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Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School
2010
Addition / C-C Bond Cleavage Reactionsof Vinylogous Acyl Triflates and TheirApplication to Natural Product SynthesisDavid Mack Jones
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THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
ADDITION / C-C BOND CLEAVAGE REACTIONS OF VINYLOGOUS
ACYL TRIFLATES AND THEIR APPLICATION
TO NATURAL PRODUCT SYNTHESIS
By
DAVID MACK JONES
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2010
Copyright © 2010 David M. Jones
All Rights Reserved
ii
The members of the committee approve the dissertation of David M. Jones
defended on December 3, 2009.
__________________________________ Gregory B. Dudley Professor Directing Dissertation
__________________________________ Kenneth Taylor University Representative
__________________________________ Jack Saltiel Committee Member
__________________________________
D. Tyler McQuade Committee Member
__________________________________
Kenneth Goldsby Committee Member
Approved: _____________________________________ Joseph B. Schlenoff, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee
members.
iii
This manuscript is dedicated to my Mother and Father, without whom I would have been lost. Their constant and unwavering support has made all that I am,
and all that I will be, possible.
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This body of work has been made possible not only through my hard work, but through the personal and academic support of many people. I would like acknowledge Professor Gregory Dudley. He was charged with the difficult task of not only providing challenging problems for me, his student, to explore, but also he had to provide an environment in which I could hone my own set of tools for future scientific endeavors. As a naïve 1st year graduate student I joined his research group and his constant guidance set me on the right path. As the years progressed he no longer provided answers, but only answered my questions with yet more questions. I remember being completely frustrated at the time with this tact. However now, in the waning moments of my graduate studies, I understand the role that a research advisor must play in the development of a Ph.D. student. I owe much to Dr. Dudley and I am very appreciative of his ability to change me from that naïve graduate student into the independent scientist that I have become today. I would also like to thank the members of the Dudley research group: Dr. Tim Briggs, who introduced me to lab techniques, and guided my early research; Dr. Shin Kamijo, who made my work possible through his early efforts; Dr. Doug Engel, who entered the lab at the same time as I and provided constant competition; Sami Tlais and Jingyue Yang, who often provided company late into the night in the lab; Marilda Lisboa, who provided several intermediates in my palmerolide research; and the rest of the members, past and present. I would like to acknowledge my family for providing constant support, financial and otherwise. Mom and Dad, you have truly been the foundation of my life. Although many times in grad school, you could not offer any advice to help me with my problems, you always made sure that I knew you would do anything in your power to help me. Amy, Laura, Ken, and your families, you have provided support to me in ways that you cannot even understand. I am thankful for your understanding of my inability to attend family gatherings, niece and nephew birthday parties, and other important milestones. Bamp, June, Grammy, and everyone else in the family, thank you. I would like to thank Kerri, a very big part of my life throughout graduate school; you have helped me through many difficult times. I would like to thank the Pritchard family for being like a second family to me. Thanks to Doug, Kerry, Phil, Chris, Antonio, Matt, Mike, Scott and all the other great friends in my life. I wish I had more space to mention all of those people that deserve recognition for supporting me in the generation of this manuscript, please forgive me for any omissions. Lastly, I would like to thank all of those who helped me edit this manuscript, without whom, this document would not have been possible: Kerry Gilmore, Sami Tlais, Marilda Lisboa, and Professor Dudley.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables .................................................................................. ….. vi List of Figures ................................................................................. ….. vii List of Abbreviations ....................................................................... ….. xii Abstract .................................................................................... ….. xviii
1. INTRODUCTION: C-C BOND CLEAVAGE AND FRAGMENTATION REACTIONS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS........ 1
2. SYNTHESIS OF (Z)-6-HENEICOSEN-11-ONE: THE SEX PHEROMONE OF THE DOUGLAS-FIR TUSSOCK MOTH ..... ….. 13
The Doulas-Fir Tussock Moth ........................................... ….. 13 Synthesis of (Z)-6-Heneicosen-11-one ............................. ….. 16 Experimental ..................................................................... ….. 21
3. A FRAGMENTATION / BENZANNULATION STRATEGY TO
PROVIDE ACCESS TO BENZO-FUSED INDANES ................. 37 Introduction ....................................................................... ….. 37 The Alcyopterosins ........................................................... ….. 37 Retrosynthetic Analysis of Alcyopterosin A ....................... ….. 53 Exploring Gold and Copper Catalyzed Benzannulations .. .. 59 Experimental ..................................................................... ….. 70
4. SYNTHESIS OF THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE (C1-C15)
OF PALMEROLIDE A ............................................................... ….. 115 Introduction ....................................................................... ….. 115 The Melanoma Problem .................................................... ….. 116 Palmerolide A ................................................................... ….. 121 Synthesis of the Eastern Hemisphere of Palmerolide A ... ….. 138 Experimental ..................................................................... ….. 145
5. RE-EXPLORING THE CLAISEN-TYPE CONDENSATIONS OF VINYLOGOUS ACYL TRIFLATES ...................................... ….. 170
New Insights into the Mechanism ..................................... ….. 170 Synthesis of -Ketophosphonates .................................... ….. 177 Experimental ..................................................................... ….. 184 REFERENCES .............................................................................. ….. 202 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ............................................................. ….. 222
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Scope of Original Fragmentation Reaction with Respect to Nucleophiles ............................................................................... 11 Table 2: Grignard Triggered Fragmentation of 2 ....................................... 20 Table 3: DNA Binding Assay Performed by Iglesias et al. ......................... 51 Table 4: Average Values (MG-MID) for In Vitro Antitumor Activity on the NCI 60-Cell Line Panel ................................................................ 52
Table 5: Preliminary Screening of Benzannulation Reactions of Substrates 84a-f.......................................................................... 65 Table 6: Selected Data from Nicolaou’s SAR Study (GI50 Values in M) .. 133 Table 7: Claisen-Type Condensation of Vinylogous Acyl Triflate 2 ........... 141 Table 8: Comparison of the Acidities of Several Acetophenone Phosphonate and Phosphine Oxide Derivatives in DMSO .......... 174 Table 9: Reactions of Vinylogous Acyl Triflates with 1.1 Equivalents of Dimethyl lithiomethylphosphonate (152b) ................................... 180 Table 10: Fragmentation of VAT 2 Using 1.1 Equivalents of Various Phosphonate Derived Nucleophiles .......................................... 182
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Representative examples of the (1) Diels-Alder, (2) Michael Addition, (3) Evans Aldol, (4) and Sonogashira Cross Coupling Reactions in Synthesis ............................................................... 2 Figure 2: Examples of Tandem Bond Forming / Bond Breaking Strategies in Organic Synthesis .................................................................. 3 Figure 3: Examples of Transition Metal Catalyzed C-C Bond Cleavage Reactions in Synthesis ............................................................... 4
Figure 4: Possible Mechanistic Pathways of Grob Fragmentations .......... 6 Figure 5: General Representation of the Wharton Fragmentation ............ 6
Figure 6: Wood and Njardarson’s Wharton fragmentation approach to CP-263,114 ................................................................................ 7
Figure 7: Base Promoted Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation Process. ..................................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Mander’s Reduction-Epoxidation-Oxidation Solution for the Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation in the Synthesis of GB 13 ......................................................................................... 9
Figure 9: Comparison of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation and Enone Formation from Vinylogous Acid Esters .......................... 9
Figure 10: Mechanistic Hypothesis for the Fragmentation of Vinylogous Acyl Triflates .......................................................... 12
Figure 11: (a)64 A Male Specimen of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth; (b)64 Distribution of Host Type Where Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Has Been Found; (c) the DFTM Sex Pheromone..................... 13
Figure 12: Smith’s Synthesis of the Sex Pheromone of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth ........................................................................... 17
Figure 13: Fetizon and Lazare’s Synthesis of Z6 ...................................... 17
Figure 14: Kocienski and Cernigliaro’s Synthesis of Moth Pheromone Z6 18
viii
Figure 15: Synthesis of (Z)-6-Heneicosen-11-one Using an ABC Strategy 21 Figure 16: Illudalane Skeleton and Alcyopterosin A .................................. 38
Figure 17: Proposed Biosynthetic Pathway to the Illudalanes. ................. 38 Figure 18: (eq. 1) Proposed Decomposition of Stearodelicone (21) Upon Absorption on Silica Gel, and (eq. 2) the Observed Reactions of Ptaquiloside (23) in the Presence of Acid and/or Base ........ 40 Figure 19: Representative Sample of Illudalane Structures Isolated from A. paessleri and A. grandis ...................................................... 41 Figure 20: Possible Traditional Reppe Reaction Involving Three Different Unsymmetrical Acetylenes ....................................................... 42 Figure 21: Typical Solutions for Chemo- and Regioselective Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes ................................................... 43 Figure 22: Representative Examples of Sato’s One-Pot Metalative Reppe Reactions ...................................................................... 44 Figure 23: Sato’s Synthesis of Alcyopterosin A ........................................ 44 Figure 24: Key Steps in the Syntheses of Alcyopterosin E (28) (eq. 1) and Alcyopterosin I (30) by Witulski and Snyder (eq. 2).. ......... 46 Figure 25: Synthesis of Iglesias’ Key Intermediate ................................... 47 Figure 26: Synthesis of Unnatural Alcyopterosin Analogs Performed by Iglesias et al ............................................................................. 48 Figure 27: Completion of Iglesias’ Synthesis of Alcyopterosin A. ............. 49 Figure 28: Compounds Known to Intercalate DNA. .................................. 50 Figure 29: Retrosynthetic Analysis of Alcyopterosin A Using a Fragmentation / Benzannulation Approach .............................. 54 Figure 30: AuCl3- and Cu(OTf)2-Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulation Reactions Described by Asao and Yamamoto. ........................ 55 Figure 31: Proposed Mechanism of the [4+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of 56 and 57 Catalyzed by AuCl3 and Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H… 56
ix
Figure 32: Intramolecular Lewis Acid-Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulation Reactions Studied by Asao and Yamamoto ............................. 57 Figure 33: Yamamoto’s Key Benzannulation in the Synthesis of (+)- Rubiginone B2 and (+)-Ochromycinone .................................... 57 Figure 34: Contrast Between Known Benzannulations and Desired Benzannulation ........................................................................ 58 Figure 35: Comparison of Known Benzannulations and Those of a New Methodology............................................................................. 60 Figure 36: Originally Considered Reactions to Access Fragmentation Pre-nucleophile 77 ................................................................... 61 Figure 37: Proposed Route to Benzannulation Substrates 84. ................. 62 Figure 38: Synthesis and Fragmentation Reaction of Aryltriazene 80. ..... 62 Figure 39: Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrates 84a-e. ...................... 63 Figure 40: Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrate 84f. ............................ 64 Figure 41: Direct Comparison of the Benzannulation Reactions of 84c and 84f ..................................................................................... 66 Figure 42: Alternative Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrate 89 ............ 67 Figure 43: Benzannulation Reactions of Compound 89 ............................ 68 Figure 44: Proposed Route to Vinyl Nucleophile 54 Using Negishi’s Z-Selective Bromoboration ....................................................... 69 Figure 45: Several Chemotherapeutic Agents Used in the Treatment of Melanoma ................................................................................ 120 Figure 46: The Report Issued to Baker from the National Cancer Institute’s 60-Cell Line Panel Toxicity Assay for Palmerolide A181 ....................................................................... 123 Figure 47: Palmerolide A and Other Members of the Palmerolide Natural Products with Major Distinctions Highlighted in Red Ovals ................................................................................ 124 Figure 48: Palmerolide A and Strategic Disconnections. .......................... 125
x
Figure 49: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C16-C24 Fragment of . Palmerolide A ........................................................................... 126 Figure 50: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C9-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A ........................................................................... 126 Figure 51: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C1-C8 Fragment of Palmerolide A ........................................................................... 127 Figure 52: Completion of De Brabander’s Synthesis of 109, a Diastereomer of Palmerolide A ................................................ 128 Figure 53: Synthesis of Nicolaou’s C16-C23 (112) and C8-C15 (116) Fragments ................................................................................ 129 Figure 54: Nicolaou’s Synthesis of C1-C8 Fragment of Palmerolide A ..... 130 Figure 55: Nicolaou’s End-Game Strategy for the Synthesis of 109 ......... 131 Figure 56: Key Analogs of Palmerolide A Developed by the Nicolaou Lab ........................................................................................... 132 Figure 57: Key Reactions in Maier’s Formal Synthesis of Palmerolide A .. 135 Figure 58: Hall’s Asymmetric Crotylboration en Route to Palmerolide A’s C16-C24 Fragment .................................................................. 136 Figure 59: Hall’s Unique Approach to Install the C7, C10, and C11 Stereocenters ........................................................................... 137 Figure 60: Brief Overview of the Addition / Bond Cleavage Reactions of Vinylogous Acyl Triflates .......................................................... 139 Figure 61: Synthesis and Nucleophile-Triggered Decompositions of DHP Triflates .................................................................................... 140 Figure 62: Retrosynthetic Analysis of Palmerolide A Using a Fragmentation Approach .......................................................... 140 Figure 63: Synthesis of the C1-C8 Olefination Reagent for the Synthesis of Palmerolide A ....................................................................... 142 Figure 64: Synthesis of Aldehyde 150, the C9-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A ........................................................................... 143 Figure 65: Possible Michael Reaction of 155 ............................................ 144
xi
Figure 66: Completion of the Eastern Hemisphere (C1-C15) Fragment Synthesis ................................................................................. 144 Figure 67: Mechanism of the Classical Claisen Condensation of Ethyl Acetate ..................................................................................... 170 Figure 68: Proposed Mechanism for the Reaction Between 2 and 152a .. 171 Figure 69: Reported Claisen-Type Condensation Reactions of VAT 2 ..... 172 Figure 70: Observations Made During the Synthesis of the C1-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A (Chapter 4) ................................... 173 Figure 71: Proposed Fragmentation Reaction Pathway Between 2 and 166 .................................................................................... 175 Figure 72: Proposed Mechanism of the Reaction Between VAT 2 and 152 ........................................................................................... 176 Figure 73: Common Methods for the Preparation of Phosphonates ......... 178 Figure 74: Synthesis of 180, an Analog of Phosphonate 178 ................... 181
xii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ABC addition / C-C bond cleavage Ac acetyl app apparent (spectral) Aq aqueous Ar aryl, argon BAIB bis(acetoxy)iodobenzene (phenyliodonium diacetate) BINAP 2,2’-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1’-binaphthyl Bn benzyl BOLD bleomycin, vincristine, lomustine, and dacarbazine Bt. Bacillus thuringiensis n-Bu normal butyl t-Bu tertiary butyl c centi oC degrees Celsius ca. circa (approximately) Calcd calculated (in mass spectrometry) CBS Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reagent CD circular dichroism cf. confer (compare) CI chemical ionization (in mass spectrometry) CNS central nervous system
xiii
cod 1,5-cyclooctadiene CSA camphor-10-sulfonic acid d doublet (spectral) heat, double bond location chemical shift, in parts per million relative to tetramethylsilane dba dibenzylideneacetone DBU 1,8-diazabicylco[5.4.0]undec-7-ene DCE 1,2-dichloroethane DCM dichloromethane DDQ 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone de diastereomeric excess DEAD diethyl azodicarboxylate DHP 5,6-dihydro-2-pyrone DIBAL diisobutylaluminum hydride DIPEA diisopropylethylamine DMAP N,N-4-dimethylaminopyridine DMP Dess-Martin periodinane DMSO dimethylsulfoxide DNA deoxyribonucleic acid dr diastereomeric ratio DTFM Douglas-fir tussock moth DTIC dacarbazine E- entgegen or opposite (alkene geometry)
xiv
EDC-Cl 1-ethyl-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride ee enantiomeric excess e.g. exempli gratia (for example) eq equation EI electron ionization (in mass spectrometry) EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency equiv equivalent(s) ESI electrospray ionization (in mass spectrometry) Et ethyl et al. et alii (and the others) EWG electron withdrawing group FAB fast-atom bombardment (in mass spectrometry) FT-IR Fourier-transformed infrared g gram(s) gem- geminal GI50 half maximal growth inhibitory concentration h hour(s) ha hectares Hex hexanes HIV human immuno-deficiency virus HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography HRMS high-resolution mass spectrometry HWE Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons
xv
Hz hertz IC50 half maximal inhibitory concentration i.e. id est (that is) Ipc isopinocamphenyl IR infrared J coupling constant reported in hertz (in NMR spectroscopy) wavelength L liter(s) LC50 median lethal dose LDA lithium diisopropylamide LiHMDS lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide micro m multiplet (spectral), meter(s), milli m- meta- M moles per liter, mega mCPBA m-chloroperbenzoic acid Me methyl MG-MID meangraph midpoint min minute(s) MOM methoxymethyl mp melting point Ms methanesulfonyl n nano
xvi
NCI United States National Cancer Institute NMR nuclear magnetic resonance Nuc nucleophile OPP pyrophosphate p- para- PCC pyridinium chlorochromate Ph phenyl Pin pinacolato PMB p-methoxybenzyl ppm parts per million ppt precipitate PPTS pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate i-Pr isopropyl q quartet (spectral) RCM ring-closing metathesis ref reference retro retrograde r.t. room temperature s singlet (spectral) SAR structure-activity relationship SN2 substitution nucleophilic bimolecular t triplet (spectral) TBAF tetrabutylammonium fluoride
xvii
TBDPS tert-butyldiphenylsilyl TBS tert-butyldimethylsilyl TEMPO 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy free radical TES triethylsilyl Tf trifluoromethanesulfonyl TFA trifluoroacetic acid TGI total growth inhibitory concentration THF tetrahydrofuran TIPS triisopropylsilyl TMS trimethylsilyl TMZ temozolomide Tol tolyl Ts p-toluenesulfonyl UV ultraviolet VAT vinylogous acyl triflate V-ATPases vacuolar adenosine triphosphatases wt. weight Z- zasammen or together (alkene geometry)
xviii
ABSTRACT
This dissertation describes the synthetic utility of tandem addition / C-C bond
cleavage reactions of vinylogous acyl triflates. The first chapter provides background
into carbon-carbon bond breaking reactions that have been applied in organic synthesis
and the preliminary data that allowed for the original work presented here. Chapter 2
explains the significance as well as the prior syntheses of a commercially important
moth pheromone, (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one. The second chapter culminates in the
synthesis of the sex attractant through a fragmentation reaction made possible by the
direct extension of the initial nucleophile-triggered fragmentation studies to include the
use of Grignard reagents. Chapter 3 describes the application of the fragmentation
method, coupled to a benzannulation reaction, to afford penta- and hexasubstituted
indanes. This two step sequence provides the basis for future work directed toward the
synthesis of alcyopterosin A, a known cytotoxic agent with possible biological
applications.
The current difficulties pertaining to the treatment of melanoma are discussed in
Chapter 4. Recently, an exciting natural product that provides promising activity against
this horrible cancer was discovered. Palmerolide A has the ability to kill melanoma cells
selectively at low concentrations. The fragmentation method developed in these
laboratories provides entry into a key fragment. The Claisen-type condensation reaction
of vinylogous acyl triflates was expanded to the synthesis of a novel -ketophosphine
oxide olefinating reagent, which allowed for the rapid synthesis of the eastern
hemisphere (C1-C15) of this exciting natural product. Optimization of the Claisen-type
condensation reaction to provide the -ketophosphine oxide reagent, led to the optimal
reduction of the number of equivalents of the nucleophile. Intrigued by this, these
reactions were explored in more detail. The results of this investigation are described in
Chapter 5. The reduction in the number of equivalents of nucleophile, a key feature in
these reactions, may be attributed to the ability of the phosphorus atom to form of an
oxaphosphetane-like intermediate. As a result, new, potentially useful, -
ketophosphonates were synthesized.
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION: C-C BOND CLEAVAGE AND FRAGMENTATION REACTIONS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS
Synthetic organic chemistry has largely focused on the use of carbon-carbon
bond forming reactions to assemble complex molecules. The means to install such
bonds is of the utmost importance. There is a constant struggle to provide new carbon-
carbon bond forming reactions that are tolerant to a diverse number of functional
groups, as well as reactions that are both regio- and stereoselective. Discoveries of
such reactions constantly expand the frontiers of organic chemistry. Tolerant and
selective C-C bond forming reactions, such as the Diels-Alder,1-4 Michael addition,5-8
Evans aldol,9 and Sonogashira10-12 reactions were at the forefront of chemistry at the
time of their discovery. These reactions have since been applied in the synthesis of
numerous complex molecules (Figure 1). If not for the innovation of such reactions, the
synthesis of many natural products would have proven to be a much more daunting
challenge; they have changed the way chemists have approached natural product
synthesis and have allowed the development of synthetic strategies which would have
otherwise been impossible.
The need to build up complexity quickly in synthesis requires bond forming
reactions. Not surprisingly, C-C bond breaking reactions receive far less attention.
However, these reactions often provide access to compounds that can be difficult to
prepare through other methods. Some of the most useful C-C bond breaking reactions
applied in organic synthesis are simply the reverse processes of C-C bond forming
events similar to those mentioned above (the aldol,13,14 Diels-Alder,15,16 and Michael
reactions,17,18 among others).
2
N
OO
MeO OMeO
O
(2.5 equiv)
r.t., 45 min97%
N
OO
MeO OMe
O
OH
H
Diels-Alder Reaction From Boger's Synthesis of Rubrolone Aglycon19
(1)
Tandem Michael-Addition Reactions From Ihara's Synthesis of ( )-Longiborneol20±
CO2Me
O LiHMDS(2 equiv)
THF
-78 oC, 1h,
then
0 oC, 3h
94%
CO2Me
O O
CO2Me
(2)
NO
O
Ph Me
O
1. Bu2BOTf, Et3N,
-5 oC, DCM; then add
O
H
12
2. MeOH, 30% H2O263%, 2 steps
NO
O
Ph Me
O OH
12
(3)
Sonogashira Reaction in Paterson's Synthesis of Callipeltoside aglycon22
(4)
O
O
OTBS
Me
MeO
I
O
Me Cl
HMe
MeOH +
O
O
OTBS
Me
MeO O
Me
Me
MeOH
Cl
1. Pd(Ph3P)2Cl2, CuI, HN(i-Pr)2, EtOAc
2. TBAF, THF3. PPTS, CH3CN, H2O 54% over 3 steps
Callipeltoside aglycon
3
Figure 1: Representative examples of the (1) Diels-Alder, (2) Michael Addition, (3)
Evans Aldol, and (4) Sonogashira Cross Coupling Reactions in Synthesis.
Often, reverse reactions are used in tandem with their forward counterparts to
access complex molecules. Figure 2 provides some representative examples that
3
demonstrate the utility of retrograde reactions in organic synthesis. Jacobi and co-
workers have utilized a Diels-Alder / retrograde Diels-Alder sequence to access (±)-
Petasalbine (scheme 1).23 Jacobi took advantage of the reactivity of oxazoles as diene
partners; after the cycloaddition reaction with a tethered alkyne, the heterocyclic
intermediate underwent a retro-Diels-Alder to afford the required furan moiety. In 2005,
Iwabuchi and co-workers synthesized cannabinoid receptor agonist (-)-CP55,940 using
a modified-proline catalyzed aldol reaction to achieve stereocontrol, followed by a retro-
aldol to generate the chiral cyclohexane carboskeleton (scheme 2).24
MeMe
H
OH
Me
N
O N
O
Me
MeOHH
-HCN
O
MeMe OHMe
H
Jacobi's Key Diels-Alder/Retro-Diels-Alder Reaction in the Synthesis of ( )-Petasalbine±
(1)
Diels-Alder
Retro-Diels-Alder
Iwabuchi's Aldol/Retro-Aldol Strategy in the Synthesis of (-)-CP55,940
O
CHO
NH
TBDPSO
CO2H
MeCN, rt., 68%(>99% de, 94% ee)
N
PO
OO
H O H
O OH
( )-Petasalbine±
O OMOM
cat. TsOHethylene glycol
xylene,reflux
O O
OO
OMe OMe
n-C6H13
n-C6H13
OH
n-C6H13
HO
OH
(-)-CP55,940
(2)
84%
68%2 steps
88%
49%3 steps
Figure 2: Examples of Tandem Bond Forming / Bond Breaking Strategies in Organic Synthesis.
4
Reactions such as the Cope rearrangement,25,26 as well as oxidative cleavages
of olefins27 and diols,28 represent some traditional C-C bond cleavage reactions.
Several new C-C bond breaking reactions have been made available through the
advance of transition metal chemistry. Although transition metal-catalyzed C-C bond
cleavage chemistry has made some headway in synthetic chemistry, many of these
reactions are heavily dependent on the presence of either highly strained bonds (e.g.
cyclopropane or cyclobutane moieties) or functional groups located about the reaction
site capable of coordinating to the metal center (Figure 3, scheme 1).29-33 The evolution
of metathesis catalysts has allowed for the development of ring opening metathesis
reactions, yet another defining example of C-C bond cleavage reactions in synthetic
chemistry (Figure 3, scheme 2).34-36
RR' O
OH
[Rh(OH)(COD)]2
(R)-BINAPToluene
up to 92% and 95% ee
R
O ORh
R'
O
R
R'
Rh
-carbon elimination
O
1,4-Rh shift
Rh
O
R
R'
O
"H+"
O
R
R'
O
Murakami's Asymmetric Rhodium Catalyzed Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydrocoumarins Through Cleavage of a
Cyclobutyl Intermediate37
(1)
Tandem Ring opening/Ring Closing Metathesis Strategy in Phillips' Synthesis of ( )-trans-Kumausyne38
(2)O
O Ru
PPh3
PPh3
PhClCl
CH2Cl2, H2C=CH2, r.t.83% O
O
±
H
H
O
BrHH
AcO
( )-trans-Kumausyne±
Figure 3: Examples of Transition Metal Catalyzed C-C Bond Cleavage Reactions in Synthesis.
5
Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s, Grob and co-workers carried out investigations
into heterolytic bond cleavage reactions of molecules consisting of various combinations
of carbons and heteroatoms.39-43 These reactions produce three distinct fragments /
products, and are thus referred to as Grob fragmentations. The three ―products‖
generated from the fragmentation are all included in the starting molecule with the
general formula a—b—c—d—X (Figure 4). ―X‖ is referred to as the nucleofuge; leaving
with the electron pair with which it was originally attached to the starting molecule, thus
it becomes more negative. Prior to fragmentation, the nucleofugal fragment can be
neutral (e.g. halide, sulfonate, or carboxylate) or charged (diazonium, oxonium,
ammonium or sulfonium). The electrofuge, a—b, loses a bonding pair of electrons and
becomes more positive. The electrofugal fragment is typically a carbonyl containing
compound; however, carbon dioxide, olefins, dinitrogen, immonium-, carbonium-, and
acylium ions have been generated as electrofuges. The central portion of the starting
material, c—d, becomes the unsaturated fragment. The most commonly encountered
unsaturated fragments are olefins, acetylenes, nitriles and imines.
The most probable mechanistic pathway (Figure 4) of the Grob fragmentation is
substrate dependent. Both steric and electronic properties of the substrate influence the
nature by which the fragmentation takes place. Very narrow stereochemical
requirements must be met in order to achieve proper orbital overlap for the one-step
synchronous (concerted) mechanism to proceed. The transition state of the concerted
process involves all five atoms, and thus, this mechanism is invoked usually in Grob
fragmentations of conformationally rigid molecules. If necessary orbital overlap is
insufficient or absent, the concerted process is not possible; in this case, a two-step
process (usually cationic) must take place if the fragmentation is to occur. A two-step
fragmentation pathway typically provides the possibility for side reactions (e.g.
elimination), making fragmentations that proceed through stepwise mechanisms less
useful.
6
ab
cd
X
a b c d XElectrofugal
fragmentUnsaturated
fragmentNucleofugal
fragment
(A) One-step synchronous:
(B) Two-step cationic:
ab
cd
XX-
ab
cd a b
+ +
c d+
Electrofuge Nucleofuge
(C) Two-step anionic:
ab
cd
XX- a b c d +c
dX
Figure 4: Possible Mechanistic Pathways of Grob Fragmentations.
