THE FORMATION OF DIENONES THROUGH AR1-PARTICIPATION

Development of a Convergent Enantioselective Synthetic Route to (-)-Myrocin G

Myrocins are a family of antiproliferative antibiotic fungal metabolites possessing a masked electrophilic cyclopropane. Preliminary chemical reactivity studies imputed the bioactivity of these natural products to a DNA cross-linking mechanism, but this hypothesis was not confirmed by studies with native DNA. We recently reported a total synthesis of (-)-myrocin G (4), the putative active form of the metabolite myrocin C (1), that featured a carefully orchestrated tandem fragment coupling-annulation cascade. Herein, we describe the evolution of our synthetic strategy toward 4 and report the series of discoveries that prompted the design of this cascade coupling. Efforts to convert the diosphenol (-)-myrocin G (4) to the corresponding 5-hydroxy-γ-lactone isomer myrocin C (1) are also detailed. We present a preliminary evaluation of the antiproliferative activities of (-)-myrocin G (4) and related structures, as well as DNA cross-linking studies. These studies indicate that myrocins do not cross-link DNA, suggesting an alternative mode of action potentially involving a protein target.

Transition Metal Free C-N Bond Forming Dearomatizations and Aryl C-H Aminations by in Situ Release of a Hydroxylamine-Based Aminating Agent

We outline a simple protocol that accesses directly unprotected secondary amines by intramolecular C-N bond forming dearomatization or aryl C-H amination. The method is dependent on the generation of a potent electrophilic aminating agent released by in situ deprotection of O-Ts activated N-Boc hydroxylamines.

Synthesis of Functionalized 6-Hydroxy-2-oxindole Derivatives by Phenoxide Cyclization

An apparent intramolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling of N-(3-hydroxy)monoanilide of maleic esters comprising base promoted phenoxide cyclization and subsequent base-mediated aerobic oxidation was developed to synthesize a variety of 2-(6-hydroxy-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetate derivatives. The isolation of intermediate cyclized products during the large scale reactions and their ready dehydrogenation with 1 equiv of base support this proposed two-step path.

Formal synthesis of (−)-platensimycin

An efficient formal synthesis of (−)-platensimycin was completed by using a tandem C–H oxidation/C–C coupling (cyclization)/rearrangement as the key step.

Synthesis of spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-one with consecutive quaternary centers via 1,6-conjugate addition induced dearomatization of para-quinone methides

Spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-one with consecutive quaternary centers was synthesized in one pot without the use of metals.

Heuristic chemistry--elimination reactions

Besides additions and substitutions, elimination reactions play a fundamental role in organic synthesis. However, conceptual reviews of known 1,x-elimination patterns that go beyond the typical olefin-forming 1,2-eliminations are scarce. To develop a broader understanding of elimination reactions, we follow a heuristic approach and deduce recurrent reaction patterns from traditional and specific elimination reactions. Our work demonstrates that 1,x-elimination reactions and their outcomes can be easily rationalized by defined mnemonic categories.

Synthetic studies toward (+)-cortistatin A

We describe herein the synthesis of a late-stage intermediate en route to cortistatin A. Key transformations included a Snieckus-like cascade sequence culminating in a 6π-electrocyclization, an alkylative dearomatization, and the stereoselective functionalization of the cortistatin A-ring. While the total synthesis we sought was not accomplished, the work sets the stage for several approaches to the preparation of novel analogs via diverted total synthesis.

Synthesis and characterization of a cyclobutane duocarmycin derivative incorporating the 1,2,10,11-tetrahydro-9H-cyclobuta[c]benzo[e]indol-4-one (CbBI) alkylation subunit

