Synthesis of lasofoxifene, nafoxidine and their positional isomers via the novel three-component coupling reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules15106773

A Lewis acid-mediated three-component coupling reaction was successfully applied for the synthesis of lasofoxifene (1), nafoxidine (2), and their positional isomers, inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4). In the presence of HfCl₄, the des

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules15106773

Molecules 2010, 15, 6773-6794; doi:10.3390/molecules15106773
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molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis of Lasofoxifene, Nafoxidine and Their Positional
Isomers via the Novel Three-Component Coupling Reaction
Kenya Nakata, Yoshiyuki Sano and Isamu Shiina *
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: shiina@rs.kagu.tus.ac.jp;
Fax: +81-3-3260-5609.
Received: 21 August 2010; in revised form: 13 September 2010 / Accepted: 20 September 2010/
Published: 28 September 2010
Abstract: A Lewis acid-mediated three-component coupling reaction was successfully
applied for the synthesis of lasofoxifene (1), nafoxidine (2), and their positional isomers,
inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4). In the presence of HfCl4, the desired one-pot
coupling reaction among 4-pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5), cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6), and
anisole proceeded to afford the corresponding 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene 7 in high yield. The
iodocarbocyclization of the coupling product and the successive elimination of hydrogen
iodide forming the olefin part, followed by the migration of the double-bond afforded the
common synthetic intermediate of lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) via a very concise
procedure. Additionally, the syntheses of their positional isomers inv-lasofoxifene (3) and
inv-nafoxidine (4) were also achieved through very convenient protocols.
Keywords: three-component coupling reaction; diversity oriented synthesis; lasofoxifene;
nafoxidine; inv-lasofoxifene; inv-nafoxidine
1. Introduction
Multi-component coupling reactions (MCRs) are one of the most important tools in organic synthesis
for the divergent production of bioactive molecules and highly complicated natural products [1-3]. In the
beginning, the Strecker- and the Mannich-reactions were developed as three-component coupling
reactions to form the corresponding -amino or -amino acids, and a variety of biologically important
compounds were prepared in a one-pot operation according to these useful procedures. After that, a

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more advanced four-segment coupling reaction was reported by Ugi et al. The Ugi-reaction directly
forms various -amino acid derivatives from a mixture of primary amine, aldehyde, isonitrile, and
carboxylic acid in one-pot, so that it was successfully utilized in the effective syntheses of a number of
natural products and pharmaceutically valuable molecules [4,5]. Recent progress of synthetic organic
chemistry has further established other kinds of MCRs that provide large-size oligosaccharides using
sequential stereoselective glycosylations [6,7] or bioactive heterocyclic compounds starting from the
conjugated organic molecules using transition-metal catalysts [8,9].
We have also developed a novel and useful three-component coupling reaction among aromatic
aldehydes, allylmetal reagents, and aromatic nucleophiles in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst to
afford 4,4-diaryl-1-butenes [10,11], which contain the basic skeleton of selective estrogen receptor
modulators (SERMs, Figure 1) [12-15]. We further applied this methodology for the preparation of
biologically active molecules, such as tamoxifen [16,17], droloxifene [17,18], lasofoxifene [19],
nafoxidine [19], and pseudo-symmetric tamoxifen derivatives [20-22], etc. Related MCRs to form
various substituted aromatic compounds were currently reported by other groups [23-26]. Herein, we
present full results of the synthesis of lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) as well as their positional
isomers, inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4), to indicate further synthetic utilities of the novel
three-component coupling reaction (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Structures of representive SERMs: tamoxifen, droloxifene, idoxifen,
and raloxifene.
Figure 2. Structures of lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) and their positional isomers (3)
and (4).

