Synthetic Transformations of Higher Terpenoids. XXXIII.* Preparation of 15,16-Dihydroisopimaric Acid and Methyl Dihydroisopimarate and their Transformations

Stereoselective Epoxidation of Triterpenic Allylic Alcohols and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Synthesized Compounds

The epoxidation process of semi-synthetic triterpenoids 2-methyl-3-oxo-19β,28-epoxy- 18α-olean-1-ene, and its allylic alcohol derivatives were examined. 1,2α-epoxide, as the main product, was found to be formed from the starting enone exposed to m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). In the case of hydroxy-directed mCPBA-oxidation of triterpenic allyl alcohols and their 3α-alkyl-substituted derivatives, inversion of C1 and C2 asymmetric centers with the formation of 1,2β-epoxyalcohols took place. The synthesis of 2,3α-epoxides was fulfilled from 2,3-dialkyl-substituted C(3) allyl alcohols by the action of pyridinium chlorochromate under [1,3]-oxidative rearrangement conditions. The transformations brought about enabled chiral oleanane derivatives with an oxygen-containing substituent at the C1, C2, and C3 atoms to be obtained. The study also provides information on in silico PASS prediction of pharmacological effects and in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds.

Efficient Synthesis of the N-(buta-2,3-dienyl)carboxamide of Isopimaric Acid and the Potential of This Compound towards Heterocyclic Derivatives of Diterpenoids

The N‐(2,3‐butadienyl)carboxamide of isopimaric acid, that is, compound 3, was prepared through a two‐step synthetic procedure starting from the natural diterpene isopimaric acid. The Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling and subsequent cyclization of terpenoid allene 3 with several aryl iodides and aryl bromides gave access to optically active diterpenoid–oxazoline derivatives in good to excellent yields. The functional group tolerance in the aryl iodides was demonstrated by several examples, including substrates with additional N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐protected amino, hydroxy, and carboxy substituents in the ortho position. The cross‐coupling–cyclization reaction of those compounds with allene 3 proceeded selectively with the formation of cyclization products on the substituent in the aromatic ring. This transformation opens a potential route to the synthesis of hybrid compounds containing a tricyclic diterpenoid and several heterocycles.

Synthetic Studies on Tricyclic Diterpenoids: Direct Allylic Amination Reaction of Isopimaric Acid Derivatives

A selective synthesis of 7- or 14-nitrogen containing tricyclic diterpenoids was completed according to a strategy in which the key step was the catalyzed direct allylic amination of methyl 14α-hydroxy-15,16-dihydroisopimarate with a wide variety of nitrogenated nucleophiles. It was revealed that the selectivity of the reaction depends on the nature of nucleophile. The catalyzed reaction of the mentioned diterpenoid allylic alcohol with 3-nitroaniline, 3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline, and 4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline yield the subsequent 7α-, 7β- and 14αnitrogen-containing diterpenoids. The reaction with 2-nitroaniline, 4-nitro-2-chloroaniline, 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline, phenylsulfamide, or tert-butyl carbamate proceeds with the formation of 7α-nitrogen-substituted diterpenoids as the main products.