Ammonium carboxylates in the ammonia-Ugi reaction: one-pot synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acid derivatives including unnatural dipeptides.

Despite the remarkable developments of the Ugi reaction and its variants, the use of ammonia in the Ugi reaction has long been recognized as impractical and unsuccessful. Indeed, the ammonia-Ugi reaction often requires harsh reaction conditions, such as heating and microwave irradiation, and competes with the Passerini reaction, thereby resulting in low yields. This study describes a robust and practical ammonia-Ugi reaction protocol. Using originally prepared ammonium carboxylates in trifluoroethanol, the ammonia-Ugi reaction proceeded at room temperature in high yields and showed a broad substrate scope, thus synthesizing a variety of α,α-disubstituted amino acid derivatives, including unnatural dipeptides. The reaction required no condensing agents and proceeded without racemization of the chiral stereocenter of α-amino acids. Furthermore, using this protocol, we quickly synthesized a novel dipeptide, D-Leu-Aic-NH-CH2Ph(p-F), which exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against α-chymotrypsin with a Ki value of 0.091 µM.

Ring expansion of spirocyclopropanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides: highly diastereoselective synthesis of cyclobutanes.

A novel method was devised for regioselective ring expansion of Meldrum's acid-derived spirocyclopropanes to spirocyclobutanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides, affording 1,2-trans-disubstituted 6,8-dioxaspiro[3.5]nonane-5,9-diones in up to 87% yields without the formation of any isomers. The aforementioned reaction was also applied to the barbituric acid-derived spirocyclopropane, resulting in the formation of the corresponding cyclobutanes.

8-Iodoisoquinolinone, a Conformationally Rigid Highly Reactive 2-Iodobenzamide Catalyst for the Oxidation of Alcohols by Hypervalent Iodine.

The first lactam-type 2-iodobenzamide catalysts, 8-iodoisoquinolinones 8 (IB-lactam) and 9 (MeO-IB-lactam), were developed. These catalysts have a conformationally rigid 6/6 bicyclic lactam structure and are more reactive than the previously reported catalysts 2-iodobenzamides 4 (IBamide) and 5 (MeO-IBamide) for the oxidation of alcohols. The lactam structure could form an efficient intramolecular I---O interaction, depending on the size of the lactam ring.

A SmI2-mediated reductive cyclisation reaction using the trifluoroacetamide group as the radical precursor.

A samarium(II)-mediated reductive cyclisation reaction with the aminoketyl radical from the trifluoroacetamide group for synthesising 2-trifluoromethylindolines was developed. This reaction is the first example of using an acyclic amide group, which is considered difficult to react with SmI2, in a reductive cyclisation. Additionally, the conversion of the obtained product into 2-trifluoromethylindole was achieved.

Efficient and Environmentally Benign Oxidative Cleavage of Pyrrolidine-2-methanols to γ-Lactams Using 2-Iodobenzamide as a Catalyst and Oxone.

The oxidative cleavage reaction of pyrrolidine-2-methanols to γ-lactams has been described. In this reaction, [4-iodo-3-(isopropylcarbamoyl)phenoxy]acetic acid and powdered Oxone (2KHSO5·KHSO4·K2SO4) were employed as the catalyst and co-oxidant, respectively. The reaction is efficient and environmentally benign because it produces various lactams from readily available substrates in moderate to excellent yields using organocatalyst and inorganic non-toxic co-oxidant.

Regioselective SmI2-Mediated Radical ipso-Substitution Cyclization for the Construction of Pyrrolophenanthridinone Skeletons: The Synthesis of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids.

Here, we report a regioselective, samarium(II) diiodide mediated intramolecular radical ipso-substitution cyclization. Through the use of a methoxy group as a leaving group, it was possible to regulate the regioselectivity of the reaction by changing the temperature and additives. We applied the developed reaction to the synthesis of four Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and have shown that the present reaction successfully overcomes regioselectivity issues encountered with other cyclization methods.

Thiophene Carboxamide Analogs with Long Alkyl Chains Comprising Ethylene Glycol Units Inhibit Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation by Activating AMPK.

