Enantiopure tetrahydroisoquinolines via N -sulfinyl Pictet–Spengler reactions

Catalytic Asymmetric Alkynylation of 3,4-Dihydro-β-carbolinium Ions Enables Collective Total Syntheses of Indole Alkaloids

Chiral tetrahydro-β-carboline (THβC) is not only a prevailing structural feature of many natural alkaloids but also a versatile synthetic precursor for a vast array of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Asymmetric synthesis of C1-alkynyl THβCs remains rarely explored and challenging. Herein, we describe the development of two complementary approaches for the catalytic asymmetric alkynylation of 3,4-dihydro-β-carbolinium ions with up to 96 % yield and 99 % ee. The utility of chiral C1-alkynyl THβCs was demonstrated by the collective total syntheses of seven indole alkaloids: harmicine, eburnamonine, desethyleburnamonine, larutensine, geissoschizol, geissochizine, and akuammicine.

Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Benzoquinolizidinones from L-Glutamic Acid

Benzoquinolizidinone systems were synthesized in both enantiomeric forms from L-glutamic acid. The key chiral arylethylglutarimide intermediate was synthesized from dibenzylamino-glutamate and homoveratrylamine. Aldol reaction of the glutarimide afforded a mixture of syn and anti-aldol adducts. Subsequent regioselective hydride reduction of the glutarimide carbonyl followed by N-acyliminium ion cyclization afforded a product with opposite absolute configurations at C3 and C11b. Cope elimination of the dibenzylamino group then converted the two diastereomers into enantiomers.

Medicinal chemistry perspectives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline analogs - biological activities and SAR studies

Isoquinoline alkaloids are a large group of natural products in which 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQ) form an important class. THIQ based natural and synthetic compounds exert diverse biological activities against various infective pathogens and neurodegenerative disorders. Due to these reasons, the THIQ heterocyclic scaffold has garnered a lot of attention in the scientific community which has resulted in the development of novel THIQ analogs with potent biological activity. The present review provides a much-needed update on the biological potential of THIQ analogs, their structural-activity relationship (SAR), and their mechanism of action. In addition, a note on commonly used synthetic strategies for constructing the core scaffold has also been discussed.

A modular approach to the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and isotetrandrine

A modular short-step synthesis of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and isotetrandrine was developed employingN-acyl-Pictet–Spengler reaction and Ullman diaryl ether synthesis as central steps.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Praziquantel: An Anthelmintic Drug

The optically pure (–)-praziquantel was synthesised using phenylethylamine as starting material in 12% overall yield. The key step was achived by a chiral auxiliary mediated Pictet–Spengler reaction.

Design and synthesis of novel phenyl -1, 4-beta-carboline-hybrid molecules as potential anticancer agents

A series of beta-carbolines with other heterocycles linked by phenyl ring has been designed and synthesized. The key intermediates 3 and 5 were synthesized by condensing tryptamine and teraldehyde via Pictet- Spengler method. All the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their anticancer activity against sixty human cell lines at NCI. The five dose results of compounds 3 and 7a showed enhancement of anticancer activity (GI₅₀ values range from 1.00 to 7.10 μM) against all the cell lines in comparison with some of earlier molecules. In addition to this protein binding and CT-DNA intercalation studies showed molecules are highly potential. The molecular docking studies, which support the multiple mode of interaction with DNA, moreover the synthesized compounds 3 and 7a are more potential and possess drug -like nature.

Synthesis of Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids and Related Compounds through the Alkylation of Anodically Prepared α-Amino Nitriles

α-Amino nitrile 2a was conveniently prepared in two individual steps from chiral hexafluorophosphate salt isoquinolinium (-)-8b including anodic cyanation as an efficient means to activate the sp(3) C1-H bond of the THIQ nucleus. The lithiation of 2a was carried out in THF at -80 °C in the presence of LDA to produce a stable α-amino carbanion which was condensed on a large variety of alkyl halides. The resulting quaternary α-amino nitriles were subjected to a stereoselective reductive decyanation in ethanol in the presence of NaBH4 as the hydride donor to yield N-Boc-1-alkyl-THIQs (+)-10a-g in up to 97:3 er's after removal of the chiral auxiliary group. Examination of the ORTEP view of THIQ (+)-1f revealed that the newly created stereogenic center had an absolute S configuration. Likewise, (-)-xylopinine was synthesized in four workup steps in an overall 63% yield from α-amino nitrile (+)-2b. In this process, crystallization of an enantioenriched mixture (90:10) of (-)-norlaudanosine with 1 equiv of (-)-N-acetyl-l-leucine afforded the leucinate salt (+)-13 (99:1 dr). Similarly, (+)-salsolidine was displaced from its (-)-DBTA salt (-)-12 in 99:1 er, which was determined by proton and carbon NMR spectroscopy in the presence of thiophosphinic acid (+)-14 as the chiral solvating agent.

