Catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of alkylidene- or arylideneacetoacetates and Danishefsky's dienes with lanthanide salts aimed at selective synthesis of cis-4,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexenone derivatives

[Catalytic Synthesis of Optically Active Polycyclic Heterocyclic Compounds]

In basic pharmaceutical sciences to achieve drug development, research on the efficient chemical synthesis of small molecules having cyclic skeletons is important. We have been engaged in the development of artificial catalysts for asymmetric ring formation reactions that exclusively synthesize right-handed or left-handed cyclic compounds and have achieved the construction of optically active cyclic skeletons using our original catalysts. The synthesis of biologically active compounds was facilitated through six-membered ring construction by Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky diene; however, no asymmetric variant of the reaction has been achieved. We approached this unresolved issue using multi-coordinated lanthanide metals. A new chiral lanthanide catalyst was developed, and the catalytic asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky diene was realized for the first time. By modifying the chemical structure of Danishefsky diene, we applied the lanthanide catalyst to the syntheses of polycyclic compounds and biologically active compounds. We achieved the asymmetric synthesis of natural products, antibacterial and antimalarial compounds, and an anti-obesity drug lead compound. Moreover, the novel catalyst exhibited higher performance than the previously reported ones. The latest generation of the catalyst can be handled stably in air at room temperature. Furthermore, we succeeded in the development of new catalysts by focusing on the properties of its metal precursors, such as nickel and indium, and achieved the construction of polycyclic skeletons by using these catalysts.

Stereoselective Synthesis of (+)-Annuionone A and (-)-Annuionone B

A stereoselective synthetic approach was utilized to synthesize enantiopure annuionones A (1b) and B (2b), two ionone-type norsesquiterpenoids that both bear a 6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework and possess allelopathic activity. A stereoselective Diels-Alder reaction based on chiral trisubstituted dienophile 20 was employed to obtain the optically active polysubstituted cyclohexane core of both natural products. Using this approach, (+)-annuionone A (1b) and (-)-annuionone B (2b) were synthesized from lactol (+)-15 in 10% overall yield.

Synthesis of β- and β,β-substituted Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts using a two-step protocol

The synthesis of a large number of β- and β,β-substituted keto esters was successful by the use of the Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The stereoselectivity of these reactions was improved by alteration of various substituent groups. Although there were few examples of complete Z selectivity, the use of tert-butyl acetoacetate with either aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes afforded Z selectivity. The selective reductions of these substituted keto esters was successfully achieved by using a combination of NaBH4 and CeCl3·7H2O or Yb(OTf)3, which allowed a facile synthesis of a large number of stereochemically pure substituted Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts, including β,β-substituted adducts.

A diversity-oriented synthesis approach to macrocycles via oxidative ring expansion

Macrocycles are key structural elements in numerous bioactive small molecules and are attractive targets in the diversity-oriented synthesis of natural product-based libraries. However, efficient and systematic access to diverse collections of macrocycles has proven difficult using classical macrocyclization reactions. To address this problem, we have developed a concise, modular approach to the diversity-oriented synthesis of macrolactones and macrolactams involving oxidative cleavage of a bridging double bond in polycyclic enol ethers and enamines. These substrates are assembled in only 4–5 synthetic steps and undergo ring expansion to afford highly functionalized macrocycles bearing handles for further diversification. In contrast to macrocyclization reactions of corresponding seco-acids, the ring expansion reactions are efficient and insensitive to ring size and stereochemistry, overcoming key limitations of conventional approaches to systematic macrocycle synthesis. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that these macrocycles access regions of chemical space that overlap with natural products, distinct from currently-targeted synthetic drugs.

Ethyl 4-(4-bromophenyl)-6-r-phenyl-2-oxocyclohex-3-ene-1-t-carboxylate

In the title compound, C₂₁H₁₉BrO₃, the cyclo­hexene ring adopts an envelope conformation, with all substituents equatorial. The plane through its five coplanar atoms makes dihedral angles of 28.88 (10) and 71.94 (10)° with the bromo­benzene and phenyl rings, respectively. The dihedral angle between the latter two rings is 51.49 (15)°. Inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are found in the crystal structure; a C—H⋯π inter­action is also present.

Enantioselective total synthesis of cyathin A3

The total synthesis of (-)-cyathin A3 is described. The key step involves an unusual enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone with 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-pentadiene, using Mikami's catalyst [(R)-BINOL + Cl2Ti(OiPr)2 + 4 A mol sieves] modified by addition of Mg and SiO2. Because cyathin A3 is easily transformed into allocyathin B3, cyathin B3, cyathin C3, and neoallocyathin A4, this route also constitutes formal syntheses of these natural products.

Mild and Efficient Pentafluorophenylammonium Triflate (PFPAT)-Catalyzed C-Acylations of Enol Silyl Ethers or Ketene Silyl (Thio)Acetals with Acid Chlorides

A pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) catalyst (5 mol %) successfully promoted C-acylation of enol silyl ethers with acid chloride to produce various beta-diketones (12 examples; 62-92% yield). Similarly, C-acylation of ketene silyl acetals or ketene silyl thioacetals (i.e., crossed Claisen condensation) proceeded smoothly to provide not only alpha-monoalkylated beta-keto (thio)esters but also thermodynamically unfavorable (less accessible) alpha,alpha-dialkylated beta-keto (thio)esters in good to excellent yield (38 examples; 60-92% yield).

E- or Z-Selective Knoevenagel Condensation of Acetoacetic Derivatives: Effect of Acylated Substituent, that is, TEMPO and Amines, as an Auxiliary, and New Accesses to Trisubstituted E- and Z-2-Alkenals and Furans

Knoevenagel condensation of O-acetoacetylTEMPOs (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) with aldehydes substituted with an electron-withdrawing group such as aromatic and heteroaromatic ones leads preferentially to E-adducts, while acylacetoamides including Weinreb amides produce Z-adducts, exclusively. These E- and Z-adducts are selectively converted to the corresponding (2E)- and (2Z)-2-hyroxyalkyl-2-alkenals, respectively, by stepwise reductions of the acyl group with DIBALH and then the carboxylic functions after protection of the hydroxy group. Transformation of the Knoevenagel products by taking advantage of the E-geometry to trisubstituted furans is also developed.

1,2-Acyl Transfer Reaction for the Construction of Multiple Carbonyl-Functionalized Architecture by Sm(II)-Induced Tandem Formation and Breaking of Cyclopropanol

[reaction: see text] An efficient 1,2-acyl group migration reaction based on contiguous formation and breaking tactics of 1-oxycyclopropane-2-carboxylate as an intermediate is developed. Thus, the reduction of 2-cyclohexenones, bearing gem-acyl/alkoxycarbonyl groups at the C4 position, with Sm(II) reagent leads to 2-acyl-4-oxycyclohexanecarboxylates via cyclization followed by retro-aldol cleavage of the resulting donor/acceptor cyclopropane. Mechanistic insights and the scope of the reaction are described.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Carbonylative [3+2+1] Cycloaddition Reaction: Catalytic Formation of Bicyclic Cyclohexenones from Trienes and Carbon Monoxide

The rhodium-catalyzed carbonylative [3+2+1] cycloaddition of trienes into bicyclohexenones has been developed. The carbonylated cycloaddition products have a high regioselectivity. This catalytic system tolerates functionalities including ether, sulfonamide, and ester.