones via intermediary cyclopropanes. Mechanistic pathways were investigated.     

Divergent Synthesis of 3‐Deoxy‐d‐manno‐oct‐2‐ulosonic Acid (Kdo) Glycosides Containing α‐(2→4)‐Linked Kdo‐Kdo Unit

A convenient and divergent approach was developed to prepare diverse bacterial 3‐deoxy‐d ‐manno‐oct‐2‐ulosonic acid (Kdo) oligosaccharides containing a Kdo‐α‐(2→4)‐Kdo fragment. The orthogonal protected α‐(2→4) linked Kdo‐Kdo disaccharide 3 , serving as a common precursor, was divergently transformed into the corresponding 8‐, 8′‐, and 4′‐hydroxy disaccharides 5 , 7 , and 14 , respectively. Then, these alcohols were glycosylated, respectively, with the 5,7‐O‐di‐tert‐butylsilylene (DTBS) protected Kdo thioglycoside donors 1 or 2 in an α‐stereoselective and high‐yielding manner to afford a range of Kdo oligosaccharides. Finally, removal of all protecting groups of the newly formed glycosides resulted in the desired free Kdo oligomer.     

Synthesis of the Spermidine Alkaloids (−)‐(2R,3R)‐ and (−)‐(2R,3S)‐3‐Hydroxycelacinnine: Macrocyclization with Oxirane‐Ring Opening and Inversion via Cyclic Sulfamidates

The two epimers (?)‐ 1a and (?)‐ 1b of the macrocyclic lactam alkaloid 3‐hydroxycelacinnine with the (2R,3R) and (2R,3S) absolute configurations, respectively, were synthesized by an alternative route involving macrocyclization with the regio‐ and stereoselective oxirane‐ring opening by the terminal amino group (Schemes 2 and 6). Properly N‐protected chiral trans‐oxirane precursors provided (2R,3R)‐macrocycles after a one‐pot deprotection‐macrocyclization step under moderate dilution (0.005–0.01M ). The best yields (65–85%) were achieved with trifluoroacetyl protection. Macrocyclization of the corresponding cis‐oxiranes was unsuccessful for steric reasons. Inversion at OH? C(3) via nucleophilic displacement of the cyclic sulfamidate derivative with NaNO₂ led to (2R,3S)‐macrocycles. The synthesized (?)‐(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxycelacinnine ((?)‐ 1b ) was identical to the natural alkaloid.     

Solvent‐ and Temperature‐Controlled In Situ Ligand Reactions Mediated by CuII and 3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐Aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic Acid

Three new compounds, CuL, CuL′, and Cu₂O₂L′′₂ (H₂L=3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid, H₂L′=3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitro‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid, H₂L′′=3′‐(N,N‐dimethylamino methyl)‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid), were selectively synthesized through a controlled in situ ligand reaction system mediated by copper(II) nitrate and H₂L. Selective nitration was achieved by using different solvent mixtures under relatively mild conditions, and an interesting and economical reductive amination system in DMF/EtOH/H₂O was also found. All crystal structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Both CuL and CuL′ display chiral 1D chain structures, whereas Cu₂O₂L′′₂ possesses a structure with 13×16 Å channels and a free volume of 41.4 %. The possible mechanisms involved in this in situ ligand‐controlled reaction system are discussed in detail.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Daphenylline

A concise and highly stereoselective total synthesis of the Daphniphyllum alkaloids (?)‐daphenylline has been accomplished. The synthesis was started from (S)‐carvone and proceeded via a stereoselective Mg(ClO₄)₂‐catalyzed intramolecular amide addition cyclization, an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to construct the ABCD tetracyclic core architecture, and a Robinson annulation coupled with an oxidative aromatization sequence. Finally, the DF ring system was installed through an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization. The total synthesis of (?)‐daphenylline is achieved in 19 steps in the longest reaction sequence and in 7.6 % overall yield.     

