Stereoselective synthesis of the obscure mealybug pheromone by hydrogenation of a tetrasubstituted alkene precursor

An improved diastereoselective synthesis of (1R^∗,2R^∗,3S^∗)-1-acetoxymethyl-2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentane 1, the sex pheromone of the obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni, is described. The key step was diastereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of the tetrasubstituted double bond in 2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-cyclopent-2-enone 4 to give the thermodynamically less favored cis-2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-cyclopentanone 3a.     

Synthesis of oxo derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolysulfonyl)hexahydrocycloalka[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indoles

Hydroxymercuration-demercuration of N-p-tolysulfonyl-4,4a,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-carbazoles and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles leads to the formation of the corresponding N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-2-ols and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indol-2-ols. The latter are oxidized to 2-oxo derivatives with potassium dichromate. The oxidation of 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-ol under analogous conditions gives 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolysulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-one.     

Synthesis and structures and dihydroedulan I and II trace components from the juice of passiflora edulis sims

Dihydroedulan I and II, two trace components of the juice of the passionfruit Passiflora edulis Sims, have been shown by synthesis to be the epimeric 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-(8aH)-1-benzopyrans 2b and 2a.     

Synthesis of the sex pheromone of the obscure mealybug, the first example of a new class of monoterpenoids

A diastereoselective synthesis of (1R^∗,2R^∗,3S^∗)-1-acetoxymethyl-2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentane, the sex pheromone of the obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni, is described. Key steps included the polyphosphoric acid-catalyzed cyclization of isobutyl methacrylate to form the core five-membered ring, and diastereoselective quenching of an enolate intermediate to give the thermodynamically less favored cis orientation of vicinal methyl groups in a cyclopentanone intermediate.     

Reformatsky reaction of methyl 1-bromocyclohexane-1-carboxylate with N-aryl-2-oxochromene-3-carboxamides

Reformatsky reagent generated from methyl 1-bromocyclohexane-1-carboxylate reacted with N-aryl-2-oxochromene-3-carboxamides and N-aryl-6-bromo-2-oxochromene-3-carboxamides to give, depending on the conditions, the corresponding N-aryl-(6-bromo)-4-(1-methoxycarbonylcyclohexyl)-2-oxochroman-3-carboxamides or 3-aryl-(9-bromo)-1,1-pentamethylene-2,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-1H-chromeno[3,4-c]pyridine-2,4,5-triones. The products were isolated as a single diastereoisomer.     

Study of reaction of reformatsky reagent prepared from methyl bromocyclopentanecarboxylate and zinc with 2-oxochromen-and 6-bromo-2-oxochromen-3-carboxylic acids <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylamides

Reformatsky reagent prepared from methyl 1-bromocyclopentanecarboxylate and zinc reacted with 2-oxochromen-and 6-bromo-2-oxochromen-3-carboxylic acids N-arylamides yielding 3-aryl-1,1-tetramethylene-and 3-aryl-9-bromo-1,1-tetramethylene-2,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-1H-chromeno[3,4-c]pyridine-2,4,5-triones as single diastereomers.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of spiro derivatives of 3-substituted 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]quinolizines

The cyclization via the mechanism of “tert-amino effect” of 2-(4-R-piperidino)benzaldehydes with cyclic active methylene components (Meldrum’s acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, and N,N-disubstituted barbituric acids) proceeded stereoselectively giving spiro-joined 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benzo[c]quinolizines with axially oriented hydrogen atoms in the positions 3 and 4a of the benzo[c]quinolizine ring.     

Homolytic reactions of polyfluoroaromatic compounds Part VI. The mechanism of the phenylation of hexafluorobenzene

The decomposition of phenylazotriphenylmethane in hexafluorobenzene gives very little 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobiphenyl, since no mechanism exists for the defluorination of the radical intermediate. The yield of biaryl is raised by added benzoic acid, although this also introduces a competition with the substrate for the radicals and their precursor. The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in hexafluorobenzene gives pentafluorobiphenyl, the yield of which increases considerably when the reaction is caried out in the presence of p-fluorobenzoic acid; in the latter case, 2,3,4,4′,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl is also found.A mechanism incorporating these observations is suggested.     

Regioselective synthesis of mono- and bis-decahydrobenzocarbazoles via tandem reactions of α-diazo ketones

Regioselective intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of rhodium generated carbonyl ylides with indoles are reported in this paper. Intermolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of five-membered-ring cyclic carbonyl ylides with indole and substituted indoles afforded hexahydro-2H-carbazol-2-ones in a regioselective manner. Similarly, reactions of cyclic carbonyl ylides were carried out to afford decahydrobenzo[c]carbazoles or decahydrocyclopenta[c]carbazoles with high regioselectivity. Interestingly, the other possible regioisomer decahydrobenzo[a]carbazoles were also obtained by the reaction of cyclic carbonyl ylides and indoles having electron withdrawing substituents. The structure and stereochemistry of regioisomers 6,11c-epoxy-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11b,11c-decahydro-4a-methyl-5-oxo-7H-benzo[c]carbazole and 11-benzenesulfonyl-6,11b-epoxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,11a,11b-decahydro-4a-methyl-5-oxo-1H-benzo[a]carbazole were unequivocally corroborated by single-crystal X-ray analyses. To advance this study, regioselective double 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of five-membered-ring cyclic carbonyl ylides has been demonstrated for the first time with biindoles having various aryl and alkyl spacers. This process constructed up to eight stereocenters, four carbon-carbon and two carbon-oxygen bonds in a single step with an excellent molecular complexity and stereoselectivity.     

