Synthesis of Substituted 4‐Aroyl‐1‐indanone and 5‐Aroyl‐1‐tetralone

Several substituted 4‐aroyl‐1‐indanones 2 and 5‐aroyl‐1‐tetralones 3 were prepared in good yields from 1‐indanones 1 via a series of reasonable transformations.     

Synthesis of 4,6‐Dimethyldibenzothiophene and 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene via Tilak Annulation

1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene was prepared by coupling 2‐bromo‐3‐methylcyclohexanone with 2‐methylbenzenethiol and annulating the product with the aid of polyphosphoric acid. A mixture of 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene and 4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene was prepared by coupling 2‐bromo‐3‐methylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one with 2‐methylbenzenethiol and annulating the product with the aid of polyphosphoric acid. 2‐Bromo‐3‐methylcyclohexanone was synthesized by conjugate addition of Me₃Al to 2‐bromocyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one with CuBr as catalyst and 2‐bromo‐3‐methylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one by bromination? elimination of 3‐methylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one. 1,2,3,4,4a,9b‐Hexahydro‐4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene was prepared by reduction of 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene with Zn and CF₃COOH.     

Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐6,10‐diphenylheptalene Derivatives

The reduction of heptalene diester 1 with diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAH) in THF gave a mixture of heptalene‐1,2‐dimethanol 2a and its double‐bond‐shift (DBS) isomer 2b (Scheme 3). Both products can be isolated by column chromatography on silica gel. The subsequent chlorination of 2a or 2b with PCl₅ in CH₂Cl₂ led to a mixture of 1,2‐bis(chloromethyl)heptalene 3a and its DBS isomer 3b . After a prolonged chromatographic separation, both products 3a and 3b were obtained in pure form. They crystallized smoothly from hexane/Et₂O 7 : 1 at low temperature, and their structures were determined by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis (Figs. 1 and 2). The nucleophilic exchange of the Cl substituents of 3a or 3b by diphenylphosphino groups was easily achieved with excess of (diphenylphospino)lithium (=lithium diphenylphosphanide) in THF at 0° (Scheme 4). However, the purification of 4a / 4b was very difficult since these bis‐phosphines decomposed on column chromatography on silica gel and were converted mostly by oxidation by air to bis(phosphine oxides) 5a and 5b . Both 5a and 5b were also obtained in pure form by reaction of 3a or 3b with (diphenylphosphinyl)lithium (=lithium oxidodiphenylphospanide) in THF, followed by column chromatography on silica gel with Et₂O. Carboxaldehydes 7a and 7b were synthesized by a disproportionation reaction of the dimethanol mixture 2a / 2b with catalytic amounts of TsOH. The subsequent decarbonylation of both carboxaldehydes with tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(1+) chloride yielded heptalene 8 in a quantitative yield. The reaction of a thermal‐equilibrium mixture 3a / 3b with the borane adduct of (diphenylphosphino)lithium in THF at 0° gave 6a and 6b in yields of 5 and 15%, respectively (Scheme 4). However, heating 6a or 6b in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in toluene, generated both bis‐phosphine 4a and its DBS isomer 4b which could not be separated. The attempt at a conversion of 3a or 3b into bis‐phosphines 4a or 4b by treatment with t‐BuLi and Ph₂PCl also failed completely. Thus, we returned to investigate the antipodes of the dimethanols 2a, 2b , and of 8 that can be separated on an HPLC Chiralcel‐OD column. The CD spectra of optically pure (M)‐ and (P)‐configurated heptalenes 2a, 2b , and 8 were measured (Figs. 4, 5, and 9).     

Synthesis of 2‐Coumarinyl and Spiroindolyl‐5‐Phenyl‐1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles

The 2H‐1‐benzo/naphthopyran‐2‐one‐4‐yl (un)substituted phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles has been synthesized by the oxidative cyclization of benzoic acid hydrazides formed in situ by the condensation of the respective 2H‐1‐benzo/naphthopyran‐2‐one‐4‐carboxaldehyde and (un)substituted monobenzoyl hydrazide in moderate yields. Also, spiro[indoline‐thiozolidine]‐2,4′‐diones has been syhthesized in a similar way from 3‐phenyl‐spiro[3H‐indoline‐3,2′‐thiozolidine]‐2,4′‐(1 H)dione monohydrazide and (un)substituted benzaldehydes.     

