Towards the synthesis of [15]-membered stevastelins through the 2,3-epoxy analogues

A synthetic approach to the [15]-membered stevastelins, a novel class of immunosuppressant agents, is reported based on a macrolactamization route to the 2,3-epoxy derivative 6. The synthesis of this compound was achieved via a stereoselective epoxidation of the allylic alcohol 13, followed by a coupling reaction with a variety of peptide derivatives to give the epoxy peptides 7-10. After an extensive study of cyclizations with these precursors, the best result was achieved with the macrolactamization of 8 in the presence of DEPC, to obtain the epoxy cyclic depsipeptide 6 in 42% yield. From this product, an epoxy analogue of stevastelin B, compound 27, was prepared. Finally, the synthesis of the natural product was attempted through the opening of the oxirane ring contained in 6 and 26, with a variety of methyl cuprate reagents, but without success.     

First total synthesis of modiolide A, based on the whole-cell yeast-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of a propargyl ketone

While the first total synthesis of modiolide A (1a), a 10-membered ring lactone with a marine-origin was achieved, an important chiral building block for constructing the chirality at C-4 in 1a, (S)-6-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-1-trimethylsilyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (3a) was obtained in as high as 96.1% ee. Asymmetric reduction of a silylated propargyl ketone (5) mediated by whole-cell of Pichia minuta IAM 12215 was established. This yeast-mediated reduction was also applicable to provide stereochemically pure (3S,5R)-5-[(4-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-1-trimethylsilyl-1-hexyn-3-ol (15), a synthetic intermediate for the related 10-membered lactone, tuckolide (16).     

Chemoselective asymmetric synthesis of C-3a-(3-hydroxypropyl)tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole and C-4a-(2-aminoethyl)-tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole derivatives

The asymmetric synthesis of new tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole 19 and tetrahydropyrano[2,3-b]indole 20 rings, substituted in position C-3a and C-4a with a hydroxy- and an amino functionalized chain, respectively, was performed starting from the racemic spiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-indoline]-2′,4-diones 7. The enantiopure spiro oxo-azepinoindolinone (+)-10, obtained from (±)-7 by the way of an asymmetric ring enlargement, and the amino acid (+)-14, obtained by the hydrolysis of 10, were prepared as key intermediates for the synthesis of enantiopure compounds (−)-19 and (−)-20. Since the amino acid 14 is the common intermediate for the chemoselective preparation of derivatives 19 and 20, experimental and computational studies were performed in order to selectively obtain these compounds and to provide a mechanistic rationalization for their formation.     

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.     

Synthesis of E-deoxypukalide, and its biomimetic conversion into deoxypseudopterolide by photochemical ring contraction involving a 1,3-allylic shift

Irradiation of a solution of synthetic Z-deoxypukalide 10 in acetonitrile (Pyrex; 400 W Hg lamp) resulted in isomerisation, leading to E-deoxypukalide 12, which was isolated recently from the octocoral Leptogorgia spp. Further irradiation of 12, or prolonged irradiation of 10, then gave the ring-contracted product, deoxypseudopterolide 1 (>90%) found in octocorals of the genera Pseudopterogorgia and Leptogorgia. The contraction of the 14-membered rings in 10 and 12 to the 12-membered ring as 1, occurs by way of photochemical [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Formation of spiro ketolactones versus alkoxy radical fragmentation-promoted three-atom ring enlarged lactones from cyclic ketones

A dual pathway from readily available 2-allyl-2-carboethoxycycloalkanones 1 provides a new facile stereoselective synthesis either of functionalized spiro ketolactones 4 or of ring enlarged lactones 7 in one-step. Thus, iodination of 5-8-membered 2-allyl-2-carboethoxycycloalkanones 1a-d led, in excellent yields, to spiro ketolactones 4a-d, respectively, as single stereoisomers. On the other hand, iodination of 1a-d under alkoxy radical fragmentation conditions via incipient hemiketals produced the 8-, 9-, 10-, or 11-membered, three-atom ring enlarged, poly-functionalized lactones 7a-c as two stereoisomers and 8 as a single isomer.     

