Synthesis of difluorinated carbocyclic analogues of 5-deoxypentofuranoses

The synthesis of difluorinated carbocyclic analogues of 5-deoxypentofuranoses is described. The sequence involves an addition of PhSeCF₂TMS to carbohydrate-derived aldehydes followed by a radical cyclization, and provides a secure strategy for a future synthesis of pentofuranoses and nucleoside analogues.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-5-methyl-5H-furan-2-ones

The reactivity of 5-methyl-4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5H-furan-2-one with aldehydes and with acyl chlorides followed by reduction was studied. The aldol condensation gave predominantly the anti aldol product when the acylation-reduction sequence led exclusively to the syn product. The use of a chiral pyrrolidine, (S)-2-methoxymethylpyrrolidine (SMP), allowed the synthesis of enantio-enriched compounds, the acylation-reduction leading to the (R,R) addition product.     

Studies on the role of Lewis basicity of the aldehydes utilized in the enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction promoted by chiral 1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-ones

N-Tosyl-2-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-one 1 was used to probe the role of the Lewis basicity of aldehydes utilized in Mukaiyama aldol reactions promoted by oxazaborolidin-5-ones. Eight aldehydes were each allowed to undergo a Mukaiyama aldol reaction with ketene silyl acetal derived from methyl isobutanoate. Lewis basicity of the aldehydes was determined computationally. The best results were obtained with isobutyl aldehyde and 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde (91% and 85% ee). The best fit of ee as a function of Lewis basicity gave a correlation of R²=0.79 [when two ortho-substituted aldehydes were excluded] suggesting that Lewis basicity of O_CHO can play a role in reactions of aldehydes promoted by 1.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes catalyzed by 5-cis-substituted proline derivatives

5-Cis-substituted prolinols, prolinamines, and prolinamine sulfonamides proved to be efficient ligands for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes, providing up to 99% ee. The sense of asymmetric induction can be controlled by the nature of the exocyclic functional group (CPh₂OH vs. CH₂NHR vs. CH₂NHSO₃R). The additional 5-cis substituent exerts a strong beneficial effect on the chirality transfer since it rigidifies the catalyst structure. The stereochemical outcome of the reactions is discussed in detail on the respective transition states.     

Practical and robust method for stereoselective preparations of ketene silyl (thio)acetal derivatives and NaOH-catalyzed crossed-Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals and methyl esters

We developed an efficient, practical, and robust method for stereoselective preparations of (Z)-ketene trimethylsilyl (TMS) thioacetals from thioesters and alkyl (1Z)- or (1Z,3E)-1,3-bis(TMS)dienol ethers from alkyl β-ketoesters. The former preparation was performed by convenient procedure (LDA-TMSCl, 0-5 °C, 2.5 h), while the latter preparation involved convenient method A (2NaHMDS-2TMSCl) and cost-effective method B (NaH, NaHMDS-2TMSCl). The first catalytic NaOH-catalyzed crossed-Claisen condensation between ketene silyl acetals and methyl esters proceeded successfully to give a variety of α-monomethyl β-ketoesters and inaccessible α,α-disubstituted β-ketoesters. For further extension, a couple of Claisen-aldol tandem reactions of the obtained β-ketoester analogues utilizing TiCl₄ and TiCl₄-Bu₃N reagents smoothly proceeded with good to excellent stereoselectivity.     

An alternative model for the asymmetric addition of cyanide to aldehydes catalysed by titanium–salen complexes based on a structurally related iron–salen complex

X-ray crystallographic analysis of [(Fe(3,5-Bu^t-salen))₂O] 4 allied with comparison of structurally related analogues is used to support an alternative transition state in the titanium–salen catalysed addition of cyanide to aldehydes. Experimental conditions for the preparation and isolation of [(Fe(3,5Bu^t-salen))₂O] are also reported.     

