Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (+)-concanamycin F: the strategic use of boron-mediated aldol reactions of chiral ketones

A highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of the 18-membered macrolide (+)-concanamycin F, a potent inhibitor of vacuolar ATPases, is described that proceeds in 5.8% yield over 26 steps. The three key fragments, C1-C13 vinyl iodide, C14-C22 vinyl stannane and C23-C28 aldehyde, were efficiently constructed using asymmetric boron-mediated aldol reactions of appropriate chiral ketone building blocks. The nature of the silyl protection of the C7/C9 hydroxyls proved to be critical for achieving macrocyclisation, with TES ethers being superior to a cyclic silylene derivative. Following a Liebeskind-Stille cross-coupling reaction between the C1-C13 vinyl iodide and C14-C22 vinyl stannane fragments to assemble the (12E,14E)-diene, a modified Yamaguchi macrolactonisation delivered the requisite 18-membered macrocyclic core. This advanced intermediate was also obtained by an alternative sequence using an esterification step to connect the C1-C13 and C14-C22 fragments followed by a Pd-catalysed intramolecular Stille reaction to install the (12E,14E)-diene. Conversion of the resulting macrocyclic intermediate into a methyl ketone then enabled a highly diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol coupling of the derived silyl enol ether with the C13-C28 aldehyde fragment to install the fully elaborated side chain, whereby subsequent global deprotection of the resulting β-hydroxyketone under suitable conditions (TASF followed by p-TsOH) afforded (+)-concanamycin F.     

Synthesis of the C22-C37 segment of prorocentin

The synthesis of the C22-C37 segment of prorocentin, isolated from the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima, was achieved. Because the relative stereochemical relationship between C26 and other stereocenters (C28/C31/C32 established as R*/R*/R*) in the C22-C37 region of natural prorocentin has not yet been determined, both epimers at C26 of the C22-C37 segment were selectively constructed. The synthesis was based on a 5-exo epoxide ring opening reaction to form an oxolane (E-ring), Brown asymmetric methallylation to install the C26-stereocenter, acryloylation of the resulting alcohol, and ring-closing olefin metathesis to establish the Z-olefin at C23/C24.     

Studies towards the total synthesis of cruentaren A and B: Stereoselective synthesis of fragments C1-C11, C12-C22 and C23-C28

A convergent and stereoselective approach for the synthesis of C1-C11, C12-C22, and C23-C28 fragments of cytotoxic natural products cruentaren A and B are accomplished. Highlights of the strategy include a Sharpless epoxidation followed by a regioselective opening of epoxide to generate anti and syn-stereochemistry at C9-C10 and C15-C16, an Alder-Rickert reaction between a 1,5-dimethoxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene and dienophile to construct the aromatic ring, and a lithium-mediated aldol reaction to install the C17-C18 anti-stereochemistry. The synthesis of C1-C11 and C12-C22 fragments proceed with a longest linear sequence of 10 and 17 steps from commercially available 2-butyne-1,4-diol and cis-2-butene-1,4-diol respectively.     

Total synthesis of the antiinflammatory and proresolving protectin D1

Stereoselective total synthesis of protectin D1 was completed through construction of the Z,E,E-triene structure by using the Suzuki coupling between the vinyl borane (C13-C22) and the vinyl iodide (C1-C12). The Z-enyne, the acetylene precursor of the vinyl borane was synthesized from optically active γ-TMS allylic alcohol in a straightforward way. On the other hand, the vinyl iodide was prepared by using Wittig reaction between the C8-C12 aldehyde possessing the requisite iodo-olefin moiety and the C1-C7 phosphonium iodide.     

Synthesis of C13-C22 of amphidinolide T2 via nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of an alkyne and a terminal epoxide

Several stereoselective routes to the synthesis of (1S,3R)-t-butyldimethyl-(1-methyl-3-oxiranyl-propoxy)-silane (13a) were explored, and the use of Jacobsen's hydrolytic kinetic resolution to separate a mixture of diastereomeric epoxides was a key step in the shortest of these. As part of an approach to the total synthesis of amphidinolide T2 (2), this epoxide, corresponding to C17-C22 of the natural product, was successfully joined with an alkyne (C13-C16) by way of a nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling reaction.     

Synthesis of vinylic iodides for incorporation into the C17-C27 fragment of bryostatins

Vinylic iodides were identified as useful intermediates for the synthesis of the C17-C27 fragment of the bryostatins with control of the geometry of the exocyclic methoxycarbonylmethylene group. Following literature precedent, the Piers (E)-stereoselective addition of tributyltin hydride to an alkynoate followed by ester reduction and tin-iodine exchange gave vinylic iodides that could be used to form the C20-C21 bond of the bryostatins. Chelation controlled addition of lithiated 3-silyloxypropynes to 2-alkoxyaldehydes followed by reductive iodination was used to prepare vinylic iodides that could be used in the complementary assembly of the C21-C22 bond of the bryostatins. Initial studies of the synthesis of intermediates for metathesis studies using metal catalysed reactions of a vinylic iodide for C21-C22 bond formation were complicated by cyclisation reactions.     

