Sharpless Asymmetric Epoxidation Research Articles

Asymmetric Synthesis of Three Alkenyl Epoxides: Crafting the Sex Pheromones of the Elm Spanworm and the Painted Apple Moth.

A concise synthesis of the sex pheromones of elm spanworm as well as painted apple moth has been achieved. The key steps were the alkylation of acetylide ion, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Brown's P2-Ni reduction. This approach provided the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm (1) in 31% total yield and those of the painted apple moth (2, 3) in 26% and 32% total yields. The ee values of three final products were up to 99%. The synthesized pheromones hold promising potential for use in the management and control of these pests.

Mechanism of the Sharpless Epoxidation Reaction: A DFT Study.

The Sharpless reaction is an enantioselective epoxidation of prochiral allylic alcohols that employs a Ti(IV) catalyst formed from titanium tetra(isopropoxide), Ti(O-i-Pr)4, diethyl tartrate (DET), and the oxidizing agent tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The M06-2X DFT functional with the 6-311+G(d,p) basis set has been employed to model the structures and energetics of the Sharpless epoxidation reaction. The monomeric tetracoordinate titanium(IV) diethyltartrate is thermodynamically strongly favored to dimerize, producing a pentacoordinate catalyst, [Ti(DET)(O-i-Pr)2]2, that is a more reactive chiral epoxidation catalyst. The rapid ligand exchange reactions needed to generate the "loaded" catalyst and to repeat the overall catalytic cycle have been examined and are found to have activation energies that are much lower than the epoxidation barriers. The transition structures and activation energies for the enantioselective epoxidation of allyl alcohol, trans-methyl-allyl alcohol and trans-tert-butyl-allyl alcohol with the "loaded" Sharpless catalyst, [Ti2(DET)2(O-i-Pr)2-(OAllyl)-(OOt-Bu)], are presented. The effect of the C═O···Ti interactions on the activation energies and the significance of the O-C-C═C dihedral angle on the enantioselectivity of the epoxidation reaction are discussed.

Chiral Pool Meets Chiral Catalysis: Eight-Step Convergent Total Synthesis of Anticancer Natural Lipid Mycalol.

An exemplary blend of chiral pool with chiral catalysis is exhibited in an eight-step (longest) convergent asymmetric total synthesis of mycalol, which is a promising anticancer natural lipid from a marine source. The polyhydroxy lipid is constructed by using four blocks, and two of which are derived from the chiral pool (d-mannitol and d-gluconolactone) and the other two by chiral catalysis (Sharpless epoxidation and Keck allylation). Alkylation and metathesis were used to knit the blocks in an excellent display of a modular convergent eight-step synthesis. The modular excess will enable rapid analogue generation as revealed by the convenient synthesis of 4-epi-mycalol similarly in an eight-step sequence.

Total Synthesis of Xestodecalactone C via Sharpless Epoxidation and Friedal-Crafts Acylation

Abstract: Marine-derived macrolides that occur naturally exhibit a range of biological properties, including antibacterial and antifungal activity. : Sharpless epoxidation and intramolecular acylation via the Friedel-Crafts method for the macrolide ring formation was used as the main steps in the regioselective construction of naturally existing xestodecalactone C, which was started from chiral propylene oxide. : The isolated yellow coloured final product had a 91% yield, and FT-IR, Mass, 1H-NMR, and 13C NMR were used to characterise each product. As a result, chiral propylene oxide was used as the starting material for the regioselective total synthesis of the naturally occurring xestrodecalactone C, with the main stages being intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation for macrolide ring formation and Sharpless epoxidation. The synthesis of numerous xestrodecalactone C analogues relevant for bioevaluation can be done quickly and easily using this synthetic approach.

Scalable, Stereocontrolled, Total Synthesis of Carolacton

AbstractA route for the scalable, stereocontrolled, total synthesis of carolacton is presented starting from commercially available S-Roche ester, d-ribose, and a known allylic alcohol. Key transformations in the total synthesis include a [3,3]-Claisen rearrangement, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation–methyl ring-opening, or Leighton asymmetric crotylation, Evans aldol–reductive deoxygenation, and ring closing metathesis (RCM). The total synthesis of carolacton (151 mg isolated, 9.2% overall yield) was completed in 23 linear steps. Additionally, 56 mg of the carolacton C15–C16 cis-olefin isomer was obtained.

