Total synthesis of bistramide A and its 36(Z) isomers: differential effect on cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis

The total synthesis of bistramide?A and its 36(Z),39(S) and 36(Z),39(R) isomers shows that these compounds have different effects on cell division and apoptosis. The synthesis relies on a novel enol ether-forming reaction for the spiroketal fragment, a kinetic oxa-Michael cyclization reaction for the tetrahydropyran fragment, and an asymmetric crotonylation reaction for the amino acid fragment. Preliminary biological studies show a distinct pattern of influence of each of the three compounds on cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis in HL-60 cells, thus suggesting that these effects are independent activities of the natural product.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of 2,7‐Di(trimethylsilyl)thieno[3,2‐e]benzothiophene, 1,2,5,6(5)‐Tetra(trimethylsilyl)‐1,2,5,6(2,3)‐tetrathiophenacyclooctaphan‐3(z),7(z)‐diene,and 2,7‐Di(trimethylsilyl)thieno[3,2‐e]benzothiophene‐4‐ol

With 5,5′‐di(trimethylsilanyl)‐3,3′‐bithiophenyl‐2,2′‐dicarbaldehyde as precusor, 2,7‐di(trimethylsilyl)‐thieno[3,2‐e]benzothiophene was obtained effiently via intramolecular McMurry reaction. At the same time, another two unexpected compounds, 1,2,5,6(5)‐tetra‐(trimethylsilyl)‐1,2,5,6(2,3)‐tetrathiophena‐cyclooctaphan‐3(Z),7(Z)‐diene and 2,7‐di(trimethylsilyl)thieno[3,2‐e]‐benzothiophene‐4‐ol were generated as side products. The crystal structures of all three title compounds are described.     

Total Synthesis of the Cyclic Depsipeptide Vioprolide D via its (Z)‐Diastereoisomer

The first total synthesis of vioprolide D was accomplished in an overall yield of 2.0 % starting from methyl (2S)‐3‐benzyloxy‐2‐hydroxypropanoate (16 steps in the longest linear sequence). The cyclic depsipeptide was assembled from two building blocks of similar size and complexity in a modular, highly convergent approach. Peptide bond formation at the C‐terminal dehydrobutyrine amino acid of the northern fragment was possible via its (Z)‐diastereoisomer. After macrolactamization and formation of the thiazoline ring, the (Z)‐double bond of the dehydrobutyrine unit was isomerized to the (E)‐double bond of the natural product. The cytotoxicity of vioprolide D is significantly higher than that of its (Z)‐diastereoisomer.     

Efficient and Selective Formation of Macrocyclic Disubstituted Z Alkenes by Ring‐Closing Metathesis (RCM) Reactions Catalyzed by Mo‐ or W‐Based Monoaryloxide Pyrrolide (MAP) Complexes: Applications to Total Syntheses of Epilachnene,Yuzu Lactone,Ambrettolide, Epothilone C,and Nakadomarin A

The first broadly applicable set of protocols for efficient Z‐selective formation of macrocyclic disubstituted alkenes through catalytic ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) is described. Cyclizations are performed with 1.2–7.5 mol % of a Mo‐ or W‐based monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex at 22 °C and proceed to complete conversion typically within two hours. Utility is demonstrated by synthesis of representative macrocyclic alkenes, such as natural products yuzu lactone (13‐membered ring: 73 % Z) epilachnene (15‐membered ring: 91 % Z), ambrettolide (17‐membered ring: 91 % Z), an advanced precursor to epothilones C and A (16‐membered ring: up to 97 % Z), and nakadomarin A (15‐membered ring: up to 97 % Z). We show that catalytic Z‐selective cyclizations can be performed efficiently on gram‐scale with complex molecule starting materials and catalysts that can be handled in air. We elucidate several critical principles of the catalytic protocol: 1) The complementary nature of the Mo catalysts, which deliver high activity but can be more prone towards engendering post‐RCM stereoisomerization, versus W variants, which furnish lower activity but are less inclined to cause loss of kinetic Z selectivity. 2) Reaction time is critical to retaining kinetic Z selectivity not only with MAP species but with the widely used Mo bis(hexafluoro‐tert‐butoxide) complex as well. 3) Polycyclic structures can be accessed without significant isomerization at the existing Z alkenes within the molecule.     

