Stereoselective aldol condensations via boron enolates

Design, synthesis and evaluation of bioactivity of peptidomimetics based on chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres

Ample biologically active peptides have been found, identified and modified for use in drug discovery to date. However, several factors, such as low metabolic stability due to proteolysis and non-specific interactions with multiple off-target molecules, might limit the therapeutic use of peptides. To enhance the stability and/or bioactivity of peptides, the development of "peptidomimetics," which mimick peptide molecules, is considered to be idealistic. Hence, chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres (CADIs) was designed, and their synthetic methods have been developed by us. Briefly, in a CADI an amide bond in peptides is replaced with a chloroalkene structure. CADIs might be superior mimetics of amide bonds because the Van der Waals radii (VDR) and the electronegativity value of a chlorine atom are close to those of the replaced oxygen atom. By a developed method of the "liner synthesis", N-tert-butylsulfonyl protected CADIs can be synthesized via a key reaction involving diastereoselective allylic alkylation using organocopper reagents. On the other hand, by a developed method of the "convergent synthesis", N-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-protected carboxylic acids can be also constructed based on N- and C-terminal analogues from corresponding amino acid starting materials via an Evans syn aldol reaction and the Ichikawa allylcyanate rearrangement reaction involving a [3.3] sigmatropic rearrangement. Notably, CADIs can also be applied for Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis and therefore introduced into bioactive peptides including as the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide and the amyloid β fragment Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe (KLVFF) peptide, which are correlated with cell attachment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), respectively. These CADI-containing peptidomimetics stabilized the conformation and enhanced the potency of the cyclic RGD peptide and the cyclic KLVFF peptide.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Radical-Radical Coupling of Potassium Trifluoroborates with Acyl Azoliums

Potassium trifluoroborates have gained significant utility as coupling partners in organic synthesis, particularly in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. Recently, they have also been used as radical precursors under oxidative conditions to generate carbon-centered radicals. These versatile reagents have found new applications in photoredox catalysis, including radical substitution, conjugate addition reactions, and transition metal dual catalysis. In addition, this photomediated redox neutral process has enabled radical-radical coupling with persistent radicals in the absence of a metal, and this process remains to be fully explored. In this study, we report the radical-radical coupling of benzylic potassium trifluoroborate salts with isolated acyl azolium triflates, which are persistent radical precursors. The reaction is catalyzed by an organic photocatalyst and forms isolable tertiary alcohol species. These compounds can be transformed into a range of substituted ketone products by simple treatment with a mild base.

PdII-Catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H (Hetero)Arylation of Ketones Enabled by Transient Directing Groups

Pd(II)-catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H (hetero)arylation of aliphatic ketones is developed using α-amino acid as transient directing groups (TDG). A variety of aliphatic ketones were (hetero)arylated at the γ-position via a 5,6-membered fused cyclopalladation intermediate to afford the remotely arylated products in up to 88% yield. The crucial ligand effect of 2-pyridone is further enhanced by reducing the loading of acid additives. Consequentially, the improved reactivity of this catalytic system has also made possible the cyclic γ-methylene C(sp3)-H arylation of ketones. Mechanistic investigtigation and comparison to the γ-C-H arylation of aldehydes revealed a structural insight for designing site selective TDG.

Isolation and Total Synthesis of Beru'amide, an Antitrypanosomal Polyketide from a Marine Cyanobacterium Okeania sp

A 68 μg amount of an acyclic polyketide, named beru'amide, was isolated from a marine cyanobacterium Okeania sp. Beru'amide contains six unique moieties in its relatively small skeleton. By applying several cutting-edge techniques, including DFT-based chemical shift calculations, we achieved the structure determination and the total synthesis of this highly functionalized scarce natural product. Furthermore, beru'amide was shown to have strong antitrypanosomal activity.

[Mes-B-TMP]+ borinium cation initiated cyanosilylation and catalysed hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes

Two aryl amino borinium cations derived from Cl(Mes)B-NR₂ (NR₂ = TMP, HMDS) faced divergent outcomes. As the HMDS-substituted one underwent methyl migration from silicon to boron transforming the putative borinium ion to a silylium ion, [Mes-B-TMP]⁺ can initiate cyanosilylation and catalyse hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes.

Studies towards the Synthesis of (–)-Pulvomycin: Construction of the C12–C40 Segment by a Stereoselective Aldol Reaction

A convergent strategy was developed for the synthesis of the C12–C40 segment of (–)-pulvomycin. Key step was a diastereoselective aldol reaction between a chiral ethyl ketone representing the C24–C40 fragment and a chiral aldehyde representing the C12–C23 fragment. Both compounds were prepared from enantiomerically pure building blocks in a convergent fashion. The longest linear sequence commenced with a known d-fucose-derived glycosyl donor and entailed a total number of 16 steps. The desired anti-aldol product was obtained in a total yield of 5% over these steps and contains 12 out of 13 stereogenic centers present in the natural product.

