An Efficient and Stereoselective Synthesis of 9-cis-Retinoic Acid

Boron-enabled geometric isomerization of alkenes via selective energy-transfer catalysis

Isomerization-based strategies to enable the stereodivergent construction of complex polyenes from geometrically defined alkene linchpins remain conspicuously underdeveloped. Mitigating the thermodynamic constraints inherent to isomerization is further frustrated by the considerations of atom efficiency in idealized low-molecular weight precursors. In this work, we report a general ambiphilic C₃ scaffold that can be isomerized and bidirectionally extended. Predicated on highly efficient triplet energy transfer, the selective isomerization of β-borylacrylates is contingent on the participation of the boron p orbital in the substrate chromophore. Rotation of the C(sp²)-B bond by 90° in the product renders re-excitation inefficient and endows directionality. This subtle stereoelectronic gating mechanism enables the stereocontrolled syntheses of well-defined retinoic acid derivatives.

Synthesis of One Double Bond-Inserted Retinal Analogs and Their Binding Experiments with Opsins: Preparation of Novel Red-Shifted Channelrhodopsin Variants

In optogenetics, red-shifted channelrhodopsins (ChRs) are eagerly sought. We prepared six kinds of new chromophores with one double bond inserted into the polyene side chain of retinal (A1) or 3,4-didehydroretinal (A2), and examined their binding efficiency with opsins (ReaChR and ChrimsonR). All analogs bound with opsins to afford new ChRs. Among them, A2-10ex (an extra double bond is inserted at the C10-C11 position of A2) showed the greatest red-shift in the absorption spectrum of ChrimsonR, with a maximum absorbance at 654 nm (67 nm red-shifted from that of A1-ChrimsonR). Moreover, a long-wavelength spectral boundary of A2-10ex-ChrimsonR was extended to 756 nm, which reached into the far-red region (710-850 nm).

Synthesis of 9-CD3-9-cis-Retinal Cofactor of Isorhodopsin

We report the synthesis of 9-CD₃-9-cis-retinal via a six-step procedure from β-ionone. The steps involve an initial deuteration of the methyl ketone of β-ionone followed by two consecutive Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) coupling reactions and their corresponding DIBAL reductions. A final oxidation of the allylic alcohol of the retinol leads to the target compound. This deuterium labeled retinoid is an important cofactor for studying protein-retinoid interactions in isorhodopsin.

Growing and processing conditions lead to changes in the carotenoid profile of spinach

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different light regimens during spinach cultivation on the isomeric composition of β-carotene. Irradiation with a halogen lamp, which has a wavelength spectrum close to that of daylight, was used to mimic field-grown conditions. The additional use of optical filters was established as a model system for greenhouse cultivation. Field-grown model systems led to a preferential increase of 9-cis-β-carotene, whereas 13-cis-β-carotene was just formed at the beginning of irradiation. Additionally 9,13-di-cis-β-carotene decreased significantly in the presence of energy-rich light. Isomerization of β-carotene was strongly suppressed during irradiation in greenhouse-grown model systems and led to significant differences. These results were verified in biological samples. Authentic field-grown spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) showed among changes of other isomers a significantly higher level of 9-cis-isomers (7.52 ± 0.14%) and a significantly lower level of 9,13-di-cis-isomers (0.25 ± 0.03%) compared to authentic greenhouse-grown spinach (6.49 ± 0.11 and 0.76 ± 0.05%). Almost all analyzed commercial spinach samples (fresh and frozen) were identified as common field-grown cultivation. Further investigations resulted in a clear differentiation of frozen commercial samples from fresh spinach, caused by significantly higher levels of 13-cis- and 15-cis-β-carotene as a result of industrial blanching processes.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Stereodefined Multisubstituted 1,4-Dicyano- and 1-Cyano-1,3-butadienes and Their Reactions with Organolithium Reagents

Stereodefined multisubstituted 1-cyano- and 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives were obtained in excellent yields of the isolated product from their corresponding monohalo- and dihalobutadienes and CuCN. This reaction proceeded with high stereoselectivity and retention of the stereochemistry of the starting halobutadienes. A study of the utility of the thus-obtained 1-cyano- and 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives was demonstrated by their reactions with organolithium reagents. 2H-Pyrrole or iminocyclopentadiene derivatives were formed in high yields from 1-cyano-4-halo-1,3-butadienes and organolithium reagents. When 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadienes were treated with organolithium reagents followed by trapping with electrophiles, a tandem process took place to afford 2H-pyrrolyl nitriles in excellent yields. Reduction of 1,4-dicyano-1,3-butadiene derivatives with LiAlH4 showed novel reaction patterns relative to normal nitriles.

