A novel transformation of 1-exo-substituted 2a-aroyl-1,2,2a,8b-tetrahydro-3H-benzo[b]cyclobuta[d]pyran-3-ones with sulfoxonium ylide to highly strained 2a-(1-arylethenyl)-1,2,2a,7b-tetrahydrocyclobuta[b]benzofurans

When 1-substituted 2a-aroyl-1,2,2a,8b-tetrahydro-3H-benzo[b]cyclobuta[d]pyran-3-ones (1) were treated with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide, 1-endo isomers (endo-1) gave 1-substituted 3-aroyl-1,2,4a,9b-tetrahydrodibenzofuran-4-ols (2) exclusively as expected. On the other hand, 1-exo isomers (exo-1) underwent a novel transformation to 1-substituted 2a-(1-arylethenyl)-1,2,2a,7b-tetrahydrocyclobuta[b]benzofurans (3), together with 2.     

Manganese(III)-mediated facile synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones: selectivity of the 6-endo and 5-exo cyclization

The 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones 2 were easily synthesized by the oxidative 6-endo-trig cyclization of 2-[2-(N-arylamino)-2-oxoethyl]malonates 1 with manganese(III) acetate in good to excellent yields. The same reaction of N-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-substituted malonate 1t exclusively produced the 5-exo-cyclized 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-azaspiro[4,5]deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione 5t instead of the corresponding dihydroquinolinone. The regioselectivity during the cyclization could be explained by the difference in the activation energy of the transition state of the 6-endo/5-exo cyclization.     

Solid-state and solution photocycloadditions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones with maleimide

Solid-state photosensitized reactions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones (1b,c) with maleimide (2) afforded endo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (3b,c) with high stereoselectivity. Sensitized photoreactions of 1a-d with 2 in solution gave exo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (4a-d). 2-Pyrones 1a-d were photolyzed to give carboxylic acids (5a-d) via their valence isomerization in the solid state and in solution. Such kinds of photoreaction of the 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones were dramatically different from regio- and stereoselective [2+2] cycloadditions of 4-alkyloxy-2-pyrones. The photoreaction mechanisms of 1 with 2 and 1 itself were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and MO calculations.     

Sodium dithionite initiated regio- and stereoselective radical addition of polyfluoroalkyl iodide with norbornene analogs

Sodium dithionite initiated free-radical addition of polyfluoroalkyl iodides (2m-2s) with norbornene 1a and its derivatives, such as norbornene-2-carboxylates 1b and 1c, and norbornene-2-carboxylic acids 1d and 1e was investigated. In all the cases, the addition of R_F group was stereoselectively delivered at exo-position and the predominant configuration of products was trans. Under the similar condition, norbornene-2-carboxylic ethyl ester 1b reacted with 2p to give 6-exo-R_F-5-endo-iodo adduct 3bp and 5-exo-R_F-6-endo-iodo adduct 5bp in the ratio of 4:1. While 1c, which has a heavy crowded group in the 2-endo-position, gave 6-exo-R_F-5-endo-iodo adduct 3cp and polyfluoroalkylated product 4cp retaining the trans-configuration and the exo-orientation of R_F group. The fluoroalkylation-lactonization reaction occurred in the reaction of norbornene-2-endo-carboxylic acids 1d and 1e with polyfluoroalkyl iodides to afford the corresponding fluoroalkylated γ-lactone products (7dp-7ds, and 7em-7er). The configuration of the products was further confirmed by 2D NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses for the first time.     

