The intramolecular asymmetric Pauson-Khand cyclization as a novel and general stereoselective route to benzindene prostacyclins: synthesis of UT-15 (treprostinil)

A general and novel solution to the synthesis of biologically important stable analogues of prostacyclin PGI(2), namely benzindene prostacyclins, has been achieved via the stereoselective intramolecular Pauson-Khand cyclization (PKC). This work illustrates for the first time the synthetic utility and reliability of the asymmetric PKC route for synthesis and subsequent manufacture of a complex drug substance on a multikilogram scale. The synthetic route surmounts issues of individual step stereoselectivity and scalability. The key step in the synthesis involves efficient stereoselection effected in the PKC of a benzoenyne under the agency of the benzylic OTBDMS group, which serves as a temporary stereodirecting group that is conveniently removed via benzylic hydrogenolysis concomitantly with the catalytic hydrogenation of the enone PKC product. Thus the benzylic chiral center dictates the subsequent stereochemistry of the stereogenic centers at three carbon atoms (C(3a), C(9a), and C(1)).     

Effective oxidation of alcohols by Iron(III)-Schiff base-triphenylphosphine complexes

Iron(III)-Schiff base-triphenylphosphine complexes catalyze the oxidation of alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds in presence of hydrogen peroxide in good yields.     

Acute oral toxicity and brine shrimp lethality of Elaeis guineensis Jacq., (oil palm leaf) methanol extract

Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) is widely used in West African traditional medicine for treating various ailments. An evaluation on the toxicity of extracts of this plant is crucial to support the therapeutic claims. The acute oral toxicity and brine shrimp lethality of a methanolic extract of this plant was tested. Oral administration of crude extract at the highest dose of 5,000 mg/kg resulted in no mortalities or evidence of adverse effects, implying that E. guineensis is nontoxic. Normal behavioral pattern, clinical signs and histology of vital organs confirm this evidence. The E. guineensis extracts screened for toxicity against brine shrimp had 50% lethal concentration (LC??) values of more than 1.0 mg/mL (9.00 and 3.87 mg/mL, at 6 and 24 h, respectively), confirming that the extract was not toxic. Maximum mortalities occurred at 100 mg/mL concentration while the least mortalities happened to be at 0.195 mg/mL concentration. The results of both tests confirm that E. guineensis is nontoxic and hence safe for commercial utilization.     

Michael reaction of ketones and β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by camphor-10-sulfonamide-based prolinamide

Novel camphor sulfonamide based organocatalysts were evaluated for their catalytic activity in the Michael reaction of ketones with nitroolefins. Reaction of ketones with β-nitrostyrenes in the presence of 20 mol % organocatalyst 1a and benzoic acid under solvent-free conditions at 0 °C provided the desired Michael adducts with high chemical yields (up to 97%) and excellent stereoselectivities (>99:1).     

On the mechanism of nanopore filling of SAPO-5 molecular sieve by nitrogen molecules

SAPO-5 molecular sieve was synthesized according to patent literature and characterized with X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), and solid state magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. The material of particles in the micrometer region was found to consist of ca. 20 nm microcrystallites packed in mostly parallel orientation to ca. 200 nm sized agglomerates. The nitrogen adsorption isotherm was measured at 77.6 K over ca. 7 decades of pressure up to pore saturation. The course of the isotherm is interpreted to consist of filling of the nanopores (diameter, 0.73 nm) up to 2N(2)/unit cell, subsequent multilayer adsorption on the outer surface of the agglomerates, and, finally, pore condensation in the interparticle adsorption space. The nanopore adsorption can be quantitatively reproduced with the statistical mechanical model of a quasi one-dimensional lattice gas taking intermolecular interactions into account. The evaluated energy parameters are of physically reasonable magnitude and agree with literature data. The multilayer part of the adsorption isotherm can be well represented by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller model yielding a specific outer space area (63 m(2) g(-)(1)) which is consistent with estimated geometrical and pore size analysis data.     

Protic acid (HClO4 supported on silica gel)-mediated synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated-O-glucosides and a chiral furan diol from 2,3-glycals

Perchloric acid supported on silica gel acts as an excellent reagent system in converting glucals into 2,3-unsaturated-O-glucosides in good to excellent yields in short reaction time with good alpha selectivity. Primary, secondary, and allylic alcohols, phenols, and thiols react with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl glucal with equal ease. In addition to this, a chiral furan diol is obtained from unprotected D-glucal or D-galactal in good yields.     

Synthesis and antiosteoclast activity of Di(1‐oxo/thioxoperhydro‐1λ5‐[1,3,2] diazaphospholo [1,5‐a]pyridine‐1‐yl) (4‐substituted phenyl) boronates

A new family of di(1‐oxo/thioxoper‐hydro‐1λ⁵‐[1,3,2]diazaphospholo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐1‐yl)(4‐substituted phenyl) boronates ( 4a – j ) has been synthesized in a two‐step process. A reaction of (±)‐piperidin‐2‐yl‐methanamine ( 1 ) phosphoryl/phosphorothioyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in dry tetrahydrofuran formed the intermediate monochloride ( 2 ), which on condensation with p‐substituted phenylboronic acids ( 3a – j ) afforded the titled compounds ( 4a – j ). They were characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, and mass spectral analyses. All these compounds showed moderate to high antiosteoclast and osteoblast activity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:247–253, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21010     

Synthesis of Pharmacologically Active Bis(indolyl) and Tris(indolyl) Derivatives Using Chlorotrimethylsilane

Chlorotrimethylsilane is found to be a comparatively fast and efficient catalyst for carrying out electrophilic substitution reactions of indoles with various aldehydes/ketones/triethylorthoformate, yielding excellent amount of bis(indolyl)methanes/tris(indolyl)methanes. The merits of this protocol are avoidance of any external energy source, minimal reaction time, simple and easy procedure and high yield under solvent free room temperature condition. The versatility of this method has been tested with various aldehydes/ketones and received satisfactory results.     

One‐pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones Catalysed by Cupric Acetate under Solvent‐free Conditions

A solvent‐free synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones from aromatic aldehydes, β‐keto ester/acetyl acetone and urea catalysed by cupric acetate under thermal condition is reported as a simple and an efficient protocol. Compared with classical Biginelli reaction reported in 1893, this new method provides much improved modification in terms of yield and reaction time. The usage of milder catalyst, environmental friendly procedures and excellent yields within a very short time (5–15 min) are the advantages of the method in which the involvement of solvent‐free condition adds an edge to the method. Thus, the efficiency of the protocol enabled the rapid synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives in a short duration.