Efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-δ-azaproline starting from (R)-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone via the Mitsunobu reaction

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure orthogonally protected δ-azaproline has been performed in five steps including two successive Mitsunobu reactions starting from benzyloxycarbonylaminophthalimide and the (R)-α-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone.     

(R)-4-menthen-3-one in the synthesis of (3S)-methylundecand (2S)-methyldec-1-ylbromides, key synthons for (S,S,S)-diprionylacetate

New capabilities for the synthetic use of (R)-4-menthen-3-one were demonstrated using as examples (3S)-methylundec- and (2S)-methyldec-1-ylbromides, key synthons for (S,S,S)-diprionylacetate (sex pheromone of pine sawflies of genera Diprion and Neodiprion).     

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols has been established starting from 2-benzyloxymethylpyrrolidin-2-one framework, which is derived from commercially available trans-(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. The single diastereomer having a trans–cis relative configuration with C₂ and C₃ and C₃ and C₄ is constructed in two one-pot functional group transformations of Grignard addition/dehydration and epoxidation/isomerization as the key steps in moderate yield.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols from (R)-cyanohydrins

Vinyl substituted (1R,2S)-amino alcohols 5 were obtained by addition of vinyl magnesium bromide to the corresponding cyanohydrin O-trimethylsilyl ethers (R)-2. The O- and N-protected vinyl amino alcohols 6 were ozonized at −78°C in methanol yielding (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,3-diols7 in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excesses. For purification, compounds 7 in some cases were acetylated to give the derivatives (1R,2S)-8. Racemic 6a was converted by oxidative ozonolysis at −78°C in methanolic NaOH solution to the corresponding methyl N-acetyl-β-hydroxy propanoate 9a. The configuration of (1R,2S)-8a was confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of β-blockers: (S)-propranolol and (S)-naftopidil

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of β-adrenergic blockers (S)-propranolol and (S)-naftopidil with >98% ee using an l-proline-catalyzed α-aminoxylation of an aldehyde as a key step is described.     

First synthesis of enantiomerically pure (1S,2S)- and (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclobutanecarboxylic acid–ornithine derivative–, from racemic 2-aminocyclobutanone

An easy and efficient one-pot reaction from readily available 2-(N-Cbz) aminocyclobutanone selectively gave, by means of an asymmetric Strecker synthesis in the presence of a chiral benzylic amine, the thermodynamic 1,2-diamino nitriles. Basic hydrolysis, cleavage of the benzylic group and acidic hydrolysis of the resulting trans-1,2-diaminocyclobutanecarbonitrile gave, in a four-step sequence from the ketone, (1S,2S)- or (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclobutanecarboxylic acid, ornithine derivatives. The absolute configuration has been established by X-ray analysis of the corresponding trans-diamino amide.     

The stereochemistry of the dichlorocobalt(III) complexes with (2S,5S,9S)- and (2S,5R,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamines

Dichlorocobalt(III) complexes of (2S,5S,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamine (L₁) and (2S,5R,9S)-trimethyltriethylenetetraamine (L₂) have been prepared. Both L₁ and L₂ coordinate to the cobalt(III) ion to give three isomers: Λ-cis-α, Δ-cis-β, trans isomers for L₁ and Δ-cis-α, Δ-cis-β, trans isomers for L₂. Each of the trans-dichloro complexes of the two ligands have been isomerized stereospecifically to the cis-α-dichloro complex in methanol, and each of the cis-α-dichloro complexes stereospecifically to the trans-diaqua complex in water. Both the geometrical and optical inversions took place at the same time in the observed stereospecific isomerizations.     

A stereoselective synthesis of (2S,4R)-δ-hydroxyleucine methyl ester: a component of cyclomarin A

(2S,4R)-δ-Hydroxyleucine methyl ester, the N-demethyl analogue of an amino acid contained within the macrocycle of cyclomarin A, was successfully synthesized using Davis’ asymmetric Strecker reaction.     

Asymmetric synthesis of a sex pheromone (3S,5R,6S)-3,5-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one

An Oppolzer anti-aldol approach for the synthesis of the sex pheromone (3S,5R,6S)-3,5-dimethyl-6-isopropyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyran-2-one is reported.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-(6R,2′S)-cryptocaryalactone and (−)-(6S,2′S)-epi cryptocaryalactone

The total synthesis of (+)-(6R,2′S)-cryptocaryalactone and (−)-(6S,2′S)-epi cryptocaryalactone is reported based on stereoselective reduction of δ-hydroxy β-keto ester to install 1,3-polyol system, cis Wittig olefination, and lactonization as the key steps. The synthesis of (−)-(6S,2′S)-epi cryptocaryalactone is also reported using syn-benzylidene acetal formation and a preferential Z-Wittig olefination reaction and lactonization as the key steps.     

(3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol as an isofagomine analogue: synthesis and glycosidase inhibition study

The synthesis of (3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol 10 has been described from d-glucose. The base promoted cyclization for the construction of the piperdine framework is the key step of the synthesis.     

A convenient formal synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy pipecolic acid

A convenient synthesis of (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy pipecolic acid starting from inexpensive and easily available l-(+)-tartaric acid has been described.     

Diastereoselective allylation of N-glyoxyloyl-(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam and (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl glyoxylate: synthesis of (2S,4S)-2-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-4-butanolide

The diastereoselective addition of allylsilanes and allylstannanes to N-glyoxyloyl-(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam 1 and (1R)-8-phenylmenthyl glyoxylate 7 in the presence of Lewis acids has been studied. We obtained diastereoselectivities up to 84% and 94% for the allylation of 2 and 7, respectively. The application of the allylation products of 1 or 2 in the synthesis of 4-butanolides, for example (2S,4S)-2-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-4-butanolide 13 is presented.     

Baker's yeast mediated enantiospecific synthesis of anti-(2R,3R)-p-chloro-3-hydroxytyrosine: an α-amino-β-hydroxy acid of vancomycin

Baker's yeast mediated reduction of α-azido-β-keto ester lead to reduction of the carbonyl group with high enantiospecificity and diastereoselectivity at low pH (4.0, e.e. >99%, d.e. 79%). At pH 7, although the enantioselectivity is maintained, the diastereoselectivity is lost.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (R)- and (S)-1-heteroarylethanols

A chemoenzymatic methodology for the synthesis of highly enantiomerically enriched (S)- and (R)-1-heteroarylethanols by enantioselective bioreduction with baker’s yeast of the corresponding 1-heteroarylethanones followed by three racemization free chemical steps including a Mitsunobu reaction was developed.     

Total synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyprolines, -threo- -norvaline and (2S,3R,4R)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester

The Henry reaction between -glyceraldehyde and ethyl nitroacetate allowed the practical development of a diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4,5-trihydroxy-2-nitropentanoic acid esters, which were reduced to polyoxamic acids, which were used in a new diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyprolines and new enantioselective syntheses of -threo- -norvaline and (2S,3R,4R)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester.     

A novel method for the synthesis of (Z)-α-selenyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones via acylation of (E)-α-selanylvinylstannanes

The (E)-α-selenylvinylstannanes react with acyl halides in presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₄ to give the corresponding (Z)-α-selenyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones in good yield.