Substituent-controlled domino-Knoevenagel-hetero Diels-Alder reaction—a one-pot synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles

The reaction of 2-(N-alkenyl-N-aryl)amino-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carbaldehyde with dimedone/Meldrum’s acid/4-hydroxycoumarin by heating in ethanol in the presence of pyridine produces polycyclic heterocycles bearing pyridine and pyran rings in a one-pot reaction. The effect of substituents on N-atom of the amino function controls the mode of reaction. Terminal alkenes prefer intramolecular Michael type reaction, but non-terminal alkenes favour Diels-Alder reaction, whereas, under similar condition, 2-(N-alkyl-N-allyl)amino-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carbaldehyde undergoes domino-Knoevenagel-hetero Diels-Alder reaction.     

MM3 force field prediction of the enantioselective preference in the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral 2-cyclohexen-1-ol using a chiral lithium amide reagent

Enantioselective preference in the asymmetric synthesis where cyclohexene oxide is transformed enantioselectively to chiral (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol by the reaction with the appropriate chiral lithium amide reagent has been evaluated theoretically using the MM3 force field. The plausible possible structures for each precursor (reaction intermediate complex) leading to a (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol have been optimized with the extended MM3 force field applicable to the lithium amide functional group, and the populations of their (S)- or (R)-reaction intermediate complexes at an ambient temperature (298 K) were calculated. The initial structure for evaluating the reaction intermediates of this asymmetric synthesis was constructed on the basis of the optimized ab initio transition state structure (MP2/6-31+G^∗) comprising lithium amide LiNH₂ and propene oxide. To the thus obtained transition state structure composed of LiNH₂ and propene oxide, the other remaining Cartesian coordinates for the actual reaction intermediates composed of the chiral lithium amides and cyclohexene oxide were added to make the reaction intermediate structure. The conformational search for the reaction intermediate has been carried out by using the Stochastic search Algorithm, and the optimized geometries and their conformational energies (steric energies) have been calculated by the MM3 force field. The populations calculated from the conformational energies of the reaction intermediate leading to the (S)- or (R)-2-cyclohexen-1-ol were shown to be linearly well correlated with the experimentally reported enantiomer excess (% ee) values. The critical factors to control the enantioselectivity were investigated on the basis of the optimized structures of the reaction intermediate complexes. The MM3 force field approach was shown to be applicable to the theoretical evaluation of the enantioselectivity and be useful for designing a new functional chiral lithium amide reagent for the asymmetric synthesis.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application of a zinc(II) complex bearing a pyrazole-based ligand

The reaction between ZnCl₂ and N,N-bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]-1-phenylethylamine (bdmppea) affords [(bdmppea)ZnCl₂], whose structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The [(bdmppea)ZnEt₂] complex in situ prepared by the reaction between [bdmppea] and ZnEt₂ exhibited high activity toward the polymerization reaction of rac-lactide at room temperature. However, its activity decreased sharply with decreasing temperature. Stereospecificity of this catalyst characterized by heterotacticity (P_r) was determined by homonuclear decoupled NMR spectroscopy, which value was ∼0.58.     

Practical synthesis of blepharismone,a mating inducing pheromone of Blepharisma japonicum

Both enantiomers of blepharismone, a mating inducing pheromone produced by type II cells of Blepharisma japonicum, were synthesized via the Stille cross-coupling reaction of [4-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-2-trimethylstannanyl-phenyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester with an acid chloride derived from (S)- and (R)-malic acid as a key reaction. The mating inducing activity of synthetic (S)-blepharismone was as effective as that of the natural one. The enantiomer (R)-blepharismone showed no mating inducing activity.     

Desymmetrisation of a meso-N-hydroxyimide via a chiral Lossen reaction

N-[(1S)-10-Camphorsulphonyloxy]norborn-5-ene-endo-2,3-dicarboximide 2 underwent a Lossen type reaction with dicyclohexylmethylamine to furnish endo-2-methoxycarbonyl-endo-3-(methoxycarbonylamino)norborn-5-ene 3, in 84% yield and 33% e.e. (by NMR).     

Catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder route to a key intermediate for the synthesis of calyxin L

A catalytic asymmetric formal synthesis of diarylheptanoid natural product calyxin L has been achieved by incorporating an enantio- and diastereoselective hetero-Diels–Alder (HDA) reaction, a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling, and a stereocontrolled catalytic hydrogenation of 2,4,6-trisubstituted dihydropyran as the key steps. The HDA reaction between 4-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-2-triethylsilyloxy-1,3-butadiene and (4-benzenesulfonyloxyphenyl)propynal catalyzed by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[(R)-3-(benzene-fused-phthalimido)-2-piperidinonate], Rh₂(R-BPTPI)₄, provided cis-2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyran-4-one in 91% yield with 91% ee.     

Synthesis of optically active gem-difluorocyclopropanes through a chemo-enzymatic reaction strategy

The synthesis of a chiral difluorocyclopropane building block has been accomplished using lipase-catalyzed reaction; the prochiral diacetate of cis-1,3-bishydroxymethyl-2,2-difluorocyclopropane was converted to the corresponding chiral monoacetate by the Alcaligenes lipase (lipase QL)-catalyzed hydrolysis with >99% enantiomeric excess. Enantiomerically pure trans-1,3-bishydroxymethyl-2,2-difluorocyclopropane was also obtained through the Pseudomonas cepacia SL-25 lipase (lipase SL)-catalyzed reaction. The synthesis of the chiral trans,trans-bis-gem-difluorocyclopropane derivatives has been accomplished using the same lipase technology; trans,trans-1,6-bishydroxymethyl-2,2,5,5-tetrafluorobicyclopropane was obtained in optically active form using the lipase SL-catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding diacetate.     

Chiral diphenylselenophosphoramides: a new class of chiral ligands for the titanium(IV) alkoxide-promoted addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric diphenylselenophosphoramides 1 and 2 were prepared from the reaction of diphenylselenophosphinic chloride with (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, respectively, in high yields. Another novel chiral ligand 3 was prepared from the reaction of diphenylselenophosphinic chloride with (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine using butyllithium as the base. The ligands were used as catalytic chiral ligands in the titanium(IV) alkoxide-promoted enantioselective addition reaction of diethylzinc to aldehydes.     

Investigations of the stereoselectivity of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of a spiculoic acid model system

Model linear precursors to the spiculoic acids were prepared and underwent thermally induced IMDA reactions. The configuration of C5 in the stereotriad was found to dominate any inherent endo/exo selectivity of the IMDA reaction. The isomer (2E,5S)-20 underwent the IMDA to give the spiculoic acid stereochemistry in 84% yield and 94% ds. The required stereotriads were synthesised using stereoselective substrate-controlled aldol reactions; an anti-boron aldol reaction, controlled by the π-facial preference of (S)-2-benzoyloxypentan-3-one ((S)-27) led to (5R)-(22) and a syn-titanium aldol reaction, under the stereocontrol of a chiral N-acylthiazolidinethione (42) led to (5S)-(22). Chain extension using standard Wittig, HWE and ‘modified’ Julia olefinations installed the diene and dienophile components giving the linear precursors to the IMDA reactions.     

9-Allyl-1,7-dicarbadodecaborane as a dienophile in aza Diels-Alder reactions of 1,2,4-triazines: synthesis of pyridines bearing a carborane cage

The synthesis of pyridine and bipyridine derivatives of m-carborane via aza Diels-Alder reaction of 1,2,4-triazines with 9-allyl m-carborane and their structural characterization and photophysical properties are described. The products 3- and 4-(m-carborane-9-ylmethyl)-2,2′-bipyridines form Zn(II) complexes on reaction with ZnCl₂, which increases significantly their fluorescence intensity.     

