Stereogenic Carbon Research Articles

New Polyketides and New Benzoic Acid Derivatives from the Marine Sponge-Associated Fungus Neosartorya quadricincta KUFA 0081.

Two new pentaketides, including a new benzofuran-1-one derivative (1) and a new isochromen-1-one (5), and seven new benzoic acid derivatives, including two new benzopyran derivatives (2a, b), a new benzoxepine derivative (3), two new chromen-4-one derivatives (4b, 7) and two new benzofuran derivatives (6a, b), were isolated, together with the previously reported 2,3-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (4a), from the culture of the marine sponge-associated fungus Neosartorya quadricincta KUFA 0081. The structures of the new compounds were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis, and in the case of compounds 1, 2a, 4b, 5, 6a and 7, the absolute configurations of their stereogenic carbons were determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis. None of the isolated compounds were active in the tests for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as multidrug-resistant isolates from the environment (MIC > 256 μg/mL), antifungal activity against yeast (Candida albicans ATTC 10231), filamentous fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus ATTC 46645) and dermatophyte (Trichophyton rubrum FF5) (MIC > 512 µg/mL) and in vitro growth inhibitory activity against the MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer) and A375-C5 (melanoma) cell lines (GI50 > 150 µM) by the protein binding dye SRB method.

Tandem Bond-Forming Reactions of 1-Alkynyl Ethers.

Electron-rich alkynes, such as ynamines, ynamides, and ynol ethers, are functional groups that possess significant potential in organic chemistry for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. While the synthetic utility of ynamides has recently been expanded considerably, 1-alkynyl ethers, which possess many of the reactivity features of ynamides, have traditionally been far less investigated because of concerns about their stability. Like ynamides, ynol ethers are relatively unhindered to approach by functional groups present in the same or different molecules because of their linear geometry, and they can potentially form up to four new bonds in a single transformation. Ynol ethers also possess unique reactivity features that make them complementary to ynamides. Research over the past decade has shown that ynol ethers formed in situ from stable precursors engage in a variety of useful carbon-carbon bond-forming processes. Upon formation at -78 °C, allyl alkynyl ethers undergo a rapid [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to form allyl ketene intermediates, which may be trapped with alcohol or amine nucleophiles to form γ,δ-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives. The process is stereospecific, takes place in minutes at cryogenic temperatures, and affords products containing (quaternary) stereogenic carbon atoms. Trapping of the intermediate allyl ketene with carbonyl compounds, epoxides, or oxetanes instead leads to complex α-functionalized β-, γ-, or δ-lactones, respectively. [3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of benzyl alkynyl ethers also takes place at temperatures ranging from -78 to 60 °C to afford substituted 2-indanones via intramolecular carbocyclization of the ketene intermediate. tert-Butyl alkynyl ethers containing pendant di- and trisubstituted alkenes and enol ethers are stable to chromatographic isolation and undergo a retro-ene/[2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction upon mild thermolysis (90 °C) to afford cis-fused cyclobutanones and donor-acceptor cyclobutanones in good to excellent yields and diastereoselectivities. This process, which takes place under neutral conditions and proceeds through an aldoketene intermediate, obviates the need to employ moisture-sensitive and/or unstable acid chlorides under basic conditions for intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. Furthermore, Lewis acid-catalyzed intramolecular condensations of both ethyl and tert-butyl ynol ethers with tethered acetals efficiently provide protected five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic Baylis-Hilman adducts. Metalated ethoxyacetylene can also participate in multiple bond-forming reactions that avoid isolation of the alkynyl ether intermediate. Lewis acid-promoted tandem additions employing epoxides/oxetanes and carbonyl compounds give rise to (Z)-α-alkylidene and α-benzylidene lactones stereoselectively in high overall yields. Three new carbon-carbon bonds and a ring are formed in this atom-economical single-flask transformation, resulting in a significant increase in molecular complexity. This Account provides a detailed overview of these useful transformations with the intention of stimulating further interest in and research on ynol ethers and their application in organic synthesis.

ChemInform Abstract: Cutting‐Edge and Time‐Honored Strategies for Stereoselective Construction of C—N Bonds in Total Synthesis

AbstractReview: 824 refs.

Polyketides from the Mangrove-Derived Endophytic Fungus Nectria sp. HN001 and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity.

Four new polyketides: nectriacids A–C (1–3) and 12-epicitreoisocoumarinol (4), together with three known compounds: citreoisocoumarinol (5), citreoisocoumarin (6), and macrocarpon C (7) were isolated from the culture of the endophytic fungus Nectria sp. HN001, which was isolated from a fresh branch of the mangrove plant Sonneratia ovata collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were determined by the detailed analysis of NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbons for compound 4 was further assigned by Mosher’s ester method. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by UV absorbance at 405 nm, and new compounds 2 and 3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 23.5 and 42.3 μM, respectively, which were more potent than positive control (acarbose, IC50, 815.3 μM).