Glioblastoma is a refractory malignant tumor that requires novel therapeutic strategies for effective treatment. We have previously reported that JCI-20679 (1), an analog of annonaceous acetogenins, shows potent antitumor activity against glioblastomas. However, the synthesis of 1 requires 23 steps, including 16 steps for the preparation of a tetrahydrofuran (THF) moiety. This study reports the design and synthesis of 11 analogs with a triethylene glycol moiety in place of the THF moiety in 1. Among these, the analog 2k with an n-decyl chain exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the growth of glioblastoma stem cells by inhibiting mitochondrial function and synergistically enhancing the effect of temozolomide (TMZ). Furthermore, 2k significantly suppressed tumor growth without critical toxicity in vivo. Hence, this study presents novel potential anticancer agents and a strategy for the development of these agents that can be produced easily.

Synthesis of Acetogenin Analogs Comprising Pyrimidine Moieties Linked by Amine Bonds and Their Inhibitory Activity against Human Cancer Cell Lines.

Here, we synthesized three acetogenin analogs containing pyrimidine moieties linked by amine bonds, which represent the skeleton structure of pyrimidifen, a mitochondrial complex I-inhibiting insecticide. Replacing the pyrimidine moiety linked by the amine bond remarkably enhanced growth-inhibitory activity of the analogs against several human cancer cell lines. Moreover, these analogs selectively and potently inhibited the growth of these human cancer cell lines regardless of the pyrimidine substituents. Furthermore, COMPARE analyses suggested that these analogs inhibited cancer growth by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I. Our study provides insights into the design of acetogenin analogs as novel antitumor agents.

Ring-Opening Cyclization of Spirocyclopropanes Using Sulfoxonium Ylides.

Ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes using dimethylsulfoxonium methylide proceeded regioselectively to produce 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-5H-1-benzopyran-5-ones in good to high yields. The reactions of cycloheptane- and cyclopentane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes could construct [7.6]- and [5.6]-fused ring systems. This reaction was also carried out using sulfoxonium ethylide, butylide, and benzylide, resulting in the formation of the corresponding 2,3-trans-disubstituted products in good to high yields, and it was shown that the dimethyl group can act as a dummy substituent. It was found that the 2- and 3-phenyhexahydrobenzopyran-5-ones can be readily converted into 5-hydroxyflavan and 5-hydroxyisoflavan, respectively.

Protecting-Group-Free Formal Synthesis of Aspidospermidine: Ring-Opening Cyclization of Spirocyclopropane with Amine Followed by Regioselective Alkylations.

A concise formal synthesis of (±)-aspidospermidine via Stork's intermediate, which could be used as a divergent synthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids, was achieved by employing a ring-opening cyclization of spirocyclopropane with amine followed by a regioselective intramolecular/intermolecular alkylation sequence. Stork's intermediate was synthesized in only six steps from a simple starting material, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, and was converted into (±)-aspidospermidine. To the best of our knowledge, this synthesis of Stork's intermediate involves the least number of steps to date. Furthermore, no protecting groups were used during this synthesis.

Ring-opening cyclization of spirocyclopropanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides for the construction of a chromane skeleton.

Regioselective ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides provided 2,3-trans-disubstituted 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-5H-1-benzopyran-5-ones in high yields without the formation of any isomers. The obtained product was readily converted into highly substituted chromane.

2-Iodo-N-isopropyl-5-methoxybenzamide as a highly reactive and environmentally benign catalyst for alcohol oxidation.

Several N-isopropyliodobenzamides were evaluated as catalysts for the oxidation of benzhydrol to benzophenone in the presence of Oxone® (2KHSO5·KHSO4·K2SO4) as a co-oxidant at room temperature. A study on the substituent effect of the benzene ring of N-isopropyl-2-iodobenzamide on the oxidation revealed that its reactivity increased in the following order of substitution: 5-NO2 < 5-CO2Me, 3-OMe < 5-OAc < 5-Cl < H, 4-OMe < 5-Me < 5-OMe. The oxidation of various benzylic and aliphatic alcohols using a catalytic amount of the most reactive 5-methoxy derivative successfully resulted in moderate to excellent yields of the corresponding carbonyl compounds. The high reactivity of the 5-methoxy derivative at room temperature is a result of the rapid generation of the pentavalent species from the trivalent species during the reaction. 5-Methoxy-2-iodobenzamide would be an efficient and environmentally benign catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols, especially benzylic alcohols.

