Easy and Accessible Synthesis of Cannabinoids from CBD.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a prominent phytocannabinoid found in various Cannabis chemotypes, is under extensive investigation for its therapeutic potential. Moreover, because it is nonpsychoactive, it can also be utilized as a functional ingredient in foods and supplements in certain countries, depending on its legal status. From a chemical reactivity point of view, CBD can undergo conversion into different structurally related compounds both during storage and after the consumption of CBD-based products. The analytical determination of these compounds is of paramount concern due to potential toxicity and the risk of losing the active ingredient (CBD) title. Consequently, the complete stereoselective total synthesis of representative CBD-derived compounds has become a matter of great interest. The synthesis of pure CBD-derived compounds, achievable in a few synthetic steps, is essential for preparing analytical standards and facilitating biological studies. This paper details the transformation of the readily available CBD into Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, Δ8-iso-THC, CBE, HCDN, CBDQ, Δ6-iso-CBD, and 1,8-cineol cannabinoid (CCB). The described protocols were executed without the extensive use of protecting groups, avoiding tedious purifications, and ensuring complete control over the structural features.

Ligand-Induced Chirality in ClMBA2 SnI4 2D Perovskite.

Chiral perovskites possess a huge applicative potential in several areas of optoelectronics and spintronics. The development of novel lead-free perovskites with tunable properties is a key topic of current research. Herein, we report a novel lead-free chiral perovskite, namely (R/S-)ClMBA2 SnI4 (ClMBA=1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethanamine) and the corresponding racemic system. ClMBA2 SnI4 samples exhibit a low band gap (2.12 eV) together with broad emission extending in the red region of the spectrum (∼1.7 eV). Chirality transfer from the organic ligand induces chiroptical activity in the 465-530 nm range. Density functional theory calculations show a Rashba type band splitting for the chiral samples and no band splitting for the racemic isomer. Self-trapped exciton formation is at the origin of the large Stokes shift in the emission. Careful correlation with analogous lead and lead-free 2D chiral perovskites confirms the role of the symmetry-breaking distortions in the inorganic layers associated with the ligands as the source of the observed chiroptical properties providing also preliminary structure-property correlation in 2D chiral perovskites.

Oxo-Rhenium-Mediated Allylation of Furanoside Derivatives: A Computational Study on the Mechanism and the Stereoselectivity.

Properly substituted tetrahydrofuran (THF) rings are important building blocks in the synthesis of many natural metabolites. Having reliable procedures to control the stereoselectivity at the THF core while decorating it with different substituents is a fundamental requirement to achieve and fulfill the complexity of nature. We recently reported a new chemical approach to control the stereochemistry in the alkylation and arylation of furanoside derivatives by using a rhenium(V) complex to form an intermediate oxo-carbenium species able to react with proper soft nucleophiles. Here, we describe theoretical calculations, performed at the DFT B3LYP level, to disclose the important mechanistic features which regulate the entire catalytic cycle of the reaction of mono- and disubstituted furanosides with allyltrimethylsilane catalyzed by Re(O)Cl3(OPPh3)(Me2S). Moreover, the key factors governing the allylation step were investigated, confirming that the stereoselectivity, which is independent of the anomeric configuration of starting acetal, mainly arises from the orientation of the substituent at C-4, with only marginal contribution of the substituent at C-5. Finally, puckering Cremer-Pople parameters were used to take trace of the structural modifications throughout the catalytic cycle.

Highly Stereoselective Glycosylation Reactions of Furanoside Derivatives via Rhenium (V) Catalysis.

A novel approach for the formation of anomeric carbon-functionalized furanoside systems was accomplished through the employment of an oxo-rhenium catalyst. The transformation boasts a broad range of nucleophiles including allylsilanes, enol ethers, and aromatics in addition to sulfur, nitrogen, and hydride donors, able to react with an oxocarbenium ion intermediate derived from furanosidic structures. The excellent stereoselectivities observed followed the Woerpel model, ultimately providing 1,3-cis-1,4-trans systems. In the case of electron-rich aromatic nucleophiles, an equilibration occurs at the anomeric center with the selective formation of 1,3-trans-1,4-cis systems. This anomalous result was rationalized through density functional theory calculations. Different oxocarbenium ions such as those derived from dihydroisobenzofuran, pyrrolidine, and oxazolidine heterocycles can also be used as a substrate for the oxo-Re-mediated allylation reaction.

