Chiral cruciferous phytoalexins: preparation, absolute configuration, and biological activity

Synthesized by an efficient one-pot spirocyclization method, two chiral cruciferous phytoalexins, 1-methoxyspirobrassinin (2) and 1-methoxyspirobrassinol methyl ether (4a), were prepared through optical resolution using the chiral HPLC method of corresponding racemates. The absolute configuration of natural (+)-2 was elucidated as R by using the direct comparison of ECD and VCD spectra with those of known (S)-(-)-spirobrassinin (1). Another chiral phytoalexin, (-)-4a, had its absolute configuration 2R,3R elucidated through the comparison of observed and calculated VCD. Interestingly, the absolute configurations of natural (S)-(-)-spirobrassinin (1) and (R)-(+)-1-methoxyspirobrassinin (2) were opposite of each other, even though their structures are almost similar, with the exception of an N-methoxy group. A significant difference in the antiproliferative activity between (2R,3R)-(-) and (2S,3S)-(+)-4a was observed.     

A new model to account for the order in which enantiomers of alkylarylcarbinols elute from a Pirkle chiral HPLC column: preparation, absolute stereochemistry, and chromatographic properties of (+)-1,2-benzocyclononen-3-ol and (+)-1,2-benzocyclodecen-3-ol

Samples enriched in (-)- and (+)-1,2-benzocyclononen-3-ol were prepared by microbially mediated reactions. An enriched sample of (+)-1,2-benzocyclodecen-3-ol was prepared by fractional crystallization of the diastereoisomeric camphanates, followed by hydrolysis. The absolute stereochemistry of both alcohols was established by chemical transformations. The elution order of their enantiomers from a chiral Pirkle HPLC column [(R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenyl glycine ionically bound to gamma-aminopropyl silanized silica] was determined. The information in conjunction with other data was used to formulate a rule to predict the configuration of an enantiomer of an alkylarylcarbinol from its elution order from this column.     

Enantioseparation, absolute configuration determination, and anticonvulsant activity of (+/-)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-7,8-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-one

The resolution of 1-(4-aminophenyl)-7,8-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4H-benzodiazepin-4-one (+/-)-(R,S)-2 was accomplished by chiral HPLC. The absolute configuration of (+)-2, determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, was R. The in vivo anticonvulsant activity of the enantiomers (+)-(R)-2 and (-)-(S)-2 is reported. It has been also demonstrated that compound (+/-)-(R,S)-2 in vivo undergoes oxidative metabolism to derivative 1.     

Influence of chiral carvones on selectivity of pure lipase-B from Candida antarctica

Summary In the esterification reaction in non-aqueous media lipase-B from Candida antarctica is stereoselective towards the R-isomer of ketoprofen in an achiral solvent such as isobutyl methyl ketone and in S(+) carvone. On the contrary, S(+) ketroprofen is esterified quicker in R(–) carvone. In addition, the esterification yield changes depending on the stereochemistry of the carvone used as solvent. The formation of disteromeric complexes (chiral solvent + chiral substrates) may explain this finding.     

Stopped‐Flow Enantioselective HPLC‐CD Analysis and TD‐DFT Stereochemical Characterization of Methyl Trans‐3‐(3,4‐Dimethoxyphenyl)Glycidate

Caffeic acid‐derived polyethers are a class of natural products isolated from the root extracts of comfrey and bugloss, which are endowed with intriguing pharmacological properties as anticancer agents. The synthesis of new polyether derivatives is achieved through ring‐opening polymerization of chiral 2,3‐disubstituted oxiranes, whose absolute configurations define the overall stereochemistry of the produced polymer. The absolute stereochemistry of one of these building blocks, methyl trans‐3‐(3,4‐dimethoxy‐phenyl)glycidate ( 3 ), was therefore characterized by the combination of enantioselective high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. Initial efforts aiming at the isolation of enantiomers by means of a standard preparative HPLC protocol followed by offline ECD analysis failed due to unexpected degradation of the samples after collection. The stopped‐flow HPLC‐CD approach, by which the ECD spectra of enantiomers are measured online with the HPLC system, was applied to overcome this issue and allowed a fast, reliable, and chemical‐saving analysis, while avoiding the risks of sample degradation during the collection and processing of enantiomeric fractions. Subsequent TD‐DFT calculations identified ( (2S,3R)-3 as the first eluted enantiomeric fraction on the Lux Cellulose‐2 column, therefore achieving a full stereochemical characterization of the chiral oxirane under investigation. Chirality 27:914–918, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione by circular dichroism spectroscopy and chemical correlation.

