Synthesis of Medium and Large Ring Compounds, XXXVIII. Ring Enlargement of Cyclodecanone by a Chiral Building Block: Synthesis and Olfactory Properties of (12R)-(+)-12-Methyl-13-Tridecanolide

Fluorine in fragrances: exploring the difluoromethylene (CF2) group as a conformational constraint in macrocyclic musk lactones

The CF2 group is incorporated into specific positions within the lactone ring of the natural musk lactone, (12R)-(+)-12-methyl-13-tridecanolide, a constituent of Angelica root oil, Angelica archangelica L. The approach is taken as it was anticipated that CF2 groups would dictate corner locations in the macrocycle and limit the conformational space available to the lactone. Three fluorine containing lactones are prepared by organic synthesis. One (8) has CF2 groups located at the C-6 and C-9 positions, another (9) with CF2 groups at the C-5 and C-9 positions, and a third (10) with a CF2 group at C-8. Two of the fluorine containing lactones (8 and 10) were sufficiently crystalline to obtain X-ray crystal structures which revealed that the CF2 groups do adopt corner locations. All three lactones were subject to computational analysis at the B3LYP-D3/6-311+G** level to assess the relative energies of different conformers. In all cases, the global minima and most of the lowest energy minima have squared/rectangular geometries and located the CF2 groups at the corners. The lowest energy structures for 8 and 10 closely approximated the observed X-ray structures, suggesting good convergence of theory and experiment in determining relevant low energy conformations. All three compounds retained a pleasant odour suggesting the rings retained sufficient conformational flexibility to access relevant olfactory conformations.

Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of 12-Methyl-13-tridecanolide and 14-Methyl-15-pentadecanolide (Muscolide)

Both enantiomers of 12-methyl-13-tridecanolide{( R)-(+)-1 ( S)-(-)-1} and 14-methyl-15-pentadecanolide (muscolide) {( R)-(+)-2 ( S)-(-)-2} were synthesized from either ( S)-(+)- or ( R)-(-)-3-bromo-2-methyl-1-propanol 8 as a chiral building block.

?Brain Aided? Musk Design

This brief review, including new experimental results, is the summary of a talk at the RSC/SCI conference flavours & fragrances 2004 in Manchester, United Kingdom, 12-14 May, 2004. Musk odorants have been a classical domain for computer aided structure-odor relationship (SOR) studies, but, contrary to sandalwood or amber odorants, they belong to structurally very different substance classes, e.g., macrocycles, aromatic polycycles, and nitro arenes. Most SOR computer models are restricted to one class, excluding structural diversity to increase predictability. But even within a musk family, structural similarities are often due to a common synthetic access, and do not reflect binding requirements for the musk receptor. Beyond that, the importance of structural key features can be missed, which is discussed on the example of the (4S)-Me group of Galaxolide. By synthesis and olfactory evaluation of Galaxolide-like shaped macrobicycles as model compounds for conformationally constrained (12R)-12-methyltridecano-13-lactone, it was investigated how likely there is more than one musk receptor. Finally, the new family of so-called linear musks is discussed, especially with respect to the conformational importance of the gem-2',2'-dimethyl moiety in Helvetolide and the additional 2'-carbonyl group of Romandolide--structural features that strongly diminish the musk odor of macrocycles. On the example of 2-methyl-2-[(E)-1,2,4-trimethylpent-2-enyloxy]propyl esters, the 'brain-aided' design and conformational analysis of musk odorants is illustrated. The overview concludes with the synthesis, odor evaluation, and conformational discussion of the new musk odorant 2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)propanoic acid ethoxycarbonylmethyl ester.

Constructing conformationally constrained macrobicyclic musks

To investigate the structure-odor correlation of musks, (12R)-12-methyl-13-tridecanolide (1), a macrocyclic musk, and 13-tridecanolide, its non-musky demethyl analogue, were conformationally constrained by introduction of methylene bridges between C-3 and C-8 or C-9. These [7.5.1]- and [8.4.1]-macrobicycles were synthesized starting from bicyclo[5.3.1]undec-8-en-9-one (3) and bicyclo[4.3.1]dec-7-en-8-one (8), respectively, by a sequence consisting of catalytic hydrogenation, alpha-alkylation with a TBS-protected (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) hydroxy halide, acid-catalyzed cyclization, oxidative cleavage of the formed enol ether double bond, and subsequent reduction of the carbonyl group via its tosylhydrazone. The compound (1R,6R,9R)-(+)-6-methyl-4-oxa-bicyclo[7.5.1]pentadecan-3-one (22) was found to possess the most pronounced musk odor, and this was rationalized by a superposition analysis with the polycyclic aromatic musk odorant (4S,7R)-Galaxolide (2). In its (1S,6R,9S)-(+)-stereoisomer 23 as well as in (1S,6R, 10R)-(+)-6-methyl-4-oxabicyclo[8.4.1]-pentadecan-3-one (18) the (6R)-methyl group seems to hinder the interaction with the musk receptor, while the demethyl compounds 7 and 12 showed only very faint odors.

Odds and Trends: Recent Developments in the Chemistry of Odorants Note on trademarks: Words which we know or have reason to believe constitute registered trademarks (R) are designated as such. However, neither the presence nor absence of such designation should be regarded as affecting the legal status of any trademark. Note on perfume analysis: The quoted percentages of perfume raw materials in market products are rounded figures. They are often derived from area percentages from the GC (FID) analysis, and are thus subject to analytical error

Fragrance chemistry is, together with the closely related area of flavor chemistry, one of the few domains, if not the only one, in which chemists can immediately experience structure-activity relationships. This review presents structure-odor correlations and olfactophore models for the main odor notes of perfumery: "fruity", "marine", "green", "floral", "spicy", "woody", "amber", and "musky". New trendsetters and so-called captive odorants of these notes are introduced, and recent activities and highlights in fragrance chemistry are summarized. The design of odorants, their chemical synthesis, and their use in modern perfumery is discussed. Our selection is guided and illustrated by creative fragrances, and features new odorants which encompassed current trends in perfumery. New odorants for grapefruit and blackcurrant, for galbanum, and leafy top notes are presented. Compounds with fashionable marine, ozonic, and aquatic facets are treated, as well as new odorants for classical lily-of-the-valley, rose, and jasmine accords. Compounds with sweet and spicy tonalities are also discussed, as are the most recent developments for woody notes such as sandalwood and vetiver. We conclude with musky and ambery odorants possessing uncommon or unusual structural features. Some odor trends and effects are illustrated by microencapsulated fragrance samples, and areas where there is need for the development of new synthetic materials and methodologies are pointed out. Thus, chemists are invited to explore fragrance chemistry and participate in the design and synthesis of new odorants. This review gives the latest state of the art of the subject.