Photochemistry of Cannabidiol (CBD) Revised. A Combined Preparative and Spectrometric Investigation.

Cannabis is a plant with an astonishing ability to biosynthesize cannabinoids, and more than 100 molecules belonging to this class have been isolated. Among them in recent years cannabidiol (CBD) has received the interest of pharmacology as the major nonpsychotropic cannabinoid with many potential clinical applications. Although the reactivity of CBD has been widely investigated, only little attention has been given to the possible photodegradation of this cannabinoid, and the data available in the literature are outdated and, in some cases, conflicting. The aim of the present work is providing a characterization of the photochemical behavior of CBD in organic solvents, through a detailed GC-MS analyses, isolation, and NMR characterization of the photoproducts obtained.

Direct meta-C-H Perfluoroalkenylation of Arenes Enabled by a Cleavable Pyrimidine-Based Template.

The development of efficient and mild methods for the synthesis of organofluorine compounds is of foremost interest in various fields of chemistry. A direct pyrimidine-based selective meta-C-H perfluoroalkenylation of arenes involving several commercially available perfluoroolefins is described. The synthetic versatility of the protocol is demonstrated by an extensive substrate scope including different benzylsulfonyl, alkylarene and phenylacetic acid scaffolds. The generality of this methodology including the meta-C-H perfluoroalkenylation of Ibuprofen, the facile cleavage of the directing group and gram-scale reactions are presented.

Expedient Access to 2-Benzazepines by Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation: Identification of a Unique Hsp90 Inhibitor Scaffold.

Bioactive 2-benzazepines were accessed in an atom- and step-economical manner through a versatile palladium-catalyzed C-H activation strategy. The C-H arylation required low catalyst loading and a mild base, which was reflected by a broad scope and high functional-group tolerance. The benzotriazolodiazepinones were identified as new heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibiting lead compounds, with considerable potential for anti-cancer applications.

Stereoselective preparation of key intermediates for the synthesis of iso-, neuro- and phyto-prostane family members: inaugural asymmetric synthesis of 17-E2c-dihomo- and 17-F2c-dihomo-isoprostanes.

A practical methodology for the synthesis of key intermediates for isoprostane, neuroprostane and dihomo-isoprostane preparation has been described. The key strategy involved a three stage C-12 stereocenter inversion of the configuration of a Corey lactone, commercially available in an enantiopure form. The key intermediate was then used to prepare 17-E2c-dihomo-isoprostane and 17-F2c-dihomo-isoprostane.

Bifunctional Ligand Enables Efficient Gold-Catalyzed Hydroalkenylation of Propargylic Alcohol.

Using the previously designed biphenyl-2-ylphosphine ligand, featuring a remote tertiary amino group, the first gold-catalyzed intermolecular hydroalkenylation of alkynes has been developed. Synthetically valuable conjugated dienyl alcohols are formed in moderate to good yields. A range of alkenyltrifluoroborates are allowed as the alkenyl donor, and no erosion of alkene geometry and/or the propargylic configuration are detected. DFT calculations confirm the critical role of the remote basic group in the ligand as a general-base catalyst for promoting this novel gold catalysis with good efficiency.

Alkynyl N-Nosylhydrazones: Easy Decomposition to Alknynl Diazomethanes and Application in Allene Synthesis.

The decomposition of N-tosylhydrazones is a safe and convenient method for the generation of donor carbenes. However, alkynyl carbenes cannot be isolated by this route because they readily undergo intramolecular cyclization to pyrazoles as soon as formed from alkynyl N-tosylhydrazones. Here, the use of alkynyl N-nosylhydrazones for the in situ generation of alkynyl carbenes and their coupling reaction with boronic acids under metal-free conditions is reported, giving rise to a wide array of di- and trisubstituted allenes. Preliminary mechanistic investigations demonstrated that γ-protodeboration of propargyl boric acid was responsible for the initial allene formation. This methodology based on the nosyl group allows for novel transformations that involve an alkynylcarbene transient species.

Two New Ergosterol Derivatives from the Basidiomycete Cortinarius glaucopus.

