A new synthesis of cytotoxic ( )-7-epi-Goniofufurone

Cytotoxic styryl lactone, ( )-7-epi-Gonioftifurone (1), has been prepared with a new route from 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-iso-propylidene-5-C-phenyl-β-L-ido-pentofuranose (6), a derivative of ( )-glucose. Treatment of 14 with HCl solution cleaved TBDMS and isopropylidene and simultaneously caused ring closure to afford 1 while treatment of 14 with Sc(OTf)3 only removed TBDMS to give 15.     

Direct synthesis of acetals by rhodium catalysed hydroformylation of alkenes in the presence of orthoformate

The two catalyst precursors [Rh₂(μ-penicillamine)₂(CO)₄][OTf]₂ and [Rh₂(μ-cysteine)₂(CO)₄][OTf]₂ in the presence of 4 equivalents of P(OPh)₃ in triethyl orthoformate as solvent and reactant, permit the low pressure hydroformylation of various alkenes into the corresponding acetals. Apart from a few low-yield by-products resulting from isomerization of the substrates, the carbonylated products obtained directly and exclusively are acetals.     

2-(Prenyloxymethyl)benzoyl (POMB) as a new temporary protecting group for alcohols

The 2-(prenyloxymethyl)benzoyl (POMB) group was introduced in high yields to hydroxyl functions using the crystalline reagent, 2-(prenyloxymethyl)benzoic acid, in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). 2-(Prenyloxymethyl)benzoic acid is readily available, in two steps, from phthalide in 65% overall yield. The POMB group can be cleaved, in two steps, by treatment with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanoquinone (DDQ) followed by intramolecular lactonisation of the resulting hydroxy ester induced by a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)₃·H₂O. The reaction conditions are compatible with the presence of a number of protecting groups such as isopropylidene, benzyl, acetyl, chloroacetyl, benzoyl, levulinoyl, Fmoc and Boc groups.     

Indium(III) triflate catalysed transacetalisation reactions of diols and triols under solvent-free conditions

Acyclic acetals and ketals undergo transacetalisation in the presence of catalytic quantities of indium(III) triflate (In(OTf)₃) and diols or triols under solvent-free conditions to generate the corresponding cyclic acetals and ketals in excellent yield. The methodology has been further developed to encompass a tandem acetalisation-acetal exchange protocol, which provides a facile and high yielding route to cyclic ketals from unreactive ketones under very mild reaction conditions.     

Solvent-switchable Acetalization by Yb（OTf）3-Catalyzed Procedures

O,O＇Diethyl acetals were prepared in high yields under mild conditions via the reaction of triethyl orthoformate with aldehydes and ketones in absolute ethanol in the presence of as low as 0.1 tool% of Yb（OTf）3. Using the same catalyst in THF-H2O, these O,O＇-diethyl acetals could be converted to the corresponding carbonyl compounds efficiently. This new protection-deprotection protocol presents the advantages of ease of execution, high efficiency and good chemoselectivity.     

Ring-opening polymerization of lactones by rare-earth metal triflates and by their reusable system in ionic liquids

The ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of lactones catalyzed by rare-earth metal trifluoromethanesulfonates (triflates) (RE(OTf)₃) were examined. Among various complexes, scandium triflate (Sc(OTf)₃) emerged as an effective catalyst in toluene. The ROP of lactones by Sc(OTf)₃ proceeded in a living fashion, and the number of polymer molecules was controlled by the amount of protic additives such as benzyl alcohol and H₂O. In other words, one molecule of Sc(OTf)₃ catalytically produced a number of polymer molecules (up to 40 molecules) depending on the amount of protic additives. The plausible mechanism was depicted as an activated monomer mechanism. The polylactones with a number-average molecular weight over 25,000 were successfully synthesized. Immobilization of RE(OTf)₃ was investigated in three ionic liquids, and cerium triflate (Ce(OTf)₄) showed relatively high catalytic activity in a biphasic system of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluoroantimonate and toluene in the ROP of ?-caprolactone (CL). The ionic liquid containing Ce(OTf)₄ was used, at least three times, in the ROP of CL without losing catalytic activity.     

Bi(OTf)3 catalyzed disproportionation reaction of cinnamyl alcohols

Bi(OTf)₃ catalyzed disproportionation reaction of cinnamyl alcohols provides chalcones and benzyl styrenes. The use of various metal triflates is investigated herein for facile and efficient redox transformation. A plausible mechanism has been proposed.     

