Dehydroiridodiol dial and Neonepetalactone

In the cyclopentanoid monoterpene family, compounds containing an iridoid-structure exhibit various bioactivities in Nature. For example, dehydroiridodiol, isolated from dry leaves of the cat-attracting plant Actinidia polygama Miq., is known to be an attractant for the male adults of the Chrysopidae and shows activity in amounts as small as lO pg [35]. Dehydroiridodial, a more oxidized product, was isolated as a pungent principle of Actinidia polygama Miq. and was characterized by T. Sakan et al. in 1978 [36]. 

Besides the synthesis of racemic dehydroiridodiol [37], some ex-chiral-pool syntheses using (S)-limonene have been described [38]. Dehydroiridodial was synthesized in the same manner [39]. Since the increasing number of cyclopentanoid natural products and their interesting biological activity has stimulated considerable interest in the synthesis of such compounds, we have used our methodology to provide a new asymmetric synthesis of dehydroiridodial, dehydroiridodiol, as well as analogues [40]. 

The methyl group was introduced by a two-step procedure. Thus, the hydrazone Michael adducts 52 were converted into the enol pivaloates 53 in excellent yields and diastereomeric excesses de 96%) by treatment with pivaloyl chloride and triethylamine. After treatment with lithium dimethylcuprate the chiral auxiliary was removed by addition of 6n HCl in order to obtain the 5-substituted 2-methylcyclopentene carboxylate 54 in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivity (de, ee 96%). Finally, the asymmetric synthesis of dehydroiridodiol (55, R = Me, = H) and its analogues was accomplished by reduction of 54 with lithium aluminum hydride or L-selectride leading to the desired products in excellent yields, diastereo- and enantiomeric excesses (de, ee 96%). 

Neonepetalactone, 61 (Fig. 1.2.3), a bioactive compound found to be quite attractive to cats [41], was isolated in 1965 from the leaves and galls of Actinidia polygama by T. Sakan et al. and its absolute configuration was determined in 1980 [41b]. As some syntheses of the racemic mixture or ex-chiral-pool syntheses had already been reported, we realized that our SAMP/RAMP hydrazone methodology would make it possible to develop a very short asymmetric synthesis of this bioactive 8-lactone. 

First Enantioselective Synthesis of Dendrobatid Alkaloids Indolizidine 2091 and 223) 

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