Reserpine precursor

Gomez, A.M., L6pez, J.C., Fraser-Reid, B. (1994) Serial Radical Cyclization ofPyranose-Derived Dienes in the StereocontroUed Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Cyclohexanes. A Route to Woodward s Reserpine Precursor. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 59, 4048M 050. 

Fraser-Reid s stereocontrolled synthesis of the Woodward reserpine precursor 195 relied upon a tandem 5-exol6-exo radical cyclization of pyranose-derived dienes [76-77]. As outlined in Scheme 36, a,P-unsaturated ester 188 was prepared by free radical coupling of iodide 187 with a tin acrylate. After hydrolysis of 188 (MeONa, MeOH, 100%) to give primary alcohol 189, the silicon tethered diene 190 was installed by silylation. Treatment of 190 with n-BujSnH led to the desired cage molecule 192 in high yield via a 5-exo-trig cyclization to intermediate 191 followed by a 6-exo cyclization. Tamao oxidation of tricycle 192 led to diol... 

Fraser-Reid and co-workers have examined serial radical cyclization of pyranose-derivatives [95AJC333] in the stereocontrolled synthesis of Woodward s reserpine precursor [95JOC3859]. Treatment of the bromosilane 188 under reductive conditions resulted in a 5-exo followed by a 6-exo cyclization. The intermediate radical eliminates phenylsulfinyl radical to provide the alkene 189 as the product. The intermediate has been converted to the reserpine precursor 190. The temporary silicon method has been utilized for the synthesis of brassinolide side chain [95SL850]. 

During the synthesis of the Woodward reserpine precursor (17 Scheme 4), Peailman used the protected acylacetal (13) to control the stereochemistry of an intramolecular photochemical cycloaddition to (14). The strategy for opening the cyclobutane ring employed the Baeyer-Villiger reaction to convert the 7-keto ester (15) to a 3-hydroxy ester (16), which underwent retroaldolization to (17). 

Gomez, A M, Lopez, J C, Fraser-Reid, B, Serial radical cyclization of pyranose-derived dienes in the stereocontrolled synthesis of Woodward s reserpine precursor, J. Org. Chem., 60, 3859-3870, 1995. 

A route to Woodward s reserpine precursor 195 has been developed by Fraser-Reid, utilizing a tandem radical cyclization, and proceeding via the homochiral cyclohexane intermediate 194 (Scheme 46),[gee section 4 for other related radical cyclizations]. 

Mehta, G. Reddy, D.S. (2000) A Formal Synthesis of Reserpine Hydrindane Approach to the Woodward s Ring-E Precursor. Journal of the Chemical Society Perkin Transactions J, 1399-1404. 

The first two antidepressants, iproniazid and imipramine, were developed in the same decade. They were shown to reverse the behavioural and neurochemical effects of reserpine in laboratory rodents, by inhibiting the inactivation of these monoamine transmitters (Leonard, 1985). Iproniazid inhibits MAO (monoamine oxidase), an enzyme located in the presynaptic neuronal terminal which breaks down NA, 5-HT and dopamine into physiologically inactive metabolites. Imipramine inhibits the reuptake of NA and 5-HT from the synaptic cleft by their transporters. Therefore, both of these drugs increase the availability of NA and 5-HT for binding to postsynaptic receptors and, therefore, result in enhanced synaptic transmission. Conversely, lithium, the oldest but still most frequently used mood stabiliser (see below), decreases synaptic NA (and possibly 5-HT) activity, by stimulating their reuptake and reducing the availability of precursor chemicals required in the biosynthesis of second messengers. 

Intramolecular cycloadditions of a,p-unsaturated lactones to alkenes have been used as key step in the synthesis of a precursor of the terpene reserpine 480) (4.68) and of fused cyclooctanes (4.69) 481 ... 

In addition to impairing norepinephrine storage and thereby enhancing its catabolism, reserpine impairs the vesicular uptake of dopamine, the immediate precursor of norepinephrine. Since dopamine must be taken up into the adrenergic vesicles to undergo hydroxylation and form norepinephrine, reserpine administration impairs norepinephrine synthesis. The combined effects of the blockade of dopamine and norepinephrine vesicular uptake lead to transmitter depletion. 

The storage and release of DA can be modified irreversibly by reserpine (3.1), just as in vesicles containing other catecholamines and serotonin. Dopamine release can be blocked specifically by y-hydroxybutyrate (4.78) or its precursor, butyrolactone, which can cross the blood-brain barrier. High doses of amphetamines do deplete the storage vesicles, but this is not their principal mode of action. Apparently, amantadine (4.79), an antiviral drug that is likewise beneficial in parkinsonism (and also perhaps to relieve fatigue in multiple sclerosis), may also act by releasing DA. 

Dopa Antidepressant effect in some cases Prevents sedation after reserpine Greater supply of catecholamine precursors... 

It therefore appears that the main action of reserpine is to produce a biochemical change so that the cells no longer retain a high concentration of serotonin. In other words, the binding of serotonin is prevented. Thus, after the administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (a precursor of serotonin) to rabbits pretreated with reserpine, serotonin is rapidly formed but remains in a free form. Presumably, free serotonin, before it is metabolized to 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid by amine... 

The biosynthetic pathways of reserpine and other alkaloids of Rauwalfia have been extensively studied by several authors. Leete (l8, 19) fed DL-[2- C]-tryptophan into Rauwolfia serpentina (3 years old plants) which led to the formation of radioactive ajmaline, serpentine and reserpine (18). Later, he found that radioactive serpentine was labeled solely at C-5 indicating that tryptophan was a direct precursor of the -carboline moiety of this alkaloid (19). Other radioactive precursors have been administered to Rauwolfia plants such as [l- C] acetate (20), [2- C] acetate (21), [2-11 C] alanine (20) and [2-l2 C] glycine (21, 22). All incorporated into ajmaline and reserpine. 

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