ß-Alkenylation of Saturated N-Heterocycles via a C(sp3)-O Bond Wittig-like Olefination.

Although the C-Hα functionalization of N-heterocycles is, in fact, an easy chemical transformation, the C-Hß functionalization is, on the contrary, a quite difficult chemical process. Here, we present a two-step protocol that allows the ready conversion of pyrrolidines, piperidines, and an azepane into their corresponding 3-exo-alkenyl lactams via the transient formation of 3-alkoxyamino lactams followed by a Wittig-like C(sp3)-O bond olefination with stabilized ylides from phosphonium salts mediated by t-BuOK. Additionally, as a proof of the synthetic effectiveness of this novel methodology, the first synthesis of the natural product callylactam A was achieved through a TiCl4-catalyzed double bond isomerization of a 3-exo-alkenyl 2-piperidone to its endo-isomer.

En Route to Furan-Fused Naphthopyrones: Formal Synthesis of the (+)-Lasionectrin and Its C12-Epimer.

Despite the vast presence of the furan-fused naphthopyrone (FFN) skeleton in many bioactive natural products, such as lasionectrin, at present, a general approach to FFNs has not been developed yet. For that reason, a simple and straightforward synthetic approach consisting of a sequential procedure of a Diels-Alder reaction between 1,3-dimethoxy-benzocyclobutenol I and furan-fused-α,ß-unsaturated-δ-lactones II (via an ο-quinodimethane intermediate III) followed by an oxidative aromatization of the corresponding Diels-Alder adduct IV is reported. Subsequently, the formal synthesis of the (+)-lasionectrin and its C12-epimer was achieved, the latter in only six steps.

Accelerated Dimerization of α,ß-Unsaturated D-Xylo-Hexofurano-5-ulose Derivatives through Asynchronous Hetero-Diels-Alder Reaction.

While some hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reactions are accelerated by either carbonyl or phosphate groups attached directly to the heterodiene moiety, the alkyl or aryl groups, on the other hand, have minimal influence. However, in this article, we demonstrate that aryl groups have a significant effect on the spontaneous dimerization reaction of α,ß-unsaturated D-xylo-hexofurano-5-ulose derivatives to their respective pyrano adducts via intermolecular HDA reaction. Experimental and computational studies provide strong evidence that dimerization follows the Woodward-Katz two-stage mechanism reaction (asynchronous process), from which the aryl/aryl π-stacking interaction is mainly responsible for the rate-determining step (RDS) and electrostatic interaction for the second bond formation. Since the latter interaction is highly affected by dipolar moment, 5-ulose derivative having a strong electron-withdrawing group (R = CN; µ = 14.3 D) is spontaneously dimerized more than 15 times faster than 5-ulose that possesses an electron-donating group (R = OMe; µ = 2.1 D).

Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiallodynic Activity of 3-Hydroxylated Paroxetines.

The design, stereoselective synthesis and in vivo antiallodynic activity of four novel paroxetine analogs, named 3-hydroxy paroxetines (3HPXs), is reported herein. Among the novel synthesized compounds, three showed an antiallodynic effect, while (R,R)-3HPX was found to be 2.5 times more bioactive than (-)-paroxetine itself in neuropathic rats. Consequently, the current investigation not only discloses a novel promising analgesic drug, but also reveals that functionalization at the C3 position of paroxetine could be as effective as the common functionalization at either C4 or within the sesamol group.

Transition-Metal-Free Total Synthesis and Revision of the Absolute Configuration of Pipermethystine.

Starting from 3-hydroxy piperidines, a novel transition-metal-free strategy to 5-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2(1H)pyridones is reported. This unprecedented approach, which provides a practical, economical, and ecofriendly alternative to either the classical ring-closing metathesis of N-homoallyl-unsaturated amides or the dehydrogenation of amides, occurs by means of a triple C-H functionalization of three unreactive piperidine sp3 carbons. The completion of the total synthesis revealed that the natural levo-isomer possesses the R absolute configuration, not S.

Transition-Metal-Free Multiple Functionalization of Piperidines to 4-Substituted and 3,4-Disubstituted 2-Piperidinones.

