Asymmetric Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Medium‐Ring Carbocycles and Lactones through Modular Assembly and Ring‐Closing Metathesis of Sulfoximine‐Substituted Trienes and Dienynes

An asymmetric synthesis of densely functionalized 7–11‐membered carbocycles and 9–11‐membered lactones has been developed. Its key steps are a modular assembly of sulfoximine‐substituted C‐ and O‐tethered trienes and C‐tethered dienynes and their Ru‐catalyzed ring‐closing diene and enyne metathesis (RCDEM and RCEYM). The synthesis of the C‐tethered trienes and dienynes includes the following steps: 1) hydroxyalkylation of enantiomerically pure titanated allylic sulfoximines with unsaturated aldehydes, 2) α‐lithiation of alkenylsulfoximines, 3) alkylation, hydroxy‐alkylation, formylation, and acylation of α‐lithioalkenylsulfoximines, and 4) addition of Grignard reagents to α‐formyl(acyl)alkenylsulfoximines. The sulfoximine group provided for high asymmetric induction in steps 1) and 4). RCDEM of the sulfoximine‐substituted trienes with the second‐generation Ru catalyst stereoselectively afforded the corresponding functionalized 7–11‐membered carbocyles. RCDEM of diastereomeric silyloxy‐substituted 1,6,12‐trienes revealed an interesting difference in reactivity. While the (R)‐diastereomer gave the 11‐membered carbocyle, the (S)‐diastereomer delivered in a cascade of cross metathesis and RCDEM 22‐membered macrocycles. RCDEM of cyclic trienes furnished bicyclic carbocycles with a bicyclo[7.4.0]tridecane and bicyclo[9.4.0]pentadecane skeleton. Selective transformations of the sulfoximine‐ and bissilyloxy‐substituted carbocycles were performed including deprotection, cross‐coupling reaction and reduction of the sulfoximine moiety. Esterification of a sulfoximine‐substituted homoallylic alcohol with unsaturated carboxylic acids gave the O‐tethered trienes, RCDEM of which yielded the sulfoximine‐substituted 9–11‐membered lactones. RCEYM of a sulfoximine‐substituted 1,7‐dien‐10‐yne showed an unprecedented dichotomy in ring formation depending on the Ru catalyst. While the second‐generation Ru catalyst gave the 9‐membered exo 1,3‐dienyl carbocycle, the first‐generation Ru catalyst furnished a truncated 9‐membered 1,3‐dieny carbocycle having one CH₂ unit less than the dienyne.     

Asymmetric modular synthesis of highly functionalized medium-sized carbocycles and lactones via ring-closing metathesis of sulfoximine-substituted trienes

A modular asymmetric synthesis of medium-sized carbocycles and lactones has been developed that affords highly substituted 7-, 9-, and 11-membered rings. The key steps are (1) the highly diastereoselective synthesis of sulfoximine-substituted homoallylic alcohols from allylic sulfoximines and unsaturated as well as saturated aldehydes, (2) an E-stereoselective alkylation and hydroxyalkylation of sulfoximine-substituted alkenyllithium derivatives, (3) the esterification of sulfoximine-substituted homoallylic alcohols, and (4) the ring-closing metathesis reaction of sulfoximine-substituted trienes with the ruthenium catalyst 8. Two examples for the further synthetic elaboration of the sulfoximine-substituted carbocycles are provided. The selective cleavage of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl group of 12 in the presence of the triethylsilyl group afforded the allylic alcohol 18 which was oxidized to enone 19. A cross-coupling reaction of the sulfoximine-substituted carbocycle 9 with LiCuMe2 furnished the methyl-substituted derivative 20.     