Stereoselective multicomponent synthesis of [3‐(5‐substituted 2‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐aryl‐2‐phenyltetrahydro‐4‐isoxazolyl](2‐thienyl)methanones via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition

Three‐component stereoselective synthesis of a set of new tetra substituted isoxazolidines from 5‐substi‐tuted 2‐methoxybenzaldehydes, N‐phenylhydroxylamine and 1‐(2‐thienyl)‐3‐arylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones has been achieved. The effect of microwave irradiation on the reaction under solvent‐free conditions has also been investigated. The stereochemistry of the final products has been confirmed by NMR and single crystal X‐ray analysis.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (3R)‐3,4‐Dihydro‐6,8‐dimethoxy‐3‐undecyl‐ 1H‐[2]benzopyran‐1‐one and Derivatives,Metabolites from Ononis natrix

A short stereoselective synthesis of (3R)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6,8‐dimethoxy‐3‐undecyl‐1H‐[2]benzopyran‐1‐one and derivatives isolated from Ononis natrix has been described. Condensation of dodecanoyl chloride with 3,5‐dimethoxyhomophthalic acid afforded 6,8‐dimethoxy‐3‐undecylisocoumarin 3 , which, on sequential saponification and esterification, yielded the keto ester 5 . Enantioselective reduction of 5 with TarB‐NO₂/LiBH₄ directly furnished the title dihydroisocoumarin 1a in 80% ee (82% yield). Partial as well as complete demethylation of the latter provided the dihydroisocoumarins 1b and 1c , respectively. Diastereotopy of the CH₂ H‐atoms on either side of the stereogenic center (C(3)) and the mass‐fragmentation pattern of the dihydroisocoumarins have also been described. All of the compounds synthesized were examined in vitro for antifungal activity.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of 7,8,9‐Trideoxy‐ and 7R DesTHP‐Peloruside A

The stereoselective syntheses of 7,8,9‐trideoxypeloruside A ( 4 ) and a monocyclic peloruside A analogue lacking the entire tetrahydropyran moiety ( 3 ) are described. The syntheses proceeded through the PMB‐ether of an ω‐hydroxy β‐keto aldehyde as a common intermediate which was elaborated into a pair of diastereomeric 1,3‐syn and ‐anti diols by stereoselective Duthaler–Hafner allylations and subsequent 1,3‐syn or anti reduction. One of these isomers was further converted into a tetrahydropyran derivative in a high‐yielding Prins reaction, to provide the precursor for bicyclic analogue 4 . Downstream steps for both syntheses included the substrate‐controlled addition of a vinyl lithium intermediate to an aldehyde, thus connecting the peloruside side chain to C15 (C13) of the macrocyclic core structure in a fully stereoselective fashion. In the case of monocyclic 3 macrocyclization was based on ring‐closing olefin metathesis (RCM), while bicyclic 4 was cyclized through Yamaguchi‐type macrolactonization. The macrolactonization step was surprisingly difficult and was accompanied by extensive cyclic dimer formation. Peloruside A analogues 3 and 4 inhibited the proliferation of human cancer cell lines in vitro with micromolar and sub‐micromolar IC₅₀ values, respectively. The higher potency of 4 highlights the importance of the bicyclic core structure of peloruside A for nM biological activity.     

Highly Efficient Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of β-（1 →6）-Branched β-（1 →3）-Linked Glucohexaose and Its Analogue

A β-（1→）6）-branched β-（1→）3）-linked glucohexaose （1） and its lauryl glycoside （2）, present in many biologically active polysaccharides from traditional herbal medicines such as Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum commune and Lentinus edodes, were highly efficiently synthesized. Coupling of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl- （1--）3）-2-O-benzoyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-a-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate （7） with 3,6-branched acceptors 8 and 12 gave β-（1→）3）-linked pentasaccharides （9） and （13）, then via simple chemical transformation 4＇,6＇-OH pentasaccharide acceptors 10 and 14 were obtained. Regio- and stereoselective coupling of 3 with 10 and 14 gave β-（1→）3）-linked hexasaccharides （11） and （15） as the major products. Deprotection of 11 and 15 provided the target sugar 1 and 2. Thus, a new method for the preparation of this kind of compounds was developed.