P. S. Wharton pioneered the base-induced heterolytic fragmentation reaction of
bicyclic-1,3-diol monosulfonate esters, now referred to as a Wharton fragmentation
(Figure 5).44-47 Although the Wharton fragmentation falls into the category of a Grob
fragmentation, it is a more specific term referring to the synthesis of alkenes from 1,3-
diols. The most common substrates for the Wharton fragmentation are bicyclic-1,3-
hydroxy monotosylates or monomesylates generated from unsymmetrical 1,3-diols.
n
OH
OSO2R
n
base
O
Figure 5: General Representation of the Wharton Fragmentation.
The Wharton fragmentation is often employed for the synthesis of medium sized
rings which are difficult to prepare. The rate of fragmentation depends both on the ring
7
strain of the bicycle and the concentration of the base. Typically strong, non-
nucleophilic, bases (t-BuOK, NaH, dimsylsodium, etc.) are best for promoting the
fragmentation. Alkenes from the Wharton fragmentation are generated
stereospecifically from the bicyclic precursor. Wood and Njardarson successfully
applied the Wharton fragmentation in their approach to the bicyclic core of CP-263,114
(Figure 6).48 The synthetic strategy outlined by Wood highlights the utility of the Wharton
fragmentation, as the originally envisioned oxy-Cope rearrangement failed.
AcO
OH
MsCl, pyrDMAP
AcO
OMs
K2CO3, MeOH
Me Mer.t.
95%2 steps
AcO
Me
Figure 6: Wood and Njardarson’s Wharton fragmentation approach to CP-263,114.
During the time Grob was describing the fragmentation reactions that now bear
his name, Eschenmoser49,50 and Tanabe51,52 were independently exploring the ring
opening reaction of ,-epoxyhydrazones. The Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation
process (Figure 7) is classified as a 7-centered Grob-type fragmentation process,
yielding an electrofugal fragment (ketone) tethered to the unsaturated fragment (alkyne)
and two nucleofugal fragments (N2 and typically an arylsulfinate).
8
O
O
R
R'
TsNHNH2
-H2O
N
O
R
R'
N
H
TsBase
N
O
R
R'
NTs
N
R
R'
NTs
O
O
R'
R
+N NTs +
Nucleofugal fragments
Unsaturated fragment
Nucleofugalfragment
Figure 7: Base Promoted Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation Process.
The substrates of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation are typically prepared
in a multistep sequence from ,-unsaturated ketones; first through the epoxidation of a
cyclic enone, followed by a condensation reaction with tosyl hydrazide. The
fragmentation is induced by treatment with acid or base in a protic medium induces
fragmentation. Although the multistep sequence from cyclic enone to tethered keto-
alkyne has found some application as a synthetic strategy through the years,53-
58,79,80,86,114,117 it remains largely pedagogical. The substrates required for the
Eschenmoser-Tanabe process, epoxy hydrazones, can be difficult to prepare, as
illustrated by Mander’s synthesis of the Galbulimima alkaloid GB 13.55 Direct
epoxidation of the enone of the pentacyclic late-stage intermediate was unsuccessful. In
an effort to obtain the necessary epoxy hydrazone, a reduction-epoxidation-oxidation
sequence was performed (Figure 8). The possible difficulty in the synthesis of epoxy
hydrazones and the protic medium (commonly ethanol or acetic acid) present potential
drawbacks to the method.
9
H
H
H
OMOM
H
O
MOMO
1. LiAlH4, THF2. mCPBA, DCM
3. DMP, NaHCO3;
4. p-NO2ArSO2NHNH2,pyridine, EtOH, THF
59% 4 steps
O
H
H
H
OMOM
H
MOMO
Figure 8: Mander’s Reduction-Epoxidation-Oxidation Solution for the Eschenmoser-
Tanabe Fragmentation in the Synthesis of GB 13.
Prior to the description of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation process,
Woods and Tucker described the reaction of vinylogous acid esters with
phenylmagnesium bromide, providing cyclic enones.59 This method has been utilized in
cyclic enones that are difficult to prepare using other methods.60 There is a marked
similarity between the presumed intermediates of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe
fragmentation and the synthesis of enones from vinylogous acid esters (Figure 9).
Although there is a parallel between the intermediates A and B, they diverge in the
manner by which they decompose.
NNHTs
OR'
R
R' OH
NNTs
R
A
- N2
- TsH
R'
O R
The Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation
Enone Formation from Vinlogous Acid Esters
OR2
R1
R3 OM
OR2
R1
B
- R2OH
R3O
R3 M H3O+R1
O
Figure 9: Comparison of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe Fragmentation and Enone Formation from Vinylogous Acid Esters.
10
In 2005, our lab sought to introduce an intermediate similar to B which would
allow for a fragmentation similar to the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation under mild
conditions in an aprotic solvent. Such a reaction would have important mechanistic
implications and would provide a new tool in the synthesis of complex molecules. A
crossover in the mechanistic pathway was envisioned to occur if the nucleofugacity of
the –OR2 group in intermediate B were increased.
Kamijo and Dudley carried out a preliminary investigation into a tandem
carbanion addition / C-C bond cleavage reaction that provided tethered alkynyl ketones
that are similar, yet regioisomeric, to those obtained by the Eschenmoser-Tanabe
fragmentation.61 A change in the –OR2 group from alkoxy (enone formation, Figure 9)
to trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy allowed for the desired crossover mechanism to take
place both in an aprotic medium and under mild conditions (displayed in Table 1).
Kamijo and Dudley found that the synthesis of vinylogous acyl triflates (2) was
general and high yielding. Symmetric diketones such as 1 were converted into
vinylogous acyl triflates (VATs), similar to 2, in nearly quantitative yields using a
modified procedure.62 The fragmentation reaction was optimized for the addition of
phenylmagnesium bromide, and ethereal solvents were found to provide the most
suitable environment for the fragmentation. Table 1 summarizes the original scope of
the fragmentation reaction with respect to nucleophiles explored by Kamijo and Dudley.
Nucleophiles with electron donating groups had significant effect and accelerated the C-
C bond cleavage process (entries 1—4 vs. entries 5—6), suggesting a transition state
with significant carbonyl character. Aryl organolithium reagents were also found to
trigger fragmentation more readily, presumably due to an increase in ionic character of
the alkoxide intermediate (entries 7—9).
11
Table 1: Scope of Original Fragmentation Reaction with Respect to Nucleophiles.61,a
Me
O
O 1.2 equiv Tf2O2.0 equiv pyridine
CH2Cl2, 95-100%
O
OTf
Me
1 2
R1 M
THF
R1
O Me
3
entry R1__M conditions 3 yield (%)b
1 Ph—MgBr 0 oC to r.t. 3a 80c
2 p-MeO—C6H4—MgBr 0 oC to r.t. 3b 86
3 m-MeO—C6H4—MgBr 0 oC to r.t. 3c 57
4 o-MeO—C6H4—MgBr 0 oC to r.t. 3d 34
5 p-Cl—C6H4—MgBr 0 — 60 oC 3e 61
6 2-thienyl—MgBr 0 — 60 oC 3f 63
7 Ph—Li -78 oC to r.t. 3a 93c
8 m-MeO—C6H4—Li -78 oC to r.t. 3g 78
9 o-MeO—C6H4—Li -78 oC to r.t. 3h 57
10 Me—Li -78 oC to r.t. 3i 65 a
Typical procedure: enol triflate 2 (0.55 mmol) in 2 mL cold THF was treated with R1—M (0.50 mmol). All
reactions complete within 90 min. b Isolated yield.
c Average of two runs.
The mechanistic hypothesis (Figure 10) that guided Kamijo and Dudley’s original
studies has many interesting qualities as well as some guiding assumptions: (1)
nucleophilic addition is fast and proceeds in a 1,2- fashion; (2) decomposition of
intermediate C is the rate limiting step; (3) lithium triflate is extruded from C as a
dissociated ion pair that subsequently recombines;63 (4) an increase in the ionic
character of C promotes fragmentation; and (5) the stability of the resulting alkynyl
ketone and the dissociated ion pair are reflected in the transition-state (concerted);
however a two-step mechanism cannot be ruled out.
12
O
Me
OTf
R1 Li
THF
R1 OMe
OTf
Li THFn
C2
O
R1
Me
3fast
- LiOTf
slow
Figure 10: Mechanistic Hypothesis for the Fragmentation of Vinylogous Acyl Triflates.61
The fragmentation was found to be general with respect to the VAT, affording
alkynyl ketones of varying tether lengths and substitution patterns. Having established a
nucleophile-triggered fragmentation pathway of vinylogous acyl triflates under mild
reaction conditions, the Dudley lab directed further efforts towards expanding the scope
of the fragmentation reaction. This dissertation is focused on the development of this
method as well as its uses as a strategy for obtaining complex intermediates capable for
application in the synthesis of natural products. Since the discovery of this new reaction,
we have demonstrated the value of vinylogous acyl triflates as useful tools in complex
molecule synthesis.
13
CHAPTER 2
SYNTHESIS OF (Z)-6-HENEICOSEN-11-ONE: THE SEX PHEROMONE OF THE DOUGLAS-FIR TUSSOCK MOTH
The Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth
The Douglas-fir tussock moth (DFTM), Orgyia pseudotsugata seen in Figure 11a,
is a major contributor to the defoliation of fir trees in the Pacific Northwest (Figure 11b).
The populations of the DFTM typically remain stable; however they can explode,
leading to significant defoliation.64 For instance, in 1974 a DFTM outbreak gave rise to
the defoliation of 279,000 hectares (ha) of forest. The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) allowed the use of DDT, an otherwise banned substance, on 161,000 ha of forest
in order to contain the outbreak.65 The discovery of the sex pheromone (Figure 11c) of
the DFTM in 1975,66 (Z)-6-Heneicosen-11-one (Z6) has played an integral role in the
defense against such outbreaks.
Figure 11: (a)64 A Male Specimen of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth; (b) 64 Distribution of
Host Type Where Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth Has Been Found; (c) The DFTM sex pheromone.
O
8
Z6
(a) (b)
(c)
14
Outbreaks in the population of the DFTM are typically short in duration, one to
two years. The defoliation caused by outbreaks of the DFTM may result in complete
tree death or in the top-kill of trees, which retards vegetation growth and may induce
susceptibility of the tree to other pests. The defoliation of forestland caused by the
DFTM also increases the risk and severity of forest fires. The preferred food source for
the DFTM varies regionally, however the Douglas-fir is the dominant food source in
most areas where they are found.67 The caterpillar larvae of the DFTM are the source of
the defoliation. They are incapable of flight and are limited to the environment of the
host tree. Newly hatched larvae feed on the current year’s foliage, as the larvae
continue to grow, their demand for food increases and both new and old vegetation is
consumed.68
After consuming copious amounts of vegetation, the larvae build their cocoon
and pupation begins. Female moths emerge from their cocoon approximately 2 weeks
later and mate soon after. Being unable to fly, the female moth is limited to the use of
chemical communication in the form of pheromones to attract sexual partners. During
the daylight hours of the male flight season, usually in the months from July to
November, the females release their sex pheromone to signal potential mates. The
females lay their eggs soon after mating and subsequently die.69
There are many natural controls by which the population of the DFTM is
regulated. Eggs are preyed upon by small birds and parasitized by small wasp species.
After hatching, the caterpillars are eaten by various predators such as birds, spiders and
other insects. Carcelia yalensis, a parasitic fly species, is one of the primary foes of the
DFTM larvae, laying eggs inside of the caterpillar, which then hatch and eat the
caterpillar from within.70 When moth densities approach outbreak levels, there is a
nuclear polyhedrosis virus that frequently infects many colonies of the moth. Once
infected, a moth’s internal organs liquefy. The virus is spread throughout the colony
when a diseased body ruptures and is spread on the surface of the vegetation, and is
later ingested by other members of the species. Routinely, the virus is fatal and
commonly spreads rampantly throughout the colony, thus resulting in outbreak
suppression.71
15
When the natural means by which the DFTM populations are regulated become
insufficient, outbreaks, and subsequent tree damage, may result. A well integrated
management program must be maintained in order to handle population outbreaks and
minimize destructive defoliation. The early detection of increasing populations is the
foundation of any management program. Because the DFTM population produces only
one generation per year, it is possible for outbreaks to be detected one to two years
prior to any significant defoliation. Early detection of population outbreaks is made
possible, primarily, through the annual monitoring of male populations. The males can
be lured into traps baited with the sex attractant (Z6, Figure 11c) of their female
counterparts, allowing for sampling to be performed.72
When an outbreak is perceived to be eminent, measures to suppress moth
populations are determined through careful analysis of the potential threat to the forest.
Most recently, biological insecticides have emerged as the preferred method for
suppressing populations of the DFTM. Biological insecticides are regarded as
environmentally benign, making them preferred over persistent chemical based
alternatives. The two most common biological agents used to collapse populations of
the DFTM are: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), marketed under several trade names (e.g.
ThuricideTM from Bonide Products, Inc.), as well as the aforementioned tussock moth
nucleopolyhedrosis virus (TM-Biocontrol-1, produced by the U.S. Forestry Service).73
These agents are very successful in decreasing the population of feeding larvae,
however they are only used once outbreak population levels have been reached. As a
result, significant defoliation remains possible.
Pheromones have been used as species selective management agents.74 The
sex pheromone of the DFTM offers a potentially new means of controlling moth
populations at pre-outbreak levels through mating disruption.73,75,76 By spraying
synthetic Z6, impregnated in controlled-release capsules, male moths become confused
and unable to chemo-locate their female mating partners. By disrupting the mating
habits of the DFTM, reductions in the number of caterpillars in the following year are
likely. In 2005, the EPA has registered the use of Hercon® laminated plastic bio-flake
formulation of Z6 for the control of tussock moths and other lepidopteran insects.77
16
Continued research will assist in providing the necessary data and determine the
efficacy of Z6 as a mating disruption agent suitable for wide spread use.
Synthesis of (Z)-6-Heneiosen-11-one
Since its isolation and characterization by Smith, Daterman, and Davies in
1975,66 (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one has arguably been the most important factor in the
fight against severe defoliation by the DFTM. The use of Z6 in baited traps, allowing for
population analysis and outbreak detection, and its potential for mating disruption lends
credence to its commercial importance. There have been considerable efforts directed
towards the synthesis of the DTFM sex pheromone.78-92 Most synthetic approaches to
Z6 rely on one of two strategies: (1) elaboration of the moth pheromone through a
series of steps that piece together the carbon back bone originating with the C11
carbonyl / protected-carbonyl through carbon-carbon bond forming reactions like the
SN2 reaction, or (2) beginning with a cyclic starting material and performing a ring-
opening event to install the necessary carbons.
The first synthesis78 of the sex attractant of the DFTM (Figure 12) exemplifies the
first synthetic strategy. Smith and co-workers began their synthesis with the protection
of aldehyde 4 as a dithiane. The dithiane (5) was then deprotonated with n-butyllithium,
and the resulting anion was alkylated with 1-chloro-5-decyne. Subsequent deprotection
and reduction of the ketone afforded alcohol 6. A syn-hydrogenation and oxidation
provided Z6 in 44% over 6 steps.
17
HS SH
BF3 OEt2
98%
4 5
1. n-BuLi;
Cl
2. CuO, CuClAcetone/H2O
3. LiAlH58% over 3 steps
O
8
Z6
O
8 H 8 H
SSOH
8
1. H2, P-2 NiEthylene Diamine
2. CrO3, pyridine
77% 2 steps
6
Figure 12: Smith’s Synthesis of the Sex Pheromone of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth.
Fetizon and Lazare’s synthesis of the DFTM sex pheromone (Figure 13),81 in
some ways, represents a hybrid of the strategies highlighted above. Their synthesis
began with 2-hydroxytetrahydropyran (7). Although 7 is a cyclic starting material,
hydroxy-aldehyde 8 is present in an equilibrium amount. Fetizon and Lazare took
advantage of this equilibrium and olefinated the aldehyde using Wittig reagent 9 to
install the Z-olefin of 10. Oxidation of alcohol 10, addition of n-decylmagnesium
bromide, and oxidation of the resulting alcohol provided Z6 in short order (four steps)
from a simple starting material in 51%.
O
H
OH
O
OH
Ph3P
7 8
9OH 1. CrO3, pyridine
2. n-C10H21MgBr
3. CrO3, pyridine85% 3 steps
O
8
Z6
10
60%
Figure 13: Fetizon and Lazare’s Synthesis of Z6.
In 1976, Kocienski and Cernigliaro published the synthesis of (Z)-6-heneicosen-
11-one (Figure 14);79 their synthesis exemplified the second strategy towards Z6, the
18
utilization of a ring-opening reaction. The ring opening reaction that Kocienski and
Cernigliaro envisioned as providing efficient access to the moth pheromone was the
Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation49-52 (discussed in Chapter 1). Beginning with
vinylogous acid ester 11, they performed the enone synthesis first described by Woods
and Tucker.59 With all the necessary carbons installed, epoxidation of enone 12,
followed by condensation with p-tosylhydrazide in an acetic acid / methylene chloride
reaction medium provided tethered alkynyl-ketone 14. The alkyne was then
hydrogenated using palladium on barium sulfate in methanol and pyridine. Z6 was
synthesized in 4 steps from vinylogous acid ester 11 in 61% yield. Interestingly, there
have been 2 other syntheses that have also applied an Eschenmoser-Tanabe
fragmentation reaction similar to Kocienski and Cernigliaro to synthesize Z6.80,86
OMe 1. n-C10H21MgBr,Et2O;
H3O+
93%
O
O6
H2O2, NaOH,MeOH
O
6
O
O
8
O
8
Z6
11 12 13
14
p-TsNHNH2
AcOH/CH2Cl2
95%
71%
H2, Pd/BaSO4
MeOH/Pyridine97%
Figure 14: Kocienski and Cernigliaro’s Synthesis of Moth Pheromone Z6.
Having disclosed a preliminary study into the carbanion-triggered addition / C-C
bond cleavage (ABC) fragmentation methodology (Chapter 1),61 our lab envisioned the
synthesis of the sex pheromone of the Douglas-fir tussock moth to highlight our new
method.93 The impetus for this endeavor was derived from the fact that alkyl Grignard
nucleophiles were beyond the scope of our original report. Alkyl Grignards are often
more accessible and, in many cases, more reasonably priced than the corresponding
organolithiums; for instance: n-decylmagnesium chloride, needed for the synthesis of
Z6, is commercially available, n-decyllithium is not; ethylmagnesium chloride is far
19
cheaper than ethyllithium ($36.40 / 100 mL of 2.0 M in Et2O vs. $77.80 / 100mL of 0.5 M
in 9:1 benzene / cyclohexane, respectively).94 We therefore set out to optimize the
reaction between VAT 2 and Grignard nucleophiles (Table 2).
Aryl Grignard reagents (e.g., entry 1) were found to trigger fragmentation under
our original conditions;61 however, alkyl Grignards were not competent partners (entry
2). A quick screening of the reaction medium (entries 2-4) revealed that toluene was the
preferred solvent in our addition / fragmentation method using alkyl Grignards. The
reaction of 2 in toluene with an ethereal solution of n-butylmagnesium chloride afforded
the desired alkynyl ketone 3j (entry 4). Benzylmagnesium bromide provided 3k in 73%
(entry 6), however branched alkyl Grignards (e.g., i-propylmagnesium chloride, entry 5)
were significantly less efficient in the ABC process. The ability of n-decylmagnesium
bromide, relevant for the synthesis of Z6, in the fragmentation reaction was explored; it
was found to trigger the fragmentation of 2 (entry 7). In order to determine if toluene’s
effect on the reaction involving Grignard nucleophiles was general, we reexamined
phenylmagnesium bromide (entry 8), finding a modest and perhaps insignificant
decrease in the yield as compared to THF (entry 1).
20
Table 2: Grignard Triggered Fragmentation of 2.a
OTf
Me
O R1 M
-78 oC to 60 oCO Me
R1
2 3
Entry R1—M Solvent Product Yield (%)
1 PhMgBr THF 3a 80
2 n-BuMgCl THF 3j —c
3 n-BuMgCl Et2O 3j 24d
4 n-BuMgCl Toluene 3j 63-83
5 i-PrMgCl Toluene 3k —c
6 BnMgBr Toluene 3l 73
7 n-decylMgBr Toluene 3m 58
8 PhMgBr Toluene 3a 71 a
Solution of VAT 2 (1.1 equiv) treated with 1.0 equiv of R1—M (in Et2O) at -78
oC, warmed to r.t., and
then heated to 60 oC for 30 min.
b Note that Et2O is present in each case.
c Product was not isolated in
acceptable purity. d Reaction mixture was heated for 1 h at reflux; fragmentation was incomplete.
Having optimized the ABC reaction for alkyl Grignard reagents, we turned our
attention to the synthesis of the (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one (Figure 15). Vinylogous acyl
triflate 15 was synthesized from 2-pentyl-1,3-cyclohexane dione95,96 using
trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and pyridine by analogy to the procedure published
by Kamijo and Dudley.61 Treatment of 15 with n-decylmagnesium bromide using our
optimized conditions afforded tethered alkynyl ketone 16 in 80% yield. Subsequent
hydrogenation of alkyne 16 provided Z6.79 Spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR. IR, and
HRMS) for our synthetic sample was in accordance with literature reports.78-92
21
-78 oC to 60 oC
O
OTf
n-decyl MgBr
toluene, 2.5 h80%
C10H21
C5H11O
5% Pd/BaSO4H2, pyridine
MeOH, 97%(ref. 77)
O
8
Z615 16
Figure 15: Synthesis of (Z)-6-Heneicosen-11-one Using an ABC Strategy.
Our synthesis is reminiscent of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation
approach applied by Kocienski and Cernigliaro79 (discussed above). For example, in
their synthesis, vinylogous acid ester 11 was advanced to the moth pheromone in a four
step sequence that featured the Eschenmoser-Tanabe reaction. By enhancing the
nucleofugacity of the leaving group (methoxy of 11 vs. trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy of
15), we gained immediate access to the fragmentation product, streamlining the
synthetic sequence.
In summary, we extended the scope of our anion-triggered / C-C bond cleavage
reaction of vinylogous acyl triflates to include alkyl Grignard reagents. We applied the
ABC method to the synthesis of a commercially important natural product, (Z)-6-
heneicosen-11-one, the sex pheromone of the Douglas-fir tussock moth. Within the
context of our study, toluene proved to be a significantly more effective solvent than
THF for alkyl Grignard-triggered fragmentation reactions. The following chapters will
provide more insight into the development of our fragmentation method and its
extension to other synthetic applications.
Experimental
General Information:
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian 300 (300 MHz) spectrometer,
unless otherwise stated, using CDCl3 as the deuterated solvent. The chemical shifts ()
are reported in parts per million (ppm) relative to the residual chloroform peak (7.26
ppm for 1H NMR and 77.00 for 13C NMR). Coupling constants (J) are reported in Hertz
22
(Hz). IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer FTIR paragon 1000 spectrometer
using NaCl discs. Mass Spectra were recorded on a JEOL JMS600H spectrometer. All
chemicals were used as received unless otherwise noted. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and
toluene were dried through a solvent purification system packed with alumina and
molecular sieves under an Ar atmosphere. The Grignard solutions were titrated with a
known amount of iodine dissolved in ether. The purifications of the compounds were
performed by flash column chromatography using silica gel F-254 (230-499 mesh
particle size).
Representative procedure for the reaction of vinylogous acyl triflates (2) with
alkyl Grignard reagents (Table 2). To a toluene solution (2 mL) of n-BuMgCl (0.25 mL,
0.50 mmol; 2.0 M in Et2O) was added 2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)-2-
cyclohexenone (2) (142 mg, 0.55 mmol) at -78 oC under an Ar atmosphere. The mixture
was stirred at -78 oC for 10 min, at 0 oC for 10 min, at r.t. for 30 min, and then at 60 oC
for 30 min. Half-saturated aqueous solution of NH4Cl was added to quench the reaction
and the mixture was extracted with Et2O. The organic layer was washed with water,
dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated. The residue was purified on silica gel
using 1% EtOAc/Hex to 5% EtOAc/Hex to give 9-undecyn-5-one (3j) in 63% yield (52
mg).
1-Phenyl-5-heptynone (3a): See reference 61 for analytical data.
9-Undecyn-5-one (3j): Pale yellow oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) (t, J = 7.3 Hz,
2H), 2.40 (quintet, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.15 (tq, J = 7.3, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (t, J = 2.5 Hz,
3H), 1.73 (quintet, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.55 (quintet, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.30 (sextet, J = 7.3
Hz, 2H), 0.90 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 210.8, 78.2, 76.2, 42.6,
41.3, 25.9,22.8, 22.3, 18.1, 13.8, 3.4; IR (neat) 1713, 1454, 1410, 1371, 1216, 1126
cm-1; HRMS (EI) Calcd for C11H18O (M+) 166.1357. Found 166.1357.
1-Phenyl-6-octyn-2-one (3l): Colorless oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.28-7.35 (m,
3H), 7.19-7.22 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 2H), 2.57 (t, J = 7.1Hz, 2H), 2.12 (tq, J = 7.1, 2.4 Hz,
23
2H), 1.74 (t, J = 2.4, 3H), 1.71 (quintet, J = 7.1, 2H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 207.9,
134.2, 129.3, 128.6, 126.9, 78.1, 76.2, 50.1, 40.5, 22.8, 17.9, 3.3; IR (neat) 1713, 1602,
1495, 1453, 1367, 1093, 1031, 734, 700 cm-1; HRMS (CI) Calcd for C14H17O ([M+H]+)
201.1279. Found 201.1276.
2-Heptadecyn-7-one (3m): Colorless oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 2.52 (t, J = 7.4
Hz, 2H), 2.40 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.16 (tq, J = 7.0, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H),
1.73, quintet, 7.0 Hz), 1.26 (m, 16H), 0.88 (t, J = 6.6 Hz). 13C NMR (Bruker 600
spectrometer, 150 MHz, CDCl3) 210.98, 78.31, 76.25, 43.00, 41.41, 31.89, 29.70,
29.57, 29.48, 29.36, 29.30, 29.28, 23.91, 22.67, 18.18, 14.09, 3.49; IR (neat) 1701,
1470, 1418, 1374, 1091, 793 cm-1; HRMS (EI) Calcd for C17H30O (M+) 250.2297. Found
250.2296.
Synthesis of vinylogous acyl triflate 15: Prepared from 2-pentyl-1,3-
cyclohexanedione92,93 using triflic anhydride and pyridine by analogy to Kamijo and
Dudley’s published procedure, see reference 61. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 2.75 (t, J
= 6.2 Hz, 2H), 2.47 (t, J = 6.8, 2H), 2.32 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.07 (app. quintet, J = 6.5
Hz, 2H), 1.22-1.42 (m, 6H), 0.88 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 Hz, CDCl3) 197.52,
161.66, 132.32, 118.22 (q, J = 319.9 Hz), 36.84, 31.72, 28.63, 27.95, 23.66, 22.23,
20.58, 13.83; IR (neat) 1693, 1659, 1417, 1347, 1215, 1140, 1040 cm-1; HRMS (CI)
Calcd for C12H18OSF3 ([M+H]+) 315.0878. Found 315.0893.
Synthesis of alkynyl ketone 16: To a stirred solution of vinylogous acyl triflate 15 (100
mg, 0.32 mmol) in toluene (3 mL) at -78 oC was added n-decylmagnesium bromide
(0.31 mL, 0.93 M in Et2O, 0.29 mmol). The reaction mixture was warmed to r.t. for 1 h,
heated to 60 oC for 1.5 h, cooled to r.t., quenched with half-sat. NH4Cl solution (10 mL),
and extracted with Et2O. The combined extracts were washed with H2O, dried over
MgSO4, concentrated and purified on silica gel (elution with 1% EtOAc/Hexanes) to
afford alkynyl ketone 16 as an oil that solidified on standing; yielding 70 mg (80%). 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 2.52 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.40 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.08-2.23 (m,
4H), 1.74 (app. quintet, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.43-1.64 (m, 4H), 1.19-1.38 (m, 18H), 0.83-
24
0.95 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (75 Hz, CDCl3) 210.9, 81.1, 79.1, 43.0, 31.9, 29.6, 29.4, 29.3,
28.8, 23.9, 23.0, 22.6, 22.2, 18.7, 18.2, 14.1, 13.1; IR (neat) 1715, 1465, 1410, 1370,
1080, 720 cm-1; HRMS (CI) Calcd for C21H39O ([M+H]+) 307.3001. Found 307.2999.
