Wu, Kwun Wang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgment --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Abstract (Chinese Version) --- p.v / Abbreviation --- p.vi / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Organocatalysis --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Diels-Alder reaction --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Methods for obtaining optical active product --- p.5 / Chapter 2. --- Results and Discussion - Synthetic Studies of Carbocycles from Carbohydrates --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1 --- Organocatalyst dervied from D-arabinose --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Synthesis of Intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction substrates --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Organocatalytic enantioselective IMDA reaction --- p.36 / Chapter 4. --- Conclusion --- p.43 / Chapter 5. --- Experimental --- p.45 / Chapter 6. --- References --- p.76 / Appendix --- p.80 / HPLC chromatogram --- p.1-1 - 1-2 / NMR spectra --- p.II-1 - II-36

基於本課題組以前的工作，通過以廉價易得的D-阿拉伯糖為起始原料，我們進一步探討和優化了一條快速有效地合成手性胺類催化劑的有效路線（81-84）。在第一代催化劑的基礎上，我們設計合成了含有雙環碳酸酯結構的新型胺類催化劑（98）。 / 通過製備叁烯醛類底物，我們探討研究了一系類分子內DA反應的不對稱催化條件，如溶劑、共酸和水等。我們發現水的存在基本上不會影響反應的對映體選擇性，但對反應的非對映體選擇性卻具有極其重要的影響。同時我們也研究了各催化劑的手性誘導能力。 / 通過以催化劑（81）的高氯酸鹽和肉桂醛反應製備了反應中間體亞胺鹽，并經NOE試驗確認了其幾何構型。製備的胺類催化劑对空气和水不敏感，同時也能穩定存在於過量酸（1.2 eq）的環境中。 / 此外，我們也初步探討了由糖衍生的胺類催化劑催化的分子間DA反應。這些不成功的嘗試表明胺類催化的分子間DA反應需要更高的活化能，因此可能需要活性更強的催化劑。 / Based on our previous work, we further explored and optimized an efficient route to prepare chiral amine catalysts from inexpensive and commercially available D-arabinose with good yield (81-84). On the basis of our 1st generation catalysts, a novel amine catalyst with bicyclic carbonate structure was obtained (98). / By preparing trienal substrates, a series of asymmetric catalysis conditions for Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions were investigated, such as solvent, co-acid, water, et.al. Water was found to have a significant effect to the diastereoselectivity and without losing the enantioselectivity. The chiral induction capability of the synthesized catalysts was also assessed. / The reactive intermediate of iminium salt was prepared from perchlorate salt of catalyst 81 with cinnamaldehyde, and the geometry of the iminium ion was proved by NOE experiment. The prepared catalysts were insensitive to moisture and oxygen and also stable even with excess amount of perchloric acid (1.2 eq). / A preliminary investigation to the amine catalyzed Intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction was also tried. The unsuccessful trials demonstrated that amine catalyzed Intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction requires higher activation energy. Some more reactive catalysts may be needed for this type of reaction. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Xiao, Qicai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-82). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Acknowledgment --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iv / Abstract (Chinese Version) --- p.v / Abbreviation --- p.vi / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Chiral amine catalyzed organic reactions --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- LUMO-Lowing activation (Iminium Catalysis) --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- HOMO-Raising activation (Enamine Catalysis) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- SOMO activation (SOMO Catalysis) --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Diels-Alder reaction --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Chiral amine catalysts --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objective of this study --- p.14 / Chapter 2. --- Results and Discussion --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1 --- Optimization and synthesis of amine catalysts from D-arabinose --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2 --- Synthesis of substrates for intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4 --- Determination the geometry of the iminium ion --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5 --- Determination the stereochemistry of the major and minor product for the organocatalyzed IMDA reaction --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6 --- Exploring the epimerization effect --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7 --- Amine catalyzed intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions --- p.46 / Chapter 3. --- Conclusion --- p.50 / Chapter 4. --- Experimental Section --- p.53 / Chapter 5. --- References --- p.76 / Chapter 6. --- Appendix --- p.83 / Chapter 6.1 --- HPLC spectra and data --- p.84 / Chapter 6.2 --- NMR spectra --- p.87 / Chapter 6.3 --- X-ray crystallographic structure and data --- p.126