Studies in the chemistry of erythrina alkaloid derivatives—III : Two isomers of 2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,8,9,10,11-dodecahydro-2,10-dioxo-1H-benzo[d]naphthalene

Diketone 2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,8,9,10,11-dodecahydro-2,10-dioxo-1H-benzo[d]-naphthalene prepared by annulation of N-(1-cyclohexenyl)pyrrolidine with vinyl methyl ketone, was found to consist of two stereoisomers. Theoretical dipole moments of these were calculated, and their structures were shown by moment dipole measurements to be cis A/B, cis A/C and trans A/B, cis A/C, respectively. The isomer trans A/B, cis A/B was converted into trans A/B, cis A/C dodecahydro-1H-benzo[d]naphthalene by the Wolff-Kishner reduction.     

One pot synthesis of α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals

Five and six-membered cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, generated in situ from 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide or 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazinium iodide and triethylamine, reacted with aryl isocyanates in refluxing THF producing α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via the iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal intermediates. The cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal generated in situ from 2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide reacted with isocyanates to give β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, which do not readily rearrange. The two methyls at C-4 hindered the nucleophilic attack of iodide on C-5, which is required for rearrangement.     

New type of transannular reactions in azirine-fused medium-size heterocycles: Selective transformations of azirino[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>][1,6]benzoxazocines and -benzothiazocines into oxa(thia)zine and oxa(thia)zole derivatives

Opening of the three-membered ring in heterocyclic systems incorporating a dichloroaziridine ring fused to eight-membered O,N-or S,N-heterocycles is accompanied by transannular reactions with participation of the endocyclic oxygen and sulfur atoms. Depending on the conditions, the products are 1,4-benzoxazine (1,4-benzothiazine) or 1,3-benzoxazole (1,3-benzothiazole) derivatives. The discovered transformations were used as a basis of methods for the preparation of new heterocyclic systems, 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido-[3,2-b][1,4]benzoxa(thia)zine derivatives, in domino or consecutive modes, as well as of pyrrolidinyl-substituted 1,3-benzoxa(thia)zoles.     

Optimization and Evaluation of 5-Styryl-Oxathiazol-2-one Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteasome Inhibitors as Potential Antitubercular Agents

This is the first report of 5-styryl-oxathiazol-2-ones as inhibitors of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) proteasome. As part of the study, the structure–activity relationship of oxathiazolones as Mtb proteasome inhibitors has been investigated. Furthermore, the prepared compounds displayed a good selectivity profile for Mtb compared to the human proteasome. The 5-styryl-oxathiazol-2-one inhibitors identified showed little activity against replicating Mtb, but were rapidly bactericidal against nonreplicating bacteria. (E)-5-(4-Chlorostyryl)-1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one) was most effective, reducing the colony-forming units (CFU)/mL below the detection limit in only seven days at all concentrations tested. The results suggest that this new class of Mtb proteasome inhibitors has the potential to be further developed into novel antitubercular agents for synergistic combination therapies with existing drugs.     

Synthesis of cyclic sulfonamides by reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-sulfinyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline with norbornenes

N-Sulfinyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline reacted with bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and bicyclo[2.2.1]-hepta-2,5-diene to give the corresponding Diels?Alder adducts which were oxidized to 8-trifluoromethyl-2,3,4,4a,6,10b-hexahydro-5λ⁶-1,4-methanodibenzo[c,e][1,2]thiazine-5,5(1H)-diones. The cycloaddition occurred predominantly with participation of the S=N–C¹=C⁶ fragment of N-sulfinyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline and exclusively at the endo side of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptenes.     

Photolytic decarbonylation of o-benzoquinones

It was established that photodecarbonylation of o-benzoquinones occurs by irradiation not only by UV-light, but visible light (λ>520 nm) too. Study of the series of 4,5-di-substituted 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinones detected that the only product of photoreaction is the corresponding 3,4-di-substituted 2,5-di-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienone, which is formed in a yield close to quantitative. NMR monitoring of reaction of photodecarbonylation of o-benzoquinones detected that this is a two-stage process. In the first stage the photoexcited molecule of quinone rearranges into bicyclo compound (bicyclo[1.3.0]hexa-3-en-2,6-dione) containing five- and three- membered cycles, which spontaneously decomposes during the following dark stage into cyclopentadienone and a molecule of CO.     