Sequosempervirin A, a novel spirocyclic compound from Sequoia sempervirens

A novel spirocyclic compound (4R)-4-(4-hydroxy-benzyl) spiro [4,5] dec-1-en-8-ol (sequosempervirin A) was isolated from the branches and leaves of Sequoia sempervirens. Its structure and relative stereochemistry were mainly determined by MS, 2D NMR and X-ray means, which is the first naturally occurring norlignan containing one spirocycle with C6 (cyclohexane)-C2-C3-C6 skeleton.     

Experimental and theoretical structural study of 2,9-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)-azaadamantan-4-one ethylene ketal

The title ethylene ketal 1, C₂₃H₂₃F₂NO₂, has a tricyclic azaadamantane cage with aryl rings (4-fluorophenyl) substituted at the 2 and 9 positions. Rings A (C11-C16) and B (C17-C22) are attached to atoms C2 and C9 in axial and equatorial positions, respectively; and the presence of the five-membered 1,3-dioxolane ring attached to atom C4. The structural analysis of the title was carried out by experimental (single crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR) and confirmed by theoretical calculations (ab initio RHF, DFT and NMR-DFT-GIAO).     

Synthetic studies on apoptolidin: synthesis of the C12-C28 fragment via a highly stereoselective aldol reaction

The stereoselective and convergent synthesis of the C12-C28 segment 2 of the apoptosis inducing macrolide antibiotic, apoptolidin (1), is described. The synthesis involves a highly stereoselective tin(II)-mediated aldol reaction between the C17-C22 ethyl ketone 3 and the C23-C28 aldehyde 4 as the key step.     

Synthetic studies on reidispongiolide A, an actin-depolymerizing marine macrolide: synthesis of C11-C22 and C23-C35 segments

The C11-C22 and C23-C35 segments 2 and 3 of reidispongiolide A (1), an actin-depolymerizing marine macrolide, were synthesized enantioselectively in 12 steps from (R)-glycidyl trityl ether and in 12 steps from chiral ketone 15, respectively.     

Toward a modular, bidirectional synthesis of (−)-mucocin

A convergent stereoselective synthesis of the C13-C34 fragment of (−)-mucocin is described. The salient features include (a) the bidirectional synthesis of the C-2 symmetric C13-C21 subunit, (b) regio- and stereoselective preparation of a 1,3-diol derivative from a diene activated by NBS via intramolecular nucleophilic sulfinyl group participation, (c) utilizing the self-metathesis reaction to prepare a functionalized C10 alkene, and (d) regio- and stereoselective intermolecular epoxide opening to construct the ether bond between C20 and C24. An organocatalytic α-hydoxylation has been employed to create the C4 stereogenic center of C1-C12 subunit. Attempted union of the two subunits utilizing the B-alkyl Suzuki coupling did not succeed.     

One-pot synthesis of macrocyclic compounds possessing two cyclobutane rings by sequential inter- and intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions

Sensitized photocycloaddition reactions of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[1,3-bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrone (1) with electron-poor α,ω-diolefins such as ethylene diacrylate (2a) and polyoxyethylene dimethacrylates (2b-d) afforded site- and stereoselective macrocyclic dioxatetralactones (3a-d) and (4b) having 18- to 25-membered rings across the C5-C6 and C5′-C6′ double bonds, or C5-C6 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. Similar photoreactions of 1 with electron-rich α,ω-diolefins such as poly(ethylene glycol)divinyl ether (2e and 2f) afforded crown ether-type macrocyclic compounds (5e and 5f) having 18- and 21-membered rings across the C3-C4 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. The stereochemical features of 3b, 5e-xx, and 5e-nn were determined by the X-ray crystal analysis. The reaction mechanism was inferred by MO methods.     

Synthetic studies of carzinophilin. Part 2: Synthesis of 3,4-dibenzyloxy-2-methylidene-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems corresponding to the C1-C17 fragment of carzinophilin

A model compound bearing the C1-C17 fragment of carzinophilin was synthesized. The synthesis involved coupling reaction of a cyclic thioimidate with the 4H-oxazol-5-one derivative, ring-opening of the 4H-oxazol-5-one to furnish a dehydropeptide system, elaboration of the C1-C6 enolamide, and construction of the aziridine ring as key steps.     

Synthesis of the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of pectenotoxin 2

In this study, we synthesized the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of the diarrhetic shellfish toxin pectenotoxin 2. The C8-C20 segment was assembled from a phosphonate corresponding to the C8-C15 segment (prepared from l-malic acid in 19 steps) and an aldehyde corresponding to the C16-C20 segment (synthesized from 3-methyl-3-butenol in nine steps) by a twelve-step process including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, regio- and stereoselective reduction of the resulting enone, diastereoselective epoxidation, and 5-exo epoxide cleavage forming the C-ring. The C21-C30 segment was constructed in 13 steps from (S)-glycidol via a route involving E-ring formation by 5-exo epoxide cleavage and stereoselective methylation at C27 by the Evans method.     

