A practical synthetic route to 4′-alkylaristeromycin derivatives: 4′-methylaristeromycin

(−)-(1S,4R)-4-Hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-yl acetate provided a convenient entry point for a 16-step chiral preparation of 4′-methylaristeromycin. This procedure is adaptable to a number of carbocyclic nucleosides with a diversity of substitution at C-4′ and C-5′ and a variety of heterocyclic bases.     

Synthesis and photoinitiated radical cyclization of allyl- and propynyloxymethyl substituted cyclopentanones to tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]furanols

Bicyclic cyclopentafuranols were formed by photoinitiated radical cyclization of allyl- and propinyloxymethyl substituted cyclopentanones with high regioselectivity. The irradiations were carried out at a wavelength of 300 nm in aprotic solvents such as benzene and acetonitrile. We could also show that reductive photoinduced electron transfer (PET) of the propynyloxymethyl substituted cyclopentanone 5 does not lead to any cyclization. The starting materials were synthesized in good yields following known procedures.     

BINOL-phosphoric acids-catalyzed furylogous pinacol rearrangement of 1-[5-(hydroxy-diaryl-methyl)-furan-2-yl]-cyclobutanols into spiro cyclopentanones

A BINOL-phosphoric acid-catalyzed furylogous Pinacol rearrangement is developed. This reaction produces spiro cyclopentanone in good yields under mild conditions. The enantioselective version of this reaction is also investigated using chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) as the catalyst.     

Deracemization of α-monosubstituted cyclopentanones in the presence of a TADDOL-type host molecule

Racemic α-monosubstituted cyclopentanones were converted to optically active forms by a thermodynamically controlled deracemization using TADDOL-type host molecule 1 in alkaline aqueous MeOH. The efficiency of this conversion was strongly influenced by the ratio of the solvent components (H₂O/MeOH) and the functionality and architecture of the α-side-chain on the cyclopentanones. For example, (R)-2-(2-benzyloxyethyl)cyclopentanone (9) was obtained in 89% yield with 97% ee using a 7:3 mixture of H₂O/MeOH as the solvent. X-ray analytical studies were also carried out and disclosed the nature of this chiral molecular recognition process in the solid phase.     

Samarium(II)-induced ring-expansion reaction of 1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylates to produce cyclopentanones

Novel ring-expansion reaction of 1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylates with Sm(II) in the presence of HMPA with a catalytic amount of methanol was found to provide 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylates.     

Nickel-catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of allyl halides and alkenes

The carbonylative addition between allyl halides and alkenes is described. The [2+2+1] reaction is catalyzed by Ni(I), and takes place with different strained alkenes under very mild conditions. Changes in solvent and use of different amounts of water in the reaction produce changes on the final products obtained.     

The effect of pre-existing stereocenters in the intramolecular asymmetric Stetter reaction

A series of disubstituted cyclopentanones have been synthesized by the intramolecular Stetter reaction. Racemic substrates containing one chiral center were used, allowing us the opportunity to observe a parallel kinetic resolution in the synthesis of 2,3- and 2,4-disubstituted cyclopentanones. The Stetter reaction of 2,5-disubstituted cyclopentanones proved to be substrate controlled, resulting in the selective formation of the cis-diasteromers with low ee.