Carbohydrate carbocyclization by a zinc-mediated tandem reaction and ring-closing enyne metathesis

The first total synthesis and revision of absolute stereochemistry of natural cytotoxic lactone cleistanolate

Development of a synthetic route applicable to d-ribose and d-xylose enabled the synthesis of cleistanolate putative structure, its five stereoisomers, and led to revision and confirmation of absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. Key steps of the synthesis included zinc-mediated THF ring-opening and stereoselective dihydroxylation under the Upjohn conditions. The first total synthesis of cleistanolate was completed in eight steps starting from d-xylose. The C-5 stereocenter of the natural product was assigned the correct (5S)-stereochemistry. Cytotoxicity of natural product was briefly investigated.

Design of a Selective Ring-Closing Enyne Metathesis-Reduction for the Generation of Different Synthetic Scaffolds

A tandem process of ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM)-reduction using modern ruthenium catalysts and a hydrogen donor is described. This straightforward methodology is useful for C(sp³) generation under mild reaction conditions. Variables such as solvent, catalyst, hydride source, and temperature were adjusted toward the exclusive formation of different products.

Synthesis and evaluation of galacto-noeurostegine and its 2-deoxy analogue as glycosidase inhibitors

An epimer of the known glycosidase inhibitor noeurostegine, galacto-noeurostegine, was synthesised in 21 steps from levoglucosan and found to be a potent, competitive and highly selective galactosidase inhibitor of Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase.

Targeted allylation and propargylation of galactose-containing polysaccharides in water

Galactose units of spruce galactoglucomannan (GGM), guar galactomannan (GM), and tamarind (galacto)xyloglucan (XG) were selectively allylated. Firstly aldehyde functionalities were formed at the C-6 position via enzymatic oxidation by galactose oxidase. The formed aldehydes were further derivatized by an indium mediated Barbier-Grignard type reaction, resulting in the formation of homoallylic alcohols. In addition to allylic halides, the same reaction procedure was also applicable for GGM, when using propargyl bromide as halide. All reaction steps were done in water, thus the polysaccharides were modified in a one-pot reaction. The formation of the allylated, or propargylated, product was identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. All polysaccharide products were isolated and further characterized by GC-MS or NMR spectroscopy. By this chemo-enzymatic process, we have demonstrated a novel method for derivatization of GGM and other galactose-containing polysaccharides. The derivatized polysaccharides are potential platforms for further functionalizations.

Synthesis and glycosidase inhibitory activity of noeurostegine-a new and potent inhibitor of beta-glucoside hydrolases

A new, stable hemi-aminal nor-tropane christened noeurostegine was synthesised in 22 steps from levoglucosan and tested for inhibitory activity against glycoside hydrolases. Sweet almond and Thermotoga maritimabeta-glucosidases, coffee bean alpha-galactosidase, and Asp. oryzaebeta-galactosidase were inhibited in the low micromolar region but significant tightening of binding to K(i) 50 nM for almond beta-glucosidase was found to occur after pre-incubation. Yeast alpha-glucosidase and E. colibeta-galactosidase were not inhibited at 1 mM.

Advanced approach to polycyclics by a synergistic combination of enyne metathesis and Diels-Alder reaction

Enyne metathesis (EM) has widely been used to prepare various synthetic and natural products. Further, a sequential use of EM and Diels-Alder (DA) reactions generates highly functionalized and intricate polycarbocycles and heterocyclic frameworks. In this critical review we describe the application of a unique combination of EM and DA reactions to prepare various amino acid derivatives, natural products and heterocycles. Some of the heterocyclic targets include cyclic peroxides, siloxanes and various nitrogen (or oxygen) containing compounds. Use of ethylene and cyclooctadiene (COD) for improving the yield of EM products are also discussed (69 references).

