Deconvolution of complex NMR spectra in small molecules by multi frequency homonuclear decoupling (MDEC).

A new technique to deconvolute complex (1)H NMR spectra of small molecules has been developed that utilizes shape selective pulses to simultaneously decouple multiple protons. A limitation in the assignment of the relative configuration of small molecules is the ability to accurately obtain coupling constants. Other methods such as the E.COSY and the 2D J-resolved are available to obtain complicated coupling constants; the multiple homonuclear decoupling method (MDEC) described is a rapid and simple technique. Three examples of increasing spectral complexity, menthol, cholesteryl acetate and a C(16) fatty acid, demonstrate the utility of the technique. Increasing the experimental utility, the single pulse MDEC experiment can be incorporated in other 1D experiments, such as a 1D-TOCSY to solve specific problems.

Preparation of substituted enol derivatives from terminal alkynes and their synthetic utility.

Stereodefined enol derivatives of aldehydes are prepared from terminal alkynes. Specifically, terminal alkynes are known to undergo Cp2ZrCl2-catalyzed methylalumination. Here, we show that the resultant vinylalanes can be oxygenated with peroxyzinc species to generate trisubstituted enolates. Electrophilic trapping with carboxylic anydrides or silyl triflates yields trisubstituted enol esters or silanes, respectively. The tandem carbometalation/oxygenation tolerates free and protected alcohols, heterocycles, olefins, and nitriles. Stereodefined enol esters can undergo asymmetric dihydroxylation to yield optically active alpha-hydroxy aldehydes. Reduction with NaBH4 provides the diols of 1,1-disubstituted olefins in excellent ee. An application of this methodology to the enantioselective synthesis of the insect pheromone frontalin is presented. Finally, alpha-hydroxy aldehydes are shown to undergo homologation to a terminal alkyne, reductive amination, oxidation and olefination. Preliminary results indicate that tandem carbometalation/amination can be accomplished with azodicarboxylates. In this way, ene-hydrazines are formed in excellent yield.

A photochemical entry to depsides: synthesis of gustastatin.

Herein, we propose a modular and general strategy to construct orcinol-type depsides based on the photolysis of functionalized benzodioxinones (I). Notably, resorcinylic esters are obtained without competing isocoumarin (II) formation, exemplified by the first total synthesis of gustastatin in 10 steps from commercially available trihydroxybenzoic acid. [Structure: see text]