Total Synthesis of Rubriflordilactone B

Taking advantage of a 6π electrocyclization–aromatization strategy, we accomplished the first and asymmetric total synthesis of rubriflordilactone B, a heptacyclic Schisandraceae bisnortriterpenoid featuring a tetrasubstituted arene moiety. The left‐hand fragment was accessed through a chiral‐pool‐based route, and linked to the right‐hand fragment by a Sonogashira coupling. The cis geometry of the electrocyclization substrates was established by hydrogenation or hydrosilylation of the alkyne. An electrocyclization–aromatization sequence finally built the multisubstituted arene. The hydrosilylation approach was of significant advantage in terms of reaction scale, reproducibility, and intermediate stability. The structure of synthetic rubriflordilactone B was validated by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, and found to be consistent with that reported for the authentic natural product based on an independent X‐ray crystallographic analysis. However, obvious differences in the NMR spectra of the synthetic and authentic samples suggest that the authentic samples subjected to X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy were two different compounds.     

A Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Xyolide,a Natural Bioactive Nonenolide

A stereoselective total synthesis of xyolide, a naturally occurring bioactive nonenolide, has been accomplished. The acid fragment of the molecule has been prepared from D ‐mannitol and the alcohol fragment from (2Z)‐but‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diol. The synthesis involves the coupling of these two fragments using the Yamaguchi esterification protocol, followed by intramolecular ring‐closing methathesis. The diastereoisomeric alcohol fragment has also been utilized in this synthesis by employing the Mitsunobu esterification.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of (−)‐Oseltamivir and Mechanistic Insights into the Organocatalyzed Michael Reaction

The one‐pot sequential synthesis of (?)‐oseltamivir has been achieved without evaporation or solvent exchange in 36 % yield over seven reactions. The key step was the asymmetric Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide, catalyzed by a diphenylprolinol silyl ether. The use of a bulky O‐silyl‐substituted diphenylprolinol catalyst, chlorobenzene as a solvent, and HCO₂H as an acid additive, were key to produce the first Michael adduct in both excellent yield and excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. Investigation into the effect of acid demonstrated that an acid additive accelerates not only the E–Z isomerization of the enamines derived from pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with diphenylprolinol silyl ether, but also ring opening of the cyclobutane intermediate and the addition reaction of the enamine to (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide. The transition‐state model for the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide was proposed by consideration of the absolute configuration of the major and minor isomers of the Michael product with the results of the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with phenylmaleimide and naphthoquinone.     

Reactivity of N,N″‐1,ω‐alkanediyl‐bis‐[N′‐organylthiourea] Derivatives Towards Isatylidene Malononitrile

(Z)‐2‐(2‐Oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐2‐(substituted amino)acetonitriles, 2‐thioxoimidazolidine‐1‐carbothioamides, and 2‐thioxotetrahydropyrimidine‐1(2H)‐carbothioamides were synthesized via conventional thermal or microwave‐assisted reaction of isatylidene malononitrile with N,N″‐1,ω‐alkanediyl‐bis‐[N′‐organylthiourea] derivatives. Rationale for these conversations involving the nucleophilic addition on the dicyanomethylene carbon atom and intramolecular heterocyclization of the title compounds is presented. The structure of the (Z)‐2‐(2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐2‐(phenylamino)acetonitrile has been confirmed by the X‐ray analysis.     