Synthetic Study of Natural Metabolites Containing a Benzo[c]oxepine Skeleton: Heterocornol C and D.

A versatile strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of a benzo[c]oxepine structural core containing natural secondary metabolites was developed. The key steps of the synthetic approach include ring-closing alkene metathesis for seven-member ring construction, the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction for the installation of the double bond and Katsuki-Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation for the introduction of chiral centers. The first total synthesis and absolute configuration assignment of heterocornol D (3a) were achieved. Four stereoisomers, 3a, ent-3a, 3b and ent-3b, of this natural polyketide were prepared, starting with 2,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid and divinyl carbinol. The absolute and relative configuration of heterocornol D was assigned via single-crystal X-ray analysis. The extension of the described synthetic approach is further presented with the synthesis of heterocornol C by applying the ether group reduction method to the lactone.

Total Synthesis of Okaspirodiol

AbstractThe asymmetric total synthesis of okaspirodiol was achieved following Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, Gilman reaction, Wittig reaction, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination, and coupling of alkyne with the aldehyde, and acid‐catalyzed spiroketalization as key reactions.

Design and synthesis of novel orexin 2 receptor agonists with a 1,3,5‑trioxazatriquinane skeleton

A novel series of 1,3,5‑trioxazatriquinane with multiple effective residues (TriMER) derivatives with amino-methylene side chains was designed and synthesized based on the docking-simulation results between orexin receptors (OXRs) and TriMER-type OXR antagonists. In vitro screening against orexin receptors identified six TriMER derivatives with a cis side-chain configuration, and, among these, 20d and 28d showed full agonist activity against OX2R at a concentration of 10 µM. To determine the absolute stereochemistry of these hit compounds, we also conducted the first asymmetric synthesis of a 1,3,5‑trioxazatriquinane skeleton using a Katsuki–Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation as the key reaction and obtained a set of the individual stereoisomers. After evaluating their activity, (+)-20d (EC50 = 3.87 μM for OX2R) and (+)-28d (EC50 = 1.62 μM for OX2R) were determined as eutomers for OX2R agonist activity. Our results provide a new class of skeleton consisting of an (R)-1,3,5‑trioxazatriquinane core with flexible methylene linkers and hydrophobic substituents at the terminals of the side chains via carbamates/sulfonamides as OX2R agonists.

Synthesis and Bioactivity of Thiocarboxylic A and Derivatives.

The Penicillium metabolite thiocarboxylic A (1a) and three close analogues were synthesized in 14 steps. The stereogenic elements were installed via stereoselective Sharpless epoxidation, (E)-selective reduction of a dibromide, and a Suzuki cross coupling. Thiocarboxylic A (1a) was obtained in 6% overall yield. The synthetic product and the natural isolate differed markedly in their specific rotations and antibiotic activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This modular synthetic route should be flexible enough to allow the synthesis of other natural and non-natural 3-methoxycarbonyldihydrofuran-4-ones for biological studies.

Toward the total synthesis of scytophycins: Synthesis of the C7–C21 fragments of scytophycins A, B, and C

Scytophysins are cytotoxic macrolides with a 22-membered ring and are characterized by their strong cytotoxicities targeting cytoskeletal protein actin. Toward the comprehensive total synthesis of scytophycins, we have investigated the late-state functionalization using fragment compounds. We established stereoselective construction of the C7-C21 part in scytophycins A and B involving characteristic C16 epoxide by using Sharpless epoxidation. Although stereoselectivity remains unsatisfactory, reduction of the C16 exo-olefin for the synthesis of scytophycin C was achieved.

A Universal Strategy for Synthesis of Agropyrenol Family. Total Synthesis of Agropyrenol, Sordarial, and Heterocornol A and B.

