The preparation of some bromodeoxy- and dibromodideoxy-pentonolactones

Treatment of ammonium d-xylonate with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid yields 2,5-dibromo-2,5-dideoxy-d-lyxono-1,4-lactone (2a), whereas similar treatment of potassium d-arabinonate gives 5-bromo-5-deoxy-d-arabinono-1,4-lactone (8a) as the main product. Two isomeric 2,5-dibromo-2,5-dideoxy-1,4-lactones are also formed in minor amounts. Selective hydrogenolysis of 2a affords 5-bromo-2,5-dideoxy-d-threo-pentono-1,4-lactone, while prolonged treatment results in the formation of 3-hydroxypentanoic acid. Similarly, hydrogenolysis of 8a produces a 2,3-dihydroxypentanoic acid together with smaller amounts of 5-deoxy-d-arabinono-1,4-lactone; the latter also results from hydrogenolysis of 5-deoxy-5-iodo-d-arabinono-1,4-lactone with Raney nickel.     

Improved preparation and synthetic uses of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-hexonolactone: an efficient synthesis of Leptosphaerin

Acetylation of d-glucono-1,5-lactone and subsequent treatment with triethylamine gave 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone. Hydrogenation of the latter in the presence of palladium on carbon yielded 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-d-arabino-hexono-1,5-lactone (5) in almost quantitative yield calculated from gluconolactone. Catalytic hydrogenation of 5 with platinum on carbon in the presence of triethylamine gave 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-d-arabino-hexopyranose in quantitative yield. Deacetylation of 5 gave 3-deoxy-d-arabino-hexono-1,4-lactone, which was converted into 3-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-2-O-methanesulfonyl-d-arabino-hexono-1,4-lactone (10). The latter was converted into 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-d-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,4-lactone (Leptosphaerin). When 10 was boiled in water in the presence of acid, it gave a high yield of 2,5-anhydro-3-deoxy-d-ribo-hexonic acid.     

Studies on dehydro-d-arabino-ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

d-erythro-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-arylhydrazones (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro-d-arabino-ascorbic acid with the desired arylhydrazine. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone (5), whereas the unacetylated triazole derivatives were obtained upon reaction of 3 with bromine in water. On treatment of 5 with hydrazine hydrate, 2-aryl-4-(d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides (6) were obtained. Acetylation of 6 gave the hexaacetyl derivatives. Similarly, treatment of 5 with liquid ammonia gave the triazolecarboxamides (12). Vigorous acetylation of 12 with boiling acetic anhydride gave tetraacetates, whereas acetylation with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave triacetates. Periodate oxidation of 6 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides, characterized as acetates. Similarly, periodate oxidation of 12 gave the triazolealdehyde (15), and reduction of 15 gave the hydroxymethyl derivatives (16). Acetylation of 16 gave the mono- and di-acetates, and, on reaction with o-phenylenediamine, 15 afforded the triazoleimidazole. Controlled reaction of 3 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-(d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-arylhydrazones. Reaction of 3 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes (21). Compounds 21 were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy-d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone on treatment with acetic anhydride.     

Studies on dehydro-l-ascorbic acid 3-oxime 2-phenylhydrazone: Conversion into substituted triazoles

l-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone) (1) gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-(l-threo-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone (2), and this gave a diacetyl and a dibenzoyl derivative. On treatment of 2 with liquid ammonia, methylamine, or dimethylamine, the corresponding triazole-5-carboxamides (5–7) were obtained. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide (10), and, on reduction, 10 gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide, characterized as its monoacetate. Condensation of 10 with phenylhydrazine gave the triazole hydrazone. Acetonation of 2 gave the isopropylidene derivative. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 4-(l-threo-2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-2-(p-bromophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone. Similar treatment of 1 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-5-bromo-6-deoxy-l-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone). This was converted into 4-(l-threo-2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone on treatment with boiling acetic anhydride. On reaction of 1 with benzoyl chloride in pyridine, dehydrative cyclization occurred, with the formation of 4-(l-threo-2,3-dibenzoyloxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone, which was converted into the amide on treatment with ammonia.     

Studies on dehydro-l-ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

l-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones) (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro-l-ascorbic acid with various arylhydrazines. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-(arylhydrazone) 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones (4). On treatment of 4 with liquid ammonia, 2-aryl-4-(l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (5) were obtained. Acetylation of 5 with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave the triacetates, and vigorous acetylation with boiling acetic anhydride gave the tetraacetyl derivatives. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides, characterized as the monoacetates and diacetates. Controlled reaction of 2 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-(l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-(arylhydrazones), characterized by their triacetates. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones); these were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy-l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones on treatment with acetic anhydride-pyridine.     