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Lasofoxifene (1), discovered in 1996, is a new drug belonging to the third-generation SERMs and
the current hopeful candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis, with clinical trials now in significant
progress [27,28]. After observing the promising results of 1 on osteoporosis, a few improved methods
for the preparation of 1 have been reported. As shown in the following examples, all protocols for the
generation of lasofoxifene (1) utilized nafoxidine (2) or its derivative as a precursor of 1. It should be
noted that 2 itself is also known as a SERM [29]. First, Lednicer et al. reported a method for the
synthesis of 2 via the dehydration reaction of the tertiary alcohol, which was obtained by the reaction
of an aromatic Grignard reagent with 2-phenyl-1-tetralone generated from a chalcone derivative [30-
33]. Cameron et al. at Pfizer, Inc., developed their original pathway to produce 1 and 2 via the Suzuki
coupling between 1-aryl-2-bromo-3,4-dihydronaphthalene and phenylboronic acid [34,35]. The Chu
group at Pfizer, Inc., also showed an alternative route to 1 and 2 via the intramolecular reductive
coupling process of a diketone using low-valent titanium species to form the desired 1,2-diaryl-3,4-
dihydronaphthalene [36]. Due to all of these synthetic methods for the preparation of 1 and 2 requiring
relatively longer routes to form the desired backbone of the targeted molecules, it is desirable to develop
an improved and facile protocol for providing 2 using new technologies.
2. Results and Discussion
Our synthetic strategy of lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) is outlined in Scheme 1. In our
preliminary investigations of tamoxifen and its derivatives using the three-component coupling
reaction [16-22], the obtained 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene A was found to be the common skeleton of
SERMs. It is anticipated that A would also be easily converted into a key intermediate as a precursor
of 1 and 2. The terminal olefin part in A might be transformed into an iodonium ion intermediate,
which could react with one of the two aromatic rings at the C-1 position by electrophilic aromatic
substitution to produce a cyclized structure B.
After the elimination of hydrogen iodide, the generated double-bond could be migrated with a base
to afford dihydronaphthalene structure C, which corresponds to the main frames of 1 and 2. The
successive installation of an appropriate side-chain into C might produce 2. Since it is already known
that 2 could be converted to 1 by hydrogenation of the double-bond as shown in the above instances,
establishment of a method for the preparation of 2 would be equivalent to completion of the formal
total synthesis of 1. According to this synthetic plan, we started to develop a new method for the
preparation of 1 and 2 through the three-component coupling reaction as part of our continuous efforts
applying this novel protocol to produce new types of SERMs.
2.1. Diversity Oriented Synthesis of the Common Frameworks of Lasofoxifene (1), Nafoxidine (2), inv-
Lasofoxifene (3), and inv-Nafoxidine (4) Using the Lewis acid-Mediated Three-Component Coupling
Reaction
We first tried to optimize the reaction conditions of the three-component coupling process among
4-pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5), cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6), and anisole (Scheme 2). These results are
summarized in Table 1. Anisole was used as a solvent in this reaction, therefore, the determination of
the best concentrations of substrates 5 and 6 to anisole was crucially important to attain the satisfactory
yield of the desired 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene 7. Although the targeted molecule 7 was produced in

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medium yield (43%) when the reaction was carried out at a low concentration (0.1 M) in anisole
including 1 molar amount of 5 and 1.2 molar amounts of 6 as shown in Entry 1, the yield of 7
increased to 63% by the reaction of 1 molar amount of 5 and 2 molar amounts of 6 at the same
concentration of 5 in anisole (Entry 2). As shown in Entries 3-5, better results were obtained under the
higher concentrations of 5 in anisole (0.3-0.4 M) and the coupling product 7 was obtained in good
yield (72-79%) using a two-fold amount of 6 to 5. On the other hand, the yield of the three-component
coupling product 7 was lowered by rising the concentration of substrate 5 in anisole (Entries 6-8),
because the amount of anisole as a second nucleophile in this reaction was inversely proportional to
the concentration of 5 in anisole.
Scheme 1. Synthetic strategy for providing lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2).
Scheme 2. The three-component coupling reaction among 4-pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5),
cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6), and anisole in the presence of HfCl .
4

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Table 1. Synthesis of 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene 7 by the three-component coupling reaction
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among 4-pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5), cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6), and anisole in the
presence of HfCl4.a
b
Entry 5 / 6 (equiv.) Conc. (mol/L) Time (h)
Yield of 7 (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1/1.2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
1/2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.6
0.7
0.8
20
20
1
43
63
79
78
72
67
56
54
2
2
20
20
20
a
1
13
All new compounds were characterized by H NMR, C NMR spectroscopy and mass
b
spectroscopy. Isolated yields after purification by silica gel chromatography.
All of the coupling reactions listed in Table 1 afforded ca a 3:2 mixture of the anti-(3SR,4RS)- and
syn-(3RS,4RS)-diastereomers of the 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene. The ratio of the diastereomers was
1
determined by H-NMR and HPLC analyses. Because these compounds could not be separated at this
stage, a diastereomeric mixture of the coupling products was used for the next carbocyclization step
without further purification. It was anticipated that both compounds might be converted into the
corresponding valuable dihydronaphthalene derivatives by the double-bond migration in the later step.
Secondly, several methods for the electrophilic cyclization to form the fused compounds 8 and 9
from 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene 7 were examined (Scheme 3). No transformation occurred when the
BF3·OEt2-mediated reaction was first applied for the ring closure reaction of 7 according to the
literature method [37,38], and the bromine-mediate carbocyclization procedure using NBS/BF3·OEt2 at
−78 °C resulted in a rather complicated reaction mixture. We next tried the iodine-induced cationic
cyclization of 7 using bis(pyridine)iodonium(I) tetrafluoroborate (I(py)2BF4), which was developed by
Barluenga [39,40] and Casey [41]. Fortunately, the desired cyclization smoothly took place in the
presence of stoichiometric amounts of I(py)2BF4/BF3·OEt2, and two bicyclic products 8 and 9 were
predominantly obtained in 41% and 27% yields, respectively. We further applied bis(2,4,6-
trimethylpyridine)iodonium() hexafluorophosphate (I(collidine)2PF6), which was used as electrophilic
halogenation reagent by Rousseau [42], for the cyclization of 7 and the reaction also smoothly
proceeded to produce 8 and 9 in 45 and 30%, respectively. It is noteworthy that both cyclized
compounds 8 and 9 have all trans configurations and the reaction exclusively afforded these positional
isomers 8 and 9.
The primary structures of the two cyclized compounds 8 and 9 listed above were confirmed by the
observation of the enhanced NOEs of these products as illustrated in Figure 3 and the positions of the
methoxy and pivaloyloxy groups on the aromatic rings have been unambiguously determined.
Furthermore, relative stereochemistries of these positional isomers were definitely deduced on the
1
basis of the coupling constants of the H-NMR spectroscopy.