An intramolecular [4+3]-cycloaddition approach to rameswaralide inspired by biosynthesis speculation

A concise synthesis of the polycycle 27, which incorporates the 5,5,7-tricyclic ring core of rameswaralide 1, using a biogenetically inspired acid-catalysed [4+3]-cycloaddition approach starting from the furanobutenolide 26 is described, namely, 26→28/29→27. Under thermal conditions, the same furanobutenolide 26 gives the alternative polycyclic compound 35, resulting from a [4+2]-cycloaddition involving the furan as dienophile.     

The synthesis, using microwave irradiation and characterization of novel, metal-free and metallophthalocyanines

The synthesis of novel metal-free (4) and metallophthalocyanines (5, 6, 7 and 8) were prepared by cyclotetramerization of a novel 4-[2-(1-naphthyloxy)ethoxy]phthalonitrile (3). New substitute phthalocyanines showed the enhanced solubility in organic solvents. The new compounds were characterized by a combination of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV-Vis and MS spectral data.     

Synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvenes and their transformation to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones: photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward amines

The synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvene [5-(4,9-methanocycloundeca-2′,4′,6′,8′,10′-pentaenylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-trione] derivatives 8a,b were studied. Their structural characteristics were investigated on the basis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV-vis spectra. The rotational barrier (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of 8a was found to be 12.55 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurement. The electrochemical properties of 8a,b were also studied by CV measurement. Furthermore, the transformation of 8a,b to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 16a,b was accomplished by oxidative cyclization using DDQ and subsequent ring-opening and ring-closure. The structural details and chemical properties of 16a,b were clarified. Reaction of 16a with deuteride afforded C13-adduct 19 as the single product, and thus, the methano-bridge controls the nucleophilic attack to prefer endo-selectivity. The photo-induced oxidation reaction of 16a and a vinylogous compound, 3-methylcyclohepta[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione 2a, toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) with the recycling number of 6.1-64.0 (for 16a) and 2.7-17.2 (for 2a), respectively.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of a new soluble metal-free and metallophthalocyanines peripherally fused to four 18-membered tetrathiadiaza macrocycles

Preparation of some novel symmetrically tetrasubstituted metal-free phthalocyanine (6) and metallophthalocyanines (7-10) containing four 18-membered tetrathiadiaza macrocycles moieties on peripheral positions has been achieved by cyclotetramerization reaction of phthalonitrile derivative (5) in a multi-step reaction sequence. Metal-free phthalocyanine (6) was synthesized by microwave irradiation of 13,24-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-6,7,14,15,23,24-hexahydro-13H,22H-tribenzo[b,h,n][1,4,10,13,7,16]tetrathiadiazacyclo-octadecine-18,19-dicarbonitrile (5) in 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol. The metallophthalocyanines (7-10) were prepared by the reaction of the phthalonitrile compound (5) with NiCl₂, Zn(CH₃COO)₂, CoCl₂, CuCl₂ salts, respectively, by microwave irradiation in 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol for at 175 °C, 350 W. The new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis and MS spectra data.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of azepine-based cryptophycin mimetics

Cryptophycins, depsipeptides isolated from terrestrial blue-green algae, show potent activity against a variety of tumor cell lines. Given the potential of the cryptophycins for cancer therapy, we developed a new class of non-peptide peptidomimetic, designed to replace the 16-membered macrolide ring with a 7-membered azepine ring for attachment of the cryptophycin side chains with the required spatial orientation to mimic the conformation of the relevant region of the natural product. Monte Carlo conformational analysis revealed excellent overlay of the local minimum structural model 6 and X-ray structure of (+)-cryptophycin-3 (5). Starting from this structural model, we designed and synthesized compounds (+)-25, (+)-30, and (+)-34 as potential mimics of cryptophycins. Compounds (+)-25, (+)-30, and (+)-34 were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell lines. Although only modest activities were observed, these results suggested that a new series of bioactive cryptophycin analogues might be available by structural modification of the central ring system of the cryptophycins.     