A divergent strategy for natural polyketides synthesis has been designed. This synthetic route allowed chemical alterations leading to all stereoisomers of the natural agropyrenol 1, sordarial 2, and heterocornol B 4. Key steps involve desymmetrization of divinylcarbinol using asymmetric Sharpless epoxidation and Heck coupling of an easily available aromatic partner and prepared chiral alkene. The versatility of the synthetic method was demonstrated on the preparation of heterocornol A 3 and sordariol 5. The absolute and relative configurations of prepared natural compounds 2·1/3C6H12 and 4 were confirmed and assigned by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Studies Directed Toward the Total Synthesis of Nannocystin A

AbstractA full account of our efforts directed toward the stereoselective total synthesis of nannocystin A, a macrocyclic myxobacterial metabolite, is presented. In this endeavor, we have attempted two distinct synthetic routes to access polyketide fragment (C1‐C11) of macrocyclic depsipeptide (21‐membered) natural product from readily accessible building blocks 1,3‐propanediol and benzaldehyde employing Evans aldol, CBS reduction, Heck cross‐coupling, and Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation as key transformations. Ultimately, accomplished the synthesis of the complete skeleton (21‐membered precursor for macrocyclic depsipeptide) of the nannocystin A possessing desired stereochemistry and functional groups.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Acyclic Skeleton of Boscartin A

AbstractStereoselective synthesis of key acyclic skeleton of structurally challenging and biologically active boscartin A possessing six stereogenic centers, among which three are tertiary, has been achieved for the first time. The synthetic study comprises the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation (SAE) followed by stereoselective epoxide opening for installation of C-11 and C-12 centers, Meyer–Schuster rearrangement followed by intramolecular oxa-Michael addition for construction of C-1 center, SAE followed by CBS reduction and subsequent cycloetherification for stereoselective generation of C-3, C-4, and C-7 centers, Gilman reaction for introduction of C-9 olefin and Grignard reaction for installation of C-8 olefin.

Total Synthesis, Revised Structure, and Cytotoxic Activities of Iubol

To unambiguously establish the stereostructure of the marine cytotoxic bromotriterpenoid iubol, a member of the thyrsiferol family, asymmetric chemical synthesis has been carried out. The synthesis features a one-pot process for the tetrahydropyranyl D ring construction through a stoichiometric Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols followed by titanium chelation-assisted 6-exo oxacyclization. In this paper, we report the asymmetric total synthesis of iubol, revision of the proposed structure to the C22-epimer, and preliminary cytotoxic activities of synthetic compounds against some tumor cells.

Mechanistic Details of the Sharpless Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols—A Combined URVA and Local Mode Study

In this work, we investigated the catalytic effects of a Sharpless dimeric titanium (IV)–tartrate–diester catalyst on the epoxidation of allylalcohol with methyl–hydroperoxide considering four different orientations of the reacting species coordinated at the titanium atom (reactions R1–R4) as well as a model for the non-catalyzed reaction (reaction R0). As major analysis tools, we applied the URVA (Unified Reaction Valley Approach) and LMA (Local Mode Analysis), both being based on vibrational spectroscopy and complemented by a QTAIM analysis of the electron density calculated at the DFT level of theory. The energetics of each reaction were recalculated at the DLPNO-CCSD(T) level of theory. The URVA curvature profiles identified the important chemical events of all five reactions as peroxide OO bond cleavage taking place before the TS (i.e., accounting for the energy barrier) and epoxide CO bond formation together with rehybridization of the carbon atoms of the targeted CC double bond after the TS. The energy decomposition into reaction phase contribution phases showed that the major effect of the catalyst is the weakening of the OO bond to be broken and replacement of OH bond breakage in the non-catalyzed reaction by an energetically more favorable TiO bond breakage. LMA performed at all stationary points rounded up the investigation (i) quantifying OO bond weakening of the oxidizing peroxide upon coordination at the metal atom, (ii) showing that a more synchronous formation of the new CO epoxide bonds correlates with smaller bond strength differences between these bonds, and (iii) elucidating the different roles of the three TiO bonds formed between catalyst and reactants and their interplay as orchestrated by the Sharpless catalyst. We hope that this article will inspire the computational community to use URVA complemented with LMA in the future as an efficient mechanistic tool for the optimization and fine-tuning of current Sharpless catalysts and for the design new of catalysts for epoxidation reactions.

The stereochemical course of 2-methylisoborneol biosynthesis.

Both enantiomers of 2-methyllinalyl diphosphate (2-Me-LPP) were synthesized enantioselectively using Sharpless epoxidation as a key step and purification of enantiomerically enriched intermediates through HPLC separation on a chiral stationary phase. Their enzymatic conversion with 2-methylisoborneol synthase (2MIBS) demonstrates that (R)-2-Me-LPP is the on-pathway intermediate, while a minor formation of 2-methylisoborneol from (S)-2-Me-LPP may be explained by isomerization to 2-Me-GPP and then to (R)-2-Me-LPP.