Total Synthesis,Stereochemical Reassignment,and Biological Evaluation of (−)‐Lyngbyaloside B

(−)‐Lyngbyaloside B is a 14‐membered macrolide glycoside isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. as a cytotoxic substance by Moore and co‐workers. The first total synthesis of (−)‐lyngbyaloside B and the reassignment of its stereostructure is described. The synthesis features an Abiko–Masamune aldol reaction, a vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a macrocyclization involving an acyl ketene intermediate for the construction of the macrocyclic backbone, which contains an acylated tertiary alcohol. The antiproliferative activity of selected compounds against a small panel of human cancer cell lines is also reported.     

Pseudopoly(amino acid)s: Copolymerization of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L‐proline and α‐hydroxy acids

A series of novel copolymers of trans‐4‐hydroxy‐L ‐proline (Hpr) and α‐ hydroxy acids [D,L ‐mandelic acid (DLMA) and D,L ‐lactic acid (DLLA)] were synthesized via direct melt copolymerization with stannous octoate as a catalyst. These new copolymers had pendant amine functional groups along the polymer backbone chain. The optimal reaction conditions for the synthesis of the copolymers were obtained with 4 wt % stannous octoate at 140 °C under vacuum for 16 h. The synthesized copolymers were characterized by IR spectrophotometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, and Ubbelohde viscometry. The effects of the kinds of comonomers and the comonomer molar ratio on the polycondensation and glass‐transition temperature (T_g) were investigated. The T_g's of the copolymers shifted to lower temperatures with an increasing comonomer molar ratio. As expected, the T_g's of the N‐Z‐Hpr/DLMA copolymers were higher than the N‐Z‐Hpr/DLLA copolymers, the pendant groups on the monomers (N‐Z‐Hpr) became larger and more flexible, and the T_g's of the resulting polymers declined. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 724–731, 2001     

Total Synthesis,Stereochemical Reassignment,and Biological Evaluation of (−)‐Lyngbyaloside B

(?)‐Lyngbyaloside B is a 14‐membered macrolide glycoside isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. as a cytotoxic substance by Moore and co‐workers. The first total synthesis of (?)‐lyngbyaloside B and the reassignment of its stereostructure is described. The synthesis features an Abiko–Masamune aldol reaction, a vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a macrocyclization involving an acyl ketene intermediate for the construction of the macrocyclic backbone, which contains an acylated tertiary alcohol. The antiproliferative activity of selected compounds against a small panel of human cancer cell lines is also reported.     

Rotationally‐hindered furyl fulgides

Fulgides are a representative class of photochromic organic molecules which exhibit several interesting properties for diverse applications in fields such as data storage or high‐resolution spectroscopy. The crystal structures of three furyl fulgides with different steric constraints were determined and for two of the compounds both the E and Z isomer structures were defined. The compounds are 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐2‐benzofuran‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₇H₁₈O₄, (I‐E), 3‐[(E)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐cyclohepta[c]furan‐4‐ylidene]‐4‐isopropylidenetetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₈H₂₀O₄, (II‐E), and the Z isomer, (II‐Z), and 3‐isopropylidene‐4‐[(E)‐1‐(5‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐yl)ethylidene]tetrahydrofuran‐2,5‐dione, C₁₉H₁₈O₅, (III‐E), with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, and the Z isomer, (III‐Z). The structures of the E and Z isomers show only little differences in the bond lengths and angles inside the hexatriene unit. Because of the strained geometry there are deviations in the torsion angles. Furthermore, small differences in the distances between the bond‐forming C atoms in the electrocyclization process give no explanation for the unequal photochromic behaviour.     

Stereodivergent Aminocatalytic Synthesis of Z‐ and E‐Trisubstituted Double Bonds from Alkynals

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted Z‐ or E‐enals, which are important intermediates in organic synthesis, as well as being present in natural products, is described using different alkynals and nucleophiles as starting materials. Diastereocontrol is mainly governed by the appropriate catalyst. Therefore, those reactions controlled by steric effects, such as the Jørgensen–Hayashi's catalyst, give access to E isomers, and those catalysts that facilitate hydrogen bonding, such as tetrazol‐pyrrolidine Ley's catalyst, allow the synthesis of Z isomers. A stereochemical model based on DFT calculations is proposed.     

