Elaboration of Steps

This section elaborates various steps in the methodology. For every step, its purpose, main tasks, methods, and outcomes are defined. The main properties of the methods are described below, while a detailed description of the supply chain configuration methods is given in Part 11 of this book. 

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The first synthesis of the potent antitumor agent maytansine was carried out by the elaboration of aldehyde D, an intermediate in the enantioselective synthesis of (-)-A/-methylmaysenine (Ref. 1,2), using enantioselective and diastereoselective steps. 

Further elaboration of the MOM derivative E was carried out as described above for the MTM protected fragment B to afford fragment F which was converted to aplasmomycin by an 8-step sequence. 

Now with the two requisite coupling partners available, the next step is the elaboration of the AE ring system (see Scheme 11). Through the application of previously developed conditions for activation of glycosyl fluorides,24 the convergent union of compounds 19 and 20 can be achieved, giving a 4.5 1 mixture of axial and equatorial isomers in favor of the desired axial glycoside 60 (ca. 70 % yield). 

Scientific inquiry, which requires the definition of a model, the examination of the results, then, if neeessaiy, the elaboration of another model, in a sequence of steps, is a eomplex taste in whieh interpretation (or description) plays a cmcial role. I hope that the introduetion of three levels, or steps, in the process of interpretation will be of some help for our task. 

The selection of a type of basic subunit is the first step in the elaboration of interpretative tools. An analysis of this work, which represent the essence of the innovative activity of group II is not possible here, ft sufficient to remark that during this process of elaboration there has been important "admixtures" of concepts having their origin in different choices of the basic subunits. 

The elaboration of 113 to (—)-kinamycins C, F, and J, is shown in Scheme 3.19. To access ( )-kinamycin C (3), the silyl ether function of 113 was cleaved with aqueous hydrochloric acid (95 %). Alternatively, treatment of 113 with lithium hydroxide served to liberate the phenol function and saponify the three acetate esters, to provide ( )-kinamycin F (6) in 92 % yield. Finally, acylation of the tertiary hydroxyl of 113 (acetic anhydride, triethylamine) afforded a tetraacetate. Cleavage of the silyl ether then provided ( )-kinamycin J (10) in 80 % over two steps. 

In the 1970s, Kishi published a series of landmark papers [36] describing the total syntheses of ( )-dehydrogliotoxin (1973) [36b], ( )-sporidesmin A (1973) [36c], ( )-gliotoxin (1976) [36d], and ( )-hyalodendrin (1976) [36e] in which he employed a new method for epidithiodiketopiperazine synthesis (Scheme 9.4). Cognizant of the harsh conditions required in all of the sulfur incorporation methods developed at the time, it was determined that thiolation would be performed in the early stages of the syntheses. A dithiol intermediate obtained in a similar fashion to Trown s epidithiodiketopiperazine was protected as a dithioacetal, and after elaboration of this core diketopiperazine structure, the dithioacetal was unraveled under mild conditions in the final steps to afford the target epidisulfides. 

Elaboration of the method for the identification of colour compounds by RPLC MS should comprise four steps (1) spectral characterization of reference materials (standards) and subsequent optimization of detection parameters, as well as those of their chromatographic separation (2) analysis of natural dyestuffs used as colouring materials in historical objects (3) analysis of model samples (dyed fibres, paintings) prepared according to old recipes (4) application of the acquired knowledge to identification of colourants present in historical objects. 

Efficient synthesis of the mycotoxin asteltoxin 189 was accomplished beginning with the cycloaddition between 3,4-dimethylfuran and 3-benzyloxypropanal, which furnished pho-toaldol 183 in 63% yield (Scheme 42)84. Epoxidation from the convex face of this adduct, with subsequent epoxide opening, afforded 184, which was then elaborated through a series of steps to 185. The side chain was introduced via lithiosulfoxide 186 to furnish, after double sigmatropic rearrangement, 187. Hydrolysis of this afforded 188, which was oxidized and elaborated to 189 in two steps. 

Most syntheses of naturally occurring phenazines, though, are based on a two-step elaboration of the central heterocycle of the phenazine [78]. The first key step involves the generation of orf/zo-monosubstituted 88 or orf/zo, ortho -disubstituted diphenylamines 89-91 via nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Ring formation is then achieved by means of reductive or oxidative cyclization, for which a number of efficient methods are available. The main flaw of this approach is the synthesis of the substituted diphenylamines via nucleophilic aromatic substitution, as this reaction often can only be performed under strongly basic reaction conditions and at high temperatures. In addition, the diphenylamines required may only be achieved with certain substitution patterns with high yields. 

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