Synthesis of (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one (Z6): The reduction was performed in similar
manner to that presented in reference 77; note: the Pd/BaSO4 and pyridine must be
stirred in methanol for approximately 30 min before addition of alkyne for best results.
The following analytical data in accord with previous syntheses.76-90 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) 5.37-5.41 (m, 2H), 2.35-2.41(m, 4H), 1.94-2.06 (m, 4H), 1.63 (app. quintet, J =
7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.21-1.37 (m, 22H), 0.85-0.90 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (Bruker 300 spectrometer,
75 Hz, CDCl3) 211.48, 130.96, 128.69, 42.90, 42.86, 42.82, 42.07; 31.97, 31.87,
29.55, 29.47, 29.40, 29.28, 27.19, 26.55, 23.88, 23.73, 22.66, 25.56, 14.09 (2 carbons);
IR (neat) 3020, 1715, 1465, 1420, 1380 cm-1; HRMS (CI) Calcd for C21H39O ([M+H]+)
309.3157. Found 309.3185.
25
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra:
O
Bu
Me
3j
26
O
Bu
Me
3j
27
O Me
Ph
3l
28
O Me
Ph
3l
29
O
C10H21
Me
3m
30
O
C10H21
Me
3m
31
O
OTf
15
32
O
OTf
15
33
O
C10H21
C5H11
16
34
O
C10H21
C5H11
16
35
C10H21
O
C5H21Z6
36
C10H21
O
C5H21Z6
37
CHAPTER 3
A FRAGMENTATION / BENZANNULATION STRATEGY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO BENZO-FUSED INDANES
Introduction
This chapter provides a detailed study into gold and copper catalyzed
benzannulation reactions of o-alkynyl aryl ketones bearing tethered acetylenes. The
primary motivation for the aforementioned study is derived from a desire to apply the
fragmentation reactions developed in the Dudley laboratory to an efficient synthesis of
the alcyopterosins, a rare subclass of natural products. However, before tackling the
synthesis of the alcyopterosins, a new methodology was required.
A detailed background of the alcyopterosins, including previous synthetic
strategies and biological importance, will provide the necessary context for the
development of a new convergent synthetic strategy towards these natural products.
Furthermore, a critical evaluation of benzannulation reactions similar to those
envisioned necessary in our focused retrosynthesis will set the stage for the original
work presented here.
The goal of this work is to determine the optimal conditions governing
intramolecular benzannulation reactions, while at the same time providing a method to
prepare benzo-fused indanes. Our research has been designed to bridge the gap that
exists between known benzannulation reactions and those which are required for our
proposed synthesis. The results of this study will play a vital role in future synthesis of
these natural products, new analogs, and other substituted indanes.
The Alcyopterosins
The illudalane sesquiterpenes,97 which include the alcyopterosins, represent a
class of rarely encountered natural products. These secondary metabolites consist of
38
bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane carboskeleton as seen in Figure 16. In most cases the 6-
membered ring is aromatic.
Cl
Alcyopterosin AIlludalane Skeleton
Figure 16: Illudalane Skeleton and Alcyopterosin A.
The biosynthesis of the illudalanes (Figure 17) originates from farnesyl
pyrophosphate (17) via a humulene intermediate 18.98 The humulene intermediate is
theorized to undergo cyclization to provide a protoilludane 19; a subsequent
rearrangement could give rise to an illudane (20). From illudane intermediate 20, a bond
cleavage reaction and aromatization would afford a molecule with the illudalane
carboskeleton.
O P
O
O
O P
O
O
O
OPP17
18
H
19 20
aromatization
Aromatic IlludalaneSkeleton
bond cleavageand
Protoilludane Illudane
Figure 17: Proposed Biosynthetic Pathway to the Illudalanes.
The chemistry of protoilludanes and illudanes has been studied by several
researchers.99-105 Some members of these natural products have been found to be
unstable under acidic or basic conditions, leading to the formation of aromatic illudalane
39
sesquiterpenes. Sterner and co-workers reported that the protoilludane stearodelicone
(21) decomposes to illudalane 22 upon absorption onto silica gel (Figure 18, equation
1). The decomposition is presumably due to traces of acid in the silica gel resulting in
the protonation of the enone, cleavage of the cyclobutyl moiety, and aromatization of
the cyclohexyldienone.100
The degradation of ptaquiloside 23 (Figure 18, equation 2), the major illudane
toxin isolated from the bracken fern, was examined by Saito and co-workers.101 The
glycosidic bond of ptaquiloside is easily cleaved in the presence of acid or base. Upon
cleavage of the glycosidic bond, the resulting alcohol is eliminated to produce bracken
dienone (24). If acid is present the tertiary alcohol of 24 ionizes and the cyclopropyl ring
undergoes heterolytic cleavage, resulting in the aromatization of the cyclohexadienyl
moiety; the cation is thus trapped by water to produce 25. The fact that ptaquiloside and
stearodelicone decompose to form illudalane-type products seems to support the
likelihood of their biosynthesis from the protoilludanes and illudanes.
40
O
OR
R = stearoyl
21
silicagel
O
OR
O
OR
H
OH2
(1)
O
O
HOH
OHO
OH
OH
OH
22
H+/H2O
D-glucoseO
HO
D-glucose
-OH/H2O
(pH 8-11)
OOH23
24
25
(2)
H+/H2O
Figure 18: (eq. 1) Proposed Decomposition of Stearodelicone (21) Upon Absorption on Silica Gel, and (eq. 2) the Observed Reactions of Ptaquiloside (23) in the
Presence of Acid and/or Base.
The illudalanes are typically isolated from both fungi of the Basidomycotina
subdivision105 and ferns of the Pteridaceae family.107 As rare as the illudalanes isolated
from terrestrial sources are, the alcyopterosins are even more rare. This subclass of
natural products represents the first illudalanes isolated from marine sources. The
alcyopterosins were first isolated from a deep water soft coral species, Alcyonium
paessleri, in sub-Antarctic waters by Palmero and co-workers in 2000.108 In 2009,
Gavagnin and co-workers isolated several new members of the alcyopterosins from a
different soft coral species, Alcyonium grandis.109
The alcyopterosins (Figure 19) have an aromatized six-membered ring, and
almost all members have either a chlorine atom or a nitrate ester present on the
ethylene side chain. Prior to the discovery of the alcyopterosins, there had never been a
41
natural nitrate ester secondary metabolite isolated from a marine source, despite the
fact that nitrates are common solutes in seawater.108 Sulfates and phosphates, which
are other common marine nutrients, are frequently observed in natural products isolated
from marine organisms. The fact that the alcyopterosins have been isolated as nitrate
esters makes them even more remarkable.
Cl O2NO
O2NO
O2NO
OH
O
O2NO
O
O
Cl
HO
OH O2NO
HOOH
Cl
Cl
O
O
O
AcO
AcO
O
25 26 28
HO
O
29
27
30
OH
Figure 19: Representative Sample of Illudalane Structures Isolated from A. paessleri and A. grandis.
Several members of the illudalane sesquiterpenes possess some interesting
biological activities; antimicrobial,99,110 cytotoxic,103,111 and antispasmodic activities112
being among them. Extracts containing members of the alcyopterosins have also been
found to possess feeding-deterrent activity against a generalist Antarctic sea-star
predator (Odontaster validus), implicating their chemical evolution as a defensive
mechanism (further discussed in Chapter 4).109 Alcyopterosins A (25), C (26), and H
(27), are cytotoxic towards the HT-29 (human colon carcinoma) cell line at 10 g/mL in
42
a preliminary in vitro test; and alcyopterosin E (28) has mild cytotoxicity (IC50 = 13.5 M)
towards the Hep-2 (human larynx carcinoma) cell line.108 In addition, several synthetic
analogs of the alcyopterosins show interesting DNA-binding properties (vide infra).113
The fact that the alcyopterosins are rarely observed as secondary metabolites,
their unusual structure, and their potential biological applications, provides motivation to
select them as synthetic targets. Since the initial report of their isolation and structural
elucidation,108 there have been several synthetic efforts directed towards members of
this sub-class of the illudalane sesquiterpenoids and several analogs.113-117
Most synthetic approaches to the alcyopterosin natural products include a
convergent transition metal promoted cycloaddition reaction.114-117 Unsymmetrical
polysubstituted aromatic rings are often difficult to prepare via sequential electrophilic
aromatic substitution reactions. Such reactions often result in regioisomeric products
that have to be separated. Therefore, several convergent aromatic annulations methods
have been developed to solve this challenging problem. The next section will address
the cyclotrimerization of alkynes and other aromatic annulation methods for assembly of
the core arenes of the illudalane sesquiterpenes.
The cyclotrimerization of acetylenes was first developed by Reppe in 1948.118
This method would be of particular value if selectivity could be obtained when
performed on substituted acetylenes; for instance, when this method is applied for the
synthesis of substituted aromatic compounds from three unsymmetrical acetylenes, 38
homo- and cross-coupled products are possible (Figure 20).
U
V X
W Y
Z
+ +
V
U
V
U
V
U
V
U
V
Z
Y
U
X
X
W W
X
W
Y
Z Z
Y
Z
Y
W
V
U
X
W
X X
W W
Y
Z
X
V
U
W
X
V
U
Plus 31 Other Isomers!
Metal
Catalyst
Figure 20: Traditional Reppe Reaction Involving Three Different Unsymmetrical Acetylenes.
43
Most of the recent solutions to the aforementioned issues associated with the
cyclotrimerization of acetylenes rely on a limited number of strategies (Figure 21): (a)
homo-coupling of acetylenes;119-125 (b) cross-coupling involving at least one symmetrical
acetylene;126-129 or (c) cross-coupling of tethered alkynes.130-135
X
YMetal Catalyst
X
Y
X
Y
X
Y
(a)
(b)
Y
X
X
Y
Z
Y
X
X
X
X
X
Y
Z
X
X
XMetal Catalyst
n
Y
Z
W
X
(c)
W
Y
Z
X
n
Figure 21: Typical Solutions for Chemo- and Regioselective Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes.
In 2001, Fumie Sato published a preliminary investigation into a metalative
Reppe reaction that allowed the use of three different unsymmetrical alkynes, one of
which being ethynyl-p-tolylsulfone, to provide a functionalized metalated arene as a
single isomer (Figure 22, equation 1).136 In the following year, Sato and co-workers
expanded their metalative Reppe process to the synthesis of arenes metalated at the
benzylic position. This extension was made possible by the replacement of the
ethynylsulfone with propargyl bromide (Figure 22, equation 2).114 In either case, the
metalated species could be trapped with a variety of electrophiles (e.g., H+, D+, I2),
leading to the synthesis of some potentially valuable compounds.
44
+
CO2t-Bu
C6H13 C6H13
Ti(O-i-Pr)4 /
2 i-PrMgClTi(O-i-Pr)2
CO2Bu-t
C6H13
H
C6H13 SO2Tol
-50 oC -50 oC to r.t.
CO2Bu-t
TiX3
C6H13
C6H13
(1)
+
CO2t-Bu
SiMe3
C6H13
Ti(O-i-Pr)4 /
2 i-PrMgClTi(O-i-Pr)2
SiMe3
C6H13
H
t-BuO2C CH2Br
-50 oC -50 oC to r.t.
MeSi3
C6H13
t-BuO2C
TiX3
(2)
X = (O-i-Pr)2Br
X = (O-i-Pr)2(O2STol)
Figure 22: Representative Examples of Sato’s One-Pot Metalative Reppe Reactions.
The metalative Reppe reaction developed by Sato was also demonstrated to
transform tethered alkynes, along with an external acetylene, to provide access to
bicyclic arenes. The Sato laboratory utilized its new method to accomplish the first
synthesis of alcyopterosin A (25) (Figure 23). The synthesis began with the reaction
between acetylenic ester 31 and tethered diyne 32, to provide the substituted indane 33
in 73% yield after hydrolysis. Diyne 32 was synthesized in 6 steps from isophorone,
featuring an Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation (discussed in Chapter 1). The ethyl
ester of 33 was manipulated through a reduction, oxidation, and olefination sequence to
provide the ethylene side chain of 34. The olefin was then subjected to hydroboration-
oxidation, followed by conversion of the resulting alcohol to a chloride using standard
reaction conditions. The reaction sequence provided alcyopterosin A in 6 steps and
26% yield from diyne 32.
45
CO2Et
Me
+
Br
O
1. H2O2, NaOH
2. TsNHNH2, AcOH
O
4-steps
Isophorone
Ti(O-i-Pr)4 /i-PrMgCl;
then H+
73%
CO2Et
1. LiAlH4, 91%
2. PCC, 96%3. Ph3P=CH2, 86%
1. BH3 THF;H2O2, NaOH, 67% Cl
2. SOCl2, Pyridine
70%25
31 32 33
34
Figure 23: Sato’s Synthesis of Alcyopterosin A.
Since Sato’s synthesis of alcyopterosin A, two other members of this subclass of
natural products, alcyopterosins E and I (28 and 30, respectively) were synthesized
using a transition metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition strategy.115,117 Witulski and co-
workers completed the synthesis of alcyopterosin E115 (28) and confirmed the absolute
configuration originally assigned by Palmero et al.108 From tethered triyne 35, they
installed the tricyclic core (36) of alcyopterosin E in one synthetic operation using
Wilkinson’s rhodium(I) catalyst (Figure 24, equation 1). Much like Sato’s synthesis,
Witulski’s synthesis relied on the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation of isophorone to
provide access to the gem-dimethyl moiety.
Snyder and Jones provided the first synthesis of alcyopterosin I (30) in 2009 to
highlighting their newly discovered intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2]
cycloaddition reactions of diynes and enones.117 Cyclization precursor 37 was prepared
through a sequential double bromide displacement of 1,4-dibromo-2-butyne, first with
the enolate of ethyl isobutyrate, then with 3-pentynol. Conversion of the ethyl ester to
the terminal enone of 37 was carried out through common organic transformations. The
46
cycloaddition reaction was carried out using Wilkinson’s catalyst, and a DDQ work-up
produced the tricyclic core of alcyopterosin I in 71% yield (Figure 24, equation 2).
H
O
H3C
O
Isophorone
10 mol % RhCl(PPh3)3,
H
OTs
O
H
OTs O
CH2Cl2, 40 oC
72%
(1)
(2)
O
EtO
Ethyl Isobutyrate
O1. RhCl(PPh3)3,
PhCl, mW, 150 oC
2. DDQ, r.t.71% 2 steps
O
O
O
35 36
37 38
Figure 24: Key Steps in the Syntheses of Alcyopterosin E (28) (eq. 1), and Alcyopterosin I (30) by Witulski and Snyder (eq. 2).
In contrast to the more academically attractive methods used to prepare the
members of the alcyopterosins described above, Iglesias and co-workers presented a
more conventional approach to alcyopterosin A and several unnatural analogs.113 In the
course of Iglesias’ synthetic pathway, several compounds possessing the illudalane
skeleton were obtained, allowing for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to be
conducted. The Iglesias synthesis began with the construction of key intermediate 40
(Figure 25). Friedel-Crafts acylation of 4-bromo-m-xylene (38)—itself prepared through
a bromination of m-xylene and purification—provided -chloroketone 39. Intermediate
indanone 40 was obtained upon a subsequent acid promoted Nazarov reaction.
47
Br Br
O
Br
O
38
Cl
39 40
O
Cl Cl
AlCl3, CS299%
conc. H2SO4
67%
Figure 25: Synthesis of Iglesias’ Key Intermediate.
Iglesias and co-workers employed intermediate 40 to synthesize a variety of
analogs of the alcyopterosins (Figure 26). A reduction of the benzylic ketone of 40
provided bromoindane 41; another Friedel-Crafts acylation installed the necessary
carbons for the ethylene side chain of the illudalane skeleton. With the -chloroketone
42 in hand, the synthesis of various side chain functionalities (compounds 43-47) was
made possible through the use of several reduction methods. Compounds 45, 46, and
47 demonstrate an interesting divergence in reactivity; the reaction of -chloroketone 42
with excess sodium borohydride in refluxing ethanol provided three different analogs
simply by increasing the reaction time. Compound 47, most similar to alcyopterosin A,
was treated with lithium aluminum hydride to afford compound 48.
48
40
NaCNBH3, ZnI2, DCE
78%
Br Br
O
ClCl
OCl
AlCl3, CS279%
41 42
"conditions"
Br
R
Conditions:
(a) NaCNBH3, ZnI2, DCE, reflux (b) CuCl, NaBH4, EtOH, reflux (c) NaBH4, EtOH reflux, 15 min (d) NaBH4, EtOH, reflux, 4 h (e) NaBH4, EtOH, reflux, 16 h
43: R = CH2Cl2I 28%
44: R = 24%
45: R = 43%
46: R = 42%
47: R = CH2CH2OH 41%
O
CCH3
CHCH2Cl
OH
HC CH2
O
47LiAlH4
67%
HO
48
Figure 26: Synthesis of Unnatural Alcyopterosin Analogs Performed by Iglesias et al.
Having synthesized several analogs lacking the gem-dimethyl substituents on the
indane skeleton, Iglesias and co-workers turned their attention to the synthesis of
alcyopterosin A (Figure 27). Double methylation of intermediate 40, followed by
reduction of the ketone, generated compound 49. Friedel-Crafts acylation using
chloroacetyl chloride and subsequent reduction provided analog 50. Alcyopterosin A
(25) was obtained through the reduction of the arylbromide (providing 51) and
conversion of the side-chain alcohol to the necessary chloride.
49
40
Br
1. MeI, NaH,Toluene, 66%
2. NaCNBH3,ZnI2, DCE
88%
Cl
OCl
1. AlCl3, CS2
Br
HO
O
Br
49 50
69%
LiAlH4HO
, 79%
2. NaBH4, EtOH, reflux, 16 h
42%
SOCl2, pyridine
51
Cl
25
78%
Figure 27: Completion of Iglesias’ Synthesis of Alcyopterosin A.
The Iglesias laboratory, with numerous alcyopterosin analogs in hand, turned
their attention to performing DNA binding experiments. The ability of the alcyopterosin
analogs to bind to DNA was evaluated by measuring their hypochromic (decreased
absorbance at 260 nm) and bathochromic (red-shift) effects on the UV absorbance
spectrum of DNA.137 They validated their experiment through comparison of their test
assays and known intercalating agents (m-AMSA, mitoxantrone, and bis-benzamide;
Figure 28).
50
OH
OH
O
O
HN
HN
HN
OH
NH
OH
Mitoxantrone
N
HN
MeOHN
SO2Me
m-AMSA
N
N
NH
NNH
N
OH
H Cl3
bis-benzamide, Hoechst No. 33258
Figure 28: Compounds Known to Intercalate DNA.
The degree of interaction was expressed as a ratio between the final absorbance
area after stirring the compound for 24 h with DNA (a24) and the initial absorbance area
at max (a0). Values of 1 or higher indicate lack of affinity and values of 0 indicate
complete binding. The results of the DNA binding affinity assay demonstrate that
alcyopterosin A and various alcyopterosin analogs are potent DNA ligands (Table 3).
The gem-dimethyl substitution modifies, only slightly, the DNA binding affinity of the
compounds tested (47 vs. 50, and 48 vs. 51); whereas the ethylene side chain was of
the utmost importance for DNA ligation (compounds 41 and 49 had very poor affinity for
DNA). Perhaps most interesting was the fact that the presence of the bromine increased
the degree of binding of the analogs containing the hydroxy-functionalized ethylene side
chain (compounds 47, 48, 50, and 51).
51
Table 3: DNA Binding Assay Performed By Iglesias et al.113
Compound a24/a0 Compound a24/a0
41 0.90 49 0.87
42 0.12 50 0.40
43 0.16 51 0.71
44 0.26 25 0.38
45 0.69 Mxa 0.00
46 0.47 m-Ab 0.54
47 0.59 B-bc 0.57
48 0.89
a mitoxantrone; b m-AMSA; c bis-benzamide.
Br
OCl
42
Cl
25
HO
Br
HO
Br
47 50
A preliminary test was then carried out by The National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Compounds 44, 47, and 50 were evaluated in a three cell-line one dose pre-screen to
determine if they possess any ability to inhibit the growth of tumor cells in vitro. The cell
lines were MCF-7 (breast), NCI-H460 (lung), and SF-268 (CNS). Compounds found to
reduce the growth of any of the three cell lines to 32% or less, when compared to
untreated cells, were considered a positive in vitro lead. Compound 44 was found not to
inhibit growth to any significant extent. Compound 50 was found to produce a 0%
relative growth rate on all three cell lines, and compound 47 had the same effect on two
of the cell lines (breast and lung).
Analogs 47 and 50, having passed the first criterion for activity, were then
subjected to further testing against a 60-cell line panel at varying concentrations (10-4 to
52
10-8 M). The cell lines consisted of subpanels representing melanoma, leukemia, and
cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, colon, ovary, kidney, and brain. Dose-dependent
responses were found for three different activity parameters: the molar concentration
required to cause 50% growth inhibition (GI50), the concentration required to completely
inhibit growth (TGI), and the concentration that leads to 50% cell death (LC50). The
meangraph midpoints (MG-MID) correspond to the average sensitivity exhibited by the
entire panel of cell lines to a specific compound. The comparison of the MG-MID and
the activity against specific cell lines is often used to determine a compound’s selective
activity.
Compounds 47 and 50 demonstrated promising activities in the in vitro antitumor
screening (Table 4). The concentrations that promoted cytostatic (MG-MID GI50) and
cytotoxic (MG-MID LC50) effects for compounds 47 and 50 were found to have a marked
difference (ca. 5-fold). The ability to selectively control cancer cell growth or induce cell
death is an interesting trait observed for these natural product analogs.
Table 4: Average values (MG-MID) for in vitro antitumor activity on the NCI 60-Cell Line
Panel
Compound MG-MIDa
Log10GI50b (GI50) Log10TGIc (TGI) Log10LC50
d (LC50)
47 -4.77 (17 M) -4.40 (40 M) -4.12 (76 M)
50 -4.71 (19 M) -4.41 (39 M) -4.14 (72 M) a MG-MID = meangraph midpoint, average across all cell lines tested.
b GI50 = concentration required to
inhibit cell growth by 50%. c TGI = concentration required to completely inhibit cell growth.
d LC50 =
concentration required to kill 50% of tumor cells.
HO
Br
HO
Br
47 50
53
Nearly all members of the 60-cell line panel were found to be responsive to compound
50, whereas compound 47 was found to be more selective towards leukemia and
cancers of lung, colon, and breast (GI50 < 15 M). The antitumor activity of compounds
47 and 50 observed by Iglesias support the findings that the gem-dimethyl substituents
have little effect on DNA binding affinity as discussed above. The lack of the gem-
dimethyl, on the contrary, produced an increase in the selectivity of compound 47’s
ability to inhibit tumor growth.
The studies performed by Iglesias and co-workers identified some new
interesting anticancer leads as well as a straightforward approach to the alcyopterosins.
Their research, and the studies conducted by the other researchers referenced above,
have provided insight into the synthesis of compounds from this interesting subclass of
natural products. As part of our lab’s research goals, ―to devise, develop, and apply new
ideas in organic chemistry to the efficient synthesis of interesting molecules,‖138 we
identified the alcyopterosin natural products as potential targets that could benefit from
our fragmentation methodology. The remainder of this chapter will demonstrate the
synthetic approach we devised to access these natural products and to provide the
foundation for future synthetic efforts.
Retrosynthetic Analysis of Alcyopterosin A
In an effort to apply the carbanion-triggered fragmentation reaction of vinylogous
acyl triflates (VATs) (discussed in the previous chapters) to the synthesis of additional
natural products, we identified the alcyopterosins, specifically, alcyopterosin A, as
potential targets. Our retrosynthetic analysis (Figure 29) began with bicyclic arene 52,
which we envisioned gaining access to via an unprecedented benzannulation reaction
of acyclic enediyne intermediate 53. Based on our previous work, we believed that a
reaction between the metalated vinyl pre-nucleophile 54 and VAT 55 (derived from
dimedone) would provide our key acyclic intermediate (53).
54
Cl
Alcyopterosin A
functional group
manipulation
Z
Z = COR, H
52
benzannulation
R
O
fragmentationX
R
+
OTf
O
53(25)
54 55
Figure 29: Retrosynthetic Analysis to Alcyopterosin A Using a Fragmentation /
Benzannulation Approach.
Our strategy to synthesize alcyopterosin A hinges upon two key synthetic
transformations: (a) the fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflate 55, and (b) the
benzannulation of enediyne 53. The basis of the desired benzannulation reaction stems
from the work of Yoshinori Yamamoto, Naoki Asao, and other members of the
Yamamoto laboratory.139-142 The fragmentation reactions of vinylogous acyl triflates has
been addressed in previous chapters. The following section will provide the relevant
background of the Yamamoto / Asao methodology for benzannulation and significant
questions that must first be addressed in order for the successful implementation of our
strategy.
In 2002, Yamamoto and co-workers published a preliminary communication
regarding a regioselective AuCl3-catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between
o-alkynylbenzaldehydes (56) and alkynes (57) to produce naphthyl ketones (58 and 59)
(Figure 30, equation 1).139 A more thorough full paper ensued the following year.140 The
detailed study chronicled this benzannulation and also provided insight into a similar
[4+2] benzannulation of o-alkynylbenzaldehydes (or enals) (60) and alkynes (57) using
a copper catalyst. The copper catalyst system, in contrast to gold, produced
debenzoylated arenes (61 and 62) (Figure 30, equation 2). Naphthalenes were
55
generated in most cases, but a few examples of simple benzene derivatives, derived
from enals (as would be required for the synthesis of the alcyopterosins), were included.
Similar benzannulation reactions have also been explored through the use of
electrophilic iodine sources as stoichiometric reagents, however they fall outside the
scope of this discussion.143,144
H
O
R1
+
R3
R2
3 mol % AuCl3
DCE, 80 oCR2
R3
O R1
+ R3
R2
O R1
H
O
Ph
+
R3
R2
5 mol % Cu(OTf)2
1 equiv CF2HCO2H
DCE, 80 to 100 oC
R2
R3
+ R3
R2
H H
58
R2 = EDG
major
59
R2 = EWG
major
56 57
61
R2 = EDG
major
62
R2 = EWG
major
60 57
(1)
(2)
Figure 30: AuCl3- and Cu(OTf)2-Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulation Reactions Described By Asao and Yamamoto.
The proposed mechanisms of these benzannulation reactions are presented in
Figure 31. Upon treatment with the Lewis acid, the soft -system of the alkyne 56
undergoes coordination to the Lewis acid (MLn: AuCl3 or Cu(OTf)2), enhancing the
electrophilicity of the alkyne. Subsequent nucleophilic 6-endo-dig cyclization of the
carbonyl oxygen onto the electron-deficient alkyne (as seen in 65) would form ate-
complex 66. The [4+2] cycloaddition of 66 with alkyne 57 would form intermediate 68 via
67. In the case of AuCl3-catalysis, subsequent bond rearrangement (as shown in 69)
would afford ketones 58 and 59 and regenerate the AuCl3. However, in the case of the
Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H system, protonolysis of the copper-carbon bond of 68, followed
by the attack of the conjugate base on the oxocarbenium ion, would produce
56
intermediate 70. A retro-Diels-Alder reaction would then release a mixed anhydride and
lead to the formation of products 61 and 62.
O
H
R1
O
H
R1LnM
O
H
MLn
MLn
RYRX
O
MLn
RX
RY
OR1
LnM
RX
RY
OR1
LnM
RX
RY
O R1
RY
RX
H
O
H
R1 A
A = CF2HCO2H
RX
RY
RX
RY
H
R1
O
A
_56
65
R1
6667
68
57
69
70
58, 59
61, 62
Figure 31: Proposed Mechanism of [4+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of 56 and 57 Catalyzed by AuCl3 and Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H.