Synthesis of 2‐Mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐Mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐Mercaptoacrylaldehydes

A novel one‐pot approach for the preparation of 2‐mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐mercaptoacrylaldehydes [(Z)‐3‐mercapto‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde, 3‐mercapto‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde)] starting from ortho‐bromobenzaldehyde, 2‐chlorocyclohex‐1‐enecarbaldehydes, (Z)‐3‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde and 3‐chloro‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde is reported. The reaction of sulfur with the Grignard reagent of the acetal for the protection of the aldehyde group affords the title compounds through hydrolysis with dilute hydrochloric acid in high yields.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of 6‐Pyrrolidinyl‐2‐(2‐Substituted Phenyl)‐4‐Quinazolinones

In our continuing search for potential anticancer candidates, 2‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐6‐pyrrolidinyl‐4‐quinazolinone ( JJC‐1 ) was selected as the lead compound. Starting 5‐pyrrolidinyl‐2‐aminobenzamide was prepared using standard methodology from 5‐chloro‐2‐nitrobenzoic acid by reaction with SOCl₂, NH₃, pyrrolidine, and H₂. The starting benzamide then was reacted with 2‐substituted benzaldehyde or benzoyl chloride in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC) in the presence of NaHSO₃ at 150 °C. Thermal cyclodehydration/dehydrogenation gave the target 6‐pyrrolidinyl‐2‐(2‐substituted phenyl)‐4‐quinazolinones ( 15–22 ). These target compounds were assayed for their cytotoxicity in vitro against six cancer cell lines, including human monocytic leukemia cells (U937), mouse monocytic leukemia cells (WEHI‐3), human hepatoma cells (HepG2, Hep3B) and human lung carcinoma cells (A549, CH27). Most of them exhibited significant cytotoxic effect toward U937 and WEHI‐3 cells, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.30 to 10.10 μM. Compound 19 was investigated further for its action mechanisms. Preliminary findings indicated that compound 19 induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis on U937 cells.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 3,3,6,6‐Tetramethylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione,and Its 5‐Monothioxo and 2,5‐Dithioxo Derivatives

The synthesis of 3,3‐dimethylmorpholine‐2,5‐diones 4a was achieved conveniently via the ‘direct amide cyclization’ of the linear precursors of type 3 , which were prepared by coupling of 2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐azirin‐3‐amines 2 with 2‐hydroxyalkanoic acids 1 . Thionation of 4a with Lawesson's reagent yielded the corresponding 5‐thioxomorpholin‐2‐ones 10 and morpholine‐2,5‐dithiones 11 , respectively, depending on the reaction conditions. The structures of 3aa, 4aa, 10a , and 11a were established by X‐ray crystallography. All attempts to prepare S‐containing morpholine‐2,5‐dione analogs or thiomorpholine‐2,5‐diones by cyclization of corresponding S‐containing precursors were unsuccessful and led to various other products. The structures of some of them have also been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and Structures of Two Isomeric 4‐Diazo‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrofuran‐3‐ones

The two regioisomeric 4‐diazo‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrofuran‐3‐ones 6 and 7 were prepared via the common intermediate 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐5,5‐diphenylfuran‐3‐one ( 8 ). Diazo transfer with 2,4,6‐triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl azide yielded 6 , whereas 7 was obtained via oxidation of the monohydrazone 12 , which was prepared selectively from tetrahydrofuran‐3,4‐dione 11 . The crystal structures of 6 and 7 have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

An Efficient Synthesis of 5,6‐Dimethoxy 1‐ and 2‐Naphthols via Teuber Reaction

Based on the oxidation of 1,5‐naphthalenediol ( 4 ) and 6‐bromo‐2‐naphthol ( 9 ) via Teuber reaction, an efficient synthesis of 5,6‐dimethoxy‐1‐naphthol ( 1 ) and 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthol ( 2 ) was achieved with high overall yield (16% for 1 and 25% for 2 ). The key steps of the synthetic strategy involved the oxidation of naphthols ( 4 and 9 ) to the corresponding naphthoquinones ( 5 and 10 ) and the conversion of 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthaldehyde to 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐naphthol formate through Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation‐rearrangement.     

