Solvent Polarity-Controlled Selective Synthesis of Methyl Pyranoside and Furanoside

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Aryl C-Glycosides from Glycosyl Esters via C-O Bond Homolysis

C-aryl glycosyl compounds offer better in vivo stability relative to O- and N-glycoside analogues. C-aryl glycosides are extensively investigated as drug candidates and applied to chemical biology studies. Previously, C-aryl glycosides were derived from lactones, glycals, glycosyl stannanes, and halides, via methods displaying various limitations with respect to the scope, functional-group compatibility, and practicality. Challenges remain in the synthesis of C-aryl nucleosides and 2-deoxysugars from easily accessible carbohydrate precursors. Herein, we report a cross-coupling method to prepare C-aryl and heteroaryl glycosides, including nucleosides and 2-deoxysugars, from glycosyl esters and bromoarenes. Activation of the carbohydrate substrates leverages dihydropyridine (DHP) as an activating group followed by decarboxylation to generate a glycosyl radical via C-O bond homolysis. This strategy represents a new means to activate alcohols as a cross-coupling partner. The convenient preparation of glycosyl esters and their stability exemplifies the potential of this method in medicinal chemistry.

GC-MS study of changes in polar/mid-polar and volatile compounds in Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) during fruit growth

BACKGROUND

Citrus fruits possess a high content of bioactive compounds whose changes during fruit maturation have not been studied in depth. Fruits were sampled from week 1, after fruit onset (7 days after flowering), to week 14. Volatile compounds isolated by headspace-solid-phase microextraction and polar extracts from all samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The relative abundance of 107 identified metabolites allowed differences among samples at different stages of fruit growth to be established. Principal component analysis showed a clear discrimination among samples, and analysis of variance revealed significant differences in 94 out of the 107 metabolites. Among total volatiles, monoterpenes increased their relative abundance from 86% to 94% during fruit growth, d-limonene, γ-terpinene and β-pinene being the most abundant; conversely, sesquiterpenes decreased from 11.5% to 2.8%, β-bisabolene and α-bergamotene being the most concentrated. Sugars, in general, exhibited a gradual increase in abundance, reaching a maximum between weeks 9 and 12. Citric and malic acids, representing approximately 90% of the total identified carboxylic acids, reached a maximum concentration at commercial maturity (week 14).

CONCLUSION

Of the 107 tentatively identified metabolites during Persian lime growth, sugars, carboxylic acids, and volatiles were those that experienced more significant changes and more clearly created differences among fruit growth stages. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

From organocatalysed desilylations to high-yielding benzylidenations of electron-deficient benzaldehydes

A new type of organoprecatalyst (MeSCH2Cl/KI) for desilylation and benzylidenation reactions has been designed. Both reactions are user friendly and high yielding (71–>99%) and have fast reaction rates. The desilylation of iodo silyl ethers was achieved with no sequential etherification side reactions like those seen for reactions when using TBAF. In the application of the catalytic system to a 6-TBDMS ether of a glucoside, glucoside benzylidenations using electron-deficient benzaldehydes were achieved in 87% yield compared with the previously reported yields of 69–77%. Altogether, 14 benzylidenation reactions were realised using silyloxy alcohols and electron-deficient benzaldehydes instead of their activated acetal forms. In terms of reaction rates and yields, the order of the benzylidenations is p-fluorobenzaldehyde > benzaldehyde > p-anisaldehyde, and a possible mechanism is discussed. These experiments have preliminarily differentiated this cost-effective catalytic system from the classic Lewis acids.

Efficient isomerization of methyl arabinofuranosides into corresponding arabinopyranosides in presence of pyridine

Fisher glycosylation, the oldest but efficient reaction towards alkyl glycosides, suffers nonetheless from lack of selectivity, especially when dealing with pentoses. In this case, a mixture of the four isomers, namely the furanosides and the pyranosides, is formed. According to previous studies, the rate and selectivity of the reaction depend greatly on the reaction time and the temperature. In this report, another factor was evaluated, the introduction of a weak nucleophilic base. Interestingly, addition of pyridine few hours after the reaction has started allowed rapid isomerization of the methyl pentofuranosides into its pyranoside counterparts. The reaction proceeds with great diastereoselectivity using arabinose, ribose, xylose and lyxose as starting pentoses. Corresponding methyl pyranosides were obtained as the sole isomers with yields ranging from 65% to 75%.

Total synthesis, structural elucidation and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of 2-deoxy-3,6-anhydro hexofuranoside derivatives isolated from Sauropus rostratus

The first total synthesis of four 2-deoxy-3,6-anhydro hexofuranoside derivatives isolated from Genus Sauropus rostratus was accomplished.