Ana C. Cuñat

Improved Regioselectivity in Pyrazole Formation through the Use of Fluorinated Alcohols as Solvents: Synthesis and Biological Activity of Fluorinated Tebufenpyrad Analogs

The preparation of N-methylpyrazoles is usually accomplished through reaction of a suitable 1,3-diketone with methylhydrazine in ethanol as the solvent. This strategy, however, leads to the formation of regioisomeric mixtures of N-methylpyrazoles, which sometimes are difficult to separate. We have determined that the use of fluorinated alcohols such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as solvents dramatically increases the regioselectivity in the pyrazole formation, and we have used this modification in a straightforward synthesis of fluorinated analogs of Tebufenpyrad with acaricide activity.

Stereoselective synthesis of polyoxygenated atisane-type diterpenoids

Abstract A new stereoselective approach to polyoxygenated atisane-type diterpenes starting from (S)-(+)-carvone is described. The key steps involve an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction, an unusual intramolecular diazo ketone cyclopropanation of an unsaturated ketone, and a regioselective endocyclic cleavage of a cyclopropyl carbinyl radical as key synthetic steps. The synthesis of the bioactive polyoxygenated atisanes atis-16(17)-en-3,14-dione ( 2 ) and 3R-hydroxy-atis-16(17)-en-2,14-dione ( 3 ) following this approach is presented.

Enantioselective synthesis of herbertane sesquiterpenes: synthesis of (−)-α-formylherbertenol

Abstract The synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-[(1 S )-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl]benzaldehyde [(−)-α-formylherbertenol 1 ], a herbertane-type sesquiterpene isolated from the leafy liverwort Herberta adunca , from β-cyclogeraniol is described. The synthesis is based on the previously described preparation of an enantiopure 1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentane synthon from which the characteristic aromatic moiety of 1 is elaborated, using a Robinson annulation and a palladium-catalysed methoxycarbonylation of an aryl triflate as key synthetic steps. The synthesis of the natural sesquiterpene (−)-α-herbertenol, also a natural sequiterpene, using the same methodology is also described.

New route to herbertanes via a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction: synthesis of herbertenediol

Abstract The synthesis of herbertenediol, a relevant member of the herbertane-type sesquiterpene family, is described. The synthesis is based on a new general approach to this group of sesquiterpenes where the herbertane skeleton is constructed using a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a [2,3]-sigmatropic Still–Wittig rearrangement as key synthetic steps.

Synthetic studies towards the clerodane insect antifeedant jodrellin A: preparation of a polycyclic model compound with antifeedant activity

Synthetic studies towards the insect antifeedant jodrellin A 1a are reported. This work delineates a synthetic strategy that affords a polycyclic epoxy diacetate model compound 2 which contains most of the structural features found in the natural product. This material was also shown to possess mild insect antifeedant activity against Spodoptera littoralis.

Model studies towards the insect antifeedant Jodrellin A using an organoselenium mediated cyclization reaction

Abstract An organoselenium mediated cyclization reaction of a β-ketolactone ( 5 ), was used as the key step in an efficient synthesis of the molecular skeleton of the insect antifeedant Jodrellin A ( 1 ). The model compound ( 2 ) shows significant activity against the African leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis , at 1000 ppm.

Synthesis of oxygenated spongiane-type diterpenoids from carvone

Abstract A new diastereoselective approach to oxygenated spongiane diterpenes starting from ( R )-(−)-carvone is described. The carvone is incorporated as the B ring in the final spongiane framework using a B→AB→ABC→ABCD approach, which involves an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction and the regioselective ring-opening of a dihydrofuran ring as key synthetic steps. The structure of the key intermediate in this approach has been verified by X-ray crystallography.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Fluorinated Ethanolamines

The preparation of novel fluorinated allylamines and their use as key fragments for the stereoselective synthesis of hydroxyethyl secondary amine (HEA)-type peptidomimetics is described. Our strategy employs chiral sulfinyl imines as synthesis intermediates, by treatment of hemiaminal precursors with two equivalents of vinylmagnesium bromide. The subsequent oxidation of the allylic amines to the corresponding epoxides was achieved by treatment with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane. Finally, epoxide ring opening with a range of nitrogen nucleophiles provided a library of HEA-derived peptidomimetics with a phenyldifluoromethylene moiety. The biological evaluation of these derivatives revealed compounds with remarkable BACE1 inhibitory activity. Docking studies revealed the influence of the fluorine atoms in the binding mode of the synthesized ligands. Furthermore, the biological evaluation of our final products and synthesis intermediates led to the discovery of compounds with antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium and Nocardia species.

Synthesis of Highly Functionalised Enantiopure Bicyclo(3.2.1)- octane Systems from Carvone

The commercially available monoterpene carvone has been efficiently converted into the tricyclo[3.2.1.0(2.7)]octane and bicyclo[3.2.1]octane systems characteristic of some biologically active compounds. The sequence used for this transformation involves as key features an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of a 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene and a cyclopropane ring opening.

Synthesis of fluorinated drimanes. Preparation of 9αF-drimenin

Abstract A stereoselective approach to the 9α-fluorinated analogue of the natural drimane sesquiterpene drimenin starting from β-ionone is described. β-Ionone is transformed into a bicyclic β-cetoester from which 9αF-drimenin is prepared through stereoselective electrophilic fluorination at the C-9 with N -fluorobenzenesulfonimide followed by Wittig methylenation, allylic bromination, bromine-hydroxyl exchange and γ-lactonization.