Having successfully carried out intermolecular [4+2] benzannulation reactions,
Yamamoto and co-workers turned their attention towards the synthesis of polycyclic
naphthalene derivatives through the use of tethered alkyne dienophiles.142 The ―top-
down approach‖ (Figure 32, equation 1), in which the tethered alkyne is linked through
the carbonyl group, was found to convert compound 71 into naphthyl ketone 72 in high
yields. Interestingly, the reaction was found to occur even in the absence of a Lewis
acid at high temperatures, albeit in low yield (34% at 80 oC for 10 days). A related ―top-
down‖ benzannulation (without the prepositioned benzene ring) is envisioned for our
synthesis of alcyopterosin A. These examples, although limited, are therefore highly
57
relevant to our studies. The ―bottom-up approach‖ (Figure 32, equation 2), in which the
tethered alkyne is linked through the aryl-alkyne group (73), provided corresponding
polycyclic ketone 74 in yields ranging from 66 to 91%.
O R
Ph
n
n = 3 and 4R = Ph, Bu, H, TMS
O R
n-3 "Top-Down"40 to 92%
71 72
R
O
H
3O
R
R = Ph, p-Tolyl, p-CF3C6H4, n-Bu, H, TIPS, (CH2)2OTIPS, I
"Bottom-Up"66 to 91%
(2)
(1)AuX3
AuX3
73 74
Figure 32: Intramolecular Lewis Acid-Catalyzed [4+2] Benzannulation Reactions
Studied by Asao and Yamamoto.
Yamamoto and co-workers applied the ―bottom-up‖ approach to the synthesis of (+)-
ochromycinone and (+)-rubiginone B2 (Figure 33), demonstrating the power of these
reactions in synthesis.145
CHO
OMe
OMeOMe
cat. AuX3
O
OMe
MeO
OMe
O
OR
O
O
R = OMe: (+)-rubiginone B2
R = OH: (+)-ochromycinone
Figure 33: Yamamoto’s Key Benzannulation in the Synthesis of (+)-Rubiginone B2 and (+)-Ochromycinone.
58
In their studies, Asao and Yamamoto provided few examples of intermolecular
benzannulation reactions between alkynyl-enal substrates and alkynes (i.e. lacking the
prepositioned benzene backbone).139-142 Of these reactions, only the Cu(OTf)2 /
CF2HCO2H catalytic system were reported (Figure 34). Moreover, there were no reports
of the intramolecular benzannulation reaction taking place when Cu(OTf)2 was used as
the Lewis acid. The lack of such results prompts the questions: (1) Is AuCl3 capable of
effectively inducing the benzannulation of dialkynyl-enones similar to 53, and (2) is the
Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H a competent catalyst system in inducing the intramolecular
benzannulation reaction?
R1
R2
O
H
R3
R5
R6
Cu / H+ R1
R2
R5
R6
Few Examples(Only Intermolecular)
O
R
Ph
Au
R
PhO
Few Examples(Only Benzo-Fused,
Only Phenyl Ketones)
Yamamotoand Asao
O
R
?
Z
Z = COR, H52
Needed for Synthesis ofAlcyopterosin A
53
Figure 34: Contrast Between Known Benzannulations and Desired Benzannulation.
Using our fragmentation chemistry in conjunction with a new focused
methodology, we could make considerable contributions to the Lewis acid-catalyzed
intramolecular benzannulation reaction. We envisioned the ―top-down‖ approach, as
outlined by Yamamoto and co-workers, as being well suited for the synthesis of
59
alcyopterosin A. Ultimately we would require entry into an indane system, as opposed to
the benzo-fused indanes, potentially available via the Yamamoto / Asao methodology.
The following section describes this new methodology, highlighting the use of
fragmentation reactions to provide the needed monocyclic benzannulation precursors.
Exploring Gold and Copper Catalyzed Benzannulations
Prior to launching into the synthesis of alcyopterosin A, we sought to explore the
―top-down‖ intramolecular benzannulation in more detail. The substrates included in the
previous study by Asao and Yamamoto only varied the substituent at the terminus of the
tethered alkyne.142 An investigation into the effect of the substituents on the alkyne to
which the Lewis acid coordinates is envisioned to provide valuable knowledge of the
electronic requirements for benzannulation and catalyst selection, which may prove
useful in the synthesis of alcyopterosin A (Figure 35). We chose to perform our study on
benzo-fused systems for two reasons: (a) they would be most similar to those studied
by Yamamoto and Asao, and (b) the substrates would be easier to prepare due to their
inability to isomerize (e.g. E-, Z-isomerization). We believed that through the use of our
fragmentation methodology we could provide access to the benzo fused substrates in
short order.
60
O
R
Ph
R
O Ph
AuX3Asao and Yamamoto
J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 3682-3685.
O
Me
R
Me
O R
R = Ph, Bu, H, TMS
AuCl3 or Cu(OTf)2
R = p-MeOPh, Ph, t-Bu, n-Bu, TMS, p-CF3Ph
Required for newfocused methodology
Figure 35: Comparison of Known benzannulations and Those of a New Methodology.
This investigation would provide new knowledge into the steric and electronic
requirements of the intramolecular gold and copper catalyzed benzannulation reactions,
and allow access to new substituted benzo-fused indanes (polysubstituted
naphthalenes). The results would thereby further the current understanding of these
reactions as well as establish the ground work for future applications to alcyopterosin
synthesis.
We began our study by preparing the necessary substrates for the new
benzannulation study. Initially we considered two different starting materials for the
generation of o-alkynyl-haloarenes (77), which would serve as pre-nucleophiles for our
fragmentation reaction: (a) 1,2-dibromobenzene (75); and (b) 2-bromoiodobenzene (76)
(Figure 36). Upon further analysis, we identified some potential drawbacks in our initial
strategy. Attempting a Sonogashira reaction between 75 and 1-hexyne using standard
reaction conditions, we obtained an inseparable mixture of compounds 77 and 78 (ca.
35% yield, 1:1); similar results are not an uncommon occurance.146 Performing the
Sonogashira reaction on dihaloarene 76 would provide a selective reaction because of
61
the increased reactivity of the iodide, however the cost of 76 makes it less attractive for
use in a model study.
Br
Br
H R
Sonogashiracoupling
R
Br
R
R
possible side product78
Br
I
H R
Sonogashiracoupling
R
Br
75
76
77
(a)
(b)
Figure 36: Originally Considered Reactions to Access Fragmentation Pre-nucleophile 77.
In an effort to circumvent the problems associated with the strategy outlined
above, we identified 2-iodoaniline (79) as a potential alternative to the synthesis of
benzannulation test substrates. The advantages to the use of 79 as a starting material
would be three-fold: (a) 79 is intermediately priced (25 g/ $99.00) compared to 75 (25 g/
$74.10) and 76 (25 g/ $121.50);94 (b) the synthesis of iodotriazene 80147 would allow for
a directed metalation reaction of an aryl iodide, rather than an aryl bromide (cf. 77), to
provide nucleophile 81; and (c) triazene 82 could be converted into iodide 83 for the
selective synthesis of benzannulation substrates 84 through a Sonogashira reaction
(Figure 37). In effect, triazene 82 serves as a masked iodide that is also capable of
directing metalation chemistry.
Because of the fact that aryl iodides are more reactive than aryl bromides in both
Sonogashira reactions and halogen-metal exchange reactions, coupled to the fact that
our proposed halogen-metal exchange is envisioned to proceed through a directed
metalation, we believed this strategy would provide a general and efficient approach to
the synthesis of compounds similar to 84.
62
I
NH2
HCl, NaNO2;
then R2NH
I
N
NN
R
R
R LiLi
N3R2directed
metalation
+
OTf
O
O
N3R2
fragmentation "Conditions"O
ISonogashira
coupling
RH
R
O
79 80 81
82 83 84
2
Figure 37: Proposed Route to Benzannulation Substrates 84.
Our strategy proved very effective towards the synthesis of our model
benzannulation substrates. Conversion of 79 to diethyl iodotriazene 80147 was carried
out using standard conditions; first conversion of the arylamine to the diazonium salt,
and then an in situ trapping of the diazonium with diethylamine. Halogen-metal
exchange and subsequent fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflate 2 provided triazene
82 in 82% over 2 steps (Figure 38).
I
NH2
HCl, NaNO2;
then Et2NH
97%
I
N
NN
Et
Et79 80
n-BuLi, Et2O
-78 oC;
then 2,
-78 oC to r.t.
85%
O
N3Et2
82
Figure 38: Synthesis and Fragmentation Reaction of Aryltriazene 80.
Aryltriazenes, similar to 80 and 82, are bench stable and chromatographable;
they have been used extensively in the synthesis of a large variety of phenylacetylene-
based systems.148 Typically these aryltriazenes are converted to the corresponding
iodoarene in high yields by heating in iodomethane at temperatures in excess of 100
63
oC.149 In the case of electron deficient aryltriazenes, decomposition of the triazene in
iodomethane requires higher temperatures. The toxicity of iodomethane and the high
temperatures and pressures required for the decomposition of aryltriazenes to
iodoarenes prompted us to search out other methods for this transformation. We found
reports in the literature that electron-deficient aryltriazenes undergo decomposition to
afford iodoarenes in high yields upon treatment with sodium iodide and sulfonic acid
cation exchange resins (H+ form) in dry acetonitrile at 75 oC; methanesulfonic acid and
trifluoroacetic acid also provided the product in acceptable yields.150
Armed with this knowledge, we completed the synthesis of our model
benzannulation substrates (Figure 39). Using slightly modified conditions, camphor-10-
sulfonic acid (CSA) in place of the sulfonic acid exchange resin, aryltriazene 82 was
converted to an aryl iodide 83. Sonogashira coupling reactions between various
terminal acetylenes and aryl iodide 83 provided benzannulation precursors 84a-e.
82
10 equiv CSA2 equiv NaI,
CH3CN, 75 oC
(ca. 75%) I
O
83
5 mol % PdCl2(PPh3)2,
10 mol % CuI, Et3N, 50 oC
H R
O
R
84a: R = Ph84b: R = n-Bu84c: R = t-Bu84d: R = p-MeO-C6H484e: R = TMS
68%85%52%60%80%
Figure 39: Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrates 84a-e.
The coupling reaction between 83 and an electron-deficient acetylene (R = p-
CF3-C6H4) did not proceed to any significant extent. In an effort to synthesize a
substrate with an acetylene having an electronic deficiency, the trimethylsilyl (TMS)
substituent of 84e was cleaved using a methanolic solution of potassium carbonate
affording 85; a Sonogashira reaction was performed between 85 and 4-
iodobenzotrifluoride to provide 84f in 85% yield (Figure 40).
64
O
TMS
K2CO3, MeOH
r.t., 92%O
H8584e
5 mol % PdCl2(PPh3)2,
10 mol % CuI, Et3N, 50 oC
CF3
I85%
O
84f CF3
Figure 40: Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrate 84f.
With a series of benzannulation substrates in hand similar to those prepared by
Yamamoto, ranging from electron-rich (R = p-MeO-C6H4, 84d) to electron-poor (R = p-
CF3-C6H4, 84f), we began to examine the benzannulation reaction using the AuCl3 and
Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H catalyst systems. The electron-neutral substrate included in our
study (R = Ph, 84a) most resembles those examined by Yamamoto and Asao.142
However, only the gold catalyzed reaction was reported from their related studies.
Table 5 summarizes the results obtained in the preliminary screening of
benzannulation reactions. Substrates 84a (as suggested by the results of Yamamoto
and Asao) and 84b provided promising reactivity when AuCl3-catalysis was employed.
However, they provided a mixture of the decarbonylated / reduced product 87 and
ketone products (86a and 86b, respectively) in the presence of the Cu(OTf)2 /
CF2HCO2H catalyst system (entries 1 and 2). Entries 4 and 5 demonstrate that the
electronically rich alkynes (84d) and silylacetylenes (84e) are not competent
benzannulation substrates in the presence of either catalytic system. Most interesting to
our future synthetic efforts was the divergence in reactivity between substrates 84c and
84f; both substrates provided ketone products 86c and 86f in the presence of AuCl3, but
when the Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H catalyst system was applied, the t-butylacetylene
containing substrate (84c) provided reduced product 87 as the sole product and the
electronically deficient acetylenic substrate (84f) provided only the ketone product (86f)
(entries 3 and 6, respectively). Thus, employing the Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H catalyst
system, one can switch between the two reaction pathways by changing the acetylene
substituent from t-butyl to p-CF3-C6H4. Likewise, in 84c (R = t-Bu) one can select
65
between the two products by simply changing the catalyst system from AuCl3 to
Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H.
Table 5: Preliminary Screening of Benzannulation Reactions of Substrates 84a-f.a
O
R
Catalyst
DCE, 80 oC
1 to 1.5 hO R
+
H
84 86 87
Entry R Substrate AuCl3 Catalystb Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H
Systemc
86 Yield, %b 86 Yield, %d 87 Yield, %d
1 Ph 84a 86a 75 86a 65 87 23
2 n-Bu 84b 86c 70 86c 10 87 71
3 t-Bu 84c 86c 50 86c 0 87 71
4 p-MeO-C6H4 84d 86d 0e 86d 0e 87 0e
5 Me3Si 84e 86e 0e 86e 0e 87 0e
6 p-CF3-C6H4 84f 86f 76 86f 80 87 0 a
Reactions performed on 10 mg scale for screening purposes. b 5 mol % AuCl3.
c 5 mol % Cu(OTf)2, 1.0
equiv. CF2HCO2H. dIsolated yields.
e No reaction was detected by TLC after 15 h, substrates were
recovered.
After performing our preliminary study into the ―top-down‖ benzannulation
reaction of Yamamoto on our series of test substrates, we chose to carry out the
benzannulation of substrates 84c and 84f on a larger scale under the copper(II)
catalysis conditions to confirm our preliminary results and provide more accurate yields.
Indeed our results were confirmed: compound 84c provided the reduced product (87) in
88% yield (Figure 41, equation 1); whereas compound 84f lead to naphthyl ketone 86f
in 89% yield (Figure 41, equation 2).
66
O
84c
5 mol % Cu(OTf)2,1.0 equiv. CF2HCO2H
DCE, 80 oC
88% H
87
O
84f
5 mol % Cu(OTf)2,1.0 equiv. CF2HCO2H
DCE, 80 oC
89%
CF3
O
CF3
(1)
(2)
86f
Figure 41: Direct Comparison of the Benzannulation Reactions of 84c and 84f.
In an effort to demonstrate the ability of vinylogous acyl triflate 55 to undergo the
desired fragmentation chemistry, as well as the ability of a substrate containing the
gem-dimethyl on the alkyne tether to participate in the benzannulation reaction, we set
out to synthesize a benzo-fused compound similar to 53 in our retrosynthetic analysis of
alcyopterosin A (Figure 29). Due to the fact that vinylogous acyl triflate 55 was
considered precious material,i we modified our synthetic approach (Figure 42). We
began with a Sonogashira reaction between 3,3-dimethylbutyne and 2-iodo-aryltriazene
80, which provided an inseparable mixture of the desired compound 88 and
unidentifiable byproducts. Conversion of the resulting o-alkynyl-aryltriazene into the
corresponding iodoarene 88 was performed using our previously described conditions
(see page 63). This reaction also provided an inseparable mixture that contained our
desired product as the major component by 1H NMR. Performing halogen metal-
exchange on the mixture containing iodoarene 88, followed by treatment with 1.0
equivalent of vinylogous acyl triflate 55 provided the desired product (89) in 61% yield
(90% based on recovered triflate).
i Synthesized in 2 steps: (1) methylation of dimedone;
151 and (2) subsequent triflation using standard
conditions from Kamijo and Dudley’s initial report.61
67
N3Et2
It-BuH
1. PdCl2(PPh3)2,
CuI, Et3N, 50 oC
2. CSA, NaI, CH3CN
(ca. 82% over 2 steps)
In-BuLi, Et2O, -78 oC;
then
OTf
O
5580 88
61% (>90% brsm)
O
89
Figure 42: Alternative Synthesis of Benzannulation Substrate 89.
Compound 89 underwent the desired intramolecular [4+2] benzannulation
reaction under either the gold or copper catalytic systems in 83 and 75%, respectively
(Figure 43). Much like our previous experiments, in the presence of the Cu(OTf)2 /
CF2HCO2H catalyst system compound 89 underwent benzannulation and
decarbonylation to provide the substituted naphthalene derivative 90 (equation 1). The
reaction of compound 89 in the presence of AuCl3 led to the formation of the naphthyl
ketone product (91) (equation 2). Interestingly, the 1H NMR spectrum of ketone 91
suggests it exists as a racemic mixture of atropisomers.ii The gem-dimethyl groups are
diastereotopic; each methyl group of the carbon bearing the gem-dimethyl can be
distinguished and one of the adjacent methylene units of the partially saturated ring
appears as an AB quartet (see page 113). We believe that the divergence in reactivity
of compound 89 upon treatment with either the gold or copper catalyzed benzannulation
conditions will prove useful, if it is observed when performed on acyclic intermediate 53,
as in the synthesis of alcyopterosin A.
ii However a slow rotation about the arene-ketone bond on the NMR time scale cannot be ruled out.
68
O
89
5 mol % Cu(OTf)2,1.0 equiv. CF2HCO2H
DCE, 80 oC
83% H
90
O
89
5 mol % AuCl3,
DCE, 80 oC
75%
91
O
+
O
(1)
(2)
Figure 43: Benzannulation Reactions of Compound 89.
The newfound knowledge in the gold and copper benzannulation chemistry
enables a new strategy for the synthesis of benzo-fused indanes. These benzannulation
reactions contribute to the observations made by Yamamoto and Asao. In addition, the
ability to obtain either the ketone or decarbonylated benzannulated products selectively,
either through choice of catalyst or by altering the substrate, was previously unreported.
This provides synthetic versatility in the synthesis of substituted indanes. For the Dudley
lab, it is this flexibility that may be the key toward the future synthesis of alcyopterosin
A. Our approach to benzo-fused indanes has incorporated the use of aryltriazenes for
the synthesis of useful intermediates and the fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflates.
We have demonstrated the ability of vinylogous acyl triflates 2 and 55 to undergo
fragmentation reactions to provide synthetically useful compounds.
In regards to the synthesis of alcyopterosin A, a recently published study has
provided the necessary method for the synthesis of vinyl nucleophile 54. Negishi and
co-workers published the synthesis of various (Z)-2-alkynyl-vinyl iodides in a highly
stereoselective fashion (≥98% Z) (Figure 44).152 Bromoboration of propyne and trapping
69
of the resulting vinyldibromoborane with pinacol diminishes the stereoisomerization of
92 to provide cyclic boronate 93. Compound 93 is stable to air for several days at room
temperature without any change in the NMR spectrum. Negishi coupling of vinyl
bromide 93 and the appropriate terminal acetylene, followed by subsequent exchange
of the boronate for an iodide should provide access to 54 in high yield and selectivity.
Me
H 1.1 equiv BBr3,CH2Cl2
-78 oC to r.t., 2hMe
BBr2H
Br
1.2 equiv pinacol
-78 oC to r.t., 1h
Me Br
H BO
O
(85%, > 98% Z)
NegishiCoupling
H t-Bu Me
H BO
O2 equiv I2,
3 equiv NaOH
THF-H2O, r.t. Me
IH
54
92 93
Figure 44: Proposed Route to Vinyl Nucleophile 54 Using Negishi’s Z-Selective
Bromoboration.
The detailed benzannulation studies presented above provide a firm foundation
for future synthetic efforts. We have confirmed the ability of the Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H
catalyst system to promote intramolecular benzannulation reaction. When coupled with
the chemistry developed by Negishi, the results of this study pave the way for a
convergent approach to access the alcyopterosins and various analogs thereof. The
application of the fragmentation / benzannulation strategy to the synthesis of
alcyopterosin A and analogs thereof is currently underway in the Dudley laboratory.
70
Experimental
General Information:
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian 300 (300 MHz), Bruker 400
(400 MHz), or Bruker 600 (600 MHz) spectrometer, using CDCl3 as the deuterated
solvent. The chemical shifts () are reported in parts per million (ppm) relative to the
residual chloroform peak (7.26 ppm for 1H NMR and 77.00 for 13C NMR). Coupling
constants (J) are reported in Hertz (Hz). IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer
FT-IR spectrometer with diamond ATR accessory as thin film. Mass Spectra were
recorded on a JEOL JMS600H spectrometer. Yields refer to isolated material judged to
be > 95% pure by 1H NMR spectroscopy following silica gel chromatography, F-254
(230-499 mesh particle size). All chemicals were used as received unless otherwise
noted. Acetonitrile (CH3CN) was distilled from calcium hydride (CaH2) and stored over
molecular sieves. Diethyl ether (Et2O) was dried through a solvent purification system
packed with alumina and molecular sieves under an Ar atmosphere. 1,2-Dichloroethane
(DCE) was used as received with no further purification. Triethylamine and diethylamine
were distilled from CaH2 and stored over KOH pellets. The n-butyllithium (n-BuLi)
solutions were titrated with a known amount of menthol, using 1,10-phenanthroline as
an indicator, in a solution of ether. All reactions were carried out under an inert argon
atmosphere unless otherwise stated.
Synthesis of 3-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-2,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone (55):
Dimedone was methylated using iodomethane in a 5M aqueous KOH solution by
analogy to a published procedure, see reference 150; the resulting 2,5,5-trimethyl-1,3-
cyclohexanedione was converted to the corresponding triflate using triflic anhydride and
pyridine by analogy to our published procedure, see reference 61. Clear oil; 1H NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl3) 2.57 (app. q, J = 2.0 Hz, 2H), 2.33 (s, 2H), 1.85 (t, J = 2.0 Hz, 3H),
1.09 (s, 6H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 197.52, 160.47, 126.96, 118.24 (q, J = 319.7
Hz), 50.57, 42.48, 32.73, 27.86, 8.89; IR (neat) 1689, 1671, 1418, 1207, 1136, 1029,
823 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C10H13OSF3 (M+) 286.0487. Found 286.0490.
71
Synthesis of 3,3-diethyl-1-(2-iodophenyl)-triazene (80): To a solution of 2-iodoaniline
(3 g, 13.7 mmol) in a minimal amount of acetonitrile (2 mL) was added ~6 g of ice,
followed by dropwise addition of concentrated HCl (9.1 mL, 109.6 mmol). The solution
was cooled to -10 oC and a solution of sodium nitrite (2.08 g, 30.14 mmol), in 33.3 mL of
water—acetonitrile (3:1), was added slowly. The reaction mixture was stirred at -10 oC
for 45 min. The solution of the generated diazonium salt was then transferred by
cannula to a solution (1.4 L) of acetonitrile—water (3:1) containing freshly distilled
diethylamine (14.2 mL, 137 mmol) and potassium carbonate (9.47 g, 68.5 mmol) at 0
oC. The resulting solution was allowed to warm upon stirring overnight. To the reaction
mixture was added 500 mL of water, and the products extracted three times with 250
mL of ether. The combined extracts were washed with brine, dried with magnesium
sulfate, and concentrated. The crude oil was purified by flash column chromatography
using 10% EtOAc/Hex, providing iodotriazene 80 in 97% as a yellow oil (4.025 g). 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.84 (dd, J = 7.9, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.7 Hz, 1H),
7.29 (ddd, J = 8.0, 7.3, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 6.83 (ddd, J = 7.9, 7.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (q, J = 7.2
Hz, 4H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 6H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 150.45, 139.06, 128.67,
126.52, 117.56, 96.61, 49.20, 42.16, 14.57, 11.14; IR (neat) 1577, 1561, 1457, 1399,
1327, 1100, 749 cm-1; HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C10H15IN3 ([M+H]+) 304.0311. Found
304.0309.
Synthesis of 1-(2-(3,3-diethyl-1-triazo)phenyl)-1-oxo-5-heptyne (82): To a solution of
iodotriazene 80 (2.0 g, 6.6 mmol) in diethyl ether (180 mL) at -78 oC was added n-BuLi
(4.13 mL, 6.6 mmol, 1.6M solution in hexane) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78
oC for 30 min. To the solution was added triflate 2 (1.87 g, 7.26 mmol), as an ethereal
solution (50 mL), dropwise. The solution was stirred at -78 oC for 15 min, 0 oC for 15
min, and at r.t. for 30 min. The reaction was then quenched with ½ sat. NH4Cl, extracted
2 times with Et2O, washed with H2O and brine, and dried with MgSO4. The concentrated
solution provided a crude oil, which was purified by flash column chromatography using
1% EtOAc/Hex. The product (82) was isolated as a yellowish-brown oil in 85% yield
(1.59 g). 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.48 (dd, J = 8.2, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 7.6,
1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (ddd, J = 8.2, 7.6, 1.5, 1H), 7.14 (dt, J = 7.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (q, J =
72
7.0 Hz, 4H), 3.06 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.19 (tq, J = 7.0, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.93-1.77 (app.
quintet, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.74 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.40-1.14 (broad multiplet, 6H); 13C
NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 206.36, 148.91, 135.12, 131.09, 127.96, 124.88, 118.14,
78.60, 75.95, 49.02, 43.48, 41.52, 23.84, 18.45, 14.46, 11.27, 3.47; IR (neat) 1674,
1592, 1403, 1328, 1092, 757 cm-1; HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C17H24N3O ([M+H]+)
286.1919. Found 286.1915.
Representative procedure for the decomposition of aryl triazenes to provide aryl
iodides and Synthesis of 1-(2-iodophenyl)-1-oxo-5-heptyne (83): To a solution of
camphor-10-sulfonic acid (2.44 g, 10.5 mmol) and NaI (0.315 g, 2.1 mmol) in
acetonitrile (25 mL) at 75 oC was added a solution of triazene 82 (300 mg, 1.05 mmol in
5 mL of acetonitrile) dropwise. The evolution of nitrogen was complete after 5 minutes
of stirring at 75 oC. The mixture was cooled to r.t. and diluted with 25 mL of hexane. The
product was extracted 5 times with hexane. The combined hexane layers were then
dried with Na2SO4 and concentrated to provide a reddish oil. The crude material was
then purified by flash column chromatography using hexane. The resulting red—brown
oil (83) was not completely pure by 1H NMR, and was used in the next step without
further purification (ca. 75% yield, >85% pure).
Representative procedure for the Sonogashira coupling reaction for the synthesis
of compounds 84a-f and 88: To a solution of aryl iodide 83 (32 mg, 0.1 mmol) in
triethylamine (1 mL) was added dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (4 mg, 5
mol) and copper(I) iodide (2 mg, 10 mol). The heterogeneous solution was degassed
using the freeze—pump—thaw method (5 times) and then warmed to room
temperature. Hexyne (30 L, 0.22 mmol) was then added to the reaction mixture in one
shot. The solution was then warmed to 50 oC and stirred for 3 h. The mixture was
cooled to r.t., diluted with ether, and filtered through Celite™. The filter cake was
washed three times with ether and the combined filtrates were concentrated. The crude
product was then purified by flash column chromatography using pure hexanes up to
1% EtOAc/Hex, providing 84b as a pale yellow oil in 85% yield (22 mg).
73
1-(2-(2-phenylethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84a): Pale yellow oil; 1H NMR (300
MHz, CDCl3) 7.70 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.53
(m, 2H), 7.47 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.37-7.34 (m, 3H),
3.30 (t, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.26 (tq, J = 7.0, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.94 (quintet, J = 7.0, 2H), 1.69 (t, J =
2.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 202.64, 141.02, 133.74, 131.48, 130.86,
128.62, 128.36, 128.20, 122.83, 121.20, 94.57, 88.25, 78.30, 76.35, 40.99, 23.61,
18.29, 3.32; IR (neat) 2215, 1678, 1493, 1217, 753, 689 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for
C21H18O (M+) 286.1358. Found 286.1353.