Molecules 2010, 15
Scheme 3. Iodine-induced cationic carbocyclization of the coupling product 7.
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Figure 3. Determination of the positions of methoxy and pivaloyloxy groups in 8 and 9
and the stereochemistry of 8 and 9.
To assess the electronic effect of the aromatic rings in the iodonium cation-mediated cyclization to
form the positional isomers 8 and 9, the three-component coupling product 10 having a strong electron
withdrawing group at the para-position in one of aromatic rings was prepared and subjected to the
iodine-induced cationic cyclization using I(py)2BF4 (Scheme 4).

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Scheme 4. Iodine-induced cationic carbocyclization of the coupling product 10.
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Interestingly, the carbocyclization smoothly proceeded to afford the cyclized compounds (11 and 12)
in 62% yield (11:12 = ca 3:2) with the same chemoselectivity, which was observed in the cyclization of
7 to produce 8 and 9 (8:9 = ca 3:2). Therefore, it was proved that the selectivity of the cyclization of 7 to
form the positional isomers 8 and 9 does not depend on the electronic effect of the substituents on the
aromatic rings at the C-4 position in 7.
Based on the above experimental results, we concluded that the ratio of 8 and 9 generated from 7 by
the carbocyclization was completely reflected in that composition of the two stereoisomers, anti-
(3SR,4RS)-7 and syn-(3RS,4RS)-7, included in the mixture of the starting material 7. The proposed
pathways for the transformation of anti-(3SR,4RS)-7 into 8 and that of syn-(3RS,4RS)-7 into 9 were
+
depicted in Scheme 5. The treatment of anti-(3SR,4RS)-7 with iodonium cation “I ” once affords
intermediate anti-7-int by the approaching of the iodonium cation from the opposite site against the
aromatic ring at the C-3 position. Moreover, there exist two transition states ts-1 and ts-2 resulting
1,2-cis-2,3-trans-bicycle 8' and 1,2-trans-2,3-trans-bicycle 8, respectively, by the carbocyclization of
anti-7-int. Apparently, the former transition state ts-1 has an unstable structure due to the steric
repulsion between the two aromatic rings, so that another pathway to form the desired trans-trans-
isomer 8 via ts-2 would be preferable in this reaction.
On the other hand, syn-7-int would be generated from the iodonium cation with syn-(3RS,4RS)-7 by
way of the similar complexation of these two components as above. There are also two transition states
ts-3 and ts-4 which could turn into 1,2-trans-2,3-trans-bicycle 9 and 1,2-cis-2,3-trans-bicycle 9',
respectively, by the carbocyclization of syn-7-int. The formation of an unstable transition state ts-4
should be effectively prohibited by the existence of the neighboring two aryl groups at the C-1 and C-2
positions with cis-configuration; therefore, the corresponding trans-trans-isomer 9 was exclusively
obtained through the transition state ts-3 starting from syn-(3RS,4RS)-7, which was produced by the
three-component coupling reaction as a minor stereoisomer.

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Scheme 5. Reaction pathway to give 1,2-trans-2,3-trans-bicycles 8 and 9 from anti-
(3SR,4RS)-7 and syn-(3RS,4RS)-7, respectively.
2.2. Total Synthesis of Lasofoxifene (1), Nafoxidine (2), inv-Lasofoxifene (3), and inv-Nafoxidine (4)
Next, the conversion of two positional isomers 8 and 9 into the common frameworks of
lasofoxifene (1), nafoxidine (2), inv-lasofoxifene (3), and inv-nafoxidine (4) was attempted as shown
in Schemes 6-8. The dehydroiodination of 8 and 9 by treatment with DBU was preliminarily carried
out to give 75% yield of the desired dihydronaphthalenes 13 and inv-13 in each case (Scheme 6).
According to our previous study, the double-bond migration of 13 and inv-13 was then carried out

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using t-BuOK in DMSO and the corresponding tetra-substituted olefins 14 and inv-14 having the free
phenol moieties were successfully produced in good yields (70% and 69%) via the simultaneous
deprotection of the pivaloyl groups.
We further tried to explore the improved protocol to synthesize the universal precursor 14 of
lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) by the direct transformation of 8 into 14 using t-BuOK. During the
early attempt to form 14 from 8 in the presence of t-BuOK in usually dried DMSO, uncharacterized
over-aromatized compounds were unfortunately synthesized; however, successful conversion was
finally attained using t-BuOK in degassed DMSO by freeze-and-thaw cycles as shown in Scheme 7.
The total syntheses of nafoxidine (2) and lasofoxifene (1) were then accomplished via the successive
introduction of the 2-pyrroridinoethyl moiety onto the hydroxyl group in the key intermediate 14 by
the conventional method according to the report of Kapil et al. [43], followed by hydrogenation [33]
and cleavage of the protective group in the methoxy substituent in 15 by BBr (Scheme 7).
3
Finally, the positional isomers of 1 and 2, inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4), were also
prepared from iodine 9 in a similar manner (Scheme 8). It was revealed that the facile synthesis of inv-
nafoxidine (4) was furnished in a 60% yield from iodine 9 via the successive olefin formation and the
installation of the appropriate side-chain onto the phenol moiety of inv-14. After hydrogenating the
double bond in 4 and the deprotection of methoxy group of inv-15, inv-lasofoxifene (3), one of our
targeted molecules, was obtained in good yield via 2 steps from 4.
Scheme 6. Elimination of hydrogen iodide and double-bond migration reactions.
Reagents and conditions: (i) DBU (3.2 equiv.), toluene, 95 °C, 15 min, 75%; (ii) t-BuOK (5.0
equiv.), DMSO, rt, 21 h, 70%; (iii) DBU (3.2 equiv.), toluene, 95 °C, 15 min, 75%; (iv) t-BuOK
(7.8 equiv.), DMSO, 45 °C, 3 h, 69%.

