Semisynthesis of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane derivatives containing a polyfunctionalized furanosyl or cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl C-ring

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo801458j

(Chemical Equation Presented) The synthesis of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane derivatives in which the D-ring has been deleted and the C-ring has been transformed into a new pentatomic ring, i.e., the polyfunctionalized tetrahydrofuranosyl and cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl ring, was performed starting from baccatin III derivatives. The synthetic strategy adopted took advantage of the oxetane ring opening and disconnection of the C ₄-C₅ bond, followed by an intramolecular condensation. The formation of furanosyl or cyclopentyl rings is strictly dependent on the presence of unprotected or protected oxygen at C-7 in the starting material. The reactions proceeded with good diastereoselectivity with control of the stereochemistry of one or two stereocenters.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jo801458j

Semisynthesis of New D-seco-C-nor-Taxane Derivatives Containing a
Polyfunctionalized Furanosyl or Cyclopentenyl or Cyclopentyl
C-Ring
Maria Luisa Gelmi,*,† Donatella Nava,† Samantha Leone,† Sara Pellegrino,†
Eleonora Baldelli,‡ Franco Zunino,§ Graziella Cappelletti,| Daniele Cartelli,| and
Gabriele Fontana‡
Istituto di Chimica Organica “A. Marchesini” Facolta` di Farmacia, UniVersita` degli Studi di Milano, Via
Venezian 21, 20133, Milano, Italy, Indena SPA, Via Ripamonti 99, 20141 Milano, Italy, Fondazione IRCCS
Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy, and Dipartimento di Biologia,
UniVersita` degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
marialuisa.gelmi@unimi.it
ReceiVed December 18, 2007
The synthesis of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane derivatives in which the D-ring has been deleted and the
C-ring has been transformed into a new pentatomic ring, i.e., the polyfunctionalized tetrahydrofuranosyl
and cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl ring, was performed starting from baccatin III derivatives. The synthetic
strategy adopted took advantage of the oxetane ring opening and disconnection of the C4-C5 bond,
followed by an intramolecular condensation. The formation of furanosyl or cyclopentyl rings is strictly
dependent on the presence of unprotected or protected oxygen at C-7 in the starting material. The reactions
proceeded with good diastereoselectivity with control of the stereochemistry of one or two stereocenters.
Introduction
1b) (Figure 1), two important anticancer agents useful for the
treatment of breast, ovarian, and nonsmall cell lung cancers and
also active against prostate cancer,2 have been extensively
investigated in order to develop improved analogues.3 Extensive
SAR studies on the above compounds have been performed,3
including modifications of functional groups and the side chain.4
Our recent research has dealt with the modification of the C-14
position, leading to compounds with increased biological
activity.5
Studies of the tetracyclic core (D-ring) of paclitaxel have been
included in attempts to determine its importance in the interac-
tion with tubulin. Transformations of the oxetane ring include
substitution of the oxygen atom with other heteroatoms,6 its
removal (D-modified or D-seco compounds), or its transforma-
tion to a cyclopropyl ring (5(20)-deoxydocetaxel).7 Contrary
The modification of biological active scaffolds is one of the
useful synthetic strategies aimed at finding new derivatives
characterized by improved or modified activity. This is espe-
cially true for complex molecules containing many stereocenters.
In many cases, the starting pharmacophore belongs to the class
of natural compounds from which, by simple modifications such
as the functionalization of pre-existing substituents or the
introduction of a particular functional group, new compounds
are developed which are characterized by improved activity,
lower toxicity, or, for example, in the case of anticancer drugs,
activity toward multidrug resistance (MDR).1
Taxane derivatives, such as the natural product paclitaxel
(Taxol, 1a) and its semisynthetic analogue docetaxel (Taxotere,
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: +390250314481.
Fax: +390250314476.
(1) (a) Azerad, R. Biocatalysis in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Industries; Patel, R. N., Ed.; CRC Press LLC: Boca Raton, FL, 2007; pp 273-
297. (b) Efange, S. M. N. AdV. Phytomed. 2002, 1, 61–69. (c) Yu, D. Zhongguo.
Yixue Kexueyuan Xuebao 2002, 24, 335–338; Chem. Abstr. 2003, 139, 285308.
(2) (a) Rowinsky, E. K. Annu. ReV. Med. 1997, 48, 353–374. (b) Crown, J.;
O’Leary, M. Lancet 2000, 355, 1176–1178.
† Istituto di Chimica Organica “A. Marchesini”.
‡ Indena SPA.
§ Fondazione IRCCS.
| Dipartimento di Biologia.
10.1021/jo801458j CCC: $40.75
Published on Web 10/22/2008
2008 American Chemical Society
J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 8893–8900 8893

Gelmi et al.
to previous reports, the D-ring is not required for the tubulin
polymerizing activity of taxoids, and some of the above
compounds have a strong microtubule-stabilizing activity.7g,h
Concerning the C-ring, the most interesting compounds are
the C-seco derivatives like 2 (Figure 1), which possess anti-
metastatic and cytostatic activity and low toxicity.8 New C-seco
compounds were recently synthesized as antituberculosis
agents.8c Studies on structural modification of the C-ring by
cleavage of the C6-C7 or C7-C8 bonds have also been
performed, and interesting compounds were obtained through
intramolecular reactions.9,7c Recently, the synthesis of a new
C,D-seco-taxoid was achieved by disconnection of the C4-C5
bond.10
The above research suggests that modification of the east
region is very important, and in some cases improved properties
and provided compounds that possess higher activity, better
solubility, activity against MDR tumors, etc.
Considering these results, we planned to study a major
transformation of the east region. These studies led to the
preparation of new D-seco-C-nor derivatives, in which the
D-ring has been deleted and the C-ring has been transformed
into a new pentatomic ring, either a polyfunctionalized tetrahy-
drofuranosyl ring (compounds 12 and 13; Scheme 2), a
cyclopentenyl (compounds 16 and 17; Scheme 3), or a cyclo-
FIGURE 1. Taxane derivatives.
pentyl (compounds 21 and 22; Scheme 4). The key synthetic
strategy was the sequence of oxetane ring opening, disconnection
of the C4-C5 bond, and intramolecular condensation. The
cytotoxic activity of the above compounds was evaluated against
H460 cells.
Results and Discussion
Our starting materials for the preparation of the new
compounds were baccatin III (3a) and the corresponding
7-TES derivative 3b, which were first transformed into
D-seco compounds 4a and 4b by opening of the oxetane ring
(Scheme 1).
The oxetane ring opening was extensively studied by Chen
et al.11 and Liang et al.,9c who found that the substitution pattern
on the starting material, the choice of the Lewis acid, and the
choice of quenching method determine both the ring A
contraction and the regiochemistry of the acetoxy group which
can be linked at C-20 or at C-5 when the oxetane ring is opened.
Since it has been reported that tin tetrachloride (SnCl4) does
not induce transposition of ring A,11 we selected this Lewis
acid to obtain the 20-OAc-4,5-dihydroxy derivatives 4a,b.