Identification and Total Synthesis of an Unstable Anticancer Macrolide Presaccharothriolide Z Produced by Saccharothrix sp. A1506

Saccharothriolides A-F are 10-membered microbial macrolides proposed to be generated from their precursors presaccharothriolides X-Z. Previously, we isolated presaccharothriolide X, and its unique natural prodrug-like properties have intrigued us. However, the other congeners were not detected. Herein, we detected presaccharothriolide Z using our highly sensitive labeling reagent. Moreover, chemical synthesis of presaccharothriolide Z, the first total synthesis of saccharothriolide-class macrolides, was achieved, and the structure and biological activity of presaccharothriolide Z were determined.

Evolution of a Strategy for the Total Synthesis of (+)-Cornexistin

Herein is given a full account of the evolution of the first total synthesis of (+)-cornexistin. Initial efforts were based on masking the reactive maleic anhydride moiety as a 3,4-substituted furan and on forming the nine-membered carbocycle in an intramolecular Conia-ene or Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) reaction. Those strategies suffered from low yields and were jeopardized by a late-stage installation of the Z-alkene, as well as the stereocenters along the eastern periphery. These issues were addressed by employing a chiral-pool strategy that involved construction of the crucial stereocenters at C2, C3 and C8 at an early stage with installation of the maleic anhydride as late as possible. The successful approach featured an intermolecular NHK coupling to install the Z-alkene, a syn-Evans-aldol reaction to forge the stereocenters along the eastern periphery, an intramolecular allylic alkylation to close the nine-membered carbocycle, and a challenging stepwise hydrolysis of a β-keto nitrile to furnish the maleic anhydride.

Palladium-Catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H Arylation of Aliphatic Ketones Enabled by a Transient Directing Group

The direct arylation of aliphatic ketones has been developed via Pd-catalyzed β-C(sp³)-H bond functionalization with 2-(aminooxy)-N,N-dimethylacetamide as a novel transient directing group (TDG), which showed remarkable directing ability to generate arylated products in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, the reaction can tolerate abundant substrate of ketones and aryl iodides. This study expands the scope of applications for TDGs.

Progress in the total synthesis of inthomycins

The inthomycin family of antibiotics, isolated from Streptomyces strains, are interesting molecules for synthesis due to their characteristic common oxazole polyene chiral allylic β-hydroxycarbonyl fragments and significant biological activities. The full structural motif of the inthomycins is found in several more complex natural products including the oxazolomycins, 16-methyloxazolomycin, curromycins A and B, and KSM-2690. This review summarises the application of various efforts towards the synthesis of inthomycins and their analogues systematically.

Synthetic Studies toward the Total Synthesis of Tautomycetin

The studies culminating in the synthesis of two large subunits of tautomycetin are described. The first one, fragment C1-C12 that has an anti-1,3-dimethyl system and a terminal diene unit, was accomplished in 10 linear steps in 7.4% overall yield. The second one, fragment C13-C25 which bears the sensitive anhydride framework and the majority of the stereogenic centers, was prepared in 13 linear steps (longest sequence) in 8% overall yield. Among the key transformations used, a regioselective epoxide opening, a Pd-catalyzed addition of terminal alkyne to acceptor alkyne, a Mukaiyama aldol reaction, a Yamaguchi esterification, and a homemade mild di-esterification can be cited. The chosen strategies allowed good yields, stereoselectivity, reproducibility, and scalability for several important intermediates.

Stereodivergent approach in the protected glycal synthesis of L-vancosamine, L-saccharosamine, L-daunosamine and L-ristosamine involving a ring-closing metathesis step

In this paper, a new access to several chiral 3-aminoglycals as potential precursors for glycosylated natural products is reported from a common starting material, (−)-methyl-L-lactate. The stereodivergent strategy is based on the implementation of a ring-closing metathesis of vinyl ethers as key step of reaction sequences developed.

Structural Revision of Baulamycin A and Structure-Activity Relationships of Baulamycin A Derivatives

Total synthesis of the proposed structure of baulamycin A was performed. The spectral properties of the synthetic compound differ from those reported for the natural product. On the basis of comprehensive NMR study, we proposed two other possible structures for natural baulamycin A. Total syntheses of these two substances were performed, which enabled assignment of the correct structure of baulamycin A. Key features of the convergent and fully stereocontrolled route include Evans Aldol and Brown allylation reactions to construct the left fragment, a prolinol amide-derived alkylation/desymmetrization to install the methyl-substituted centers in the right fragment, and finally, a Carreira alkynylation to join both fragments. In addition, we have determined the inhibitory activities of novel baulamycin A derivatives against the enzyme SbnE. This SAR study provides useful insight into the design of novel SbnE inhibitors that overcome the drug resistance of pathogens, which cause life-threatening infections.

Methylene C(sp3)-H Arylation of Aliphatic Ketones Using a Transient Directing Group

Palladium-catalyzed methylene β-C(sp3)-H arylation of aliphatic ketones using a transient directing group is developed. The use of α-benzyl β-alanine directing group that forms a six-membered chelation with palladium is crucial for promoting the methylene C(sp3)-H bond activation.