The conversion of d-glucono-1,5-lactone into an α-pyrone derivative

Treatment of d-glucono-1,5-lactone (3) with excess of acetic anhydride in anhydrous pyridine at room temperature afforded the tetra-acetate and 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-d-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (1). On prolonged reaction or at 80°, 3-acetoxy-6-acetoxymethylpyran-2-one (5) was the unexpected main product. The mechanistic implications of the conversion of 1 → 5 are discussed.     

Substitution of 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-mannitol derivatives by reactions with iodide

Reaction of 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-2,5-di-O-mesyl- and -tosyl-D-mannitol with sodium iodide gave a 1:1 mixture of 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-diiodo-D-glucitol (12) and -L-iditol (22). 1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2-deoxy-2-iodo-5-O-mesyl-D-glucitol (13) and the corresponding D-mannitol derivative (9) are formed as intermediates. Both 9 and 13, as well as 12 and 22, are rapidly isomerized to a mixture of the two in the presence of iodide, proving a fast iodo-iodo substitution reaction. This is restricted to starting materials having the mannitol configuration, as the corresponding 2,5-di-O-mesyl-D-glucitol derivative gives only the known 5-deoxy-5-iodo-L-iditol derivative. The possible mechanism of the unusual isomerization reactions is discussed.     

The conversion of d-glucono-1,5-lactone into an α-pyrone derivative

Treatment of d-glucono-1,5-lactone (3) with excess of acetic anhydride in anhydrous pyridine at room temperature afforded the tetra-acetate and 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-d-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (1). On prolonged reaction or at 80°, 3-acetoxy-6-acetoxymethylpyran-2-one (5) was the unexpected main product. The mechanistic implications of the conversion of 1 → 5 are discussed.     

Studies on dehydro- -ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones) (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro- -ascorbic acid with various arylhydrazines. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-(arylhydrazone) 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl- -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones (4). On treatment of 4 with liquid ammonia, 2-aryl-4-( -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (5) were obtained. Acetylation of 5 with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave the triacetates, and vigorous acetylation with boiling acetic anhydride gave the tetraacetyl derivatives. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides, characterized as the monoacetates and diacetates. Controlled reaction of 2 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-( -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-(arylhydrazones), characterized by their triacetates. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy- -threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones); these were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy- -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones on treatment with acetic anhydride-pyridine.     

β-elimination in aldonolactones. Synthesis of 2-deoxy-D-lyxo-hexose and 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexose

Benzoylation of D-glycero-L-manno-heptono-1,4-lactone (1) with benzoyl chloride and pyridine for 2 h afforded crystalline penta-O-benzoyl-D-glycero-L-manno-heptono-1,4-lactone (2), but a large excess of reagent during 8 h also led to 2,5,6,7-tetra-O- benzoyl-3-deoxy-D-lyxo-hept-2-enono-1,4-lactone (3). Catalytic hydrogenation of 3 was stereoselective and gave 2,5,6,7-tetra-O-benzoyl-3-deoxy-D-galacto-heptono-1,4-lactone (4). Debenzoylation of 4 followed by oxidative decarboxylation with ceric sulfate in aqueous sulfuric acid gave 2-deoxy-D-lyxo-hexose (5). Application of the same reaction to 3-deoxy-D-gluco-heptono-1,4-lactone afforded 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexose (6).     

Synthesis of C-arabinofuranosyl compounds. Phosphonate and carboxylate isosteres of d-arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate

Electrophile-mediated cyclization of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-arabino-hex-1-enitol with N-bromosuccinimide yielded primarily 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-bromo-1-deoxy-d-glucitol (10). This apparently kinetically controlled reaction was of key importance in the successful synthesis of a phosphonate analog of β-d-arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate (1), namely, 2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-1-phosphono-d-glucitol 6-phosphate (4), whith high stereoselectivity. By contrast, condensation of the sodium salt of tetraethyl methylenediphosphonate and 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-d-arabinose (7) gave a phosphonate compound slightly enriched in the 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (α) isomer. In the Wittig—Michael reaction of stabilized phosphoranes with 7, the α isomer preponderated. Since equilibration of methyl 3,6-anhydro-4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto- (33) and -d-gulo-heptonate (34) (5:1) resulted in a 1:1 α:β ratio, the preference for the 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (α) isomer probably reflects a kinetic bias. The carbomethoxy anomers were converted independently into the α and β carboxylate isosteres (5 and 6, respectively) of d-arabinose 1,5-diphosphate. Empirical force field calculations (MMP2) and n.m.r. experiments were conducted on the pairs of diastereomers 9 and 10, and 33 and 34. The calculations predict that the α and β anomers of each pair have similar energies, differing by only 2.1 kJ/mol. Compounds 4, 5, and 6 were evaluated for biological activity.     