(3) (a) Suffness, M.; Cordell, G. A. In The Alkaloids. Chemistry and
Pharmacology; Brossi, A., Ed.; Academic Press: New York, 1985; Vo1. 25, pp
3-355. (b) Blechert, S.; Guenard, D. In The Alkaloids. Chemistry and
Pharmacology. Brossi, A., Ed.; Academic Press: San Diego, 1990; Vol. 39, pp
195-238. (c) Kingston, D. G. I. Pharmacol. Ther. 1991, 52, l-34. (d) Kingston,
D. G. I.; Molinero, A. A.; Rimoldi, J. M. Prog. Chem. Org. Natl. Prod. 1993,
61, l-188. (e) Nicolaou, K. C.; Dai, W.-M.; Guy, R. K. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.
Engl. 1994, 33, 15–44. (f) Georg, G. I., Chen, T. T., Ojima, I., Vyas, D. M.,
Eds. Taxane Anticancer Agents: Basic Science and Current Status; ACS
Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1995; 583,
pp 1-353. (g) Suffness, M. Taxol Science and Application; Suffness, M., Ed.;
CRC Press: New York, 1995; pp 317-375. (h) Gue´ritte, F. Curr. Pharm. Des.
2001, 7, 1229–1249. (i) Kingston, D. G. I.; Jagtap, P. J.; Yuan, H.; Samala, L.
In Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products; Herz, W., Kirby,
G. W., Moore, R. E., Steglich, W., Tamm, C., Eds.; Springer-Verlag: Wien &
New York, 2002; Vol. 84, pp 53-225. (j) Ganesh, T.; Yang, C.; Norris, A.;
Glass, T.; Bane, S.; Ravindra, R.; Banerjee, A.; Metaferia, B.; Thomas, S. L.;
Giannakakou, P.; Alcaraz, A. A.; Lakdawala, A. S.; Snyder, J. P.; Kingston,
D. G. I. J. Med. Chem. 2007, 50, 713–725.
The reaction was first studied starting from the (triethylsilyl)
derivative 3b using SnCl4 (1.1 equiv) in CH2Cl2 at 0 °C (10
min). TLC analysis showed the presence of two compounds
(3:1, 1H NMR analysis), which were isolated by column
chromatography on silica gel, corresponding to 4b (65%) and
5b (29%). When the same reaction was quenched with aqueous
NaHCO3 (5%, 30 min, 0 °C), the transformation of 5b into the
20-OAc derivative 4b appeared to be quantitative (TLC
analysis), but when the reaction mixture was chromatographed
compound 4b was isolated in 80% yield, together with 5b
(4) Chen, J.; Kuznetsova, L. V.; Ungreanu, I. M.; Ojima, I. In EnantioselectiVe
Synthesis of ꢀ-Amino Acids, 2nd ed.; Juaristi, E., Soloshonok, V. A., Eds.; John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Hoboken, NJ, 2005; pp 447-476.
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Gambini, A.; Gelmi, M. L.; Guerrini, A.; Pocar, D. J. Org. Chem. 2003, 68,
9773–9779. (b) Baldelli, E.; Battaglia, A.; Bombardelli, E.; Carenzi, G.; Fontana,
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(c) Baldelli, E.; Battaglia, A.; Bombardelli, E.; Carenzi, G.; Fontana, G.; Gelmi,
M. L.; Guerrini, A.; Pocar, D. PCT Int. Appl. PIXXD2 WO 2004024706 A2
20040325, 2004; Chem. Abstr., 2004, 140, 287557. (d) Battaglia, A.; Baldelli,
E.; Bombardelli, E.; Carenzi, G.; Fontana, G.; Gelmi, M. L.; Guerrini, A.; Pocar,
D. Tetrahedron 2005, 61, 7727–7745.
(6) (a) Fenoglio, I.; Nano, G. M.; Vander Velde, D. G.; Appendino, G.
Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 3203–3206. (b) Marder-Karsenti, R.; Dubois, J.;
Bricard, L.; Gue´nard, D.; Gue´ritte-Voegelein, F. J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 6631–
6637. (c) Gunatilaka, A. A. L.; Ramdayal, F. D.; Sarragiotto, M.; Kingston,
D. G. I.; Sackett, D. L.; Hamel, E. J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 2694–2703. (d)
Merckle’, L.; Dubois, J.; Place, E.; Thoret, S.; Gue´ritte, F.; Gue´nard, D.; Poupat,
C.; Ahond, A.; Potier, P. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66, 5058–5065.
1
(16%). The H NMR spectrum of compound 5b showed the
presence of trace amounts of a second stereoisomeric 5-OAc
derivative.
(7) (a) Samaranayake, G.; Magri, N. F.; Jitrangsri, C.; Kingston, D. G. I. J.
Org. Chem. 1991, 56, 5114–5119. (b) Dubois, J.; Thoret, S.; Gue´ritte, F.;
Gue´nard, D. Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 3331–3334. (c) Barboni, L.; Datta, A.;
Dutta, D.; Georg, G. I.; Vander Velde, D. G.; Himes, R. H.; Wang, M.; Snyder,
J. P. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66, 3321–3329. (d) Beusker, P. H.; Veldhuis, H.; Van
den Bossche, B. A. C.; Scheeren, H. W. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 1761–1768.
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N.; Bugaut, A.; Scheeren, H. W. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2003, 689–705. (f) Deka,
V.; Dubois, J.; Thoret, S.; Gue´ritte, F.; Gue´nard, D. Org. Lett. 2003, 5, 5031–
5034. (g) Barboni, L.; Giarlo, G.; Ricciutelli, M.; Ballini, R.; Georg, G. I.; Vander
Velde, D. G.; Himes, R. H.; Wang, M.; Lakdawala, A.; Snyder, J. P. Org. Lett.
2004, 6, 461–464. (h) Thoret, S.; Gue´ritte, F.; Gue´nard, D.; Dubois, G. Org.
Lett. 2006, 8, 2301–2304.
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Bombardelli, E. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 4273–4276. (b) Appendino, G.;
Noncovich, A.; Bettoni, P.; Dambruoso, P.; Sterner, O.; Fontana, G.; Bombardelli,
E. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2003, 4422–4431. (c) Huang, Q.; Kirikae, F.; Kirikae, T.;
Pepe, A.; Amin, A.; Respicio, L.; Slayden, R. A.; Tonge, P. J.; Ojima, I. J. Med.
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8894 J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008

Semisynthesis of New D-seco-C-nor-Taxane DeriVatiVes
SCHEME 1. Synthesis of New D-seco-C-nor Derivatives 6 and 8a
a Reaction conditions: (i) SnCl4, CH2Cl2, 0 °C; (ii) aqueous NaHCO3 (5%, 0 °C); (iii) SiO2; (iv) Pb(OAc)4, CH2Cl2, 0 °C; (v) 8a: MeCN/Py (1:1), Py·HF,
0 °C; (vi) 8b: Py, 0 °C, MeCN.