Synthesis of enantiopure C3- and C4-hydroxyretinals and their enzymatic reduction by ADH8 from Xenopus laevis

(R)-all-trans-3-hydroxyretinal 1, (S)-all-trans-4-hydroxyretinal and (R)-all-trans-4-hydroxyretinal have been synthesized stereoselectively by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Stille cross-coupling as bond-forming reactions. The CBS method of ketone reduction was used in the enantioface-differentiation step to provide the precursors for the synthesis of the 4-hydroxyretinal enantiomers. The kinetic constants of Xenopus laevis ADH8 with these retinoids have been determined.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of 6-s-cis- and 6-s-trans-locked 9Z-retinoids by hydroxyl-accelerated Stille coupling of (Z)-tri-n-butylstannylbut-2-en-1-ol and bicyclic dienyl triflates

Analogues of 9-cis-retinoic acid with locked 6-s-cis and 6-s-trans conformations have been stereoselectively synthesized using a Stille coupling reaction between bicyclic dienyl triflates (5and 6, respectively) and (Z)-tributylstannylbut-2-en-1-ol (7) to stablish the Z geometry of the polyenic side chain. The mild conditions (25 degrees C, 30 min) of this coupling stand in contrast to the reluctance of the isomeric (E)-tributylstannylbut-2-en-1-ol (18) to react with triflates 5/6. The significant rate differences experimentally observed in Stille reactions between isomeric (Z)- and (E)-tri-n-butylstannylalkenols in favor of the former isomer, even with highly hindered alkenyl triflates, is ascribed to internal coordination of palladium to the heteroatom in the presumably rate-limiting transmetalation step. Dienals and trienals with an E geometry, which are not efficiently available by direct coupling of the corresponding triflates and E-stannanes, can in turn be obtained by isomerization of their Z-isomers.

A pericyclic cascade to the stereocontrolled synthesis of 9-cis-retinoids

A domino reaction that is pericyclic in nature is thought to be triggered upon treatment of alkenynol 10 with arylsulfenyl chlorides. The process comprises an ordered sequence of sigmatropic rearrangements: a reversible [2,3]-allyl sulfenate to allyl sulfoxide shift, followed by a [2,3]-propargyl sulfenate to allenyl sulfoxide rearrangement, and last a stereodifferentiating [1,5]-sigmatropic hydrogen migration leading to polyene 13. The occurrence of the C7 to C11 hydrogen migration has been demonstrated by labeling experiments. The double diastereoselection of the [1,5]-sigmatropic hydrogen shift to afford a single isomer of the final polyene 13 is thought to arise from a combination of the electronic effect of the sulfoxide at one terminus, and the steric effect imparted by the bulky trimethylcyclohexenyl substituent at the other terminus. The overall process thus constitutes a stereoselective synthesis of an E,Z,Z-triene fragment from an alkenynol and, in particular, a retinoid with the 7E,9Z,11Z,13E configuration on the conjugated polyenic side chain. Application of this method to the synthesis of retinoids, including labeled analogues, is straightforward.

Kinetics of plasma and tissue distribution of 9-cis-retinoic acid in rat

The biotransformation and tissue distribution of 9-cis-retinoic acid was investigated in hairless rats. Indeed, only limited information is available about the pharmacokinetics of 9-cis-retinoic acid. Assuming that the target site for retinoids is the skin, tissue distribution study is therefore particularly justified. Following single oral administration of 30 mg/kg of 9-cis-retinoic acid, the parent drug and five metabolites were detected in plasma. Additionally, concentrations of 9-cis-retinoic acid and metabolites were determined in the skin and seven other tissues. The distribution of 9-cis-retinoic acid was rapid in all of the organs studied (T(max) </=2 h). In skin, unchanged 9-cis-retinoic acid was still measurable up to 168 h after administration and was undetectable in other organs and plasma after 48 h.