Group 3 metal (Sc, La) triflates as catalysts for the carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate under mild conditions

The activity of Sc(OTf)₃ and La(OTf)₃ (OTf=SO₃CF₃) as catalysts for the phosgene-free synthesis of carbamate esters via carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate (DMC) has been investigated. In the presence of M(OTf)₃ (M=Sc, La), primary and secondary aliphatic amines easily react with dimethylcarbonate, under very mild conditions (20 °C), to afford carbamate esters with good yield and excellent selectivity (≌100%). Sc(OTf)₃ is a more effective catalyst than the homologue La salt. The carbomethoxylation reaction requires as strict anhydrous conditions, as, at 20 °C, the presence of water inhibits markedly the catalytic activity of both triflate salts. Temperature influences carbamate selectivity, which is lower at higher temperature because of deleterious formation of N-methylation side-products.     

Remote stereocontrol by sulfinyl groups: hydrocyanation of δ-ketosulfoxides

Reactions of (2-p-tolylsulfinyl)benzyl alkyl (and aryl) ketones (δ-ketosulfoxides) with Et₂AlCN in the presence of Yb(OTf)₃ take place in a completely stereoselective manner, demonstrating the efficiency of the sulfinyl group in the control of the stereoselectivity of 1,5-asymmetric hydrocyanation processes as well as the ability of Yb(OTf)₃ to form chelated species with ketosulfoxides. The behavior of their methyl derivatives at the benzylic position is dependent on the configuration at the chiral carbon. The resulting sulfinyl cyanohydrins were readily transformed into α-hydroxyamides by hydrolysis of the CN group and hydrogenolysis of the C-S bond.     

Stereoselective diversity-oriented syntheses of functionalized saccharides from bicyclic carbohydrate 1,2-lactones

Bicyclic carbohydrate 1,2-lactones have been synthesized in only two steps and high yields by saponification and subsequent cyclization from known malonate addition products to glycals. The gluco-configured lactone serves as an important precursor for diversity-oriented syntheses. Thus, stereoselective opening of the lactone ring was realized with various nucleophiles in the presence of Sc(OTf)₃. This enabled the introduction of different substituents at the anomeric position, to afford a broad variety of 1-functionalized carbohydrates. On the other hand, stereoselective α-substitution of the gluco-configured lactone with different electrophiles and subsequent ring opening gives a collection of 2-functionalized saccharides. More than 30 products have been isolated in analytically pure form, and their configurations were unequivocally established by various NMR methods. Thus, carbohydrate 1,2-lactones are attractive precursors for the stereoselective synthesis of diverse saccharides.     

Stereocontrol in radical polymerization of acrylic monomers

A clear effect of Lewis acids, such. as scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate [Sc(OTf)₃], on stereocontrol during the radical polymerization of a designed monomer, benzyl α-(methoxymethyl)acrylate was found. This Lewis acid also influenced the stereochemistry in the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate giving a less syndiotactic and more isotactic polymer, although many Lewis acids were not effective. A catalytic amount of Lewis acids, such as Y(OTf)₃ and Yb(OTf)₃, also significantly enhanced isotactic-specificity during the radical polymerization of acrylamide and its derivatives, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N,N-dimethylacrylamide. Obvious solvent and temperature effects on tacticity were observed in these polymerizations, and poly(NIPAM) with >80% triad isotactic content has been obtained in the presence of Lewis acids.     

Selective cleavage of acetals with ZnBr2 in dichloromethane

A selective cleavage of acetals of 1,2- and 1,3-diols has been achieved under mild conditions using ZnBr₂ in dichloromethane at room temperature. Acetal types cleavable by this procedure include benzylidene, isopropylidene and cyclohexylidene acetals. This method is compatible with several other types of hydroxyl protecting groups such as Bn, Bz, TBDPS, TIPS and TBDMS.     

A one-pot selective deprotective acetylation of benzyl ethers and OTBDMS ethers using the BF3·Et2O-NaI-Ac2O reagent system

An efficient selective deprotection followed by acetylation of several benzyl ethers, including 6-OBn ethers of monosaccharides, and -OTBDMS ethers has been developed by using the BF₃·Et₂O-NaI-Ac₂O reagent system. In addition, both benzylidene and isopropylidene groups are deprotected to form the corresponding diacetates.     

Stereocontrol during the free‐radical polymerization of methacrylates with Lewis acids

The free‐radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, and 2‐methoxyethyl methacrylate were carried out in the presence of various Lewis acids. The MMA polymerization in the presence of scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate [Sc(OTf)₃] in toluene or CHCl₃ produced a polymer with a higher isotacticity and heterotacticity than that produced in the absence of Sc(OTf)₃. Similar effects were observed during the polymerization of the other monomers. ScCl₃, Yb(OTf)₃, Er(OTf)₃, HfCl₄, HfBr₄, and In(OTf)₃ also increased the isotacticity and heterotacticity of the polymers. The effects of the Lewis acids were greater in a solvent with a lower polarity and were negligible in tetrahydrofuran and N,N‐dimethylformamide. Sc(OTf)₃ was also found to accelerate the polymerization of MMA. On the basis of an NMR analysis of a mixture of Sc(OTf)₃, MMA, and poly(methyl methacrylate), the monomer–Sc(OTf)₃ interaction seems to be involved in the stereochemical mechanism of the polymerization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1463–1471, 2001     