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Scheme 7. Synthesis of lasofoxifene (1) and nafoxidine (2) via the direct conversion of
6782
iodide intermediate 8 into the common precursor 14.
Reagents and conditions: (i) t-BuOK (4.0 equiv.), degassed DMSO, 90 °C, 1 h, 89%; (ii)
Cl(CH2)2N(CH2)2·HCl (2.0 equiv.), NaH (3.5 equiv.), DMF, 50 °C, 11 h, 82%; (iii) H2 (2.5 atm),
Pd(OH)2/C, EtOH, 50 °C, 22 h, 70%; (iv) BBr3 (5.0 equiv.), CH2Cl2, −23 to 0 °C, 3 h, 76%.
Scheme 8. Synthesis of inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4) from iodine 9.
Reagents and conditions: (i) t-BuOK (4.0 equiv.), degassed DMSO, 90 °C, 1 h; (ii)
Cl(CH2)2N(CH2)2·HCl (1.8 equiv.), NaH (3.0 equiv.), DMF, 50 °C, 11 h, 60% (2 steps); (iii) H2
(2.5 atm), Pd(OH)2/C, EtOH, 50 °C, 24 h, 79%; (iv) BBr3 (5.0 equiv.), CH2Cl2, −78 to 0 °C, 5 h,
69%.

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3. Experimental
3.1. General
1
13
All melting points are uncorrected. H- and C-NMR spectra were recorded with chloroform (in
chloroform-d) as internal standard. Column chromatography was performed on Silica gel 60 (Merck)
or Wakogel B5F. Thin layer chromatography was performed on Wakogel B5F. All reactions were
carried out under argon atmosphere in dried glassware, unless otherwise noted. Dichloromethane was
distilled from diphosphorus pentoxide, then calcium hydride, and dried over MS 4A, toluene and
anisole were distilled from sodium, and dried over MS 4A, and DMF and DMSO were distilled from
calcium hydride, and dried over MS 4A. All reagents were purchased from Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co.,
Ltd (TCI), Kanto Chemical Co., Inc. or Aldrich Chemical Co., Inc., and used without further
purification unless otherwise noted. Cinnamyltrimethylsilane was purchased from Junsei Chemical
Co., Ltd.
(3SR,4RS)/(3RS,4RS)-4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-([4-pivaloyloxy]phenyl)-3-phenylbut-1-ene (7).
To a suspension of hafnium tetrachloride (292.6 mg, 0.9135 mmol) in anisole (1 mL) at room
temperature was slowly added a mixture of cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6, 346.4 mg, 1.820 mmol) and 4-
pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5, 188.4 mg, 0.9134 mmol) in anisole (2 mL) with cooling in a water bath
to maintain the reaction mixture at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at room
temperature and then saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate was added. The mixture was
extracted with diethyl ether and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and
evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography (ethyl
acetate/hexane = 1/20 to 1/9) to afford the coupling product 7 (300.6 mg, 79%, (o-)/(p-) = 2:98,
(3SR,4RS)/(3RS,4RS) = ca 3:2) as a colorless oil; IR (neat): 2974, 1749, 1610, 1511, 1252, 1203, 1167,
1120, 1032, 913, 818, 753, 700 cm−1; 1H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.35–7.27 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.26–6.94 (m, 9H,
Ar), 6.86–6.73 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.64–6.57 (m, 1H, Ar), 6.00–5.80 (m, 1H, 2-H), 4.97–4.80 (m, 2H, 1-H),
4.26 (d, J = 11.4 Hz, 1H, 3-H), 4.08 (dd, J = 11.4, 7.9 Hz, 1H, 4-H), 3.75 and 3.64 (s, 3H, OMe), 1.33
and 1.26 (s, 9H, CMe3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3):  177.0 and 176.8, 158.0 and 157.5, 149.3 and 148.9,
142.7 and 142.6, 141.1, 140.84 and 140.79, 135.3 and 135.1, 129.5 and 129.3, 129.1 and 129.0, 128.30
and 128.28, 128.25 and 128.20, 126.1 and 126.0, 121.2 and 120.9, 116.0 and 115.9, 113.8 and 113.5,
55.44 and 55.41, 55.1 and 55.0, 54.64 and 54.60, 39.0 and 38.9, 27.1 and 27.0; HR-MS: calcd for
C28H30O3Na (M + Na+) 437.2087, found 437.2101.