Modification of Rhodium Catalyst with Stibines for Hydroformylation of 1‐Pentene

Homogeneous hydroformylation of 1‐pentene under synthesis gas experimental conditions was studied using RhClCO(PPh₃)₂ complex with different triarylstibines. Three different stibine ligands SbR₃ [where R = 2,4,6‐mesityl (TMS), 2‐furyl (TFS), 2‐N,N‐dimethylbenzylamine (TDMBAS)], have been tested. It is interesting to note that 2:1 addition of these stibine ligands to the RhClCO(PPh₃)₂ complex catalyst increases the aldehydes yields with an appreciable n:iso ratio. The catalytic activity of the system shows a TDMBAS > TMS > TFS pattern which indicates that not only basicity of the ligand alone is playing a role in the activity but the steric effect is also very important, and it is combination of these two factors that contributes to the resulting catalytical activity. The maximum yield of aldehydes obtained were 98.7% with n/iso = 1.4 when RhClCO(PPh₃)₂ + TFS system was used and 93.7% with n/iso = 2.43 when TDMBAS ligand was studied.     

Versatile synthesis of chiral 2-substituted-5-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5H-1,4-benzodiazepines as novel scaffolds for peptidomimetic building

The stereocontrolled synthesis of phenylalanine and tryptophan derived 5-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5H-1,4-benzodiazepine derivatives is described. This new methodology involves a modified Strecker reaction of N-Boc protected amino aldehydes and methyl anthranilate, reduction of the resulting α-amino nitriles, and lactamization. The resulting 2-substituted-5-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5H-1,4-benzodiazepines were further functionalized at position 4 by alkylation or acylation reactions. One of these new tryptophan-derived 1,4-benzodiazepines showed significant selective binding affinity at cholecystokinin CCK₁ receptors (IC₅₀=156.5±33.2 nM).     

Exploiting morph-DAST mediated ring-expansion of substituted cyclic β-amino alcohols for the preparation of cyclic fluorinated amino acids. Synthesis of 5-fluoromethylproline and 5-fluoropipecolic acid

The synthesis of proline analogues bearing a fluorine-containing substituent at the fifth position of the pyrrolidine ring, racemic trans- and cis-5-fluoromethyl prolines, was performed. The key step of the synthesis is a transformation of the CH₂OH-group into the CH₂F-one using morpholinosulfur trifluoride. During the synthesis, an efficient procedure to prepare trans- and cis-5-fluoropipecolic acids was elaborated.     

Exploring the versatility of the Johnson-Claisen rearrangement: access to functionally versatile δ-ethoxycarbonyl-α,β-unsaturated nitriles

A practical entry into δ-ethoxycarbonyl-α,β-unsaturated nitriles is described. α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes were converted to cyanohydrins, by employing either KCN in aqueous acid, or by using TMSCN with catalytic K₂CO₃, followed by acid hydrolysis of the TMS ether. These cyanohydrins underwent a Claisen rearrangement employing a modified Johnson-Claisen protocol to yield unsaturated nitriles in good yields and with moderate E/Z selectivity.     

Electrochemistry of the iron-sulfur cluster compound [(η-C5H5)2Fe2S2(SC2H5)2]. Synthesis and propeties of the oxidation products

In order to gain some insight into the stability of configuration and the bonding in the novel disulfide-containing complex [(η-C₅H₅)₂Fe₂S₂(SC₂H₅)₂], electrochemical properties of this compound and its SCH₃ and SCH₂C₆H₅ analogues were studied in various solvents and the magnetic properties of a subsequently isolated paramagnetic monocation were investigated. The cyclic voltammogram of [(η-C₅H₅)₂Fe₂S₂(SC₂H₅)₂] shows a reversible one-electron oxidation at E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}= +0.21 V and a quasi-reversible one-electron oxidation at E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} = +0.90 V (vs.saturated calomel electrode). The stable monocation has been electrochemically synthesized and the magnetic suceptibility shows a simple paramagnetic behavior with one unpaired electron per dimeric unit. Frozen solutions of this species at 103K yielded anisotropic ESR spectra with g₁ = 2.135, g₂ = 1.976, and g₃ = 1.934. Labeling the complex with ³³S in the disulfide bridge resulted in no observable hyperfine splitting or line broadening in the ESR. The dicationic species is unstable with respect to loss of the S₂ bridge and formation of a solvent-ligated dication, [(η-C₅H₅)Fe(NCCH₃)(SC₂H₅)]₂²⁺, isolated by electrolysis of the monocation at +1.2 V in CH₃CN.     