Reshaping an Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonate into a Selective Anti-hepatitis B Virus Compound.

Minor structural modifications of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates can dramatically affect their antiviral properties. This work discloses a shift in the selectivity spectrum of 3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (HPMP) nucleotides from herpesviruses toward hepatitis B virus (HBV) induced by their acyclic chain 2-substitution with a nonpolar group. Two series of racemic (R,S)-2-methyl-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (MHPMP) and (R,S)-2-ethynyl-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (EHPMP) nucleotides were initially synthesized. Among these, guanine-containing derivatives exhibited significant anti-HBV activities in the submicromolar range. Enantioenriched MHPMPG and EHPMPG analogues were subsequently obtained by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation. The (S)-enantiomers possessed an 8- to 26-fold higher potency than the relative (R)-forms. A further comparison of the EC90 values indicated that (S)-EHPMPG inhibited HBV replication more effectively than its 2-methyl analogue. A phosphonodiamidate prodrug of (S)-EHPMPG was thus prepared and found to exert a remarkably high anti-HBV activity (EC50 = 9.27 nM) with excellent selectivity (SI50 > 10,787), proving to be a promising candidate for anti-HBV drug development.

Stereoselective total synthesis of Aspergillide D

The total synthesis of the 16-membered Polyhydroxylated macrolide, Aspergillide D has been accomplished utilizing the Grignard reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation Regioselective ring opening of epoxy alcohol, Wittig olefination and Yamaguchi macrolactonisation as key steps. 3-butene-1-ol has been utilized as the starting material.

Syn‐Selektive Epoxidierung von chiralen, terminalen Allylalkoholen mit einem Titan‐Salalen‐Katalysator und Wasserstoffperoxid

AbstractIn der asymmetrischen Sharpless‐Epoxidierung von chiralen, sekundären Allylalkoholen wird ein Substratenantiomer bevorzugt zum anti‐Epoxyalkohol umgesetzt. In dieser Arbeit stellen wir die erste hoch syn‐selektive Epoxidierung von terminalen Allylalkoholen vor. Mit einem Titan‐Salalen‐Katalysator und H2O2 als Oxidationsmittel werden enantiomerenreine, terminale Allylalkohole mit bis zu 98 % Ausbeute und >99 : 1 dr (syn) zu Epoxyalkoholen umgesetzt. Diese syn‐Selektivität bleibt auch bei niedrigeren Katalysatorbeladungen (bis zu 1 mol‐%) erhalten. Auch die Modifizierung der Allylalkoholfunktion zu einem Ether beeinflusst die Diastereoselektivität nicht [>99 : 1 dr (syn)]. Wird die Katalysatorkonfiguration invertiert, so wird bevorzugt das anti‐Produkt gebildet, allerdings mit niedrigerem dr (ca. 20 : 1). Das Anwendungspotential wird am Beispiel der Synthese eines THF‐Bausteins mit drei Stereozentren im Grammmaßstab demonstriert, in welcher zwei Ti‐Salalen‐katalysierte Epoxidierungen durchlaufen werden.

Syn‐Selective Epoxidation of Chiral Terminal Allylic Alcohols with a Titanium Salalen Catalyst and Hydrogen Peroxide

In the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of chiral secondary allylic alcohols, one substrate enantiomer is predominantly converted to the anti‐epoxy alcohol. We herein report the first highly syn‐selective epoxidation of terminal allylic alcohols using a titanium salalen complex as catalyst, at room temperature, and aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. With enantiopure terminal allylic alcohols as substrates, the epoxy alcohols were obtained with up to 98 % yield and up to >99 : 1 dr (syn). Catalyst loadings as low as 1 mol % can be applied without eroding the syn‐diastereoselectivity. Modification of the allylic alcohol to an ether does not affect the diastereoselectivity either [>99 : 1 dr (syn)]. Inverting the catalyst configuration leads to the anti‐product, albeit at lower dr (ca. 20 : 1). The synthetic potential is demonstrated by a short, gram‐scale preparation of a tetrahydrofuran building block with three stereocenters, involving two titanium salalen catalyzed epoxidation steps.