Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of a HCV NS5B Nucleoside Polymerase Inhibitor.

An asymmetric synthesis of HCV NS5B nucleoside polymerase inhibitor (1) is described. This novel route features several remarkably diastereoselective and high-yielding transformations, including construction of the all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center at C-2 via a thermodynamic aldol reaction. A subsequent glycosylation reaction with activated uracil via C-1 phosphate and installation of the cyclic phosphate group using an achiral phosphorus(III) reagent followed by oxidation provides 1.

Asymmetric synthesis of cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine, the core scaffold of ß3-AR agonists.

A practical, enantioselective synthesis of cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine is described. Application of an enzymatic DKR reduction of a keto ester, which is easily accessed through a novel intramolecular N→C benzoyl migration, yields syn-1,2-amino alcohol in >99% ee and >99:1 dr. Subsequent hydrogenation of cyclic imine affords the cis-pyrrolidine in high diastereoselectivity. By integrating biotechnology into organic synthesis and isolating only three intermediates over 11 steps, the core scaffold of ß3-AR agonists is synthesized in 38% overall yield.

A novel approach to 3-methylindoles by a Heck/cyclization/isomerization process.

A novel synthesis of 3-methylindoles from chlorotriflates through a Heck reaction, carbamate/aryl chloride coupling, and isomerization sequence is presented. The three-step sequence is highly efficient and general, enabling the regiocontrolled synthesis of substituted indoles in short order.