A new facile synthesis of D4-pterosin B and D 4-bromopterosin, deuterated analogues of ptaquiloside

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules17055795

Ptaquiloside (Pta) is a potent carcinogen present in bracken fern and in soil matrices, that can potentially leach to the aquatic environment. More recently its presence in the milk of different farm animals has been reported. Pterosin B (Ptb) and bromopterosin (BrPt) represent the most convenient analogues in the detection of ptaquiloside by mass spectrometry. Pterosin sesquiterpenes are also involved in many patented biomedical protocols. In this work we introduce a new and convenient approach to the synthesis in three steps and more than 80% yield of d₄-pterosin B (d₄-Ptb) and d₄-bromopterosin (d₄-BrPt), useful as internal standards in the quantification of ptaquiloside.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules17055795

Molecules 2012, 17, 5795-5802; doi:10.3390/molecules17055795
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
A New Facile Synthesis of D4-Pterosin B and D4-Bromopterosin,
Deuterated Analogues of Ptaquiloside
Mohamed Attya *, Monica Nardi, Antonio Tagarelli and Giovanni Sindona
Department of Chemistry, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza), Italy
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: attya@unical.it;
Tel.: +39-098-449-2860; Fax: +39-098-449-3307.
Received: 26 April 2012; in revised form: 9 May 2012 / Accepted: 14 May 2012 /
Published: 16 May 2012
Abstract: Ptaquiloside (Pta) is a potent carcinogen present in bracken fern and in soil
matrices, that can potentially leach to the aquatic environment. More recently its presence in
the milk of different farm animals has been reported. Pterosin B (Ptb) and bromopterosin
(BrPt) represent the most convenient analogues in the detection of ptaquiloside by mass
spectrometry. Pterosin sesquiterpenes are also involved in many patented biomedical
protocols. In this work we introduce a new and convenient approach to the synthesis in
three steps and more than 80% yield of d4-pterosin B (d4-Ptb) and d4-bromopterosin
(d4-BrPt), useful as internal standards in the quantification of ptaquiloside.
Keywords: natural products; total synthesis; isotopic labelling; ptaquiloside; pterosin B;
d4-pterosin; d4-bromopterosin
1. Introduction
Ptaquiloside (Pta, 1a, Figure 1) is, from a toxicological point of view the most intriguing secondary
metabolite found in bracken and responsible for more than 50% of the carcinogenic activity of bracken
fern [1]. Bracken fern is currently consumed by farm animals and causes a number of well-known
syndromes in domestic animals [2]. In large ruminants, chronic enzootic haematuria, the clinical
expression of multiple neoplasia of the urinary bladder, occurs. Pta has been shown in laboratory
experiments to be carcinogenic [3], and it is co-responsible for urinary bladder tumours in cows. Pta
may represent a pollutant of foods derived from cattle [4]. A significant increase in gastric cancers in
humans who spend their childhood in bracken-infested areas has been demonstrated [5], and milk has

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been proposed as the carrier, in which Pta would not be destroyed by pasteurisation. Pterosin compounds
are also involved in many patented biomedical protocols for treating diabetes and obesity [6,7].
Ptaquiloside is unstable in aqueous solution as it undergoes hydrolytic decomposition under acid as
well as alkaline conditions. Under alkaline conditions, the reaction products are first ptaquilosin and
then an unstable dienone formed after liberation of D-(+)-glucose [1,8]. Under acid conditions
aromatization takes place and the reaction product is mainly pterosin B. Ptaquiloside is rather stable at
neutral pH. Pterosin B (Ptb 1b; Figure 1) is stable under both acid and alkaline conditions [9], while
ptaquilosin and the dienone are stable only under alkaline conditions [1,8,10].
Figure 1. The structure of ptaquiloside, pterosin B, bromopterosin, d4-pterosin B, and
d4-bromopterosin.
Quantification is most commonly carried out by HPLC by means of external standards. Under some
circumstances, ptaquiloside is converted to pterosin B before analysis, since it is more stable than
ptaquiloside and has stronger UV absorption. The indirect detection of ptaquiloside is preferred for two
reasons: the conversion to pterosin B results in an approximate doubling of the UV response and will
hence lower the limit of detection, overcoming problems associated with ptaquiloside handling.
LC-UV methods however, lack of specificity and false positives may arise from substances with
similar chromatographic and spectroscopic properties. Mass spectrometric detection, on the contrary,
provides the required uniqueness in structure identification and enough sensitivity and accuracy in the
analytical application. A mass spectrometric approach was recently successfully applied. It is based on
the transformation of ptaquiloside to bromopterosin (BrPt, 1c; Figure 1) or methoxypterosin followed
by a GC-MS and stable isotope dilution assays using d2-bromopterosin as internal standard [11,12].
More recently, a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantifying Pta in soil and groundwater based
on the transformation of ptaquiloside to pterosin B has been published [13]. This work reports a
new method for the synthesis of the ptaquiloside’s deuterated analogues d4-pterosin B and
d4-bromopterosin (2a, 2b, Figure 1).
2. Results and Discussion
The aim of this work was to synthesise deuterated analogues to be used as internal standards in the
quantification of Pta by the isotope dilution method. Several synthetic routes have been proposed since
1974 to prepare pterosin derivatives [14–18], but the drawbacks of all those methods are the low yield,