SCHEME 2. Synthesis of D-seco-C-nor Derivatives 12 and 13 Containing a Tetrahydrofuranosyl C-Ringa
a Reaction conditions: (i) DMAP, DCC, CH2Cl2, 25 °C; (ii) NaBH4, EtOH, -20 °C; (iii) CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 0.01 M AcCl in MeOH.
In agreement with the above results, reaction of compound
3a with SnCl4 in CH2Cl2 at 0 °C gave the regioisomers 4a
(70%) and 5a (10%) after quenching of the reaction mixture
with NaHCO3 and after column chromatography.
With the aim to isolate an intermediate structure 7, the same
oxidative protocol was applied to 4b, which gave the expected
C,D-seco compound 7b in 95% yield.
Compound 7b is a very interesting intermediate because it
explains the formation of 6 from 7a when O-7 is deprotected
and because it is characterized by the presence of polyfunc-
tionalized chains linked to the C-ring. This suggested the
possibility of obtaining new carbocyclic D-seco-C-nor deriva-
tives containing a cyclopentyl ring by taking advantage of an
intramolecular aldol condensation reaction.
The presence of the diol function at C4-C5 in compounds 4
made it possible to open the C-ring by an oxidative process.
Different oxidants were tested (NaIO4, HIO4, Pb(OAc)4). Lead
tetraacetate was the most efficient reagent in CH2Cl2 at 0 °C
(30 min), and the new derivative 6 (84%) was directly obtained
from 4a (Scheme 1). It is assumed that the C4-C5 bond was
first cleaved to give the intermediate 7a (not isolated), followed
by direct cyclization to hemiacetal 6 by reaction of the hydroxy
group with the keto group. A single diastereomer, characterized
by the cis stereochemistry between the two carbon substituents
and the S absolute configuration at the new generated C-4
stereocenter, was formed (see NMR discussion, Supporting
Information).
By treating compound 7b with Py ·HF in a mixture of MeCN/
Py as the solvent (24 h, 0 °C then 25 °C) to deprotect the oxygen
atom at C-7, neither derivative 7a nor the furanoside 6 were
formed, and the new compound 8a (88%), containing a
cyclopentyl C-ring, was isolated.
In principle, two different regioisomeric aldol products could
be formed, the compounds deriving from the condensation of
the carbon R to the keto group on the aldehyde function or that
of the carbon R to the aldehyde group on the keto function.
The presence of the aldehyde function (1H and 13C NMR
analyses, see the Supporting Information) supported the assigned
structure. The reaction occurs with good diastereoselectivity,
This result is different from a report in the literature11
concerning the oxidation of a 4,5-dihydroxy-20-acetoxypacli-
taxel derivative, which maintained the unchanged C-ring
although the authors also cited the formation of a byproduct
characterized by the presence of a tetrahydrofuran ring.
J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008 8895

Gelmi et al.
SCHEME 3. Synthesis of D-seco-C-nor Derivatives 16 and 17 Containing a Cyclopentenyl C-Ringa
a Reaction conditions: (i) DMAP, DCC, CH2Cl2, 25 °C; (ii) NaBH4, EtOH, -20 °C; (iii) CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 0.01 M AcCl in MeOH.
SCHEME 4. Synthesis of D-seco-C-nor Derivatives 21 and 22 Containing a Cyclopentyl C-Ringa
a Reaction conditions: (i) DMAP, DCC, CH2Cl2, 25 °C; (ii) Py, MeCN, 0 °C, then Py ·HF; (iii) NaBH4, EtOH, -20 °C; (iv) CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 0.01 M AcCl
in MeOH.
and a mixture of isomers (80:10:7:3; H NMR analysis)12 was
stereochemistry as 8a (Scheme 1). Attempts to separate the
isomers by HPLC failed as shown for 8a (see HPLC and H
NMR data, Supporting Information).
1
1
formed in which isomer 8a is the main one. The purification of
the mixture of isomers by semipreparative HPLC (reversed
phase, MeCN/H2O, 1:1) resulted in an equilibration between
the isomers due to a retro-condensation reaction operative in
The homoserine acid (mixture of diastereomers at the acetal
stereocenter) was then linked at OH-13 of both compounds 6
and 8a. The reaction of compound 6 with the protected
homoserine chain 9 (Scheme 2), operating in CH2Cl2 in the
presence of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and dicyclo-
hexylcarbodiimide (DCC), afforded compound 10 (96%, dia-
stereomeric mixture). Deprotection of the side chain (0.01 M
AcCl in MeOH, CH2Cl2) gave a mixture of diastereomers 12
(40%; 87:13) in which the main one is indicated in Scheme 2
and is characterized by the same stereochemistry of the
compound 6. Since the starting baccatin derivative 6 was a single
stereomer, the formation of diastereomers 12 was ascribed to
the partial epimerization at C-4 of the hemiacetal function. This
behavior made impossible the purification by semipreparative
HPLC. In fact, a dynamic equilibrium was detected by perform-
ing HPLC analyses at different temperature (see the Supporting
Information).
1
aqueous solution, even if the H NMR spectrum in CDCl3 of
the main fraction showed only a trace amount of a second isomer
(see HPLC and 1H NMR data, Supporting Information). NMR
studies on the more abundant isomer showed that it is character-
ized by a cis stereochemistry between the two carbon residues
on the cyclopentyl ring (see the Supporting Information).
Considering these results, it must be assumed that the
condensation reaction to give the cyclopentyl ring is brought
about by pyridine or by the Py·HF reagent (see discussion) and
that the condensation reaction is faster then the desilylation
reaction, thus preventing the formation of the furanoside ring.
The ability of pyridine alone to induce the condensation
reaction was also evaluated, and compound 7b was treated with
pyridine in MeCN (1:3) at 0 °C. In this case, the cyclization
reaction was slower (3 days), but the expected cyclopentyl
derivative 8b12 (98%) was isolated as a mixture of diastereomers
in the same range of distribution (77:11:8:4; 1H NMR analysis)
in which the main isomer is characterized by the same
The aldehyde function of 10 was reduced with NaBH4 in
EtOH at -20 °C (1 h), and the more stable hydroxy derivative
11 (45%, diastereomeric mixture) was prepared. Deprotection
of the side chain gave pure compound 13 (63%) (Scheme 2).
A similar synthetic protocol was applied to 8a (Scheme 3),
which was made to react with 9 using the same reaction
conditions reported above. Interestingly, in this case compound
(10) Ferjancic, Z.; Matovic, R.; Cekovic, Z.; Jiang, Y.; Snyder, Y. P.;
Trajkovic, V.; Saicic, R. N. Tetrahedron 2006, 62, 8503–8514.
(11) Chen, S.-H.; Huang, S.; Wei, J.; Farina, V. Tetrahedron 1993, 49, 2805–
2828.
(12) Only the main isomer has been drawn in Schemes 1-4.
8896 J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008

Semisynthesis of New D-seco-C-nor-Taxane DeriVatiVes
SCHEME 5. Stereochemistry in the Formation of the
C-Ring
14 (61%), containing the unsaturated aldehyde function, was
obtained by dehydration of the aldol product promoted by DCC.
