1. Efficient asymmetric synthesis of biologically important tryptophan analogues via a palladium-mediated heteroannulation reaction
C Ma, X Liu, X Li, J Flippen-Anderson, S Yu, J M Cook J Org Chem. 2001 Jun 29;66(13):4525-42. doi: 10.1021/jo001679s.
A novel and concise synthesis of optically active tryptophan derivatives was developed via a palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation reaction of substituted o-iodoanilines with an internal alkyne. The required internal alkyne 14a or 25 was prepared in greater than 96% de via alkylation of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 19 employing diphenyl phosphate as the leaving group. The Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary was chosen here for the preparation of L-tryptophans would be available from D-valine while the D-isomers required for natural product total synthesis would originate from the inexpensive L-valine (300-g scale). Applications of the palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation reaction were extended to the first asymmetric synthesis of L-isotryptophan 38 and L-benz[f]tryptophan 39. More importantly, the optically pure 6-methoxy-D-tryptophan 62 was prepared by this protocol on a large scale (>300 g). This should permit entry into many ring-A oxygenated indole alkaloids when coupled with the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction. In addition, an improved total synthesis of tryprostatin A (9a) was accomplished in 43% overall yield employing this palladium-mediated process.
2. Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-vincamajinine and (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine
Jianming Yu, Xiangyu Z Wearing, James M Cook J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Feb 11;126(5):1358-9. doi: 10.1021/ja039798n.
The first total syntheses of (-)-vincamajinine (5) (from Na-methyl-d-tryptophan methyl ester) and (-)-11-methoxy-17-epivincamajine (6) (from Na-methyl-6-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester) are described. The syntheses have been completed in a highly stereocontrolled manner (>98% ee). Key steps included the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction, enolate-mediated palladium cross-coupling reaction, and acid-catalyzed formation of the C(7)-C(17) bond. In addition, the triethylsilane/TFA-mediated incorporation of the 2alpha-H (11 to 12) and the borohydride generation of the C(17) hydroxyl function (R) were also stereospecific. The unique highly conjested carbon skeletons of the two alkaloids were completed in a concise manner and in regiospecific fashion.