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not more than 50%, and the high number of steps, not less than six. To the best of our knowledge only
one method has been proposed for the synthesis of deuterated analogues of the Pta [19], d2-pterosin B
and d2-bromopterosin, but the overlap between the 81Br of bromopterosin and the 79Br of
d2-bromopterosin isotopic peaks may prevent the use of the di-deuterium labelled compound as
internal standard. In the previous approach, d2-bromopterosin was obtained in eight steps with less
than 60% overall yield. In the procedure now proposed (Scheme 1) d4-bromopterosin (2b; Figure 1) is
obtained in three steps with 80% overall yield, and d4-pterosin B (2a; Figure 1) in four steps with 78%
overall yield. The presented synthetic protocol has many advantages over all the other known methods
for the synthesis of pterosin B and deuterated pterosin B, as it presents the highest yield and the lowest
work load. Our synthetic route is based on a successful modification of the previous proposed methods
[18–20], in which the tetradeuteroalcohol 3 was obtained in only one step in a very good yield, and the
final products could also be obtained in good yield by using the methacrilic anhydride and PPA as
condensing agent in a one-step reaction [19], avoiding the low yield which was generally reported for
the last step. The use of the available deuterium labelled compounds ethylene oxide-d4 as a reactant
has provided high isotope purity of the final product [21], comparing with the labelling of the whole
compound by inserting of deuterium atoms.
Scheme 1. The synthesis of d4-pterosin B and d4-bromopterosin.

Molecules 2012, 17
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The key step in our procedure is a simple Grignard reaction between 2,6-dimethylbromobenzene
and ethylene oxide-d4 [18]; by this simple reaction we could obtain the tetradeuterated alcohol
(2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)ethanol-1,1,2,2-d4 (3) in only one step and a yield of 96%. The tetradeuterated
substrate 3 is the starting substrate for obtaining our desired products d4-bromopterosin and
d4-pterosin. For the synthesis of d4-bromopterosin, the tetradeuterated alcohol was brominated directly
using HBr in acetic acid [22], to give 2-(2-bromoethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-1,3-dimethylbenzene (4b), which
was subjected to a condensation reaction using methacrylic anhydride and polyphosphoric acid to give
the final product d4-bromopterosin in a total yield of 91%. D4-ptetosin was also obtained with a total
yield of 78% by the application of the same condensation reaction on d4-methoxypterosin 4a, followed
by a demethylation reaction (Scheme 1) [23]. The proposed strategy demonstrates a new total synthesis
for d4-bromopterosin and d4-pterosin. The usefulness of this strategy can be attributed not only to the
synthesis of ptaquiloside’s deuterated analogues, but also for the synthesis of pterosin B itself, in
which it demonstrated the highest yield and the lowest work load.
3. Experimental
General
Column chromatography was performed on silica gel 60 (Merck, 70-230 mesh). Optical rotations
were measured on a Jasco DIP-1000 12 polarimeter equipped with a sodium lamp (589 nm) and a
1
10-cm microcell. H-NMR (300 MHz) and 13C-NMR (75 MHz) spectra of samples dissolved in
CDC13 were recorded on a Bruker DPX Avance 300 spectrometer at 25 °C; TMS was used as internal
standard. IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer Paragon 1000 PC FT-IR spectrometer. GC-MS
spectra were obtained with a Shimadzu QP-2010 GC-MS apparatus (ionization voltage 70 eV). All
reactions were analyzed by TLC on silica gel 60 F254 and by GLC on a Shimadzu GC-2010 gas
chromatograph and capillary columns purity). 2,6-Dimethylbromobenzene, ethylene oxide-d4,
iodomethane, HBr in acetic acid (ca. 30% ), methacrylic anhydride, BBr3, and polyphosphoric acid
(PPA) are commercially available and were used as received (Sigma Aldrich).
2-(2,6-Dimethylpheny1)ethanol-1,1,2,2-d4 (3). To a suspension of magnesium turnings (0.73 g,
30 mmol) in THF (5 mL), maintained under N2 and under reflux, was added slowly a solution of
2,6-dimethylbromobenzene (5 g, 27 mmol) in dry THF (30 mL) during 15 min. When the spontaneous
reaction had ceased the mixture was refluxed for an additional 30 min. The water condenser was
replaced by a liquid nitrogen and alcohol condenser (−20 °C). A well-cooled solution of ethylene
oxide-d4 (4 mL, 3.58 g, 75 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) was added during 5 min, then the mixture was
refluxed for 2 h, keeping the condenser temperature always below −20 °C. After cooling, the dark
coloured oil was added to ice water (75 mL) and concentrated HCl (5 mL). The two layers were separated
and the aqueous phase was extracted with ether (3 × 30 mL). The combined organic phases were washed
with brine, and then dried over Na2SO4. After filtration of the mixture and removal of the solvent by
rotary evaporation, the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, hexane–EtOAc,
9:1); this gave 2-(2,6-dimethylpheny1)ethanol-d4 (3). Yield: 4.01 g (26.00 mmol, 96%); colourless
viscous oil; IR (film): ν = 3330 (s), 1468 (s), 1298 (w), 1039 (s) cm−1; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 6.92–7.01