An efficient synthesis of furano analogs of duocarmycin C1 and C2: seco-iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole

seco-Iso-cyclopropylfurano[e]indoline-trimethoxyindole 1 and seco-cyclopropylfurano[f]quinoline-trimethoxyindole 2 are potent cytotoxic agents. Previous synthesis of these compounds was inefficient and the approach required separation of a mixture containing the isomeric indoline and quinoline intermediates 11 and 12, formed from radical cyclization of allylic bromide 10. Reported herein is an efficient and selective synthesis of either intermediate 11 or 12, thus product 1 or 2, as needed. The conditions of the Stobbe condensation, bromination, 5-exo-trig radical cyclization, amine-carboxylic acid coupling, and debenzylation were optimized for multi gram scale. As a result, the reaction times were shortened, the products were readily isolated, and the yields and purity improved.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of enantiopure exo and endo six-membered oxazoline-derived palladacycles

Direct palladation of (S)-4-benzyl-2-methyl-2-oxazoline (1) and (S)-2-benzyl-4-tert-butyl-2-oxazoline (2) using Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN afforded the corresponding μ-acetato-dimeric complexes with six-membered exo and endo palladacycles, respectively. The same complexes were obtained by reacting coordination complexes Pd(1)₂(OAc)₂ and Pd(2)₂(OAc)₂ with Pd(OAc)₂ in MeCN. Metalation of (S)-2,4-dibenzyl-2-oxazoline (3) with Pd(OAc)₂ in AcOH, MeCN or CH₂Cl₂ resulted in the regiospecific formation of the six-membered endo palladacycle. The obtained μ-acetato-dimeric complexes were converted to the corresponding μ-chloro-dimeric derivatives 7, 11 and 13 by treatment with LiCl in acetone. The mononuclear PPh₃ adducts 8, 12 and 14 were obtained by reacting dimers 7, 11 and 13 with PPh₃ in benzene. NMR spectroscopy data supported the proposed structures of all complexes and suggested that exo and endo palladacycles in 8 and 12 have rigid boat conformations in CHCl₃. The X-ray crystal structures of the μ-acetato dimer 6 with the exo palladacycle and the PPh₃ adduct 14 with the endo metalacycle revealed boat conformation of both palladacycles and chiral twisted conformations δ(S) and λ(S), respectively, of the oxazoline rings in the solid state.     

Alternative synthesis and novel oxidizing ability of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-dione derivatives

Synthesis of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-diones 7a-g was accomplished by ring opening and ring closure sequences of 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8,10(9H)-dione derivatives induced by several amines. Furthermore, alternative synthetic methodology for compounds 7a-e was also accomplished by single-step reaction of 2-chlorotropone with 6-aminouracil derivatives under mild conditions. X-ray crystal analysis of 7a was carried out to clarify the structural characteristics. The properties of 7a-e were studied by the UV-vis spectra and reduction potentials (−1.24 to −1.39 V vs Ag/AgNO₃). Novel photo-induced oxidation reaction of 7a-d toward some amines under aerobic conditions was carried out to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a-d], suggesting the oxidation reaction occurs in an autorecycling process.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

An expeditious synthesis for γ-carboline analogue 4-aryl-1,3-thiazino[6,5-b]indole derivatives via the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-promoted isomerization of 3-amidomethylthioindole intermediates to 2-indolyl sulfides

A highly efficient trifluoromethanesulfonic acid-mediated rearrangement of the benzoylaminomethylthio group of 3-benzoylaminomethylthioindoles (7a-e) to position 2 of the indole ring was developed. Thus, 2-benzoylaminomethylthioindoles (9a-e) were obtained in good yields and were involved as key intermediates in the synthesis of the new γ-carboline analogue ring system: 2,9-dihydro-4-aryl-1,3-thiazino[6,5-b]indole derivatives (11a-e). The target thiazinoindoles (11a-e) were prepared via 2-thiobenzoylaminomethylindoles (10a-e) in modified Bischler-Napieralski reactions.     

