A short and efficient synthesis of (+)-disparlure and its enantiomer

Organocatalyzed epoxidation in the total synthesis of (-)-trans-, (+)-trans- and (+)-cis-disparlures

A simple, flexible and efficient organocatalyzed synthetic approach for the synthesis of (-)-trans-, (+)-trans- and (+)-cis-disparlures has been described. The pivotal reaction sequence comprises organocatalyzed asymmetric Jørgensen epoxidation, Wittig olefination, migration of epoxide and Mitsunobu inversion reaction. Excellent enantiomeric purity (≥99%) was achieved during the synthesis of disparlure enantiomers by the Jørgensen epoxidation key step.

Synthesis of disparlure and monachalure enantiomers from 2,3-butanediacetals

2,3-Butanediacetal derivatives were used for the stereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted cis-epoxides. The procedure was applied for the preparation of both enantiomers of disparlure and monachalure, the components of the sex pheromones of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and the nun moth (Lymantria monacha) using methyl (2S,3R,5R,6R)-3-ethylsulfanylcarbonyl-5,6-dimethoxy-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2-carboxylate as the starting material.

Three decades of disparlure and analogue synthesis

Diverse syntheses of disparlure and its stereoisomers and analogues encompassing various strategies are compiled in this perspective.

Synthesis of (+)-Disparlure via Enantioselective Iodolactonization

The BINOL-amidine organic catalyst 1 was previously shown to promote highly efficient enantioselective halolactonization reactions of olefinic acids. As part of these studies, it was discovered that the enantioenriched iodolactones could be easily converted into enantioenriched cis-1,2-disubstituted epoxides. This halolactonization-epoxidation sequence was applied to the synthesis of (+)-disparlure, which resulted in the shortest catalytic enantioselective synthesis to date, requiring only five steps and proceeding in 33% yield.

Allylation reactions of aldehydes with allylboronates in aqueous media: unique reactivity and selectivity that are only observed in the presence of water

Zn(OH)2-catalyzed allylation reactions of aldehydes with allylboronates in aqueous media have been developed. In contrast to conventional allylboration reactions of aldehydes in organic solvents, the α-addition products were obtained exclusively. A catalytic cycle in which the allylzinc species was generated through a B-to-Zn exchange process is proposed and kinetic studies were performed. The key intermediate, an allylzinc species, was detected by HRMS (ESI) analysis and by online continuous MS (ESI) analysis. This analysis revealed that, in aqueous media, the allylzinc species competitively reacted with the aldehydes and water. An investigation of the reactivity and selectivity of the allylzinc species by using several typical allylboronates (6a-6d) clarified several important roles of water in this allylation reaction. The allylation reactions of aldehydes with allylboronic acid 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol esters proceeded smoothly in the presence of catalytic amounts of Zn(OH)2 and achiral ligand 4d in aqueous media to afford the corresponding syn-adducts in high yields with high diastereoselectivities. In all cases, the α-addition products were obtained and a wide substrate scope was tolerated. Furthermore, this reaction was applied to asymmetric catalysis by using chiral ligand 9. Based on the X-ray structure of the Zn-9 complex, several nonsymmetrical chiral ligands were also found to be effective. This reaction was further applied to catalytic asymmetric alkylallylation, chloroallylation, and alkoxyallylation processes and the synthetic utility of these reactions has been demonstrated.

Concise syntheses of insect pheromones using Z-selective cross metathesis

Very short synthetic routes to nine cis-olefin-containing pheromones containing a variety of functionality, including an unconjugated (E,Z) diene, are reported. These lepidopteran pheromones are used extensively for pest control, and were easily prepared using ruthenium-based Z-selective cross metathesis, highlighting the advantages of this method over less efficient ways to form Z olefins.

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Gypsy Moth Pheromone Disparlure

Enantiodivergent synthesis of both (-)- and (+)-disparlure, a bioactive pheromone, possessing a cis-epoxide has been accomplished. The key step involves the cross metathesis of a chiral homoallylic alcohol derived from l-(+)-tartaric acid.