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-N-Boc-amino-3,5-diols

We wish to describe here the diastereoselective reaction between chiral N-Boc-α-amino aldehydes with both achiral allyltrichlorostannanes leading to 1,2-syn-N-Boc-α-amino alcohols, which are easily converted to the corresponding 4-N-Boc-amino-3-hydroxy ketones after treatment with catalytic amounts of OsO₄ in the presence of NaIO₄. After reduction of the carbonyl function, these 4-N-Boc-amino-3-hydroxy ketones were converted to 1-deoxy-5-hydroxy sphingosine analogues.     

Small Molecule CD38 Inhibitors: Synthesis of 8-Amino-N1-inosine 5′-monophosphate,Analogues and Early Structure-Activity Relationship

Although a monoclonal antibody targeting the multifunctional ectoenzyme CD38 is an FDA-approved drug, few small molecule inhibitors exist for this enzyme that catalyzes inter alia the formation and metabolism of the N1-ribosylated, Ca²⁺-mobilizing, second messenger cyclic adenosine 5′-diphosphoribose (cADPR). N1-Inosine 5′-monophosphate (N1-IMP) is a fragment directly related to cADPR. 8-Substituted-N1-IMP derivatives, prepared by degradation of cyclic parent compounds, inhibit CD38-mediated cADPR hydrolysis more efficiently than related cyclic analogues, making them attractive for inhibitor development. We report a total synthesis of the N1-IMP scaffold from adenine and a small initial compound series that facilitated early delineation of structure-activity parameters, with analogues evaluated for inhibition of CD38-mediated hydrolysis of cADPR. The 5′-phosphate group proved essential for useful activity, but substitution of this group by a sulfonamide bioisostere was not fruitful. 8-NH₂-N1-IMP is the most potent inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 7.6 μM) and importantly HPLC studies showed this ligand to be cleaved at high CD38 concentrations, confirming its access to the CD38 catalytic machinery and demonstrating the potential of our fragment approach.     

Products of aqueous vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) formed by free radical reactions

The radiolysis of aqueous vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) has been investigated under various experimental conditions. The highest vitamin degradation (G=3.22) was observed in solutions saturated with N₂O, where 90% OH radicals are operating. As final products, the following were established: aldehydes, carboxylic acids and ammonia. Their yield strongly depends on the presence/absence of air as well as on N₂O (used to convert e_aq⁻ into OH) and was determined as a function of absorbed radiation dose. HPLC-analysis showed that in all media, a main product is formed, having the highest yield in aerated solutions.Based on the chemical analysis, it appears that the OH radicals are most involved in the degradation process. A precise sequence of the reaction steps could not be given presently, because of the implication of many simultaneous reactions.     

A novel four-component tandem protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalised thiazoles

The reaction of bis(aroylmethyl) sulfides with aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate in 1:2:1 molar ratio under solvent-free microwave irradiation afforded predominantly a series of thiazoles, viz., 1-aryl-2-[5(Z)-5-arylmethylidene-2,4-diaryl-2,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl]ethanones stereoselectively. This reaction presumably occurs via a Knoevenagel condensation-Michael addition-cyclocondensation-ring opening-ring closing Michael addition sequence. The intermediacy of (Z,Z)-2,2′-thiobis(1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones) in the above transformation is demonstrated by their conversion to the thiazoles upon reaction with ammonium acetate under solvent-free microwave irradiation.     