Synthesis of new calix[4]arenes containing nucleoside bases

A family of novel calix[4]arene derivatives containing nucleoside bases were designed and synthesized. Coupling reaction between para mono- or bis-amino calix[4]arenes 5, 6 or 7 and thymin-1-ylacetic acid in the presence of DCC afforded mono- or bis-thymine-substituted calix[4]arenes 8, 9 or 10 in over 70% yield. Owing to the low solubility of adenine-N⁹-ylacetic acid in DMF and DMSO and the weak nucleophilicity of aminocalix[4]arene derivatives, alternatively, the substitution reaction of bromoacetylated aminocalix[4]arenes derivatives 11, 12, 13 with adenine in the presence of sodium hydride was carried out to synthesize mono- or bis-adenine-substituted calix[4]arenes. Two kinds of isomers 15 and 16 or 17 and 18 were obtained due to the non-regiospecific alkylation of adenine, and their structures have been confirmed by ¹³C NMR and ¹H NMR spectra.     

New norditerpenoids from Cespitularia hypotentaculata

Four new norditerpenoids, designated as cespihypotins A (1), B (2), C (3) and D (4), were isolated from Cespitularia hypotentaculata Roxas (Xeniidae) that was collected in Taiwan. Compounds 1 and 2 are unprecedented structures having 13- and 14-membered lactone ring, respectively. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. A plausible biogenetic pathway for compounds 1-4 was also proposed.     

Unexpected behavior of 6H,13H-5:12,7:14-dimethanedibenzo[d,i][1,3,6,8]tetraazecine (DMDBTA) toward phenols

A new 20-membered octaazamacrocyclic compound named 1:4,6:9,11:14,16:19-tetramethylentetrabenzo[b,g,l,q][1,4,6,9,11,14,16,19]octaazaeicocine (TTBOE) (9) has been prepared by means of in situ one-pot synthesis between the aminal 6H,13H-5:12,7:14-dimethanedibenzo[d,i][1,3,6,8]tetraazecine (DMDBTA) (3) and electron-deficient phenols. Otherwise, electron-rich phenols such as 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol or 2-naphthol produce an ortho-regioselective aminomethylation resulting in 2-(1H-benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol (7) and 1-(1H-benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2-naphthol (8) in a Mannich type reaction in a basic medium. Moreover, obtainment of 1,1′-methylenbis(1H-benzimidazole) (15) from TTBOE is discussed.     

A strategy towards the synthesis of plumarellide based on biosynthesis speculation,featuring a transannular 4+2 type cyclisation from a cembranoid furanoxonium ion intermediate

In studies towards a biomimetic synthesis of plumarellide 1, acid-catalysed rearrangement of the furanobutenolide-based acetonide 10b led to the ring system 15b in plumarellide together with the cycloheptene-based ring system 11 found in rameswaralide 4, in a combined yield of 60%. RCM of the ω-dienes 30a and 30b led to the macrocycles 38a and 38b, respectively with the Z-configuration. Treatment of the vinyl bromide/vinyl stannanes 32a and 47 under Stille conditions failed to give the macrocycles 31a and 48, respectively. Reactions of the macrocycles 38a and 38b with TFA containing water produced the 5,6,7-tricyclic compounds 56a and 56b, respectively in >90% yield, instead of the plumarellide-based ring system 52. A summary and perspective on possible pathways from the C-13 acetoxy furanocembranoid 66 and from the C13–C14 unsaturated enol ether/cyclic hemiketal 9/59 to plumarellide 1 in vivo is given.     

Synthesis of a series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides

A series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides 1a-d, analogues of 3TC that has high biological activities against HIV and HBV, have been synthesized from the gem-difluorohomoallyl amine 7 in a straightforward fashion. Our synthesis featured the construction of thiofuranose skeleton through ring closure of key intermediates and installation of pyrimidine ring with amino group in compounds 13a,b.     

A novel synthesis of aryl tethered imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones through in situ ring construction and contraction

An innovative synthesis of aryl tethered 1,3-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones 4 and 6 has been delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 6-aryl-4-(piperidin-1-yl)-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles 1 and methyl 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carboxylates 5 with 7-acetyl-1,3-dimethyllumazine 2 with subsequent ring contraction of the fused pyrimidine to an imidazole ring. An additional product, methyl [6-(1,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-5-yl)-4-thiophen-2-ylpyran-2-ylidene]acetate 8b, was also isolated from the reaction of 5 and 2, as a minor constituent.     