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(1SR,2SR,3RS)-3-Iodo-2-phenyl-1-([4-pivaloyloxy]phenyl)-(6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene
(8) and (1RS,2RS,3SR)-3-Iodo-2-phenyl-1-([4-methoxy]phenyl)-(6-pivaloyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-
naphthalene) (9): To a suspension of I(py)2BF4 (57.1 mg, 0.154 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3.4 mL) at −78 °C
were slowly added the coupling product 7 (56.0 mg, 0.135 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3.4 mL) and BF3·OEt2
(150 L, 0.118 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at the same temperature and then
saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added. The mixture was extracted with diethyl ether, and
the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and
evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (toluene) to
afford iodine 8 (29.9 mg, 41%) as a pale vermilion solid and its positional isomer 9 (20.0 mg, 27%) as
an amorphous product, respectively.
(1SR,2SR,3RS)-3-Iodo-2-phenyl-1-([4-pivaloyloxy]phenyl)-(6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) (8).
1
Mp. 66–68 °C; IR (KBr): 2971, 1750, 1610, 1503, 1271, 1119, 1032 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):
 7.16–7.07 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.84–6.77 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.75–6.63 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.54 (br s, 3H, Ar), 4.68 (ddd,
J = 11.7, 11.7, 5.1 Hz, 1H, 3-H), 4.13 (d, J = 10.5 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 3.76 (dd, J = 16.2, 11.7 Hz, 1H,
4-H), 3.67 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.65 (dd, J = 16.2, 5.1 Hz, 1H, 4-H), 3.21 (dd, J = 11.7, 10.5 Hz, 1H, 2-
13
H), 1.23 (s, 9H, CMe3); C-NMR (CDCl3):  177.0, 157.9, 149.4, 144.4, 142.0, 137.3, 131.3, 130.8,
129.8, 128.2, 127.6, 127.0, 121.0, 113.2, 111.5, 60.0, 55.3, 53.4, 45.1, 39.0, 32.7, 27.1; HR-MS: calcd
for C28H29O3INa (M + Na+) 563.1054, found 563.1055.
(1RS,2RS,3SR)-3-Iodo-1-([4-methoxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-pivaloyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) (9).
IR (neat): 2972, 1750, 1603, 1571, 1504, 1266, 1202, 1119, 1032 cm−1; 1H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.23–
7.16 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.92–6.86 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.83–6.79 (br s, 1H, Ar), 6.76–6.71 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.69–6.62
(m, 4H, Ar), 4.77 (ddd, J = 12.0, 11.7, 5.1 Hz, 1H, 3-H), 4.19 (d, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 3.87 (dd,
J = 15.9, 11.7 Hz, 1H, 4-H), 3.75 (dd, J = 15.9, 5.1 Hz, 1H, 4-H), 3.72 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.32 (dd,
13
J = 12.0, 10.2 Hz, 1H, 2-H), 1.35 (s, 9H, CMe3); C-NMR (CDCl3):  177.2, 158.0, 149.2, 144.5,
137.3, 136.6, 136.3, 131.2, 129.9, 128.1, 127.6, 126.9, 119.9, 119.8, 113.4, 59.9, 55.1, 53.3, 44.8, 39.0,
32.2, 27.1; HR-MS: calcd for C28H29O3INa (M + Na+) 563.1054, found 563.1080.

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(1SR,2SR)-2-Phenyl-1-([4-pivaloyloxy]phenyl)-(6-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphtalene) (13).
To a solution of iodine 8 (39.4 mg, 0.0729 mmol) in toluene (1.5 mL) at room temperature was
added DBU (35.0 L, 0.234 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at 95 °C and then
saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with diethyl
ether, and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the
mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography
(benzene/hexane = 10:1) to afford dihydronaphtalene 13 (22.7 mg, 75%) as a colorless oil; IR (neat):
1
2972, 1750, 1610, 1511, 1243, 1122, 1031 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.24–7.06 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.95–
6.59 (m, 6H, 4-H, Ar), 5.98 (dd, J = 9.6, 4.2 Hz, 1H, 3-H), 4.17 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 3.82 (ddd, J =
7.5, 4.2, 2.1 Hz, 1H, 2-H), 3.80 (s, 3H, OMe), 1.34 (s, 9H, CMe3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3):  177.1, 158.6,
149.4, 143.7, 142.0, 134.4, 130.9, 129.8, 129.3, 128.4, 128.2, 127.9, 127.8, 126.5, 121.2, 112.7, 111.9,
55.3, 51.2, 49.6, 39.0, 27.1; HR-MS: calcd for C28H28O3Na (M + Na+) 435.1931, found 435.1946.
(1RS,2RS)-1-([4-Methoxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-pivaloyloxy-1,2-dihydronaphtalene) (inv-13).
To a solution of iodine 9 (28.1 mg, 0.0520 mmol) in toluene (1 mL) at room temperature was added
DBU (25.0 L, 0.167 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min at 95 °C and then saturated
aqueous ammonium chloride was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with diethyl ether, and the
organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and
evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography
(benzene/hexane = 10:1) to afford dihydronaphtalene inv-13 (16.0 mg, 75%) as a colorless oil; IR
1
(neat): 3029, 2973, 2933, 1750, 1510, 1491, 1246, 1148, 1121, 1032, 703 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):
 7.24–6.97 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.89 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.83–6.72 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.62 (dd, J = 9.6, 1.8 Hz,
1H, 4-H), 6.01 (dd, J = 9.6, 4.2 Hz, 1H, 3-H), 4.16 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 3.84 (ddd, J = 7.8, 4.2, 1.8
Hz, 1H, 2-H), 3.76 (s, 3H, OMe), 1.36 (s, 9H, CMe3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3):  177.2, 158.1, 149.9, 143.7,
136.2, 134.5, 133.9, 131.4, 129.7, 129.4, 128.4, 127.9, 127.2, 126.5, 120.2, 119.0, 113.7, 55.2, 51.1,
49.5, 39.1, 27.1; HR-MS: calcd for C28H28O3Na (M + Na+) 435.1931, found 435.1940.