1-(2-(2-n-butylethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84b): Clear oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.59 (dd, J = 7.6, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J = 7.6, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.38, (dt, J = 7.6,
1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dt, J = 7.6, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 3.20 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.46 (t, J = 7.0, 2H),
2.31-2.16 (m, 2H), 1.89 (quintet, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.76 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.67-1.55 (m,
2H), 1.54 (m, 2H), 0.95 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 203.50, 141.45,
133.77, 127.82, 127.47, 121.93, 96.28, 79.39, 78.41, 76.13, 41.10, 30.52, 22.07, 18.32,
13.57, 3.43; IR (neat) 2228, 1679, 1440, 758 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C19H22O (M+)
266.1671. Found 266.1669.
1-(2-(2-t-butylethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84c): Clear oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.60 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.46 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.5 Hz), 7.38 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.5
Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 3.24 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.24 (tq, J = 6.0, 2.5 Hz,
2H), 1.89 (quintet, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.76 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.33 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (75
MHz, CDCl3) 203.52, 141.30, 133.62, 127.82, 127.48, 104.09, 78.39, 78.18, 76.14,
41.37, 30.58, 28.18, 23.63, 18.31, 3.45; IR (neat) 2235, 1679, 1362, 1273, 757 cm-1;
HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C19H22O (M+) 266.1671. Found 266.1669.
1-(2-(2-(p-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84d): Pale yellow oil; 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.69 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (dd, J = 7.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H),
7.50 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.44 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (dt, J = 7.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H),
6.88 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.29 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.32-2.18 (m, 2H), 1.93
(app. quintet, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.69 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3)
74
202.96, 159.94, 140.82, 133.57, 133.02, 130.87, 128.21, 127.85, 121.63, 114.96,
114.05, 94.84, 87.14, 78.37, 76.36, 55.28, 41.04, 23.66, 18.33, 3.37; IR (neat) 2212,
1678, 1605, 151, 1247, 1028, 831, 758 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C22H20O2 (M+)
316.1463. Found 316.1462.
1-(2-(2-trimethylsilylethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84e): Yellow oil; 1H NMR (300
MHz, CDCl3) 7.64-7.59 (m, 1H), 7.57-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.41 (dt, J = 7.4, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.37
(dt, J = 7.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.23 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.42 (tq, J = 7.1, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.90
(quintet, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.76 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 0.26 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (75 MHz,
CDCl3) 203.03, 141.81, 133.99, 130.61, 128.48, 127.88, 120.80, 103.53, 100.44,
78.30, 76.13, 41.17, 23.66, 18.27, 3.41, 0.39; IR (neat) 2157, 1682, 1249, 863, 840, 758
cm-1; HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C18H22OSiNa ([M+Na]+) 305.1338. Found 305.1333.
1-(2-(2-(p-Trifluoromethylphenyl)ethynyl)phenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (84f): Yellow oil;
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.74 (dd, J = 7.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H),
7.65-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.50 (dt, J = 7.4, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dt, J = 7.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 3.24 (t, J
= 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.26 (tq, J = 7.0, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.94 (quintet, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.70 (t, J =
2.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) 202.15, 141.14, 134.82, 131.05, 130.31 (q,
32.7 Hz), 128.78, 125.34 (q, 3.9 Hz), 123.88 (q, 270.9 Hz), 120.61, 92.74, 90.61, 78.28,
76.48, 40.77, 23.59, 18.31, 3.53; IR (neat) 1683, 1614, 1320, 1126, 1065, 824 cm-1;
HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C22H17OF3 (M+) 354.1232. Found 354.1230.
Synthesis of 1-(2-ethynylphenyl)-5-heptyn-1-one (85): To a methanolic solution (2
mL) of trimethylsilylacetylene (84e) (136 mg, 0.48 mmol) was added potassium
carbonate (100 mg, 0.72 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred
at room temperature until the starting material was no longer detected by TLC (ca. 30
min). The mixture was diluted with ether and water. The reaction was quenched with 1N
HCl until CO2 evolution was no longer observed. The product was extracted twice with
EtOAc. The combine organics were washed with water and brine, dried with Na2SO4,
filtered and concentrated. The resulting crude oil was purified by flash column
chromatography using 100% hexane up to 1% EtOAc/Hex, providing 85 as a clear oil in
75
94% yield (94 mg). 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.69-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.63-7.56 (m, 1H),
7.48-7.38 (m, 2H), 3.35 (s, 1H), 3.18 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.25 (tq, J = 7.1, 2.5 Hz), 1.91
(quintet, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) 202.52,
141.92, 134.64, 130.85, 128.78, 120.04, 82.42, 82.24, 78.36, 76.32, 40.58, 23.51,
18.23, 3.44; IR (neat) 1687, 1440, 1225, 757 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C15H13O ([M-
H]+) 209.0967. Found 209.0964.
Representative procedure for the AuCl3—catalyzed benzannulation reaction: To a
solution of AuCl3 (0.6 mg, 1.8 mol) in 100 L dichloroethane (DCE), obtained from a
stock solution (6 mg/mL), was added an additional 200 L of DCE and diyne 84b (10
mg, 37 mol, in 200 L of DCE). The solution was then heated to 80 oC for 1.5 h. The
mixture was cooled to r.t. and filtered through a plug of silica gel. The filtrate was
concentrated and purified by flash column chromatography using 1% EtOAc/Hex ,
providing naphthyl ketone 86b in 70% yield (7 mg) as a clear oil.
(4-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene-5-yl)-phenyl-methanone (86a):
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.85-7.80 (m, 2H), 7.61-7.53 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.38 (m, 3H),
7.34-7.26 (m, 1H), 3.35 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 3.08 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.30 (quintet, J = 7.5
Hz, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 200.88, 140.99, 140.41, 137.95,
134.73, 133.58, 130.30, 129.76, 129.55, 128.73, 125,50, 125.45, 125.26, 124.54; 32.63,
31.65, 23.89, 17.23; IR (neat) 1664, 1448, 1219, 884, 756, 717 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd
for C21H18O (M+) 286.1358. Found 286.1353.
n-Butyl-(4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene-5-yl)-methanone
(86b): 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.78 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (dd, J = 7.2, 1.8
Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 2H), 3.29 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.04 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (t, J =
7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.26 (quintet, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 1.78 (quintet, J = 7.8 Hz), 1.44
(app. sextet, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 0.953 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3)
211.21, 141.03, 140.05, 137.75, 128.91, 128.87, 127.53, 125.57, 125.30, 124.74,
124.55, 45.65, 32.64, 31.59, 25.75, 23.87, 22.47, 16.91, 13.94; IR (neat) 1697, 1130,
751 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C19H22O (M+) 266.1671. Found 266.1670.
76
t-Butyl-(4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene-5-yl)-methanone (86c):
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.77 (dd, J = 7.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.33 (m, 3H), 3.29
(app. triplet, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.13-2.94 (m, 2H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.26 (app. quintet, J =
7.8Hz, 2H), 1.27 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) 219.07, 141.05, 139.42, 137.12,
129.31, 128.83, 127.46, 125.68, 129.19, 125.06, 124.66, 45.69, 32.71, 31.51, 28.09,
23.83, 18.34; IR (neat) 1688, 1276, 1261, 764, 749 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for
C19H22O (M+) 266.1671. Found 266.1668.
(4-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene-5-yl)-p-trifluoromethylphenyl-
methanone (86f): 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.95 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (d, J = 8.1
Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.52-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 1H), 3.37 (t, J = 7.5
Hz, 2H), 3.10 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.32 (quintet, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H); 13C NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) 199.80, 141.03, 140.47, 134.73 (q, J = 32.5 Hz), 133.78, 130.12,
129.99, 129.83, 128.82, 125.83 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.72, 125.15, 124.71, 123.55 (q, J =
272.9 Hz), 32.60, 31.67, 23.84, 17.26; IR (neat) 1673, 1409, 1322, 1168, 1128, 1069
cm-1; HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C22H17F3ONa ([M+Na]+) 377.1129. Found 377.1135.
Representative procedure for reactions performed with the Cu(OTf)2 / CF2HCO2H
catalyst system: To a solution of Cu(OTf)2 (4 mg, 11 mol) and difluoroacetic acid (14
L, 0.22 mmol) in DCE, was added a solution of diyne 84c (58 mg, 0.22 mmol in 1 mL
of DCE). The solution was heated to 80 oC and stirred for 40 min. The reaction mixture
was cooled to r.t. and filtered through silica gel. The filtrate was concentrated; the
resulting oil was purified by flash column chromatography using hexanes, providing
naphthalene derivative 87 in 88% yield (35 mg).
4-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene (87): 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3)
7.78 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.35 (m, 2H), 3.28
(t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 3.04 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.26 (quintet, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H);
13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) 199.80, 141.03, 140.47, 134.73 (q, J = 32.5 Hz), 133.78,
130.12, 129.99, 129.83, 128.82, 125.83 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.72, 125.15, 124.71, 123.55
(q, J = 272.9 Hz), 32.60, 31.67, 23.84, 17.26. 141.26, 139.08, 133.20, 132.86, 129.03,
77
127.62, 125.65, 124.87, 124.72, 124.24, 32.39, 31.32, 24.14, 19.76; IR (neat) 1595,
1382, 1020, 872, 766, 743 cm-1; HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C14H14 (M+) 182.1096. Found
182.1094.
Synthesis of 1-(2-(2-t-butylethynyl)phenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-5-heptyn-1-one (89):
Iodotriazene 80 was coupled to 3,3-dimethylbutyne using the same method as outlined
above. The resulting alkynyl triazene was converted to the corresponding iodide under
our modified conditions (see above). The product was purified by flash column
chromatography providing 88 as the major component in an inseparable mixture of
compounds. To a solution of the this mixture (165 mg, ~0.58 mmol) in diethyl ether (20
mL) was added n-BuLi (0.39 mL, 0.52 mmol, as a 1.31M solution in hexane) dropwise
at -78 oC. The mixture was stirred for 30 min, at which time, an ethereal solution (5 mL)
of triflate 55 (150 mg, 0.52 mmol) was added dropwise at -78 oC. The solution was
stirred for 15 min at -78 oC, then at 0 oC, and finally at r.t. for 30 min. The reaction was
quenched with ½ sat. ammonium chloride. The products were extracted with ether (2
times). The combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried with
MgSO4, filtered and concentrated. The resulting crude oil was purified by flash column
chromatography using 1% EtOAc/Hex up to 5% EtOAc/Hex to provide diyne 89 in 61%
yield (94 mg); (>90% brsm). Clear oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.47 (dd, J = 7.4,
1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 7.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (dt, J = 7.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (dt, J =
7.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 3.13 (s, 2H), 2.21 (q, J = 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.75 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.32 (s,
9H), 1.08 (s, 6H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 204.27, 143.58, 133.39, 130.15, 127.41,
121.40, 103.72, 78,99, 77.50, 76.75, 76.49, 51.44, 34.58, 32.39, 30.65, 28.17, 27.14,
3.48; IR (neat) 2359, 1684, 1472, 1362, 758 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C21H26O (M+)
294.1984. Found 294.1984.
3,3,4-Trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene (90): 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.76 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.5 Hz,1H), 7.70 (dd, J = 6.6, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.44-
7.34 (m, 2H), 3.08 (s, 2H), 2.86 (s, 2H), 1.26 (s, 6H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3)
144.60, 142.46, 137.53, 137.41, 133.61, 131.99, 129.97, 129.09, 128.94, 128.41, 51.77,
78
50.61, 43.64, 34.16, 23.98; IR (neat) 1364, 872, 843, 743 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for
C16H18 (M+) 210.1408. Found 210.1404.
t-Butyl-(3,3,4-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene-5-yl)-methanone
(91): 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.71 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J = 7.8, 1.3
Hz, 1H), 7.42 (dt, J = 7.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (dt, J = 7.8, 1.4 Hz), 3.09 (s, 2H), 2.89 (d, J
= 16.0 Hz, 1H), 2.80 (d, J = 16 Hz, 1H), 2.25 (s, 2H), 1.29 (s, 3H), 1.27 (s, 9H), 1.23 (s,
3H); 13C NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3) 219.15, 140.10, 128.55, 137.12, 129.29, 129.10,
127.68, 125.71, 125.13, 124.99, 124.54, 47.71, 46.40, 45.69, 39.25, 29.82, 29.79,
28.11, 18.25; IR (neat) 1685, 1463, 1102, 903, 738 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C21H26O
(M+) 294.1984. Found 294.1984.
79
1H NMR and 13C NMR Spectra:
OTf
O
55
80
OTf
O
55
81
I
N
NN
80
82
I
N
NN
80
83
O
N
NN
82
84
O
N
NN
82
85
O
84a
86
O
84a
87
O
84b
88
O
84b
89
O
84c
90
O
84c
91
O
84dOMe
92
O
84dOMe
93
O
Si
84e
94
O
Si
84e
95
O
84fCF3
96
O
84fCF3
97
O
85
H
98
O
85
H
99
O
86a
100
O
86a
101
O
86b
102
O
86b
103
O
86c
104
O
86c
105
O
86f CF3
106
O
86f CF3
107
87
108
87
109
O
89
110
O
89
111
91
112
91
113
O
90
114
O
90
115
CHAPTER 4
SYNTHESIS OF THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE (C1-C15) OF PALMEROLIDE A
Introduction
The goal of this work was to address the shortcomings of a previously reported
fragmentation reaction in order to provide an efficient synthesis of the eastern
hemisphere of palmerolide A. Palmerolide is an exciting natural product that possesses
anti-cancer properties and selectively targets melanoma. This work will provide the
basis for future synthetic efforts applied to the large scale synthesis of this natural
product by the Dudley laboratory, including the expedient synthesis of the eastern
hemisphere (C1-C15).
The following chapter will highlight some of the deficiencies related to the
treatment of the growing melanoma epidemic in western countries. There exists a need
for new drugs that can selectively lead to cell death in melanoma tumors. The discovery
of palmerolide A has provided a possible target that may ultimately lead to a better
prognosis for patients that suffer from melanoma. Unfortunately, synthesis is the only
means at present to obtain enough quantities of this natural product to perform further
clinical studies.
The examination of previous synthetic methods applied to the generation of
palmerolide A draws attention to the fact that all approaches to this natural product have
focused on a convergent process with the production of relatively few strategically
generated C-C bonds in an effort to access the core structure. Thus, fragment synthesis
is paramount to provide an efficient synthesis capable of producing quantities of
palmerolide to support future biological studies.
The eastern hemisphere contains three of the five stereocenters which are
isolated by hydrocarbon regions. We envisioned our fragmentation strategy as being
well suited for the synthesis of this C1-C15 fragment. However, an optimization of a
known fragmentation reaction had to be improved prior to beginning this endeavor.
116
The Melanoma Problem
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is responsible for providing a
protective barrier against infection and injury, and serves a key role in thermoregulation.
The skin is composed of three distinct layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the
subcutis. For this discussion, the focus is on the epidermis, the most superficial layer of
the skin.
The dead cells at the surface are composed of squamous cells that have been
flattened and keratinized; they provide the primary protective barrier for the body.
Several types of cells exist below this outer most layer of the epidermis, including:
Merkel cells (tactile receptors), Langerhans cells (antigen processing cells),
keratinocytes, melanocytes and basal cells, among others.153
Melanocytes are responsible for the production of a pigment called melanin,
which provides the skin with its color and protects the deeper layers of the skin from
ultraviolet radiation. The sun stimulates the melanocytes to produce more melanin
resulting in tanning of the skin. As do most cells, melanocytes grow, divide, and die.
When these cells begin to divide and grow in an unregulated fashion, a melanoma
tumor results. These tumors, as with all tumors, can either be benign (non-cancerous)
or malignant (cancerous) in nature. Most melanocyte-derived tumors commonly develop
in the skin, however, melanoma can develop anywhere melanocytes are found (e.g. the
eye, meninges, digestive tract, and lymph nodes).
Melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer. It is estimated that in
2009 alone, 68,720 adults in the United States will have been diagnosed with
melanoma, resulting in 8,650 deaths.154 The prevalence of melanoma in Western
countries increases every year. In the United States, Australia, and Europe, melanoma
has been considered an epidemic cancer.155 In fact, the percentage of people
developing melanoma in the United States has more than doubled in the past 30
years.156
People with fair skin are more susceptible towards developing melanoma, and
white people develop melanoma at more than 10 times a higher rate than black
people.154 Although the occurrence of this disease is more likely as individuals age,
117
melanoma has been detected at all age groups. People with personal and family
histories of melanoma are at an increased risk, as are individuals with increased
numbers of ordinary moles (benign clusters of melanocytes). Weakened immune
systems, resulting from a number of conditions (e.g. HIV, different forms of cancer, or
drugs prescribed following organ transplantation), increased exposure to ultraviolet
radiation, and sunburns resulting in blistering are all thought to increase the likelihood of
developing melanoma. However, it is not known why a person develops this type of
cancer while others do not, and multiple factors probably give rise to melanoma
tumors.156
The beginning signs and symptoms associated with melanoma often include, but
are not limited to: changes in size, shape, color, or texture of an existing mole. Often
times, these lesions have black or bluish-black areas, they are often referred to as ―ugly
looking‖ moles. Leading cancer research advises self-examinations involving the so-
called, ―ABCDE’s‖ of melanoma:153,154,156 Asymmetry, the shape of part of a mole does
not match the other; Border irregularity, the edges are ragged, notched or blurred;
Color, the color of the mole is not consistent, often shades of tan, brown, blue, pink, red,
black, or white; and Diameter, the mole is larger than ¼ of an inch in diameter, larger
than the size of a pencil eraser; and Evolution, mole has changed in size, shape, color,
or has risen. Although these guidelines for self-examination are general signs of
melanoma, some melanomas do not fit these rules. Only medical professionals can
confirm the presence of melanoma.
The onset of melanoma progresses through various stages of increasing
severity. At stage 0, cells determined to be cancerous melanoma are found only in the
most superficial layers of skin, and have not invaded any of the deeper tissues.
Melanoma is considered to be stage I when the tumor is either no more than 1 mm in
thickness and appears to be ulcerated, or between 1 to 2 mm thick and has no
ulceration. Stage II melanoma is established when the tumor is between 1 to 2 mm thick
and appears with ulceration. In stage I and stage II, the tumor may or may not have
begun to penetrate into the deeper tissues of the skin. However, the cancerous cells
cannot have spread to nearby lymph nodes. At stage III, the signs and symptoms of
melanoma are progressively worse, the cancerous cells having spread (metastasized)
118
to nearby lymph nodes or other tissues just outside the original tumor. Finally stage IV
melanoma refers to the condition resulting in the metastasis of cancerous melanoma
cells to lymph nodes and/or tissues distant from the original tumor.156 Once
metastasized, the development of a new tumor in the distant tissues ensues. If this
occurs, the new tumor is still comprised of cancer cells originating from melanocytes,
and the patient is said to have metastatic melanoma.
The treatment of melanoma is usually carried out as a prescribed plan involving
combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, and / or radiation therapy; these
treatments are also integrated with a symptom management program (supportive care,
or palliative care) due to the fact that many of the primary treatments are associated
with negative side effects. Treatment plans are often case dependent and are based on
the age and general health of the patient, as well as the severity of the cancer being
treated.156
The surgical removal of the tumor is the most common practice for melanoma
that is found in the superficial tissues, and is often accompanied by necessary skin
grafts for larger tumors. Typically when surgery is performed the tumor and some of the
surrounding normal tissue is removed for analysis to ensure removal of the cancer in its
entirety. Surgery is also used for the removal of cancerous lymph nodes in the
surrounding area of the original tumor. Although surgery is the most common treatment
for melanoma, it is typically not effective in controlling melanoma that has spread to
other areas of the body.153
Biotherapy (also referred to as immunotherapy) provides assistance to a
person’s immune system, allowing for the body’s natural defenses to aid in fighting
cancer. This type of therapy involves the use of proteins, small molecules, harmless
bacterial microbes, and sometimes even weakened melanoma cells to initiate an
immune response. Commonly used biotherapies are: injections of cytokines (proteins
that activate the immune system) and injections of Interferon-alpha. Both cytokine
proteins and Interferon-alpha are associated with flu-like side-effects that can be severe
in some cases. This type of therapy is often utilized as an adjuvant therapy to limit the
growth and metastasis of any remaining cancerous cells after surgery.153
119
Radiation therapy requires the use of high frequency electro-magnetic radiation
to kill cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. This type of therapy is typically not
used to eradicate cancer, but prevent growth and metastasis. Radiation often results in
general malaise of the patient, diarrhea, upset stomach, and skin irritation among other
side effects. The use of radiation therapy is often reserved for those that have
metastatic melanoma and recurrent melanoma.154
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to kill the cancerous cells selectively as
opposed to healthy cells, and is often prescribed for more advanced cases of
melanoma. Although there are many types of pharmacological agents used for the
treatment of patients with stage III and IV melanoma, the prognosis for patients with
metastatic cancer remains very poor; once the cancer has spread to organs and tissues
distant from the originating tumor, the median overall survival rate is approximately 6
months.157 Despite vast research, the use of prescribed chemotherapeutic agents for
the treatment of metastatic melanoma remains marginally beneficial. This form of
cancer is one of the most chemo-resistant.158
Chemotherapy is often administered as single agents (Figure 45) such as:
dacarbazine (DTIC), temozolomide (TMZ), cisplatin, carboplatin, carmustine, lomustine,
docetaxel, and paclitaxel; DTIC and TMZ being the most common.158 In some cases the
chemotherapy is administered as a combination of drugs / therapeutic agents: the
Dartmouth Regimen (DTIC, carmustine, cisplatin, and tamoxifen), CVD (cisplatin,
vinblastine, and DTIC), and BOLD (bleomycin, vincristine, lomustine, and DTIC) being
representative examples.157 The fact that so many chemotherapeutic options are being
used for the treatment of late stage melanoma, substantiates the claim that melanoma
is a chemo-resistant type of cancer. Furthermore, 90 to 95% of patients with advanced
melanoma do not survive more than three years, regardless of treatment modality.159
120
HN
N
O
NH2
N
Dacarbazine (DTIC)
NN
CH3
CH3
N
NN
NN
O
OH2N
H3C
Temozolomide (TMZ)
PtCl NH3
Cl NH3
Cisplatin
NH3
NH3
OPt
OO
O
Carboplatin
NH
Cl
O
NCl
NO
Carmustine
NH
O
NCl
NO
Lomustine
OO
O
O
H
HO
HO
OH
ONH
OH
O
O
O
O
OH
OO
O
O
H
HO
O
OH
ONH
OH
O
O
O
O
OHO
Docetaxel Paclitaxel
Figure 45: Several Chemotherapeutic Agents Used in the Treatment of Melanoma.
The limited efficacy of treatment programs for metastatic cancer patients and the
harsh side effects that accompany current cancer treatments provide researchers with
the daunting task of finding effective alternatives to the drugs referenced above that will
selectively target melanoma. This chapter highlights synthetic efforts towards an
interesting new lead compound, palmerolide A, which possesses selective
pharmacological activity towards melanoma cell lines. It describes a highly efficient and
convergent method to generate the eastern hemisphere (C1-C15) of palmerolide A.
121
Palmerolide A
Chemical defense mechanisms are of the utmost importance in marine
ecosystems.160-164 Sessile marine invertebrates, much like marine plants, are
particularly susceptible to predation, fouling by settling larvae, diatoms, algae, and
overgrowth by competing species for space and resources. Most research on the
chemical ecology of marine invertebrate communities has focused on tropical regions
because of their high levels of species diversity and density. Not surprisingly, members
of these communities have evolved interesting chemical defenses.160 Many of the initial
studies focusing on geographic patterns of chemical defense in marine invertebrates
found that there was an inverse relationship between species chemically defended
against predatory fish and latitude.165-167 This may be, in part, responsible for the focus
of chemical ecology remaining on tropical locations, leaving benthic communities in the
Antarctic to be relatively understudied.
Another possible reason for the lack of research in the marine habitats of
Antarctica is that it remains one of the least accessible marine environments. However,
outside of the shallow waters, where anchor ice and ice scour dominate the landscape
(< 33 m depth),168 exist diverse and stable communities of invertebrates.169 The
Antarctic, cold adapted, marine ecosystem has been largely isolated for approximately
20 million years. Many of the marine organisms that are found in these communities
emerged prior to the breakup of Gondwanaland and the movement of the continent to
the pole; the biological isolation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem is perpetuated by the
Antarctic Polar Front, an oceanic water current encircling the continent.170
The predation of fish on the sessile invertebrates is rather rare at higher latitudes,
limiting the need for chemical defenses against vertebrate predators.171 However,
predation in the Antarctic benthos is dominated by mobile invertebrates like sea stars.172
These waters harbor of some of the oldest, most environmentally and biologically stable
marine environments, making them well suited for the evolution of chemical defense
mechanisms against such predators.164 Indeed, the fact that the marine ecosystem
around Antarctica is largely isolated from subtropical and temperate waters, in addition
to the fact that mobile invertebrates control the predatory landscape of sessile
122
invertebrates, has led to an environment where interspecies chemical warfare plays a
pivotal role in survival.173 The predation suppression exhibited by members of the
alcyopterosins (discussed in Chapter 3) may be a representative example.109
For these reasons, natural products research in Antarctica has the potential to
produce tantalizing leads for drug discovery and development. Although it is up to
isolation chemists and marine ecologists to ascertain and characterize these
compounds, it falls upon synthetic chemists to translate promising leads into viable drug
development candidates. This responsibility is solely reserved for the synthetic
community because of an international treaty that prohibits the exploitation of Antarctic
resources for commercial development.174
Palmerolide A (94)175 was isolated by Bill Baker and co-workers from the
Antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum. It represents one of the most exciting synthetic
challenges in natural products organic chemistry today. Palmerolide A is a potent
inhibitor of vacuolar ATPase proton pumps (IC50 = 2 nM),175 which are highly expressed
in metastatic cancer cells176 where they modulate pH. V-ATPases are also the target of
several other interesting cytotoxic natural products including salicylihalamide A,177,178
bafilomycin A1,179 and oximidines.180 What’s more, palmerolide A was found to exhibit
cytotoxicity three orders of magnitude greater towards the melanoma UACC-62 cell line
(LC50 = 18 nm)175 when compared to the rest of the NCI’s 60-cell line panel. Figure 46
depicts data from the report issued to Baker and co-workers from the NCI,181 the larger
region highlighted in red shows the promising cytostatic activity demonstrated by
palmerolide A (most notably against leukemia, colon, melanoma, renal and breast
cancer). The smaller region highlighted in green provides the evidence of the natural
product’s ability to kill melanoma cells selectively.
123
Figure 46: The Report Issued to Baker From the National Cancer Institute’s 60-Cell Line Panel Toxicity Assay for Palmerolide A.181
Baker and co-workers have since isolated several other members of the family of
palmerolide natural products, some of which inhibits V-ATPase activity (Figure 47).181
124
Most notably, these compounds vary from the 94 in the position of the C8, C9 olefin
(palmerolide A 94 vs. B, C, and H), and their enamide side chain (palmerolide A vs. D,
E, F, and H); palmerolide E lacks the enamide moiety altogether.
O
O
OH
N
O
HO
O
O
NH2
Palmerolide A (94)
V-ATPase (IC50 = 2 nM)
O
O
O
N
O
OSO3
Palmerolide B
O
NH2HO
O
O
OH
N
O
HO
O
O
NH2
Palmerolide D
O
O
N
O
Palmerolide C
V-ATPase (IC50 = 150 nM)OH
O
OH
O
NH2
O
O
OH
HO
O
O
NH2
Palmerolide E
V-ATPase (IC50 = 6.5 M)
O
H
O
O
OH
N
O
HO
O
O
NH2
Palmerolide F
V-ATPase (IC50 = 62.5 nM)
O
O
O
N
O
OSO3Palmerolide H
O
NH2HO
O
O
OH
HO
O
O
NH2
NHO
1
7
11
15
1924
Palmerolide E
V-ATPase (IC50 = 10M)
Figure 47: Palmerolide A and Other Members of the Palmerolide Natural Products With
Major Distinctions Highlighted in Red Ovals.181
125
This natural product has attracted several synthetic efforts182-188 due to its
exciting biological activity and interesting structure. The chemical synthesis of
palmerolide A requires one to address several independent challenges. Hydrocarbon
regions isolate several stereocenters within the macrocyclic core, making it ideal for
convergent fragment assembly strategies. Most synthetic approaches are focused on a
few strategic bond disconnections: generation of the C15-C16 bond using a transition
metal catalyzed coupling reaction, an esterification reaction to provide the C1-Oxygen
bond, closure of the macrolide at the C8-C9 bond, and late stage enamide installation
(Figure 48).