Reduction of the aldehyde group of 14 with NaBH4 gave 15
in 50% yield. Deprotection of the side chain of both 14 and 15
using the above reaction conditions afforded compound 1612
(37%, mixture of isomers, 83:17) and alcohol 1712 (90%;
mixture of isomers, 89:11), respectively.
Attempt to separate by semipreparative HPLC isomers of 16
failed because of their degradation. Instead, the pure isomer 17
indicated in Scheme 3 was isolated in pure form.
NMR experiments (see the Supporting Information) on
compound 16 confirmed the presence of both the olefin proton
and the acetal function formed by reaction of methanol with
the formyl group.
In an attempt to avoid water elimination and to verify if the
presence of the side chain could influence the stereochemistry
of the stereocenters generated in the condensation process a
different synthetic strategy depicted in Scheme 4 was carried
out.
stereocenter is the same in all cases. This means that the keto
function in the chain linked at C-3 on compounds 7 is typically
ꢀ-oriented (Scheme 5) and that the intramolecular attack of the
nucleophile (i.e., the hydroxy group to give compound 6 or the
carbon in the formation of compounds 8) generates a new
stereocenter in which the hydroxy group is in the ꢀ-position.
The same is also true for the transformation of 18 into 19.
Concerning the stereochemical result observed in the forma-
tion of the new stereocenter R to the aldehyde group on the
cyclopentane ring, a reasonable hypothesis is that the more stable
E enolate was first formed (intermediate A) by deprotonation
of the carbon R to the aldehyde function promoted by pyridine.
A pyridinium ion is formed which protonates the enolate giving
enol B, whose conformation is stabilized by formation of a
hydrogen bond between the hydroxy group and the keto function
on the C-3 chain, thus increasing the electrophilicity of the latter
group. Alternatively, B could be formed directly when Py ·HF
is used. The hypothesis that B is the true intermediate is
confirmed by the fact that Py ·HF is a more effective catalyst.
Indeed, the aldol condensation performed in the presence of
Py·HF takes place in 1 day (compounds 8a and 19), whereas
when pyridine alone is used the reaction needs 3 days
(compound 8b). As a result of the formation of intermediate B,
a cyclopentane ring is formed in which the hydroxy groups are
oriented cis to each other and trans with respect to the carbon
residues.
The biological activity of compounds 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, and
22 was evaluated and compared to paclitaxel. No significant
cytotoxic activity on the lung carcinoma cell line H460 (see
the Supporting Information, TS1) was evidenced except for
compound 21, which still retained a measurable activity but was
characterized by a markedly lower potency.
Aiming to verify if the low activity could be ascribed to the
difficulty in cell penetration, the same compounds were evalu-
ated in a tubulin-assembly assay using bovine pure tubulin. The
results, summarized in TS1 (Supporting Information), show that
all compounds are unactive compared to paclitaxel.
Compound 7b was first functionalized at OH-13 with the
protected homoserine acid 9 to give 18 (75%, mixture of
diastereomers) (Scheme 4).
The condensation reaction together with the deprotection of
OH-7 was achieved using a “one pot” procedure starting from
18 and operating in a mixture of MeCN and pyridine (1:1) at 0
°C (10 min) to which a solution of Py ·HF was then added
slowly (24 h, 25 °C). The NMR spectra showed the formation
of the new compound 19, containing the cyclopentyl ring, which
was isolated in excellent yield (92%). The deprotection of the
side chain was done using the classical reaction conditions, and
compound 21,12 in which the aldehyde function is protected as
its dimethyl acetal, was isolated in 70% yield (mixture of
diastereomers, 77:10:8:5). The reaction is diastereoselective
giving compound 21 as the main isomer, characterized by a cis
relationship between the two carbon residues which are trans
oriented with respect to the hydroxy groups on the ring (see
the Supporting Information). These results show that the C-13
chain does not influence the stereochemical result of the above
reaction since the stereochemistry of the main epimer and the
distribution of the isomers was quite similar to that observed
starting from 7b. This data confirms also that the water
elimination can be ascribed to the action of DCC.
The purification of the mixture of isomers by semipreparative
HPLC allowed isolation of the main isomer in pure form,
indicating that it is more stable with respect to derivatives 8
containing the unprotected aldehyde.
The formyl group in compound 19 was also reduced to the
corresponding alcohol 20 (50%) performing the reaction in
EtOH at -20 °C in the presence of NaBH4 (1 h).
Operating as described above, the oxygen and nitrogen atoms
of the chain of 20 were deprotected giving compound 22.12 Only
trace amounts of a second diastereomer were detected in the
NMR spectra. Interestingly, the transposition of the acyl group
from C-20 to the CH2OH group was observed, as well as the
formation of an ortho ester generated by reaction of the hydroxy
group at C-20 with the carbonyl function of the benzoate at
C-2, thus confirming the stereochemistry assigned to the C-4
stereocenter (see the Supporting Information for details).
On the basis of the above synthetic results, we can conclude
that both the condensation reaction giving the tetrahydrofura-
nosyl ring and the cyclopentyl ring, respectively, occur with
good diastereoselectivity and that the configuration at the C-4
These results indicate that changes in the size and conforma-
tion of ring C and the absence of D ring make a significant
difference in the activity of paclitaxel, confirming the general
trends observed for other C-nor and C-nor-D-seco-taxane
derivatives.9b,c
In conclusion, the preparation of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane
derivatives containing the polyfunctionalized tetrahydrofuranosyl
or cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl C-ring was performed starting
from the readily available baccatin derivatives 3. The kind of
ring formed is strictly dependent on the presence of an
unprotected or protected oxygen at C-7 on the starting material.
In all cases, the ꢀ-stereochemistry of the C-4 hydroxy group
J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008 8897

Gelmi et al.
(77:11:8:4 ratio, 1H NMR analysis). Attempts to purify the mixture
using semipreparative HPLC (reversed-phase column, 150 Å, 5 µm,
250 mm × 10 mm, H2O/MeCN 30:70, 1 mL/min) failed.
was obtained. Concerning the cyclopentyl derivatives, the
presence or absence of DCC controls the reaction toward the
formation of the cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl ring, respectively.
In all cases, the condensation reaction proceeds with good
diastereoselectivity, and compounds characterized by having the
two hydroxy groups cis oriented to each other and trans with
respect to the carbon residues on the C-ring were obtained.
8a: mp 122-125 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20 -47 (c 0.30,
D
1
CHCl3); IR νmax 3700-3150, 1725 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 1.10 (s, 3H), 1.13 (s, 3H), 1.23-1.27 (m, 2H, exch.),
1.67 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 2.42-2.48
(m, 2H), 2.54 (brs, 1H, exch), 2.97 (d, J ) 9.5 Hz, 1H), 3.18-3.21
(m, 1H, exch.), 3.27 (d, J ) 8.3 Hz, 1H), 4.19, 4.46 (AM system,
J ) 11.5 Hz, 2H), 4.29 (d, J ) 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.82 (t, J ) 7.3, 1H),
5.84 (d, J ) 8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (s, 1H), 7.47 (t, J ) 7.70 Hz, 2H),
7.59 (t, J ) 7.33 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J ) 6.9 Hz, 2H), 9.85 (s, 1H);
main signals for other isomers: δ H-2 5.88 (d, J ) 8.0 Hz), 5.95
(d), 5.62 (d); H-10 6.58 (s), 6.55 (s), 6.42 (s); CHO 9.98 (s), 9.83
(s), 9.77 (s); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.2, 14.9, 19.3, 20.1,
20.2, 26.5, 39.3, 41.1, 47.3, 60.1, 66.0, 66.2, 66.7, 73.4, 73.8, 74.5,
77.9, 80.3, 128.1 (× 2C), 128.9, 129.1 (× 2C), 132.8, 133.2, 142.6,
165.9, 169.5, 169.6, 199.4, 203.8; MS (ESI) m/z 625.4 [M + 23]+.
