Stereospecific total synthesis of 12-(r)- and 12- (s)-forms of 6-trans leukotriene B

Non enzymatic hydration of leukotriene A ($\text{1}$), the biogenetic precursor of leukotriene B ($\text{2}$) affords among other products two diastereomeric 6-$\text{trans}$-isomers of 2, the first stereospecific and efficient syntheses of which are recorded herein.     

Fluorocarbon derivatives of nitrogen. Part 11. Synthesis of some 2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from trifluoroacetonitrile

3-(t-Butoxycarbonyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-$\text{a}$]-pyridine, prepared from trifluoroacetonitrile and pyridinium t-butoxycarbonylmethylide, reacts smoothly with trifluoroacetic acid to provide 2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-$\text{a}$]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, which gives 2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-$\text{a}$]-pyridine when heated. 3-Cyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-$\text{a}$]pyridine can be obtained $\text{via}$ treatment of trifluoroacetonitrile with pyridinium cyanomethylide, which is sufficiently reactive to effect nucleophilic displacement of fluorine from pentafluoropyridine under mild conditions [→pyridinium cyano(tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl)methylide].     

A short synthesis of (s)-5-hydroxymethyl-(5h)-furan-2-one and derivatives from d-ribonolactone

We describe a short synthesis of ($\text{S}$)-5-hydroxymethyl-(5$\text{H}$-furan-2-one and some 5-O-derivatives, which are being used as key starting products for the synthesis of several antileukaemic lignan lactones, from $\text{D}$-ribonolactone.     

N-Acylated α-aminonitriles and their conversion into 5-aminooxazole, 5(4h)-oxazolone and 4(5h)-imidazolone derivatives

In contrast with the reaction of α-aminonitriles $\text{1}$a, the corresponding $\text{N}$-acylated α-aminonitriles $\text{1}$b-f and oxalyl chloride do not yield pyrazinone derivatives, but 5-aminooxazoles $\text{9}$-$\text{11}$ or 4(5$\text{H}$)-imidazolones $\text{12}$, the latter being converted in some cases into imidazo [2,1-$\text{a}$]isoquinoline-2,5,6(3$\text{H}$)-triones. Reactions of compounds $\text{1}$b-f and ethyl chlorooxoacetate provide evidence for a 5(4$\text{H}$)-iminooxazole intermediate $\text{7}$, which aromatizes to yield 5-aminooxazoles $\text{9}$-$\text{11}$; however, unaromatizable īntermediates of type $\text{7}$ - isolable as 5(4$\text{H}$)y-oxazolones $\text{13}$ after hydrolysis - undergo a catalyzed Dimroth-type rearrangement to give imidazolone derivatives $\text{12}$.     

Nonclassical thieno[ 3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazole

Thieno[3,4-$\text{c}$][1,2,5]thiadiazole was generated by the dehydration of the corresponding sulfoxide $\text{8}$ and characterized by the isolation of its dimer and adducts.     

Stereocontrolled (E,Z and erythro, threo) synthesis of ⊙-hydroxyallylic sulphides

All four isomers of substituted 3-alkylthio-4-hydroxybutenes have been synthesised: both the geometry of the double bond and the relative stereochemistry of the two chiral centres are controlled.     

[2+2] Cycloaddition of benzyne to cis,trans- and cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene

The relative rates of formation of $\text{cis}$ and $\text{trans}$ [2+2]cycloadducts of benzyne to $\text{cis}$, $\text{trans}$- and $\text{cis}$, $\text{cis}$-1,5-cyclooctadiene, $\text{trans}$- and $\text{cis}$-cyclooctene are discussed and properties of the adducts (e.g., their unusual hydrogenation) are described.     

Total synthesis of the disaccharide of bleomycin, 2-0-(α-D-mannopyranosyl)-L-gulopyranose

2-0-(α-$\text{D}$-Mannopyranosyl)-$\text{L}$-gulopyranose, the sugar portion of bleomycin has been synthesized.     

Electronic spectra of 12-S-CIS conformationally locked retinals

The electronic absorption spectra of the four new 12-$\text{s}$-$\text{cis}$-locked retinals (1a–1d) bearing 7-$\text{trans}$, 11-$\text{trans}$ double bond geometries are described and compared with those of analogous 7-$\text{trans}$, 11-$\text{cis}$-geometries (1e–1h) and parent retinals (2a-h).