New atropisomeric biaryl derivatives of 4-aminopyridine—identification of an improved nucleophilic catalyst for asymmetric acylation of sec-alcohols

The synthesis, CSP-HPLC resolution, and absolute configuration assignment of a series of 4-dialkylaminopyridine-based atropisomeric biaryls are described. Screening of these enantiomerically pure catalysts, which differ only in the nature of the 4-dialkylamino substituent, for the kinetic resolution of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethanol reveals the importance of this group on the selectivity of catalysis. The di-n-butylamino derivative displays the most favourable catalytic profile. The utility of this catalyst for the kinetic resolution of a selection of sec-alcohols, including a precursor for the synthesis of the antidepressant fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac^®) are reported. The possible role of the dialkylamino group in chirality transfer is discussed.     

A polystyrene-supported triflating reagent for the synthesis of aryl triflates

An insoluble polystyrene-supported triflating reagent has been prepared by suspension co-polymerization of N-(4-vinylphenyl)trifluoromethanesulphonimide, styrene and the JandaJel^® cross-linker. This reagent, in the presence of triethylamine, allows for the efficient synthesis of aryl triflates from a wide range of phenols in a process that permits the desired product to be isolated from the reaction mixture in essentially pure form via several filtration and concentration operations. Adding to the utility of this reagent is its ability to be easily recovered, regenerated and reused. Both soluble and insoluble bifunctional polymers containing trialkylamine moieties in addition to triflimide groups were also prepared and examined as triflating reagents. Unfortunately these reagents afforded only modest yields of the desired products in representative reactions.     

Novel D-A-D Fluorescent Dyes Based on 9-(p-Tolyl)-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazole as a Donor Unit for Solution-Processed Organic Light-Emitting-Diodes

New fluorescent D-A-D dyes containing 9-(p-tolyl)-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazole as a donor unit and 2,1,3-benzochalcogenadiazoles as an electron-withdrawing group were synthesized. The photoluminescent and electroluminescent properties of novel dyes for fluorescent OLED application were investigated. It was demonstrated that the replacement of lightweight heteroatoms by heavier ones enables the fine tuning of the maximum emission without significantly reducing the luminescence quantum yield. The maximum quantum yield value of 62.6% for derivatives based on 2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (1a) in cyclohexane was achieved. Two devices with the architecture of glass/ITO/PEDOT-PSS/poly-TPD/EML/TPBi/LiF/Al (EML = emitting layer) were fabricated to check the suitability of the synthesized compounds as a single active emission layer in OLED. These OLEDs exhibited clear red electroluminescence of the dyes with the maximum current efficiency of 0.85 Cd/A.     

Capisterones A and B from the tropical green alga Penicillus capitatus: unexpected anti-fungal defenses targeting the marine pathogen Lindra thallasiae

The mechanism by which marine algae show resistance to pathogenic microorganisms remains poorly understood. To examine the possible role that algal secondary metabolites play in the prevention of infection, we examined the abundant green alga Penicillus capitatus, one of the major shallow water algae found in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. Both aqueous and EtOAc extracts of this alga were found to be potent inhibitors of the well-known marine algal pathogen Lindra thallasiae. Using L. thallasiae in bioassay-guided fractionation, we isolated two new triterpene sulfate esters, capisterones A (1) and B (2). The capisterones are potent inhibitors of L. thallasiae at natural and below natural concentrations. The structures of the capisterones, with relative stereochemistry only, were assigned by comprehensive spectral analyses that relied heavily on 2D NMR methods.     

Differential ESI-MS behaviour of highly similar metallothioneins

ESI-MS can only be accepted as a quantification method when using standards with a high resemblance to the analyte(s). Unfortunately, this is usually not applicable to metallothioneins (MTs), a superfamily of singular metal-binding cysteine-rich proteins, present in all living organisms, since the absence of suitable reference material due to the high diversity among metal-MT species precludes their quantification by molecular mass spectrometry. Even thus, it is widely assumed that the intensities of the ESI-MS peaks of similar species are directly correlated with their relative concentration in the sample, and this has been extended to the determination of different MT proteins coexisting in a sample.Practically all organisms contain several MT isoforms, some of them exhibiting highly similar sequences, with conserved coordinating Cys residues. For the current analysis, we used as a model system the MT isoforms of two terrestrial snails (Helix pomatia and Cornu aspersum). Hence, distinct samples were prepared by mixing, at different molar ratios, the recombinant HpCuMT and HpCdMT isoforms from H. pomatia, or the recombinant CaCuMT, CaCdMT and CaCdCuMT isoforms from C. aspersum, and they were analyzed by ESI-MS both at neutral pH (for Zn-loaded MT forms) and at acidic pH (for the corresponding apo-forms). The results here presented reveal that the ESI-MS peak intensity of a single MT species strongly depends on its sensitivity to be ionized, and thus, on the presence or absence of metal ions bound. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that very similar MT isoforms of the same organism with similar pI (ranging from 7.9 to 8.3) can show a clear different sensitivity to ES ionization, something that cannot be readily predicted only by consideration of their amino acid content. In conclusion, even in this optimum case, deductions about quantity features of MT samples drawn from ESI-MS measurements should be carefully considered.