Enantioselective synthesis of 2-ethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran carboxylic acid, direct precursor of (+)-efaroxan, from a Baylis–Hillman adduct

Antimicrobial dihydrobenzofurans and xanthenes from a foliar endophyte of Pinus strobus

Foliar fungal endophytes of Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) were collected from different sites across south-eastern New Brunswick, Canada and screened for the production of bioactive metabolites. From one site, two fungal isolates representing a formerly unknown genus and species within the family Massarinaceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) were resolved by phylogenetic analysis. These isolates produced crude organic extracts that were active against Microbotryum violaceum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. From these strains, DAOM 242779 and 242780, four dihydrobenzofurans (1-4) and two xanthenes (5-6) were characterized. Structures were elucidated by HRMS, interpretation of NMR spectra and other spectroscopic techniques. All isolated metabolites displayed antimicrobial activity against the biotrophic fungal pathogen M. violaceum and Bacillus subtilis.

Application of Sonogashira and Baylis–Hillman Reactions with β-Trifluoromethylated Acroleins

The reaction of alkynes with 2-phenyl-3-iodo-4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-enal in the presence of palladium (0) is reported (Sonogashira reaction). Moreover, 2-(hydroxytrifluoromethylalkenyl)cyclohexenones have been prepared by the reaction of cyclohexenone and β-trifluromethylacroleins in the presence of N-methylimidazole catalysis.

Synthesis and Cyclodehydration of Hydroxyphenols: A New Stereoselective Approach to 3-Aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

A novel and simple method for the stereoselective synthesis of substituted 3-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans by intramolecular cyclization of hydroxyphenols is described. The stereoselective ortho-C-alkylation of phenols allows a novel and stereoselective access to a diverse array of polyfunctionalized products containing a diarylmethane stereogenic center without the need for time-consuming protection-deprotection steps.

Validation of a method using an achiral liquid chromatography sorbent and a circular dichroism detector

The known HPLC method using an achiral C8 silica sorbent and a circular dichroism (CD) detector for the determination of efaroxan enantiomeric excess has been validated. After optimization of the mobile phase, the enantiomers were detected at 278 nm offering maximum ellipticity between two optically active forms. The calibration curve of the anisotropy factor (g) versus the enantiomeric excess was linear with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9985. The accuracy of the method was assessed by comparing the enantiomeric excess obtained by measuring the g factor (C8 column, CD and UV detections) with those determined by enantioselective HPLC (Chiralpak AD-H column, UV detection). Statistical tests (level of confidence of 95%) were assessed to compare the two orthogonal methods. The straight line gave a correlation coefficient of 0.9995, an intercept not significantly different from zero (0.0549) and a slope of 1.026. The precision evaluated on retention time (RSD<0.6%), g factor (RSD<8.3%) and CD peak area (RSD<7.5%) was suitable both in term of intra- and inter-day precisions. The proposed method has the advantages of being fast and precise without using expensive chiral column. Non-enantioselective HPLC-CD was suitable for the simultaneous determination of the optical and chemical purity of efaroxan.