Highly Versatile β-C(sp3)-H Iodination of Ketones Using a Practical Auxiliary

The first example of palladium(II)-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H iodination of a wide range of ketones using a commercially available aminooxyacetic acid auxiliary has been achieved. This L, X-type directing group overcomes the limitations of the transient directing group approach for C(sp3)-H functionalization of ketones. Practical advantages of this method include simple installation of the auxiliary without chromatography, exceptional tolerance of α-functional groups, as well as alkenes and alkynes, and rapid access to diverse sterically hindered quaternary centers.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Dehydroboration via Generation of Boron Enolates

The Pd^II -catalyzed dehydroboration of boron enolates generated from ketones and 9-iodo-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane was achieved, providing a synthetically versatile protocol from ketones to α,β-unsaturated ketones. The Pd^II compound employed in this reaction worked catalytically in the presence of Cu(OAc)₂ . The high trans-selectivity of the olefinic moiety was observed. Aryl halide moieties (-Br and -Cl) remained intact for this reaction in spite of the presence of a Pd species. An ester substrate could also be applied when a stoichiometric amount of Pd^II was used. The crossover reactions using boron and silyl enolates revealed that the oxidation reaction is much faster than the Saegusa-Ito reaction.

Tetrahedral boronates as basic catalysts in the aldol reaction

β-Hydroxyketones are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, which can be conveniently synthesized from ketones and aldehydes by aldol reactions. Unfortunately, these reactions often suffer from dehydration of the initially formed β-hydroxyketones. Previously, tetrahedral 3,5-difluorophenylborate was shown to be an efficient and selective catalyst for this reaction. The present investigation concerns the catalytic performance of phenyl borates with different substitution patterns in the aldol reaction. It appears that the dehydration reaction can be suppressed by selecting substituents and substituent positions with reduced electron withdrawing effects on the borate function. Optimal suppression of the dehydration of β-hydroxyketones was obtained for compounds corresponding to phenylboronic acids with a pK a > 7. The reactions between benzaldehyde and butanone or 3-pentanone did not show diastereoselectivity, which suggests that the catalysts merely act as bases rather than as templates for the transition state of the aldol reaction. Sterically more demanding ketones were not converted.

The role of synergic interaction in transition state formation for the aldol reaction on a metal oxide catalyst: a DFT investigation

This contribution highlights an eight-membered ring transition state for the aldol reaction of propanal on O-terminated ZrO₂(111) and CeO₂(111) surfaces.

Unprecedented 8,9'-neolignans: enantioselective synthesis of possible stereoisomers for structural determination

(+)-Wutaienin (3) and its C-7 methyl ether (4), isolated from Zanthoxylum wutaiense, were found to be unprecedented 8,9'-neolignans containing an (S)-2-(1,1-dimethyl-1-hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxydihydrobenzofuran skeleton. Wutaienin (3) was present in the plant as an inseparable 1:1 mixture of the (7,8)-syn-diastereoisomers. The diastereoisomeric mixture was characterized by comparison with four possible diastereoisomers, which were enantioselectively synthesized from (S)-5-bromo-(1,1-dimethyl-1-hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxydihydrobenzofuran using Evans' oxazolidinone-assisted asymmetric aldol condensation to install the chiral centers at the C-7 and C-8 positions.

Aldol reactions mediated by a tetrahedral boronate

The base is a key factor in aldol reactions in organic media, determining the selectivity. Here, we describe a tetrahedral phenylboronate salt as a mild non-nucleophilic base that is able to catalyse the aldol reaction and significantly decrease the formation of undesired elimination products.

Kinetic isotope effects in asymmetric reactions

Kinetic isotope effects are exquisitely sensitive probes of transition structure. As such, kinetic isotope effects offer a uniquely useful probe for the symmetry-breaking process that is inherent to stereoselective reactions. In this Concept article, we explore the role of steric and electronic effects in stereocontrol, and we relate these concepts to recent studies carried out in our laboratory. We also explore the way in which kinetic isotope effects serve as useful points of contact with computational models of transition structures. Finally, we discuss future opportunities for kinetic isotope effects to play a role in asymmetric catalyst development.

Stereoselective aldol reaction of glutarimides using pseudo C(2) symmetry

The boron aldol reaction of beta-substituted glutaric imides bearing an oxazolidinone-based auxiliary proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivity; switching the tertiary amine employed between i-Pr(2)EtN or Et(3)N affords enantiomeric lactone product.

Asymmetric aldol reaction with diisopinocampheyl enolborinates of propionates

A convenient and general, reagent-controlled, diastereo- and enantioselective aldol reaction of diisopinocampheylboron enolates of esters, followed by reduction, has been developed as an alternative to crotylboration-ozonolysis. This protocol was then exploited for the double diastereoselective synthesis of the C11-C17 subunit of (-)-dictyostatin.