A novel use of Grubbs' carbene. Application to the catalytic deprotection of tertiary allylamines

Drug Leads Derived from Japanese Marine Organisms

Many natural products with extraordinary chemical structures and brilliant biological activities have been obtained from marine organisms. We have investigated such fascinating bioactive molecules, exemplified by the potent marine toxin palytoxin and the antitumor molecule halichondrin B, which has been developed as the anticancer drug Halaven®, to explore novel frontiers in organic chemistry and bioscience. Working within the traditional discipline, we have sought to acquire a deeper understanding of biological phenomena. We introduce here our major work along with up-todate topics. We isolated yoshinone A from marine cyanobacteria and completed a gram-scale synthesis. Yoshinone A is a novel polyketide that inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes without significant cytotoxicity. The detailed mechanisms of action will be elucidated via further experiments in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we explore the true producers of okadaic acid and halichondrin B by immunostaining of Halichondria okadai with an antibody that was prepared using these natural products as an antigen. We will analyze isolated symbionts and reveal biosynthetic pathways.

Synthesis of Aza-Rocaglates via ESIPT-Mediated (3+2) Photocycloaddition

Synthesis of aza-rocaglates, nitrogen-containing analogues of the rocaglate natural products, is reported. The route features ESIPT-mediated (3+2) photocycloaddition of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-3-hydroxyquinolinones with the dipolarophile methyl cinnamate. A continuous photoflow reactor was utilized for photocycloadditions. An array of compounds bearing the hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indole core structure was synthesized and evaluated in translation inhibition assays.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones as free radical scavengers

The allylation of aminocoumarins in the presence of excess of anhydrous K(2)CO(3) and allyl bromide to diallylaminocoumarins is described. The Ring Closing Metathesis reaction of the later with the Grubbs' 1rst generation catalyst under reflux or MW irradiation has resulted mainly to (2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)coumarins and (1H-pyrrol-1-yl)coumarins. The new compounds were tested in vitro for their ability: (i) to interact with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) stable free radical, (ii) to inhibit lipid peroxidation, (iii) to scavenge the superoxide anion, (iv) to inhibit the activity of soybean lipoxygenase LO and (v) to scavenge hydroxyl radicals. Most of them were found to be potent lipid peroxidation inhibitors in vitro. The majority of the compounds showed significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Compounds 11a and 12c presenting higher LO inhibitory activity as well as compound 17 were found to present a promising antioxidant and LO inhibitory profile.

Facile Pd(II)- and Ni(II)-catalyzed isomerization of terminal alkenes into 2-alkenes

Mono- and 2,2'-disubstituted terminal alkenes can be isomerized into the more stable internal (Z)- and (E)-alkenes by treating them with catalytic amounts of [(allyl)PdCl](2) or [(allyl)NiBr](2), a triarylphosphine, and silver triflate at room temperature. The isomeric ratio (E:Z) depends on the alkenes, the E-isomer being the major one. The reaction is tolerant to a wide variety of functional groups including other reactive olefins. Unlike the more reactive Ir catalysts, monosubstituted alkenes give almost exclusively the 2-alkenes. Direct comparison to two of the best-known catalysts for this process {[Ir(PCy(3))(3)](+)[BPh(4)](-) and Grubbs generation II metathesis catalyst} is also described.

Efficient Tandem Process for the Catalytic Deprotection of N-Allyl Amides and Lactams in Aqueous Media: A Novel Application of the Bis(allyl)–Ruthenium(IV) Catalysts [Ru(η3:η2:η3-C12H18)Cl2] and [{Ru(η3:η3-C10H16)(μ-Cl)Cl}2]

An operationally simple and highly efficient methodology for the removal of the allyl protecting group in amides and lactams has been developed by using the commercially available bis(allyl)-ruthenium(IV) catalysts [Ru(eta(3):eta(2):eta(3)-C(12)H(18))Cl(2)] (C(12)H(18)=dodeca-2,6,10-triene-1,12-diyl) and [{Ru(eta(3):eta(3)-C(10)H(16))(micro-Cl)Cl}(2)] (C(10)H(16)=2,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene-1,8-diyl). The tandem process, which takes place in aqueous media and proceeds in a one-pot manner, involves the initial isomerization of the C=C bond of the allyl unit and subsequent oxidative cleavage of the resulting enamide.

One-Step RhCl3-Catalyzed Deprotection of Acyclic N-Allyl Amides

A convenient one-step RhCl3-catalyzed deprotection of acyclic N-allyl amides is described. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the key to the success of the one-step deprotection process is the dual function of RhCl3 in alcohol solvents. Reaction of RhCl3 with n-PrOH not only provides an active rhodium hydride species to catalyze isomerization of N-allyl amides to corresponding enamides but also generates a crucial catalytic amount of HCl to convert the enamides to deallylated amides through N,O-acetal exchange.

Epimerization Reaction of a Substituted Vinylcyclopropane Catalyzed by Ruthenium Carbenes: Mechanistic Analysis

A novel ruthenium carbene-catalyzed epimerization of vinylcyclopropanes is reported. The reaction rate strongly depends on the presence of ruthenium ligands in solution. When the first-generation Grubbs catalyst is employed, a 5.3:1 equilibrium ratio of epimers is established quickly, but when a first-generation Hoveyda catalyst is employed, epimerization is observed only if an additional phosphine or nitrogen ligand is added. NMR and kinetic studies suggest that the isomerization reaction occurs through the intermediacy of a ruthenacyclopentene. The observation suggests that cyclopropylmethylidene ruthenium carbenes of synthetic utility may be accessible via ruthenacyclopentenes obtained via other routes.

Enyne Metathesis-Oxidation Sequence for the Synthesis of 2-Phosphono Pyrroles: Proof of the “Yne-then-Ene” Pathway

A new tandem reaction sequence has been developed for the synthesis of 2-phosphono pyrroles. The sequence consists of ring-closing enyne metathesis of a substituted aminophosphonate, containing a terminal alkyne and an internal alkene, in combination with in situ oxidation of the produced 3-pyrrolines using tetrachloroquinone. By analyzing the formation of the end and certain byproducts, taking into account the difference in reactivity of different substrates and carefully studying spectroscopic data, it was found that the reaction proceeds by means of the "yne-then-ene" pathway. During the initiation phase, a new ruthenium carbene is formed which continues the propagation cycle.

Self-selection in olefin cross-metathesis: the effect of remote functionality

Olefin cross-metathesis (CM) is potentially an attractive method for generating dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs). In order for the CM reaction to be useful for DCL production, the course of the reaction and product distribution must be relatively insensitive to functionality remote from the reacting centers. We report on the CM of a series of allyl- and homoallylamides that are strongly dependent on remote functionality. This includes an unusual example of a cis-selective CM. [Reaction: see text]

A practical ruthenium-catalyzed cleavage of the allyl protecting group in amides, lactams, imides, and congeners

A convenient methodology for the deprotection of N-allylic amide-like moieties was developed. The first examples accounting for the ruthenium-catalyzed deallylation of amides, lactams, imides, pyrazolidones, hydantoins, and oxazolidinones have been achieved by the sequential use of Grubbs carbene (isomerization step) and RuCl(3) (oxidation step). A variety of substrates, including enantiopure multifunctional beta- and gamma-lactams, can be employed.