[Novel Methods for the Synthesis of Heterocycles Using Highly Reactive Spirocyclopropanes].

This review describes our recent efforts to develop efficient methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, such as indoles and benzofurans, employing ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes, which were prepared by the reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanediones with sulfonium salts. Ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with primary amines proceeded at room temperature to provide 2-substituted tetrahydroindol-4(5H)-ones in good to excellent yield. The obtained product was readily converted into a 2-substituted 4-hydroxyindole derivative. Furthermore, acid-catalyzed ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes proceeded smoothly at room temperature to provide 2-substituted tetrahydrobenzofuran-4(2H)-ones in excellent yield. The obtained product was converted into a 2-substituted 4-hydroxybenzofuran derivative. The synthetic utility of this catalytic protocol was demonstrated by the total synthesis of cuspidan B.

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.

An Efficient Route to Highly Substituted Indoles via Tetrahydroindol-4(5H)-one Intermediates Produced by Ring-Opening Cyclization of Spirocyclopropanes with Amines.

An efficient route to highly substituted indoles was developed. It included regioselective functionalization of tetrahydroindol-4(5H)-ones, prepared by ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with primary amines, and subsequent oxidation. The 6-substituted indoles were synthesized from a readily available 5-substituted cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropane. The synthesis of 5- and 7-substituted indoles was achieved by regioselective electrophilic alkylation of tetrahydroindol-4(5H)-one, followed by oxidation. The 4-substituted indoles were synthesized by nucleophilic alkylation of the corresponding pyrrole derivative, which was prepared by partial oxidation of tetrahydroindol-4(5H)-one, and sequential oxidation. The synthesis of 4-substituted indoles was also accomplished by palladium-catalyzed coupling of 4-hydroxyindole-derived triflates. Furthermore, the synthesis of 4,5,6,7-tetrasubstituted indoles was achieved by using these regioselective alkylations.

Total Synthesis of Sphingofungin E and 4,5-Di-epi-sphingofungin E.

Total synthesis of sphingofungin E and 4,5-di-epi-sphingofungin E was achieved from an intermediate same as that of myriocin and mycestericin D via antipodal stereoselective dihydroxylations.

An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 2',3'-Nonsubstituted Cycloalkane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes Using (2-Bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium Trifluoromethanesulfonate.

An efficient and practical synthesis of 2',3'-nonsubstituted cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes using a sulfonium salt was achieved. The reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanediones and (2-bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate with powdered K2CO3 in EtOAc at room temperature (r.t.) provided the corresponding spirocyclopropanes in high yields. The synthetic method was also applied to 1,3-cyclopentanedione, 1,3-cycloheptanedione, 1,3-indanedione, acyclic 1,3-diones, ethyl acetoacetate, and Meldrum's acid.

Synthetic Studies on a Pachastrissamine Sulfur Analogue: Synthesis of a 4-epi-Sulfur Analogue.

A versatile synthetic procedure for a sulfur analogue of pachastrissamine (jaspine B), which involves the tandem thiolation-cyclization of a 1,4-ditosylate to construct a tetrahydrothiophene ring, was developed. Nucleophilic amino substitution of a tetrahydrothiophene-4-sulfonate with unexpected retention of the configuration afforded the sulfur analogue of 4-epi-pachastrissamine.

Practical Synthesis of Pachastrissamine (Jaspine B), 2-epi-Pachastrissamine, and the 2-epi-Pyrrolidine Analogue.

The practical syntheses of pachastrissamine (jaspine B), 2-epi-pachastrissamine, and the 2-epimer of the pyrrolidine analogue were accomplished via the stereoselective reduction of an allylketone derived from commercially available diethyl D-tartrate and the cross-metathesis of an allyltetrahydrofuran or allypyrrolidine with 1-tridecene as key steps.

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.