Molecules 2012, 17
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13
(m, 3 H, Ph), 2.35 [s, 6 H, 2(CH3)]; C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 136.9, 128.2, 126.2, 120.1, 60.6, 20.0,
15.8; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z = 154 [M+] (20), 121 (100), 107 (15), 92 (20).
2-(2-Methoxyethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-1,3-dimethylbenzene (4a). A mixture of the alcohol 3 (1.54g, 10 mmol),
iodomethane (3.1 mL, 7.08 g, 50 mmol), anhydrous K2CO3 (3.45 g, 25 mmol), and DMF (20 mL) was
stirred at room temperature for 12 h. After the reaction was completed the reaction mixture was diluted
with water (50 mL) and extracted with chloroform (3  50 mL). The combined organic phases were
washed with water, brine (100 mL each), and then dried over Na2SO4. After filtration of the mixture
and removal of the solvent by rotary evaporation, the residue was purified by column chromatography
(silica gel, hexane–EtOAc, 95:5); to give methyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpheny1)ethyl ether-d4 (4a). Yield:
1
1.66 g (9.88 mmol, 98.8%); colourless oil; IR (film): ν = 2880 (s), 1100 (s) cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ = 6.92–7.01 (m, 3 H, Ph), 3.25 (s, 3 H, OCH3), 2.35 [s, 6 H, 2(CH3)]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 136.9,
128.2, 126.2, 120.1, 60.6, 55.4, 20.0, 15.8; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z = 168 [M+] (25), 154 (20),
121 (100), 107 (15), 92 (20).
2-(2-Bromoethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-1,3-dimethylbenzene (4b). To a solution of the alcohol 3 (1.54 g, 10 mmol)
in glacial acetic acid (4 mL) was added HBr (6 mL, 30% HBr in acetic acid), and the mixture was
heated at 100 °C in a sealed tube for 12 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was
poured onto a cold solution of saturated NaHCO3 (50.00 mL), and the mixture was extracted with
chloroform (3 × 30 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine, and then dried over
Na2SO4. After filtration of the mixture and removal of the solvent by rotary evaporation, the residue
was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, hexane–EtOAc, 95:5); to give 1-bromo-2-(2,6-
dimethylpheny1)ethyl-d4 (4b). Yield: 1.99 g (9.21 mmol, 92%); colourless oil; IR (film): ν = 2880 (s),
1
1440 (s), 1298 (s) cm–1; H-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 6.92–7.01 (m, 3 H, Ph), 2.35 [s, 6 H, 2(CH3)];
13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 136.9, 128.2, 126.2, 120.1, 29.6, 20.0, 15.8; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z = 218
[M++2] (14), 216 [M+] (15), 137 (80), 121 (100), 93 (30).
6-(2-Methoxyethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-2R,5,7-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (d4-methoxypterosin, 5).
Methacrylic anhydride (1.16 mL, 1.19 g, 7.70 mmol) was added to a suspension of methyl 2-(2,6-
dimethylpheny1)ethyl ether-d4 (4a, 0.875 g, 5.20 mmol) in PPA (30 g). Because of the high viscosity
of the PPA the reaction mixture was stirred by mechanical stirrer for 48 h at room temperature, and
after diluted with ice water (50 mL), and extracted with chloroform (3 × 30 mL). The combined
organic phases were washed with brine, and then dried over Na2SO4. After filtration of the mixture and
removal of the solvent by rotary evaporation, the residue was purified by column chromatography
(silica gel, hexane–EtOAc, 96:4); to give d4-pterosin methyl ether 5. Yield: 1.1 g (4.66 mmol, 89.6%);
colourless oil; [α]25 −31 (c 5 mg/mL); IR (film): ν = 1740 (m), 1700 (s), 1675 (w), 1590 (s) cm−1;
D
1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 7.0 (s, 1 H, ph), 3.51 (dd, J = 8.0, 16.4 Hz, 1 H, CH), 3.28 (s, 3 H, OCH3),
2.59–2.77 (m, 2 H, CH2), 2.35 (s, 3 H, 5-CH3), 2.24 (s, 3 H, 7-CH3), 1.26 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 3 H, 2-CH3);
13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 210.1, 152.2, 141.2, 137.3, 134.1, 131.3, 122.8, 60.9, 55.1, 42.0, 33.5, 31.7,
20.1, 16.3, 13.5; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z = 236 [M+] (30), 221 (50), 189 (100).
6-(2-Hydroxyethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-2R,5,7-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (d4-pterosin B, 2a). To a
solution of d4-pterosin methyl ether 5 (1.08 g 4.60 mmol) in chloroform (10 mL), was added BBr3