On the Biosynthetic Pathway of Papaverine via (S)-Reticuline – Theoretical vs. Experimental Study

The electronic structures, optical properties and molecular structures of a series of isoquinoline alkaloids resulting in the formation of papaverine, through a proposed biosynthetic pathway via S(+)-reticuline were elucidated. The mechanism of papaverine synthesis was studied by electronic absorption, diffuse reflectance, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, as well as ESI and MALDI Orbitrap imaging mass spectrometry. Quantum chemical DFT calculations in the gas phase and solution were performed with a view to study the electronic transitions of the interacting species, corresponding proposed intermediates, and the expected mass spectrometric fragments. The complete study and understanding of the mechanism of the biosynthetic pathway in the poppy plants appears important for the functional oriented drug-design and synthesis of corresponding structurally related alkaloids.

Electronically Rich N-Substituted Tetrahydroisoquinoline 3-Carboxylic Acid Esters: Concise Synthesis and Conformational Studies

Recent work in our laboratory has shown that the highly substituted, electronically rich 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (THIQ3CA) scaffold is a key building block for a novel class of promising anticoagulants (Al-Horani et al. J. Med. Chem.2011, 54, 6125-6138). The synthesis of THIQ3CA analogs, especially containing specific, electronically rich substituents, has been a challenge and essentially no efficient methods have been reported in the literature. We describe three complementary, glycine donor-based strategies for high yielding synthesis of highly substituted, electronically rich THIQ3CA esters. Three glycine donors studied herein include hydantoin 1, (±)-Boc-α-phosphonoglycine trimethyl ester 2 and (±)-Z-α-phosphonoglycine trimethyl ester 3. Although the synthesis of THIQ3CA analogs could be achieved using either of the three, an optimal, high yielding approach for the desired THIQ3CA esters was best achieved using 3 in three mild, efficient steps. Using this approach, a focused library of advanced N-arylacyl, N-arylalkyl, and bis-THIQ3CA analogs was synthesized. Variable temperature and solvent-dependent NMR chemical shift studies indicated the presence of two major conformational rotamers in 3:1 proportion for N-arylacyl-THIQ3CA analogs, which were separated by a high kinetic barrier of ~17 kcal/mol. In contrast, N-arylalkyl and bis-THIQ3CA variants displayed no rotamerism, which implicates restricted rotation around the amide bond as the origin for high-barrier conformational interconversion. This phenomenon is of major significance because structure-based drug design typically utilizes only one conformation. Overall, the work presents fundamental studies on the synthesis and conformational properties of highly substituted, electronically rich THIQ3CA analogs.

Acid-promoted cyclization reactions of tetrahydroindolinones. Model studies for possible application in a synthesis of selaginoidine

The synthesis of various substituted bicyclic lactams by an acid-induced Pictet-Spengler reaction of tetrahydroindolinones bearing tethered heteroaromatic rings is presented. The outcome of the cyclization depends on the position of the furan tether, tether length, nature of the tethered heteroaromatic ring, and the substituent group present on the 5-position of the tethered heteroaryl group. A one-pot procedure was developed to efficiently prepare tetrahydroindolinones containing tethered furan rings. In a typical example, the reaction of furanyl azide 26 with n-Bu3P delivered iminophosphorane 27, which was allowed to react with a 1-alkyl-(2-oxocyclohexyl)acetic acid to provide the desired furanyl-substituted tetrahydroindolinone system 29. Treatment of 29 with trifluoroacetic acid afforded the tetracyclic lactam skeleton 30 found in the alkaloid (+/-)-selaginoidine.

Catalytic Asymmetric Pictet−Spengler Reaction

A catalytic asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction has been developed, wherein treating substituted tryptamines with an aldehyde in the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral phosphoric acid provides the corresponding tetrahydro-beta-carboline derivatives in high yields and enantiomeric excesses. The reaction works well with both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes.

Catalytic Pictet–Spengler reactions using Yb(OTf)3

The catalytic Pictet-Spengler reactions proceeded in high yields with high regioselectivity in the presence of a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)3 and a dehydrating agent at room temperature. High regioselectivities were obtained in these reactions, and it is suggested that the reactions proceeded under kinetic control.

