A general strategy for synthesis of both (6Z)- and (6E)-cladiellin diterpenes: total syntheses of (-)-cladiella-6,11-dien-3-ol, (+)-polyanthellin A, (-)-cladiell-11-ene-3,6,7-triol, and (-)-deacetoxyalcyonin acetate

The first total synthesis of an (E)-cladiellin diterpene, (-)-cladiella-6,11-diene-3-ol (1), was accomplished featuring an intramolecular amide enolate alkylation-intramolecular Diels-Alder strategy. In addition, a highly stereo-, regio-, and chemoselective synthetic strategy for other members of the cladiellin diterpenes such as (+)-polyanthellin A (2), (-)-cladiell-11-ene-3,6,7-triol (3), and (-)-deacetoxyalcyonin acetate (4) was developed utilizing the synthetic (E)-cladiellin 1 as a common intermediate by taking advantage of the unique chemical properties of its C(6)-(E)-oxatricyclic skeleton.     

Total synthesis of cryptophycin-24 (Arenastatin A) amenable to structural modifications in the C16 side chain

Two efficient protocols for the synthesis of tert-butyl (5S,6R,2E, 7E)-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-6-methyl-8-phenyl-2, 7-octadienoate, a major component of the cryptophycins, are reported. The first utilized the Noyori reduction and Frater alkylation of methyl 5-benzyloxy-3-oxopentanoate to set two stereogenic centers, which became the C16 hydroxyl and C1' methyl of the cryptophycins. The second approach started from 3-p-methoxybenzyloxypropanal and a crotyl borane reagent derived from (-)-alpha-pinene to set both stereocenters in a single step and provided the dephenyl analogue, tert-butyl (5S,6R,2E)-5-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-6-methyl-2, 7-octadienoate, in five steps. This compound was readily converted to the 8-phenyl compound via Heck coupling. The silanyloxy esters were efficiently deprotected and coupled to the C2-C10 amino acid fragment to provide desepoxyarenastatin A and its dephenyl analogue. The terminal olefin of the latter was further elaborated via Heck coupling. Epoxidation provided cryptophycin-24 (arenastatin A).     

Total synthesis of (-)-incarvilline, (+)-incarvine C, and (-)-incarvillateine

The first total syntheses of new monoterpene alkaloids (-)-incarvilline, (+)-incarvine C, and (-)-incarvillateine, corresponding to the natural enantiomers, have been accomplished. The strategy for the synthesis of these natural products utilized 6-epi-incarvilline as a common precursor, which was assembled by a three-component coupling reaction using (4S)-4-siloxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one to construct an appropriately trisubstituted cyclopentanone, followed by ring closure to the cis-perhydro-2-pyrindine skeleton by means of a reductive Heck-type reaction. Furthermore, topochemically controlled [2 + 2] photodimerization of cinnamic acid derivatives in the solid state for the stereospecific construction of a 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclobutane ring was also investigated as a means to access (-)-incarvillateine.     

Preparation of 1,3-Dienes,its Application to the Synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11-Tetradecadienyl Acetate and (E,E)-10,12-Hexa-decadienal: Sex Pheromones of Cotton Pests

E-2-Penten-4-yn-1-ol (3) has been utilized as a source for 1,3-diene systems by employing lithium amide induced alkylation, and curpous iodide catalysed Grignard coupling reaction as key steps. Its application for the synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and (E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal is described.     

An ionicity diagram for the family of [{Ru2(CF3CO2)4}2(TCNQR(x))] (TCNQR(x) = R-substituted 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane)

A diagram of energies between the HOMO of donor (D) and LUMO of acceptor (A) vs.ΔE(1/2)(DA) (= E(1/2)(D) - E(1/2)(A): E(1/2) = first-redox potential) clearly demonstrates the ionicity in the series of D/A assemblies, [{Ru(2)(CF(3)CO(2))(4)}(2)(TCNQR(x))]·n(solv) (TCNQR(x) = 2,5- or 2,3,5,6-R-substituted 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane; R(x) = H(4), F(2), Cl(2), Br(2), F(4), Me(2), (OMe)(2)).     