Synthesis of eleven-membered carbocycles via a homo-Cope type of five-carbon ring expansion reaction utilized β-(hydroxymethyl)allylsilane

Eleven-membered carbocycles were synthesized from six-membered compounds fitted with a β-(hydroxymethyl)allylsilane unit via the title reaction. Namely, trans- and cis-(E)-2-(trimethylsilylmethyl)-3-(2-vinylcyclohex-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-ol were treated with Tf₂O in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of 2,6-lutidine to afford (1E)-3-methylenecycloundeca-1,6-diene in good yield. The geometry of the product was shown to depend upon the trans- and cis-substitution pattern on the cyclohexane ring of the substrates; i.e. trans-isomer afforded (6E)-product exclusively and cis-isomer afforded the mixture of (6E)- and (6Z)-product in 1:2 ratio. The (Z)-substrate with respect to allylsilane moiety afforded the same ring expansion product, however, the yield was lower than the reaction with the (E)-substrate. The substrates bearing t-butyl or benzyloxy substituents on the cyclohexane ring also afforded the product analogously, indicating that the reaction depends upon the conformation of the substrate. On the other hand, the substrate bearing isopropenyl group instead of a simple vinyl group did not afford the ring expansion product but produced bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane via the ene reaction.     

Synthesis of (E)-2-(1-ferrocenylmethylidene)malonic acid derivatives by a cobalt-catalyzed domino reaction of ethyl diazoacetate, carbon monoxide and ferrocenylimines

The domino reaction of ethyl diazoacetate, carbon monoxide and ferrocenylimines was investigated in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈ as catalyst. In most cases the main products are 2-(1-ferrocenylmethylidene) malonates formed by an N(1)-C(4) cleavage of the primarily derived β-lactams. The latter compounds could only be isolated when the reaction was carried out at relatively low CO pressure, using an excess of ethyl diazoacetate. trans-N-(tert-Butyl)-3-ethoxycarbonyl-4-ferrocenyl-β-lactam proved to be the most stable one among these compounds and could be isolated in 55% yield. N-alkyl β-lactams were shown to undergo acidic cleavage leading to the E isomers of 2-(1-ferrocenylmethylidene) malonates as the main products. The structures of the two new compounds, (E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-N-((R)-1-phenylethyl)-2-propenamide and trans-N-(tert-butyl)-3-ethoxycarbonyl-4-ferrocenyl-β-lactam were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The relative thermodynamical stability of the products as well as the energetics of the acid-mediated cleavage of the β-lactam ring was elucidated with DFT calculations.     

Design of postmetallocene catalytic systems of arylimine type for olefi n polymerization: XV. Synthesis of (N-Aryl)salicylaldimine ligands containing a but-3-enyloxy group and their complexes with titanium(IV) dichloride

A series of (N-aryl)salicylaldimines was synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehydes substituted in the positions 3 and 5 by bulky tert-butyl or α-cumyl groups with hydrochlorides of o-, m-, and p-(but-3-enyloxy) aniline in the presence of triethylamine. The obtained compounds formed by the reaction with TiCl₂(OPr-i)₂ complexes of titanium(IV) dichloride L₂TiCl₂.     

Novel synthesis of the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazocine ring system via a Dieckmann condensation

A novel four-step synthesis to the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazocine ring system is described. 1H-Pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde was alkylated with ethyl or methyl bromoacetate and the resulting ethyl or methyl (2-formyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)acetates oxidised with potassium permanganate to the corresponding 1-[(2-ethoxy or methoxy)-2-oxoethyl]-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acids. The latter was converted into their acid chlorides by reaction with thionyl chloride and without isolation transformed into the respective methyl 2-({[1-(2-ethoxy or methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoates by reaction with methyl anthranilate. Dieckmann condensation of methyl 2-({[1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoate provided the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazocine.     