Equilibria of the anomeric and ring forms of ammonium 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonate in deuterium oxide

The tautomeric composition of a solution of ammonium 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonate (KDO, 1a) in D₂O at 28° was assessed by means of ¹³ C-F.t.-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The results revealed the presence of 6?0 and 11 % of the α and β anomers of the pyranose, and 20 and 9 % of the two furanoses, and suggested, but did not unequivocally prove, that the major furanose form is the α anomer. To facilitate interpretation of the spectral results for 1, ammonium 3,5-dideoxy-d-arabino(or ribo)-octulosonate (3a) was prepared by the reaction of 5-deoxy-d-erythro-pentose with sodium oxalacetate at pH 11. A chromatographically homogeneous, noncrystalline sample of 3 was obtained by lyophilization, and characterized as its (4-nitrophenyl)hydrazone (m.p. 162-163°). The ¹³C-n.m.r. spectrum of a solution of 3a in D₂O revealed it to be substantially all in the α-pyranose form. No signals were obtained for the possible 1,4-lactone of 3. As the 1,5-lactone and furanose forms are impossible for 3, it exhibited no signals analogous to those attributed to furanoid 1. On the basis of these results for 3, the two lactone forms of 1 were excluded from consideration, and the three pairs of ¹³C-n.m.r. signals observed at ≈45, 86, and 104 p.p.m. were assigned to the furanose forms of 1.     

Conversion of d-fructose into 6-deoxy-d-threo-2,5-hexudiulose by γ-irridation: a chain reaction in the crytalline state

γ-lrradiation of crystalline β-d-fructose yields 6-deoxy-d-threo-2,5-hexodiulose (2) via a chain reaction. The initial G-value at 25° is 38. With decreasing temperature, G(2) decreases strongly; however, no change in G(2) is observed on going to higher temperatures. G(2) is independent of dose rate, but decreases with increasing dose. A mechanism for the formation of 2 is proposed. Although G(2) decreases with increasing dose, γ-irridiation of d-fructose is a convenient method for obtaining 2 on a preparative scale. At a dose of 10₂₁ eV.g^?1, d-fructose is converted into ～6% of 2.     

Some studies on dehydro-d-ascorbic acid 2-(phenylhydrazone)

Reaction of hydroxylamine with d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosono-1, 4-lactone 2-(phenylhydrazone) (2) gave the 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone) (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 4-(d-erythro-2,3-diacetoxy-l-hydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2, 3-triazoIe-5-carboxylic acid 5,1′-lactone. Compound 3 was also converted into the related, unacetylated 2-(p-bromophenyl)triazole with bromine. Treatment of 2 with boiling acetic anhydride gave an optically inactive, olefinic compound, assigned the structure 4-(2-acetoxyethylidene)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxobutano-1,4-lactone 2-(phenylhydrazone). The 2-(phenylhydrazone) 2 gave the corresponding 2,3-bis(phenylhydrazone) on condensation with phenylhydrazine.     

Dicyclohexylammonium salts for the isolation and characterization of aldonic acids

Dicyclohexylammonium salts of aldonic acids may be prepared from aldonolactones, as well as from metal aldonates and the free acids. Although accompanied by decomposition, their melting points are usually sharp, and these salts appear to have some potential utility for the isolation and characterization of aldonic acids.Dicyclohexylammonium 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-gluconate (1) has recently been described; in the course of the present investigation, it was converted into 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose (3), confirming the configuration previously assigned to it. With aqueous dicyclohexylamine, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-mannono-1,4-lactone (2) gives 1. The configuration of 2 was reconfirmed through reduction to 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-mannitol (4), and the optical rotations of this compound and its d-gluco isomer in acidified ammonium molybdate solution were found to be useful physical constants for distinguishing these alditols.2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactono-1,4-lactone affords a crystalline dicyclohexylammonium salt of the corresponding acid, from which the lactone may be regenerated.     

Synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-fluorohexoses by fluorination of glycals in aqueous media

1,5-Anhydro-2-deoxy-d-arabino- (d-glucal), 1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-lyxo- (d-galactal), and 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-lyxo-hex-1-enitol (3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-galactal) (3) were fluorinated in water and organic solvent-water with molecular fluorine and, for ¹⁸F-labelled compounds, with [¹⁸F]fluorine. Chemical yields of 40 and 10% were obtained for 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose and 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-mannose, respectively, and 35 and 5% for 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-galactose (12) and 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-talose (13), respectively. In the fluorination of 3, the chemical yields of 12 and 13 were 38 and 6%, respectively. An l.c. separation of 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-hexoses is described.     

Preparation of some bromodeoxyaldonic acids

Reaction of L-ascorbic acid with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid gave 6-bromo-6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid, which was converted into 5,6-dideoxy-D-glycero-hex-2,3-enono-1,4-lactone. Hexonic acids or their lactones also gave bromo compounds on treatment with HBrAcOH. From D-galactono-1,4-lactone a 6-bromo derivative was obtained. Calcium D-gluconate yielded 2,6-dibromo-2,6-dideoxy-D-mannono-1,4-lactone, whereas D-mannono-1,4-lactone gave 2,6-dibromo-2,6-dideoxy-D-glucono-1,4-lactone.     

Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate. Purification of UDP-D-xylose:core protein beta-D-xylosyltransferase by affinity chromatography

Silver carbonate on Celite (the Fetizon reagent) was shown to be selective as an oxidizing agent, and convenient for the preparation of various aldonolactones. Whereas substituted aldoses having the 1-hydroxyl group free were readily converted into the corresponding lactones, partially protected 2-acetamido-2-deoxypyranoses having more than one free hydroxyl group were selectively oxidized at C-1. The oxidation was carrried out in boiling benzene or 1,4-dioxane. A series of partially protected 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1,5-aldonolactones [2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-D-mannono-1,5-lactone (13),2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-D-glucono-1,5-lactone (15), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-D-glucono-1,5-lactone (18), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-D-mannono-1,5-lactone (20), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-mannono-1,5-lactone (24), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucono-1,5-lactone (25)] was thus prepared; for these, the oxidation was accompanied by two side-reactions: (a) an elimination (dehydration) that gave the unsaturated lactones [2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-D-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (12), 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-D-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (17), and 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-D-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (23)], and (b) partial gluco-to-manno epimerization occurring during the oxidation of 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (14), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-D-glucopyranose (16), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucopyranose (22).The free unsaturated lactone, 2-acetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-erythro-hex-2-enono-1,5-lactone (26), was obtained on hydrolysis of the isopropylidene group in lactone 17.     

The inhibitory activity of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-gluconolactones and their isopropylidene derivatives on 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucosidase

2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucono-1,4-lactone (1) and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-gluconic acid (3) have been examined for inhibitory activity against 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucosidase from bull epididymis. Crystalline 1 and 3 were compared with the known, crystalline 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucono-1,5-lactone (2), and a correlation of the activities of these compounds with various factors is presented. The inhibition constant of the 1,5-lactone 2 is lower (0.45μM) than that (4.43μM) of the 1,4-lactone 1. The effect of time is the opposite; whereas the activity of solutions of 2 decreases with time, solutions of 1 show an increase in inhibitory power, but both reach an equilibrium after 5 h. The free acid 3 exhibits no inhibitory activity. 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-D-glucono- 1,4-lactone (4) and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-D-glucono-1,5-lactone (5), which are appropriately protected to prevent conversion into the other lactone isomer, were also tested; 4 has 1/1000th the activity of 5.     

Facile synthesis and rearrangement of L-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(2-arylhydrazones)

Controlled reaction of L-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone with substituted phenylhydrazines gave the 2-(monoarylhydrazones) (2), which underwent dehydrative acetylation to 4-(2-acetoxyethylidene)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxohutyro-1,4-lactone 2-(2-arylhydrazones) (3). The latter reacted with methylhydrazine to give 1-methyl-3-(1-methylpyrazolin-3-yl)-4,5-pyrazoledione 4-(2-arylhydrazones) (4). Reaction of the monoarythydrazones (2) with phenylhydrazine gave the mixed bishydrazones (5), which were rearranged by alkali and acidification to the pyrazolediones (6). Compounds 6 gave triacetyl (7) and tribenzoyl derivatives (8), and, on periodite oxidation, the aldehydes (9), which afforded the monohydrazones (10). The i.r.. n.m.r.. and mass-spectral data of some of the compounds were investigated.