Remote and multiple functionalization of piperidines without the use of transition-metal catalysts and elaborate directing groups is one of the major challenges in organic synthesis. Herein is reported an unprecedented two-step protocol that enables the multiple functionalization of piperidines to either 4-substituted or trans-3,4-disubstituted 2-piperidones. First, by exploiting the duality of TEMPO reactivity, which under oxidative and thermal conditions fluctuates between cationic and persistent-radical form, a novel multiple C(sp3 )-H oxidation of piperidines to α,ß-unsaturated 2-piperidones was developed. Second, the intrinsic low reactivity of the unsaturated piperidones toward conjugated Grignard additions was overcome by using trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl) as Lewis acid. Subsequently, conjugated Grignard addition/electrophilic trapping protocol provided substituted 2-piperidone intermediates, some of which were then transformed into pharmaceutical alkaloids.

Transition-Metal-Free Deconstructive Lactamization of Piperidines.

One of the major challenges in organic synthesis is the activation or deconstructive functionalization of unreactive C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) bonds, which requires using transition or precious metal catalysts. We present here an alternative: the deconstructive lactamization of piperidines without using transition metal catalysts. To this end, we use 3-alkoxyamino-2-piperidones, which were prepared from piperidines through a dual C(sp3 )-H oxidation, as transitory intermediates. Experimental and theoretical studies confirm that this unprecedented lactamization occurs in a tandem manner involving an oxidative deamination of 3-alkoxyamino-2-piperidones to 3-keto-2-piperidones, followed by a regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation to give N-carboxyanhydride intermediates, which finally undergo a spontaneous and concerted decarboxylative intramolecular translactamization.

Selective, Catalytic, and Dual C(sp3)-H Oxidation of Piperazines and Morpholines under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions.

By using cheap and innocuous reagents, such as NaClO2, NaOCl, and catalytic amounts of TEMPO, a new environmentally friendly protocol for the selective and catalytic TEMPO C(sp3)-H oxidation of piperazines and morpholines to 2,3-diketopiperazines (2,3-DKP) and 3-morpholinones (3-MPs), respectively, has been developed. This novel direct access to 2,3-DKP from piperazines provides significant advantages over the traditional N-monoacylation/intramolecular C-N cyclization procedure. Additionally, by modulating the amounts of TEMPO, 2-alkoxyamino-3-morpholinone can be prepared from morpholine derivatives, which would enable further functionalization at the C2 position of the morpholine skeleton.

The direct and highly diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4-epoxy-2-piperidones. Application to the total synthesis and absolute configurational assignment of 3α,4α-epoxy-5ß-pipermethystine.

The substrate-controlled asymmetric total synthesis and absolute configurational assignment of biologically active 3α,4α-epoxy-5ß-pipermethystine, a minor component in the aerial parts of kava, has been achieved by featuring, as a key step, the environmentally friendly and direct synthesis of 2,3-epoxyamides from allyl amines. By using the chiron approach, first a carbohydrate-derived dehydropiperidine was prepared and subjected to a stereoselective tandem C-H/C[double bond, length as m-dash]C oxidation reaction. In this attempt, the required α,α-trans-epoxy-2-piperidone skeleton of the kava metabolite precursor was not achieved, although the tandem oxidation was highly stereoselective. However, starting from non-carbohydrate 3-hydroxy-4,5-dehydropiperidine, and using the same tandem oxidation, the target intermediate was obtained in high yield and complete unprecedented anti-stereoselectivity. Since the proposed mechanistic course of this tandem oxidation implies the transient formation of an α,ß-unsaturated amide followed by the subsequent epoxidation reaction, this second approach supports the previously established biotransformation proposal of (-)-pipermethystine to (-)-3α,4α-epoxy-5ß-pipermethystine.

Transition Metal-Free Selective Double sp(3) C-H Oxidation of Cyclic Amines to 3-Alkoxyamine Lactams.

The first chemical method for selective dual sp(3) C-H functionalization at the alpha-and beta positions of cyclic amines to their corresponding 3-alkoxyamine lactams is reported. Unlike traditional Cα-H oxidation of amines to amides mediated by transition metals, the present protocol, which involves the use of NaClO2/TEMPO/NaClO in either aqueous or organic solvent, not only allows the Cα-H oxidation but also the subsequent functionalization of the unreactive ß-methylene group in an unprecedented tandem fashion and using environmentally friendly reactants.

Synthesis of the Enantiomers of Tedanalactam and the First Total Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of (+)-Piplaroxide.