Molecules 2012, 17
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(1.75 g, 0.67 mL, 7 mmol) at −20 °C, the solution was stirred at the same temperature for 2 h. The
reaction mixture was added to a saturated solution of NaHCO3 (100 mL), and extracted with chloroform
(3 × 50 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine, and then dried over Na2SO4. After
filtration of the mixture and removal of the solvent by rotary evaporation, the residue was purified by
column chromatography (silica gel, hexane–EtOAc, 95:5); to give d4-pterosin (2a). Yield: 0.96 g (4.32,
1
94%); mp. 90–92 °C; IR (KBr): ν = 3410 (s), 1736 (s), 1668 (s), 1590 (s), 1040 (s) cm−1; H-NMR
(CDCl3): δ = 7.0 (s, 1 H, ph), 3.65 (br s, exchangeable, l H, OH), 3.53 (dd, J = 8.0, 16.4 Hz, 1 H, CH),
2.56–2.76 (m, 2 H, CH2), 2.35 (s, 3 H, 5-CH3), 2.23 (s, 3 H, 7-CH3), 1.27 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 3 H, 3-CH3);
13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 210.1, 152.2, 141.2, 137.3, 134.1, 131.3, 122.8, 60.9, 42.0, 33.5, 31.7, 20.1,
16.3, 13.5; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z = 222 [M+] (40), 207 (70), 189 (100).
6-(2-Bromoethyl-1,1,2,2-d4)-2R,5,7-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (d4-bromopterosin, 2b).
Methacrylic anhydride (1.03 mL, 1.05 g, 6.80 mmol) was added to a suspension of methyl
2-(2,6-dimethylpheny1)ethyl ether-d4 (4a, 1.00 g, 4.60 mmol) in PPA (30 g). The reaction stirred by
mechanical stirrer for 48 h at room temperature, and after diluted with ice water (50 mL), and extracted
with chloroform (3 × 30 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine, and then
dried over Na2SO4. After filtration of the mixture and removal of the solvent by rotary evaporation,
the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, hexane–EtOAc, 95:5); to give
d4-bromopterosin 2b. Yield: 1.19 g (4.19 mmol, 91%); yellow crystals; mp. (108–109 °C); [α]25D −21
(c 5 mg/mL); IR (KBr): ν = 2880 (w), 1736 (s), 1668 (s), 1590 (s), 1440 (w), 1040 (s) cm−1; 1H-NMR
(CDCl3): δ = 7.0 (s, 1 H, ph), 3.51 (dd, J = 8.0, 16.4 Hz, 1 H, CH), 2.60-2.76 (m, 2 H, CH2), 2.37 (s,
13
3 H, 5-CH3), 2.26 (s, 3 H, 7-CH3), 1.29 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 3 H, 2-CH3); C-NMR (CDCl3): δ = 210.1,
152.2, 141.2, 137.3, 134.1, 131.3, 122.8, 42.0, 33.9, 33.6, 20.1, 15.3, 15.1, 13.6; GC-MS (EI, 70 eV):
m/z = 286 [M++2] (50), 284 [M+] (50), 205 (100), 189 (50).
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, we have developed a new facile and convenient total synthesis of d4-pterosin B in four
steps with a total yield of 78%, and d4-bromopterosin in three steps with a total yield of 80%. The
synthesized compounds can be used as internal standards for the assay of pterosin sesquiterpenes and
analogues in food and biological fluids and could provide the basis for the formation of labelled
analogues of other members of this peculiar family of natural compounds.
Acknowledgments
The project has been conducted at RAC-QUASIORA Mission Oriented Laboratory at the
Department of Chemistry of the University of Calabria. M. A. gratefully acknowledges the University
of Calabria and the project for his post-doctoral grant.
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