Molecules 2010, 15
6786
1-([4-Hydroxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphtalene) (14).
(Method A; Stepwise procedure from 13)
To a solution of potassium tert-butoxide (40.3 mg, 0.359 mmol) in DMSO (0.6 mL) at room
temperature was added dihydronaphtalene 13 (29.3 mg, 0.071 mmol) in DMSO (0.8 mL). The reaction
mixture was stirred for 21 h at room temperature and then saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was
added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with diethyl ether, and the organic layer was washed with
brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the
crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (toluene/ethyl acetate = 10:1) to afford the
common intermediate 14 (16.0 mg, 70%) as a pale yellow oil; 1H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.19–6.99 (m, 5H,
Ar), 6.94–6.88 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.82–6.66 (m, 4H, Ar), 6.60 (dd, J = 8.4, 3.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 5.48 (br s, 1H,
OH), 3.81 (s, 3H, OMe), 2.99–2.87 (m, 2H, 4-H), 2.83–2.72 (m, 2H, 3-H). Above prepared 14 was
instantly used in the following reaction as soon as possible.
(Method B; One-step procedure from 8)
To iodine 8 (74.4 mg, 0.138 mmol) at room temperature was added a solution of potassium tert-
butoxide in degassed DMSO (0.5 M, 1.10 mL, 0.550 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h
at 90 °C and then saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted
with diethyl ether/hexane = 1:1, and the organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of
the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by silica gel column
chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate = 4:1) to afford the common intermediate 14 (41.1 mg, 89%) as
a pale yellow oil. Above prepared 14 was instantly used in the following reaction as soon as possible.
1-([4-Methoxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-hydroxy-3,4-dihydronaphtalene) (inv-14).
(Method A; Stepwise procedure from inv-13)
To a solution of potassium tert-butoxide (31.7 mg, 0.282 mmol) in DMSO (0.32 mL) at room
temperature was added dihydronaphtalene inv-13 (14.9 mg, 0.0361 mmol) in DMSO (0.40 mL). The
reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h at 45 °C and then saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added
at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with diethyl ether, and the organic layer was dried over sodium

Molecules 2010, 15
6787
sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the crude product was purified by
thin layer chromatography (toluene/ethyl acetate = 10:1) to afford the common intermediate inv-14 (8.2
1
mg, 69%) as a pale yellow oil; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.12–6.81 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.70–6.53 (m, 4H, Ar),
6.40 (dd,J = 8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H, Ar), 5.10 (br s, 1H, OH), 3.67 (s, 3H, OMe), 2.82–2.76 (m, 2H, 4-H),
2.71–2.63 (m, 2H, 3-H). Above prepared inv-14 was instantly used in the following reaction as soon as
possible.
(Method B; One-step procedure from 9)
To iodine 9 (48.3 mg, 0.0894 mmol) at room temperature was added a solution of potassium tert-
butoxide in degassed DMSO (0.5 M, 0.715 mL, 0.358 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h
at 90 °C and then saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted
with diethyl ether/hexane = 1:1, and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium
sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the crude intermediate inv-14 was
used for the next reaction to provide 4 without further purification.
Nafoxidine (2).
To a solution of alcohol 14 (31.7 mg, 0.0965 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) at room temperature was
gradually added sodium hydride (60%, 13.4 mg, 0.335 mmol). After the reaction mixture had been
stirred for 20 min at the same temperature, 1-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine hydrochloride (33.4 mg, 0.196
mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred for 11 h at 50 °C and then
saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with ethyl
acetate, and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent,
the crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate/35% NH3 = 7:3:1)
to afford nafoxidine (2) (33.5 mg, 82%) as a pale yellow oil; IR (neat): 3031, 2936, 1669, 1606, 1568,
1
1508, 1241, 1174, 1037 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.14–6.92 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.80–6.69 (m, 4H, Ar),
6.59 (dd, J = 9.0, 2.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.18 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H, OCH2), 3.80 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.18–3.01 (m,
2H, NCH2), 2.94–2.72 (m, 8H, 3-H, 4-H, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 1.94–1.88 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 3-H);
13C-NMR (CDCl3):  158.4, 157.0, 143.2, 137.7, 134.6, 134.3, 132.2, 130.4, 128.2, 127.60, 127.55,
127.4, 125.6, 114.0, 113.2, 110.8, 65.9, 55.3, 54.8, 54.6, 30.7, 29.0, 23.4; HR-MS: calcd for
C29H32O2N (M + H+) 426.2428, found 426.2430.