Preparation of new pyrido[3,4-b]thienopyrroles and pyrido[4,3-e]thienopyridazines

Two new types of pyrido-fused tris-heterocycles (1a,b and 2a,b) have been prepared from 3-aminopyridine in five/six steps. A synthetic strategy for the preparation of the novel pyrido[3,4-b]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-d]pyrroles (1a,b) and pyrido[4,3-e]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-c]pyridazines (2a,b) has been studied. The Suzuki cross coupling of the appropriate 2- and 3-thienoboronic acids (3,4) and 4-bromo-3-pyridylpivaloylamide (9) afforded the biaryl coupling products (10,11) in high yields (85%). Diazotization of the hydrolysed (2-thienyl)-coupling product (12) and azide substitution gave the 3-azido-4-(2-thienyl)pyridine intermediate (72%, 14). 3-Azido-4-(3-thienyl)pyridine (15) was prepared by exchanging the previous order of reactions. The desired β-carboline thiophene analogues (1a,b) were obtained via the nitrene by thermal decomposition of the azido precursors (14,15). By optimising conditions for intramolecular diazocoupling, the corresponding pyridazine products (72-83%, 2a,b) were afforded.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel imidazo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative attached to quinoxalinones

3-(6-Phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones (qunoxalinone) (6a-q) have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) with suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines (5a-f) under microwave heating. The ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) were prepared by the reaction of 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (3a-e) with ethyl chlorooxoacetate in refluxing 1,4-dioxane whereas the thiazoles (3a-e) were synthesized by the reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanones (2a-e) with thiazol-2-amine in refluxing acetone.     

Synthesis of 3-substituted-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides from the Baylis-Hillman adducts of o-nitrobenzaldehydes

The reaction of the Baylis-Hillman adducts 1b-f derived from o-nitrobenzaldehydes in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of triflic acid (0.2 equiv.) afforded 3-substituted-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides 2b-e and 2a in good to moderate yields. The reaction mechanism was evidenced by the experiment with 1f, the Baylis-Hillman adduct of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde N-tosylimine, as the one involving N-hydroxyisoxazoline as the key intermediate.     

Stereoselective total syntheses of (+)-exo- and (−)-exo-brevicomins, (+)-endo- and (−)-endo-brevicomins, (+)- and (−)-cardiobutanolides, (+)-goniofufurone

Stereoselective total syntheses of aggregation pheromones (+)-exo-brevicomin (9a), (−)-exo-brevicomin (9b), (+)-endo-brevicomin (9c), (−)-endo-brevicomin (9d) and styryllactones (+)-cardiobutanolide (14a), (−)-cardiobutanolide (14b), and (+)-goniofufurone (19a) were achieved in good yields from enantiomerically pure highly functionalized furanoid glycal building blocks (1a-d) involving similar synthetic strategies, thus making these furanoid glycals highly useful building blocks in diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS).     

The regioselectivity of the addition of benzeneselenyl chloride to 7-azanorborn-5-ene-2-yl derivatives is controlled by the 2-substituent: new entry into 3- and 4-hydroxy-5-substituted prolines

The electrophilic addition of benzeneselenyl chloride to the alkene moiety of 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl derivatives has been studied. With camphanates 8 and 9N-Boc-5-endo-chloro-6-exo-phenylseleno-7-azanorborn-2-yl camphanates 10 and 11 are obtained with high regioselectivity due to a steric control. With N-Boc-7-azanorbor-5-en-2-one (2) the corresponding 6-endo-chloro-5-exo-phenylseleno derivative 15 is obtained in high yield due to a kinetic control attributed to the electron-releasing ability of the homoconjugated carbonyl group. Bicyclic adducts 10 and 11 and 15 are readily converted into 4-hydroxy-(14) and 3-hydroxy-5-substituted proline derivatives 19, respectively.     