Construction of Quaternary Stereogenic Carbon Centers through Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Azoles.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of azoles with γ,γ-disubstituted primary allylic phosphates was achieved using a new chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligand bearing a naphtholic hydroxy group. This reaction occurred with excellent branch regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity, thus forming a controlled all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center at the position α to the heteroaromatic ring.

Construction of Quaternary Stereogenic Carbon Centers through Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Azoles

AbstractCopper‐catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation of azoles with γ,γ‐disubstituted primary allylic phosphates was achieved using a new chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand bearing a naphtholic hydroxy group. This reaction occurred with excellent branch regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity, thus forming a controlled all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center at the position α to the heteroaromatic ring.

ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric 18F‐Fluorination for Applications in Positron Emission Tomography

AbstractReview: [40 refs.

Hydrogen-Bonding Network Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition: Asymmetric Catalytic Construction of Spiro-pseudoindoxyl Derivatives.

The enantioselective construction of a spirocyclic quaternary stereogenic carbon center at the C2 position of indole has long been an elusive problem in organic synthesis. Herein, by employing a rationally designed hydrogen-bonding network activation strategy, for the first time, 2,2'-pyrrolidinyl-spirooxindole, which is a valuable and prevalent indole alkaloid scaffold, was directly obtained through a catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with high yields and excellent stereoselectivities.

Synthetic Strategies toward Natural Products Containing Contiguous Stereogenic Quaternary Carbon Atoms.

Strategies for the total synthesis of complex natural products that contain two or more contiguous stereogenic quaternary carbon atoms in their intricate structures are reviewed with 12 representative examples. Emphasis has been put on methods to create quaternary carbon stereocenters, including syntheses of the same natural product by different groups, thereby showcasing the diversity of thought and individual creativity. A compendium of selected natural products containing two or more contiguous stereogenic quaternary carbon atoms and key reactions in their total or partial syntheses is provided in the Supporting Information.

ChemInform Abstract: Williamson Ether Synthesis with Phenols at a Tertiary Stereogenic Carbon: Formal Enantioselective Phenoxylation of β‐Keto Esters.

AbstractFor the first time, the enantioselective synthesis of α‐aryloxy‐β‐keto esters through the sequential enantioselective chlorination of cyclic and non‐cyclic β‐keto esters followed by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms with phenols is described.

Catalytic asymmetric detrifluoroacetylative aldol reactions of aliphatic aldehydes for construction of C-F quaternary stereogenic centers

We demonstrate, that the reactions of in situ generated fluoro-enolates with a range of aliphatic aldehydes can be successfully performed using asymmetric catalyst derived from chiral ligand and Cu(OTf)2. The enantioselectivity of the formation of two contiguous stereogenic carbons in these additions was excellent, rendering the developed approach as an important methodological advance in asymmetric catalytic reactions of detrifluoroacetylatively generated fluoro-enolates. This process allows preparation of structurally new pharmaceutically interesting class of 1,3-hydroxy ketones containing C-F quaternary stereogenic center adjacent to secondary hydroxy group.

Helicenes--A New Class of Organic Spin Filter.

Chiral helicene, a fully conjugated system without stereogenic carbon, can filter spins effectively at room temperature, a consequence of the chiral-induced spin-selectivity effect. The chirality dictates the spin of the electrons transferred through helicene, and magnetoresistance devices based on these molecules show antisymmetric magnetoresistance versus H plots.

Asymmetric 18F-fluorination for applications in positron emission tomography.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is becoming more frequently used by medicinal chemists to facilitate the selection of the most promising lead compounds for further evaluation. For PET, this entails the preparation of 11C- or 18F-labeled drugs or radioligands. With the importance of chirality and fluorine substitution in drug development, chemists can be faced with the challenge of preparing enantiopure molecules featuring the 18F-tag on a stereogenic carbon. Asymmetric 18F-fluorination is an emerging field of research that provides an alternative to resolution or conventional SN2-based radiochemistry. To date, both transition metal complexes and organomediators have been successfully employed for 18F-incorporation at a stereogenic carbon.

Total synthesis of laidlomycin.

The synthesis of laidlomycin is described. With an established stereocontrolled synthetic route to the aldehyde 5, the known β-keto phosphonate 4 was coupled with 5 and the resulting enone was subjected to a sequential hydrogenolysis/hydrogenation and equilibration process to effect the correct spiroketalization for the natural product. The stereogenic carbons were elaborated by desymmetrization for C12, allylation for C13, vanadyl-induced epoxidation for C16, Zn(BH4)2 reduction for C17, a chiral building block for C18 and C24, Shi epoxidation for C20 and C21, Myers' alkylation for C22, and thermodynamic control for C25.