O
O
OH
N
O
HO
O
O
NH2
Palmerolide A (94)
1
7
1115
1924
Esterification
EnamideInstallation
HWE or RCMCouplingReaction
Figure 48: Palmerolide A and Strategic Disconnections.
In 2007, the labs of Jef De Brabander181 and K. C. Nicolaou182 independently
reported the total synthesis (and structural reassignment) of palmerolide A. The De
Brabander synthesis began with a chiral vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction between
known vinylketene silyl N,O-acetal 95189 and aldehyde 96190 to provide alcohol 97 in a
13:1 diastereomeric ratio and 80% yield. A Mitsunobu inversion, followed by
simultaneous reduction of the resulting benzoyl ester and chiral auxiliary, provided an
aldehyde that was homologated using Ph3PCHCO2Me. This sequence provided the
C16-C24 fragment of the palmerolide A (98), and contained the necessary
stereochemistry at C19 and C20 as well as the 16,17 Z-olefin (Figure 49).
126
N
TBSOMe
Me
O
O+
OHC
I
Me
TiCl4, CH2Cl2-78 oC
dr = 13:180%
N
O
Me Me
OH
I
Me
O
O
i-Pr
1. PhCO2H, DEAD, Ph3P2. DIBAL, CH2Cl2
3. Ph3PCHCO2Me 61% over 3-steps
O
Me
Me Me
OH
I
Me
95 96 97
98
Figure 49: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C16-C24 Fragment of Palmerolide A.
De Brabander and co-workers began their synthesis of the C9-C15 fragment of
palmerolide A with D-arabitol (99). The formation of a 1,3-benzylidene acetal and
oxidative cleavage of the resulting 1,2-diol provided aldehyde 100.191 Conversion of
aldehyde 100 to aldehyde 101 was carried out using a series of standard reactions. The
condensation of aldehyde 101 with pinacol dichloromethylborane completed the
synthesis of the C9-C15 fragment (Figure 50).192
HO
HO
HO
OH
OHref. 190 O
O
OH
CHOPh
99 100
1. Ph3PCHCO2Me2. TIPSOTf, 2,6-Lutidine3. Pd/C, H2, EtOAc
4. TESCl, imidizole
5. DIBAL, -78 oC
81% over 5 steps
TESO
TESO
OHC
OTIPS
101
O BO
CHCl2
CrCl2, LiI, r.t.84%
102
OTES
RO
OTES
R = TIPS
PinB
Figure 50: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C9-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A.
127
The synthesis of the C1-C8 fragment began with -valerolactone (103). Upon
methanolysis and Swern oxidation, 103 was converted to aldehyde 104, and
subsequently olefinated. The resulting t-butyl ester was hydrolyzed under acidic
conditions and a Claisen-type condensation, using dimethyl methylphosphonate was
carried out to afford the C1-C8 fragment (105) (Figure 51).
O
O1. MeOH, H2SO4,
reflux
2. Swern OxidationRef. 191
72%
OHC
OMeO
103 104
1. Ph3PCHCO2t-Bu2. TFA, CH2Cl2
3. n-BuLi, (MeO)2P(O)Me,
THF, -78 to 0 oC
82% over 3 stepsO
(MeO)2P
O
O
HO
105
Figure 51: De Brabander’s Synthesis of the C1-C8 Fragment of Palmerolide A.
Having synthesized the necessary fragments, vinyl iodide 98 and vinylboronate
102 were coupled through a Suzuki coupling reaction to provide 106. Subsequent
Yamaguchi esterification194 of fragment 105 and 106, followed by cleavage of the
triethysilyl ethers provided compound 107. A selective oxidation195 of the primary
alcohol and an intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction (HWE)196
established the macrocyclic core of palmerolide A (108). The macrocycle was then
transformed into 109 through a series of several steps: a CBS-reduction197 that provided
the C7 stereochemistry (dr = 4:1); installation of the enamide via a Curtius
rearrangement at C24, followed by addition of 2-methyl-propenylmagnesium bromide to
the resulting isocyanate; carbamate synthesis at the C11 oxygen, and finally, global
deprotection (Figure 52). The spectroscopic data of compound 109 proved to be
inconsistent with the natural isolate. The De Brabander lab then carried out the same
sequence of reactions utilizing the enantiomer of vinylboronate fragment 102 which
provided a compound with the identical NMR spectrum to that of palmerolide A.
However, the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum proved to be the mirror image to that of
the natural product. De Brabander and co-workers had successfully completed the
synthesis of the originally proposed compound as well as the unnatural enantiomer.
128
Their synthesis employed a relatively straightforward approach; notably a HWE
macrocyclization, a selective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a Curtius
rearrangement reaction were utilized to provide the first synthesis of (-)-palmerolide A.
98 + 102
cat. Pd(PPh3)4, Tl2CO3, THF, H2O
79% RO
OTES
OH
MeO2C
OTESR = TIPS
106
1. Yamaguchi conditions,105, 69%
2. PPTS, MeOH, 0 oC, 95%
RO
OH
O
MeO2C
OHR = TIPS
O
OP(OMe)2
O1. PhI(OAc)2, TEMPO
2. K2CO3, 18-Crown-6,
PhMe, 60 oC
70% over 2 steps
RO
OH
O
MeO2C
R = TIPS
O
O
107 108
HO
O
O
O
OH
Diastereomer of Palmerolide A109
HN
O
O
NH2
18% over 9 steps
Figure 52: Completion of De Brabander’s Synthesis of 109, a Diastereomer of Palmerolide A.
K. C. Nicolaou’s lab, having made the same disconnections as De Brabander,
initiated their synthesis through the preparation of the C16-C23 (112) and C15-C8 (116)
fragments (Figure 53).183 Nicolaou and co-workers, like De Brabander’s group, also
utilized vinyl iodide 96 in their synthesis, however they chose to perform an Evans’ aldol
reaction using imide 110 to set the C19 and C20 chiral centers (95% de), providing
111.197 The aldol reaction was followed by several standard reactions to reach the C16-
129
C23 fragment (112). The chiral centers at C10 and C11 were established through the
reaction of aldehyde 113 (2 steps from 4-pentyn-1-ol)198 and [(Z)--(methoxy-
methoxy)allyl]-(-)-diisopinocampheylborane (114),199 which afforded 115 upon
desilylation in 74% yield (>95% de, >90% ee). Hydroxy acetylene 115 was converted to
vinylstannane 116, first through carbamate installation,200 followed by a standard
manipulation of the acetylene moiety.201
NO
O O
Bn
96, n-Bu2BOTf,Et3N
46%( 95% de)
NO
110
O O OH
IBn
111
OTBS
I
OH
112
CHO
TBS MOMO
B[(-)-Ipc]2
113
1141.
2. K2CO3, MeOH74%
(>95% de, >90% ee)
20% over 7 steps
O
OH
MOM
115
Bu3Sn
O
O
MOM
O NH2116
62% over 3 steps
Figure 53: The Synthesis of Nicolaou’s C16-C23 (112) and C8-C15 (116) Fragments.
TBS protected 5-hexene-1-ol (117) served as the starting material for the
synthesis of Nicolaou’s C1-C8 fragment (120). Upon epoxidation and chiral resolution,
using the Jacobsen method,202 117 was converted to 118 in 42% yield (>99 ee). Ring-
opening of the epoxide using a sulfur ylide provided allylic alcohol 119, and a series of
reactions (protection, deprotection, oxidation, olefination, and saponification) provided
the acid fragment 120 in 59% from 119 (Figure 54).
130
TBSO1. m-CPBA
2. (R,R)-Jacobsen, Co(II), cat. AcOH, H2O 42% (>99% ee) over 2 steps
TBSO
O
117 118
I
n-BuLi
TBSO
OH
119
1. MOMCl, DIPEA, 85%
2. TBAF, 95%
3. DMP, NaHCO3, 95%
4. Ph3PCHCO2Me, 90%
5. KOH, 85%
HO2C
OMOM
120
Me3S
Figure 54: Nicolaou’s Synthesis of the C1-C8 Fragment of Palmerolide A.
The Nicolaou lab, having each of the key fragments in hand, turned their
attention towards the assemblage of the fragments and their elaboration into the
originally proposed structure of palmerolide A (Figure 55). A Stille reaction203 between
vinyl iodide 112 and vinylstannane 116, followed by a Yamaguchi esterification194 of the
resulting alcohol and acid 120 provided cyclization precursor 121. Conversion of the
allylic silyl ether into vinyl iodide 122 was carried out in a three step sequence:
deprotection, oxidation, and olefination.204 Removal of the MOM protecting groups and
a ring closing metathesis reaction35 led to the formation of the C8-C11 olefin and the
macrocyclic core of palmerolide A (123). From vinyl iodide 123, enamide installation205
completed the synthesis of the proposed structure of palmerolide A (109).
Having reached 109, Nicolaou came to the same conclusion as the De
Brabander group: the originally proposed structure had been assigned incorrectly. Their
synthetic scheme allowed for the synthesis of the naturally occurring enantiomer simply
by inserting ent-116 and ent-120 into their already established route. They completed
the synthesis of natural palmerolide A (94) with similar yields. Their product exhibited
identical analytical data to those of the natural isolate, including the CD spectrum.
131
112 + 116
1. cat. [Pd(dba)2],AsPh3, LiCl, 67%
2. Yamaguchi conditions, 120, 61%
O
OR
RO
O
OTBS
O
O NH2121
1. TBAF2. DMP, NaHCO3
3. CrCl2, CHI3
63% (>95:5 E/Z)
O
OR
RO
O
O
O NH2122
2. Grubbs II,35 76%
O
OH
HO
O
O
123
I I
1. BF3 OEt2, 46%
O
NH2
CuI, Cs2CO3
O
NH2
109
R = MOM
R = MOM
Figure 55: Nicolaou’s End-Game strategy for the Synthesis of 109.
Nicolaou’s synthesis of palmerolide A provided a very flexible route to the natural
product.183 It allowed the Nicolaou lab to synthesize various isomers as well as some
interesting analogs thereof.206,207 In the course of their research they performed some
structure-activity relationship studies (SAR) studies, identifying some structural
characteristics that influence cytotoxic activity. Figure 56 provides some representative
examples of the analogs developed by Nicolaou.207
132
R
O
O
HO
O
OH
O
NH2
HN
O
O
OH
OH
HN
O
O
HO
O
OH
O
NH2
OO
Palmerolide A (94)
HO
124
127: R =Me
O
NH
128: R =
O
NH
N
129 R =
O
NH
N
130: R =NH
N
S
Me
O
131: R =
O
NH
132: R =
O
NH
HN
O
O
O
OH
O
NH2
O
HN
O
O
HO
O
O
NH2
O
126125
Figure 56: Key Analogs of Palmerolide A Developed by the Nicolaou Lab.
The synthetic analogs were tested for cytostatic activity against a panel of seven
different cancer cell lines, including breast (MCF-7), melanoma (UACC-62), CNS
(SF268), lung (NCI-H460), ovarian (1A9), Taxol-resistant ovarian (PTX22), and
epothilone-resistant ovarian (A8) cells. The synthetic compounds tested were compared
to Taxol, doxorubicin, and natural palmerolide A (94). Table 6 summarizes selected
data (the less informative examples have been omitted).
133
Table 6: Selected Data from Nicolaou’s SAR Study (GI50 Values in M).
Entry Compound Cell Line
UACC-62 MCF-7 SF268 NCI-H460 IA9 PTX22 A8
1 doxorubicin 0.294 + 0.141 0.056 + 0.005 0.129 + 0.048 0.008 + 0.001 0.033 + 0.007 0.201 + 0.049 0.051 + 0.017
2 Taxol 0.022 + 0.016 0.006 + 0.001 0.026 + 0.141 0.007 + 0.001 0.006 + 0.001 0.079 + 0.001 0.021 + 0.015
3 natural 94 0.057 + 0.007 0.040 + 0.007 0.030 + 0.012 0.010 + 0.001 0.038 + 0.003 0.066 + 0.007 0.018 + 0.003
4 synthetic 94 0.062 + 0.001 0.065 + 0.011 0.048 + 0.006 0.017 + 0.004 0.059 + 0.001 0.073 + 0.005 0.049 + 0.004
5 ent-94 8.077 + 0.194 6.260 + 0.171 9.475 + 0.593 6.589 + 0.054 >10 >10 8.844 + 1.301
6 109 >10 >10 >10 >10 >10 >10 >10
7 124 0.322 + 0.088 0.200 + 0.026 0.281 + 0.118 0.075 + 0.003 0.288 + 0.017 0.627 + 0.016 0.083 + 0.006
8 125 6.979 + 0.531 7.585 + 0.252 8.764 + 0.315 6.396 + 0.106 7.135 + 0.667 8.062 + 0.037 6.691 + 0.439
9 126 0.063 + 0.001 0.074 + 0.000 0.060 + 0.004 0.055 + 0.002 0.072 + 0.001 0.076 + 0.000 0.061 + 0.013
10 127 >10 >10 >10 7.291 + 0.137 7.774 + 1.094 >10 6.700 + 0.411
11 128 0.641 + 0.000 0.755 + 0.004 0.592 + 0.007 0.430 + 0.047 0.618 + 0.051 0.741 + 0.003 0.460 + 0.042
12 129 0.735 + 0.084 0.796 + 0.166 0.491 + 0.132 0.078 + 0.001 0.378 + 0.141 0.889 + 0.029 0.072 + 0.004
13 130 8.822 + 0.083 7.397 + 0.262 >10 3.796 + 0.306 7.944 + 0.430 >10 3.514 + 1.379
14 131 0.009 + 0.001 0.007 + 0.000 0.007 + 0.001 0.007 + 0.001 0.009 + 0.001 0.039 + 0.002 0.006 + 0.000
15 132 0.067 + 0.000 0.071 + 0.008 0.054 + 0.000 0.061 + 0.000 0.067 + 0.002 0.081 + 0.006 0.057 + 0.001
134
Several interesting discoveries resulted from the SAR studies performed by
Nicolaou and co-workers. As expected, both the synthetic palmerolide A and the natural
isolate demonstrated similarly potent activities across all cell lines tested, whereas the
enantiomer was more than 100-fold less active (entries 3-5). The originally proposed
diastereomer (compound 109) was practically inactive (entry 6). Removal of the
carbamate moiety from C11 oxygen (compound 124) provided a mild decrease in
activity (ca. 5-fold, entry 7). Their results also provided evidence that the C10 hydroxyl
was necessary for reactivity (entry 8, compound 125). However, the compound lacking
the C7 alcohol was comparable to palmerolide A (entry 9, compound 126).
The enamide side chain also had a substantial effect on the ability of the analogs
to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells examined. Replacing the isobutenyl group of
palmerolide A with a methyl group decreased potency by more than two orders of
magnitude, but when it was replaced by an isobutyl group, the analog retained most of
its activity (entries 10 and 15, respectively). Polar aromatic enamide analogs of
palmerolide A (compounds 128-130) retained some activity, but perhaps most
interesting was the result of analog 131; this compound was found to have a 10-fold
increase in the activity against some of the cell lines (entry 14).
Several other groups have developed synthetic methods towards the synthesis of
various fragments of palmerolide A, envisioning similar strategies to install the
stereocenters and close the macrolide as De Brabander and Nicoloau,186-188 the labs of
Maier184 and Hall185 provided some interesting alternatives.
The Maier group provided a convergent synthesis of the C3-C15 fragment (134)
beginning with ester 133 (from -valerolactone). They utilized a Noyori asymmetric
hydrogenation208 to set the C7 stereocenter, a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation209
to provide the C10 and C11 oxygens, and an Ohira-Bestmann reaction210 to install the
unsaturation of the C14-C15 bond. The stereocenters of fragment 135 were generated
analogously to Nicolaou’s synthesis of the similar fragment.184 An olefination reaction
was carried out between fragments 134 and 135 establishing the C2-C3 bond
(compound 136). After having attempted an intramolecular Stille reaction which resulted
in E/Z mixture of the C14-C15 olefin, the macrolactone (137) was synthesized
stereoselectively through an intramolecular Heck reaction.211 Maier converted 137
135
through a series of steps into Nicolaou’s late stage intermediate (123), completing the
formal synthesis of palmerolide A (Figure 57).
OPMB
CO2Me
133
O
H
3
7
TBDPSO
O
OTBS
O
NH2
R = TBDPS134
+7
1115
O
I
1920
O
P(OEt)2
O
135
3
9% over 18 stepsLiCl, i-Pr2NEt,
MeCN92%
O
O
I
MeO2C
MeO2C
OTBS
RO
O
O
NH2
R = TBDPS136
Pd(OAc)2, CsCO3,
Et3N, DMF81%
O
OMeO2C
OTBS
RO
O
O
NH2
R = TBDPS136
123
6 steps(ca. 34%)
Figure 57: Key reactions in Maier’s Formal Synthesis of Palmerolide A.
The most recent synthesis, perhaps the most elegant, provided a route to
palmerolide A that incorporated asymmetric catalysis as a key feature. Hall and co-
workers185 applied an asymmetric E-crotylboration that had been developed in their lab
to install the C19 and C20 stereocenters. The reaction involved aldehyde 96, and was
catalyzed by SnCl4, using a p-F-Vivol[7] ligand (137)212 in 95% yield and 90% ee (>95:5
dr). The resulting alcohol (138) was then carried into their C16-C24 fragment (139)
(Figure 58).
136
I
O
H
Bpin
Na2CO3, 4 A MS,
toluene, -78 oC, 60 h
95% (>95:5 dr, 90% ee)
OH
I
94
137 SnCl4t-BuO2C
OH
138 139
FF
HO OH
137(R,R)-p-F-Vivol[ 7]
1920
I
Figure 58: Hall’s Asymmetric Crotylboration en Route to Palmerolide A’s C16-C24 Fragment.
The synthesis of the C1-C13 fragment (146) also employed a catalytic
enantioselective reaction developed in the Hall lab; a two step hetero [4+2]
cycloaddition / allylboration sequence involving 140 and enol ether 141 was used to set
the C7 stereocenter.213 This was followed by an esterification using acid 143 to set up
an unprecedented [3+3] B-Claisen-Ireland214 rearrangement, to provide both the C10
and C11 centers with the syn-configuration; subsequent oxidation and esterification led
to the formation of 145 (55%, 142 145), which was thus converted to the fragment
146 (Figure 59).
137
Bpin
O OEt
+
(a) Jacobsen's HDAcatalyst (ref. 214)
(1 mol %), BaO, THF, 14 h;
140 141
(b) 141, 2 h84% (96% ee)
BpinO OEt
OH(10 equiv)
HO
OOPMB
142
143
EDC-Cl, DMAP, CH2Cl2
1a. LDA (2.1 equiv)
THF, -78 oC;
1b.TMSCl, Et3N,
-100 oC, 2 h; -78 oC, 12 h;
O
pyranyl
Bpin
PMBOOTMS
i-Pr2N
1c. NaOAc, H2O2,
THF, 0 oC, 2 h
2. CH2N255% from 142
3
7
10
BpinO OEt
O
144
3
7
10
O
PMBO
O OEt
145
3
7
10
OH
OPMB
O
MeO11
MeO
O
10
11 OPMB
TIPSO
1
3
OTIPS7
146
B
Figure 59: Hall’s Unique Approach to Install the C7, C10, and C11 Stereocenters.
Hall completed the macrolide of palmerolide A through the use of a B-alkyl
Suzuki coupling reaction of vinyl iodide 139 and compound 146, followed by a
saponification of the methyl ester and a Yamaguchi macrolactonization. Hall’s lab then
installed the enamide by analogy to De Brabander’s Curtius rearrangement,182
selectively deprotected the PMB alcohol allowing for the installation of the carbamate
moiety. Palmerolide A was realized upon deprotection of the silyl ethers. Hall’s route
provided an aesthetically pleasing synthesis, incorporating three very interesting
reactions to set the required stereochemistry, and obtained palmerolide A in 0.8%
overall yield in 21 linear steps.
Palmerolide A has generated a great deal of excitement in the synthetic
community. Its promising biological activity and interesting structure have inspired
numerous labs to select palmerolide as a target, either as a testing ground for
138
methodology, or to provide efficient synthetic strategies for the benefit of the research
community at large. The efforts described above have provided instructive tools for the
synthesis of the various fragments and the core macrolide. Notably, the use of aldehyde
94 has been incorporated into each of the syntheses for the creation of the C19 and
C20 stereocenters. Moreover, the synthesis of the enamide side chain has involved
either a Curtius rearrangement strategy or a copper-catalyzed reaction with a vinyl
iodide.
The next section will provide some details of our proposed synthesis of this
promising natural product and recent developments in our fragmentation methodology.
This chemistry has allowed us to devise and carry out a concise synthesis of the C1-
C15 fragment of palmerolide A. Although there is still much work that needs to be done
before reaching our goal of the total synthesis of palmerolide A, our chemistry provides
new alternatives for the methods described above and contributes valuable information
to the synthetic community.
Synthesis of the Eastern Hemisphere of Palmerolide A
Since the expansion of the carbanion-triggered fragmentation reactions of
vinylogous acyl triflates to alkyl Grignard reagents,93 the scope of the reaction had been
increased dramatically.216,217 As discussed in Chapter 1, the bond cleavage pathway is
reminiscent of the Eschenmoser-Tanabe49-52 and related Grob-type fragmentations,39-43
but with a broader scope: the Eschenmoser-Tanabe fragmentation is limited to the
synthesis of alkynyl ketones and aldehydes from cyclic enones, whereas vinylogous
acyl triflates allow for the synthesis of a diverse range of carbonyl derivatives (Figure
60).217 The two step process—synthesis and fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflates—
enables the conversion of symmetric 1,3-diones into acyclic, differentially functionalized
building blocks.
139
O
Me
OTf
R M
R
O Me
NHPh
O Me
Ph
O Me
CH2Ph
O Me
O MeO Me O Me
O
OEt
SS
Me
PO
MeO OMe
84% 93% 73%
21%(needed for this study)74% 88%
Bu
O Me
76%
2
Figure 60: Brief Overview of the Addition / Bond Cleavage Reactions of Vinylogous Acyl Triflate 2.
Tummatorn and Dudley recently provided access to homopropargyl alcohols
from -keto lactones (heterocyclic diones) through a related process (Figure 61).218
Conversion of heterocyclic diones (147) to the corresponding 5,6-dihydro-2-pyrone
(DHP) triflates (148) occurs in excellent yields using a similar procedure to that of their
carbocyclic analogs. Treatment of 148 with two equivalents of methyl Grignard in
toluene at -78 oC, and subsequent warming, provides good to excellent yields of the
corresponding homopropargyl alcohol 148 with retention of configuration.
140
O
O
O
R1
R2
R4
R3
MeMgBr (2.0 equiv)
- 78 oC to 60 oC
73% to quant.R2
R3
R4 OH R1O
O
OTf
R1
R2
R4
R3
Tf2O, -78 oC
Et3N, CH2Cl2
147 148
>90%
149
Figure 61: Synthesis and Nucleophile-Triggered Decomposition of DHP Triflates.
As stated above, palmerolide A is a natural product that is ideal for convergent
fragment assembly strategies. As a logical consequence, the efficient synthesis of the
key fragments becomes of a priority. We envisioned the bond cleavage methodology
developed in our lab as being well suited for synthesis of palmerolide A’s key fragments.
Our retrosynthetic analysis includes similar initial disconnections to those of De
Brabander, Nicolaou, and Maier (Figure 62). For this discussion, the focus will remain
on the eastern hemisphere (C1-C15) of palmerolide A. For the synthesis of this region,
we imagined our C1-C8 fragments originating from vinylogous acyl triflate 2 through a
Claisen-type fragmentation reaction using a phosphonate nucleophile, setting up an
olefination of aldehyde 150 to form the C8-C9 bond.
OH
O
O
HO
O
O
NH2
7
10
11
1920
O
O
OTf1920
16
16
15
O
OTf
7
3
CHOPO
OP
10
11
15
3
Palmerolide A (94)
2
150151
HN
O
PO
Figure 62: Retrosynthetic Analysis of Palmerolide A Using a Fragmentation Approach.
141
The Claisen-type condensation of vinylogous acyl triflates216 was initially
optimized by Kamijo and Dudley using the lithium enolate of acetophenone as the
nucleophile trigger. As shown in Table 7, excess enolate (2.2 equiv) was required for
complete conversion (entries 1 and 2). The direct extension of this methodology to the
synthesis of -keto phosphonates was performed, but the anion of dimethyl
methylphosphonate provided fragmentation product 153b in yields that were not
practical for complex molecule synthesis (entry 3, Kamijo and Dudley). Reoptimizing
this system for the preparation of olefination reagents revealed an advantage of the
phosphine oxide over the phosphonate (entries 3 and 4, this work, Jones and Dudley).
In contrast to enolate nucleophiles, the addition / bond cleavage reaction of a lithiated
phosphine oxide required only 1.1 equivalents of the nucleophile (entry 2 vs. entry 5).
Table 7: Claisen-Type Condensations of Vinylogous Acyl Triflate 2.
O
Me
OTfO Me
2
[EWG CH2] Li
EWG
THF
153
entry [EWG CH2] Li
(152)
Equiv of 152
153 Yield of
153
1a OLi
Ph 1.2 153a 56%
2a OLi
Ph 2.2 153a 85%
3a P
O
OMeOMe
Li
2.2 153b 21%
4b P
O
PhPh
Li
2.2 153c 75%
5b P
O
PhPh
Li
1.1 153c 81-89%
a Reproduced from reference 216.
b See Experimental information.
142
Having optimized the fragmentation reaction for the synthesis of olefination
reagents, we turned our attention towards the synthesis of the C1-C18 portion (155) of
palmerolide A (Figure 63). Lindlar hydrogenation of 153c reduced the alkyne to afford
the corresponding Z-olefin (154), which was subjected to olefin-cross metathesis35 with
ethyl acrylate. The best results for our metathesis reaction were obtained using 4 mol %
of the Grubbs’ second generation catalyst and a substoichiometric amount (15 mol %)
of titanium(IV) isopropoxide219,220 at 100 oC in a sealed tube as a solution in methylene
chloride. Ti(Oi-Pr)4 is presumed to coordinate to the -ketophosphine oxide, preventing
chelation to the ruthenium metal center which may inhibit metathesis.
O
Me
O
1. Tf2O, Pyridine95-100%
2. Ph2P(O)CH2Li
THF, -78 to 60 oC
81-89%1
H2,Pd(CaCO3-Pb)
MeOH/pyridine96%
OP
O
PhPh
153c
OP
O
PhPh
154
Ethyl Acrylate,Grubbs' II (4 mol %)
Ti(Oi-Pr)4, CH2Cl2100 oC, 89%
OP
O
PhPh
155
EtO2C
Figure 63: Synthesis of the C1-C8 Olefination Reagent for the Synthesis of Palmerolide A.
Synthesis of aldehyde partner 150 began with a Sharpless asymmetric
dihydroxylation209 of ,-unsaturated ester 156 (Figure 64).221 The syn-diol (157) was
obtained in 75% yield (99.6% ee), and was subsequently converted to acetonide 158
using acetone as the solvent (the reaction did not go to completion in CH2Cl2).
Controlled ester reduction using diisobutylaluminum hydride provided aldehyde 150,
which was used immediately in a Horner-Wittig olefination reaction (155 + 150 161).
143
OEt
O
AD-mix-, MeSO2NH2,
H2O, t-BuOH (1:1), 0 oC
75% (99.6% ee)
OEt
O
HO
OH
2,2-dimethoxypropane
CSA, acetone99%
OEt
O
O
O
DIBAL
CH2Cl2, -78 oC
(95-100%)
H
O
O
O
156 157
158 150
Figure 64: Synthesis of Aldehyde 150, the C9-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A.
We investigated the coupling of fragments 155 and 150 to afford the 8,9-olefin
employing several different conditions commonly used to perform olefination reactions,
including: Ba(OH)2, DBU•LiCl (Masamune-Roush conditions), and t-BuOK. In each
case, the desired product was not observed and a mysterious byproduct was observed.