Two new sterols 1 and 2 and five known ones 3 - 7 were isolated for the first time from the fruiting bodies of Cortinarius glaucopus. Their structures were established by 1- and 2D-NMR spectra and HR-FABS-MS. The relative configuration of 1 was firmly determined by comparison of the observed 1 H-1 H couplings and NOESY correlations, with those predicted for the computed geometries of the conformers. Calculations were performed by means of DFT with the B3LYP functional at 6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory, in CHCl3 as the solvent. The structures of the new ergosterol derivatives, called glaucoposterol A (1) and B (2), were thus established as (3S,5R,7R,10R,13R,17R,20S,22R,23R,24R)-5,6-epoxy-3,7,23-trihydroxystrophast-8-en-14-one and (22E,3S,5S,9S,10R,13R,17R,20R,24R)-3,5-dihydroxyergosta-6,8(14),22-trien-15-one, respectively. Moreover, the configuration of known strophasterol C (3) was determined as (3S,5R,6S,7R,10R,13R,17R,20S,22S,24R). Glaucoposterol A (1) and strophasterol C (3) represent the second finding in nature of steroids with the rare strophastane skeleton.

A New Iridoid Dimer and Other Constituents from the Traditional Kurdish Plant Pterocephalus nestorianus Nábelek.

Accompanied by other rare compounds, a new iridoid dimer, named kurdnestorianoside (1), showing an unprecedented secologanol configuration, has been isolated for the first time from the Kurdish medicinal plant Pterocephalus nestorianus, which is used in Kurdistan for treating oral diseases and inflammation. The structure of 1 was established from 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. Kaempferol 3-O-[3,6-di-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl]-ß-d-glucopyranoside (7) showed a remarkable antiproliferative activity against several human tumor cell lines.

Enantioselective divergent synthesis of (-)-cis-α- and (-)-cis-γ-irone by using Wilkinson's catalyst.

A simple, efficient synthesis is reported for (-)-cis-α- and (-)-cis-γ-irone, two precious constituents of iris oils, in ≥99 % diastereomeric and enantioselective ratios. The two routes diverge from a common intermediate prepared from (-)-epoxygeraniol. Of general interest in this approach is the installation of the enone moiety of irones through a NHCAu(I) -catalyzed Meyer-Schuster-like rearrangement of a propargylic benzoate and the use of Wilkinson's catalyst for the stereoselective hydrogenation of a prostereogenic exocyclic double bond to secure the critical cis stereochemistry of the alkyl groups at C2 and C6 of the irones. The stereochemical aspects of this reaction are rationally supported by DFT calculation of the conformers of the substrates undergoing the hydrogenation and by a modeling study of the geometry of the rhodium η(2) complexes involved in the diastereodifferentiation of the double bond faces. Thus, computational investigation of the η(2) intermediates formed in the catalytic cycle of prostereogenic alkene hydrogenation by using Wilkinson's catalyst could be highly predictive of the stereochemistry of the products.

Competitive Gold-Promoted Meyer-Schuster and oxy-Cope Rearrangements of 3-Acyloxy-1,5-enynes: Selective Catalysis for the Synthesis of (+)-(S)-γ-Ionone and (-)-(2S,6 R)-cis-γ-Irone.

We report a simple, highly stereoselective synthesis of (+)-(S)-γ-ionone and (-)-(2S,6R)-cis-γ-irone, two characteristic and precious odorants; the latter compound is a constituent of the essential oil obtained from iris rhizomes. Of general interest in this approach are the photoisomerization of an endo trisubstituted cyclohexene double bond to an exo vinyl group and the installation of the enone side chain through a [(NHC)Au(I)]-catalyzed Meyer-Schuster-like rearrangement. This required a careful investigation of the mechanism of the gold-catalyzed reaction and a judicious selection of reaction conditions. In fact, it was found that the Meyer-Schuster reaction may compete with the oxy-Cope rearrangement. Gold-based catalytic systems can promote either reaction selectively. In the present system, the mononuclear gold complex [Au(IPr)Cl], in combination with the silver salt AgSbF6 in 100:1 butan-2-one/H2O, proved to efficiently promote the Meyer-Schuster rearrangement of propargylic benzoates, whereas the digold catalyst [{Au(IPr)}2(µ-OH)][BF4] in anhydrous dichloromethane selectively promoted the oxy-Cope rearrangement of propargylic alcohols.