A study of the enantiomers of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione, a chiral molecule containing two carbonyl chromophores, was performed. Enantiomers of this structure were obtained by HPLC resolution and the (+)-(1R,5S)-enantiomer by enantiospecific synthesis from(+)-(1S,5S)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione. The title structure is an interesting molecule to demonstrate the validity of the octant rule. The location of the major chair-chair conformer into octants placing each chromophore into the origin of the octants led to the opposite configuration assignments. In order to prove unequivocally absolute configuration, enantiospecific synthesis of the title compound was carried out. The kinetic resolution of racemic bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione using baker's yeast afforded (+)-(1S,5S)-2,6-dione. Employing a reaction sequence analogous to one developed earlier by us with racemic substrates led to carbonyl group shift giving enantiomerically pure (+)-(1R,5S)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione. The absolute configuration of the investigated compound was established by combined use of the octant rule and chemical correlation.     

Stereoselectivity of Abscisic Acid-oxygenase in Avocado Fruits

The optically resolved (±)-dihydrophaseic acid (DPA) was achieved by using a commercially available chiral HPLC column. PA and DPA, which were isolated after feeding (±)-(RS)- [²H6]-ABA to avocado fruits, were analyzed by the chiral HPLC method to examine the stereoselectivity of the oxygenase. Small peaks of the unnatural enantiomer could be observed in each case. The results show convincingly that (–)-(R)-ABA was converted to PA and DPA, although the extent of this conversion is very small in comparison with the conversion of (+)-(S)-ABA.     

New route to enantiopure MalphaNP acid, a powerful resolution and chiral 1H NMR anisotropy reagent

MalphaNP acid (+/-)-1, 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid, was enantioresolved by the use of phenylalaninol (S)-(-)-4; a diastereomeric mixture of amides formed from acid (+/-)-1 and amine (S)-(-)-4 was easily separated by fractional recrystallization and/or HPLC on silica gel, yielding amides (R;S)-(-)-5a and (S;S)-(+)-5b. Their absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography by reference to the S configuration of the phenylalaninol moiety. Amide (R;S)-(-)-5a was converted to oxazoline (R;S)-(+)-8a, from which enantiopure MalphaNP acid (R)-(-)-1 was recovered. In a similar way, enantiopure MalphaNP acid (S)-(+)-1 was obtained from amide (S;S)-(+)-5b. These reactions provide a new route for the large-scale preparation of enantiopure MalphaNP acid, a powerful chiral reagent for the enantioresolution of alcohols and simultaneous determination of their absolute configurations by (1)H NMR anisotropy.     

Assignment of absolute configuration and optical purity determination of (R)- and (S)-econazole nitrate by enantioselective HPLC: Method development and application

A method is described for the synthesis and optical purity determination of (?)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-econazole via the optically pure intermediates, (R)- and (S)-imidazolylethanol, which are available by chromatographic resolution or by fractional crystallization of diastereomeric O,O′-disubstituted (R*;R*)- or (S*;S*)-tartaric acid monoesters of the parent imidazolylethanol racemate. Furthermore, this method allows the chromatographic assignment of the absolute configuration of the chiral center of the imidazolylethanol enantiomers and consequently of econazole enantiomers. In addition, a direct liquid chromatographic enantioseparation method for the determination of the optical purity of (R)- and (S)-econazole and other chiral imidazoles on a protein type CSP (OVM) is described and applied to confirm chromatographically the absolute configuration evaluations. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis and absolute configuration of the stereoisomers of [2-(1-diethylaminopropyl)] 1-hydroxy-1,1′-bicyclohexyl-2-carboxylate,a muscarinic antagonist

The compound [2-(1-diethylaminopropyl)] 1-hydroxy-1,1′-bicyclohexyl-2-carboxylate 1 is a muscarinic antagonist characterized by the presence of three chiral atoms and eight possible stereoisomers. The binding affinities to the five cloned m₁–m₅ muscarinic receptors of the stereoisomers of 1 were previously investigated and proved to be related to the chirality of the molecules. The eight isomers are prepared through the synthesis of their racemates followed by chemical resolution as (+) and (−) tartrate or (+) and (−) dibenzoyltartrate salts. The isomers with cis-configuration of OH and COOH substituents of the cyclohexane are also obtained by coupling optically active (1S, 2S) or (1R,2R)-1-hydroxy-[1,1′-bicyclohexyl]-2-carboxylic acid with (S)- or (R)-1-diethylamino-2-propanol. Chiral GC and HPLC methods are used to determine their optical purity. The absolute configurations of the four cis- and four trans-isomers are established by stereospecific synthesis and X-ray crystallographic data. Chirality 9:713–721, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Isolation of the major chiral compounds from Bubonium graveolens essential oil by HPLC and absolute configuration determination by VCD

