Synthesis of enantiopure 3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes by diastereoselective intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions on chiral perhydro-1,3-benzoxazines

Bicyclic Piperidines via [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition

A synthetic strategy to fused bicyclic piperidines-building blocks for medicinal chemistry-is developed. The key step was an intramolecular [2 + 2]-photocyclization. The photochemical step was performed on a gram scale. Crystallographic analysis of the obtained compounds revealed that they occupy a novel chemical space and can be considered as elongated analogues of 3-substituted piperidines.

Photochemical [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Alkenyl Boronic Derivatives: An Entry into 3-Azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane Scaffold

The synthesis of 3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptyl boropinacolates and trifluoroborates via the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of the corresponding alkenyl boronic derivatives and maleimides or maleic anhydride is described. Optimization of the reaction conditions (i.e., wavelength, concentration of the reagents, photosensitizer) was carried out, and the scope and limitations of the method were studied. Alkenyl boronic acid pinacolates were found to be more suitable for the [2 + 2] cycloaddition, providing better reaction outcomes compared to the trifluoroborates. The utility of this approach was shown by the preparation of bi- and trifunctional building blocks (21 examples), which could be easily synthesized on up to 60 g scale. These cycloadducts provide a convenient entry into the 3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane scaffold through the C-C coupling or oxidative deborylation reactions.

Synthesis and Investigation of Pinane-Based Chiral Tridentate Ligands in the Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes

A library of pinane-based chiral aminodiols, derived from natural (−)-β-pinene, were prepared and applied as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. (−)-β-Pinene was reacted to provide 3-methylenenopinone, followed by a reduction of the carbonyl function to give a key allylic alcohol intermediate. Stereoselective epoxidation of the latter and subsequent ring opening of the resulting oxirane with primary and secondary amines afforded aminodiols. The regioselectivity of the ring closure of the N-substituted secondary aminodiols with formaldehyde was examined and exclusive formation of oxazolidines was observed. Treatment of the allylic alcohol with benzyl bromide provided the corresponding O-benzyl derivative, which was transformed into O-benzyl aminodiols by aminolysis. Ring closure of the N-isopropyl aminodiol derivative with formaldehyde resulted in spirooxazolidine. The obtained potential catalysts were applied in the reaction of both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes to diethylzinc providing moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 87% ee). Through the use of molecular modeling at an ab initio level, this phenomenon was interpreted in terms of competing reaction pathways. Molecular modeling at the RHF/LANL2DZ level of theory was successfully applied for interpretation of the stereochemical outcome of the reactions leading to display excellent (R) enantioselectivity in the examined transformation.

Stereoselective synthesis and application of isopulegol-based bi- and trifunctional chiral compounds

A new family of isopulegol-based bi- and trifunctional chiral ligands such as triols, tetrols, aminodiols and aminotriols was developed from commercially available (−)-isopulegol with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities.

Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Steviol-Based Diterpen Aminodiols

A library of steviol-based trifunctional chiral ligands was developed from commercially available natural stevisoide and applied as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The key intermediate steviol methyl ester was prepared according to literature procedure. Depending on the epoxidation process, both cis- and trans-epoxyalcohols were obtained. Subsequent oxirane ring opening with primary and secondary amines afforded 3-amino-1,2-diols. The ring opening with sodium azide followed by a “click” reaction with alkynes resulted in dihydroxytriazoles. The regioselective ring closure of N-substituted aminodiols with formaldehyde was also investigated. The resulting steviol-type aminodiols were tested against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (A2780, SiHa, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231). It was consistently found that the N-benzyl substituent is an essential part within the molecule and the ring closure towards N-benzyl substituted oxazolidine ring system increased the antiproliferative activity to a level comparable with that of cisplatine. In addition, structure–activity relationships were examined by assessing substituent effects on the aminodiol systems.

Stereoselective Synthesis and Investigation of Isopulegol-Based Chiral Ligands

A library of isopulegol-based bi-, tri- and tetrafunctional chiral ligands has been developed from commercially available (−)-isopulegol and applied as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. Michael addition of primary amines towards α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone, followed by reduction, was accomplished to provide aminodiols in highly stereoselective transformations. Stereoselective epoxidation of (+)-neoisopulegol, derived from natural (−)-isopulegol, and subsequent oxirane ring opening with primary amines afforded aminodiols. The regioselective ring closure of N-substituted aminodiols with formaldehyde was also investigated. Hydroxylation of (+)-neoisopulegol resulted in diol, which was then transformed into aminotriols by aminolysis of its epoxides. Dihydroxylation of (+)-neoisopulegol or derivatives with OsO₄/NMO gave neoisopulegol-based di-, tri- and tetraols in highly stereoselective reactions. The antimicrobial activity of aminodiol and aminotriol derivatives as well as di-, tri- and tetraols was also explored. In addition, structure–activity relationships were examined by assessing substituent effects on the aminodiol and aminotriol systems.

Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Bicyclic Limonene-Based Chiral Aminodiols and Spirooxazolidines

A library of monoterpene-based aminodiols was synthesized and applied as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The reduction of a bicyclic α-methylene ketone, derived from natural (-)-limonene followed by epoxidation, gave the key epoxy alcohol intermediate. Ring opening of the oxirane ring with primary amines induced by lithium perchlorate afforded the required aminodiols. Substituent-dependent ring closure of the secondary aminodiols with formaldehyde resulted in both spirooxazolidines and a fused 1,3-oxazine. Cyclization reactions of the studied aminodiols, resulting in spirocyclic oxazolidines and an isomeric perhydro-1,3-oxazine-fused compound along with the possible iminium intermediates, were analyzed by a systematic series of comparative DFT models performed at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Cyclobutanes by Olefin [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition Reactions

The [2 + 2] photocycloaddition is undisputedly the most important and most frequently used photochemical reaction. In this review, it is attempted to cover all recent aspects of [2 + 2] photocycloaddition chemistry with an emphasis on synthetically relevant, regio-, and stereoselective reactions. The review aims to comprehensively discuss relevant work, which was done in the field in the last 20 years (i.e., from 1995 to 2015). Organization of the data follows a subdivision according to mechanism and substrate classes. Cu(I) and PET (photoinduced electron transfer) catalysis are treated separately in sections 2 and 4 , whereas the vast majority of photocycloaddition reactions which occur by direct excitation or sensitization are divided within section 3 into individual subsections according to the photochemically excited olefin.

7-endo selenocyclization reactions on chiral 3-prenyl and 3-cinnamyl-2-hydroxymethylperhydro-1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. A way to enantiopure 1,4-oxazepanes

Enantiopure 1,4-oxazepane derivatives have been prepared by selenocyclofunctionalization of chiral 3-prenyl- and 3-cinnamyl-2-hydroxymethyl-substituted perhydro-1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. The 7-endo-cyclization occurs in high yields and diastereoselection. The regio- and stereochemistry of the cyclization products was dependent on the substitution pattern of the double bond, the nature of the hydroxyl group and the experimental conditions.

Diastereoselective synthesis of enantiopure morpholines by electrophilic selenium-induced 6-exo cyclizations on chiral 3-allyl-2-hydroxymethylperhydro-1,3-benzoxazine derivatives

Enantiopure morpholine derivatives have been prepared by selenocyclofunctionalization of chiral 3-allyl-2-hydroxymethyl-substituted perhydro-1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. The cyclization occurs in high yields and diastereoselection, although the temperature of the reaction and the structure of the substituent at C-2 and the substitution pattern of the double bond can modify the regio- and stereochemistry of the final products.

Diastereoselective Intramolecular Alder−Ene Reaction on Chiral Perhydro-1,3-benzoxazines. A Rapid Entry to Enantiopure cis-3,4-Disubstituted Pyrrolidines

Chiral 3-acryloyl-2-vinyl-substituted 1,3-perhydrobenzoxazines derived from (-)-8-aminomenthol participate in an ene reaction leading to 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidinone derivates with excellent diastereoselectivity. The cycloadducts were transformed into enantiopure 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidines after elimination of the chiral adjuvant.

Diastereoselective Yang Photocyclization Reactions in Solution. Synthesis of Enantiopure Azetidin-3-ol Derivatives

[reaction: see text] Chiral 2-acyl-3-allyl- or 2-acyl-3-benzyl-substituted perhydro-1,3-benzoxazines readily cyclized under irradiation to azetidin-3-ol derivatives. The diastereoselectivity of the cyclization is dependent on the nature of the substituents at the nitrogen atom. N-allyl-substituted derivatives yielded only two of the four possible diastereomers in moderate to good diastereomeric excess. The cyclization of N-benzyl derivatives was totally diastereoselective leading to a single diastereomer. The elimination of the menthol appendage lead to enantiopure 2,3-disubstituted azetidin-3-ol derivatives.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Asymmetric [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition. Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Cyclobutane Derivatives

[reaction: see text] A simple approach for asymmetric induction in Cu(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2] photocycloaddition, where asymmetric catalysts or chiral auxiliaries were inefficient, has been developed using the concept of chirality transfer from the readily available 2, 3-di-O-cyclohexylidine-(R)-(+)-glyceraldehyde. An anion-induced cleavage of the tetrahydrofuran ring of the resulting oxa-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes led to a convenient access to the synthetically useful cis-1,2-disubstituted cyclobutanes in enantiomerically pure form.