(2S,5R/2R,5S)-Aminoethylpipecolyl aepip-aegPNA chimera: synthesis and duplex/triplex stability

This article reports the design and facile synthesis of novel chiral six-membered PNA analogues (2S,5R/2R,5S)-1-(N-Boc-aminoethyl)-5-(thymin-1-yl)pipecolic acid, aepipPNA IV that upon incorporation into standard aegPNA sequences effected stabilization of complexes with complementary target DNA. Substitution of aegPNA unit by the designed monomer at the C-terminus was more effective than substitution at N-terminus. The stabilizing behaviour improved with degree of substitution and was found to be dependent on their relative positions in the sequence. The six-membered piperidine ring in the design may freeze the rigid chair conformations and the relative stereochemistry of the substituents may in effect direct the complex formation with DNA/RNA by sequence-specific nucleobase recognition. In the present aepipPNA analogues, the l-trans stereochemical disposition of the substituents seems to lead to the favorable pre-organization of the PNA oligomers for complex formation with DNA. The results reported here further expand the repertoire of cyclic PNA analogues.     

Synthesis of novel 5-hydroxyalkenylphosphonates by addition of aromatic aldehydes to zirconacyclopentenylphosphonates

Novel 5-hydroxyvinylphosphonates were obtained in a regio- and stereoselective manner, by addition of aromatic aldehydes to zirconacyclopentenylphosphonates in the presence of AlMe₃, in 68-82% isolated yields. The reaction is specific for aromatic aldehydes.     

A Peterson avenue to 5-alkenyloxazoles

The TiCl₄-promoted Peterson olefination of aldehydes with readily available 5-(trimethylsilyl)methyloxazoles furnishes 5-alkenyloxazoles (mostly E-isomers).     

4-Substituted 5-nitroisoquinolin-1-ones from intramolecular Pd-catalysed reaction of N-(2-alkenyl)-2-halo-3-nitrobenzamides

4-Methyl- and 4-benzyl-5-aminoisoquinolin-1-ones are close analogues of the water-soluble PARP-1 inhibitor 5-AIQ. Their synthesis was approached through Pd-catalysed cyclisations of N-(2-alkenyl)-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamides. Reaction of N,N-diallyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide with Pd(PPh₃)₄ gave a mixture of 2-allyl-4-methyl-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-one and 2-allyl-4-methylene-5-nitro-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one. N-Benzhydryl-N-cinnamyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide similarly gave 2-benzhydryl-4-benzyl-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-one and 2-benzhydryl-4-benzylidene-5-nitro-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one. The isomeric products are not interconvertible. A deuterium-labelling study indicated that the isomers were formed by different pathways: a π-allyl-Pd route and the classical Heck route. The corresponding secondary amides N-allyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide and N-((substituted)-cinnamyl)-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide gave good yields of the required 4-methyl- and 4-((substituted)-benzyl)-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-ones, respectively, under optimised conditions (Pd(PPh₃)₄, Et₃N, Bu₄NCl, 150 °C, rapid heating). Hydrogenation of the nitro groups gave 4-methyl- and 4-benzyl-5-aminoisoquinolin-1-ones, which were potent inhibitors of PARP-1 activity.     

Efficient synthesis of 5-fluoroalkylated 1H-1,2,3-triazoles and application of the bromodifluoromethylated triazole to the synthesis of novel bicyclic gem-difluorinated 1H-pyrano[3,4-d][1,2,3]-triazol-4-one compounds

A series of 5-fluoroalkylated 1H-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized in good yield by the regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of (Z)-ethyl 3-fluoroalkyl-3-pyrrolidino-acrylates with aryl or benzyl azides. In the cases of benzyl azides, addition of Na₂CO₃ was crucial for a high yield of the triazoles. Tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) promoted reaction of bromodifluoro-methylated triazole with aldehydes affording a new class of β,β-difluoro-β-triazolyl alcohol derivatives, which were lactonized with catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid in toluene at 80-90°C to give a series of novel bicyclic gem-difluorinated 1H-pyrano[3,4-d][1,2,3]-triazol-4-one compounds in good yield.