Studies on the total synthesis of streptazolin and its related natural products: first total synthesis of (+/-)-8alpha-hydroxystreptazolone

The intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of 2-oxazolone derivatives with a suitable heptynyl appendage gave exclusively the corresponding 4-hydroxy-6-substituted-9-oxa-1-azatricyclo[6.2.1.0(5,11)]undec-5-ene-7,10-diones. On the basis of this newly developed Pauson-Khand reaction of 2-oxazolone-alkyne derivatives, the first total synthesis of (+/-)-8alpha-hydroxystreptazolone was accomplished in a highly stereoselective manner. In addition, (+/-)-7-epi-8alpha-hydroxystreptazolone was also synthesized.

Construction of Azacycles Based on Endo-Mode Cyclization of Allenes

A new procedure for constructing monocyclic five- and six-membered azacycles by the endo-mode ring-closing reaction of allenylazido derivatives under neutral conditions has been developed. The azabicyclo[m.n.0] compounds were prepared by applying this newly developed procedure. The seven-membered azacycle was prepared when the allene possessing an unsubstituted carboxyl amido functionality was submitted to the basic conditions. In addition, indole and quinoline skeletons were synthesized using this procedure.

First total synthesis of (-)-AL-2

Treatment of the 3,4-dioxygenated-9-hydroxy-1-nonyn-5-one derivative, derived from diethyl l-tartrate, with a palladium catalyst in methanol under a CO atmosphere effected an intramolecular acetalization and a stereoselective construction of the (E)-methoxycarbonylmethylidene functionality resulting in formation of the core framework of the diacetylenic spiroacetal enol ether natural products. Chemical transformations of the 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane derivative thus formed led to the first total synthesis of (-)-AL-2. [reaction: see text]

Efficient construction of the bicyclo[5.3.0]decenone skeleton based on the Rh(I)-catalyzed allenic Pauson-Khand reaction

A reliable procedure for constructing a bicyclo[5.3.0]deca-1,7-dien-9-one ring system by rhodium-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) of allenynes with a sulfonyl group has been developed. Investigation of the rhodium-catalyzed PKR on 19 examples of 1,2-nonadien-8-yne derivatives demonstrated that (i) acceptable yields could be consistently achieved through the proper choice of the rhodium catalyst ([RhCl(CO)(2)](2) or [RhCl(CO)dppp](2)) depending on the starting allenyne and that (ii) an ester functionality as well as hydroxy and siloxy groups could be tolerated in this rhodium-catalyzed PKR.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-8alpha-hydroxystreptazolone

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of 2-oxazolone derivatives with a suitable pentynyl appendage exclusively gave the corresponding 4-hydroxy-6-substituted-9-oxa-1-azatricyclo[6.2.1.0(5,11)]undec-5-en-7,10-diones. Based on this newly developed Pauson-Khand reaction of 2-oxazolone-alkyne derivatives, the first total synthesis of (+/-)-8alpha-hydroxystreptazolone was accomplished in a highly stereoselective manner.

[Development of highly selective reactions based on metal carbonyls and its application to synthesis of bioactive compounds]

Alkynes react with commercially available Co2 (CO)8 to give the corresponding alkyne-Co2 (CO)6 complexes. Similarly, treatment of arenes with Cr(CO)6 produces arene-Cr (CO)3 complexes. By taking advantage of the intriguing properties of these metal carbonyl complexes, we developed some selective reactions. In this review, the following topics are discussed: (i) development of selective reactions based on alkyne-Co2 (CO)6 complexes; (ii) development of selective reactions based on arene-Cr (CO)3 complexes; and (iii) their application to syntheses of bioactive compounds.

Causative agent of vascular pain among photodegradation products of dacarbazine

The photodegradation products of the anticancer drug, dacarbazine, cause adverse reactions including local venous pain when injected intravenously. In this study, we attempted to identify which of these products is responsible. We synthesized or purchased five photodegradation products of dacarbazine (dimethylamine, 5-diazoimidazole-4-carboxamide (Diazo-IC), 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate, 5-carbamoyl-2-(4-carbamoylimidazol-5-ylazo)imidazolium-5-olate and 2-azahypoxanthine) and examined the pain reaction induced by their intraperitoneal administration in mice using an abdominal stretching or constriction assay. Only Diazo-IC clearly induced pain reaction in mice in a dose-dependent manner, the other products caused no pain reaction. The threshold concentration for pain reaction in mice was estimated to be about 0.1 mg mL-1. While diclofenac sodium significantly reduced acetic-acid-induced pain reaction in mice, it did not influence those induced by Diazo-IC. This result suggests that the mechanism of Diazo-IC-induced pain is different from that of acetic-acid-induced inflammatory pain. Dacarbazine itself produced marked relaxation of rat thoracic aorta strips in a concentration-dependent manner, but there was no difference between the activity of dacarbazine and its photo-exposed solution, so constriction or relaxation of blood vessels is unlikely to be a factor in the pain reaction. In conclusion, Diazo-IC generated by photodegradation of dacarbazine solution causes the side-effect of venous pain. Dacarbazine solution that has turned pink should not be used, because Diazo-IC is an intermediate in the formation of the reddish product, 5-carbamoyl-2-(4-carbamoylimidazol-5-ylazo)imidazolium-5-olate. Drip infusion preparations of dacarbazine should be shielded from light.

Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular allenic Pauson-Khand reaction: construction of a bicyclo[5.3.0]dec-1,7-dien-9-one skeleton

[reaction: see text] 1-Phenylsulfonylallenes possessing a hexynyl appendage in refluxing toluene in the presence of catalytic amount of rhodium(I) catalyst under a carbon monoxide atmosphere underwent regioselective formal [2 + 2 + 1]-cycloaddition to produce the corresponding bicyclo[5.3.0]dec-1,7-dien-9-one derivatives in acceptable yields.

A new entry to oxacycles via base-catalyzed endo mode cyclization of allenyl sulfoxides and sulfones

[reaction: see text]. Treatment of the allenyl sulfoxides and sulfones possessing a proper delta-hydroxy appendage at the C-1 position with potassium tert-butoxide effected endo mode ring closure at the sp-hybridized carbon center of the allenyl moiety to provide the five- to eight-membered oxacycles in high yields.

First total synthesis of (-)-ichthyothereol and its acetate

The first and stereoselective total syntheses of (-)-ichthyothereol (1) and its acetate ((+)-2) were achieved by incorporation of the two chiral centers of diethyl L-tartrate. The starting diethyl L-tartrate was converted into trans-2-ethynyl-3-hydroxytetrahydropyran 14 in a stereoselective manner via the endo mode cyclization of the epoxy-alkyne derivative 12. The alcohol 12 was then transformed into (E)-iodoolefin derivative 15, which was exposed to a coupling reaction with 1-tributylstannyl-1,3,5-heptyne (19), derived from the corresponding 1-trimethylsilyl-1,3,5-heptyne (18), under Stille conditions to produce the all-carbon framework of the target natural products. Chemical modification of the coupled product 20 under conventional conditions completed the first total synthesis of (-)-ichthyothereol (1) and its acetate ((+)-2).