Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde catalysed by chiral, bridged resorcinarenes: a stereoselectivity model based on chirality transfer

The enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde catalysed by a range of chiral bridged resorcinarenes has been studied, and the results used as a means of probing cooperative effects in the resorcinarene bowl. A structure-activity relationship has emerged in which bridged resorcinarenes with little available room in the bowl (e.g., 3b, 3c) favour R-enantioselectivity in the product, while those promoting cooperative effects in the bowl via coordination sites in the bridge (3e) or strong donor protecting groups (3j) favour S-enantioselectivity. A mechanistic hypothesis based on Noyori's model to account for these trends has been put forward in which stereoselectivity is dependent on two factors as the ratio of axially diastereomeric anti-zincoxazines as well as the exo or endo bias of active zinc. The model explains why ee's are never greater than around 50% and indicates asymmetric induction to be due to the axial chirality in the bowl as a result of chirality transfer from the bridge, rather than due to induction via the central chirality in the line of the bridge. As a result, the model stimulates some new fascinating possibilities in enzyme mimicry.     

Copper(I) and silver(I) complexes of 1,5-methylene- and diethylmethylene-bridged bis(oxazoline) ligands. In situ Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of methylene bridge

Silver(I) and copper(I) complexes of C₂-symmetric bis(oxazoline) ligands were studied by UV, NMR, IR, EPR and ES-MS spectroscopies. The stability constants of the Ag-1a and Ag-1b complexes with 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries in acetonitrile were determined by NMR spectrometric titrations. The evidence of tetrahedral coordination for complex (Ag(1a)₂(⁺ was obtained from the complexation induced shifts (CIS) and NOEs. Mass spectra revealed the Cu(II) mediated oxidation of methylene bridge in copper complexes of 1a and 1b, which was in accordance with the UV, NMR, IR and EPR findings. The efficiency of Cu(I) complexes of methylene-bridged 1,5-bis(oxazoline)s 1 as chiral catalysts in stereoselective cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate, was compared to that of the dialkylmethylene-bridged 1,5-bis(oxazoline)s 2.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and electrochemical properties of multi-ferrocenyl resorcinarenes

Tetraaryl and tetraferrocenyl resorcinarenes 1a-1c have been synthesized by the HCl-catalyzed condensation of resorcinol with aromatic aldehydes or ferrocenecarbaldehyde, which were fully alkylated with ethyl α-chloroacetate to give the activated ethyl resorcinarylacetates 2a-2c. Reaction of 2a-2c with hydrated hydrazine yielded the resorcinarene acylhydrazine derivatives 3a-3c, from which the multi-ferrocenyl functional groups were selectively and efficiently introduced on the upper rim, or on the lower rim, or both on the upper and lower rims of resorcinarenes 4a-4c and calixarenes 4d-4f based upon the condensation reactions of acylhydrazones with ferrocenecarboxaldehyde.     

Hemisphere-shaped calixarenes and their analogs: synthesis, structure, and chiral recognition ability

The hemisphere-shaped calixarene 1a and its split-hemisphere-shaped isomer 1b were synthesized from [2.1.2.1]metacyclophane (MCP) 3 by pinacol rearrangement and subsequent intramolecular acetalization. Their structures were revealed by X-ray crystallography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The temperature-dependence of the intramolecular acetalization to provide 1a and 1b was examined. The results indicated that 1a is the dominant product at high temperatures, and the values of ΔH° and ΔS° were estimated to be −18.3±0.37 kJ mol⁻¹, −59.1±1.12 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The dinitro derivative 7 and tetranitro derivatives8 were obtained by ipso-nitration at the upper rims of 1a. The optical resolution and chiral recognition ability of racemic mixture 7 were investigated by HPLC systems.     

Cyclisation of benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide and 1,3-indanedione into novel methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines and their rearrangement into spirocyclic compounds

Methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines 2a and 2b were obtained in reactions of 1,3-indanedione, or benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)one-1,1-dioxide, or 2,2′-methylene derivatives 3a,b with paraformaldehyde and ammonia or hexamethylenetetramine in acidic medium. A structural revision of methylene bridged benzothieno-diazocine 2b based on results of X-ray diffraction analysis is presented. Internal rearrangement of methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines into spiroheterocycles 4a,b is also described.     

Au(III)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective tandem synthesis of oxazolo fused naphthyridines and isoquinolines from o-alkynylaldehydes

An efficient tandem approach for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of oxazolo-fused naphthyridines 3a–g, 3i–l and isoquinolines 3h, 3m via the reaction of o-alkynylaldehydes 1a–i with chiral amino alcohols 2a–c under mild reaction conditions is described. The stereochemistry and structures of the products were assigned via NOESY and X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Stereoselective tandem synthesis of oxazolo-fused pyrroloquinolines from o-alkynylaldehydes via Ag(I)-catalyzed regioselective 5-exo-dig ring closure

A tandem approach for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of oxazolo-fused pyrroloquinolines 3a–l via the reaction of o-alkynylaldehydes 1a–i with chiral amino alcohols 2a–c under mild reaction conditions is described. The possible participation of the pyridine ring in the regioselective formation of 5-exo-dig cyclized products was supported by the controlled experiments. The structures and stereochemistry of the products were confirmed by NOESY and X-ray crystallographic studies.     