The chirality issues in the essential oils (EOs) of leaves and flowers from Bubonium graveolens were addressed by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with polarimetric detection and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). The chemical compositions of the crude oils of three samples were established by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The well‐known cis ‐chrysanthenyl acetate ( 1 ), oxocyclonerolidol ( 2 ), and the recently disclosed cis ‐acetyloxychrysanthenyl acetate ( 3 ), the three major chiral compounds, were isolated by preparative HPLC. The naturally occurring oxocycloneroledol ( 2 ), mostly found in the leaf oil (49.4–55.6%), presents a (+) sign in the mobile phase during HPLC on a chiral stationary phase (CSP) with a Jasco polarimetric detection. The naturally occurring cis ‐chrysanthenyl acetate ( 1 ) and cis ‐acetyloxychrysanthenyl acetate ( 3 ), mostly found in the flower EO (35.9–74.9% and 10.0–34.3%, respectively), both present a (−) sign. HPLC on a CSP with polarimetric detection is an unprecedented approach to readily differentiate the flower and leaf EOs according to their chiral signature. The comparison of the experimental and calculated VCD spectra of pure isolated 1 , 2, and 3 provided their absolute configuration as being (1S ,5R ,6S )‐(−)‐2,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept‐2‐en‐6‐yl acetate 1 , (2R ,6R )‐(+)‐6‐ethenyl‐2,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(4‐methylpent‐3‐en‐1‐yl)dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐3(4H)‐one) 2 and (1S ,5R ,6R ,7S )‐(−)‐7‐(acetyloxy)‐2,6‐dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept‐2‐en‐6‐yl]methyl acetate 3 . Compounds 1 , 2, and 3 were already known in B. graveolens but this is the first report of the absolute configuration of (+)‐ 2 and (−)‐ 3 . The VCD chiral signatures of the crude oils were also recorded.     

Chiral HPLC Separation,Absolute Structural Elucidation,and Determination of Stereochemical Stability of trans‐Bis[2‐(2‐pyridinyl)aminophenolato] Cyclotriphosphazene

Chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of trans‐bis[2‐(2‐pyridyl)aminophenolato] dichlorocyclotriphosphazene 1 was achieved and the absolute configuration of (+)-1 was assigned to be S,S by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. The optically pure 1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐ethanediolate derivatives (+)‐ 2a and (?)‐ 2b were synthesized by the reactions of (+)-1 and (-)-1 with (R,R)‐hydrobenzoin, respectively, in refluxing toluene in the presence of an excess amount of triethylamine and a catalytic amount of 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine. The racemization of the enantiomers of 1 and the epimerization of diastereomers of 2 were not observed in refluxing toluene neither under acidic nor basic conditions. The stereochemistry of (+)-1 was confirmed by the crystal structure of (+)‐ 2a and bis[(4‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)oxy]cyclotriphosphazene (+)-3 derived from (+)-1 . Chirality 28:556–561, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oxidation of 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene by bacterial strains expressing naphthalene dioxygenase, biphenyl dioxygenase, and toluene dioxygenase yields homochiral monol or cis-diol enantiomers as major products.

