Stereoselective synthesis of safingol and its natural stereoisomer from d-glycals

Metal free synthesis of 2,3-dideoxy-α, β-unsaturated carbohydrate enals (Perlin aldehydes)

A metal free synthesis of enantiopure 2,3-dideoxy-α, β-unsaturated carbohydrate enals (Perlin aldehydes), in CH₃CN-0.02 N H₂SO₄ in water (1:1, v/v) with 0.5 equivalent additives (4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone or 4-amino coumarin), has been reported. This efficient protocol works well for the acetylated glycals (glucal, galactal and arabinal) and afforded Perlin aldehydes and hemiacetals in acceptable to good yields. Whereas, benzylated glycals furnished respective Perlin aldehydes, hemiacetals and the 2-deoxy derivatives, under similar reaction conditions. The products yields were significantly reduced when the additives were removed from the reaction mixture, indicating that they constitute an essential component of this approach. Further the use of 0.02 N H₂SO₄ in water: acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) solvent system is essential for the formation of Perlin aldehydes. The similar reactions under neutral reaction conditions (CH₃CN:H₂O, 1:1, v/v) with additives, afforded the hemiacetals as major product. This methodology is a metal free approach to Perlin aldehyde synthesis and therefore having additional benefit of its use in preparation of bioactive drug molecules, where metal toxicity is the major concern.

Stereoselective synthesis and antiproliferative activity of the isomeric sphinganine analogues

A flexible synthetic approach to biologically active sphingoid base-like compounds with a 3-amino-1,2-diol framework was achieved through a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement and late stage olefin cross-metathesis as the key transformations. The stereochemistry of the newly created stereogenic centre was assigned via a single crystal X-ray analysis of the (4S,5R)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione. In order to rationalise the observed stereoselectivity of the aza-Claisen rearrangement, DFT calculations were carried out. The targeted isomeric sphingoid bases were screened in vitro for anticancer activity on a panel of seven human malignant cell lines. Cell viability experiments revealed that C₁₇-homologues are more active than their C₁₂ congeners.

‘Chiron’ approach to stereoselective synthesis of sphinganine and unnatural safingol, an antineoplastic and antipsoriatic agent

Highly stereoselective total syntheses of sphinganine 1 and antineoplastic and antipsoriatic drug safingol 17 have been demonstrated.

Preparation of anti-vicinal amino alcohols: asymmetric synthesis of D-erythro-sphinganine, (+)-spisulosine, and D-ribo-phytosphingosine

Two variations of the Overman rearrangement have been developed for the highly selective synthesis of anti-vicinal amino alcohol natural products. A MOM ether-directed palladium(II)-catalyzed rearrangement of an allylic trichloroacetimidate was used as the key step for the preparation of the protein kinase C inhibitor D-erythro-sphinganine and the antitumor agent (+)-spisulosine, whereas the Overman rearrangement of chiral allylic trichloroacetimidates generated by the asymmetric reduction of an α,β-unsaturated methyl ketone allowed rapid access both to D-ribo-phytosphingosine and L-arabino-phytosphingosine.

Exploring Leishmania major inositol phosphorylceramide synthase (LmjIPCS): insights into the ceramide binding domain

The synthesis of set of ceramide analogues exploring hydrophobicity in the acyl chains and the degree and nature of hydroxylation is described. These have been assayed against the parasitic protozoan enzyme LmjIPCS. These studies showed that whilst the C-3 hydroxyl group was not essential for turnover it provided enhanced affinity. Reflecting the membrane bound nature of the enzyme a long (C(13)) hydrocarbon ceramide tail was necessary for both high affinity and turnover. Whilst the N-acyl chain also contributed to affinity, analogues lacking the amide linkage functioned as competitive inhibitors in both enzyme and cell-based assays. A model that accounts for this observation is proposed.

Synthesis of (-)-deoxoprosophylline, (+)-2-epi-deoxoprosopinine, and (2R,3R)- and (2R,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acids from D-glycals

New syntheses of (-)-deoxoprosophylline, (+)-2-epi-deoxoprosopinine, and (2R,3R)- and (2R,3S)-3-hydroxypipecolic acids are reported. Utilization of the chiral functionalities of Perlin aldehydes, derived from 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl glycals, has been done along with chemoselective saturation of olefins and reductive aminations as key steps.

A general and concise asymmetric synthesis of sphingosine, safingol and phytosphingosines via tethered aminohydroxylation

A novel, practical and efficient enantioselective synthesis of sphingoid bases, l-threo-[2S,3S]-sphinganine (safingol), l-threo-[2S,3S]-sphingosine, l-arabino-[2R,3S,4R] and l-xylo-[2R,3S,4S]-C(18)-phytosphingosine is described. The synthetic strategy features the Sharpless kinetic resolution and tethered aminohydroxylation (TA) as the key steps.

Alpha-glycosphingolipids via chelation-induced anomerization of O- and S-glucuronic and galacturonic acid derivatives

Bacterial glycolipids containing either alpha-glucuronic acid or alpha-galacturonic acid residues have an important role in the innate-type immune response to gram-negative bacteria. Synthesis of closely related compounds, including a novel alpha-SO(2) glycolipid mimetic, is described from carbohydrate precursors where anomerization is a key step. Very high stereoselectivites (>97:3 in favor of alpha) were observed from O-glycoside precursors.