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.

Boron Trifluoride-Mediated Domino Dehydration/Electrophilic Cyclization of Silylalkynols Leading to 2,3-Fused Tricyclic Benzofulvenes.

A BF3-mediated domino dehydration/electrophilic cyclization of silylalkynols to form 2,3-fused tricyclic benzofulvenes was achieved. In the latter step, in situ generated BF3·OH2 enables the electrophilic activation of alkynes. The predominant Z-selectivity of the reaction is also discussed.

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.

Dearomative Intramolecular Diels-Alder/Sulfur Extrusion Reaction of Thiophenes with Alkynes Using peri-Substituted Naphthalene as a Tether.

Dearomative intramolecular Diels-Alder/sulfur extrusion reaction of thiophenes with alkynes successfully afforded fluoranthenes in moderate to excellent yields. The proximity of both reactive sites fixed at the peri-position of naphthalene would play an important role in the progress of this reaction. Tri(o-tolyl)phosphine effectively suppressed the side reactions as a sulfur scavenger.

Bismuth(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling of 3-Hydroxycarbazoles with Arenols under an Oxygen Atmosphere.

A Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reaction of 3-hydroxycarbazoles with arenols was developed under mild conditions. Both substrates were used in a 1:1 molar ratio in the presence of a catalytic amount of Bi(OTf)3. The reaction was carried out under an oxygen atmosphere at 30 °C to afford C1-symmetric hydroxybiaryls in good yields (up to 94%) with high chemo- and regioselectivity.

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.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-epi-jaspine B analogs as selective sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitors.

2-Epi-jaspine B is an isomer of the natural product jaspine B and shows certain selectivity for SphK1 and potent antitumor activity. Based on the crystal structure of SphK1, we transformed the structure of 2-epi-jaspine B and modified the hydrophobic side chain to obtain a series of 2-epi-jaspine B analogs. The MTT assay was used to examine the antitumor activities of these analogs. We identified a novel 2-epi-jaspine B analog YHR17, which has potent antiproliferative activities for tested cell lines with IC50 values that ranged from 0.68 to 5.68 µM and inhibited the proliferation of the A375 cell line by affecting the cell cycle and apoptosis. Furthermore, YHR17 inhibited SphK1 with more than 125-fold selectivity over SphK2.

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.

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.

Involvement of c-Myc-mediated transient receptor potential melastatin 8 expression in oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia in mice.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, induces acute cold allodynia and dysesthesia. Cold-sensitive transient receptor potential channels (TRPM8 and TRPA1) have been implicated as candidates to mediate oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia and hyperalgesia, but precise roles of these channels remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPM8 in oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia. METHODS: Oxaliplatin was injected intraperitoneally in mice. Cold allodynia was evaluated by the acetone test. Expression levels of TRPM8 mRNA and protein were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia was alleviated by the TRPM8 blockers N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-[4-(benzyloxy)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N'-(1S)-1-(phenyl) ethyl] urea and TC-I 2014. Oxaliplatin increased the expression levels of TRPM8 mRNA and protein in the dorsal root ganglia and plantar skin, respectively. Prophylactic administration of the c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4 prevented cold allodynia and the increase of TRPM8 mRNA after oxaliplatin injection. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that oxaliplatin induces cold allodynia through the increase of c-Myc-mediated TRPM8 expression in primary sensory neurons.

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.

Ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with amines: rapid access to 2-substituted 4-hydroxyindole.

An efficient ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with primary amines has been developed. The reaction proceeded at room temperature without any additives to provide 2-substituted tetrahydroindol-4-ones in good to excellent yields without the formation of the 3-substituted isomers. The obtained product was readily converted into a 2-substituted 4-hydroxyindole derivative via a synthetically useful indoline intermediate.

An efficient catalytic oxidation of p-Alkoxypenols to p-quinones using tetrabutylammonium bromide and oxone.

A catalytic oxidation of p-alkoxyphenols was developed using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and Oxone(®). The reaction of p-alkoxyphenol (1) with a catalytic amount of TBAB in the presence of Oxone(®) as a co-oxidant in acetonitrile-water (2 : 1) gave the corresponding p-quinone (2) in excellent yield without special treatment.

Efficient synthesis of p-quinols using catalytic hypervalent iodine oxidation of 4-arylphenols with 4-iodophenoxyacetic acid and oxone.

Efficient synthesis of p-quinols (2) using catalytic hypervalent iodine oxidation of 4-arylphenols (1) with 4-iodophenoxyacetic acid (3) and Oxone was developed. Reaction of 1 with a catalytic amount of 3 in the presence of Oxone as a co-oxidant in tetrahydrofuran or 1,4-dioxane-water gave the corresponding 2 in excellent yields.