Constituents of the Leaves and Stem Bark of Aglaia foveolata

The previously known potent cytotoxic agent silvestrol (1) (0.002% w/w yield) and five new flavagline derivatives (2-6) were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia foveolata collected in Indonesia. The new compound 5 has an unprecedented cyclic amide moiety in its cyclopenta[b]benzopyran skeleton, while compound 6 is a novel benzo[b]oxepine derivative in which the oxepine ring is cleaved. Pyramidatine (7), a biogenetic precursor of the new flavaglines 2-6, was isolated from the leaf extract investigated. Silvestrol was also isolated from the stem bark of A. foveolata (yield of 0.02% w/w) along with a new baccharane-type triterpenoid (8). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their NMR and mass spectrometric data. All new compounds isolated were tested against a panel of cancer cell lines, but only compound 2 was cytotoxic (IC₅₀ range=1.4-1.8 μM), and is the first member of the cyclopenta[b]benzopyran class found to exhibit this type of activity. Compound 2 also showed significant NF-κB inhibitory activity in an Elisa assay (IC₅₀=0.37 μM).     

Velutabularins A-J, phragmalin-type limonoids with novel cyclic moiety from Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina

Velutabularins A-J, ten novel phragmalin-type limonoids, were isolated from the stem bark of Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina. In structures of 1-6, the tetrahydrofuran ring from dehydration of OH-15 and OH-17, ring C and 13/14/18-cyclopropanyl moiety formed an unprecedented 8-oxatricyclo[4,3,1^1,6]decane. Compounds 7-10 are derivates of 1-6 opening the tetrahydrofuran ring. All of these compounds possess a novel C-16/C-30 δ-lactone ring, which were reported in phragmalins rarely. The structures of these novel compounds were elucidated based on extensive 1D and 2D spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 5 and 9 were determined by the calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) method. The anti-inflammatory activities of major compounds (2, 4, 5, 9) were evaluated for inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage (RAW264.7) cell line.     

Synthesis and reactivity of pyrrolo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazine-2,4-dione. Access to new pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepine-2,5-diones

A convenient synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-d][1,3]oxazine-2,4-dione 4 is described and its reactivity towards various nucleophiles studied. The regioselective ring opening of anhydride 4 or its N-alkylated analog 25 in the presence of alanine or proline afforded, respectively, imidazolidinedione 22 and N-protected pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepines 30 and 31 in a one-pot process. In a last part of this study, an alternative route to produce a library of eight non protected pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepine-2,5-diones 35a–h is described to overcome the limited reactivity of anhydride 4.     

Synthesis of trifluoromethyl-promoted functional pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-4(3H)-ones

Ethyl 5-amino-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (1) was efficiently synthesized via the condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate and trifluoroacetic anhydride, followed by chloridization and the condensation with aqueous hydrazine. Its unique reactivity was exploited for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (5) and pyrazolo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-4(3H)-ones (8a-j). Among them, 5 was firstly found to be a novel fluorescent molecule that might be exploited as an attractive fluorophore for possessing many binding sites, and its fluorescence intensity was obviously stronger than its methyl analogue. 8 were found to be a new chemical class of potential monocotyledonous Echinochloa crus-galli L. Beauv inhibitors, and were more active than their methyl analogues.     

An efficient synthesis of (E)-(2-arylpyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-ylidene)acetonitriles and cyanomethyl appended pyrimidines

A series of (E)-(2-arylpyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-ylidene)acetonitriles 5a-j and aryl/heteroaryl tethered pyrimidin-4-yl acetonitriles 6a-e has been synthesized in excellent yields through base catalyzed ring transformation of suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones 3 using 2-aminopyrazine 4a and arylamidinium salts 4b, separately.     

A simple approach for the regioselective synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidiones and pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidinones

Several imidazo and pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidinones of type 1 and 2 were synthesized through intramolecular cyclization of pyrimidines 9 or pyrimidinones 10 bearing a variety of β and γ-aminoalcohols at the 2-position. Ring closure of the pyrimidinones of type 10 under Mitsunobu conditions lead to mixtures of both bicyclic regioisomers 1 and 2. Treatment of pyrimidines of type 9 with H₂SO₄ provided an efficient and operationally simple one-pot hydrolysis-cyclization procedure for obtaining imidazo and pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidinones 1 in good yields as the sole regioisomeric bicyclic product.