First stereospecific synthesis of (E)- or (Z)-alpha-fluoroenones via a kinetically controlled Negishi coupling reaction

A highly stereospecific synthesis of (E)- or (Z)-alpha-fluoro-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones 4, via a kinetically controlled Negishi palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction, was developed, providing an easy and general access to valuable fluorinated intermediates (pharmaceutical, peptide mimic, and so on). The synthesis involved a reaction between E/Z gem-bromofluoroolefins 2 and alkoxyvinylzinc species 6 under controlled reaction temperature. At 10 degrees C, (Z)-4 (70 to 99% yields) was obtained along with unreacted (Z)-2 (66 to 99% yields). At THF reflux, the recovered olefin was transformed into (E)-4 (up to 98% yield).     

Facile synthesis of 2-(phenylthio)phenols by copper(I)-catalyzed tandem transformation of C-S coupling/C-H functionalization

2-(Phenylthio)phenols were successfully synthesized from simple phenols and aromatic halides by using dimethyl sulfoxide as the oxidant. The transformation was accomplished via tandem copper(I)-catalyzed C-S coupling/C-H functionalization employing the CuI/L [L = (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one] catalyst system. The mechanism of the reaction was elucidated based on an isotope labeling strategy.     

Stereodivergent approach to beta-hydroxy alpha-amino acids from C(2)-symmetrical alk-2-yne-1,4-diols

[reaction: see text] A new stereodivergent route to erythro- and threo-beta-substituted serines from a common C(2)-symmetrical alk-2-yne-1,4-diol is described. Stereocontrol in such an acyclic system is achieved by taking advantage of symmetry. Stereoselective alkyne reduction to either (Z)- or (E)-olefin allows selection of the stereochemistry of alpha-carbon in the final amino acid by using a Pd(0)-catalyzed process. This strategy has been applied to the synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxyleucine.     

Total synthesis of (S)-(+)-curcudiol, and (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-curcuphenol.

A highly enantioselective synthesis of the versatile chiral synthons possessing one stereogenic center, (S)- and (R)-4-aryl-5-hydroxy-(2E)-pentenoate (3) was achieved based on the enzymatic reaction of (+/-)-3 with commercially available lipases MY-30 or OF-360 from Candida rugosa. Application of (S)-3 and (R)-3 to the total syntheses of(S)-curcuphenol (1), (S)-curcudiol (2), and (R)-curcuphenol (1), respectively, is described.     

Enantiospecific total synthesis of (-)-(E)16-epiaffinisine, (+)-(E)16-epinormacusine B,and (+)-dehydro-16-epiaffinisine as well as the stereocontrolled total synthesis of alkaloid G

An efficient strategy is described for the total synthesis of the sarpagine-related indole alkaloids (-)-(E)16-epiaffinisine (1), (+)-(E)16-epinormacusine B (2), and (+)-dehydro-16-epiaffinisine (4). A key step employed the chemospecific and regiospecific hydroboration/oxidation at C(16)-C(17); this method has also resulted in the synthesis of (+)-dehydro-16-epinormacusine B (5). The oxy-anion Cope rearrangement followed by protonation of the enolate that resulted under conditions of kinetic control has been employed to generate the key asymmetric centers at C(15), C(16), and C(20) in alkaloid G (7) in a highly stereocontrolled fashion (>43:1). Conditions that favor control of the sarpagine stereochemistry at C(16) vs the epimeric ajmaline configuration at the same stereocenter have been determined. The formation of the required cyclic ether in 4, 5, and 7 was realized with complete control from the top face on treatment of the corresponding alcohols with DDQ/THF or DDQ/aq THF in excellent yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-beta-bromostyrene containing trifluoromethyldiazirine for photoaffinity labeling

Summary A convenient procedure for the synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-beta-bromostyrene containing trifluoromethyldiazirine is described, which involves the stereoselective reduction of the corresponding trifluoromethyldiazirinyl beta,beta-dibromostyrene without damaging the photophor. The synthetic route easily introduced deuterium, which can be utilized for the detection of a photolabeled component by MS spectrometry, after construction of a trifluoromethyldiazirinyl skeleton.     