Cross metathesis of β-carotene with electron-deficient dienes. A direct route to retinoids

Cross metathesis (CM) reactions of β-carotene and alkenes occur regioselectively in the presence of the Hoveyda second generation catalyst. Scission of the C15-C15′ and C11-C12 bonds of β-carotene in all CM reactions predominates. The reaction with ethyl (2E,4E/Z)-3-methylhexa-2,4-dienoate is both regio- and diastereoselective, and affords ethyl all-trans-retinoate as the major product, if suitable CM conditions are applied.     

The crystal structure and molecular conformation of threo 5-methylmetadone in relation to opioid receptor binding

Crystals of the hydrochloride salt of the biologically inactive threo isomer of 5-methylmethadone, C₂₂H₃₀ONCl, are monoclinic space group P2₁ with unit cell dimnsionsa = 11.019 Å, b = 8.6153Å, c = 10.680Å and β = 93.026°. The observed conformation is one in which the nitrogen bearing chain is extended with the substituents on C(5) and C(6) nearly eclipsed, a feature compatible with NMR studies and molecular mechanics calculations. The very potent agonist (5S, 6S)-erythro-5-methylmethadone has a solid state conformation in which the N atom is rotated back toward the phenyl rings [C(4)-C(5)-C(6)-N = 97°]in agreement with molecular mechanics calculations. The fact that the more potent enantiomers, (6R)-methadone and (5S)-isomethadone, and the inactive threo isomer are observed in the extended solid state conformation in contrast to (5S, 6S)-erythro-5-methylmethadone is consistent with three different models for their interaction with opioid receptors. It is proposed that the more likely of these involves a receptor bound conformation of (6R)-methadone and (5S)-isomethadone that resembles the conformation of (5S, 6S)-erythro-5-methylmethadone or that opioid receptors recognize both gauche-like and extended conformations.     

Synthesis of the C9-C29 fragments of ajudazols A and B

The syntheses of both C9-C29 fragments 3 and 4 of the myxobacteria metabolites ajudazols A (1) and B (2) are described. The key steps were a cyclodehydration to form the oxazole, Sonogashira coupling to form the C18-C19 bond and a P-2 Ni mediated partial alkyne hydrogenation to install the C17-C18 Z-alkene. The C15 alkene in the ajudazol A fragment 3 was introduced in the final steps by elimination of the corresponding primary alcohol.     

The molecular structure of trans- and cis-bicyclo-[4.3.0]nonane in the gas phase,studied by electron diffraction and molecular mechanics

The structure and conformations of trans- and of cis-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane have been studied in the gas phase. Molecular mechanics calculations applying the force field of Ermer and Lifson were used to obtain geometrical constraints, vibrational amplitudes and perpendicular vibrational corrections. The vibrational parameters were corrected for the large amplitude motion of the five-membered ring. The refinement for the trans-isomer confirms completely the predictions of the force field calculations. Although a stable solution could not be obtained for the cis-compound there is no contradiction between experiment and model calculations. The cyclohexane ring in both isomers is found to have a distorted chair conformation. In the cis-isomer it is flattened along the junction and more twisted in the other part. For the trans-compound the reverse is true.The following structural parameters r_g, r_α-structure) are put forward, (a) trans-compound: C₂-symmetry, _r(C-C)_av = 1.536 Å. Average bond angle and average torsion angle in the cyclohexane ring are 110.2° and 58.1°, respectively. The connection angle, defined as the angle between the planes bisecting C6-C1-C5-C9 and C2-C1-C5-C4, is 180°. (b) cis-compound: no symmetry, r(C-C)_av = 1.536 Å. Average bond and torsion angles in the cyclohexane ring are 112.2° and 52.3°, respectively. The connection angle is 124.8°.A comparison is made with structures of related compounds.     

Crystal structure of acrylamide

The crystal structure of acrylamide is re-determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (133(1) K, BRUKER SMART 1000 CCD, a = 8.228(1) Å, b = 5.759(1) Å, c = 9.760(1) Å, β = 120.04(1)°, V = 400.3(1) Å,³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 0.0543 for 867 reflections). In the structure strong hydrogen bonds N-H...O join the molecules of C₃H₅NO into bi-molecular layers that make C...C molecular contacts. It is demonstrated that the process of solid phase polymerization of acrylamide should proceed through the cleavage of double bonds C(1)=C(2) in the monomers and formation of bonds C(1)-C(1) and C(2)-C(2) between the closest carbon atoms of different layers.     

Synthetic studies directed toward the total synthesis of dolabriferol

Herein we report our results towards the total synthesis of (−)-dolabriferol, describing the synthesis of fragments C1-C9 and C10-C21. This convergent asymmetric approach relies on the use of a common Weinreb amide precursor for the preparation of both fragments, an efficient anti-aldol reaction followed by Zn(BH₄)₂ reduction to give a 1,3-syn diol, a selective oxidation of a triol under Swern conditions with concomitant lactol formation, and a diastereoselective epoxidation of an allylic alcohol with m-CPBA followed by an efficient epoxide opening with Me₂CuCNLi₂.