A general method for the synthesis of nonracemic trans-epoxides: concise syntheses of trans-epoxide-containing insect sex pheromones

Design and Synthesis of Fluorophore-Tagged Disparlure Enantiomers to Study Pheromone Enantiomer Discrimination in the Pheromone-Binding Proteins from the Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar

Fluorescent analogues of the gypsy moth sex pheromone (+)-disparlure (1) and its enantiomer (-)-disparlure (ent-1) were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The fluorescently labelled analogues 6-FAM (+)-disparlure and 1a 6-FAM (-)-disparlure ent-1a were prepared by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition of disparlure alkyne and 6-FAM azide. These fluorescent disparlure analogues 1a and ent-1a were used to measure disparlure binding to two pheromone-binding proteins from the gypsy moth, LdisPBP1 and LdisPBP2. The fluorescence binding assay showed that LdisPBP1 has a stronger affinity for 6-FAM (-)-disparlure ent-1a, whereas LdisPBP2 has a stronger affinity for 6-FAM (+)-disparlure 1a, consistent with findings from previous studies with disparlure enantiomers. The 6-FAM disparlure enantiomers appeared to be much stronger ligands for LdisPBPs, with binding constants (K_d) in the nanomolar range, compared to the fluorescent reporter 1-NPN (which had K_d values in the micromolar range). Fluorescence competitive binding assays were used to determine the displacement constant (K_i) for the disparlure enantiomers in competition with fluorescent disparlure analogues binding to LdisPBP1 and LdisPBP2. The K_i data show that disparlure enantiomers can effectively displace the fluorescent disparlure from the binding pocket of LdisPBPs and, therefore, occupy the same binding site.

Synthesis of enantioenriched α-heteroatom functionalised aldehydes by chiral organocatalysis and their synthetic applications

Asymmetric organocatalysis is a versatile method for the enantioselective α-functionalisation of aldehydes. The synthetic scope for chiral α-heteroatom substituted aldehydes is examined including their applications in synthesis.

A Chlorine-Atom-Controlled Terminal-Epoxide-Initiated Bicyclization Cascade Enables a Synthesis of the Potent Cytotoxins Haterumaimides J and K

Haterumaimide J (hatJ) is reportedly the most cytotoxic member of the lissoclimide family of labdane diterpenoids. The unusual functional group arrangement of hatJ-C18 oxygenation and C2 chlorination-resisted our efforts at synthesis until we adopted an approach based on rarely studied terminal epoxide-based cation-π bicyclizations that is described herein. Using the C2-chlorine atom as a key stereocontrol element and a furan as a nucleophilic terminator, the key structural features of hatJ were rapidly constructed. The 18-step stereoselective synthesis features applications of chiral pool starting materials, and catalyst-, substrate-, and auxiliary-based stereocontrol. Access to hatJ and its acetylated congener hatK permitted their biological evaluation against aggressive human cancer cell lines.

Enantioselective Organocatalysis-Based Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acids and Fatty γ-Lactones

3-Hydroxy fatty acids have attracted the interest of researchers, since some of them may interact with free fatty acid receptors more effectively than their non-hydroxylated counterparts and their determination in plasma provides diagnostic information regarding mitochondrial deficiency. We present here the development of a convenient and general methodology for the asymmetric synthesis of 3-hydroxy fatty acids. The enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of terminal epoxides, starting from long chain aldehydes, is the key-step of our methodology, followed by ring opening with vinylmagnesium bromide. Ozonolysis and subsequent oxidation leads to the target products. MacMillan’s third generation imidazolidinone organocatalyst has been employed for the epoxide formation, ensuring products in high enantiomeric purity. Furthermore, a route for the incorporation of deuterium on the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy group was developed allowing the synthesis of deuterated derivatives, which may be useful in biological studies and in mass spectrometry studies. In addition, the synthesis of fatty γ-lactones, corresponding to 4-hydroxy fatty acids, was also explored.