Comparative spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of bis(octakis(dodecylthio)naphthalocyaninato)europium(III) and bis(tetra-tert-butylnaphthalocyaninato)europium(III) complexes

Bis(substituted-2,3-naphthalocyaninato)europium(III) complexes: bis(octakis(dodecylthio)-2,3-naphthalocyaninato)europium(III) (Eu[2,3-Nc(SC12H25)8]2, 1) and bis(tetra-tert-butyl-2,3- naphthalocyaninato)europium(III) (Eu[2,3-Nc(t-Bu)4]2, 2) have been synthesized by cyclic tetramerization of naphthalonitriles with Eu(acac)3.H2O in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in refluxing n-octanol. These compounds were characterized by UV-visible, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), near-IR, IR, EPR, and mass spectroscopies. The absorption and MCD spectra of 1 showed splitting of the Q band, with peaks at 700 and 784 nm, red shifted from the Q band of 2 at 763 nm. The absorption and MCD spectral band deconvolution calculations of complex 1 gave two A terms in the Q-band region. The A terms are assigned to 2A2-->2E1 transitions. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 and 2 showed reversible oxidation couples at E1/2 = -0.28 V (for 2) and -0.25 V (for 1) vs ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc+/Fc). The second oxidation exhibited a complicated behavior for both complexes. The reduction couples for 2 were observed at E1/2 = -0.61, -1.64, -1.97, and -2.42 V, and for 1 they were observed at E1/2 = -0.62, -1.60, -1.86, and -2.27 V vs Fc+/Fc. Spectral changes observed on chemical oxidation and reduction of the complexes are presented, and the behaviors of 1 and 2 are compared.     

Diastereotopic differentiation on phosphorus templates via the ring-closing metathesis reaction

[reaction: see text] A strategy is described in which the ring-closing metathesis reaction is utilized to desymmetrize a number of pseudo-C(2)-symmetric phosphorus templates 1-3. These reactions give excellent levels of selectivity (12-15:1) with vinyl phosphonamides containing a (E)-Ph group on the diastereotopic olefins. This approach is being developed as an effective method of obtaining P-chiral phosphonamides and phosphonates.     

Convenient one-pot synthesis of functionalized （E）-2-arylvinyl bromides from （E）-4-（2-bromovinyl）phenyl acetate

A convenient one-pot synthesis of functionalized (E)-2-arylvinyl bromides was achieved by microwave-induced deacetylation and subsequent acylation using dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC) and dimethylamino-pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature from (E)-4-(2-bromovinyl)phenyl acetate.     

Synthesis and transformation of [difluoro(phenylseleno)methyl]- trimethylsilane

[reaction: see text] A novel and efficient strategy was developed to synthesize [difluoro(phenylseleno)methyl]trimethylsilane (PhSeCF(2)TMS, 2), which was further utilized as a nucleophilic difluoromethylating reagent to incorporate the difluoro(phenylseleno)methyl (PhSeCF(2)) group into carbonyl compounds in good yields. The resulting PhSeCF(2)-containing alcohols 3 could be conveniently converted into corresponding difluoromethyl alcohols 4 by a radical deselenylation.     

Bonding, structure, and energetics of gaseous E8(2+) and of solid E8(AsF6)2 (E = S, Se)