Highlighting the recently established methodology for the direct synthesis of glycidic amides from tertiary allyl amines, the synthesis of the enantiomers of tedanalactam were completed in two steps from the corresponding chiral dihydropiperidine. Additionally, the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of piplaroxide were obtained from their respective tedanalactam precursor, and the absolute configuration of the naturally occurring (+)-piplaroxide was determined. The present approach represents not only the shortest synthesis of (-)-tedanalactam but also the first total synthesis of (+)-piplaroxide, a repellent against the leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes.

The Stabilizing Role of the Intramolecular C-H···O Hydrogen Bond in Cyclic Amides Derived From α-Methylbenzylamine.

A series of five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered lactams containing the chiral auxiliary α-methylbenzylamine were structurally analyzed and further studied by DFT calculations with the purpose to examine with detail the previously detected intramolecular C-H···O hydrogen-bonding interaction formed between the hydrogen atom of the α-methylbenzylamine and the carbonyl group of the cyclic amide. The main objective was to establish whether its presence does have a tangible relevance in their spatial arrangement in solution and in the solid state or is a simple and not stabilizing interaction.

Total synthesis of cephalosporolide E via a tandem radical/polar crossover reaction. The use of the radical cations under nonoxidative conditions in total synthesis.

The present work reports the first example of the use of the chemistry of radical cations under nonoxidative conditions in total synthesis. Using a late-stage tandem radical/polar crossover reaction, a highly stereoselective total synthesis of cephalosporolide E (which is typically obtained admixed with cephalosporolide F) was accomplished. The reaction of a phthalimido derivative with triphenyltin radical in refluxing toluene engenders a contact ion-pair (radical cation) that leads, in the first instance, to the cephalosporolide F, which is transformed into the cephalosporolide E via a stereocontrolled spiroketal isomerization promoted by the diphenylphosphate acid that is formed during the tandem transformation.

Further evidence on the favorable role of the anomeric effect on the cleavage of HepDirect and cyclophosphamide prodrugs.

On the basis of previous conformational and configurational studies of 4-aryl-substituted cyclophosph(on)ates derived from d-xylofuranose derivatives, wherein it was proposed that the anomeric effect is involved in the spontaneous isomerization of the P atom and the C4 carbon, and consequently, this unusual behavior was associated with the cleavage of the HepDirect prodrugs. We synthesized an analogous series of 2-amino-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinanes and performed a conformational and configurational analysis in solution and the solid state followed by an examination of their mutagenic activity. The results showed that the 2-amino-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinanes with the largest mutagenic activity contain either a 4-methoxyphenyl or 4-fluorophenyl group at C4 carbon and presented a major chair conformation, which is prone to weaken the C4-O3 bond via the anomeric effect and facilitates the cleavage for the release of the biologically active metabolite.

ß-Oxygen effect in the Barton-McCombie deoxygenation reaction: further experimental and theoretical findings.

The chemistry of (S)-methyl xanthates derived from xylo- and ribo-furanose derivatives in the presence of the stannyl radical is investigated. Xanthate derived from ß-xylo-furanose affords exclusively a deoxygenated product; whereas, under the same reaction conditions, the α-ribo-furanose xanthate derivative produces quantitatively a hemithioacetal compound. We reasoned that in the case of the ß-xylo-furanose derivative, a favorable ß-oxygen effect in the Barton-McCombie deoxygenation reaction is operating where, according to theoretical calculations, unusual molecular orbital interactions (and not strain, as previously proposed) are present. These orbital interactions involve the SOMO (intermediary generated from the stannyl radical addition) with the σ* orbital of the bond undergoing cleavage and this with the two C-O antibonding orbitals anti oriented. Such molecular orbital interactions are not present in the α-ribo-furanose; therefore, the ß-scission is highly delayed, and due to the reversibly nature of the stannyl radical addition, the ribo-furanose xanthate is forced to take an alternative route: the homolytic substitution (S(H)2) of the sulfide sulfur by stannyl radical. This radical addition gives the alkoxythiocarbonyl radical, which is trapped by Bu3SnH before the elimination of carbonyl sulfide; subsequently, radical stannyl addition followed by radical reduction produces the hemithioacetal.

Direct chemical method for preparing 2,3-epoxyamides using sodium chlorite.