Structure elucidation of EI-1941-1 and -2, novel interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibitors produced by Farrowia sp. E-1941

EI-1941-1 (1a) and EI-1941-2 (2a) accompanied by EI-1941-3 (3) have been isolated from culture broth of Farrowia sp. E-1941 as the inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme. The structures of 1a, 2a, and 3 were elucidated by the analysis of NMR and MS data, and finally the absolute stereochemistries of 1a and 2a were confirmed by optical rotation data, or X-ray crystallographic analysis of p-bromobenzoate, 2b, respectively.     

Synthesis of the first pseudo-phosphonopeptides derived from (ferrocenyl)aminomethanephosphonous acids

The first example of the condensation of (ferrocene)-N-benzhydrylamino-methanephosphonous acid (1) with α-amino acids 2a-d and several model dipeptides 4a-d and the tripeptide dl-alanyl-dl-leucinyl-glycine (4e) in the presence of DCC resulted in pseudo-phosphono-dipeptides 3a-d and pseudo-phosphono-oligopeptides 5a-d. The probable chiral assistance of the incoming amino acid or peptide in the formation of the new chiral center on phosphorus was also a feature of this method.     

The investigation of stereogenic properties of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives with two different chiral centres

Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene N₃P₃Cl₆ and gem-disubstituted cyclotriphosphazene derivatives N₃P₃Cl₄X₂ (X = Ph, PhS, PhNH) were reacted with N-methyl-1,3-propanediamine and 3-amino-1-propanol to give compounds (9a-12a, 9b-12b) which exist as cis and trans geometric isomers and are two different racemic isomers, respectively to describe the stereogenic properties of a series of chiral cyclotriphosphazene compounds with two different centres of chirality. The geometric isomers were separated by column chromatography on silica gel and analysed by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and ³¹P and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and also the geometric forms (cis or trans) of 9b, 10a, 11a, 11b and 12a have been determined by the X-ray crystallography. The enantiomers of all racemic compounds have been analysed by the changes in ³¹P NMR spectra on addition of a Chiral Solvating Agent (CSA), (R)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9′-anthryl)ethanol. On the other hand, the racemic forms of chiral cyclotriphosphazene derivatives have been confirmed by contribution of chiral HPLC methods which have been developed for this study.     

Total synthesis of apigenin 7,4′-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, a component of blue flower pigment of Salvia patens, and seven chiral analogues

We have succeeded in the first total synthesis of apigenin 7,4′-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1a), a component of blue pigment, protodelphin, from naringenin (2). Glycosylation of 2 according to Koenigs-Knorr reaction provided a monoglucoside 4a in 80% yield, and this was followed by DDQ oxidation to give apigenin 7-O-glucoside (12a). Further glycosylation of 4′-OH of 12a with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl fluoride (5a) was achieved using a Lewis acid-and-base promotion system (BF₃·Et₂O, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine) in 70% yield, and subsequent deprotection produced 1a. Synthesis of three other chiral isomers of 1a, with replacement of d-glucose at 7 and/or 4′-OH by l-glucose (1b-d), and four chiral isomers of apigenin 7-O-β-glucosides (6a,b) and 4′-O-β-glucosides (7a,b) also proved possible.     

Chiral β-diketonate ligands of ‘pseudo planar chiral’ topology: enantioselective synthesis and transition metal complexation

A practical enantioselective synthesis of chiral β-diketonate ligands 1a-1d, which are of ‘pseudo planar-chiral’ topology, is described. Additionally, the first chiral bis(diketonates) 2a-2c, ligands of C₂-symmetry that are isoelectronic with respect to related salen ligand systems, have been prepared. Protocols for the metallation of ligands 1a-1d, 2b and 2c are reported.     

Highly enantioselective synthesis and potential biological activity of chiral novel nucleoside analogues containing adenine and naturally phenol derivatives

This paper described an efficient synthetic strategy for chiral acyclic nucleoside analogues containing both the phenoxy components of some bioactive natural compounds and a heterocyclic base. The phenoxy components with adenine moiety were incorporated into the chiral acyclic nucleoside analogues through two key synthetic tactics. Chiron 5-(R)-menthyloxy-2(5H)-furanone 5 was obtained in good yield from the cheap starting material furfural via a valuable synthetic route. The asymmetric Michael addition of 5 with adenine and the subsequent reduction reaction afforded the key chiral intermediate, 2-(R)-(9′-adeninyl)-1,4-butanediol 8. The absolute configuration of 8 was established by X-ray crystallography. The intermolecular dehydration reaction between 2-(9′-adeninyl)-1,4-butanediol 8 and phenoxy components 9 on treatment with diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine was carried out to give the chiral acyclic nucleoside analogues 1a-1e. The regioselectivity of the reaction was established by NMR methods, especially through ¹³C NMR shifts and NOE effect observed in the target molecule 1c, as well as by HMBC/HMQC experiments. The target compounds were tested for inhibition of cytopathogenicity against different cancer cells and exhibited potential anticancer activity.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of azafulleroid and aziridinofullerene bearing silyl or germyl benzene