Molecules 2010, 15
inv-Nafoxidine (4).
6788
To a solution of the crude inv-14 derived from iodine 9 in DMF (1 mL) at room temperature was
gradually added sodium hydride (60%, 10.7 mg, 0.268 mmol). After the reaction mixture had been
stirred for 20 min at the same temperature, 1-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine hydrochloride (27.4 mg,
0.161 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred at 50 °C for 11 h and
then saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate was added at 0 °C. The mixture was extracted with
ethyl acetate, and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the
solvent, the crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (CHCl3/MeOH = 9:1) to afford
inv-nafoxidine (4) (22.7 mg, 60% from 9) as a pale yellow oil; IR (neat): 2963, 2784, 1606, 1511,
1
1243, 1036, 831, 758, 700 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.17–6.93 (m, 7H, Ar), 6.82–6.69 (m, 4H, Ar),
6.61 (dd, J = 8.4, 2.7 Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.11 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H, OCH2), 3.78 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.00–2.85 (m,
4H, 4-H, NCH2), 2.82–2.73 (m, 2H, 3-H), 2.72–2.56 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 1.87–1.75 (m, 4H,
pyrrolidinyl 3-H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3):  158.0, 157.6, 143.3, 137.6, 134.7, 134.2, 132.1, 132.0, 130.5,
128.2, 127.5, 127.4, 125.6, 113.8, 113.3, 111.4, 67.0, 55.08, 55.06, 54.7, 30.7, 28.9, 23.4; HR-MS:
calcd for C29H32O2N (M + H+) 426.2428, found 426.2438.
(1RS,2SR)-1-(4-[2-Pyrrolidinoethoxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene) (15).
A 10 mL autoclave was charged with nafoxidine (2, 36.0 mg, 0.0846 mmol), 20% Pd(OH) /C (36.0
2
mg, 0.0513 mmol), and EtOH (3.0 mL). The vessel was sealed and then the whole mixture was stirred
for 22 h at 50 °C under hydrogen atmosphere (2.5 atm). After cooling to room temperature, the
reactant was filtered through a short pad of Celite with EtOAc at room temperature under ambient
atmosphere. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (hexane/ethyl
acetate/35% NH3 = 7:3:1) to afford 15 (25.2 mg, 70%) as a colorless oil; IR (neat): 2932, 1608, 1506,
1
1460, 1240, 1178, 1155, 1038, 823 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.21–7.12 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.90–6.64 (m,
5H, Ar), 6.59–6.52 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.36–6.27 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.24 (d, J = 5.1 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 4.00 (t, J = 6.0
Hz, 1H, OCH2), 3.82 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.36 (ddd, J = 12.9, 5.1, 2.1 Hz, 1H, 2-H), 3.15–3.06 (m, 2H, 4-H),
2.85 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H, NCH2), 2.70–2.56 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 2.26–2.11 (m, 1H, 3-H), 1.89–
13
1.76 (m, 5H, 3-H, pyrrolidinyl 3-H); C-NMR (CDCl3):  157.8, 156.8, 144.3, 137.7, 134.7, 132.2,

Molecules 2010, 15
6789
131.5, 131.3, 128.1, 127.7, 125.9, 112.94, 112.91, 112.5, 66.5, 55.2, 55.0, 54.6, 50.2, 45.4, 30.1, 23.4,
21.9; HR-MS: calcd for C29H34O2N (M + H+) 428.2584, found 428.2586.
(1RS,2SR)-1-(4-[Methoxy]phenyl)-2-phenyl-(6-[2-pyrrolidinoethoxy]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene)
(inv-15).
A 10 mL autoclave was charged with inv-nafoxidine (4, 14.9 mg, 0.0350 mmol), 20% Pd(OH) /C
2
(15.0 mg, 0.0214 mmol), and EtOH (1.5 mL). The vessel was sealed and then the whole mixture was
stirred for 24 h at 50 °C under hydrogen atmosphere (2.5 atm). After cooling to room temperature, the
reactant was filtered through a short pad of Celite with EtOAc at room temperature under ambient
atmosphere. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (hexane/ethyl
acetate/35% NH3 = 7:3:1) to afford inv-15 (11.8 mg, 79%) as a colorless oil; IR (neat): 2931, 1608,
1
1505, 1459, 1242, 1037, 823, 755, 700 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.20–7.13 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.86 (d,
J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.83–6.77 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.70 (dd, J = 8.0, 2.5 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.57–6.52 (m, 2H, Ar),
6.36–6.29 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.24 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 4.16–4.08 (m, 2H, OCH2), 3.70 (s, 3H, OMe),
3.36 (ddd, J = 11.3, 5.0, 2.0 Hz, 1H, 2-H), 3.10–3.01 (m, 2H, 4-H), 2.91 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H, NCH2),
2.70–2.61 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 2.26–2.11 (m, 1H, 3-H), 1.87–1.76 (m, 5H, 3-H, pyrrolidinyl 3-
13
H); C-NMR (CDCl3):  157.5, 157.1, 144.3, 137.7, 134.6, 132.3, 131.4, 131.3, 128.1, 127.7, 125.9,
113.7, 113.1, 112.2, 66.9, 55.1, 55.0, 54.7, 50.1, 45.4, 30.1, 23.5, 21.9; HR-MS: calcd for C23H21O2Na
[M – (C4H8N + CH2 = CH2) + Na+] 352.1434, found 352.1427.
Lasofoxifene (1).
To a solution of methyl ether 15 (10.1 mg, 0.0236 mmol) in CH Cl (0.6 mL) at –78 °C was slowly
2
2
added BBr in CH Cl (1.0 M, 0.120 mL, 0.120 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at
3
2
2
–23 °C and 2 h at 0 °C and then saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate was added at the same
temperature. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed with
brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the
crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate/35% NH3 = 3:6:1) to
afford lasofoxifene (1, 7.4 mg, 76%) as a colorless oil; IR (neat): 3471, 2928, 2873, 1668, 1506, 1455,
1
1177, 1035, 823, 757 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.11–7.00 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.75–6.63 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.53

