Construction of anti-1,2-diols bearing chiral tertiary alcohol moiety using free hydroxyacetone as aldol donor by imidazole-based prolineamide catalyst

A direct aldol reaction of free hydroxyacetone and activated ketone has been firstly achieved with a newly developed imidazole-based prolineamide catalyst. The adducts anti-1,2-diols bearing a chiral tertiary alcohol moiety were obtained in high yield (up to 92%) and stereoselectivity (up to 15:1 dr and 90% ee).     

Reductive ring opening of cis- and trans-2,3-diphenyloxirane: a common intermediate

The reaction of both cis- and trans-2,3-diphenyloxirane (7 and 4, respectively) with an excess of lithium and a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB, 2.5 mol%) in the presence of different carbonyl compounds as electrophiles (Barbier conditions) in THF at temperatures ranging between −80 and −50 °C gives the same organolithium intermediate 5 and consequently, the same 1,3-diols 6. In the case of cis-epoxide an inversion of the configuration at the benzylic carbanionic center can explain the obtained results. Only for the dicyclopropyl ketone derivative (6h) some amount (14%) of the corresponding epimer (6′h) resulting from a process with retention of the configuration of the intermediate is obtained. In representative cases, the structure of the final products (6) was unequivocally determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Protecting group directed cyclization: asymmetric synthesis of both cis- and trans-dihydrexidine from a common precursor

Protection group of amino- and tethered o-arene functionality of 1,4-aryl-2-amino-1-butanol derived from l-serine dictates the cyclization mode under acidic conditions leading to reverse diastereoselectivity. N-Boc and acetal protected amino alcohol undergo cascade cyclization providing exclusively cis-dihydrexidine via reduction, where formation of C-ring (isoquinoline unit) prior to Friedel–Crafts cyclization control the cis-stereochemistry of the B-ring. N-Cbz and O-benzyl protection direct first F–C cyclization yielding the trans-1-aryl-2-aminotetralin and subsequent deprotection-cyclization forming the C-ring afforded dihydrexidine.     

Stereoselective multigram-scale synthesis of cis- and trans-β-phenylproline derivatives

Efficient routes for the gram-scale preparation of the proline analogues that bear a phenyl substituent attached to the pyrrolidine β carbon (cis- and trans-β-phenylproline) have been developed. The cis derivative was synthesized from N-Boc-β-alanine in six steps and 78% overall yield. The generation of a vinyl triflate with full regiochemical control together with a high-yielding cross-coupling reaction and a completely stereoselective hydrogenation are at the basis of the high efficiency of the procedure. Epimerization of the cis β-phenylproline derivative with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide provided access to the trans isomer.     

Enantioselective synthesis of cis-α-substituted cycloalkanols and trans-cycloalkyl amines thereof

The diastereo- and enantioselective syntheses of trans-cycloalkyl amines was accomplished through a three-step sequence consisting of: (1) asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through dynamic kinetic resolution of bicyclic and monocyclic α-substituted ketones using HCO₂H/Et₃N as the hydrogen source and TsDPEN-based Ru(II) catalysts, (2) nucleophilic hydroxyl to azide substitution of the resulting cis-cycloalkanols using diphenyl phosphoryl azide under modified Mitsunobu conditions, and (3) reduction of the trans-azide intermediates with LiAlH₄ of PPh₃/H₂O to the desired targets.     

Short diastereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives

A new and highly stereoselective access to 4,10b-trans or 4,10b-cis hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives is reported, both requiring an intramolecular Mannich-type reaction as key step. The cis diastereoisomer is obtained in three steps from a 2-alkyl benzaldehyde through the stereoselective formation of a 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine, while the trans stereomer is efficiently obtained, in a single step, if a 2-formyl benzoic acid is involved in the Mannich cyclization process.     