Synthesis,psychotropic and anticancer activity of 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐[5′‐trialkylgermyl(silyl)‐2′‐hetarylidene]‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐diones and their analogues

A series of 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐(5′‐R‐hetarylidene)‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐diones has been synthesized for examing a structure–activity relationship. Furyl and thienyl derivatives of Meldrum's acid possess neurotropic activity comprising both depriming and activating components. Comparison of acute toxicity of carbon, silicon and germanium analogues in the furan series of the compounds has demonstrated that the germanium derivative is 11.5 times less toxic than the carbon analogue and four times less toxic than the silicon derivative. 2,2‐Dimethyl‐5‐(5′‐triethylsilyl‐2′‐thenylidene)‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione has moderate toxicity with the highest neurotropic and cytotoxic activity Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Racemic Δ3‐2‐Hydroxybakuchiol and Its Analogues

The first synthetic approach to (±)‐Δ³‐2‐hydroxybakuchiol (=4‐[(1E,5E)‐3‐ethenyl‐7‐hydroxy‐3,7‐dimethylocta‐1,5‐dien‐1‐yl]phenol; 14 ) and its analogues 13a – 13f was developed by 12 steps (Schemes 2 and 3). The key features of the approach are the construction of the quaternary C‐center bearing the ethenyl group by a Johnson–Claisen rearrangement (→ 6 ); and of an (E)‐alkenyl iodide via a Takai–Utimoto reaction (→ 11 ); and an arylation via a Negishi cross‐coupling reaction (→ 12e – 12f ).     

Alternative Synthesis of 2‐Hydroxy‐3,5,5‐trimethylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one

The 2‐hydroxy‐3,5,5‐trimethylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 1 ) was synthesized in 42% yield by rearrangement of epoxy ketone 10 on treatment with BF₃⋅Et₂O under anhydrous conditions. Intermediate 10 was available from the known enone 8 , either via direct epoxidation (60% H₂O₂, NaOH, MeOH; yield 50%), or via reduction to the corresponding allylic alcohol 14 (LiAlH₄, THF), followed by epoxidation ([VO(acac)₂], ^tBuOOH) and reoxidation under Swern conditions, in 37% total yield.     

Synthesis of 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles and 1,3‐Thiazolidinones Containing 1,4,5,6‐Tetrahydro‐6‐pyridazinone

The reaction of 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐pyridazinone‐3‐carboxylic acid hydrazides ( 1 ) with aromatic aldehydes afforded 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐pyridazinone‐3‐carbonyl aromatic aldehyde hydrazones ( 2a‐2g ). Heterocyclic derivatives linked 1,3,4‐oxadiazole obtained by cyclocondensation of 2a‐2g with acetic anhydride in absolute ethanol, and 2a‐2g cyclized with mercaptoacetic acid in DMF in the presence of anhydrous ZnCl₂ afforded the 1,3‐thiazolidinone derivatives. The structures of the new compounds were established by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR and MS spectral data.     

Facile Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 1,1,1,3‐Tetranitro‐3‐azabutane

The synthesis of 1,1,1,3‐tetranitro‐3‐azabutane is disclosed and compared with the known method. The structure of 1,1,1,3‐tetranitro‐3‐azabutane is identified by multi‐nuclear NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray single crystal structure determination.     

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.     

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of 1′‐ and 3′‐Substituted 2‐Deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D‐ribofuranosyl Nucleosides

Convergent syntheses of the 9‐(3‐X‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranosyl)adenines 5 (X=N₃) and 7 (X=NH₂), as well as of their respective α‐anomers 6 and 8 , are described, using methyl 2‐azido‐5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 4 ) as glycosylating agent. Methyl 5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2,3‐difluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 12 ) was prepared starting from two precursors, and coupled with silylated N⁶‐benzoyladenine to afford, after deprotection, 2′,3′‐dideoxy‐2′,3′‐difluoroadenosine ( 13 ). Condensation of 1‐O‐acetyl‐3,5‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranose ( 14 ) with silylated N²‐palmitoylguanine gave, after chromatographic separation and deacylation, the N⁷‐β‐anomer 17 as the main product, along with 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoroguanosine ( 15 ) and its N⁹‐α‐anomer 16 in a ratio of ca. 42 : 24 : 10. An in‐depth conformational analysis of a number of 2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐3‐X‐D ‐ribofuranosides (X=F, N₃, NH₂, H) as well as of purine and pyrimidine 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D ‐ribofuranosyl nucleosides was performed using the PSEUROT (version 6.3) software in combination with NMR studies.     

Synthesis and Characterization of α-Bromo Chalcone Derivatives

α-Bromo chalcones containing 2-thiene ring were prepared in good yields by the condensation of 1-(thien-3-yl)ethanone with aromatic aldehydes, followed by bromination with bromine and selective dehydrobromination with triethyl amine at room temperature.