A direct method for preparing 2,3-epoxyamides from tertiary allylamines via a tandem C-H oxidation/double bond epoxidation using sodium chlorite is reported. Apparently, the reaction course consists of two steps: (i) allylic oxidation of the starting allylamine to corresponding unsaturated allylamide with sodium chlorite followed by (ii) epoxidation of the allylamide to the 2,3-epoxyamide mediated by hypochlorite ion, which is formed in situ by reduction of sodium chlorite. The reaction conditions tolerate the presence of free hydroxyl groups and typical functional groups such as TBS, aryl, alkyl, allyl, acetyl, and benzyl groups; however, when an activated aromatic ring (e.g., sesamol) is present in the substrate, the use of a scavenger is necessary.

High 1,3-trans stereoselectivity in nucleophilic substitution at the anomeric position and ß-fragmentation of the primary alkoxyl radical in 3-amino-3-deoxy-ribofuranose derivatives: application to the synthesis of 2-epi-(-)-jaspine B.

The high inverse stereoselectivity in the nucleophilic substitution at the anomeric position of 3-amino-3-deoxy-ribofuranose derivatives is reported. This unprecedented stereoselectivity is explained in terms of preferential nucleophilic attack on the "inside face" of the respective five-membered ring oxocarbenium ion that orients pseudoequatorially to the benzylamine group placed at the C-3 position. In addition, an unusual ß-fragmentation of a primary alkoxyl radical generated from its corresponding N-phthalimide derivative was achieved, and thus taking advantages of both reactions, the total synthesis of 2-epi-(-)-jaspine B was completed.

On the existence of the chair conformation in six-membered ring phosphates bearing an aryl group axially oriented at the C4 position: cyclic nucleotides as model compounds for cyclic phosph(on)ate and phosphoramide prodrugs.

A series of cyclic nucleotide analogues to HepDirect prodrugs were prepared by a three-component reaction of protected thymine, phosphoryl chloride, and 5-aryl-alpha-D-xylofuranoses derivatives. One of the cyclic nucleotides showed NMR data that suggest a predominant twisted conformation; however, in spite of having an aryl group at the C4 position within the crystal lattice, the cyclic nucleotide had a chair conformation with the aryl group axially oriented. By analyzing the unprecedented X-ray structure, it was observed that the oxygen atom from the phoshoryl group (P=O) is found in close proximity to the o-hydrogen atom of the aryl group (2.51 A), suggesting thus an attractive nonbonding electrostatic interaction, which might be the driving force that overcomes the steric diaxial interactions imposed by the aryl group. Theoretical studies (NBO) for two model compounds showed that there are indeed interactions between filled (donor) Lewis-type NBOs and empty (acceptor) non-Lewis NBOs corresponding to the nO-->sigma*(C-H) interaction. Additionally, conversion of a diastereomeric mixture of cyclic nucleotides into the more stable diastereomeric cyclic nucleotide was observed and explained by spontaneous isomerization in the phosphorinane ring. This finding supports the recently established hypothesis for the mode of action of prodrug cleavage, for which the anomeric effect plays an important role.

5-Fluoro-1-[(4S,5R)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione.

In the title compound, C(11)H(15)FN(2)O(5), the five-membered ring has an envelope conformation, while the six-membered ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.032 (2) Šfrom the mean plane. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating a layer structure parallel to (001).

Six-membered ring phosphates and phosphonates as model compounds for cyclic phosphate prodrugs: is the anomeric effect involved in the selective and spontaneous cleavage of cyclic phosphate prodrugs?

In recent years, several six-membered ring phosph(on)ates and phosphonamides have been reported as potent prodrugs against liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C and also as antitumor agents. Apparently, the success for their biological activity depends on the selective cleavage of the C4-O3 bond within the respective P-heterocyclic ring. Empirical observations have suggested that the group attached to the C4 position (aryl or pyridyl group) is responsible for the selective cleavage. In this regard, we show in the present work that the configuration at the P-atom, the conformation of the P-heterocyclic ring, and particularly, the anomeric effect are involved in the spontaneous and selective cleavage of the C4-O3 bond in cyclic phosph(on)ates. We arrived at this assumption based on the conformational and configurational study of simple model phosphates and phosphonates, where it was observed that the spontaneous conversion of unstable six-membered ring phosphates to their most stable six-membered ring phosphate (4d, 6d and 7d to 5d), by a selective C4-O3 bond cleavage, depends on both: the stereochemistry of the aryl group at C4 and the electronic nature of the substituent attached to the P-atom. Thus, we postulated that the anomeric effect weakens the C4-O3 bond within the 1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane ring, favoring thus their selective cleavage and spontaneous conversion, similarly to the proposed mechanistic mode of action of six-membered ring P-heterocyclic prodrugs.