The attempt to prepare hitherto unknown homopolyatomic cations of sulfur by the reaction of elemental sulfur with blue S8(AsF6)2 in liquid SO2/SO2ClF, led to red (in transmitted light) crystals identified crystallographically as S8(AsF6)2. The X-ray structure of this salt was redetermined with improved resolution and corrected for librational motion: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), Z = 8, a = 14.986(2) A, b = 13.396(2) A, c = 16.351(2) A, beta = 108.12(1) degrees. The gas phase structures of E8(2+) and neutral E8 (E = S, Se) were examined by ab initio methods (B3PW91, MPW1PW91) leading to delta fH theta[S8(2+), g] = 2151 kJ/mol and delta fH theta[Se8(2+), g] = 2071 kJ/mol. The observed solid state structures of S8(2+) and Se8(2+) with the unusually long transannular bonds of 2.8-2.9 A were reproduced computationally for the first time, and the E8(2+) dications were shown to be unstable toward all stoichiometrically possible dissociation products En+ and/or E4(2+) [n = 2-7, exothermic by 21-207 kJ/mol (E = S), 6-151 kJ/mol (E = Se)]. Lattice potential energies of the hexafluoroarsenate salts of the latter cations were estimated showing that S8(AsF6)2 [Se8(AsF6)2] is lattice stabilized in the solid state relative to the corresponding AsF6- salts of the stoichiometrically possible dissociation products by at least 116 [204] kJ/mol. The fluoride ion affinity of AsF5(g) was calculated to be 430.5 +/- 5.5 kJ/mol [average B3PW91 and MPW1PW91 with the 6-311 + G(3df) basis set]. The experimental and calculated FT-Raman spectra of E8(AsF6)2 are in good agreement and show the presence of a cross ring vibration with an experimental (calculated, scaled) stretching frequency of 282 (292) cm-1 for S8(2+) and 130 (133) cm-1 for Se8(2+). An atoms in molecules analysis (AIM) of E8(2+) (E = S, Se) gave eight bond critical points between ring atoms and a ninth transannular (E3-E7) bond critical point, as well as three ring and one cage critical points. The cage bonding was supported by a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis which showed, in addition to the E8 sigma-bonded framework, weak pi bonding around the ring as well as numerous other weak interactions, the strongest of which is the weak transannular E3-E7 [2.86 A (S8(2+), 2.91 A (Se8(2+)] bond. The positive charge is delocalized over all atoms, decreasing the Coulombic repulsion between positively charged atoms relative to that in the less stable S8-like exo-exo E8(2+) isomer. The overall geometry was accounted for by the Wade-Mingos rules, further supporting the case for cage bonding. The bonding in Te8(2+) is similar, but with a stronger transannular E3-E7 (E = Te) bonding. The bonding in E8(2+) (E = S, Se, Te) can also be understood in terms of a sigma-bonded E8 framework with additional bonding and charge delocalization occurring by a combination of transannular n pi *-n pi * (n = 3, 4, 5), and np2-->n sigma * bonding. The classically bonded S8(2+) (Se8(2+) dication containing a short transannular S(+)-S+ (Se(+)-Se+) bond of 2.20 (2.57) A is 29 (6) kJ/mol higher in energy than the observed structure in which the positive charge is delocalized over all eight chalcogen atoms.     

A highly stereoselective, modular route to (E)-vinylsulfones and to (Z)- and (E)-alkenes

A recently discovered radical fragmentation of 2-fluoro-6-pyridinoxy derivatives allows a new highly stereoselective and convergent route to (E)-vinylsulfones from allylic alcohols. Reductive desulfonylation or nickel-catalyzed couplings furnish di- and trisubstituted (E)- and (Z)-alkenes.     

The reaction of (4R,5R)- and (4S,5S)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoates and secondary amines.

A reaction of methyl (4R,5R)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoate 1 with N-benzylmethylamine gave a diastereomerically pure methyl (4R,5R)-4,5-epoxy-(3S)-N-benzylmethylamino hexanoate 6 and methyl (4S,5R)-4-N-benzyl-methylamino-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 7. The former was chemoenzymatically converted to (-)-osmundalactone 11, which is an aglycone of osmundalin. On the other hand, the directly conjugated addition of dimethylamine to methyl (4S,5S)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoate 1 followed by treatment with MeOH at 40 degrees C exclusively provided methyl (4R,5S)-4-dimethylamino-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 16, which was converted into L-(-)-forosamine 18.     

General route to 4a-methylhydrofluorene diterpenoids: total syntheses of (+/-)-taiwaniaquinones d and h, (+/-)-taiwaniaquinol B, (+/-)-dichroanal B, and (+/-)-dichroanone

A general and convergent route for the synthesis of the 4a-methylhydrofluorene diterpenoids has been established through a common hexahydrofluorenone intermediate (10) obtained via Pd(0)-catalyzed reductive cyclization of a substituted 2-(2-bromobenzyl) methylene cyclohexane (13). The strategy has been successfully utilized for the synthesis of (+/-)-taiwaniaquinones D (3) and H (5), (+/-)-taiwaniaquinol B (1), (+/-)-dichroanal B (7), and (+/-)-dichroanone (8).     

Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed cyclization of 2,3-allenoic acids in the presence of terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated alkynones: a one-pot highly stereoselective synthesis of 4-(3'-oxo-1'(E)-alkenyl)-2(5H)-furanones

The Pd(OAc) 2-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2,3-allenoic acids in the presence of terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated alkynones afforded an E/ Z mixture of 4-(3'-oxo-1'-alkenyl)-2(5 H)-furanones. A subsequent complete isomerization of the Z-isomer to E-isomer was observed in DMSO at 90 degrees C, which led to a highly stereoselective synthesis of 4-(3'-oxo-1'( E)-alkenyl)-2(5 H)-furanones. A possible mechanism is proposed.