Salvinorin A [(2S,4aR,6aR,7R,9S,10aS,10bR)-9-(acetyloxy)-2-(3-furanyl)-dodecahydro-6a,10b-dimethyl-4,10-dioxo-2H-naptho[2,1-c]pyran-7-carboxylic acid methyl ester] is a trans-neoclerodane diterpene from the leaves of the hallucinogenic Mexican sage Salvia divinorum and has been identified as the principal psychoactive component in this plant of traditional spiritual importance. Salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen found so far and is reported to act selectively as a ƒÛ-opioid receptor agonist. Synthetic modification of the natural product has contributed to a number of proposed pharmacophores to identify the key structural features necessary for biological activity and a direct strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of the natural product is desirable since it allows access to a more diverse range of analogues. An ambitious retrosynthetic study of salvinorin A indicated the C(3)-heterosubstituted furan as an appropriate starting material for a Diels-Alder approach towards the ketone ring of the natural product. An expedient and high yielding methodology for the preparation of 3-furylamines is described, allowing the flexible introduction of alkyl substituents in the C(5) position. Optically pure ephedrine isomers have been explored as chiral amine auxiliaries and have been successfully attached as 3-furylamine substituents using the general methodology described. The 3-furylamines are electron rich dienes that are highly reactive towards Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions with methyl acrylate. Diastereoisomers of the 7-oxanorbornane species methyl 1-methyl-5-oxo-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate were prepared as new compounds from the hydrolysis of Diels-Alder cycloadducts and are functionalised bicyclic intermediates to access the ketone of the natural product. Diels-Alder reactions between the non-racemic (2S)-ephedrine-derived furans and methyl acrylate gave spiro-oxazolidine adducts that underwent hydrolysis to give the desired ketone. X-ray crystallography data for the derivatised cycloadduct established diastereoselectivity in favor of the (1S,4S)-enantiomer, as desired for the asymmetric natural product synthesis. A procedure for the ether cleavage of methyl 1-methyl-5-oxo-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate was required to access the convergent precursor methyl 5-acetoxy-2-methyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enecarboxylate. Successful C-O cleavage was achieved using Lewis-acid catalysis with BBr3 followed by mixing with the hindered base 2,4,6-collidine to yield methyl 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxocyclohex-2-enecarboxylate albeit only at high dilution. Acetylation proceeded in excellent yield in the same reaction vessel to give methyl 1-methyl-5-oxo-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylate in excellent yield. The devised synthetic pathway is shown to successfully construct the ketone ring of salvinorin A and stereoselectivity for the (1S,4S)-enantiomer can be achieved using the ephedrine derived furans as desired for the asymmetric natural product synthesis. The ƒÔ-lactone ring 6-(furan-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-4-methyl-3-vinylpyran-2-one was derived from rudimentary precursors as a convergent reagent to introduce the lactone ring of salvinorin A. A short synthesis for the racemic compound is described starting from the aldol reaction between 3-furaldehyde and acetone to give the 3-furfurol, 4-(furan-3-yl)-4-hydroxybutan-2-one in quantitative yield. The 3-furfurol was reacted to form the ƒÑ-bromovinyl ester, 1-(furan-3-yl)-3-oxobutyl 2-bromobut-3-enoate using a deconjugation/esterification protocol with 2-bromobut-3-enoyl chloride. Intramolecular ring closure to the ƒÔ-lactone was achieved using a Reformatsky reaction and dehydration under acidic conditions yielded the racemic convergent precursor 6-(furan-3-yl)-5,6-dihydro-4-methyl-3-vinylpyran-2-one in high yield. A possible strategy for joining the ketone and lactone fragments for the total synthesis of salvinorin A is proposed.

Graduation date: 1998

During the course of this work we have synthesized and evaluated a series of new enantiopure silyl triflmides as catalysts for asymmetric reactions. 3-Phenyl dialkylsilyl ketones, which were the key precursors to the target silyl triflmides were prepared by 1,4-addition of the corresponding silyl cuprate to enones, and resolved by chiral HPLC. Enantiopure trans silyl ketones were successfully reduced via the corresponding tosylhydrazones by the NaBH3CN/ZnCl2 system. However, due to an isomerization of the tosylhydrazone during the reaction, cis isomers (m = 0) were reduced via the corresponding dithioketals followed by desulfurization. The diastereoselective synthesis of enantiopure silyl triflimides from enantiomerically pure compounds has been also studied. The enantiopure trialkylsilyl triflimides were generated in situ by protodesilylation of the corresponding phenylsilanes with bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The Diels-Alder reaction of methyl acrylate with cyclopentadiene was used as the model reaction for testing the new chiral catalysts : 1) Almost all silyl triflimides were efficient catalysts giving high yields and excellent diastereoselectivities in favour of the endo-isomer. 2) the best ee's (up to 56%) were obtained from catalysts carrying an aryl group directly attached to the cyclohexane ring (m = 0) which were much better than those obtained from catalysts carrying a benzyl-type group (m = 1). Interestingly catalysts of the same configuration carrying phenyl or naphthyl group gave cycloadducts of opposite configuration. 3) When m = 0, additional substituents at position-3 or 6 of the cyclohexyl ring had little influence on the ee. However, for m = 1, a methyl group at C2 increased the ee from 3% to 35%. 4) The replacement of the methyl groups connected to the silicon atom by bulkier ethyl groups decreased the ee (m = 0). 5) When m = 0, ee's for cycloaddition reactions of N,N-dimethyl acrylamide or acryloxazolidinone with cyclopentadiene were lower than those obtained with methyl acrylate.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2005. / Bibliography: leaves 97-99.