Metabolism of Hydrocarbons in n-Alkane-Utilizing Anaerobic Bacteria

The glycyl radical enzyme-catalyzed addition of n-alkanes to fumarate creates a C-C-bond between two concomitantly formed stereogenic carbon centers. The configurations of the two diastereoisomers of the product resulting from n-hexane activation by the n-alkane-utilizing denitrifying bacterium strain HxN1, i.e. (1-methylpentyl)succinate, were assigned as (2S,1′R) and (2R,1′R). Experiments with stereospecifically deuterated n-(2,5-²H₂)hexanes revealed that exclusively the pro-S hydrogen atom is abstracted from C2 of the n-alkane by the enzyme and later transferred back to C3 of the alkylsuccinate formed. These results indicate that the alkylsuccinate-forming reaction proceeds with an inversion of configuration at the carbon atom (C2) of the n-alkane forming the new C-C-bond, and thus stereochemically resembles a S_N2-type reaction. Therefore, the reaction may occur in a concerted manner, which may avoid the highly energetic hex-2-yl radical as an intermediate. The reaction is associated with a significant primary kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD ≥3) for hydrogen, indicating that the homolytic C-H-bond cleavage is involved in the first irreversible step of the reaction mechanism. The (1-methylalkyl)succinate synthases of n-alkane-utilizing anaerobic bacteria apparently have very broad substrate ranges enabling them to activate not only aliphatic but also alkyl-aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, two denitrifiers and one sulfate reducer were shown to convert the nongrowth substrate toluene to benzylsuccinate and further to the dead-end product benzoyl-CoA. For this purpose, however, the modified β-oxidation pathway known from alkylbenzene-utilizing bacteria was not employed, but rather the pathway used for n-alkane degradation involving CoA ligation, carbon skeleton rearrangement and decarboxylation. Furthermore, various n-alkane- and alkylbenzene-utilizing denitrifiers and sulfate reducers were found to be capable of forming benzyl alcohols from diverse alkylbenzenes, putatively via dehydrogenases. The thermophilic sulfate reducer strain TD3 forms n-alkylsuccinates during growth with n-alkanes or crude oil, which, based on the observed patterns of homologs, do not derive from a terminal activation of n-alkanes.

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of monomeric and bimetallic pincer complexes containing Pd-bonded stereogenic carbons

Optically-pure aliphatic N–C(sp3)–E Pd pincer complexes with C-stereogenic centers were synthesized via stepwise (1) enantioselective catalytic hydrophosphination, (2) P(iii) → P(v) oxidation and (3) diastereoselective C(sp3)–H activation.

Substrate‐Controlled Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclohexanes with Four Stereocenters by Organocatalytic Asymmetric Domino Reactions Between γ‐Nitro Ketone and Enone

AbstractOrganocatalytic asymmetric domino reactions of γ‐nitro ketones and enones have been developed for the construction of functionalized cyclohexane skeletons with four stereogenic carbon atoms, including one tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter. 5‐Nitropentan‐2‐one and 6‐nitrohexan‐3‐one reacted with chalcone to afford six‐membered carbocycles with four consecutive stereocenters in yields of 51–91 % with 81–93 % ee and >20:1 dr. In addition, 4‐nitro‐1‐phenylbutan‐1‐one reacted with 4‐arylbut‐3‐en‐2‐ones to afford six‐membered carbocycles with two double consecutive stereocenters in yields of 59–92 % with 89–94 % ee and >20:1 dr. Interestingly, both four consecutive and nonconsecutive stereocenters could be constructed by these substrate‐controlled domino reactions.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Chimonanthine, (+)-Folicanthine, and (-)-Calycanthine.

Facile, straightforward, and asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-chimonanthine (1), (+)-folicanthine (2), and (-)-calycanthine (3) were accomplished in four to five steps from commercially available tryptamine. The synthesis features copper-mediated asymmetric cyclodimerization of chiral tryptamine derivative, which established a new entry into constructing the sterically hindered vicinal quaternary stereogenic carbon centers of dimeric hexahydropyrroloindole alkaloids in one procedure. An unprecedented base-induced isomerization from the chimonanthine skeleton to the calycanthine skeleton was observed and facilitated the synthesis of (-)-calycanthine (3).

ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Michael Addition Reactions of Nitroalkanes to 2‐Furanones Catalyzed by Bifunctional Thiourea Catalysts.

AbstractHighly functionalized γ‐lactones with two or three consecutive stereogenic carbons are synthesized with diastereoselectivities up to <20:1 dr and enantioselectivities up to <99% e.e.

Substituted cis-Hydrindan-4-ones by Sequential Cycloadditions

The synthesis of substituted cis -hydrindan-4-ones is reported. Particular emphasis was placed on the diastereoselective construction of quaternary stereogenic ring carbon atoms. An intermolecular asymmetric Al(III)-promoted (4+2)-cycloaddition served as the principal C/C-connecting tool. Opportunities for the further structural elaboration of the (4+2)-cycloadducts were explored.