Synthesis and Dehydration of Oxadithia and Trithiadioxime Crown Compounds

The reaction of 2,2‐oxydiethanethiol and 2‐[2‐mercaptoethyl) thio] ethanethiol with dichloroglyoxime (DCGO) in absolute EtOH led to crown compounds, oxadithia (5Z,6Z)‐1,4,7‐oxadithiadiononane‐5,6‐dionedioxime (1) and trithia (2Z,3Z)‐1,4,7‐trithionane‐2,3‐dionedioxime (2), respectively. The compounds 5,6,8,9‐tetrahydro [1,4,7]oxadithionine[5,6‐c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (3) and 5,6,8,9‐tetrahydro[1,4,7]trithionino[2,3‐c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (4) were prepared by dehydration of 1 and 2 in aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide at 170–180°C, respectively.     

Towards Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) Fragments of Phorboxazole A

The stereoselective synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) fragments of phorboxazole A ( 1 ) was achieved from commercially available and inexpensive D ‐mannitol. Crimmins aldol reaction and a decarboxylative Claisen‐type reaction are the key steps for the C(31)–C(39) fragment, and L ‐proline‐catalyzed aldol reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and epoxide ring opening reaction with Gilman's reagent are the key steps for the C(20)–C(27) fragment of phorboxazole.     

Structure characterization of lipocyclopeptide antibiotics,aspartocins A,B & C,by ESI‐MSMS and ESI‐nozzle‐skimmer‐MSMS

Three lipocyclopeptide antibiotics, aspartocins A (1), B (2), and C (3), were obtained from the aspartocin complex by HPLC separation methodology. Their structures were elucidated using previously published chemical degradation results coupled with spectroscopic studies including ESI‐MS, ESI‐Nozzle Skimmer‐MSMS and NMR. All three aspartocin compounds share the same cyclic decapeptide core of cyclo [Dab2 (Asp1‐FA)‐Pip3‐MeAsp4‐Asp5‐Gly6‐Asp7‐Gly8‐Dab9‐Val10‐Pro11]. They differ only in the fatty acid side chain moiety (FA) corresponding to (Z)‐13‐methyltetradec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl, (+,Z)‐12‐methyltetradec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl and (Z)‐12‐methyltridec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl for aspartocins A (1), B (2), and C (3), respectively. All of the sequence ions were observed by ESI‐MSMS of the doubly charged parent ions. However, a number of the sequence ions observed were of low abundance. To fully sequence the lipocyclopeptide antibiotic structures, these low abundance sequence ions together with complementary sequence ions were confirmed by ESI‐Nozzle‐Skimmer‐MSMS of the singly charged linear peptide parent fragment ions H‐Asp5‐Gly6‐Asp7‐Gly8‐Dab9‐Val10‐Pro11‐Dab2¹⁺‐Asp1‐FA. Cyclization of the aspartocins was demonstrated to occur via the β‐amino group of Dab2 from ions of moderate intensity in the ESI‐MSMS spectra. As the fatty acid moieties do not undergo internal fragmentations under the experimental ESI mass spectral conditions used, the 14 Da mass difference between the fatty acid moieties of aspartocins A (1) and B (2) versus aspartocin C (3) was used as an internal mass tag to differentiate fragment ions containing fatty acid moieties and those not containing the fatty acid moieties. The most numerous and abundant fragment ions observed in the tandem mass spectra are due to the cleavage of the tertiary nitrogen amide of the pipecolic acid residue‐3 (16 fragment ions) and the proline residue‐11 (7 fragment ions). In addition, the neutral loss of ethanimine from α,β‐diaminobutyric acid residue 9 was observed for the parent molecular ion and for 7 fragment ions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of New Chlorin e6 Trimethyl and Protoporphyrin IX Dimethyl Ester Derivatives and Their Photophysical and Electrochemical Characterizations