Synthesis,resolution and absolute configuration of a tolperisone metabolite

1-(4′-Hydroxymethyl-phenyl)-2-methyl-3-(piperidine-1-yl)-propane-1-one M2, a metabolite of tolperisone, was synthesised in a solvent-free Mannich reaction. The optical resolution was carried out by diastereoisomeric salt formation and separation, for which three resolving agents ((2R,3R)-O,O′-dibenzoyl tartaric acid, (2R,3R)-O,O′-di-p-toluoyl tartaric acid and (R)-2-hydroxy-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2-oxide (anicyphos)) were found. The absolute configuration of M2 was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

Synthesis and reactions of a monosubstituted dithiirane 1-oxide, 3-(9-triptycyl)dithiirane 1-oxide

A 3-monosubstituted dithiirane 1-oxide, 3-(9-triptycyl)dithiirane 1-oxide, was prepared for the first time, by the reaction of (9-triptycyl)diazomethane and S₈O. The dithiirane 1-oxide was obtained as cis- and trans-isomers, and the structure of the trans-isomer was verified by X-ray crystallography. The cis-isomer isomerized gradually to the trans-isomer in solution. The divalent sulfur atom of the cis- and trans-dithiirane 1-oxides were removed on treatment with triphenylphosphine to give the corresponding Z- and E-sulfines, respectively. The reaction of the trans-dithiirane 1-oxide with (Ph₃P)₂Pt(C₂H₄) provided the (sulfenato-thiolato)Pt^II complex, and that with Lawesson's reagent yielded the 1,3,4,2-trithiaphospholane and 1,2,4,5,3-tetrathiaphosphorinane derivatives.     

Formation of a six-coordinate fac-[Re(CO)3]+ complex by the N-C bond cleavage of a potentially tetradentate ligand

The rhenium(I) compound fac-[Re(CO)₃(daa)].Hpab.H₂O (Hpab = N,N’-(1,2-phenylene)bis(2′-aminobenzamide); Hdaa = 2- amino-N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide) was synthesized from the reaction of [Re(CO)₅Br] with two equivalent of Hpab in toluene. The monoanionic tridentate ligand daa was formed by the rhenium-mediated cleavage of an amido N-C bond of the potentially tetradentate ligand Hpab. The compound was characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and daa is coordinated as a diaminoamide via three nitrogen-donor atoms.     

Chiral diphenylthiophosphoramides: a new class of chiral ligands for the silver(I)-promoted enantioselective allylation of aldehydes

Chiral C₂-symmetric diphenylthiophosphoramides 1 and 2 were prepared in high yields from the reaction of diphenylthiophosphinic chloride with (1R,2R)-(−)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine, respectively. Another novel chiral ligand 4 was prepared from reaction of diphenylthiophosphinic chloride with (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine using butyllithium as a base. They were used as catalytic chiral ligands in the silver(I)-promoted enantioselective allylation reaction of aldehydes with allyltributyltin.     

Synthesis and structure of a chiral areno-bridged [2.4]metacyclophane

The reductive coupling reaction of 1,4-bis(3-acetyl-5-tert-butyl-2-methoxyphenyl)butane 3 was carried out using TiCl₄-Zn in pyridine followed by a McMurry coupling reaction to afford the compounds anti and syn 1,2-dimethyl[2.4]MCP-1-ene 4. Bromination of 4 with BTMA-Br₃ in dry CH₂Cl₂ afforded the interesting compound 1,2-bis-(bromomethyl)-5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy[2.4]MCP-1-ene 6 and consecutive debromination with Zn and AcOH in CH₂Cl₂ solution afforded the stable solid 5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy-1,2-dimethylene[2.4]MCP 7 in 89% yield. Compound 7 was conveniently employed in a Diels–Alder reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to provide 2-(3′,6′-dihydrobenzo)-5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy[2.4]MCP-4′,5′-dimethylcarboxylate 8 in good yield. Diels–Alder adduct 8 was converted into a novel and inherently chiral areno-bridged compound [2.4]MCP 9 by aromatization. The chirality of the two conformers was characterized by circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the separated enantiomer which are perfect mirror images of each other.     

Optimisation of a key cross-coupling reaction towards the synthesis of a promising antileishmanial compound

During the course of a research program aimed at identifying novel antileishmanial compounds, a multi-gram synthesis of N-(trans-4-((4-methoxy-3-((R)-3-methylmorpholino)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)amino)cyclohexyl)-2-methylpropane-1-sulfonamide ((R)-1) was required. This letter describes optimisation of the reaction conditions and protecting group strategy for a key Buchwald-Hartwig coupling, delivering the required quantities of (R)-1, as well as further compounds in the series.