The synthesis of 1,2,10,11-tetrahydro-9H-cyclobuta[c]benzo[e]indol-4-one (17, CbBI), which contains a deep-seated fundamental structural modification in the CC-1065 and duocarmycin alkylation subunit consisting of the incorporation of a ring-expanded fused cyclobutane (vs cyclopropane), its chemical and structural characterization, and its incorporation into a key analogue of the natural products are detailed. The approach to the preparation of CbBI was based on a precedented (Ar-3' and Ar-5') but previously unknown Ar-4' spirocyclization of a phenol onto a tethered alkyl halide to form the desired cyclobutane. The conditions required for the implementation of the Ar-4' spirocyclization indicate that the entropy of activation substantially impacts the rate of reaction relative to that for the much more facile Ar-3' spirocyclization, while the higher enthalpy of activation slows the reaction relative to an Ar-5' spirocyclization. The characterization of the CbBI-based agents revealed their exceptional stability and exquisite reaction regioselectivity, and a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of N-Boc-CbBI (13) revealed their structural origins. The reaction regioselectivity may be attributed to the stereoelectronic alignment of the two available cyclobutane bonds with the cyclohexadienone π-system, which resides in the bond that extends to the less substituted cyclobutane carbon for 13. The remarkable stability of N-Boc-CbBI (which is stable even at pH 1) relative to N-Boc-CBI containing a cyclopropane (t(1/2) = 133 h at pH 3) may be attributed to a combination of the increased extent of vinylogous amide conjugation, the nonoptimal geometric alignment of the cyclobutane with the activating cyclohexadienone, and the intrinsic but modestly lower strain energy (1.8 kcal/mol) of a cyclobutane versus a cyclopropane.

Total synthesis of platensimycin and related natural products

Platensimycin is the flagship member of a new and growing class of antibiotics with promising antibacterial properties against drug-resistant bacteria. The total syntheses of platensimycin and its congeners, platensimycins B(1) and B(3), platensic acid, methyl platensinoate, platensimide A, homoplatensimide A, and homoplatensimide A methyl ester, are described. The convergent strategy developed toward these target molecules involved construction of their cage-like core followed by attachment of the various side chains through amide bond formation. In addition to a racemic synthesis, two asymmetric routes to the core structure are described: one exploiting a rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric cycloisomerization, and another employing a hypervalent iodine-mediated de-aromatizing cyclization of an enantiopure substrate. The final two bonds of the core structure were forged through a samarium diiodide-mediated ketyl radical cyclization and an acid-catalyzed etherification. The rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric reaction involving a terminal acetylene was developed as a general method for the asymmetric cycloisomerization of terminal enynes.

Synthesis of Spiro[5.4]decenones and Their Transformation into Bicyclo[4.4]deca-1,4-dien-3-ones by Domino ?Elimination- Double-Wagner-Meerwein-Rearrangement? Reactions

The [3+3] cyclization of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with 1,1-diacylcyclopentanes allows a convenient synthesis of spiro[5.4]decenones. Treatment of these compounds with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) afforded a great variety of bicyclo[4.4.0]deca-1,4-dien-3-ones containing an angular alkyl group. This core structure occurs in a number of pharmacologically relevant natural products.

Diastereoselective Phenol para-Alkylation: Access to a Cross-Conjugated Cyclohexadienone en Route to Resiniferatoxin

We document a route for the synthesis of a densely functionalized spiro-fused 2,5-cyclohexadienone as an intermediate for the synthesis of resineferatoxin. The strategy is based on an unprecedented diastereoselective, intramolecular phenol para-alkylation to a cross-conjugated cyclohexadienone. In the course of these synthetic studies we developed rapid access to a chiral nitrile possessing a quaternary stereocenter and disclose an unusual acetal rearrangement from a dioxane, which favors the corresponding dioxepane.

Metabolism of metoprolol in the rat in vitro and in vivo

1. Metoprolol was metabolized in rat liver microsomes in vitro by O-demethylation with subsequent oxidation and by aliphatic hydroxylation of the methoxy-ethyl substituent and by oxidative deamination of the propanolisopropylamine side-chain. The same routes of metabolism in the rat in vivo were revealed from urinary metabolites. Eight metabolites were identified by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry by comparison with synthetized reference compounds. 2. Metoprolol binds to cytochrome-P-450 eliciting a type I difference spectrum with KS = 23 +/- 2-0 muM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant Km = 39 +/- 4-0 muM and Vmax = 1-28 +/- 0-22 nmol/mg protein X min were not significantly affected by pre-treatment of the rats with metoprolol or phenobarbital. Metoprolol pre-treatment had no effect on the cytochrome-P-450 level in the microsomes nor on the rate of metabolism of four standard substrates. Phenobarbital increased the cytochrome P-450 as expected. 3. Four metabolites representing the three main routes of metabolism were quantitatively determined after metabolism with rat liver microsomes and compared with the urinary levels of the same compounds. The same major metabolites were found in vitro and in vivo. The total amount of metabolites was not influenced by pre-treatment with metoprolol or phenobarbital. The relative amounts of the three main metabolites were slightly affected by pre-treatment.