The stereochemical course of the Pd–catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of α-substituted, enantioenriched allylic boronic esters with phenyl iodide has been examined. The secondary boronic esters were prepared in both racemic and enantioenriched forms via borylationof a lithiated carbenoid with a geometrically defined vinyl boronic ester. The geometric purities were determined to be >99% and the enantiomeric excesses of stereodefined secondary boronic esters were found to exceed 98:2. In total, 8 allylic boronic esters were successfully cross-coupled, providing arylated products with high regioselectivities (>90:10) and complete enantiospecificities (>99%). The cross-coupling of a sterically and electronically unbiased, deuterated substrate confirmed that fully equilibrated π-allylic intermediates are not involved. Additionally, correlating the absolute configurations of the allylic boronic ester and the cross-coupling product allowed us to confirm that the transmetalation step of the reaction proceeded through a closed transition state via a syn-SE’ mechanism, which further suggests the importance of the distinct Pd-O-B bond linkage. Further, the cross-coupling of vinyl iodides to secondary boronic esters was investigated. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-11-12 19:05:19.488

Section I of the thesis deals with the enantiospecific total synthesis of phomopsolide B. Phomopsolide B was isolated from a strain of Phomopsis Oblonga. Enantiospecific total synthesis of phomopsolide B was accomplished in 13 overall yield in 12 linear steps using (S)-lactic acid and L-tartaric acid as chiral pool precursors. Present approach involves the efficient use of -keto phosphonate derived from commercially available (S)-ethyl lactate. Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and Still-Gennari olefination were employed as key reactions in the synthesis (scheme 1). Scheme 1: Total synthesis of phomopsolide B. [This work has been published: Prasad, K. R.; Gutala, P. Tetrahedron 2012, 68, 7489-7493.] Section II of the thesis describes the total synthesis of macrosphelides A and E which are isolated from a culture broth of Microsphaeropsis sp. FO-5050 and from the strain Periconia byssoides. Total synthesis of macrosphelides A and E was accomplished in 19 overall yield from commercially available (S)-ethyl lactate. Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and Yamaguchi lactonization were employed as key reactions for the total synthesis of macrosphelides A and E (scheme 2). Scheme 2: Total synthesis of macrosphelides A and E. [This work has been published: Prasad, K. R.; Gutala, P. Tetrahedron 2011, 67, 4514-4520.] Section III of the thesis deals with total synthesis and determination of absolute configuration of synargentolide B 1. Synargentolide B 1 is a 5,6-dihydro--pyrone containing natural product and was isolated from Syncolostemon Argenteus by Rivett et al. in 1998 (fig 1). The relative stereochemistry at C-6, C-6′ positions in synargentolide B 1 was assigned to be R, S respectively based on the positive cotton effect in the CD spectrum. Threo stereochemistry was proposed for the C1′-C2′ diol unit in synargentolide B 1 based on the NMR studies. The stereochemistry at C-5 could not be assigned, hence the structure of synargentolide B 1 was tentatively proposed as 6R-[5,6S-(diacetyloxy)-1,2-(dihydroxy)-3Eheptenyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (fig. 1). Figure 1: Putative structure of synargentolide B 1. Based on the tentative stereochemistry at the C-6, C-6′ positions proposed by Rivett et al. and taking into consideration the threo relationship for the C-1′-C-2′ diol unit, it is anticipated that the structure of synargentolide B 1 could be one of the four possible diastereomers 1a-1d (fig 2). Figure 2: Possible diastereomers of synargentolide B (1a-d). Incidentally, one of the diastereomers 6R-[5R,6S-(diacetyloxy)-1S,2R-(dihydroxy)- 3E-heptenyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one 1d was a reported natural product isolated in 1990 from Hyptis oblangifolia by Pereda-Miranda, R. et al. along with its corresponding diacetylated product 2 (fig 3). Fig. 3: Natural products isolated from Hyptis oblangifolia by Pereda-Miranda, R. et al. Total synthesis and determination of absolute configuration of synargentolide B 1 were accomplished by synthesizing four possible diastereomers of the natural product (1a-1d) and by comparison of the spectral data of all synthesized diastereomers with that of reported for the natural product. Wittig-Horner reaction of -keto phosphonate derived from (S)-lactic acid and ring closing metathesis reaction were employed as key reactions in the total synthesis of synargentolide B 1 (scheme 3 and 4). Scheme 3: Total synthesis of possible diastereomers of synargentolide B (1a, 1b). Scheme 4: Total synthesis of possible diastereomers of synargentolide B (1c, 1d). [This work has been published: Prasad, K. R.; Gutala, P. J. Org. Chem. (in press)]. It was found that spectral data of 1a, 1b, 1c were not in agreement with that reported for synargentolide B 1. However spectral data of 1d was in complete agreement with the data reported for synargentolide B 1. Spectral data of 1d was also in complete agreement with the data reported for the natural product isolated by Pereda-Miranda, R. et al. Since the absolute stereochemistry of tetraacetate 2 is identical to the absolute stereochemistry of 1d, we wanted to confirm the integrity of the diol 1d by synthesizing the corresponding acetate 2 which was also a natural product isolated by Pereda-Miranda et al. 1H NMR data of the synthesized tetraacetate 2 was in agreement with that reported for the isolated tetraacetate, while discrepancies were observed in the 13C NMR spectral data. To clear the uncertainty, X-ray crystal structure analysis of the tetraacetate 2 was performed. It was comprehensively proved that the structure of synthesized tetraacetate 2 was indeed same as the putative structure proposed for the isolated tetraacetate by Pereda-Miranda et al. The crystal structure analysis also confirmed the absolute stereochemistry of the tetraacetate 2 and 1d (synargentolide B 1). (For structural formula pl refer the abstract pdf file)

Ce travail traite de la synthèse énantiosélective de composés trifluorométhylés via l’étude de la réaction d’isomérisation rédox d’alcools allyliques trifluorométhylés catalysée par des complexes de ruthénium. Nous avons mis au point la réaction d’isomérisation rédox d’alcools allyliques secondaires β-trifluorométhylés. Une étude du mécanistique réactionnel a mis en évidence que l’étape cinétiquement déterminante de cette réaction pour les substrats β-trifluorométhylés est différente de celle décrite pour les substrats non fluorés, il s’agit de l’étape d’insertion. Cette observation nous a permis de mettre au point une réaction d’isomérisation rédox énantiospécifique permettant un transfert intramoléculaire de chiralité via un processus suprafacial. Cette méthode a été appliquée à la synthèse du (S)-CF3-citronellol. En parallèle, nous avons étudié la réaction tandem : isomérisation rédox – transfert d’hydrogène en partant d’alcools allyliques ou d’énones β-trifluorométhylées permettant l’accès aux alcools saturés correspondants. / This work deals with the enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated compounds via the study of the ruthenium catalyzed redox isomerization reaction of trifluoromethylated allylic alcohols. We have developed optmized conditions for the redox isomerization of β-trifluoromethylated secondary allylic alcohols. A mechanistic study of the reaction revealed that the rate determining step for β-trifluoromethylated substrates is different from that described for the non-fluorinated substrates. This observation allowed us todevelop an enantiospecific redox isomerization reaction with a total transfer of chirality via a suprafacialintramolecular process. This methodology has been applied to thesynthesis of (S)-CF3-citronellol. In parallel, we have studied the tandem reaction : redox isomerization - transfer hydrogenation starting from β-trifluoromethylated allylic alcohols orenones, allowing access to the corresponding saturated alcohols.

The thesis entitled “Enantioselective synthesis of bio-active bicyclic acetals, cyclic ethers and lactones” demonstrates the utility of chiral pool tartaric acid as the source in the synthesis of natural products. The results are discussed in three chapters; 1) Enantioselective synthesis of bio-active bicyclic acetals, 2) Enantioselective synthesis of bio-active cyclic ethers and 3) Enantioselective synthesis of bio-active lactones. A brief introduction is provided in each chapter to keep the present work in proper perspective. Compounds (in bold) and references (in superscripts) are sequentially numbered differently for each chapter and references are given as foot notes. Experimental procedures are given differently for each chapter and placed at the end of chapter. Scanned 1H and 13C NMR spectras are given with description of signals. Chapter 1 describes the enantioselective synthesis of bicyclic acetal containing insect pheromones. First part of this chapter deals with the enantiodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of hydroxy-exo-brevicomin and 2-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin starting from a single chiral compound, bis-Weinreb amide derived from L-(+)-tartaric acid. Controlled addition of Grignard reagent to bis-Weinreb amide followed by diastereoselective reduction of the resultant ketone was employed as the key step for the enantiodivergent synthesis of hydroxy-exo-brevicomin and 2-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin. In the second part, enantioselective synthesis of exo-brevicomin, iso-exo-brevicomin and formal synthesis of frontalin comprising similar framework is demonstrated, utilizing á -benzyloxy aldehydes