Total Synthesis of Alanense A through an Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Alkylation.

The first total synthesis of cadinane sesquiterpenoid alanense A, in which an intramolecular dehydrative Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 2,5-diaryl-2-pentanol is incorporated as a key step, has been achieved. The combinatorial use of p-TsOH·H2O as a catalyst and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as a solvent provides 1,1-disubstituted tetrahydronaphthalene in 97% yield. It was also found that the combination of p-TsOH and HFIP is effective for the removal of phenolic MOM ether.

Origin of the Conformational Stability of Dirhodium(II) Tetrakis[N-phthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate] and Its Halogenated Derivatives.

In order to elucidate the origins of the stable structures of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-phthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate] and the four derivatives with halogenated aromatic rings, the conformational stability and intramolecular interactions were investigated by DFT calculations. In all of these complexes, the conformation in which all ligands face in the same direction is the most stable. When adjacent ligands are in the same orientation, destabilization due to exchange repulsion is larger than that when they are in opposite orientations. However, this destabilizing effect is reversed by the sum of the stabilizing effects of the electronic and charge transfer interactions. The imide carbonyl group plays an important role in these stabilizing interactions. The negatively charged site and bond orbitals in the imide carbonyl group interact with the positively charged sites and bond orbitals in the aromatic ring, the carboxylate group, and the α-position of the carboxylate group in the adjacent ligands. In addition, the lone-pair orbitals of the halogen atoms contribute to conformational stabilization by interacting with the vacant orbitals in the adjacent ligands. However, the combinations of these charged sites or bond orbitals, which effectively contribute to the stabilization, are different for each complex.

Synthesis of Phosphine Chalcogenides Using Tetrabutylammonium Chalcogenocyanates.

The new chalcogenylation of phosphines using nBu4N‧XCN (X = S, Se) is described. The reaction in 1,2-dichloroethane at 120 °C provided the corresponding phosphine sulfides in good to high yields. The protocol could be extended to the synthesis of phosphinic acid derivatives as well as sulfurization of poly(styrene-co-4-styryldiphenylphosphine).

Structural and thermodynamic analyses reveal critical features of glycopeptide recognition by the human PILRα immune cell receptor.

Before entering host cells, herpes simplex virus-1 uses its envelope glycoprotein B to bind paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) on immune cells. PILRα belongs to the Siglec (sialic acid (SA)-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin)-like family, members of which bind SA. PILRα is the only Siglec member to recognize not only the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) but also its attached peptide region. We previously determined the crystal structure of PILRα complexed with the sTn-linked glycopeptide of glycoprotein B, revealing the simultaneous recognition of sTn and peptide by the receptor. However, the contribution of each glycopeptide component to PILRα binding was largely unclear. Here, we chemically synthesized glycopeptide derivatives and determined the thermodynamic parameters of their interaction with PILRα. We show that glycopeptides with different sugar units linking SA and peptides (i.e. "GlcNAc-type" and "deoxy-GlcNAc-type" glycopeptides) have lower affinity and more enthalpy-driven binding than the wild type (i.e. GalNAc-type glycopeptide). The crystal structures of PILRα complexed with these glycopeptides highlighted the importance of stereochemical positioning of the O4 atom of the sugar moiety. These results provide insights both for understanding the unique O-glycosylated peptide recognition by the PILRα and for the rational design of herpes simplex virus-1 entry inhibitors.

Rapid Screening by Cell-Based Fusion Assay for Identifying Novel Antivirals of Glycoprotein B-Mediated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a causative agent for a variety of diseases. Although antiherpetic drugs such as acyclovir have been developed to inhibit virus replication through interaction with DNA kinases, their continuous administration leads to an increase in the frequency of drug-resistant HSV-1, which is an important clinical issue that requires urgent solution. Recently, we reported that the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) and its attached peptide region (O-glycosylated sTn peptide) derived from the HSV-1 glycoprotein B (gB) protein inhibited HSV-1 infection by specifically targeting paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor alpha (PILRα) in vitro. In this study, to further identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection in vitro, we established a cell-based fusion assay for rapid drug screening. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with expression plasmids for HSV-1 gB, gD, gH, and gL, and T7 RNA polymerase, and were designated as the effector cells. The CHO-K1 cells stably expressing PILRα were transfected with the expression plasmid for firefly luciferase under the T7 promoter, and were designated as the target cells. The effector and target cells were co-cultured, and luminescence was measured when both cells were successfully fused. Importantly, we found that cell-to-cell fusion was specifically inhibited by O-glycosylated sTn peptide in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggested that this virus-free cell-based fusion assay system could be a useful and promising approach to identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection, and will aid in the development of antiviral therapeutic strategies for HSV-1-associated diseases.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Englerin A through Catalytic Diastereo- and Enantioselective Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition.

An asymmetric total synthesis of the guaiane sesquiterpene (-)-englerin A, a potent and selective inhibitor of the growth of renal cancer cell lines, was accomplished. The basis of the approach is a highly diastereo- and enantioselective carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with an ethyl vinyl ether dipolarophile under catalysis by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], [Rh2 (S-TCPTTL)4 ], to construct the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework with concomitant introduction of the oxygen substituent at C9 on the exo-face. Another notable feature of the synthesis is ruthenium tetraoxide-catalyzed chemoselective oxidative conversion of C9 ethyl ether to C9 acetate.

