DOI: 10.1002/anie.201007751
Synthetic Methods
Step-Economical Synthesis of Taxol-like Tricycles through a Palladium-
Catalyzed Domino Reaction**
Julien Petrignet, Aicha Boudhar, Gaꢀlle Blond, and Jean Suffert*
The world of natural bioactive products offers a large variety
of structurally complex molecules.[1] Two main factors slow
their study and clinical advancement: 1) the scarcity and
variability of the natural sources and 2) their availability by
synthesis which often requires many steps and therefore time
and effort. In contrast, knowledge of how a natural product
functions could allow for the design of simpler, more
synthetically accessible, and more effective agents. Several
studies on this function-oriented synthesis (FOS) concept[2]
have been published, and have resulted in affording simplified
active drug leads inspired by the more complex natural
products.[3] A key to success in an FOS approach is the design
of a step-economical route to the core scaffold. Typically,
cascade or domino reactions[4] offer efficient ways to quickly
achieve scaffold complexity. Herein, we describe a facile
route to the taxane tricyclic core that is part of a larger
program to ultimately produce simplified agents exhibiting
superior functional activity.
cyclocarbo-palladation and subsequent Stille cross-coupling
and/or intramolecular Heck reaction. Completion of the
domino process with a 8p and/or 6p electrocyclization, leads
to three new rings overall and multiple stereogenic centers on
a densely functionalized framework.[9]
Herein, we describe a new, rapid, and efficient strategy for
accessing the highly functionalized taxane ring system 3 in
two key steps (Scheme 1). With this strategy, the tricyclic
skeleton of taxol (1) was expected to be derived by a
regioselective oxidative cleavage of the most strained double
bond of the diene 4. Based on our method, this racemic
tetracyclic structure would be obtained in a two-step process
through a palladium-catalyzed domino sequence reaction
using propargylic alcohol 5 and subsequent oxidation of the
hydroxy group.
The aim of this work is not to access the natural product
but a core scaffold which could be decorated to achieve
activity comparable or superior to taxol. Since its discovery in
1971 by Wani, Wall, and co-workers, taxol (1; see Scheme 1
for structure) has generated great research interest and
significant therapeutic benefit.[5] The inherent chemical com-
plexity of this polycyclic compound has also stimulated much
synthetic interest, and has led to six total syntheses of taxol
reported to date.[6] Notwithstanding the value of 1 and
taxotere (2) for the treatment of various cancers, develop-
ment of cellular resistance to these agents is a major cause of
failure in therapy. Recent investigations have focused on the
development of new taxanes or taxane modifications that
would overcome this resistance.[7] Step-economical access to
new taxanes, particularly those that would overcome resist-
ance, is thus a goal of great clinical importance.[8] In recent
years, our research group has developed efficient cascade
reactions that provide rapid access to new polycyclic com-
pounds. These processes are initiated through a 4-exo-dig
Scheme 1. General strategy: a) oxidative cleavage; b) 1. 4-exo-dig/6-exo-
trig/6p electrocyclization palladium-catalyzed cascade; 2. oxidation.
Bz=benzoyl.
[*] Dr. J. Petrignet, A. Boudhar, Dr. G. Blond, Dr. J. Suffert
Facultꢀ de Pharmacie, Universitꢀ de Strasbourg
UMR 7200 CNRS/UDS, 74 Route du Rhin, Strasbourg (France)
Fax: (+33)3-6885-4310
E-mail: jean.suffert@pharma.u-strasbg.fr
[**] We thank the CNRS and the ANR for financial support to J.P.,
Prof. Paul A. Wender and Prof. Marc L. Snapper for stimulating
discussions, as well as Dr. Lydia Brelot (Service de Cristallographie,
Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg) for the X-ray analysis.
Significantly, polycycle 3 is potentially available in only
eight steps from 2-bromocyclohexenone through this strategy.
In exploring our plan, a range of propargylic alcohols 5 with
various R groups and different alkene geometries (Z or E)
were prepared in one step from alkyne 6, which in turn was
synthesized in four steps from 2-bromocyclohexenone.
Alkyne 6 was treated with nBuLi at À788C, then with
aldehydes 7[10] to afford precursors 5 in 60–90% yield
(Scheme 2). All chiral compounds described in this study
are in racemic form.
Supporting information for this article, including detailed exper-
imental procedures and characterization data, is available on the
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 3285 –3289
ꢀ 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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