derived from L-(+)-tartaric acid as chiral building block. Second Chapter describes the enantioselective synthesis of bio-active cyclic ethers, disparlure, centrolobine and isolaurepan. Employing á-benzyloxy aldehydes derived from L-(+)-tartaric acid as the chiral building block, synthesis of both enantiomers of insect pheromone disparlure is achieved involving the diastereoselective addition of allyltributyl tin to the á-benzyloxy aldehyde and cross metathesis of the resultant homoallylic alcohol with 4-methyl-1-pentene. Formal synthesis of centrolobine and isolaurepan are accomplished. Pivotal step involved in the synthesis of centrolobine is iron(III) mediated cyclization of 1,5-diol derived from L-(+)-tartaric acid, while Lewis acid mediated reductive cyclization of the hydroxy ketone derived from á-benzyloxy aldehyde is the key step in the synthesis of isolaurepan. Third chapter in the thesis deals with the enantioselective synthesis of bio-active lactones muricatacin, 6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide and boronolide. Utilizing á-benzyloxy aldehyde as the building block, synthesis of five and six membered lactones, muricatacin and 6-acetoxy-5-hexadecanolide were accomplished via the diastereoselective addition of 3-butenylmagnesium bromide and allyltributyl tin to á-benzyloxy aldehyde, respectively. Stereoselective formal synthesis of boronolide was described, starting from D-(–)-tartaric acid. Key reaction sequence includes the elaboration of ã-hydroxy amide obtained by a combination of controlled Grignard addition and diastereoselective reduction from bis- Weinreb amide derived from D-(–)-tartaric acid.

PART I RESOLUTION AND DESYMMETRISATION Chapter I. ‘A Novel Racemate Resolution’. This describes a novel resolution strategy as applied to racemic α-amino acids in the solid state. The strategy is based on the possibility that second order asymmetric transformations (SOAT) would be more likely in the case of achiral molecules that form chiral crystals (i.e. a non- centrosymmetric space group).1 In such cases, a fundamental requirement of SOAT – that the molecules racemise in solution prior to crystallization – is obviated. Furthermore, the resulting enantiomerically-enriched crystals may be employed to effect a solid-state kinetic resolution of a different racemate (composed of chiral molecules). This strategy was explored with crystalline succinic anhydride (1, Scheme 1), which not only exists in a non-centrosymmetric space group (P212121) but also possesses reactive functionality to effect the resolution step.2 Thus, a finely-ground mixture of 1 (0.5 eqiv.) and a racemic α-amino acid (2, 1.0 eqiv.) was heated at ~ 70 oC over ~ 5 h without solvent. The resulting N-succinoyl derivative (3) was separated from the unreacted 2, which was found to possess significant levels of optical purity (typically ~ 70%). The strategy was applied to several common α-amino acids, the results being summarized in Table 1. These results, apart from establishing ‘proof-of-concept’ and the viability of the resolution strategy, indicate that crystalline succinic anhydride (1) is enantiomerically enriched as originally hypothesized. Chapter II. ‘Enantiospecific Alkylation and Desymmetrisations’. This deals with two enolate-mediated strategies of asymmetric synthesis: one describes approaches towards the alkylation of the stereogenic centre in benzoin without loss of stereogenicity (Section A), and the other the desymmetrisation of a meso tartarate derivative with a chiral base catalyst (Section B). Section A. This describes exploratory studies aimed at achieving the enantiospecific α-alkylation of optically-active benzoin (4, Scheme 2) via its enolate anion 5. The strategy depends on the possibility that 5 would exist in atropisomeric forms, because of steric interactions between the vicinal phenyl groups. (This is indicated in the crystal structure of the analogous enediol carbonate derived from racemic 4.)3 In such a case, remarkably, 5 would be chiral, despite its planar enediolate core! Thus, possibly, the configurational chirality in 4 (by virtue of the C2 stereogenic centre) would be transformed to the helical chirality in 5 (by virtue of the atropisomerism). Furthermore, enantioface-selective alkylation of 5 with achiral alkylating agents would, in principle, be possible. Preliminary studies were then directed towards establishing that controlled deprotonation of optically-active 4, followed by the protonation of the resulting enediolate 5, leads back to the original 4. (+)-Benzoin (4) was prepared via resolution,4 and deprotonated with KH in THF.5 The resulting enediolate (5) was neutralized with acetic acid at -70 oC/THF to recover 4, but with insignificant levels of optical activity (e.e. ~ 12%). The results possibly indicate that ortho-substituted benzoin analogs may show greater retention of chirality upon deprotonation, as the racemisation of the enediolate atropisomers would be suppressed