Modular Enantioselective Synthesis of an Advanced Pentahydroxy Intermediate of Antimalarial Bastimolide A and of Fluorinated and Chlorinated Analogues

A short enantioselective catalytic synthesis of the key C15-C27 fragment of bastimolide A, a natural product showing promising antimalarial bioactivity, is disclosed. The strategic insertion of halogen atoms such as fluorine and chlorine by enantioselective organocatalytic halogenations allowed an excellent stereochemical control for the formation of complex acyclic fragments bearing up to four stereogenic centers. Furthermore, besides the formation of the 1,5,7,9,13-pentahydroxy fragment of the natural product, this strategy opens the route to the modulation of the bioactivity by halogenohydrins.

Stereoselective Halogenation in Natural Product Synthesis

At last count, nearly 5000 halogenated natural products have been discovered. In approximately half of these compounds, the carbon atom to which the halogen is bound is sp(3) -hybridized; therefore, there are an enormous number of natural products for which stereocontrolled halogenation must be a critical component of any synthesis strategy. In this Review, we critically discuss the methods and strategies used for stereoselective introduction of halogen atoms in the context of natural product synthesis. Using the successes of the past, we also attempt to identify gaps in our synthesis technology that would aid the synthesis of halogenated natural products, as well as existing methods that have not yet seen application in complex molecule synthesis. The chemistry described herein demonstrates yet again how natural products continue to provide the inspiration for critical advances in chemical synthesis.

Total Synthesis of Amphirionin-4

The first total synthesis of amphirionin-4 has been achieved using a combination of cross-coupling strategies to access the polyene side chain and a chlorohydrin-based approach to construct the tetrahydrofuranol core. The remote C9-stereocenter was introduced through a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling that proceeded with remote stereoinduction.

Chlorine, an atom economical auxiliary for asymmetric aldol reactions

An auxiliary strategy has been developed for asymmetric reactions of aldehydes in which the auxiliary itself is not chiral, but a single chlorine atom introduced via organocatalytic α-chlorination. The stereodirecting influence of the chlorine atom is then exploited prior to its removal by radical reduction. This strategy is demonstrated in the synthesis of several aldols (92-99% ee) and the natural products (+)-dihydroyashabushiketol and (+)-solistatin.

Total synthesis of the cytotoxic anhydrophytosphingosine pachastrissamine (jaspine B)

A short, 8-step synthesis of the marine natural product pachastrissamine has been developed that relies on a diastereoselective aldol reaction between a suitably protected hydantoin and an optically enriched α-chloroaldehyde. This synthetic route provides new opportunities for exploring structure activity relationships within this family of natural products.

α-Haloaldehydes: versatile building blocks for natural product synthesis

The diastereoselective addition of organometallic reagents to α-chloroaldehydes was first reported in 1959 and occupies a historically significant role as the prototypical reaction for Cornforth's model of stereoinduction. Despite clear synthetic potential for these reagents, difficulties associated with producing enantiomerically enriched α-haloaldehydes limited their use in natural product synthesis through the latter half of the 20th century. In recent years, however, a variety of robust, organocatalytic processes have been reported that now provide direct access to optically enriched α-haloaldehydes and have motivated renewed interest in their use as building blocks for natural product synthesis. This Highlight summarizes the methods available for the enantioselective preparation of α-haloaldehydes and their stereoselective conversion into natural products.

β-Siloxy-α-haloketones through highly diastereoselective single and double mukaiyama aldol reactions

Double-action haloketones: A super silyl group enabled the first highly diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reactions of α-chloro- and α-fluoroketones with a wide range of aldehydes, providing anti-β-siloxy-α-haloketones. This process is compatible with one-pot double-aldol methodology and allows for rapid access to new halogen-modified polyketide fragments bearing up to four contiguous stereocenters.

Scalable synthesis of the pink gypsy moth Lymantria mathura sex pheromone (–)-mathuralure

Mathuralure (1) is the major sex pheromone component of the pink gypsy moth Lymantria mathura, a potentially devastating invasive species to North America. To support population monitoring of this moth, a gram-scale synthesis of (–)-mathuralure (1) was developed. This process relies on coupling an alkynyl lithium species with a chloroepoxide and provides access to the natural product in a 10% yield over 10 steps.