Anal. Calcd for C31H38O12: C, 61.78; H, 6.36. Found: C, 61.70; H,
6.40.
Experimental Section
General Procedure for the Oxidation of the C-Ring. Com-
pound 4a (100 mg, 0.165 mmol) or 4b (500 mg, 0.70 mmol) was
dissolved in dry CH2Cl2 (4a: 1.6 mL, 4b: 10 mL). A fresh batch of
lead tetraacetate (4a: 80.6 mg, 0.182 mmol; 4b: 677.8 mg, 1.53
mmol) was added to the solution cooled at 0 °C. After 30 min, the
solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was directly purified
by column chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/cyclohexane ) 1:1)
affording the C,D-seco compound 6 (84 mg, 84%; TLC: Rf ) 0.4
(CH2Cl2/MeOH ) 10:1) from 4a and compound 7b (490 mg, 95%
Rf ) 0.58, CH2Cl2/MeOH 10:1) from 4b.
8b: mp 128-131 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20 -53 (c 0.20,
D
1
C-nor-D-seco-Baccatin III Derivative 6: mp 235 °C dec (Et2O/
CHCl3); IR νmax 3700-3150, 1725 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz,
n-pentane); white solid; [R]20 -42 (c 0.16, CHCl3); IR νmax
CDCl3) δ 0.34 (q, J ) 7.9 Hz, 6H), 0.93 (t, J ) 7.9 Hz, 9H), 1.10
(s, 3H), 1.15 (s, 3H), 1.28 (s, 2H, exch.), 1.66 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s,
3H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.32-2.38 (m, 1H, exch.),
2.40-2.50 (m, 2H), 3.05 (dd, J ) 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (d, J )
8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.02, 4.67 (AM system, J ) 11.7 Hz, 2H), 4.38 (d, J
) 8.5 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (t, J ) 6.0 Hz, 1H), 5.84 (d, J ) 8.1 Hz, 1H),
6.55 (s, 1H), 7.47-8.07 (m, 5H), 9.94 (d, J ) 2.0 Hz, 1H); 13C
NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 4.0 (× 3C), 6.0 (× 3C), 12.2, 14.7,
19.0, 20.1 (× 2C), 26.5, 39.0, 41.2, 47.6, 61.3, 66.8, 66.9, 68.4,
73.4, 74.3, 74.6, 77.7, 81.1, 128.0 (× 2C), 128.8, 129.2 (× 2C),
132.8, 133.7, 141.5, 165.9, 168.6, 169.5, 199.7, 202.1; main signals
for other epimers: 1H NMR δ H-6 2.96 (dd, J ) 9.8, 2.8 Hz); H-2
5.90 (d, J ) 8.1 Hz), 5.62 (d, J ) 8.6 Hz), 5.75; H-10 6.50 (s),
6.62 (s); CHO 9.75 (d, J ) 2.9 Hz), 9.64 (d), 9.82 (d); MS (ESI)
m/z 739.2 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C37H52O12Si: C, 61.99; H,
7.31. Found: C, 61.92; H, 7.36.
D
3600-3400, 1736, 1702, 1687 cm-1; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 1.10 (s, 3H), 1.13 (s, 3H), 1.60-1.80 (m, 2H, exch.), 2.04 (s,
3H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.58 (s, 1H, exch.),
2.43-2.60 (m, 4H), 3.71 (d, J ) 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.92, 4.39 (AM
system J ) 11.6 Hz, 2H), 4.64 (dd, J ) 2.4, 11.5 Hz, 1H), 4.86 (t,
J ) 7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.79 (d, J ) 8.7 Hz, 1H), 6.24 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.73
(m, 3H), 8.00-8.15 (m, 2H), 9.59 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 15.2, 19.3, 20.0, 20.4, 22.4, 26.3, 40.7, 41.0, 45.3, 46.3,
59.7, 65.9, 67.0, 73.5, 76.3, 78.0, 82.5, 105.2, 128.0 (× 2C), 128.9
(× 2C), 129.2, 132.6, 133.2, 143.2, 165.6, 169.2, 169.9, 197.3,
202.9; MS (ESI) m/z 625.4 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C31H38O12:
C, 61.78; H, 6.36. Found: C, 61.70; H, 6.42.
C,D-seco-Baccatin III Derivative 7b: mp 122 °C (Et2O/n-
pentane); white solid; [R]20 -62 (c 0.20, CHCl3); IR νmax
D
3700-3150, 1732 cm-1; 1H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.57-0.78
(m, 6H), 0.95 (t, J ) 7.9 Hz, 9H), 1.05 (s, 3H), 1.15 (s, 3H), 1.52
(s, 3H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 1.80-2.40 (m,
2H, exch.), 2.52-2.58 (m, 2H), 2.62 (dd, J ) 4.4, 15.8 Hz, 1H),
2.80 (dd, J ) 4.8, 18.7 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (t, J ) 4.8 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (d,
J ) 7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.82, 5.32 (AM system, J ) 17.4 Hz, 2H),
4.85-4.90 (m, 1H), 5.80 (d, J ) 7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (s, 1H),
7.41-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.58-7.61 (m, 1H), 7.97-8.0 (m, 2H), 9.70
(s, 1H); 13C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl3) δ 4.5 (× 3C), 6.2 (× 3C),
16.1, 16.4, 19.2, 19.6, 20.2, 27.4, 38.5, 41.4, 47.6, 49.4, 59.2, 67.2,
69.3, 71.6, 73.7, 77.2, 78.9, 127.6 (× 2C), 127.8, 128.4 (× 2C),
129.3, 132.7, 133.0, 142.7, 165.2, 169.0, 198.5, 199.2, 204.3. MS
(ESI) m/z 739.5 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C37H52O12Si: C, 61.99;
H, 7.31. Found: C, 61.93; H, 7.29.