Although the 1H NMR spectrum was difficult to interpret, the vinyl protons of the enoate
were no longer present. This caused us to be concerned with the potential for an
intramolecular Michael addition reaction of the -ketophosphine oxide onto the tethered
enoate (Figure 65). A common feature of all of these bases is that each is of
intermediate basicity between the initial -ketophosphine oxide anion (159) and the
enolate resulting from the undesired cyclization onto the enoate (160). The conjugate
acid may therefore play a role in promoting a cyclization.
144
OP
O
PhPh
O
EtO
HB
- B H
EtO2C
Ph2P
OOPh2P
O
EtO2C
Ph2P
EtO2C
O
155
159 160
"H+"
B: = Ba(OH)2, DBU LiCl (Masamune-Roush conditions), and t-BuOK
Figure 65: Possible Michael Addition Reaction of 155.
The combination of irreversible base (NaH) and a slight excess of aldehyde 150
provided the best results for our desired olefination, affording enone 161 in 89% yield
(Figure 66). Following olefination, a CBS-reduction222 of enone 161 provided the C7
alcohol in 89% yield, albeit with only modest diastereoselectivity (ca. 75:25 dr). The
selectivity is surprising in light of a similar CBS-reduction for which Chandrasekhar
observed 97% de.187 On the other hand, our observations are in line with the 4:1 dr
reported by De Brabander for the CBS-reduction at the C7 position of a macrocyclic
precursor to palmerolide A.182 The stereoselective reduction of the C7 ketone remains
an open challenge as we continue with our studies. TBS-protection of 162 under
standard conditions furnished our C1-C15 fragment (163) of palmerolide A that will be
utilized en route to the natural product.
155
NaH (1.0 equiv)
THF, 0 oC;
Then 150 (1.5 equiv),
0 oC to r.t., 89% O
O
O
EtO2C
161
1. (R)-CBS, THF89% (ca. 75:25 dr)
2. TBSOTf, 2,6-LutidineCH2Cl2, 94% O
O
OR
EtO2C
162: R = H163: R = TBS
Figure 66: Completion of the Eastern Hemisphere (C1-C15) Fragment Synthesis.
145
In summary, we have prepared 163, which comprises the eastern hemisphere
(C1-C15) of palmerolide A, in 7 linear steps (approximately 42% overall yield) from
unsymmetrical dione 1. The optimized addition / bond cleavage reaction (2 153c)
provides efficient entry into a comparatively short synthesis of a C1-C8 olefination
reagent for the convergent coupling with aldehyde 150. Aldehyde 150 is prepared in
three steps and >99% ee from ester 156.221 This sequence highlights yet another
example of the versatility of vinylogous acyl triflates in complex molecule synthesis, and
demonstrates a marked improvement over our previously published Claisen-type
condensations of 2.216 Chapter 5 will provide mechanistic insight into similar Claisen-
type condensation reactions, as well as additional interesting olefination reagents.
Experimental
General information:
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a 300 MHz spectrometer using CDCl3
as the deuterated solvent. The chemical shifts () are reported in parts per million (ppm)
relative to the residual CHCl3 peak (7.26 ppm for 1H NMR and 77.0 ppm for 13C NMR)
for all compounds. The coupling constants (J) are reported in Hertz (Hz). IR spectra
were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer FT-IR spectrometer with diamond ATR accessory as
thin film. Mass spectra were recorded using chemical ionization (CI), electron ionization
(EI), or electrospray ionization (ESI). Melting points were taken on a MEL-TEMP melting
point apparatus and are uncorrected. All optical rotation data was recorded at 25 oC on
a Jasco P-2000 polarimeter with a 100 mm cell (concentration reported as g/100mL).
Yields refer to isolated material judged to be ≥ 95% pure by 1H NMR spectroscopy
following silica gel chromatography. All chemical were used as received unless
otherwise stated. All solvents, solutions and liquid reagents were added via syringe.
Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was purified by distillation over sodium and benzophenone.
Methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) was distilled from calcium hydride (CaH2). The n-BuLi
solutions were titrated against a known amount menthol dissolved in tetrahydrofuran
using 1,10-phenanthroline as the indicator. All reactions were carried out under an inert
146
nitrogen atmosphere unless otherwise stated. The purifications were performed by flash
chromatography using silica gel F-254 (230-499 mesh particle size).
(2-Oxo-oct-6-ynyl)-diphenylphosphine oxide (153c): To a stirred solution of
methyldiphenylphosphine oxide (201 mg, 0.92 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at –78 oC, was
added n-BuLi (0.34 mL, 0.85 mmol), as a 2.5 M solution in hexane, dropwise. The
reaction mixture was allowed to stir at –78 oC for 45 min, at which time vinylogous acyl
triflate (VAT) 261 (200 mg, 0.77 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was
stirred at –78 oC for 15 min, 0 oC for 15 min, and finally room temperature for 45 min.
The reaction mixture was quenched with a half-saturated aqueous solution of
ammonium chloride. The product was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 25 mL). The combined
extracts were washed with sat. NaHCO3, sat. brine, and were dried with MgSO4. The
dried organic solution was concentrated and purified by flash chromatography on silica
gel (60% EtOAc/Hexanes) to give 225 mg (89%) of alkyne 153c as a white solid: mp =
84 – 85 oC; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.82 – 7.69 (m, 4H), 7.60 – 7.43 (m, 6H), 3.60
(d, J = 15.0, 2H), 2.76 (t, J = 7.0, 2H), 2.06 (tq, J = 7.0, 2.5, 2H), 1.74 (t, J = 2.5, 3H),
1.65 (quintet, J = 7.0, 2H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 202.27, 132.03, 131.84 (d, J =
101.9), 130.71 (d, J = 9.8), 128.56 (d, J = 12.3), 78.03, 76.07, 46.94 (d, J = 56.9), 43.97,
22.48, 17.69, 3.28; IR (thin film) 1978, 1708, 1484, 1438, 1192 cm–1; HRMS (EI): Calcd
for C20H21O2P+ [M+] 324.1279, found 324.1279.
((Z)-2-Oxo-oct-6-ene)-diphenylphosphine oxide (154): Palladium, 5 wt. % on calcium
carbonate, poisoned with lead (820 mg) was stirred in methanol/pyridine (4:1, 50 mL),
under an atmosphere of hydrogen. After 30 min, a solution of alkyne 153c (2.00 g, 6.17
mmol) in MeOH (2 mL) was added in one shot to the stirred palladium solution. The
solution was stirred for 45 min. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of
Celite™ and the pad was washed with CH2Cl2 ~15 mL). The filtrate was concentrated
and purified on silica gel by flash chromatography (50% EtOAc/Hexane) to afford 1.93 g
(96%) of the product 154, containing the Z-olefin as a white solid: mp = 64 – 66 oC; 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.83 – 7.68 (m, 4H), 7.61 – 7.42 (m, 6H), 5.50 – 5.35 (m, 1H),
5.32 – 5.19 (m, 1H), 3.59 (d, J = 15.0, 2H), 2.65 (t, J = 7.2, 2H), 1.94 (q, J = 7.2, 2H),
147
1.60 – 1.49 (m, 5H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 202.91, 132.19, 132.09 (d, J = 102.4),
130.91 (d, J = 9.8), 129.56, 128.73 (d, J = 12.3), 124.65, 47.15 (d, J = 56.6), 44.74,
25.90, 23.14, 12.74; IR (thin film) 1708, 1438, 1193, 1120 cm–1; HRMS (ESI): Calcd for
C20H23O2PNa+ [M+Na+] 349.1333, found 349.1327.
((E)-ethyl-2-Oxo-oct-6-enoate)-diphenylphosphine oxide (155): To a solution of
olefin 154 (1.00g, 3.06 mmol) and ethyl acrylate (1.33 mL, 12.24 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (30
mL) was added freshly distilled Ti(Oi-Pr)4 (120 L, 0.46 mmol), followed by Grubbs’
second generation catalyst (76 mg, 0.09 mmol). The reaction vessel was sealed with a
Teflon screw-top with a rubber seal. The reaction mixture was placed in an oil bath
heated to 100 oC and stirred for 20 min. The solution was cooled to room temperature
and a second aliquot of Grubbs’ II catalyst was added (25 mg, 0.03 mmol). The reaction
mixture was stirred and re-heated to 100 oC; after 10 min, it was cooled to room temp.
and filtered through Celite™ and washed with CH2Cl2 (10 mL). The filtrate was
concentrated and purified on silica gel by flash chromatography (60% EtOAc/Hexane,
80% EtOAc/Hexane) to provide 1.03 g (87%) of Horner-Wittig reagent 155 as a white
solid: mp = 79 – 81 oC; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.82 – 7.68 (m, 4H), 7.62 – 7.42
(m, 6H), 6.84 (dt, J = 15.7, 6.9, 1H), 5.75 (d, J = 15.6, 1H), 4.17 (q, J = 7.1, 2H), 3.58 (d,
J = 14.9, 2H), 2.69 (t, J = 7.1, 2H), 2.09 (app. quartet, J = 6.6, 2H), 1.65 (quintet, J =
7.1, 2H), 1.28 (t, J = 7.1, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 202.19, 166.41, 147.94,
132.25, 131.90 (d, J = 102.4), 130.83 (d, J = 9.8), 128.74 (d, J = 12.3), 121.81, 60.09,
47.13 (d, J = 55.2), 44.30, 31.02, 21.48, 14.22; IR (thin film) 1709, 1653, 1438, 1187 cm-
1; HRMS (EI): Calcd for C22H25O4P+ [M+] 284.1490, found 384.1490.
(2R,3S)-2,3-dihydroxy-hept-6-ynoic ethyl ester (157). AD-mix-(30g, 1.6 g/mmol of
olefin) and MeSO2NH2 (1.75g, 18.4mmol) were stirred in t-BuOH/H2O (1:1, 100 mL) at 0
oC for 1 hr. To the stirred heterogeneous solution was added a solution of the known
compound 156,221 (E)--hept-2-en-6-ynoic ethyl ester (2.8 g, 18.4 mmol), in 24 mL of t-
BuOH/H2O (1:1) in one shot. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 oC for 24 h. To the
solution was added Na2SO3 (13.4 g, 106.7 mmol) at 0 oC and stirred for an additional
hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH2Cl2 (100 mL) and H2O (50 mL). Product
148
extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with a
saturated brine solution (150 mL), dried with Na2SO4, and concentrated under reduced
pressure. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 30%
EtOAc/Hexanes to afford 2.57 g of diol 157 (75%, 99.6% ee as determined via chiral
HPLC on a chiracel OD column after converting the diol to the dibenzoyl ester,223 using
2% isopropanol/hexanes as the eluent at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/hr; retention times (in
minutes) of 79:30 (major) and 70.28 (minor)) as a white solid: mp = 50 - 51 oC; []D25 = -
31.7o (c = 6.7, CH2Cl2); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 4.31 (q, J = 7.1, 2H), 4.09 (d, J =
4.9, 1H), 4.06 (d, J = 6.3, 1H), 3.07 (d, J = 5.1, 1H), 2.39 (dt, J = 9.0, 2.7, 2H), 2.03 (d, J
= 9.3, 1H), 2.00 (t, J = 2.7, 1H), 1.94 – 1.75 (m, 2H), 1.33 (t, J = 7.1, 3H); 13C NMR (75
MHz, CDCl3) 173.22, 83.47, 73.23, 71.15, 68.95, 62.05, 32.17, 14.83, 14.04; IR (thin
film) 3444, 3291, 2111, 1732, 1214, 1118 cm-1; HRMS (ESI): Calcd for C9H14O4Na+
[M+Na+] 209.0790, found 209.0796.
(4R,5S)-5-(3-butynyl)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester
(158). To a stirred solution of diol 157 (500 mg, 2.68 mmol) in 10 mL acetone (HPLC
grade) was added 2,2-dimethoxypropane (0.4 mL, 3.22 mmol) followed by camphor-10-
sulfonic acid (CSA) (30 mg, 0.13 mmol). The solution was stirred for 24 hr at room
temperature. The reaction was diluted with CH2Cl2 (10 mL) and then quenched with
saturated NaHCO3 (20 mL). The product was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 15 mL). The
combined organic layers were washed with a saturated brine solution, dried with
MgSO4, and concentrated. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography on
silica gel (10% EtOAc/Hexanes) to afford 603 mg (>95%) of acetonide 158: []D25 = -
23.5o (c = 4.5, CH2Cl2); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 4.30-4.20 (m, 3H), 4.16 (d, J = 7.6,
1H), 2.49 – 2.26 (m, 2H), 2.10 – 1.82 (m, 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.31 (t, J = 7.1,
3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 170.53, 110.98, 83.08, 78.71, 77.55, 68.86, 61.36,
32.47, 27.07, 25.61, 14.94, 14.12; IR (thin film) 3283, 2115, 1757, 1732, 1096 cm-1;
HRMS (CI): Calcd for C12H19O4+ [M+] 227.1283, found 227.1285.
(4R,5S)-5-(3-butynyl)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane-4-carboxaldehye (150). To a
solution of ethyl ester 158 (600 mg, 2.68 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (20 mL) at –78 oC was added
149
DIBAL (4.02 mL), as a 1.0M solution in toluene, dropwise. The reaction mixture was
allowed to stir at –78 oC for 1 hr. To the stirred solution was added 20 mL of a saturated
aqueous solution of sodium, potassium tartrate and 1 mL of methanol dropwise at –78
oC. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for approximately
2 hrs until the biphasic solution became clear. The product was extracted with Et2O (3 x
10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried with Na2SO4 and concentrated. The
resulting oil was filtered through a plug of silica gel (10% EtOAc/Hex). The filtrate was
concentrated, leaving 480 mg of a clear oil (>95% crude yield). The crude oil was then
used immediately in the next reaction.
Horner-Wittig reaction to provide enone 161: To a solution of NaH, 60 wt. % in
mineral oil, (70 mg, 1.75 mmol) in THF (15 mL) at 0 oC was added Horner-Wittig
reagent 155 (673 mg, 1.75 mmol) at once. Upon stirring for 45min at 0 oC, aldehyde 150
(480 mg, 2.63 mmol) in 5 mL of THF was added in one shot. The reaction solution was
subsequently stirred at 0 oC for 5 min (white ppt. began to form), and was warmed and
stirred at room temperature for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was then diluted with Et2O (10
mL) and quenched with ½ sat. NH4Cl (20 mL). The product was extracted with Et2O (3 x
10 mL). The combined extracts were washed with sat. NaHCO3 (20 mL) followed by a
wash with sat. brine (20 mL). The organics were dried with MgSO4 and concentrated.
The crude yellowish oil was purified via flash chromatography on silica gel (10%
EtOAc/Hexanes to 20% EtOAc/Hexane) to afford 540 mg (89%) of enone 161 as a clear
oil: []D25 = -12.5o (c = 3.9, CH2Cl2);
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 6.93 (dt, J = 15.6, 6.9,
1H), 6.72 (dd, J = 15.8, 5.8, 1H), 6.37 (dd, J = 15.8, 1.3, 1H), 5.83 (dt, J = 15.6, 1.5,
1H), 4.26 – 4.12 (m, 3H), 3.87 (dt, J = 5.1, 4.8, 1H), 2.60 (t, J = 7.3, 2H), 2.47 – 2.28 (m,
2H), 2.28 – 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.98 (t, J = 2.5, 1H), 1.88 – 1.74 (m, 4H), 1.43 (s, 1H), 1.42 (s,
1H), 1.29 (t, J = 7.1, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 198.87, 166.40, 147.87, 141.28,
130.44, 122.02, 109.64, 83.06, 79.89, 78.96, 69.07, 60.14, 39.63, 31.24, 30.81, 27.12,
26.65, 21.92, 15.06, 14.18; IR (thin film) 3275, 1714, 1677, 1651, 1371 cm-1; HRMS
(ESI): Calcd for C20H28O5Na+ [M+Na+] 371.1834, found 371.1830.
(R)-CBS reduction to afford C7-alcohol (162): To a stirred solution enone 161 (200
mg, 0.57 mmol) in THF (50 mL) at -40 oC was added (R)-2-methyl-CBS-oxazaborolidine
150
(1.71 mL, 1.71 mmol), 1.0 M in toluene, dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for
30 min at –40 oC, at which time, borane-THF complex (1.14 mL, 1.14 mmol), 1.0 M in
THF, was added dropwise. The solution was allowed to stir for an additional 45 min at –
40 oC. The reaction was quenched with Et2O/MeOH (51 mL, 50:1) at –40 oC, this was
followed by a sat. NaHCO3 solution (80 mL) once the solution reached room
temperature. The product was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 35 mL), the organic layers
were combined, washed with a sat. brine solution (100 mL) and dried with Na2SO4. The
volatiles were evaporated and the crude oil purified by flash chromatography on silica
gel (20% EtOAc/Hexane) to give 178 mg (89%) of allylic alcohol 162 as a mixture of
diastereomers (3.2:1), resolved by chiral HPLC on a chiracel OD column with retention
times (in minutes) of 17:02 (major) and 20:28 (minor) using 12 % isopropanol/hexanes
as the eluent at a flow rate of 0.5mL/hr; isolated as a clear oil: []D25 = -4.9o (c = 4.2,
CH2Cl2); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 6.94 (dt, J = 15.6, 6.9, 1H), 5.91 – 5.77 (m, 2H),
5.67 (dd, J = 15.5, 7.5, 1H), 4.23 – 4.12 (m, 3H), 4.10 – 3.99 (m, 1H), 3.79 (dt, J = 7.1,
6.2, 1H), 2.44 – 2.28 (m, 2H), 2.28 – 2.16 (m, 2H), 1.97 (t, J = 2.6, 1H), 1.82 – 1.71 (m,
2H), 1.61-1.49 (m, 5H), 1.41 (s, 6H), 1.28 (t, J = 7.1, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3)
166.54, 148.59, 137.88, 126.96, 121.54, 108.70, 83.42, 81.25, 79.07, 71.35, 68.81,
60.08, 36.23, 31.84, 30.65, 27.10, 26.85, 23.69, 15.11, 14.15; IR (thin film) 3452, 3292,
2115, 1714, 1370 cm-1; HRMS (ESI): Calcd for C20H30O5Na+ [M+Na+] 373.1991, found
373.1984.
t-Butyldimethylsilyl Ether 163: To a stirred solution of alcohol 162, resulting from the
CBS-reduction, (100 mg, 0.28 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (40 mL) at –78 oC was added 2,6-
lutidine (190 L, 1.68 mmol), followed by the dropwise addition of TBSOTf (190 L, 0.84
mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at –78 oC for 30min. The reaction was
quenched with 20 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3 at –78 oC. The
heterogeneous mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 10 min. The
product was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 x 15 mL). The combined organics were washed
with brine (40 mL), dried with Na2SO4, and concentrated. The crude oil was purified by
flash chromatography on silica gel (5% EtOAc/Hexanes) to give 122 mg (94%) of a
clear colorless oil, compound 163: []D25 = -10.2o (c = 4.1, CH2Cl2);
1H NMR (300 MHz,
151
CDCl3) 6.93 (dt, J = 15.5, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 5.86 – 5.69 (m, 2H), 5.56 (dd, J = 15.5, 7.4 Hz,
1H), 4.23 – 4.10 (m, 3H), 4.03 (t, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 3.78 (dt, J = 7.9, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 2.44 –
2.24 (m, 2H), 2.19 (q, J = 6.6, 2H), 1.95 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 1.83 – 1.67 (m, 2H), 1.54 –
1.43 (m, 4H), 1.40 (s, 6H), 1.29 (t, J = 7.1, 3H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.05 (s, 3H), 0.03 (s, 3H);
13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 166.63, 148.85, 138.23, 126.61, 121.49, 108.73, 83.45,
81.40, 79.19, 72.33, 68.71, 60.11, 37.41, 32.08, 30.88, 27.20, 26.91, 25.83, 23.53,
18.17, 15.25, 14.25, -4.28, -4.76; IR (thin film) 3312, 2115, 1720, 1654, 1252 cm-1;
HRMS (ESI): Calcd for C26H44O5SiNa+ [M+Na+] 487.2886, found 487.2855.
152
HPLC data for dihydroxylation of 156:
Chiracel OD Column: (Standardized using products of both AD-mix- and AD-mix- dihydroxylations followed by dibenzoylation of the resulting diol).
Eluent = 2 % isopropanol/hexanes
Flow rate = 1.00 mL/hr
Detector wavelength = 240 nm
Injection time = 84.67 min
2S,3R peak elution = 155.14 min 2R,3S peak elution = 164.16 min
2S,3R peak retention = 70:28 min 2R,3S peak retention = 79:30 min
2S,3R peak area = 45144 2R,3S peak area = 23068392
2S,3R peak % area = 0.03 2R,3S peak % area = 17.93
2S,3R : 2R,3S = 1 : 511
2R,3S = 99.6 % ee
Minutes
154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169
AU
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
AU
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
Det 166
dmj-III273px2
153
HPLC data for CBS-reduction of 161:
Chiracel OD Column: (Standardized using products of both (R)-CBS and (S)-CBS catalyzed reductions).
Eluent = 12 % isopropanol/hexanes
Flow rate = 0.5 mL/hr
Detector wavelength = 225 nm
Injection time = 214.58 min
7S peak elution = 231.617 min 7R peak elution = 235.042 min
7S peak retention = 17:02 min 7R peak retention = 20:28 min
7S peak area = 10864911 7R peak area = 3371974
7S peak % area = 5.46 7R peak % area = 1.70
7S : 7R = 3.22 : 1
Minutes
228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237
AU
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
AU
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
Det 166
dmj-III250x2
154
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra:
OP
O
PhPh
153c
155
OP
O
PhPh
153c
156
OP
O
PhPh
154
157
OP
O
PhPh
154
158
OP
O
PhPh
155
EtO2C
159
OP
O
PhPh
155
EtO2C
160
OEt
O
HO
OH
157
161
OEt
O
HO
OH
157
162
OEt
O
O
O
158
163
OEt
O
O
O
158
164
O
O
O
EtO2C
161
165
O
O
O
EtO2C
161
166
O
O
OH
EtO2C
162
167
O
O
OH
EtO2C
162
168
O
O
OTBS
EtO2C
163
169
O
O
OTBS
EtO2C
163
170
CHAPTER 5
RE-EXPLORING THE CLAISEN-TYPE CONDENSATIONS OF VINYLOGOUS ACYL TRIFLATES
New Insights into the Mechanism
First reported in 1887,224 the Claisen condensation plays an important role in
synthetic organic chemistry.225-228 The Claisen condensation involves the enolate of an
ester undergoing a reversible nucleophilic addition / elimination reaction with another
equivalent of ester in the presence of excess base. The reaction is driven to completion
due to the irreversible deprotonation of the resulting -ketoester (Figure 67).
O
OEt
O M
OEt
O M
EtO
O
OEt
O O
OEt
H
EtO M
EtOH
O O
OEt
M"H3O+" O O
OEt
irreversible deprotonation
addition elimination
Figure 67: Mechanism of the Classical Claisen Condensation of Ethyl Acetate.
As presented in previous chapters, our lab has been interested in the preparation
of alkynyl ketones using the tandem addition / C-C bond cleavage reaction of
vinylogous acyl triflates (VATs).61,93,216,217 This reaction was applied to the synthesis of
an important moth pheromone natural product (Chapter 2)93 and provided access to
substituted benzo-fused indanes (Chapter 3). The two-step conversion of cyclic diones
to tethered alkynyl ketones has been shown to be general, affording a wide variety of
differentially functionalized substrates.
171
Kamijo and Dudley were the first to examine the Claisen-type condensations of
VATs. They provided insight into the mechanism of the reaction between the lithium
enolate of acetophenone (152a) and VAT 2 (Figure 68).216 The stoichiometry played a
pivotal role in the ability of the reaction to proceed to completion. Like the classical
Claisen condensation, more than 2 equivalents of base (enolate) are needed to convert
the starting material effectively to product. According to their postulated mechanism, the
1,2-addition of the enolate to VAT 2 proceeds reversibly, leading to intermediate 164. At
elevated temperatures the fragmentation takes place, providing 1,3-diketone 153a.
However, because the enolate addition is reversible, once 153a is formed, another
equivalent of enolate (152a) deprotonates the -ketoester product. Thus, at least 2
equivalents of enolate are required for this reaction, one to undergo the addition and
another for deprotonation.
O
OTf
Ph
OLi
2
O
LiOPh
OTf
152a
164
O
O
Ph
153a
Ph
OLi
Ph
OO
O
Ph
165
Li
"H3O+"
O
O
Ph
153a
-LiOTf
Figure 68: Proposed Mechanism for the Reaction Between 2 and 152a.
With this mechanistic model in mind, the investigation into the Claisen-type
condensation reactions of VATs was carried out using the same protocol. Most of the
nucleophiles examined in this reaction gave satisfactory results (Figure 69).216 The
worst nucleophile in the series happened to be the anion of dimethyl
172
methylphosphonate, which gives rise to a potentially useful -ketophosphonate adduct
(153b).
O
OTf
2
[EWG-CH2] Li
THF
-78 oC to 60 oC
O
EWG
153
O
O
Ph
O
O
Me
O
O
OEt
O
S
O
PO
(2.2 equiv)
85% 42% 88%
O
O
Me
53% 21%
OMeMeO
Kamijo and Dudley, Org Lett. 2006, 8, 175-177
153b
Figure 69: Reported Claisen-Type Condensation Reactions of VAT 2.
In 2007, our lab became interested in the synthesis of palmerolide A.175 Our
synthetic plan called for the application of a tandem addition / C-C bond cleavage
adduct similar to 153b. In order for this to be practical, the Claisen-type condensation
reaction had to be a re-optimized for the synthesis of olefinating reagents similar to
153b. Changing the nucleophile from the lithium anion of dimethyl methylphosphonate
to the lithium anion of methyldiphenylphosphine oxide (152c) afforded Horner-Wittig
reagent 153c in the 70% yield range. Upon further optimization, we found that only 1.1
equivalents of the phosphine oxide nucleophile were necessary to convert VAT 2
effectively to the corresponding product 153c (Figure 70). This optimization culminated
in the synthesis of the C1-C15 fragment of palmerolide A (Chapter 4).
173
O
OTf
2
O
P
153c
P
O
PhPh
Li
152c
THF
-78 oC to 60 oC
2.2 equiv of 152c = 69 - 75%1.1 equiv of 152c = 81 -89%
O
PhPh
Figure 70: Observations Made During the Synthesis of the C1-C15 Fragment of Palmerolide A (Chapter 4).
The ability to decrease the loading of the phosphine oxide nucleophile provided
impetus for us to re-open the investigation into the Claisen-type condensation reactions
of vinylogous acyl triflates. We initially hypothesized that the reactivity of the nucleophile
has an important role in the reversibility of the addition step in the proposed mechanism.
We postulated that if the reactivity of the nucleophile were sufficiently high, the
reversibility of the initial addition step would be reduced. In addition, if the fragmentation
step was significantly faster than that of the retro-addition, the concentration of the
nucleophile (base) would be limited and would thus allow for the accumulation of
fragmentation product.
The pKa’s of some related pre-nucleophiles may provide insight into the relative
reactivity of their corresponding anions in the addition / fragmentation reaction (Table
8).229 The data presented in Table 8 demonstrates the similarities in acidity between
phosphonates and phosphine oxides as well as their significant difference compared to
the acidity of the acetophenone derivatives. If the elevated pKa’s of phosphine oxides
are representative of their relative reactivity, then the enhanced reactivity of the
nucleophile might be responsible for the ability to lower the number of equivalents
added.
174
Table 8: Comparison of the Acidities of Several Acetophenone, Phosphonate, and Phosphine Oxide Derivatives in DMSO.a
R
pKa
O
PhR
O
PEtOEtO
R
O
PPhPh
R
H 24.7 N/A N/A
Ph 17.7 27.6 N/A
CN 10.2 16.4 16.9
SPh 16.9 N/A 24.9 a pKa’s obtained from data presented in ref. 228.