Ring-closing metathesis of sulfoximine-substituted N-tethered trienes: modular asymmetric synthesis of medium-ring nitrogen heterocycles

A synthesis of sulfoximine-substituted medium-ring nitrogen heterocycles (MRNHs) having a high degree of substitution has been developed. Its key steps are the modular asymmetric synthesis of sulfoximine-substituted N-tethered trienes and their Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction. The highly substituted N-tethered trienes were obtained enantio- and diastereopure through 1) the diastereoselective aminoalkylation of sulfoximine-substituted allyltitanium complexes with N-tert-butylsulfonyliminoester, 2) N-allylation of homoallylic N-sulfonyl amines, 3) allylation, hydroxylalkylation, and formylation of α-lithioalkenylsulfoximines, and 4) allylation of α-formylalkenylsulfoximines. The Ru-catalyzed RCM reaction of the sulfoximine-substituted 1,7,10- and 1,7,12-trienes stereoselectively afforded the corresponding nine-, ten-, and eleven-membered MRNHs in good yields. An interesting difference in reactivity was noted in the case of a sulfoximine-substituted 1,7,10-triene and its corresponding 1,10-diene. While the triene readily underwent a RCM reaction, the diene reacted only in the presence of Ti(OiPr)(4) under formation of the corresponding MRNH. The feasibility of a removal of the sulfoximine auxiliary and the N-sulfonyl protecting group from the MRNHs were demonstrated through reduction and cleavage, respectively, of a nine-membered heterocycle, both of which proceeded readily and gave the corresponding cyclic alkene and amine, respectively.     

Total synthesis of (-)-diversifolin

First total synthesis of biologically active germacrane-type sesquiterpene (−)-diversifolin has been achieved. The features of the synthesis involve (i) ring-closing metathesis to give a 10-membered carbocycle, (ii) regioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of silyl dienol ether with formaldehyde at the α-position, and (iii) lactone transposition of the fully functionalized 11-oxabicyclo[6.2.1]undecane system.     

Total synthesis of 10-deoxymethynolide and narbonolide

A flexible and convenient approach was developed for the synthesis of 10-deoxymethynolide (1) and narbonolide (2), which are aglycones of the methymycin and the pikromycin families of macrolide antibiotics. These lactones are produced by pikromycin polyketide synthase from Streptomyces venezuelae. Polyketide lactones, 10-deoxymethynolide and narbonolide, which contain 12- and 14-membered rings, respectively, were synthesized efficiently. These target lactones were retrosynthetically divided into three parts and assembled by using an asymmetric aldol reaction, the Yamaguchi esterification, and ring-closing metathesis. The ring-closing metathesis reaction catalyzed by the second-generation Grubbs catalyst is particularly efficient in preparing these macrocyclic polyketide lactones.     

Enantiopure eta4-(1-sulfinyldiene)iron(0) tricarbonyl complexes as templates for carbocycle construction via ring-closing metathesis

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically pure 1-(1Z,3E)-sulfinyl iron(0) dienols have been elaborated to bis-olefins capable of undergoing ring-closing metathesis chemistry. Using Grubbs' ruthenium carbene catalyst, a six-membered carbocycle (with one chiral center) and seven-, eight-, and nine-membered carbocycles (with two chiral centers) have been prepared. Novel transformations include the LiClO4-promoted allylation of an alkylidene malonate and a reductive sulfur-carbon bond cleavage to convert a vinyl sulfoxide into an alkene with SmI2.     

Synthetic studies on the DEF-rings of FR182877 and hexacyclinic acid

A synthesis of model DEF-rings of the polyketide anti tumor natural products FR182877 and hexacyclinic acid has been achieved. The key steps in the synthesis are an intramolecular Pd(0) catalyzed allylic substitution reaction, which was used to generate a 9-membered carbocycle, and a novel transannular iodocyclization reaction which furnished the DF-rings of both natural products.     

Synthetic study of diversifolin: the construction of 11-oxabicyclo[6.2.1]undec-3-ene core using ring-closing metathesis

Stereoselective synthesis of a potential intermediate bearing 11-oxabicyclo[6.2.1]undec-3-ene core, a common scaffold of biologically active germacrane-type sesquiterpenes, has been achieved. Synthetic features involve formal 1,3-asymmetric induction, unusual ring-closing metathesis constructing a 10-membered carbocycle system, and unique lactone transposition.     