Synthesis of Compound 12. Compound 10 (415 mg, 96%) was
obtained from compound 6 (300 mg, 0.49 mmol) and free acid 9
(330 mg, 0.8 mmol) operating as decribed in the Supporting
Information. Column chromatography: EtOAc/cyclohexane (from
1:9 to 1:4; TLC: Rf ) 0.73, CH2Cl2/MeOH ) 10:1). Compound
12 (88 mg, 40%; mixture of isomers, 87:13) was isolated after
deprotection of the chain (see the Supporting Information) starting
from 10 (263 mg, 0.26 mmol). Column chromatography: EtOAc/
cyclohexane (from 1:3 to 1:2; TLC: Rf ) 0.6, CH2Cl2/MeOH )
10:1). Attempts to purify the mixture using semipreparative HPLC
(reversed-phase column, 150 Å, 5 µm, 250 mm × 10 mm, H2O/
MeCN 40:60, 1 mL/min) failed: mp 158-160 °C (Et2O/n-pentane);
1
[R ]20 -40 (c 0.16, CHCl3); IR νmax 3450, 1740, 1712 cm-1; H
D
C-nor-D-seco-Baccatin III Derivatives 8 (Method A). A
solution of 7b (360 mg, 0.49 mmol) in MeCN (17 mL) and pyridine
(17 mL) was cooled to 0 °C, and a solution of HF ·Py (3.17 mL)
was slowly added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 h at 25
°C and then quenched with ice and extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 10
mL). The organic layer was washed with NaHSO4 (2 M) to pH 2,
then with aqueous NaHCO3 (5%, 40 mL), and finally with brine
(40 mL). After drying over Na2SO4 and evaporation, the crude
reaction mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography (EtOAc/
cyclohexane ) 2:3; TLC: Rf ) 0.11, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 10:1) affording
NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.98-1.01 (m, 6H), 1.19 (s, 3H), 1.23
(s, 3H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.38-1.40 (m, 1H), 1.65-1.78 (m, 2H + 2H
exch.), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H),
2.42-2.55 (m, 3H), 2.65 (s, 1H, exch.), 2.81 (dd, J ) 16.1, 6.1
Hz, 1H), 3.72 (d, J ) 8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.18-4.30 (m, 2H), 4.35 (brs,
2H), 4.65 (t, J ) 6.8 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (d, J ) 9.4 Hz, 1H, exch.),
5.84 (d, J ) 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.16-6.22 (m, 1H), 6.24 (s, 1H),
7.40-8.20 (m, 5H), 9.60 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ
15.1 (14.9), 19.1, 20.0, 20.2, 20.8 (× 2C), 22.6, 24.1, 26.3, 27.6
(× 3C), 35.7 (35.5), 40.6, 41.2, 46.3, 46.7, 50.5, 59.5, 66.9, 70.8,
72.5, 72.8, 76.3, 77.1, 78.7, 82.5 (84.6), 104.7, 128.0 (× 2C), 128.9,
129.2 (× 2C), 132.4, 135.7, 138.7 (138.4), 154.6, 165.7, 169.1,
169.3, 172.6, 197.2, 202.8 (202.5); significant signals for the isomer:
1H NMR δ 4.49 (d, J ) 8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.32 (s, 1H); MS (ESI) m/z
868.6 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C43H59NO16: C, 61.05; H, 7.03;
N, 1.66. Found: C, 60.95; H, 7.11; N, 1.62.
1
8a (260 mg, 88%) as a mixture of isomers (80:10:7:3 ratio, H
NMR analysis). A partial purification of the mixture using semi-
preparative HPLC (reversed-phase column, 150 Å, 5 µm, 250 mm
× 10 mm, H2O/MeCN 52:48, 1 mL/min) is possible. (Method B)
A mixture of 7b (25 mg, 0.03 mmol) in MeCN (1 mL) and pyridine
(0.3 mL) was stirred for 3 days at 25 °C. The reaction mixture was
elaborated as described for 7a. Compound 8b (21 mg, 98%; Rf )
0.5, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 10:1) was obtained as a mixture of epimers
Synthesis of Compound 13. Compound 11 (205 mg, 45%) was
obtained after reduction with NaBH4 (4.86 mg, 0.128 mmol) of 10
8898 J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008

Semisynthesis of New D-seco-C-nor-Taxane DeriVatiVes
(400 mg, 0.457 mmol) operating as decribed in the Supporting
Information. Column chromatography: EtOAc/cyclohexane (from
9:1 to 2:1; TLC: Rf ) 0.28, CH2Cl2/MeOH ) 10:1). The
deprotection of the chain on compound 11 (138 mg, 0.157 mmol)
was performed as reported in the Supporting Information, and 13
(84 mg, 63%) was isolated in pure form. Column chromatography:
EtOAc/cyclohexane (from 1:3 to 3:5; TLC: Rf ) 0.44, CH2Cl2/
MeOH ) 10:1): mp 150 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20D -19 (c 0.14,
17 by semipreparative HPLC (reversed-phase column, 150 Å, 5
µm, 250 mm × 10 mm, H2O/MeCN 40:60, 1 mL/min). Pure isomer:
mp 127-130 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20 -58 (c 0.30, CHCl3);
D
1
IR νmax 3700-3150, 1713 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ
1.02 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (d, J ) 5.4 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (s, 3H),
1.24 (s, 3H), 1.37 (s, 9H), 1.40-1.70 (m, 5H), 1.81 (s, 3H), 1.86
(s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 1H, exch.), 2.56 (dd, J
) 16.0, 9.5 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (dd, J ) 16.0, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.40 (s, 1H,
exch.), 3.64 (d, J ) 7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.10-4.30 (m, 4H), 4.39, 4.64
(AB system, J ) 11.6 Hz, 2H), 4.71 (d, J ) 9.4 Hz, 1H, exch.),
5.76 (s, 1H), 5.85 (d, J ) 7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.17-6.20 (m, 1H), 6.21
(s, 1H), 7.40-8.19 (m, 5H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 15.3,
20.2, 20.8, 21.2, 21.6, 23.3, 24.5, 24.8, 26.9, 28.3 (× 3C), 37.2,
41.0, 42.4, 47.9, 51.4, 59.8, 61.6, 67.4, 71.8, 73.2, 75.3, 75.8, 77.9,
79.4, 84.4, 128.5 (× 2C), 130.0 (× 2C), 130.3, 133.0, 137.0, 138.8,
139.2, 144.1, 155.3, 166.5, 170.0, 170.4, 173.4, 204.9; MS (ESI)
m/z 852.7 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd. for C43H59NO15: C, 62.23; H,
7.17; N, 1.69. Found: C, 62.20; H, 7.13; N, 1.67.
1
CHCl3); IR νmax 3500-3400, 1736, 1712 cm-1; H NMR (500
MHz, CDCl3) δ 0.97-1.10 (m, 6H), 1.19 (s, 3H), 1.22 (s, 3H),
1.34-1.38 (m, 10H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.57-1.77 (m, 4H), 1.94-1.98
(m, 2H, exch.), 1.99 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.49 (dd,
J ) 16.0, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 2.77 (s, 1H, exch.), 2.83 (dd, J ) 16.0, 5.6
Hz, 1H), 3.20-3.32 (s, 1H, exch.), 3.69-3.77 (m, 3H), 4.22 (dd,
J ) 11.2, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 4.23-4.28 (m, 2H) 4.36, 4,48 (AB system,
J ) 11.3 Hz, 2H), 4.71 (d, J ) 9.8 Hz, 1H, exch), 5.84 (d, J ) 8.5
Hz, 1H), 6.16-6.21 (m, 1H), 6.31 (s, 1H), 7.44-8.22 (m, 5H);
13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 15.9, 19.7, 20.7, 20.9, 21.5, 23.2,
23.3, 24.8, 27.1, 28.3 (× 3C), 35.6, 36.3, 41.3, 41.9, 47.6, 51.1,
60.7, 60.8, 68.3, 71.6, 73.2, 73.6, 77.0, 77.8, 79.4, 88.1, 105.1, 128.6
(× 2C), 130.0 (× 2C), 131.0, 133.1, 136.5, 139.0, 155.2, 166.5,
169.8, 170.3, 173.3, 203.6. MS (ESI) m/z 870.5 [M + 23]+. Anal.
