Thiolative Lactonization additives

Lactones, addition of thiols 769 Lead, thiol derivatives 748, 749 Lipoic acid 637-639 Lithiation, of 1,3-dithiane 536 of 1,3,5-trithiane 546, 547 2-Lithio-l,3-dithianes, for preparation of 1-deuterioaldehydes 547 for preparation of orthothioformate 547... 

The addition of Grignard reagents to aldehydes, ketones, and esters is the basis for the synthesis of a wide variety of alcohols, and several examples are given in Scheme 7.3. Primary alcohols can be made from formaldehyde (Entry 1) or, with addition of two carbons, from ethylene oxide (Entry 2). Secondary alcohols are obtained from aldehydes (Entries 3 to 6) or formate esters (Entry 7). Tertiary alcohols can be made from esters (Entries 8 and 9) or ketones (Entry 10). Lactones give diols (Entry 11). Aldehydes can be prepared from trialkyl orthoformate esters (Entries 12 and 13). Ketones can be made from nitriles (Entries 14 and 15), pyridine-2-thiol esters (Entry 16), N-methoxy-A-methyl carboxamides (Entries 17 and 18), or anhydrides (Entry 19). Carboxylic acids are available by reaction with C02 (Entries 20 to 22). Amines can be prepared from imines (Entry 23). Two-step procedures that involve formation and dehydration of alcohols provide routes to certain alkenes (Entries 24 and 25). 

The stereochemical outcome for addition of r-l,3-dioxolan-4-yl and oxiranyl radicals to phenyl vinyl sulfone has been probed. The results indicated that the symanti selectivity could be altered by changing the group next to the radical in the diox-olanyl case but not in the oxiranyl case (bulky groups had a large xyn-directing effect) (Scheme 39). Several alkenyl-lactones and -lactams have been subjected to hydrosilylation conditions using carbohydrate-derived thiols as homochiral polarity reversal catalysts (yields 25-96% ee 5-95%) " ... 

Michael-type addition of a suitable nucleophile, e.g. thiols, on to the a,f)-unsaturated lactone. Such alkylation reactions are believed to explain biological activity, and, indeed, activity is typically lost if either the double bond or the carbonyl group is chemically reduced. In some structures, additional electrophilic centres offer further scope for alkylation reactions. In parthenolide (Figure 5.31), an electrophilic epoxide group is also present, allowing transannular cyclization and generation of a... 

The nature of the Botrytis aroma compounds has been subjected to extensive research. In addition to the older findings about the importance of hydroxy-, oxo-, and dicarboxylic acid esters, acetals, and some special y- and 8-lactones, the role of volatile thiols has recently been elucidated. Nonetheless, additional research is needed to identify odor active compounds that are specific for botrytized wines. 

The third compound, an exo-methylene lactone, is carcinogenic and might react by conjugate addition with proteins and nucleic acids if glutathione does not react more quickly. Fortunately, thiols are excellent at conjugate addition. 

The reaction depicted was run in THF at 0 C, other solvents having been found to be inferior. The S-(2-pyridyl) thioates may be prepared through reaction of the corresponding acid chloride and 2-pyridine-thiol in the presence of a tertiary amine. They are also available directly from carboxylic acids by reaction with 2,2 -dipyridyl disulfide (Aldrithiol-2) and triphenylphosphine. In the case illustrated above, protection of the ketone would seem unnecessary if Grignard addition was selective for the thiol ester however, the starting material, 5-(2-pyridyl) y-oxopentanethioate, is not stable to the lactonization shown in equation (18). 

Mukaiyama has shown that in cases where lactonization was not possible, oxothioates can be used in the acylation process with selective addition only to the thiol ester (equations 19 and 20). ... 

Acylation of a simple thiol with an alkyl carboxylate is not a very suitable method for preparation of S-alkyl thiocarboxylates. Transesterification is, however, possible if either the thiol or the carboxylic ester is activated. The enhanced reactivity of boron, aluminum and silicon thiolates has been utilized for the synthesis of a large variety of thiocarboxylic S-esters, including hydroxy derivatives (from lactones). a,P-Unsaturated thiol esters, e.g. cinnamoyl or 2-butenoyl derivatives, are also accessible. Michael addition, an undesirable side reaction of thiols, is completely avoided if alkyl trimethylsilyl sulfides ortris(arylthio)boranes are applied. ... 

Conjugate additions of thiols to N-enoyloxazolidinones E- or Z-7.42 derived from 1.116 [415] or to lactone derivative 1.31 [66] take place with a good selectivity. After removal of the chiral auxiliary, the corresponding adducts are readily obtained. Conjugate additions of amines to lactone 1.36 (G = menthyl) [66, 1396] are also highly selective. Reduction of the resulting adducts with LAH provides... 

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