Stereoselective cyclization of functionalized 1,n-diynes mediated by [X-Y] reagents [X-Y = R3Si-SnR'3 or (R2N)2B-SnR'3]: synthesis and properties of atropisomeric 1,3-dienes.

The borylstannane [-N(Me)CH(2)CH(2)(Me)N-]B-SnMe(3) is a superior reagent capable of effecting bisfunctionalization-cyclization in several highly functionalized 1,n-diynes, 1,n-enynes, and 1,n-allenynes (including 1,2-dipropargylbenzenes, 2,2'-dipropargylbiphenyls, 4,5-dipropargyldioxolanes, and 1,4-dipropargyl-ß-lactams) where the more well-known silylstannanes fail. Variable-temperature NMR studies showed that conformational restraints imposed by selected backbones increase the activation barrier for the helical isomerization in (Z,Z)-dienes that are generated in the cyclization of the diynes. In the biphenyl and dioxolane systems, the reactions proceed with surprisingly good regio- and stereoselectivity. The resulting diazaborolidine derivatives are hydrolytically unstable but can be isolated by recrystallization or precipitation. For further synthetic applications, it is advantageous to convert these compounds in situ into the corresponding dioxaborolidines with either retention of the Me(3)Sn group or replacement of this group via halodestannylation. The configurations of the vinyl moieties are preserved in these reactions. Highly functionalized dibenzocyclooctadienes, which adorn the carbon frames of several important cytotoxic natural products, can be synthesized using this chemistry.

Borostannylation of alkynes and enynes. Scope and limitations of the reaction and utility of the adducts.

The utility of the hetero-bismetallating reagent 1,3-dimethyl-2-trimethylstannyl-2-bora-1,3-diazacyclopentane (1) has not been fully realized because of the hydrolytic instability of the products derived from catalyzed vicinal syn-additions to alkynes. The isolation of a variety of such adducts derived from alkynes (and also from hitherto unreported additions to 1,3-enynes) as stable boron pinacolates is reported. Examples of the applications of resulting products in tandem cross-coupling reactions and as dienes in Diels-Alder reactions are illustrated.

Catalyzed cyclizations leading to enrichment of functionality and chirality. A general approach to dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from alpha,omega-diynes.

The [B-Sn]-mediated cyclization of alpha,omega-diynes results in not only an increase in the functionalizable groups (incorporated as highly versatile vinyl-B and vinyl-Sn groups) but also an increase in new serviceable stereochemical elements. The alkylidene functionalities at C7 and C8 offer unprecedented opportunities for the synthesis of highly functionalized dibenzocyclooctadienes. Examples of interiotherins and gomisins are provided.

Total synthesis of the proposed structure of the anthrapyran metabolite delta-indomycinone.

The first total synthesis of the proposed structure of delta-indomycinone has been accomplished. The key steps involve the Diels-Alder reaction of a bromonaphthoquinone (6) and 1-methoxy-3-methyl-1-trimethylsiloxy-1,3-butadiene (7) to access the anthraquinone skeleton, representing a common building block of other naturally occurring anthraquinone antibiotics, regioselective bromination of anthraquinone (14) and a highly diastereoselective alkylation of enantiomerically pure dioxolanone 8. The reported synthetic approach has the advantage of high yields, excellent selectivity and a remarkable general applicability for the total synthesis of other anthrapyran natural products. The spectroscopic data obtained for the synthetic compounds 2 and 36 are not in agreement with those reported for the natural product, and therefore revision of the assigned structure is required.

Novel strategies for the synthesis of anthrapyran antibiotics: discovery of a new antitumor agent and total synthesis of (S)-espicufolin.

Two high-yielding strategies for the synthesis of 4H-anthra[1,2-b]pyran antibiotics have been developed giving access to novel antitumor agent (ED(50) 1.5 microm) and to (S)-espicufolin (3). A key step for the assembly of the tetracyclic 4H-anthra[1,2-b]pyran-4,7,12-trione skeleton is the nucleophilic addition of an aryl lithium species onto an aldehyde which allows the introduction of either an ynone or 1,3-diketo side chain, serving as precursors for an acid-catalysed cyclisation.

First enantioselective total synthesis and structure determination of the anthrapyran metabolite gamma-indomycinone.

The first total synthesis of (R)-gamma-indomycinone has been achieved which allowed the determination of the configuration of the stereogenic center of natural gamma-indomycinone as (S). The approach stands out for its generality and efficiency. [reaction: see text]