In view of increasing demands for efficient photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT), we herein report the synthesis and photophysical characterizations of new chlorin e₆ trimethyl ester and protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester dyads as free bases and Zn^II complexes. The synthesis of these molecules linked at the β‐pyrrolic positions to pyrano[3,2‐c]coumarin, pyrano[3,2‐c]quinolinone, and pyrano[3,2‐c]naphthoquinone moieties was performed by using the domino Knoevenagel hetero Diels–Alder reaction. The α‐methylenechromanes, α‐methylenequinoline, and ortho‐quinone methides were generated in situ from a Knoevenagel reaction of 4‐hydroxycoumarin, 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methylcoumarin, 4‐hydroxy‐N‐methylquinolinone, and 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone, respectively, with paraformaldehyde in dioxane. All the dyads as free bases and as Zn^II complexes were obtained in high yields. All new compounds were fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and HRMS. Their photophysical properties were evaluated by measuring the fluorescence quantum yield, the singlet oxygen quantum yield by luminescence detection, and also the triplet lifetimes were correlated by flash photolysis and intersystem crossing (ISC) rates. The fluorescence lifetimes were measured by a time‐correlated single photon count (TCSPC) method, fluorescence decay associated spectra (FDAS), and anisotropy measurements. Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra were recorded for one Zn^II complex in order to obtain information, respectively, on the electronic and conformational states, and interpretation of these spectra was enhanced by molecular orbital (MO) calculations. Electrochemical studies of the Zn^II complexes were also carried out to gain insights into their behavior for such applications.     

Thiophene‐S,S‐dioxidized Indophenine: A Quinoid‐Type Building Block with High Electron Affinity for Constructing n‐Type Polymer Semiconductors with Narrow Band Gaps

Three thiophene‐S,S‐dioxidized indophenine (IDTO) isomers, 3 a (E,E,E), 3 b (Z,E,E), and 3 c (Z,E,Z), were synthesized by oxidation of an indophenine compound. 3 b and 3 c could be converted into the most‐stable 3 a by heating at 110 °C. An IDTO‐containing conjugated polymer, PIDTOTT, was prepared using 3 a as a comonomer through a Stille coupling reaction, and it possesses a narrow band gap and low energy levels. In organic field effect transistors (OFETs), PIDTOTT exhibited unipolar n‐type semiconductor characteristics with unexpectedly high electron mobility (up to 0.14 cm² V^?1 s^?1), despite its rather disordered chain packing.     

Synthesis of 2‐Mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐Mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐Mercaptoacrylaldehydes

A novel one‐pot approach for the preparation of 2‐mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐mercaptoacrylaldehydes [(Z)‐3‐mercapto‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde, 3‐mercapto‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde)] starting from ortho‐bromobenzaldehyde, 2‐chlorocyclohex‐1‐enecarbaldehydes, (Z)‐3‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde and 3‐chloro‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde is reported. The reaction of sulfur with the Grignard reagent of the acetal for the protection of the aldehyde group affords the title compounds through hydrolysis with dilute hydrochloric acid in high yields.     

Total Synthesis of Marine Eicosanoid (−)‐Hybridalactone

(?)‐Hybridalactone ( 1 ) is a marine eicosanoid isolated from the red alga Laurencia hybrida. This natural product contains cyclopropane, cyclopentane, 13‐membered macrolactone and epoxide ring systems incorporating seven stereogenic centers. Moreover, this compound has an acid‐labile skipped Z,Z‐diene motif. In this paper, we report on the total synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ). The unique eicosanoid (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) was synthesized starting from optically active γ‐butyrolactone 2 in a linear sequence comprising 21 steps with an overall yield of 21.9 %. A key step in the synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) is the methyl phenylsulfonylacetate‐mediated one‐pot synthesis of the cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone derivative. This reaction provided an efficient and stereoselective access to cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone 12 . Further elaboration of the latter compounds through desulfonylation, epoxidation, oxidation, Wittig olefination and Shiina macrolactonization afforded (?)‐hybridalactone.