Calcd for C43H61NO16: C, 60.91; H, 7.25; N, 1.65. Found: C, 60.85;
H, 7.29; N, 1.62.
Synthesis of Compound 19. Compound 18 (128 mg, 75%,
mixture of isomers) was prepared according to the general procedure
(see the Supporting Information) from 7b (110 mg, 0.14 mmol)
and 9 (101.7 mg, 0.25 mmol). Column chromatography: EtOAc/
cyclohexane (from 1:9 to 1:4; Rf ) 0.81, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 10:1). A
solution of 18 (610 mg, 0.533 mmol) in MeCN (18.6 mL) and
pyridine (18.6 mL) was cooled to 0 °C for 10 min, after which a
solution of HF ·Py (3.57 mL) was slowly added. The reaction
mixture was stirred for 24 h at room temperature, and then it was
quenched with ice-water (57 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2
(3 × 20 mL). The organic layer was washed with NaHSO4 (2 M)
to pH 2, then with NaHCO3 (5%, 50 mL), and finally with brine
(50 mL). After drying over Na2SO4 and evaporation of the solvent,
the crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography
(EtOAc/cyclohexane ) 1:1; Rf ) 0.33, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 10:1) to
give 19 (mixture of isomers, 489 mg, 92%): IR νmax 3700-3150,
Synthesis of Compound 16. Operating as decribed in the
Supporting Information, compound 14 (432 mg, 61%, mixture of
isomers) was obtained from compound 8a (260 mg, 0.432 mmol)
and 9 (295.2 mg, 0.726 mmol). Column chromatography: EtOAc/
cyclohexane (from 1:9 to 1:4; Rf ) 0.61, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 10:1).
The deprotection of the side chain in 14 (150 mg, 0.151 mmol)
was performed as described in the Supporting Information, and
compound 16 (49 mg, 37%; mixture of isomers, 83:17) was
obtained after column chromatography: EtOAc/cyclohexane (from
1:5 to 1:1; Rf ) 0.37, cyclohexane/AcOEt, 1:1). Attempts to purify
the mixture using semipreparative HPLC (reversed-phase column,
150 Å, 5 µm, 250 mm × 10 mm, H2O/MeCN 30:70, 1 mL/min)
1
1740, 1708 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ1.05-1.55 (m,
22H), 1.60-1.90 (m, 2H), 1.67 (s, 3H), 1.94 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H),
2.26 (s, 3H), 2.37 (dd, J ) 15.3, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 2.47-2.53 (m, 1H,
exch.), 2.59 (dd, J ) 15.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 2.96 (d, J ) 9.6 Hz, 1H),
3.10-3.15 (m, 1H, exch.), 3.17 (d, J ) 8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.40-3.48
(m, 1H), 3.84 (s, 6H), 3.92 (d, J ) 13.3 Hz, 1H), 4.25 (d, J ) 9.6
Hz, 1H), 4.40-4.65 (m, 3H), 5.88 (d, J ) 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.00-6.09
(m, 1H), 6.40-6.60 (m, 4H), 7.20-7.28 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.55 (t, J
) 7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.55-7.65 (m, 1H), 7.98-8.10 (m, 2H), 9.80 (s,
1H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.9, 15.2, 20.2, 20.6, 20.8,
21.8, 22.2, 23.1 (23.3), 28.2 (× 3C), 36.8, 42.1, 43.2, 48.0, 49.4,
55.4 (× 2C), 57.9, 58.7, 60.8, 66.7, 66.8, 70.8, 73.4, 74.5, 74.9,
77.3, 78.5, 80.6, 86.0, 98.4, 104.4 (104.3), 117.9, 128.7, 128.9
(× 2C), 129.4, 129.8 (× 2C), 133.6, 135.8, 139.5, 153.4, 159.0,
161.5, 166.5, 169.8 (× 2C), 170.4, 199.4, 204.1; MS (ESI) m/z
1016.5 [M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C52H67NO18: C, 62.83; H, 6.79;
N, 1.41. Found: C, 62.76; H, 6.84; N, 1.37.
failed: mp 117-121 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20 -115 (c 0.200,
D
1
CHCl3); IR νmax 3700-3150, 1737, 1713 cm-1; H NMR (500
MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.02 (d, J ) 6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.22 (s, 3H), 1.28 (s,
3H), 1.36 (s, 9H), 1.45-1.80 (m, 4H), 1.82 (s, 3H), 1.89 (s, 3H),
2.10 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.55 (dd, J ) 16.1, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 2.64 (s,
1H, exch.), 2.73 (dd, J ) 16.1, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s,
3H), 3.35-3.40 (m, 1H, exch.), 3.64 (d, J ) 8.1, 1H), 4.17-4.25
(m, 2H), 4.41, 4.45 (AB system, J ) 11.3 Hz, 2H), 4.68 (d, J )
9.7 Hz, 1H, exch.), 4.78 (s, 1H), 5.86 (d, J ) 8.01 Hz, 1H), 5.92
(s, 1H), 6.18-6.21 (m, 1H), 6.24 (s, 1H), 7.42-7.50 (m, 2H),
7.55-7.60 (m, 1H), 8.15-8.20 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (125 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 15.2, 20.3, 20.74, 21.32, 21.5, 23.4, 24.0, 24.8, 26.6,
28.2 (× 3C), 37.1, 41.1, 42.3, 47.8, 51.4, 54.0 (× 2C), 62.6, 66.5,
71.8, 73.2, 75.2, 75.6, 77.8, 79.4, 83.7, 101.2, 128.6 (× 2C), 130.0
(× 2C), 130.4, 133.1, 136.3, 139.9, 140.5, 145.2, 155.3, 166.4 (×
1
2C), 169.7, 173.5, 203.5; significant signals for isomer: H NMR
Synthesis of Compound 21. Deprotection of the side chain in
compound 19 (200 mg, 0.19 mmol) was performed as described in
the Supporting Information, and compound 21 (121 mg, 70%;
mixture of isomers, 77:10:8:5) was isolated after column chroma-
tography (SiO2: EtOAc/cyclohexane, from 1:3 to 3:5; Rf ) 0.43,
CH2Cl2/MeOH, 9:1). It is possible to isolate pure 21 by semi-
preparative HPLC (reversed-phase column, 150 Å, 5 µm, 250 mm
× 10 mm, H2O/MeCN 40:60, 1 mL/min). Pure isomer: mp
145-147 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20D -52 (c 0.30, CHCl3); IR νmax
δ 1.06 (d, J ) 6.4 Hz, 6H), 1.25 (s, 3H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 3H),
3.71 (d, J ) 8.3 Hz, 1H), 4.11-4.14 (m, 2H), 4.63 (d, J ) 9.7 Hz,
1H, exch.), 6.74 (s, 1H); 13C NMR δ 20.75, 21.33, 21.6, 24.6, 26.8,
37.3, 47.6, 51.0, 54.1, 54.0, 62.0, 66.9, 71.9, 75.8, 77.9, 83.9, 128.5,
132.8, 136.7, 139.3, 157.7, 169.6, 173.4, 205.0; MS (ESI) m/z 896.4
[M + 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C45H63NO16: C, 61.84; H, 7.27; N,