Molecules 2010, 15
6790
(d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.46 (dd, J = 8.1, 2.4 Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.27 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.16 (d, J = 8.7
Hz, 2H, Ar), 5.20 (br s, 1H, OH), 4.10 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 3.99–3.83 (m, 2H, OCH2), 3.24 (ddd,
J = 11.4, 4.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H, 2-H), 3.00–2.60 (m, 8H, 4-H, NCH2, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 2.07–1.95 (m, 1H, 3-
H), 1.87–1.76 (m, 5H, 3-H, pyrrolidinyl 3-H); 13C-NMR (CDCl3):  156.6, 155.0, 144.5, 137.6, 134.9,
131.5, 131.2, 128.3, 128.2, 127.7, 125.9, 114.9, 114.0, 112.7, 65.6, 55.1, 54.4, 50.2, 45.4, 29.9, 23.2,
21.9; HR-MS: calcd for C28H32O2N (M + H+) 414.2428, found 414.2436.
inv-Lasofoxifene (3).
To a solution of methyl ether inv-15 (11.8 mg, 0.0276 mmol) in CH Cl (0.7 mL) at −78 °C was
2
2
slowly added BBr in CH Cl (1.0 M, 0.140 mL, 0.140 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1
3
2
2
h at –78 °C and 4 h at 0 °C and then saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate was added at the
same temperature. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was washed
with brine, dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration of the mixture and evaporation of the solvent, the
crude product was purified by thin layer chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate/35% NH3 = 3:6:1) to
afford inv-lasofoxifene (3, 7.9 mg, 69%) as a colorless oil; IR (neat): 3362, 2923, 1776, 1713, 1663,
1
1609, 1241, 1119, 1051, 991, 756 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):  7.20–7.11 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.85–6.77 (m,
3H, Ar), 6.73 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H Ar), 6.60–6.55 (m, 1H, Ar), 6.47–6.43 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.26–6.23 (m, 2H,
Ar), 5.42 (br s, 1H, OH), 4.21 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H, 1-H), 4.16–4.06 (m, 2H, OCH2), 3.37–3.30 (m, 1H,
2-H), 3.09–2.90 (m, 4H, 4-H, NCH2), 2.61–2.54 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 2-H), 2.22–2.12 (m, 2H, 3-H),
13
1.89–1.77 (m, 4H, pyrrolidinyl 3-H); C-NMR (CDCl3):  157.0, 154.0, 144.4, 137.6, 134.3, 132.4,
131.5, 131.4, 128.2, 127.7, 125.9, 114.0, 113.6, 113.1, 66.5, 55.1, 54.6, 50.2, 45.4, 30.1, 23.4, 21.9;
HR-MS: calcd for C28H32O2N (M + H+) 414.2428, found 414.2432.
4. Conclusions
Thus, we developed a new method to produce lasofoxifene (1), nafoxidine (2) and their positional
isomers inv-lasofoxifene (3) and inv-nafoxidine (4) using the three-component coupling reaction
among 4-pivaloyloxybenzaldehyde (5), cinnamyltrimethylsilane (6), and anisole in the presence of
HfCl4. The intermediate 3,4,4-triaryl-1-butene 7 was effectively transformed into 2 and 4, which were
precursors of 1 and 3, respectively, via the successive three-step transformations; namely, electrophilic
carbocyclization, sequential double-bond formation/migration, and side-chain installation. This
synthetic strategy seems to serve as a novel and practical pathway to prepare not only the nafoxidine
and lasofoxifene derivatives, but also new entries as SERM-type drugs including estrogen-dependent
breast cancer, leukemia, and osteoporosis agents.

Molecules 2010, 15
6791
Supplementary Materials
Spectroscopic data of synthetic intermediates and products is available free of charge at
http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/15/10/6673/s1.
Acknowledgements
This work was partially supported by the Science Research Promotion Fund from the Promotion
and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan.
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