Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of cross-conjugated prostaglandin A and J series and their hydroxy derivatives.

The synthesis of two cross-conjugated prostaglandin analogues of known neurotrophic activity and their new hydroxy derivatives was accomplished starting from the diastereoisomeric (+)-camphor protected 3-[(dimethoxyphosphoryl)methyl]-4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-2-enones. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was determined against HeLa, K562, HL-60 human cancer cell lines and normal human cells (HUVEC). We found that NEPP11 and its C7-hydroxy derivative demonstrated high anticancer activity against the HeLa and HL-60 human cancer cell lines at concentrations ranging from 1 to 2 µM. Moreover, the C7-hydroxy derivative of NEPP11 displayed high cytotoxic selectivity between cancer cell lines and normal human cells. On the other hand, the J-type prostaglandin analogue of NEPP11 and its C13-hydroxy derivatives were much less toxic or nontoxic against the cancer and normal cells at concentrations up to 1 mM.

Traceless stereoinduction for the enantiopure synthesis of substituted-2-cyclopentenones.

The pseudoenantiomeric 4-O-Boc- and 4-OPMP-cyclopent-2-enones, readily available from hydroxymethylenefurane on multigram scale, are demonstrated to be exceptional building blocks for the synthesis of enantiopure 4-alkyl-5-(1'-hydroxyalkyl) substituted 2-cyclopentenones and derivatives thereof. The 4-OR substituent acts as a traceless stereoinducing element, conferring not only 1,2- but also 1,4-stereocontrol with excellent selectivity. The methodology developed here was applied for the rapid synthesis of natural products and biologically active 2-cyclopentenones such as TEI-9826, guaianes, and pseudoguaianolides.

O-Monoacyltartaric acid catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of a boronic acid to dienones: application to the synthesis of optically active cyclopentenones.

Enantioselective conjugate addition of styrylboronic acid to dienones was effectively catalyzed by an O-monoacyltartaric acid to afford monostyrylated products with good enantioselectivity. The RCM of the monostyrylated products using the Hoveyda-Grubbs II catalyst afforded optically active cyclopentenones, including a synthetic intermediate of the antitumor agent TEI-9826. The study shows that a diene additive such as 1,6-heptadiene or diallyl ether was essential for the RCM.

Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitution of unstabilized enolates derived from α,ß-unsaturated ketones.

We report Ir-catalyzed, enantioselective allylic substitution reactions of unstabilized silyl enolates derived from α,ß-unsaturated ketones. Asymmetric allylic substitution of a variety of allylic carbonates with silyl enolates gave allylated products in 62-94% yield with 90-98% ee and >20:1 branched-to-linear selectivity. The synthetic utility of this method was illustrated by the short synthesis of an anticancer agent, TEI-9826.

Preparation of 2,4-disubstituted cyclopentenones by enantioselective iridium-catalyzed allylic alkylation: synthesis of 2'-methylcarbovir and TEI-9826.

A broadly applicable synthesis of chiral 2- or 2,4-substituted cyclopent-2-enones has been developed by combining asymmetric iridium-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions and ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis. Enantiomeric excesses (ee values) in the range of 95-99 % ee have been achieved. This method offers a straightforward access to biologically active prostaglandins of the PGA type. As an example, an enantioselective synthesis of the prostaglandin-analogue 13,14-dihydro-15-deoxy-Delta(7)-prostaglandin-A1-methyl ester (TEI-9826) has been carried out. Furthermore, the carbonucleoside 2'-methylcarbovir has been prepared from O-protected 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-cyclopent-2-enone by Pd-catalyzed allylic amination.

Enantioselective synthesis of 12-amino alkylidenecyclopentenone prostaglandins.

An enantioselective synthesis of new 12-amino alkylidenecyclopentenone prostaglandins is reported. The key step of the synthesis involved a [3.3] sigmatropic rearrangement of an asymmetric allylic cyanate to elaborate an asymmetric 5-amino-1,6-diene which was further transformed into cyclopentenone by successive ring-closing metathesis reaction catalyzed by the Grubbs reagent and one-pot oxidation. A palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction on a 5-iodo-1,5-diene allowed the synthesis of prostanoids with variable Rw side chains. These new compounds exhibit high cytotoxic activities.