Experimental and theoretical approaches into the C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis. Hydride shift versus C-C bond migration due to cation conformational changes controlled by the counteranion

The C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis, how an enzyme overcomes the Markovnikov wall, were investigated by using a model compound from an experimental as well as theoretical standpoint. When model diol 20 was treated with BF₃·Et₂O, SnCl₄, TiF₄, Sc(OTf)₃, FeCl₃, or TfOH, spirocyclic ether 21 was formed as the sole product via a tert-cationic intermediate 16 through 1,2-hydride shift. However, the treatment with TiCl₄ afforded six-membered ring products 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 via the ring expansion into the unstable six-membered ring secondary cation 17. Occurrence of both α and β chloride 23 and 24 is distinctive evidence of the existence of secondary cation 17, ruling out the idea of the concerted mechanism. Molecular mechanics calculations of the naked cation 15 elucidated two possible conformers, parallel 15-I (five membered ring and cationic plane) that is favorable for the hydride shift generating 16 and perpendicular 15-II leading to C-C bond migration to 17. The first ab initio calculation of the cation conformation in the presence of counteranions such as [TiCl₄OH]⁻, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ entirely supported our experimental results. Although the counteranion [TiCl₄OH]⁻ stabilizes perpendicular cation 15-II, it destabilizes the parallel conformer 15-I significantly, and thus, the C-C bond migration to 17 becomes the only possible pass. On the other hand, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ stabilize parallel conformer 15-I and the hydride shift to 16 becomes the only possible pass. The relative location or distance of the counteranion from the cation should be the biggest factor to control the stability and, thus, the conformation of the cation. Our results indicate that the carboxylate anions in the enzyme cavity enable to control the conformation of pre-C-ring cationic intermediate 3 to be perpendicular leading to six-membered C-ring secondary cation 4. The parallel conformation of the cation 5 could lead to hydride shift to give tirucallanoids or lanostanoids. Therefore, this result is the first example that overcame the big Markovnikov wall experimentally and theoretically at least to our knowledge.     

Pd-catalyzed boronations and cross-coupling reactions of aromatic cobaltadithiolene complexes with aryl halides

The Pd-catalyzed reaction of [CpCo(S2C2(Ph)(Bpin))] (1, Bpin = 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaboronate) with 1-iodonaphthalene or 2-bromothiophene gave the cross-coupling product [CpCo(S2C2(Ph)(Ar))] (Ar = 1-Np (4) or 2-Th (5)), although an early paper described the reaction of 1 with 3-bromopyridine or 9-bromoanthracene (Ar = 3-Py (2) or 9-Anth (3)). The boronation of the brominated precursor [CpCo(S2C2(p-C6H4Br)(H))] (7) with Bpin-H in the presence of Pd catalyst gave the expected boronated product [CpCo(S2C2(p-C6H4Bpin)(H))] (8) but also underwent an unexpected direct boronation on the dithiolene carbon to form [CpCo(S2C2(p-C6H4Br)(Bpin))] (9). The brominated complex 7 or [CpCo(S2C2(Ph)(p-C6H4Br))] (10) was synthesized by thermal reaction and the microwave-enhanced reaction relatively gave better yield with shorter reaction time than that of the conventional heating reaction. The cross-coupling reactions of the boronated or [CpCo(S2C2(Ph)(p-C6H4Bpin))] (11) with aryl halides successfully produced the corresponding cross-coupling products such as [CpCo(S2C2(p-C6H4Py)(H))] (12) or [CpCo(S2C2(p-C6H4Anth)(H))] (13) from 8 and [CpCo(S2C2(Ph)(p-C6H4Py))] (14) from 11. The structures of 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Electronic absorption maxima (λ_max) due to dithiolene LMCT in dichloromethane solution can be modified in the range of 574-602 nm by a substituent effect on the dithiolene ring. Redox potentials obtained from CV measurement were also reported.     

Hetero-calix[4]pyrroles: incorporation of furans, thiophenes, thiazoles or fluorenes as a part of the macrocycle

Furans, thiazoles, fluorene or thiophene incorporated calix[4]pyrrole analogues were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis was achieved by utilization of various building blocks such as 7, 13, 14, 18 and 21. Acid catalyzed condensation of those building blocks with acetone or meso-disubstituted dipyrromethanes afforded desired macrocycles.