An efficient and highly stereoselective approach to trans-2,5-disubstituted-tetrahydrofuran and trans-2,6-disubstituted-tetrahydropyran derivatives

Bis-epoxides were converted into trans-2,5-disubstituted-tetrahydrofuran and trans-2,6-disubstituted-tetrahydropyran derivatives using a kinetic resolution followed by cyclization, in an efficient and highly enantio- and diastereoselective manner.     

Stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines from 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates

Diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines from 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates is described. Regioselective ring-opening reactions of 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates derived from L-phenylalanine, alanine, valine, norvaline with the ketal protected acetylide with a phenyl substituent proceed smoothly to form the N-sulfamate intermediates which on acidic hydrolysis give alkynylated amines with the ketal group intact. Hydrogenation of the alkynylated amines, debenzylation, ketal deprotection, subsequent cyclization (of aminoketones) and stereoselective hydrogenation of the cyclic iminium ion intermediates afford the corresponding cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines in high diastereoselectivity (98%?≥?d.e.) with good chemical yields (68–86%). The present approach provides a novel route for the stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidines.     

The synthesis of potential Neramexane metabolites: cis- and trans-3-amino-1,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids

A seven step synthetic route toward potential Neramexane metabolites cis- and trans-3-amino-1,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids, cis-1 and trans-1, has been developed from isophorone. The synthetic procedure represents a useful method for the preparation of γ-amino acids with both amino and carboxyl groups situated at tertiary carbon atoms.     

The first asymmetric synthesis of all four isomers of cis- and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin

Asymmetric synthesis of all the four stereoisomers of cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugins 4 and 6 and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugins 5 and 7 was achieved. The O-methoxymethyl mollugin derivatives were dihydroxylated to (−)- and (+)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin derivatives using both AD-mix-α and AD-mix-β. Deprotection of the MOM-ethers of cis-dihydroxy compounds resulted in the targeted stereoisomers (−)-(3R,4R)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 4, (−)-(3R,4S)-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 5, (+)-(3S,4S)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 6 and (+)-(3S,4R)-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin 7. These routes were paved with difficulties, for example, incompatibility of the substrates with AD-mixes, the unexpected formation of trans-dihydroxy compounds and failures in deprotection protocols.     

Regioselective cleavage of cis- and trans-2-methyl-3,4-epoxy alcohols with diethylpropynyl aluminum

The regioselectivity of the reaction of diethylpropynyl aluminum with diastereomeric 2-methyl-3,4-epoxy alcohols was studied. The preferred side of attack (1,3-diol vs 1,4-diol product) depends on the stereochemical disposition of the substituents. NMR studies showed that the regiochemistry of this reaction is governed by the aluminum coordination pattern. Protection of the alcohol with MEM provides the 1,3-diol product in systems where the free alcohol produced the 1,4-diols.     

Asymmetric synthesis using catalysts containing multiple stereogenic centres and a trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane core; reversal of predominant enantioselectivity upon N-alkylation

N-Methylation of ligands containing a trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane core and multiple stereogenic centres is shown to provide the product of the opposite configuration in significant enantiomeric excess, in the addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes. Some of the ligands were effective in an asymmetric Michael addition.     

Facile stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxyazetidin-2-ones

A highly stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthioazetidin-2-ones is described. The reaction of α-chlorosulfide-β-lactams with various alcohols catalyzed by a Lewis acid such as ZnCl₂ in the presence of molecular sieves (3-4 Å) leads to cis-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthio-β-lactams whereas treatment of potassium 2-alkoxy-2-phenylthioethanoate with appropriate Schiff's base using POCl₃ in the presence of triethylamine leads to the formation of trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenylthioazetidin-2-ones as major products.     

Concise synthesis of trans- and cis-3,4-disubstituted piperidines based on regio- and stereoselective allylation of cyclopentenyl esters

3,4-Disubstituted piperidines were synthesized through anti S_N2′ allylation of 4-substituted 2-cyclopentenyl esters with reagents based on RMgX and CuX, thus allowing equal access to both trans- and cis-isomers. As an application, the paroxetine intermediate was synthesized efficiently. During the investigation, the MeOCH₂CO₂ group was found to show high reactivity in the pivotal anti S_N2′ type reaction using the reagent derived from (i-PrO)Me₂SiCH₂MgCl and CuCN.     