Synthesis of the AB subunit of angelmicin B through a tandem alkoxy radical fragmentation-etherification sequence

The synthesis of the tricyclic enone 2, corresponding to the AB subunit of the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor angelmicin B, is described. The strategy centers on an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction on triene 4 to provide the complex decalin 3, which is elaborated to 2. Other key steps are the formation of the THF ring in 2 through a tandem alkoxy radical fragmentation-etherification on the lactol derived from 3, and the synthesis of 4 via a ring-closing ene-yne metathesis (RCEYM).

2-deoxyribose as a rich source of chiral 5-carbon building blocks

We have developed concise routes to a number of useful chiral 5-carbon synthetic building blocks using readily available O-1-methyl-2-deoxyribose as starting material. Novel transformations include the use of indium triflate to catalyze the oxidation of a methyl furanoside to the corresponding lactone with MCPBA and the Vasella-type fragmentation of a 5-iodo furanoside using chromium(II) chloride when zinc proved ineffective. In addition, 3,4-disubstituted piperidine derivatives were prepared without hydroxyl group protection via a simple reductive amination reaction.

Convenient conversion of wheat hemicelluloses pentoses (D-xylose and L-arabinose) into a common intermediate

The transformation of D-xylose and L-arabinose, the two major components of wheat straw and bran, into a unique multifunctional, optically pure, five-carbon synthon has been achieved. The synthetic sequence requires three steps: suitable protection of the hydroxyl groups of the pentoses, introduction of an iodide at the C-5 position and zinc-mediated opening of the furanose ring leading to the formation of a common substituted pent-4-enal.

Compared Behavior of 5-Deoxy-5-iodo-d-xylo- and l-Arabinofuranosides in the Reductive Elimination Reaction: A Strong Dependence on Structural Parameters and on the Presence of Zn2+. A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

In the framework of a project devoted to the chemical transformation of monosaccharides from hemicelluloses into higher added value materials, the zinc-induced reductive elimination from 5-deoxy-5-iodo derivatives of D-xylose and L-arabinose was carried out. This study gave us the opportunity to observe surprising behaviors. In particular, the reaction strongly depends on structural parameters (protecting group pattern, configuration at C-4) and on the presence of Zn2+ ions. Collaterally with the experimental work, water solvent PCM HF-DFT (MPW1K/LANL2DZ) computations were performed to obtain insight into the mechanism for the reductive part of the reaction sequence. Without Zn2+, the zinc insertion reaction was found to proceed through a concerted but non-synchronous process involving a relatively large energy barrier (32 kcal mol-1) that directly leads to the presumed organozinc intermediate. In the presence of Zn2+, a three-step mechanism was identified in which the cation coordinates the anomeric and ring oxygen atoms and also the sugar iodine atom, causing an activating effect on the zinc insertion process by facilitating the homolytic rupture of the C-I bond. Complexes between zinc and Zn2+ bound carbohydrates were characterized with large stabilization energies, suggesting that Zn2+ might enhance the affinity of the organic compound with the zinc metal surface.

Feasibility of associative mechanism in enyne metathesis catalyzed by grubbs complexes

The mechanism of enyne metathesis catalyzed by first and second generation Grubbs complexes has been computationally explored at the DFT level. The relative reactivity and the regioselectivity for the reaction of differently substituted alkenes and alkynes with model Ru complexes has been studied. The usually accepted dissociative mechanism for the alkene metathesis has been explored for alkynes, and compared with an associative pathway involving initial coordination of the alkyne to the 16-electron catalyst. Our results show that an associative mechanism would be the preferred pathway for the reaction of phosphine-based (first generation) Ru carbenes, at least for small phosphines such as PMe(3), whereas for the more reactive complexes containing a heterocyclic carbene as ligand (second generation catalysts), the dissociative process is far more favourable.

Macrocyclization by Ring-Closing Metathesis in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products: Reaction Conditions and Limitations

The construction of macrocycles by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is often used as the key step in the synthesis of natural products containing large rings. This reaction is attractive because of its high functional group compatibility and the possibility for further transformations. The finding of suitable reaction conditions is critical for the success of the synthesis. In this Minireview we summarize the efforts of many research groups to develop efficient RCM reactions on their way towards the total synthesis of natural macrocyclic products. Their findings should help in future synthesis to reduce the time-consuming phase of the optimization of the reaction conditions.