1-Substituted β-Carbolines by a Pictet−Spengler Cyclization with Thioortho Esters and Carbon−Carbon Bond Formation via N-Sulfonyl Iminium Ions Generated from N,S-Sulfonyl Acetals

The reaction of N-tosyltryptamines with thioortho esters, leading to 1-thiosubstituted tetrahydro-beta-carbolines under modified Pictet-Spengler conditions, is described. The 1-heterosubstituted beta-carbolines furnished 1-substituted beta-carbolines upon reaction with Grignard reagents and silyl derivatives under Lewis acid promotion. [reaction: see text]

Catalytic N-Sulfonyliminium Ion-Mediated Cyclizations to α-Vinyl-Substituted Isoquinolines and β-Carbolines and Applications in Metathesis

[reaction: see text] Catalytic Sn(OTf)2-induced cyclization of linear, aryl-containing allylic N,O-acetals produced vinyl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-1H-beta-carbolines. The usefulness of the vinyl moiety in the resulting products was demonstrated via the synthesis of various key building blocks for alkaloid structures. The alpha-vinyl moiety was utilized in a [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement, in ring-closing metathesis and a cross-metathesis-based synthesis of vincantril, an antianoxia agent, and a synthetic member of the vincamine type natural products.

New Application of Pictet−Spengler Reaction Leading to the Synthesis of an Unusual Seven-Membered Heterocyclic Ring System

A novel strategy for the Pictet-Spengler reaction is reported. Our strategy involves reaction of arylamines, linked to the N-1 of disubstituted imidazoles, with aldehydes in the presence of p-TsOH. The iminium ion generated in situ undergoes C-C bond formation with the C-5 of the imidazoles to furnish triazabenzoazulenes as a novel heterosystem. Our strategy differs from conventional Pictet-Spengler reaction since the latter utilizes only aliphatic amines in which the amine functionality is linked to a C instead of N of the activated aromatic moiety.

A versatile synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline derivatives by reaction of 4-aryl-5-aminopyrazoles with aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes: the effect of the heterocycle on the reaction pathways

The reaction of 4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-aminopyrazoles 7A-D with aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes in strong acidic media (trifluoroacetic or formic acid) has been studied. The initial azomethine derivatives 8 undergo cyclization similar to the Pictet-Spengler condensation to form the intermediate 4,5-dihydroisoquinolines 9 which readily dehydrogenate giving 5-aryl(heteroaryl)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline derivatives 10 as the final products. Whereas for benzaldehyde and its derivatives this one-pot synthesis presents a convenient general route to 5-aryl-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines 10, in the case of heterocyclic aldehydes the product structure varies markedly with the structure of the aldehyde used: (i) 3-pyridyl-, 3-quinolyl-, 3-thienyl-, and 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl-5-carboxaldehydes give 5-heteroarylpyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines; (ii) 1-methylbenzimidazolyl-2-carboxaldehyde gives only intermediate azomethine 8Dh, which does not cyclize; (iii) 1-R-3-indolylcarboxaldehydes (R = H, CH3, CH2Ph) eliminate the heteroaryl fragment resulting in 5-unsubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines 11. Thienyl-2-carboxaldehyde reacts by both pathways (i) and (iii) depending on the reaction conditions. The single crystal X-ray structures for 10Dj, 10Cd and 11D provide confirmation of the different types of products formed in these reactions. Mechanisms which explain these transformations are presented.

Anti-Markovnikov Intermolecular Hydroamination: A Bis(amidate) Titanium Precatalyst for the Preparation of Reactive Aldimines

[reaction: see text] A bulky bis(N-2',6'-diisopropylphenyl(phenyl)-amidate)titanium-bis(diethylamido) complex was identified as a highly active and regioselective precatalyst for the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of a wide range of terminal alkyl alkynes with alkylamines. This titanium complex was fully characterized, including its X-ray crystal structure. The reactive aldimine products generated have been further elaborated using one-pot procedures to give substituted amines, aldehydes, and the isoquinoline framework.

Beta-phenylethylamines and the isoquinoline alkaloids

This review covers beta-phenylethylamines and isoquinoline alkaloids and compounds derived from them, including further products of oxidation, condensation with formaldehyde and rearrangement, some of which do not contain an isoquinoline system, together with naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, which have a different biogenetic origin. The occurrence of the alkaloids, with the structures of new bases, together with their reactions, syntheses and biological activities are reported. The literature from July 2001 to June 2002 is reviewed, with 581 references cited.