1.60. Found: C, 61.79; H, 7.30; N, 1.57.
Synthesis of Compound 17. The reduction with NaBH4 (1.2
mg, 0.032 mmol) of the formyl group on 14 (110 mg, 0.111mmol)
was performed as reported in the Supporting Information, and
compound 15 (54 mg, 50%) was isolated after column chroma-
tography (EtOAc/cyclohexane ) 1:4; Rf ) 0.64, CH2Cl2/MeOH,
9:1). The deprotection of the side chain in compound 15 (55 mg,
0.055 mmol) was performed as reported in the Supporting Informa-
tion. Compound 17 (41 mg, 90%; mixture of isomers, 89:11) was
purified by column chromatography (EtOAc/cyclohexane, from 1:3
to 1:1; Rf ) 0.39, CH2Cl2/MeOH, 9:1). It is possible to isolate pure
1
3700-3150, 1737, 1713 cm-1; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ
0.98-1.05 (m, 6H), 1.17 (s, 3H), 1.18 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s, 9H),
1.45-1.80 (m, 3H + 2H exch.), 1.68 (s, 3H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s,
3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.31 (dd, J ) 9.0, 3.8 Hz, 1H), 2.55-2.60 (m,
2H), 2.70 (s, 1H exch.), 3.08 (d, J ) 7.9 Hz, 1H), 3.40 (s, 3H),
3.44 (s, 3H), 3.71 (d, J ) 5.8 Hz, 1H, exch), 4.15-4.24 (m, 2H),
4.34-4.37 (m, 1H), 4.39, 4.68 (AB system, J ) 11.2 Hz, 2H),
4.62 (d, J ) 3.8 Hz, 1H), 4.81 (d, J ) 9.7 Hz, 1H, exch.), 5.86 (d,
J ) 7.9 Hz, 1H), 6.02-6.08 (m, 1H), 6.52 (s, 1H), 7.42-8.10 (m,
J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008 8899

Gelmi et al.
5H); 13C (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 11.8, 14.5, 19.2, 20.1, 20.3, 21.2,
22.5, 24.1, 26.3, 27.6 (× 3C), 35.7, 40.1, 41.4, 47.8, 50.9, 55.2,
55.4, 57.8, 60.0, 67.4, 70.6, 72.5, 72.9, 73.5, 73.9, 77.2, 78.7, 78.9,
104.5, 127.8 (× 2C), 129.1, 129.2 (× 2C), 132.5, 135.6, 138.1,
154.7, 165.6, 168.9, 169.9, 172.5, 202.8; MS (ESI) m/z 914.5 [M
+ 23]+. Anal. Calcd for C45H65NO17: C, 60.59; H, 7.34; N, 1.57.
Found: C, 60.55; H, 7.38; N, 1.52.
6.00-6.07 (m, 1H), 6.38 (s, 1H), 7.37-7.43 (m, 3H), 7.60-7.65
(m, 2H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3) δ 12.4, 14.7, 19.3, 20.1 (×
2C), 21.4, 22.0, 24.2, 26.0, 27.5 (× 3C), 35.6, 39.0, 40.8, 46.2,
47.9, 51.7, 58.6, 59.7, 71.2, 71.3, 73.0, 73.1, 73.6, 74.8, 75.8, 79.4,
82.1, 116.8, 125.4 (× 2C), 127.4 (× 2C), 129.0, 135.4, 137.0, 138.4,
155.6, 169.3 (× 2C), 172.0, 204.7; MS (ESI) m/z 870.2 [M + 23]+.
Anal. Calcd. for C43H61NO16: C, 60.91; H, 7.25; N, 1.65. Found:
C, 60.89; H, 7.27; N, 1.63.
Synthesis of Compound 22. Compound 20 (152 mg, 50%,
mixture of isomers) was obtained after reduction of 19 (300 mg,
0.302 mmol) with NaBH4 (3.21 mg, 0.0845 mmol) according to
the general procedure (see the Supporting Information). Column
chromatography: EtOAc/cyclohexane (1:4; Rf ) 0.39, CH2Cl2/
MeOH, 9:1). The deprotection of the side chain in compound 20
(140 mg, 0.141 mmol) was performed as described in the Sup-
porting Information to give pure 22 (46 mg, 38.5%). Column
chromatography: EtOAc/cyclohexane (1:3; Rf ) 0.42, CH2Cl2/
Supporting Information Available: Experimental details:
general procedure; synthesis of 4a,b, 5a,b, and 9; general
procedure for the coupling of 9 with derivatives 6, 8a, and 7b;
general procedure for the reduction of the formyl group; general
1
procedure for the deprotection of the chain. H and 13C NMR
data for compounds 4a,b, 5a,b, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 20;
spectroscopic discussion for compounds 4b, 5b, 6, 7b, 8a,b,
12, 13, 16, 17, and 21; 1H and 13C NMR spectra for compounds
4a,b, 5a,b, 6, 7b, 8a,b, and 10-22; HPLC data for compounds
8a,b, 12, 16, 17, and 21 and biological activity for compounds
12, 13, 16, 17, 21, and 22. This material is available free of
charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.
MeOH, 10:1): mp 143 °C (Et2O/n-pentane); [R]20 -9 (c 0.3,
D
CHCl3); IR νmax 377-3150, 1740 cm-1
;
1H NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 0.95-1.00 (m, 6H), 1.15 (s, 3H), 1.23 (s, 3H), 1.29 (m,
1H, exch.), 1.39 (s, 9H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.48-1.72 (m, 3H), 1.78 (s,
1H, exch.), 1.92 (s, 3H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.58-2.69 (m,
3H), 2.85 (m, 1H, exch.), 2.94 (m, 1H, exch.), 3.28 (d, J ) 7.4 Hz,
1H), 3.83 (d, J ) 7.8 Hz, 1H), 3.87-3.94 (m, 2H), 3.96 (d, J )
10.5 Hz, 1H), 4.18-4.24 (m, 3H), 4.29 (dd, J ) 12.2, 2.3 Hz, 1H),
4.37 (dd, J ) 12.2, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 5.01 (d, J ) 8.1 Hz, 1H, exch.),
JO801458J
8900 J. Org. Chem. Vol. 73, No. 22, 2008