Parallel synthesis of individual shikimic acid-like molecules using a mixture-operation strategy and ring-closing enyne metathesis

Three new diastereomeric shikimic acid analogues (4-amino-3,5-dihydroxyl-cyclohex-1-en-carboxylic acids, 16) bearing a C-4 amino group were synthesized in parallel by a mixture-operation protocol. Ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) under ethylene atmosphere was successfully employed to construct the desired carbocycles in high efficiency. The absolute configurations of each final product were confirmed by the 1D and 2D NMR techniques.     

Concise synthesis of (S,S)-(+)-dehydrohomoancepsenolide

A concise total synthesis of the bis-butenolide 3 in optically active form is reported. Key steps are a zinc-mediated "three-component coupling" with formation of dienyne 9 which undergoes ring closing metathesis (RCM) on treatment with (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CHPh. Dimerization of the resulting butenolide 11 is then achieved via alkyne metathesis using (tBuO)(3)W&tbd1;CCMe(3) as the catalyst. A Lindlar reduction completes this synthesis which delivers product 3 in only five steps with an overall yield of 25%.     

Sequential ring-closing metathesis/Pd-catalyzed, Si-assisted cross-coupling reactions: general synthesis of highly substituted unsaturated alcohols and medium-sized rings containing a 1,3-cis-cis diene unit

A sequential ring-closing metathesis/silicon-assisted cross-coupling protocol has been developed. Alkenyldimethylsilyl ethers of allylic, homoallylic and bis(homoallylic) alcohols undergo facile ring closure with Schrock's catalyst to afford 5-, 6-, and 7-membered cycloalkenylsiloxanes, respectively, in some cases with substituents on both alkenyl carbons. These siloxanes are highly effective coupling partners that afford styrenes and dienes (with various aryl and alkenyl halides) in high yield and specificity as well as good functional group compatibility. The siloxanes bearing a Z-iodoalkenyl tether undergo an intramolecular coupling process in the presence of [allylPdCl]₂ which constitutes a powerful method for the construction of medium-sized rings with an internal 1,3-cis-cis diene unit. The formation of 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-membered carbocyclic dienes is achieved in good yield. Extension to the synthesis of 9-membered ring unsaturated ethers has also been accomplished. Noteworthy features of this process include: (1) highly stereospecific intramolecular coupling, (2) flexible positioning of the revealed hydroxy group, and (3) potential extension to other medium-sized carbocycles and heterocycles.     

Synthesis of the tricyclic core of colchicine via a dienyne tandem ring-closing metathesis reaction

The synthesis of the tricyclic framework of colchicine has been achieved using a tandem ring-closing metathesis reaction of dienynes as the key step. In this process, both seven-membered rings B and C were formed in one step. Oxidation of tertiary allylic alcohol derived from the tandem metathesis product furnished an intermediate in the total synthesis of colchicine.     

Tandem catalytic carbene addition/bicyclization of enynes. One-step synthesis of fluorinated bicyclic amino esters by ruthenium catalysis

The reaction of diazo compounds with enynes, containing a fluorinated amino acid moiety, in the presence of the precatalyst Cp(Cl)Ru(COD) leads to fluorinated alkenyl bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane and [4.1.0]heptane amino acid derivatives. It is remarkable that the catalyst, in situ generated from ruthenium complex and diazo compound, completely inhibits the ring closing metathesis of enyne to the profit of tandem alkenylation/cyclopropanation with high stereoselectivity. The study shows that the Cp(Cl)Ru moiety in ruthenacyclobutane favors reductive elimination versus expected alkene metathesis. [reaction: see text]     

Regio- and stereoselective acylation of saturated carbocycles via Norrish-Yang photocyclization

A regio- and stereoselective acylation of saturated carbocycles has been achieved through two-step reactions involving the Norrish-Yang photocyclization of 1,2-diketones and subsequent ring opening of the α-hydroxy-cyclobutanones. The C-H activation of the carbocycle proceeds regioselectively at vicinal to the diketone moiety resulting in stereoselective formation of cis-fused bicycles. The following C-C cleavage affords vicinally cis-acylated carbocycles. Predictability, generality, and practicality of the present strategy have been demonstrated using variously modified saturated carbocycles.     