Computational mechanistic study of the Julia-Kocienski reaction.

This paper describes the first detailed computational mechanistic study of the Julia-Kocienski olefination between acetaldehyde (1) and ethyl 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl sulfone (2), considered a paradigmatic example of the reaction between unsubstituted alkyl PT sulfones and linear aliphatic aldehydes. The theoretical study was performed within the density functional approach through calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level for all atoms except sulfur for which the 6-311+G(2df,p) basis set was used. All the different intermediates and transition states encountered along the reaction pathways leading to final E and Z olefins have been located and the relative energies calculated, both for the reactions with potassium- and lithium-metalated sulfones, in THF and toluene, respectively. We have essentially confirmed the complex multistep mechanistic manifold proposed by others; however, the formation of a spirocyclic intermediate in the Smiles rearrangement was excluded. Instead, we found that this step involves a concerted, though asynchronous, mechanism. Moreover, our calculations nicely fit with the diastereoselectivities observed experimentally for potassium- and lithium-metalated sulfones, in THF and toluene, respectively.

General strategy for the synthesis of B1 and L1 prostanoids: synthesis of phytoprostanes (RS)-9-L1-PhytoP, (R)-9-L1-PhytoP, (RS)-16-B1-PhytoP, and (RS)-16-L1-PhytoP.

In this paper we describe a novel general synthetic approach to B1- and L1-type phytoprostanes, which are formed in vivo from free-radical-catalyzed nonenzymatic peroxidation of α-linolenic acid (1). The synthesis of phytoprostanes (RS)-9-L1-PhytoP (5), (R)-9-L1-PhytoP (5a), (RS)-16-B1-PhytoP (6), and (RS)-16-L1-PhytoP (7) exemplifies this strategy. The common starting compound 8 has been proved to be synthetically equivalent to a cyclopent-2-en-1-one synthon having opposite donor and acceptor properties at carbons α and ß, respectively. Key steps include the chemoselective lithiation of a 1-iodo-2-bromoolefin, the introduction of the side chains by transition-metal catalysis following Heck- or Suzuki-type protocols, the construction of an enone moiety by a mild Au(I)-catalyzed Meyer Schuster rearrangement, and a lipase-mediated hydrolysis of methyl esters to deliver the phytoprostanes as free carboxylic acids.

A unified stereodivergent strategy for prostaglandin and isoprostanoid synthesis.

Acetoxyfulvene surrended to asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloaddition, paving the way to the development of a unified strategy for the stereodivergent synthesis of both prostaglandins and isoprostanoids. In fact, the cycloadduct was subsequently converted to a common intermediate, which through two different stereoselective pathways afforded the two lactones 1 and 2, which are key building blocks in the synthesis of prostaglandins and isoprostanoids, respectively.

A general and concise enantioselective divergent approach to 13-alkyl-substituted ionones.

A novel enantioselective divergent route to 13-alkyl derivatives of α- and γ-ionone, important components of perfumes and fragrances, is reported. This relatively short and convenient methodology takes advantage of the use of a common intermediate, easily obtained from highly enantiomerically enriched (S)-α-ionone, which avoids the separate installation of the butenone side chain at C(6) for each analog. Olfactory evaluation of synthesized compounds reconfirmed the influence of the hydrophobic interactions of alkyl substituents at C(5) with olfactory receptors (ORs) in the chemoreception of ionones, and suggested that a synperiplanar orientation of C(13) and the lateral chain is the better geometry fitting OR's cavity.

Stereodivergent strategy for neurofuran synthesis via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic cyclization: total synthesis of 7-epi-ST-Δ(8)-10-neurofuran.

Neurofurans are formed in vivo in the human brain as a consequence of an increased oxidative stress, and they could be valuable biomarkers of the neuronal oxidative stress. In this paper, an enantioselective stereodivergent approach to two key neurofuran precursors, belonging to the AC and ST classes, has been developed starting from a single achiral precursor, the meso-diol 11. The absolute configuration of the THF cores was secured by a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation using (S,S)-L1 and (R,R)-L2 ligands, respectively.