Stereospecific oxidation/reduction

We have developed the efficient synthesis of the SERM drug candidate 1 and successfully demonstrated the process on a multiple kilogram scale to support the drug development program. A novel sulfoxide-directed borane reduction of vinyl sulfoxides was discovered. The mechanistic details of this novel reaction were explored and a plausible mechanism proposed. The sequence of asymmetric oxidation of vinyl sulfoxides followed by stereospecific borane reduction to make chiral dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiins was applied to the asymmetric synthesis of a number of other dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiins including the sweetening agent 67. 

Candida parapsilosis was found to be able to convert (k)-1,2-butanediol to (S)-l,2-butanediol through stereospecific oxidation and asymmetric reduction reactions [72]. The oxidation of (k)-1,2-butanediol to l-hydroxy-2-butanone and the reduction of l-hydroxy-2-butanone to (S)-l,2-butanediol were cataly-... 

We should also expect stereoelectronic control when the hydroxyl group is replaced by another nucleophile in the reaction with cyclic oxonium ions. A recent report (110) shows that hydride transfer to cyclic oxonium ion is subject to stereoelectronic control. Tricyclic spiroketal 140 (Fig. 19) undergoes an acid-catalyzed oxidation-reduction reaction to give the equatorial bicyclic aldehyde 147 stereospecifically. Similarly, spiroketals 148 and M9 gave the corresponding equatorial bicyclic ketone 150. 

A wide variety of enzyme controlled stereospecific transformations are known. These transformations include oxidations, reductions, reductive animations, addition of ammonia, transaminations and hydrations. In each case the configuration of the new asymmetric centre will depend on the structure of the substrate. However, substrates whose reactive centres have similar structures will often produce asymmetric centres with the same configuration. Enzyme based methods are economical in their use of chiral material but suffer from the disadvantage that they can require large quantities of the enzyme to produce significant quantities of the drug. 

Oxidation of divalent sulfur atoms in thioethers is a common biotransformation of sulfur-containing compounds [Eq. (9)]. Oxidation proceeds in two stages, first to the sulfoxide and then to the sulfone. Sulfoxides have increased polarity and are often observed as excreted metabolites, but they can also be reduced back to the sulfide. Formation of the sulfoxide creates an asymmetric center, and stereospecific oxidation can occur. Sulfones tend to be terminal metabolites no evidence for their reduction exists. 

Some biotransformations introduce an asymmetric center into a drug and these often proceed stereospeci-fically. The most common examples are hydroxylation of a secondary carbon and the reduction of ketones to secondary alcohols. Ibuprofen undergoes both co and co-l oxidation of the isobutyl side chain, and formation of the resulting carboxylic acid metabolite introduces a second asymmetric center into the molecule. Both ibuprofen enantiomers have been shown to undergo stereospecific oxidation to give a metabolite with the same configuration at the new asymmetric center. 

Dehydrogenases, reductases and a number of other enzymes, such as UDP-glucose epimerase, utilize NAD or NADP as an enzymatic cofactor and catalyze the oxidation/reduction of various substrates, facilitating the usually reversible stereospecific hydride transfer from the C4 position of the 1,4 dihydronicotinamide ring of NAD(P)H to substrate. The reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase and a schematic drawing of the putative hydride transfer reaction that takes place are shown in Fig. 15.1. 

The reaction is not stereospecific thus reduction of either cis- or trans-5-decene oxide gives a 4 1 mixture of trans- and cis-decene. ... 

Iron-complexed diene systems have a reduced electron density due to 7t-donation to the iron center. This makes them less reactive towards electrophilic attack that stands for the majority of reactions at olefmic systems. But also oxidation, reduction, and cycloaddition reactions proceed more slowly or can be completely suppressed when the diene is ligated to an iron center. Moreover, the iron complex blocks one face of the diene system. Incoming reagents, whether at the diene unit or at the periphery, are directed anti to the iron complex fragment. This allows stereospecific reactions that are otherwise difficult to achieve. The stereodirecting effect can be exploited for reactions... 

The benzophenone 26 was considered a key compound in the biosynthesis of the ergochromes, e.g., secalonic acid A (1). It could be transformed to secalonic acid A (1) via the dienone 27 by oxidative ring closure, stereospecific enone reduction, and oxidative dimerization. The necessary structural requirements for two oxidations proceeding by the phenol oxidation mechanism are present. 

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