Addition of silyl and germylmethyl azides (1) to fullerene C₆₀ at 50 °C through [2+3] cycloaddition led to the formation of the triazoline adducts (2). Subsequently, heating 2 at 100 °C in the solid state, caused N₂ extrusion producing two different isomers, [5,6]-azafulleroid (3) and [6,6]-aziridinofullerene (4). The ¹³C NMR spectrum of 3 had an absence of resonances in the aliphatic region for the fullerene C₆₀ cage, showing a fulleroid with C_S symmetry. In contrast, 4 exhibited one sp³ resonance in the aliphatic region for the fullerene C₆₀ cage, indicative of an aziridinofullerene with C_2V symmetry. However, MALDI-TOF mass characterization was hampered because ion peaks corresponding to the bis-adduct are detected in positive ion mode measurements, whereas the ion peaks [M−N₂]⁻ for 2a as well as [M]⁻ for 3a and 4a are observed in negative ion measurements. In an effort to obtain X-ray data, silyl and germylphenyl groups were introduced to form intermolecular complexes with fullerene C₆₀. The X-ray structures of 3c and 3d revealed a strong enhancement of homoconjugation in the bridged annulene moiety based on POAV analysis. The X-ray structures of 3c,d and 4c were confirmed with the detection of silyl and germylphenyl-C₆₀ interactions, similar to dimethoxyphenyl-C₆₀ interactions.     

Studies directed towards the stereoselective total synthesis of ilexlactone via a tandem ring-closing enyne metathesis protocol

Studies directed towards the stereoselective total synthesis of ilexlactone resulted in the synthesis of bicyclic systems 1a, 1b and ent-1a through tandem ring-closing enyne metathesis using Grubbs’ catalyst. The structures of synthetic 1a, 1b and ent-1a revealed that the proposed structure for ilexlactone is incorrect.     

The first methyl antimony linked dimeric tetrathiafulvalene and tetraselenafulvalenes

In quest of novel organic donors, dimeric tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and tetraselenafulvalenes (TSFs) linked by a single or double methyl antimony bridge, MeSb(TTF)₂ (1), (MeSb)₂(TSF)₂ (cis-2 and trans-2), and MeSb(TSF)₂ (3), have been synthesized. Singly bridged 1 and 3 show three pairs of redox waves, whereas doubly bridged cis-2 and trans-2 show two pairs of redox waves similarly to TSF. The X-ray structural analyses of neutral crystals, 1, cis-2 and trans-2, have succeeded. In their structures, antimony and chalcogen atoms form close intermolecular contacts useful in constructing supramolecular networks.     

Abnormal cyclopalladation of Schiff bases made of metallocenyl aldehydes and α-ferrocenylethylamine: Unexpected formation of the heteroannular 3-atomic bridge

Cyclopalladation of the Schiff bases of general formula McCHN-CH(Me)Fc (McFc, Ru) (1a,b) with a chiral centre leads to the mixtures of three products, two of which (2 and 3) are planar chiral diastereomers formed from homoannular substitution into the aldehyde fragment. The third product 4 is a result of the unusual heteroannular palladation of the amine fragment in starting aldimine. This ansa-structure 4 having 3-atomic C-N-Pd bridge is without precedent in metallocenes. The molecular structures of all organopalladium compounds obtained have been proved using X-ray analysis of single crystals.     

Asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives

The use of several chiral trifluoromethylated building blocks 1a, 1b, 9a and 9b was attempted to synthesize of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine. A novel and efficient enantioselective synthesis of both enantiomers of syn-(3-trifluoromethyl)cysteine derivatives 12a and 12b was successfully achieved.     

Novel β-lactam condensed 3-thiaquinolines: an efficient synthesis and structural characterization

Quinoline analog 2-aryl-4H-3,1-benzothiazine derivatives 8-13, obtained by the condensation of o-aminobenzyl chloride 1 with substituted thiobenzamides 2-7, were transformed to azeto[2,1-a][3,1]benzothiazin-1-one derivatives 18-23a,b,c and 24d,e by reaction with the corresponding substituted acetyl chlorides 14-17 in the presence of triethylamine. The structures of the new molecules were determined by NMR spectroscopy and electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry. The typical EI⁺ mass spectrometric fragmentations of 8-13 and 18-23a,b,c and 24d,e are discussed in detail.     

An efficient approach to the synthesis of tri-substituted iminothiazolidenes and their effects on the human neuroblastoma cell line

Starting from cis-oriented epoxytriflate pentoses 1 and 4, an expeditious route to the chiral thioazolidene derivatives 2a-3a and 5a-6a in good yields is described. A minor amount of structural isomers 2b-3b and 5b-6b has also been observed. The newly formed compounds show activity against the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-LO.