Evaluation of mono- and dipeptides as organocatalysts for enantioselective aldol reaction

Catalytic activities of (3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (THIQA)-based mono- and dipeptides and their l-proline analogs in asymmetric aldol reaction were investigated. THIQA-based dipeptides showed better enantioselectivity than proline analogs, whereas proline-based dipeptides gave higher yield in the aldol reaction of cyclohexanone with several aldehydes in dichloromethane at −10 °C in the presence of benzoic acid.     

Silicon-carbon unsaturated compounds. 73. Photolysis of cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol and acetone

Irradiation of cis-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1a) in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol in hexane with a low-pressure mercury lamp bearing a Vycor filter proceeded with high stereospecificity to give cis-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2a), in 33% isolated yield, together with a 15% yield of 1-[(tert-butoxy)methylphenylsilyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (3). The photolysis of trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1b) with tert-butyl alcohol under the same conditions gave stereospecifically trans-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2b) in 41% isolated yield, along with a 12% yield of 3. Similar photolysis of 1a and 1b with tert-butyl alcohol-d₁ produced 2a and 2b, respectively, in addition to 1-[(tert-butoxy)(monodeuteriomethyl)(phenyl)silyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane. When 1a and 1b were photolyzed with acetone in a hexane solution, cis- and trans-2,3-benzo-1-isopropoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (4a and 4b) were obtained in 25% and 23% isolated yield. In both photolyses, 1-(hydroxymethylphenylsilyl)-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (5) was also isolated in 4% and 5% yield, respectively. The photolysis of 1a with acetone-d₆ under the same conditions gave 4a-d₆ and 5-d₁ in 18% and 4% yields.     

A facile approach to trans-4,5-pyrrolidine lactam and application in the synthesis of nemonapride and streptopyrrolidine

An efficient approach to trans-4-hydroxylpyrrolidine lactams 1 starting from amino acid is described. The utility of this method has been demonstrated in the synthesis of antipsychotic nemonapride 3 and antiangiogenic streptopyrrolidine 4. Compared four synthetic stereoisomers of natural streptopyrrolidine 4 in term of spectroscopic and physical data, the absolute structure of the natural product was proposed as (4S,5S)-configuration.     

Total syntheses of (−)-vallesamidine and related Aspidosperma and Hunteria type indole alkaloids from the common intermediate

A new synthetic method of (−)-vallesamidine, including a unique 2,2,3-trialkylindoline skeleton, was developed by reductive radical cyclization reaction from the 2,3-dialkylindole derivative, which has been known to be an intermediate for the synthesis of aspidospermidine.     

1,2-Disubstituted cyclohexane nucleosides: comparative study for the synthesis of cis and trans adenosine analogues

A new class of adenosine analogues with 1,2-disubstituted carbocycles (with cis and trans stereochemistry) have been synthesized. Construction of the base on the amino group of (±)-cis-(2-aminocyclohexyl)methanol was more efficient than the Mitsunobu condensation between the purine base and protected (±)-trans-(2-hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol. The latter strategy gave the final compound with cis stereochemistry in a short number of steps with the overall yield depending on the nature of the protecting group on the hydroxymethyl group of the diol. However, Mitsunobu condensation between a purine base and the protected (±)-cis-(2-hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol is not an ideal method to obtain trans purine derivatives because the elimination reaction is faster than the substitution reaction.     

Stereoisomer-differentiating esterification of diols with methylboronic acid. A simple method for the separation of cis- and trans-1,2-diols

A simple procedure for the separation of cis-trans-stereoisomeric 1,2-diols by the selective esterification of cis-isomer with methylboronic acid is described.