Annulation of β-aryl-α-nitro-α,β-enals and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one: a one-step assembly of nitrocyclitols. Application to a short practical synthesis of (±)-7-deoxy-2-epi-pancratistatin tetraacetate

A novel, highly stereocontrolled formal [3 + 3] annulation of beta-aryl-alpha-nitro-alpha,beta-enals with the enamine derived from 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one and pyrrolidine afforded protected nitrocyclitols with five newly created stereocentres and constituted the key step in a short, gram-scale synthesis of a pancratistatin analogue.

A Short Synthesis of (+)-Cyclophellitol

[reaction: see text] A new synthesis of (+)-cyclophellitol, a potent beta-glucosidase inhibitor, has been completed in nine steps from D-xylose. The key transformations involve a zinc-mediated fragmentation of benzyl-protected methyl 5-deoxy-5-iodo-xylofuranoside followed by a highly diastereoselective indium-mediated coupling with ethyl 4-bromocrotonate. Subsequent ring-closing olefin metathesis, ester reduction, olefin epoxidation, and deprotection then afford the natural product. This constitutes the shortest synthesis of (+)-cyclophellitol reported to date.

Mechanism of Enyne Metathesis Catalyzed by Grubbs Ruthenium−Carbene Complexes: A DFT Study

The complete catalytic cycle of the reaction of alkenes and alkynes to dienes by Grubbs ruthenium carbene complexes has been modeled at the B3LYP/LACV3P**+//B3LYP/LACVP level of theory. The core structures of the substrates and the catalyst were used as models, namely, ethene, ethyne, hept-1-en-6-yne, (Me(3)P)(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(2), and [C(2)H(4)(NMe)(2)C](Me(3)P)Cl(2)Ru=CH(2). Insight into the electronically most preferred mechanistic pathways was gained for both intermolecular as well as for intramolecular enyne metathesis. Alkene metathesis is predicted to proceed fast and reversible, while the insertion of the alkyne substrate is slower, irreversible, and kinetically regioselectivity determining. Ruthenacyclobut-2-ene structures do not exist as local minima in the catalytic cycle. Instead, vinylcarbene complexes are formed directly. The alkyne insertion step and the cycloreversion of 2-vinyl ruthenacyclobutanes feature comparable predicted overall barriers in intermolecular enyne metathesis. For intramolecular enyne metathesis, a noncyclic alkene fragment of the enyne substrate is first incorporated into the Grubbs catalyst by an alkene metathesis reaction. The subsequent insertion of the alkyne fragment then proceeds intramolecularly. Alkene association, cycloaddition, and cycloreversion to the diene product complex close the catalytic cycle. Rate enhancement by an ethene atmosphere (Mori's conditions) originates from a constantly higher overall alkene concentration that is necessary for the rate-limiting [2 + 2] cycloreversion step to the diene product complex.

A concise synthetic route to the conduritols from pentoses

A short synthetic strategy for preparation of the conduritols is described. The key step employs a zinc-mediated fragmentation of protected methyl 5-deoxy-5-iodo-d-pentofuranosides followed by an allylation of the intermediate aldehyde in the same pot. The allylation is performed with 3-bromopropenyl benzoate and occurs with good diastereoselectivity. An amino group can be introduced in the product by trapping the intermediate aldehyde as the imine prior to the allylation. The functionalised 1,7-octadienes, thus obtained, are converted into protected conduritols by ring-closing olefin metathesis.

Studies on Catalytic Asymmetric Nozaki−Hiyama Propargylation

Catalytic asymmetric Nozaki-Hiyama propargylation with ligand 1c proceeds with good to excellent enantioselectivity. Tuning of ligand 1 dramatically changes the enantioselectivity, and we propose models A and B to explain the change and outcome of the enantioselectivity.