Slow Reactant–Water Exchange and High Catalytic Performance of Water‐Tolerant Lewis Acids

³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic measurement with trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO) was applied to evaluate the Lewis acid catalysis of various metal triflates in water. The original ³¹P NMR chemical shift and line width of TMPO is changed by the direct interaction of TMPO molecules with the Lewis acid sites of metal triflates. [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] had larger changes in ³¹P chemical shift and line width by formation of the Lewis acid–TMPO complex than other metal triflates. It originates from the strong interaction between the Lewis acid and TMPO, which results in higher stability of [Sc(OTf)₃TMPO] and [In(OTf)₃TMPO] complexes than other metal triflate–TMPO complexes. The catalytic activities of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] for Lewis acid‐catalyzed reactions with carbonyl compounds in water were far superior to the other metal triflates, which indicates that the high stability of metal triflate–carbonyl compound complexes cause high catalytic performance for these reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggests that low LUMO levels of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] would be responsible for the formation of stable coordination intermediate with nucleophilic reactant in water.     

Ytterbium(III) Triflate as an Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Perimidine Derivatives under Mild Conditions

Various biologically important perimidine derivatives have been efficiently synthesized in excellent yields using naphthalene‐1,8‐diamine with various ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)₃. The influence of the loading of Yb(OTf)₃, reaction solvent, the structure of ketones was studied. This method is a very easy, simple and high yielding reaction for the synthesis of perimidine derivatives.     

A simple and versatile method for the synthesis of acetals from aldehydes and ketones using bismuth triflate

Acetals are obtained in good yields by treatment of aldehydes and ketones with trialkyl orthoformate and the corresponding alcohol in the presence of 0.1 mol % Bi(OTf)3.4H2O. A simple procedure for the formation of acetals of diaryl ketones has also been developed. The conversion of carbonyl compounds to the corresponding 1,3-dioxolane using ethylene glycol is also catalyzed by Bi(OTf)3.4H2O (1 mol %). Two methods, both of which avoid the use of benzene, have been developed.     

Adamantylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds

Reactions of adamantan-1-ol with β-dicarbonyl compounds in 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of In(OTf)₃, Ga(OTf)₃, Sc(OTf)₃, or Cu(OTf)₂ give the corresponding adamantylated derivatives in 45–93% yields.     

Chemoselectivity as a Delineator of Cuprate Structure in Catalytic 1,4‐Addition of Diorganozinc Reagents to Michael Acceptors

Reaction of the cyclic thioacetal (RS)₂CHCHO [R=1/2×? (CH₂)₃? ] with HCCCOMe, followed by treatment with TsCl/DABCO (Ts=tosyl, DABCO=1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) affords the mono‐protected 1,4‐benzoquinone dithioacetal. The reactivity of this SR‐protected 1,4‐benzoquinone has been compared with the behavior of the analogous OR‐protected acetal in copper‐catalyzed additions of ZnMe₂ by using chiral phosphoramidite ligands. The activation energy for 1,4‐methylation of the latter OR‐acetals with ZnMe₂ (>95 % ee) has been determined for two CuX₂ pre‐catalysts (X=OAc, 12.2 kcal mol^?1; X=OTf, 6.7 kcal mol^?1; Tf=triflate). The dithioacetal SR aromatizes in the presence of Cu^I/ZnMe₂ giving 1,4‐HOC₆H₄S(CH₂)₃SMe through C? S bond formation. The disparate behavior of these two very closely related substrates is in accordance with the formation of closely related cuprate intermediates that were optimized by DFT calculations, supporting the synthetic and kinetic studies and thus defining the mechanisms of both pathways.     

A Systems Approach to a One-Pot Electrochemical Wittig Olefination Avoiding the Use of Chemical Reductant or Sacrificial Electrode

An unprecedented one-pot fully electrochemically driven Wittig olefination reaction system without employing a chemical reductant or sacrificial electrode material to regenerate triphenylphosphine (TPP) from triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) and base-free in situ formation of Wittig ylides, is reported. Starting from TPPO, the initial step of the phosphoryl P=O bond activation proceeds through alkylation with RX (R=Me, Et; X=OSO₂CF₃ (OTf)), affording the corresponding [Ph₃POR]⁺X⁻ salts which undergo efficient electroreduction to TPP in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of the Sc(OTf)₃ Lewis acid on a Ag-electrode. Subsequent alkylation of TPP affords Ph₃PR⁺ which enables a facile and efficient electrochemical in situ formation of the corresponding Wittig ylide under base-free condition and their direct use for the olefination of various carbonyl compounds. The mechanism and, in particular, the intriguing role of Sc³⁺ as mediator in the TPPO electroreduction been uncovered by density functional theory calculations.