Divergent synthesis of multi-substituted phenanthrenes via an internal redox reaction/ring expansion sequence.

We report an effective synthetic route to multi-substituted phenanthrenes via an internal redox reaction/ring expansion sequence. The interesting feature of the present system is that it allows for the divergent synthesis of the target skeleton depending on the selected Lewis acid catalyst. When benzylidene malonates with a cyclic structure at the ortho-position were treated with BF3·OEt2, three sequential processes (internal redox reaction/elimination of the alkoxy group/ring expansion) proceeded to give phenanthrene derivatives in which the alkoxycarbonyl (CO2R) group and the alkyl (R) group were in close proximity to each other, in good chemical yields. In sharp contrast, treatment with Bi(OTf)3 exclusively led to the formation of another type of phenanthrene, whose R group was positioned distal to the CO2R group.

Enantioselective cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with arylallenes using Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4.

The first catalytic asymmetric carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with arylallenes is described. With dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4, the cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides derived from diazoketoesters with arylallenes proceeded in a fully chemo- and regioselective manner to give highly functionalized 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes with up to 99% ee and perfect exo diastereoselectivity.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the endo-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural product from Ligusticum chuanxing via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a formyl-derived carbonyl ylide using Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4.

The reaction of a six-membered cyclic formyl-carbonyl ylide derived from alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester with phenylacetylene derivatives under the catalysis of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh(2)(S-TCPTTL)(4), provides cycloadducts containing an 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system in up to 97% ee. This represents the first example of an enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a cyclic formyl-carbonyl ylide. Using this catalytic process, an asymmetric synthesis of endo-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural product 1 from Ligusticum chuanxing Hort. has been achieved.

Direct C4-Benzylation of Indoles via Tandem Benzyl Claisen/Cope Rearrangements.

A novel direct C4 benzylation of indoles utilizing 2-benzyloxyindoles has been developed to access 4-benzyl-2-oxindoles. This strategy involves the in situ formation of isotoluene intermediates via benzyl Claisen rearrangements, which undergoes Cope rearrangement and aromatization. The method provides the desired products in moderate to high yields and shows good functional group tolerance.

Catalytic enantioselective amination of silyl enol ethers using chiral dirhodium(II) carboxylates: asymmetric formal synthesis of (-)-metazocine.

Dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrafluorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh2(S-TFPTTL)4, is an exceptionally efficient catalyst for enantioselective aminations of silyl enol ethers derived from acyclic ketones or alpha,beta-enones with [N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)imino]phenyliodinane (NsN=IPh), providing N-(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-alpha-amino ketones in high yields and with enantioselectivities of up to 95% ee. The effectiveness of the present catalytic protocol has been demonstrated by an asymmetric formal synthesis of (-)-metazocine.

2-Hydroxyindoline-3-triethylammonium Bromide: A Reagent for Formal C3-Electrophilic Reactions of Indoles.

A novel indole-2,3-epoxide equivalent, 2-hydroxyindoline-3-triethylammonium bromide, was found to be a convenient reagent for formal C3-electrophilic reactions of indoles with various nucleophiles. By taking advantage of the nucleophilic character of the oxygen of the 2-hydroxyindoline, the interrupted retro-Claisen and interrupted Feist-Bénary reactions with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds were efficiently achieved.

Total Synthesis of Brasilicardins A and C.

The first total synthesis of brasilicardins A and C, novel diterpenoid-saccharide-amino acid hybrid metabolites with unique immunosuppressive activity, is described. The key step is a Diels-Alder/reductive angular methylation sequence capitalizing on a trans-fused bicyclic α-cyano-α,ß-enone as its precursor to construct the 8,10-dimethyl-trans/syn/trans-perhydrophenanthrene skeleton. Other notable features include an anti-selective aldol reaction, a stereocontrolled glycosylation of a C2 alcohol, and a one-pot, two-step global deprotection sequence that did not damage these sensitive molecules.

Enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2-aryl-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans via the Rh(II)-catalyzed C-H insertion process.

[formula: see text] The enantioselective intramolecular C-H insertion reaction of aryldiazoacetates has been explored with use of dirhodium(II) carboxylate catalysts, which incorporate N-phthaloyl- or N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-amino acids as chiral bridging ligands. Dirhodium tetrakis[N-phthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh2(S-PTTL)4, has proven to be the catalyst of choice for this process, providing exclusively cis-2-aryl-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydobenzofurans in up to 94% ee.

Enantio- and diastereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates.

The first catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes is described. With dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-piperidinonate], Rh(2)(S-BPTPI)(4), the cycloaddition reaction proceeded exclusively in an endo mode to give all-cis-substituted 1,3-oxazinan-4-ones in high yields with up to 98% ee.

Highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between Rawal's diene and aldehydes catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates.

The first example of a chiral Lewis acid-catalyzed enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction between 1-dimethylamino-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadiene (Rawal's diene) and aldehydes is described. The cycloaddition reaction under the influence of 1 mol% of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-piperidinonate], Rh(2)(S-BPTPI)(4), proceeded cleanly and gave, after treatment with acetyl chloride, the corresponding dihydropyranones in up to 99% ee.