To reiterate our previous observations, the Claisen-type ring opening of VAT 2
with the lithium enolate of acetophenone requires 2 equivalents of enolate, whereas the
similar reaction involving the lithium anion of methyldiphenylphosphine oxide is best
accomplished with 1 equivalent of the stabilized nucleophile.
Having optimized the Claisen-type condensation of VATs for the acetophenone
enolate (152a, Figure 68) and the anion of methyldiphenylphosphine oxide (152c,
Figure 70), the next logical experiment to include in our new investigation was the
addition of 1.1 equivalents of the enolate of ethyl acetate (166). Ethyl acetate was one
of the best pre-nucleophiles in our earlier study, and it is intermediate in acidity between
acetophenone and methyldiphenylphosphine (pKa of ethyl acetate in DMSO = 29.5).230
The reaction involving the enolate of ethyl acetate provided valuable data. When
1.1 equivalents of 166 were added to VAT 2, the desired fragmentation product (168)
was obtained in 56% yield (Figure 71). This result was in line with our previous
observation using 1.2 equiv. of the acetophenone enolate (152a) (56% yield).216 In this
case, however, a previously unobserved byproduct was isolated (ca. 26% yield). We
believe that the structure of this byproduct is that of alcohol 170. This byproduct proved
to be unstable even at low temperatures (-15 oC). However, when immediately
dissolved in THF, treated with excess NaH (approximately 3 equivalents) and heated to
175
60 oC for 30 min, this byproduct gave rise to the fragmentation product 168 in 78%
yield, which provides support for our proposed structure (170).
A revised mechanistic hypothesis is needed to account for the formation of -
hydroxy ester 170. We envision an effectively irreversible addition of enolate 166 to VAT
2 to provide aldolate 167. In contrast to reactions using acetophenone, the retro-aldol of
167 (167 2) does not figure prominently in our observations. Intermediate 167 begins
to undergo fragmentation upon warming, providing -ketoester 168. Subsequent
deprotonation of the -ketoester by the alkoxide, not the enolate, occurs. Thus, two
equivalents of base are still required for compete conversion of VAT 2 to 168. Although
the isolation of byproduct 170 provides evidence for the proposed reaction pathway, a
competing deprotonation of the -ketoester by the enolate resulting from a retro-addition
cannot be ruled out.
O
OTf
OEt
OLi
2
O
LiOEtO
OTf
166
167
O
O
OEt
168
O
O
OEt
169
Li"H3O+"
O
O
OEt
168
OLi
OEtO
OTf167
OH
OEtO
OTf170
THF, 78%
excess NaH
ca. 26% isolated
56%
proposed structure ofisolated byproduct
separately treated with
Figure 71: Proposed Fragmentation Reaction Pathway Between 2 and 166.
176
This new byproduct, tentatively assigned as 170, provided a more defined
understanding of the reaction pathway, which enabled us to reconsider the reaction
between phosphine oxide nucleophile 152c and vinylogous acyl triflates (Figure 72). We
propose that the anion adds irreversibly at cold temperatures and the resulting oxy-
anion coordinates to the phosphine oxide to provide intermediate 171. This intermediate
is envisioned to resemble an oxaphosphetane intermediate, much like that formed
during a Wittig olefination reaction.231-233 Such an intermediate would reduce the oxy-
anion’s ability to deprotonate the -ketophosphine oxide product, and would reduce the
possibility of a retro-addition, thus allowing for the use of one equivalent of nucleophile
to consume the starting material. When the reaction mixture is subsequently warmed,
the postulated oxaphosphetane-like intermediate collapses and provides the
fragmentation product 153c, instead of undergoing the classical—retro-[2+2]—
olefination reaction to provide 172 (not observed).
O
OTf
PO
PhPh
Li
152c OP
OPhPh
2 171
Li
O
PO
PhPh
PO
PhPh
OLi_ OTf
153c
172
X(not observed)
Figure 72: Proposed Mechanism of the Reaction Between VAT 2 and 152c.
The results of the Claisen-type condensation reactions of VAT 2 and the various
stabilized anions (cf. 152a, 152c, and 166) have provided us with a better
understanding of their reaction mechanisms. Although it is not necessarily the reactivity
of the nucleophile that determines the ability to use fewer equivalents, the isolation of
177
the alcohol intermediate 170 was very informative as to the intermediates involved in
these reactions. The more detailed study of these reactions allowed for the expansion of
the methodology to the synthesis of -ketophosphonates. -Ketophosphonates provide
reactivity similar to -ketophosphine oxides (both are olefinating reagents), but the
phosphonates provide some distinct advantages; they are cheaper, more widely
available, and easier to work with than their phosphine oxide analogs. The next section
addresses the conversion of VATs to novel phosphonate-based olefinating reagents.
Synthesis of -Ketophosphonates
The use of phosphonates in organic chemistry has revolutionized the synthesis
of alkenes.231-244 The ability to generate E- and Z- alkenes selectively, the mild
conditions required for reaction, and the ease of their synthesis provides the distinct
advantages of phosphonates as olefination reagents over their phosphorane (Wittig
reagents) or phosphine oxide (Horner-Wittig) counterparts. Common methods for the
synthesis of phosphonates have relied on a two general strategies (Figure 73): (1) the
Arbuzov reaction,245,246 which involves the alkylation of the corresponding trialkyl
phosphite to prepare alkyl-, benzyl-, and allylphosphonates as well as phosphonate
esters; or (2) a Claisen-type condensation between esters and a dialkyl
methylphosphonates to prepare -ketophosphonates.247-251 Synthesis of -
ketophosphonates using the Arbuzov reaction is also known, but one must recognize
the potential for the competing Perkow reaction, which gives rise to enol phosphates.245
178
OR1
PR1O OR1
Trialkyl Phosphite
R2H2C X
OR1
PCH2R2
R1O
R1O
X
-R1X
O
PR1OR1O
R2
R1 = 1o Alkyl
R2 = Alkyl, Vinyl, Aryl, Ester
Dialkyl Alkylphosphonate
(1) Arbuzov Reaction
(2) Claisen-Type Condensation Reaction
O
PR1OR1O
Me
1. Base, -78 oC
2.
OR3,
O
R2
-78 oC to r.t.
O
PR1OR1O
O
R2
Base = n-BuLi, LDA, LiHMDS
Figure 73: Common Methods for the Preparation of Phosphonates.
The synthesis of -ketophosphonates was of particular interest to us. Having
obtained a poor yield (21%) of phosphonate product 153c upon treating VAT 2 with 2.2
equivalents of dimethyl lithiomethylphosphonate (152b) under our original conditions,216
we were interested to determine if the conditions optimized for the
lithiomethyldiphenylphosphine oxide (152c) nucleophile would provide increased yields
of the -ketophosphonates. The use of lithiomethyldiphenylphosphine oxide as the
nucleophile trigger provided excellent yields (up to 89%). However, the use of
phosphonates for alkene synthesis is much more common.231,238,241 What’s more, the
use of dimethyl methylphosphonate has a distinct advantage for large scale synthesis,
its cost is far lower than that of methyldiphenylphosphine oxide (ca. 66 mmol / $1 vs. 1
mmol / $1, respectively).94
Table 9 summarizes the data resulting from the Claisen-type addition / bond
cleavage reactions of various VATs and 1.1 equiv. of dimethyl lithiomethylphosphonate.
179
The reaction between VAT 2 and 1.1 equiv. of 152b proceeded in excellent yield (entry
1). This result was nearly a 5-fold increase compared to our previous report, in which
2.2 equivalents of nucleophile were used.216 VAT 173, which is similar to 2, but lacks
the -methyl substituent, provided a messy reaction. Although the product was present
in the 1H NMR spectrum, it could not be obtained in acceptable purity (entry 2). The
vinylogous acyl triflates derived from dimedone and 1,3-cycloheptanedione (175 and
177, respectively) both provided their respective phosphonate products, 176 and 177, in
acceptable yields. Interestingly, in the case of 175, an unstable byproduct was isolated
(ca. 4%), whose 1H NMR spectrum is consistent with diene 179. Such a byproduct
would support our proposed oxaphosphetane-like intermediate (cf. structure 171).
180
Table 9: Reactions of Vinylogous Acyl Triflates with 1.1 Equivalents of Dimethyl Lithiomethylphosphonate (152b).a
Entry VAT Product Yield, %b
1
O
OTf2
PO
O
OMeMeO
153b
97
2
O
OTf173
PO
O
OMeMeO
174
—c
3
O
OTf175
PO
O
OMeMeO
176
41d
4
O
OTf
177
PO
O
OMeMeO
178
78e
a Triflate (0.5 mmol) reacted with nucleophile (0.55 mmol, generated from 0.6
mmol of dimethyl methylphosphonate and 0.55 mmol n-BuLi) at -78 oC to 60
oC
over 80 min. b Isolated yields.
c Product detected by
1H NMR, however not
obtained in acceptable purity, all attempts to purify failed. d Obtained a byproduct
proposed to be diene 179. e decomposition of 177 was observed after purification
and had to be used immediately.
PMeO
O
Li
MeO
152b
OTf
179
Vinylogous acyl triflates 173, 175, and 177, which lack the -methyl substituent,
are relatively unstable when compared to their analog, VAT 2. Vinylogous acyl triflate 2
can be stored under an inert atmosphere for several months at -10 oC without any
181
observable decomposition by 1H NMR spectroscopy, whereas VATs 173 and 174 begin
to discolor after 1 to 2 days.
VAT 177 is even less stable; it began to decompose upon removal of solvent and
had to be used immediately. In addition, 1,3-cycloheptanedione, the precursor to VAT
177, is extremely cost prohibitive (1 gram / $264.50, approximately 30 mol / $1).94 For
these reasons, the two-step conversion from 1,3-cycloheptanedione to -
ketophosphonate 178 is less than ideal.
We desired an alternative strategy for accessing olefination reagents
homologated tethered alkynes (cf. 178) using the KAPA acetylene zipper reaction.252
The KAPA acetylene zipper reaction rearranges internal alkynes to terminal alkynes.
Rearrangement of phosphonate 153b was not effective (Figure 74, eq. 1), likely due to
competing amidation of the phosphonate with 1,2-propanediamine. This technical
problem was easily overcome by switching to the corresponding phosphine oxide
(153c). Fragmentation of VAT 2 with lithiomethyldiphenylphosphine oxide provides
153c, and carrying out a subsequent KAPA zipper (alkyne isomerization) reaction
provides Horner-Wittig reagent 180 (ca. 44% over two steps), an analog of phosphonate
178 (Figure 74, eq. 2).
O
OTf
2
OPPh
PhLi
152c
THF, -78 to 60 oC
81-89%
O
PO
PhPh
153c(Chapter 4)
1,3-Propanediamine,
0 oC, 12 h
49% Unoptimized
10 equiv KH
PO
O
PhPh
180
PO
O
OMeMeO
178
O
PO
OMeMeO
153c
1,3-Propanediamine,
0 oC, 12 h
10 equiv KH
not observed(1)
(2)
Figure 74: Synthesis of a 180, an Analog of Phosphonate 178.
182
Having demonstrated the ability to fragment various vinylogous acyl triflates to
provide dimethyl -ketophosphonates, we turned our attention to determining if the
fragmentation reaction could be expanded to the use of other phosphonate
nucleophiles. Table 10 provides the results of this series of experiments.
Table 10: Fragmentation of VAT 2 Using 1.1 Equivalents of Various Phosphonate
Derived Nucleophiles.a
entry Phosphonate Product Yield, %b
1 PEtO
O
EtO
Me
181
PO
O
OEtEtO
182
Me
94
2 PEtO
O
EtO
Bn
183
PO
O
OEtEtO
184
Ph
70c
3 PEtO
O
EtO
Ph
185
PO
O
OEtEtO
186
Ph
0d,e
4 PF3CH2CO
O
F3CH2COMe
187
PO
O
OCH2CF3F3CH2CO
188
0d,f
a Triflate 2 (0.50 mmol) reacted with nucleophile (0.55 mmol, generated from 0.6
mmol of phosphonate and 0.55 mmol of n-BuLi) in THF at -78 to 60 oC over 80 min.
b Isolated yields.
c Obtained byproduct, proposed to be 189 (ca. 8% yield).
d
decomposition of starting VAT 2 observed. e 20% recovered VAT 2.
f 35%
recovered VAT 2.
O
OTf
2 OTf
Ph
189
183
The reaction between VAT 2 and the anion of diethyl ethylphosphonate (181)
proceeded cleanly in 94% yield (entry 1). This result is remarkable. In our previous
studies of the Claisen-type condensation reactions, substitutions at the -position of the
nucleophile led to decomposition of the starting VAT. In the case of the nucleophile
derived from diethyl 2-phenylethylphosphonate (183) (entry 2), the phosphonate product
184 was obtained in 70% yield. This reaction provided an unstable byproduct consistent
with an E/Z- mixture of dienes 189, in a roughly 1:1 ratio (ca. 8% yield). Again, alkene
byproducts are consistent with a postulated oxaphosphetane-like intermediate (cf. 171,
Figure 71).
The more stabilized nucleophiles derived from phosphonates 185 and 187 failed
to produce any discernable products, and small amounts of starting VAT 2 were
recovered. In addition, to the electronic stabilization provided by the phenyl substituent,
the increased steric profile may also inhibit the desired reaction with VAT 2. The anion
of phosphonate 187, which would give rise to a Still-Gennari-type242 olefination reagent,
is prone to homo-condensation,250 thus hampering its viability in Claisen-type
condensation reactions.
In summary, this work has provided valuable insight into the mechanism of the
Claisen-type fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflates. The observance of the suspected
alcohol byproduct 170 allowed for a better understanding of the mechanism involving
phosphine oxide derived nucleophiles. Ultimately, the results obtained during our
synthesis of the C1-C15 fragment of palmerolide A allowed for the expansion of the
method to the synthesis of -ketophosphonates and a better understanding of these
reactions. The ability of the phosphorus atom to coordinate to the resulting alkoxyanion
after addition, perhaps forming an oxaphosphetane-like intermediate, is a key feature.
This coordination allows for the reduction in the equivalencies of nucleophile required
and provides the desired reactivity. If correct, the proposed structure of the olefinated
byproducts 179 and 189 would support the transient formation of a true
oxaphosphetane intermediate.
We have demonstrated throughout the course of our extensive research into the
tandem nucleophilic addition / C-C bond cleavage reactions of vinylogous acyl triflates
that this class of compounds can give rise to interesting and synthetically useful
184
compounds. Tethered alkynyl ketones, alkynyl -ketoesters, alkynyl -ketophosphine
oxides, and now, through re-optimized conditions, alkynyl -ketophosphonates are
available from these easily prepared VAT substrates. The synthetic utility of such
compounds has been demonstrated in the preparation of (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one
(Chapter 2), penta- and hexasubstituted indanes (Chapter 3), and the C1-C15 fragment
of palmerolide A (Chapter 4). The new addition described in this chapter has led to the
synthesis of some potentially useful -ketophosphonates. Their utility in synthesis has
yet to be explored. Future endeavors into the chemistry and application of vinylogous
acyl triflates and these -ketophosphonates are currently underway in the Dudley
laboratory.
Experimental
General information:
1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian 300 MHz spectrometer or a
Bruker 600 MHz spectrometer using CDCl3 as the deuterated solvent. The chemical
shifts () are reported in parts per million (ppm) relative to the residual CHCl3 peak (7.26
ppm for 1H NMR and 77.0 ppm for 13C NMR for all compounds. The coupling constants
(J) are reported in Hertz (Hz). IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer FT-IR
spectrometer with diamond ATR accessory as thin film. Mass spectra were recorded
using electron ionization (EI) or fast-atom bombardment (FAB) on a JEOL JMS600H
spectrometer. Melting points were taken on a MEL-TEMP melting point apparatus and
are uncorrected. Yields refer to isolated material judged to be ≥ 95% pure by 1H NMR
spectroscopy following silica gel chromatography. All chemical were used as received
unless otherwise stated. All solvents, solutions and liquid reagents were added via
syringe. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was purified by distillation over sodium and
benzophenone. Methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) was distilled from calcium hydride (CaH2).
The n-BuLi solutions were titrated against a known amount menthol dissolved in
tetrahydrofuran using 1,10-phenanthroline as the indicator. All reactions were carried
out under an inert nitrogen atmosphere unless otherwise stated. The purifications were
185
performed by flash chromatography using silica gel F-254 (230-499 mesh particle size).
Vinylogous acyl triflates were prepared from the corresponding 1,3-dione according to
our published procedure.61
Standard Procedure for the Claisen-type Condensation of the Vinylogous Acyl
Triflates with Phosphonate Nucleophiles: To a THF solution (2 mL) of phosphonate
153b (0.6 mmol) was added n-BuLi (0.22 mL, 0.55 mmol; 2.5 M solution in hexanes) at
-78 oC. After being stirred for 20 minutes at -78 oC, was added the vinylogous acyl
triflate 2 (0.50 mmol) was added dropwise to the resulting solution. The mixture stirred
at -78 oC for 10 min, at 0 oC for 10 min, at r.t. for 30 min, and 60 oC for 30 min; during
the course of the reaction the solution changed from clear to yellow, and then a yellow
to a reddish solution. The solution was diluted with 3 mL of Et2O. A half saturated
aqueous NH4Cl solution was used to quench the reaction and the mixture was extracted
3 times with 5 mL portions of EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with 5
mL of NaHCO3(aq), 5 mL of saturated brine, dried with MgSO4, filtered and concentrated.
The residual oil was purified on silica gel column chromatography (EtOAc/Hexanes =
10% - 40%) to afford 112 mg of -ketophosphonate 153b (97% yield).
Procedure for Converting -Ketophosphine Oxide 153c into -Ketophosphine
Oxide 180 Through KAPA Zipper Reaction: To potassium hydride (307mg, 2.3 mmol;
30 % by wt.), freshly washed 3 times with hexane, was added 1,3-diaminopropane (2
mL). The heterogeneous mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour; during
which, the solution changed from clear to opaque orange/brown in appearance. The
solution was then cooled to 0 oC and a solution of 153c (71 mg, 0.22 mmol; in 1 mL of
1,3-diaminopropane) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture stirred at 0 oC for
approximately 12 hrs, at which time, it was quenched with 2 mL of water, followed by 2
mL of a sat. aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The mixture was warmed to rt.
and the product was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 5 mL). The combined organics were
dried with MgSO4 and concentrated. The crude residue was purified by flash column
chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc/Hexanes = 40 % to 50 %). 35 mg of 4 was
obtained as a white solid (49% yield).
186
Analytical Data:
Ethyl 3-oxo-7-nonynoate (168): pale yellow oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 4.19 (q, J
= 7.0 Hz, 2H), 3.45 (s, 2H), 2.39 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.17 (tq, J = 6.8, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.76
(t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.76 (app. quintet, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H) 1.28 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR
(75Hz, CDCl3) 202.35, 167.0, 77.9, 76.4, 61.2, 49.3, 41.6, 22.5, 17.8, 14.0, 3.3; IR
(thin film) 1745, 1742, 1651, 1415, 1242, 1027 cm-1; HRMS (FAB) Calcd for
C11H16O3Na [M+] 219.0097. Found 219.0097. Spectroscopic data in consistent with
previous report.216
Proposed Structure (170): yellow oil that quickly decomposed upon isolation; 1H NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl3) 4.20 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.84 (s, 1H), 2.77 (d, J = 15.4 Hz, 1H),
2.49 (d, J = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 2.41-2.30 (m, 2H), 1.99-1.67 (m, 7H), 1.29 (t, J = 7.1, 3H).
Diagnostic peaks are circled.
1-(dimethylphosphonato)-2-oxo-6-octyne (153b): pale yellow oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 3.78 (d, J = 11 Hz, 6H), 3.10 (d, J = 22 Hz, 2H), 2.73 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.16
(tq, J = 6.9, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.76 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 3H), 1.75 (app. quintet, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H); 13C
NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 201.4, 78.0, 76.3, 52.9 (d, J = 6.5), 42.8, 41.3 (d, J = 128 Hz),
22.6, 17.8, 3.3; IR (thin film) 1712, 1449, 1254, 1025, 810 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for
C10H17O4P+ [M+] 232.0864. Found 232.0860. Spectroscopic data in consistent with
previous report.216
1-(dimethylphosphonato)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxo-6-heptyne (176): pale yellow oil; 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 3.78 (d, J = 11.3, 6H), 3.08 (d, J = 22.7 Hz, 1H), 2.67 (s, 1H),
2.28 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 2.01 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 1.09 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz,
CDCl3) 200.90 (d, J = 5.8 Hz), 81.91, 70.45, 52.96 (d, J = 5.8 Hz) 52.72, 42.76 (d, J =
128.1 Hz), 33.34, 31.01, 26.79; IR (thin film) 1714, 1465, 1366, 1249, 1024, 811 cm-1;
HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C11H20O4P+ [[M+H]+] 247.1099. Found 247.1096.
187
1-(dimethylphosphonato)-2-oxo-7-nonyne (178): clear oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3)
3.76 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 6H), 3.07 (d, J = 22.8 Hz, 2H), 2.62 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.17 (dt, J
= 7.0, 2.6 Hz, 2H), 1.92 (t, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H), 1.68 (app quintet, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.50 (app
quintet, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 201.39 (d, J = 5.1 Hz, 1C), 83.88,
68.55, 52.98 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 1C), 43.38, 41.25 (d, J = 128.3 Hz, 1C), 27.51, 22.35,
18.13; IR (thin film) 1712, 1456, 1249, 1021, 806 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for
C10H18O4P+ [[M+H]+] 233.0943. Found 233.0943.
Proposed structure (179): yellow oil that quickly decomposed; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 6.19 (s, 1H), 5.03 (apparent doublet, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.24 (s, 2H), 2.08 (s,
2H), 0.99 (s, 6H). Diagnostic peaks are circled.
(2-oxo-7-octynyl)-diphenylphosphine oxide (180): white solid; mp = 68-71 oC; 1H
NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.95 – 7.66 (m, 4H), 7.66 – 7.34 (m, 5H), 3.58 (d, J = 15.0 Hz,
2H), 2.68 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.12 (dt, J = 7.0, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.91 (t, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H), 1.66
– 1.50 (app. quintet, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.41 (app. quintet, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (150
MHz, CDCl3) 202.58 (d, J = 5.2 Hz), 132.27 (d, J = 2.9 Hz), 131.99 (d, J = 102.2 Hz),
130.92 (d, J = 5.2 Hz), 128.82 (d, J = 7.9 Hz), 84.06, 68.44, 47.14 (d, J = 56.1 Hz),
44.64, 29.70, 27.55, 22.35, 18.18; IR (thin film) 2232, 1709, 1438, 1187, 907, 725, 693
cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd for C20H21O2P+ [M+] 324.1279. Found 324.1282.
2-(diethylphosphonato)-3-oxo-7-nonyne (182): clear oil; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3)
4.20 – 4.03 (m, 4H), 3.22 (dq, J = 24.9, 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.91 (dt, J = 18.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.65
(dt, J = 18.0, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 2.16 (m, 2H), 1.82 – 1.68 (m, 5H), 1.35 (m, 9H); 13C NMR (75
MHz, CDCl3) 205.43 (d, J = 3.9 Hz), 78.06, 75.97, 62.45 (d, J = 7.3 Hz), 62.35 (d, J =
7.7 Hz), 46.45 (d, J = 127.1 Hz), 41.72, 22.65, 17.79, 16.15 (d, J = 5.6 Hz), 10.75 (d, J =
6.4 Hz), 3.24; IR (thin film) 1713, 1448, 1245, 1048, 1018, 956, 791 cm-1; HRMS (EI+)
Calcd for C13H23O2P+ [M+] 274.1334. Found 274.1338.
2-(diethylphosphonato)-3-oxo-1-phenyl-7-nonyne (184): clear colorless oil; 1H NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl3) 7.20 (m, 5H), 4.24 – 4.05 (m, 4H), 3.52 (ddd, J = 23.2, 11.3, 3.2 Hz,
188
1H), 3.30 (ddd, J = 13.6, 11.6, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.09 (ddd, J = 13.6, 10.6, 3.0 Hz, 1H), 2.75
(dt, J = 17.9, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 2.27 (dt, J = 17.9, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.98 (m, 2H), 1.72 (t, J = 2.5
Hz, 3H), 1.64 – 1.49 (m, 2H), 1.35 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 204.72, 138.81
(d, J = 16.4 Hz), 128.46, 126.49, 78.06, 75.91, 62.76 (d, J = 6.6 Hz), 62.55 (d, J = 6.6
Hz), 54.37 (d, J = 123.9 Hz), 43.64, 32.30 (d, J = 3.9 Hz), 22.45, 17.68, 16.27 (d, J = 5.8
Hz), 3.29; IR (thin film) 1713, 1455, 1247, 1047, 1019, 960, 699 cm-1; HRMS (EI+) Calcd
for C19H27O4P+ [M+] 350.1647. Found 350.1657.
Proposed Structure (189): yellow oil that quickly decomposed; 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) 7.39 – 7.12 (m, 5H), 5.66 (dt, J = 70.5, 7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.55 (dd, J = 33.8, 7.5 Hz,
2H), 2.51 (s, 2H), 2.46 – 2.39 (m, 1H), 2.30 – 2.21 (m, 1H), 2.17 – 1.78 (m, 5H).
Diagnostic peaks are circled.
189
1H NMR and 13C NMR Spectra:
OH
OEtO
OTf
170proposed
190
PO
O
OMeMeO
176
191
PO
O
OMeMeO
176
192
PO
O
OMeMeO
178
193
PO
O
OMeMeO
178
194
OTf179
proposed
195
PO
O
PhPh
180
196
PO
O
PhPh
180
197
PO
O
OEtEtO
182
Me
198
PO
O
OEtEtO
182
Me
199
PO
O
OEtEtO
184
Ph
200
PO
O
OEtEtO
184
Ph
201
OTf
Ph
189proposed
202
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Birth Place
Melrose, Massachusetts
February 3rd, 1981
Educational Background
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
August 2004 to December 2009 Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (anticipated completion in December 2009) Research Advisor: Professor Gregory B. Dudley
Barry University, Miami Shores, FL
August 1999 to December 2003 B.S. degree in Chemistry, B.S. degree in Biology – cum laude Research Advisor: Professor Paul I. Higgs
The Canterbury School, Ft. Myers, FL
August 1995 to June 1999
Future Position
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Beginning January 2010 Postdoctoral Research Associate Under the supervision of Professor Amos B. Smith, III
Awards and Honors
Gamma Sigma Epsilon, National Chemistry Honors Society (2002). Polymer Chemist Societies Award for Outstanding Performance in Organic
Chemistry (2002). Outstanding Graduating Senior for Performance in Physical Sciences,
Mathematics, and Computer Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Barry University (2003.
Golden Key, Graduate Student Honor Society (2007-2009).
223
Publications
(2) Jones, D. M.; Dudley, G. B. Synthesis of the C1-C15 region of palmerolide A using a refined Claisen-type addition / bond cleavage methodology. Synlett, in press.
(1) Jones, D. M; Kamijo, S.; Dudley, G. B. Grignard triggered fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflates: synthesis of (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one, the Douglas-fir tussock moth. Synlett 2006, 936-938.
Presentations
(2) ―Organic Synthesis and Methodology: Towards the Illudalane Sesquiterpenoids.‖ Jones, D. M.; Dudley, G. B. Presented at the Florida Annual Meeting and Exposition (FAME), Orlando, FL, Summer 2007.
(1) ―Grignard triggered fragmentation of vinylogous acyl triflates: synthesis of (Z)-6-
heneicosen-11-one, the Douglas-fir tussock moth.‖ Jones, D. M.; Kamijo, S.; Dudley, G. B. Presented at the 231st ACS Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 28th, 2006.
Posters
(2) ―An Addition / Fragmentation Approach to Palmerolide A.‖ Jones, D. M.; Jeong-Im, J.; Dudley, G. B. Presented at the Gordon Research Conference on Natural Products, Tilton, NH, July 26th-31st, 2009.
(1) ―Progress Towards Palmerolide A.‖ Jeong, J.; Jones, D. M.; Dudley, G. B. Presented at
The 236th ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, August 17th-21st, 2008.