by steric hindrance between the aryl moities. Section B. This describes studies directed towards the catalytic desymmetrisation of meso dimethyl tartarate (6, Scheme 3). The strategy involves the formation of the acetonide derivative 7 and its regioselective α-deprotonation with a chiral base catalyst. The enantioface-selective protonation of the resulting enolate (8) would lead to the chiral analog 9. The overall sequence offers a possible alternative to catalytic deracemisation, which is normally unviable for thermodynamic reasons.6 The above strategy hinges on the meso derivative 7 being thermodynamically less stable than the enantiomeric 9, which would thus be favoured at equilibrium. In fact, this is likely as the eclipsing interactions between the syn ester moieties in 7 would be relieved in 9, in which the ester moieties are anti. However, deprotonation of 7 at the other α position would compete to varying extents, depending on the selectivity induced by the chiral base. At total equilibrium, the sequence would occur via deprotonation at both α sites at equal rates, and no net optical induction would be observed. (This is a thermodynamic requirement via the principle of microscopic reversibility.) Thus, the success of the above strategy depends on stalling the deprotonation-protonation sequence at a quasi-equilibrium stage involving only one of the enantiomers (9).6 The other operational requirement was the compatibility of the pKa’s of 7 and the chiral base employed: too low a pKa of the base would result in inefficient deprotonation and slow overall rate, but a high pKa would generate a large quantity of the enolate 8 at equilibrium. After due consideration, the lithiated chiral fluorene derivative 11 (pKa ~ 22) was chosen as the chiral base catalyst [11 was prepared from fluorene (10) as indicated]. Treating 7 with 0.2 equivalent of 10 in THF at -65 oC over 2 h, led to the formation of a mixture of 7 and 9 in a 45:55 ratio (isolated in 85% total yield). Chromatographic separation of the mixture led to the isolation of pure (+)-9, which was identified spectrally; it was found to possess [α]D24 = +21.84 (c 1.0, CHCl3), corresponding to e.e. = 64%. (This implies the indicated (4S, 5S) configuration for 1, 3-dioxolane 9, as previously reported.)7 These results, despite the moderate e.e. levels obtained, indicate the viability of the above catalytic desymmetrisation strategy, bearing in mind the mechanistic ambiguities mentioned above. PART II SYNTHESES OF ALDEHYDES AND AMINO ACIDS Chapter III. ‘An Asymmetric Synthesis of Aldehydes’. This describes an oxazoline approach to the synthesis of chiral aldehydes. The oxazoline methodology for the synthesis of homochiral α-alkylated carboxylic acids is well known,8 and it was of interest to adapt this to the synthesis of the corresponding aldehydes. Essentially, it was envisaged that the reaction sequence could be diverted towards aldehydes via reduction of the alkylated oxazoline intermediate (Scheme 4). Thus, 2-ethyl-4(S)-methoxymethyl-5(R)-phenyl-1,3-oxazoline (12) was deprotonated with lithium diisopropylamide in THF, and the resulting anion treated with various alkyl halides, in the reported manner.8 The resulting alkylated product (13) was N-methylated with MeI in refluxing MeNO2 over 6 h, to obtain the quaternary salt 14. This was reduced with NaBH4 in MeOH to obtain the expected N- methyl oxazolidine 15, which was hydrolyzed in refluxing aqueous oxalic acid to the free aldehydes 16. These were isolated in moderate yields and e.e. values as shown. Chapter IV. ‘A Darzens Route to α-Amino Acids’. This describes a novel route to α-amino acids, based on the classical Darzens glycidic ester synthesis.9 In this approach (Scheme 5), the glycidic ester (19) was prepared from benzaldehyde (17) and t-butyl bromoformate (18), with KOH in THF as base, and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as phase transfer catalyst.9b The oxirane ring in 19 was cleaved via nucleophilic attack with an amine (20), to furnish the two regio-isomeric hydroxy- amino acids (21) and (22). Generally, the β-hydroxy-α-amino acid product (21) predominated over the α-hydroxy-β-amino acid product (22), the two being separated chromatographically. The hydroxyl group in 21 was reductively cleaved via its xanthate derivative (23), by refluxing it in toluene with AIBN (10 mol %) over 4 h. The resulting α-amino acid derivatives (24) were obtained in moderate yields (< 60 %) upon chromatographic purification. (The β-amino analog 22, would lead to the corresponding β-amino acid, but this was not pursued further.) This strategy lends itself to creating structural diversity at the β-centre in the α- amino acid, drawing upon the wide scope of the well-established Darzens condensation reaction. Also, the introduction of the amino moiety is facilitated by the enhanced reactivity at the α-centre of the oxirane ring in the glycidic ester (19), presumably for both electronic and steric reasons.