Bacterial strains expressing naphthalene, biphenyl, and toluene dioxygenase were examined for their abilities to oxidize 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene (benzocyclohept-1-ene). The major oxidation products were isolated, and their absolute configurations were determined by chiral 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of diastereomeric boronate esters, chiral stationary-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, and stereo-chemical correlation. Pseudomonas sp. strain 9816/11 and Sphingomonas yanoikuyae (formerly identified as a Beijerinckia sp.) B8/36 expressing naphthalene and biphenyl dioxygenases, respectively, oxidized benzocyclohept-1-ene to a major product identified as (-)-(1R,2S)-cis-dihydroxybenzocycloheptane (> 98% enantiomeric excess [ee], 50 and 90% yield, respectively). In contrast, Pseudomonas putida F39/D expressing toluene dioxygenase oxidized benzocyclohept-1-ene to (+)-(5R)-hydroxybenzocyclohept-1-ene (> 98% ee, 90% yield) as the major metabolite and to the "opposite" diol, (+)-(1S,2R)-cis-dihydroxybenzocycloheptane (> 98% ee, 10% yield). The results indicate that, for benzocyclohept-1-ene, the major reaction catalyzed by naphthalene and biphenyl dioxygenases is dioxygenation whereas toluene dioxygenase catalyzes mainly R-stereospecific benzylic monooxygenation. Although the type of reaction catalyzed by each organism was not predictable, the absolute configuration of the diol and monol products formed by naphthalene and toluene dioxygenases are consistent with the stereochemistry of the products formed by these enzymes from other benzocycloalkene substrates.     

Stereospecific pharmacokinetics of racemic homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and taxifolin in rats and their disposition in fruit

The chirality of flavonoids has been overlooked in the majority of pharmacokinetic studies of homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and taxifolin. The stereospecific pharmacokinetic disposition of these xenobiotics in male Sprague-Dawley rats is described for the first time. Validated HPLC methods were used to analyze serum and urine samples of rats following intravenous administration of each flavonoid via jugular vein cannulation and to determine their content in selected fruits. The characterization and interpretation of the pharmacokinetic disposition profiles of homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and taxifolin are described. A discrepancy exists between half-lives in serum and urine which may be attributed to low assay sensitivity in serum for the three compounds; thus, a more accurate estimation of the pharmacokinetic parameters was obtained from urine. The pharmacokinetics of homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, and taxifolin revealed distribution, metabolism, and elimination that were dependent on the stereochemistry of the stereoisomers. The (-)-(S)-enantiomers of homoeriodictyol and isosakuranetin and the (+)-(2S; 3R)-stereoisomer of taxifolin were predominant in lemon, grapefruit, and tomato. These findings were achieved using chiral methods of analysis; the utility and necessity of developing chiral methods of analysis for chiral xenobiotics are discussed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,3,7-trimethylcyclooctanone and related compounds and determination of their relative and absolute configurations by the MalphaNP acid method

The copper/chiral phosphoramidite (L(1))-catalyzed conjugate addition of dimethylzinc to cycloocta-2,7-dienone 4, followed by the methylation of the intermediate enolate, yielded a single isomer of 7,8-dimethylcyclooct-2-enone (+)-5. Compound (+)-5 was subjected to the second conjugate addition with ent-L(1) giving only one stereoisomer of 2,3,7-trimethylcyclooctanone (+)-6, which was converted to 2,3,7-trimethylcyclooctanol 7. To determine the relative and absolute configurations of these compounds, the (1)H NMR anisotropy method using (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid {(S)-(+)-MalphaNP acid} 1 was applied. Racemic alcohol (+/-)-7 was esterified with (S)-(+)-MalphaNP acid 1 yielding diastereomeric esters, which were efficiently separated by HPLC on silica gel affording the first-eluted MalphaNP ester (-)-10a and the second-eluted one (-)-10b. The relative and absolute configurations of ester (-)-10a were determined to be (S;1R,2S,3R,7S) by analyzing the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of (-)-10a and (-)-10b, especially their HSQC-TOCSY and NOESY spectra, and by applying the MalphaNP anisotropy method. The alcohol 7 formed from (+)-6 was similarly esterified with (S)-(+)-MalphaNP acid 1 yielding an MalphaNP ester, which was identical with (-)-10a, and the relative and absolute configurations of 2,3,7-trimethylcyclooctanone (+)-6 were determined to be (2S,3R,7S).     

RESOLUTION OF RACEMIC MIXTURES OF CARBOCYCLIC ANALOGUES OF NUCLEOSIDES AND ASSIGNMENT OF THEIR ABSOLUTE CONFIGURATION

Racemic trans-6-chloro-9-[2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentyl]purine was resolved using HPLC with a chiral column. The absolute configurations of the enantiomers were determined by NMR studies of their (R)- and (S)-methoxy-phenylacetates.     