Vinigrol was isolated in 1987 from the fungal strain Virgaria nigra F-5408 by Hashimoto and co-workers. This compound was identified as having antihypertensive and platelet aggregation properties as well as being recognized as a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. Aside from its interesting biological activities, vinigrol also possesses a unique structural motif consisting in a decahydro-1,5-butanonaphthalene core decorated with 8 contiguous stereocenters. Despite synthetic efforts by many research groups since its isolation, it wasn’t until 2009 that the first total synthesis of vinigrol was reported by Baran and co-workers. Herein is presented a formal synthesis of this highly compact molecule which relies upon a highly diastereoselective ketal Claisen rearrangement as the stereodefining step and an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to access the tricyclic structure of the molecule. (+)-Digitoxigenin is a cardiac glycoside used in the treatment of many ailments such as congestive heart failure. It is a member of the cardenolides, a sub-type of steroid containing certain structural differences such as cis A/B and C/D ring junctions, a tertiary hydroxyl group at C14 and a butenolide substituent at C17. Although a few syntheses of this class of compounds have been reported, general strategies to access their framework is scarce. Herein we report our studies towards the total synthesis of digitoxigenin which rely upon a cascading gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization (or enyne metathesis)/Diels-Alder reaction.

The cyathins are a unique group of diterpenoids produced by the birds nest fungi <i>Cyathus helenae</i>, <i>C. africanus</i>, and <i>C. earlei</i>. Several of the cyathins show strong antibiotic activity. More recently, several fungal metabolites with structures closely related to those of the cyathins have been found to be potent inducers of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. The structural complexity and the exciting biological activity of the cyathane family of diterpenes have prompted our efforts to develop an efficient and general synthetic approach.<p>To date, there have been seven total syntheses and six partial syntheses of cyathins. Most of these syntheses target allocyathin B2, which does not contain the common 6-7 trans ring fusion or the hydroxyl group within the seven member ring. Modifications of these routes to provide targets with these features have not been demonstrated and may be challenging. We have developed a concise asymmetric synthesis of cyathin A3, based on the enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of quinone (106) and diene (105). Because the transformations of cyathin A3 into other cyathins are well documented, this synthesis provides a general approach to the cyathane diterpene family. In Section 2.2, the enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of quinone 106 and diene 105 is presented. This reaction is effectively catalyzed by a carefully prepared Mikami catalyst. It was carried out on a preparative scale to give the chiral building block 108. The absolute configuration of the Diels-Alder adduct 108 was determined by NMR and X-ray analysis.<p>In Sections 2.3-5, the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cyathin A3 is described. This approach features the successful oxymercuration ring opening, a newly developed in situ configuration inversion, a much improved intramolecular aldol reaction and a radical cyclization. Now envisioned in our laboratory is the development of a new access to cyathin A4, which is surmised to be possible via the intermediate prepared in this synthesis.

We report a palladium-catalyzed, norbornene mediated synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines via a domino ortho-alkylation/Heck reaction sequence. The desired products are obtained in moderate to excellent yields starting from readily available aryl iodides. The reaction conditions can be extended to the formation of tetrahydroisoquinolinones and tetrahydrobenzo[c]azepines. The reaction allows for sequential intermolecular and intramolecular ortho-alkylations. However, the product yields are higher with ortho-blocked aryl iodides, which simplify the domino process to one intramolecular ortho-alkylation and a Heck reaction. The Lautens group has previously reported diastereoselective aryne Diels-Alder reactions of benzyne with dienes supporting a chiral auxiliary at its terminal carbon. In an effort to extend this work and allow access to a wider variety of 1,4-dihydronaphthalenes, we attempted the synthesis of dienes supporting a chiral auxiliary at a central carbon. Chiral pyridyne precursors were also synthesized, in an attempt to vary the source of chirality in diastereoselective cycloadditions.

We report a palladium-catalyzed, norbornene mediated synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines via a domino ortho-alkylation/Heck reaction sequence. The desired products are obtained in moderate to excellent yields starting from readily available aryl iodides. The reaction conditions can be extended to the formation of tetrahydroisoquinolinones and tetrahydrobenzo[c]azepines. The reaction allows for sequential intermolecular and intramolecular ortho-alkylations. However, the product yields are higher with ortho-blocked aryl iodides, which simplify the domino process to one intramolecular ortho-alkylation and a Heck reaction. The Lautens group has previously reported diastereoselective aryne Diels-Alder reactions of benzyne with dienes supporting a chiral auxiliary at its terminal carbon. In an effort to extend this work and allow access to a wider variety of 1,4-dihydronaphthalenes, we attempted the synthesis of dienes supporting a chiral auxiliary at a central carbon. Chiral pyridyne precursors were also synthesized, in an attempt to vary the source of chirality in diastereoselective cycloadditions.