Fluorescent penta- and hexaene fatty acids by a Wittig-Horner/elimination strategy

Molecular fluorescent probes have revolutionized biochemical and biophysical studies in the last decades, but with regard to lipids there has been a lack of combining the slim shape of saturated acyl chains with fluorescent properties. Our strategy to pentaene and hexaene fatty acids builds upon commercially available 4-(E)-decenal, which is subjected to a Wittig-Horner reaction after chlorination in α-position. DBU-mediated β-elimination of HCl proceeding the olefination establishes a highly conjugated system to which a salt-free Wittig reaction adds a final double bond leading to a good (Z)-selectivity of 83-86%. The double bond geometry can be optionally isomerized with I(2) to furnish the all-(E)-species. The five conjugated alkene moieties result in a longest-wavelength absorption maximum of about 350 nm. A red-shift to 380 nm was realized by addition of another double bond employing a common Wittig-Horner prolongation sequence. Stokes shifts of about 7300 and 7800 cm(-1), respectively, were observed.

Rapid, one-pot synthesis of β-siloxy-α-haloaldehydes

The Mukaiyama cross-aldol reaction of α-fluoro-, α-chloro-, and α-bromoacetaldehyde-derived (Z)-tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl enol ethers is described, furnishing anti-β-siloxy-α-haloaldehydes. A highly diastereoselective, one-pot, sequential double-aldol process is developed, affording novel β,δ-bissiloxy-α,γ-bishaloaldehydes. Reactions are catalyzed by C(6)F(5)CHTf(2) and C(6)F(5)CTf(2)AlMe(2) (0.5-1.5 mol %) and provide access to halogenated polyketide fragments.

Enamine catalysis

The reversible reaction of primary or secondary amines with enolizable aldehydes or ketones affords nucleophilic intermediates, enamines. With chiral amines, catalytic enantioselective reactions via enamine intermediates become possible. In this review, structure-activity relationships and the scope as well as current limitations of enamine catalysis are discussed.

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-danicalipin A

A convergent asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-danicalipin A is accomplished, in which two chlorinated fragments are stereoselectively joined by 1,3-dipolar coupling, leading to the confirmation of the absolute configuration of the natural product.

Regioselective and stereoselective cyclizations of chloropolyols in water: rapid synthesis of hydroxytetrahydrofurans

A concise, stereoselective synthesis of functionalized tetrahydrofuranols has been developed that involves heating readily available chloropolyols in water. These reactions are operationally straightforward and chemoselective for the formation of tetrahydrofurans, obviating the need for complicated protecting group strategies. The efficiency of this process is demonstrated in a short asymmetric synthesis of the natural product (+)-goniothalesdiol.

Development of a concise and general enantioselective approach to 2,5-disubstituted-3-hydroxytetrahydrofurans

Concise syntheses of 2,5-disubstituted-3-hydroxytetrahydrofurans have been developed that provide access to each configurational isomer of this scaffold from a single aldol adduct. Application of these methods to the rapid preparation of (6S,7S,9S,10S)- and (6S,7S,9R,10R)-6,9-epoxynonadec-18-ene-7,10-diol, two structurally related marine epoxylipids, is reported.

(S)-2-pentyl (R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate, a banana volatile and its olfactory recognition by the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster

The volatile organic compounds emitted from ripening bananas that elicit an antennal response from the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, were analyzed by a combination of gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection, mass spectrometry, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. These analyses revealed that the headspace of ripening bananas contains a number of EAD-active components including the new ester (S)-2-pentyl (R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate, the structural assignment of which was confirmed by chemical synthesis.

Asymmetric aminocatalysis--gold rush in organic chemistry

Catalysis with chiral secondary amines (asymmetric aminocatalysis) has become a well-established and powerful synthetic tool for the chemo- and enantioselective functionalization of carbonyl compounds. In the last eight years alone, this field has grown at such an extraordinary pace that it is now recognized as an independent area of synthetic chemistry, where the goal is the preparation of any chiral molecule in an efficient, rapid, and stereoselective manner. This has been made possible by the impressive level of scientific competition and high quality research generated in this area. This Review describes this "Asymmetric Aminocatalysis Gold Rush" and charts the milestones in its development. As in all areas of science, progress depends on human effort.