Expeditious synthesis and chromatographic resolution of (+)- and (-)-trans-1-benzylcyclohexan-1,2-diamine hydrochlorides

The hitherto unknown (-)- and (+)-1-benzylcyclohexan-1,2-diamine hydrochlorides 4a. HCl and 4b. HCl were synthesized by means of diastereoselective alpha-iminoamine rearrangement with subsequent imine reduction and hydrogenolysis. The relative trans-configuration as well as the absolute (1S,2R) and (1R,2S) configurations of 4a and 4b, respectively, were elucidated on the basis of an X-ray analysis of 3b. HCl. The enantiomeric excess (ee) values of the title compounds (>99%) were determined by chiral HPLC on a Chirex (D) Penicillamine column.     

GABAB antagonists: Resolution,absolute stereochemistry,and pharmacology of (R)- and (S)-phaclofen

Phaclofen, which is the phosphonic acid analogue of the GABA_B agonist (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-aminobutyric acid (baclofen), is a GABA_B antagonist. As part of our studies on the structural requirements for activation and blockade of GABA_B receptors, we have resolved phaclofen using chiral chromatographic techniques. The absolute stereochemistry of (?)-(R)-phaclofen was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. (?)-(R)-Phaclofen was shown to inhibit the binding of [³H]-(R)-baclofen to GABA_B receptor sites on rat cerebellar membranes (IC₅₀ = 76 ± 13 μM), whereas (+)-(S)-phaclofen was inactive in this binding assay (IC₅₀ > 1000 μM). (?)-(R)-Phaclofen (200 μM) was equipotent with (RS)-phaclofen (400 μM) in antagonizing the action of baclofen in rat cerebral cortical slices, while (+)-(S)-phaclofen (200 μM) was inactive. The structural similarity of the agonist (R)-baclofen and the antagonist (?)-(R)-phaclofen suggests that these ligands interact with the GABA_B receptor sites in a similar manner. Thus, it may be concluded that the different pharmacological effects of these compounds essentially result from the different spatial and proteolytic properties of their acid groups. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Application of chiral technology in a pharmaceutical company. Enantiomeric separation and spectroscopic studies of key asymmetric intermediates using a combination of techniques. Phenylglycidols

Phenylglycidols substituted in the 2-, 3-, and 4- positions with fluorine, chlorine, and trifluoromethyl, and with methoxy in the 3- position, were synthesized from the corresponding E-cinnamic acids and separated into their (R,R)- and (S,S)- enantiomers using subcritical fluid chromatography with mixtures of MeOH in CO(2), on either a Chiralpak AD or AS chiral stationary phase. These compounds and commercially-available (R,R)- and (S,S)-phenylglycidol were analyzed for their vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and optical rotation (OR) properties to exemplify a strategy whereby the absolute stereochemistry of common and key chiral intermediates is established early in the structure-activity and structure-property relationship phase of a drug discovery program in a pharmaceutical company. From this study, substituents in the phenyl group of the synthesized molecules were found not to grossly alter spectroscopic features, and therefore, diagnostic absorption bands in the respective VCD spectra, and the sign and shape of the measured ECD curves could be used to determine and track the absolute stereochemistry of analogs without necessarily requiring time-consuming ab initio calculations of all low energy conformers for all compounds. VCD, OR, and ECD calculations for the determination of absolute configuration carried out at the DFT level with the hybrid B3PW91 functional and the TZVP basis set were found to be especially useful in this study.     

Determination of bevantolol enantiomers in human plasma by coupled achiral-chiral high performance-liquid chromatography

A coupled achiral-chiral high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and fully validated for the determination of bevantolol enantiomers, (-)-(S)-bevantolol and (+)-(R)-bevantolol, in human plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by solid phase extraction with Sep-Pak Plus C18 cartridges followed by HPLC. Bevantolol enantiomers and (+)-(R)-Propranolol as internal standard (IS) were preseparated from interfering components in plasma on a Phenomenex silica column and bevantolol enantiomers and IS were resolved and determined on a Chiralcel OJ-H chiral stationary phase. The two columns were connected by a switching valve equipped with silica precolumn. The Precolumn was used to concentrate bevantolol in the eluent from the achiral column before back flushing onto chiral phase. A detailed validation of the method was performed accordingly to FDA guidelines. For each enantiomer the assay was linear between 20 and 1600 ng/ml. The quantification limits of both bevantolol enantiomers were 20 ng/ml. The intraday variation was between 1.07 and 12.64% in relation to the measured concentration and the interday variation was 0.91 and 11.79%. The method has been applied to the determination of (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-bevantolol in plasma from healthy volunteers dosed with racemic bevantolol hydrochloride.