Intramolecular silicon-assisted cross-coupling reactions: general synthesis of medium-sized rings containing a 1,3-cis-cis diene unit

The combination of ring-closing metathesis and Pd-catalyzed, silicon-assisted intramolecular cross-coupling has been developed to provide an effective and powerful method for construction of medium-sized rings with an internal 1,3-cis-cis diene unit. Allylic alcohols bearing a Z-iodoalkenyl tether can be silylated with chlorodimethylvinylsilane and subjected to Mo-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis to form unsaturated siloxanes. Activation of the siloxane with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in the presence of [allylPdCl](2) leads to high yielding ring-closing reactions to form 9-, 10-, 11- and 12-membered rings. Extension to the synthesis of 9-membered ring unsaturated ethers has also been accomplished. Noteworthy features of this process include: (1) a highly stereospecific intramolecular coupling process, (2) flexible positioning of the hydroxy group, and (3) potential extension to other medium-sized carbocycles and heterocycles.     

Synthesis of eight- and nine-membered carbocycles through a ring-closing metathesis/ring fragmentation strategy: a rapid and versatile approach to bicyclo[6.4.0]- and bicyclo[7.4.0]alkene ring systems

Ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of cis-2,6-dialkenyl-2-hydroxy-1-cyclohexanones affords bicyclo[3.n.1]alkenones that are easily converted into eight- or nine-membered carbocycles by oxidative cleavage of the keto-bridging tether. Since the starting cyclohexanones are readily assembled from commercially available 1,2-cyclohexanedione, the overall process constitutes a rapid and versatile route to medium-sized carbocycles, which are otherwise difficult compounds to assemble using currently available procedures. If one of the alkenes of the cyclohexanone chains is replaced by an alkyne, the subsequent RCM produces 1,3-diene systems capable of undergoing stereoselective Diels-Alder reaction with activated dienophiles. Oxidative cleavage of the keto bridge of the resulting tricycles leads to 8-6 and 9-6 fused bicarbocycles with up to four stereocenters.     

Kinetically controlled ring-closing metathesis: synthesis of a potential scaffold for 12-membered salicylic macrolides

For the synthesis of a 12-membered salicylic macrolide scaffold, ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of a omega-diene compound was planned. The stereochemical outcome of the RCM reaction changed depending on the type of Ru catalyst that was used; a "first-generation" Grubbs catalyst produced exclusively the E isomer and "second-generation" catalysts provided a mixture of the E and Z isomers under kinetic control (not thermodynamic control). Considerations for the E/Z selectivity are described.     

Vinylogous Reactivity of Cyclic 2‐Enones: Organocatalysed Asymmetric Addition to 2‐Enals to Synthesize Fused Carbocycles

A method for asymmetric and site selective annulations at the γ and γ′ positions of cyclic 2‐enones with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organocatalysed [3+3]‐annulations proceed with high levels of regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity, affording a series of high value fused carbocycles. Further elaboration gave key lactones (both bridged and fused).     

Synthesis of cyclic sulfamoyl carbamates and ureas via ring-closing metathesis

Synthetic routes to a diverse set of cyclic sulfamoyl carbamates and ureas are reported. These routes utilize 3-component coupling, Mitsunobu alkylation, and ring-closing metathesis using the second-generation Grubbs catalyst to achieve the synthesis of the target S-heterocyclic compounds. Cyclic S-heterocycles ranging from 9- to 11-membered rings have been obtained.     

Origin of enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Ru-catalyzed metathesis of olefins

The mechanism of enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Ru-catalyzed metathesis of olefins is investigated with a theoretical approach. The models are based on the chiral N-heterocyclic (NHC)-based catalysts developed by Grubbs. Our analysis indicates that the origin of enantioselectivity in the ring-closing metathesis of achiral trienes is correlated to the chiral folding of the N-bonded aromatic groups, which is imposed by the Ph groups in positions 4 and 5 of the imidazole ring of the NHC ligand. This chiral folding of the catalyst imposes a chiral orientation around the Ru=C bond, which, in turn, selects between the two enantiofaces of the substrate. In the ring-closing transition state, the geometry in which additional groups on the forming ring are in pseudoequatorial positions is favored over transition states in which this additional group is in a pseudoaxial position. These combined effects rationalize the enantiomeric excesses experimentally obtained.