Total synthesis of the CP-molecules (CP-263,114 and CP-225,917, phomoidrides B and A). 1. Racemic and asymmetric synthesis of bicyclo[4.3.1] key building blocks

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja012010l

A brief introduction into the chemistry of the CP-molecules is followed by first-generation synthetic sequences toward key building blocks for their total synthesis. Processes for both racemic and enantiomerically enriched bicyclo[4.3.1] ketone 6 or its e

Full text of DOI:10.1021/ja012010l

Published on Web 02/16/2002
Total Synthesis of the CP-Molecules (CP-263,114 and
CP-225,917, Phomoidrides B and A). 1. Racemic and
Asymmetric Synthesis of Bicyclo[4.3.1] Key Building Blocks
K. C. Nicolaou,* J. Jung, W. H. Yoon, K. C. Fong, H.-S. Choi, Y. He,
Y.-L. Zhong, and P. S. Baran
Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology,
The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, and
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UniVersity of California, San Diego,
9500 Gilman DriVe, La Jolla, California 92093
Received August 20, 2001
Abstract: A brief introduction into the chemistry of the CP-molecules is followed by first-generation synthetic
sequences toward key building blocks for their total synthesis. Processes for both racemic and
enantiomerically enriched bicyclo[4.3.1] ketone 6 or its equivalent are described, and the absolute
stereochemistries of the optically enriched intermediates are determined. The efficient route developed to
racemic 6 and the ready access to both enantiomers of key building blocks provided the opportunity for
the total synthesis of the CP-molecules and determination of their absolute stereochemistry.
Introduction
Since their discovery in the mid-1990s by a group at Pfizer,1
the CP-molecules [1, CP-263,114 (phomoidride B), and 2, CP-
225,917 (phomoidride A), Figure 1] have stimulated manifold
* To whom correspondence should be addressed at the Department of
Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute.
(1) (a) Dabrah, T. T.; Kaneko, T.; Massefski, Jr., W.; Whipple, E. B. J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 1594. (b) Dabrah, T. T.; Harwood, H. J., Jr.; Huang,
L. H.; Jankovich, N. D.; Kaneko, T.; Li, J.-C.; Lindsey, S.; Moshier, P.
M.; Subashi, T. A.; Therrien, M.; Watts, P. C. J. Antibiot. 1997, 50, 1. (c)
For an earlier disclosure of the structures of the CP-molecules, see: Stinson,
S. Chem. Eng. News 1995, May 22, 29.
(2) (a) Nicolaou, K. C.; Ha¨rter, M. W.; Boulton, L.; Jandeleit, B. Angew. Chem.,
Int. Ed. Engl. 1997, 36, 1194. (b) Nicolaou, K. C.; Postema, M. H. D.;
Miller, N. D.; Yang, G. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1997, 36, 2821. (c)
Davies, H. M. L.; Calvo, R.; Ahmed, G. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 1737.
(d) Sgarbi, P. W. M.; Clive, D. L. J. Chem. Commun. 1997, 2157. (e)
Armstrong, A.; Critchley, T. J.; Mortlook, A. A. Synlett 1998, 552. (f)
Kwon, O.; Su, D.-S.; Meng, D.; Deng, W.; D’Amico, D. C.; Danishefsky,
S. J. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1998, 37, 1877. (g) Kwon, O.; Su, D.-S.;
Meng, D.; Deng, W.; D’Amico, D. C.; Danishefsky, S. J. Angew. Chem.,
Int. Ed. 1998, 37, 1880. (h) Waizumi, N.; Itoh, T.; Fukuyama, T.
Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 6015. (i) Chen, C.; Layton, M. E.; Shair, M.
D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 10784. (j) Fontier, A. J.; Danishefsky, S.
J.; Koppel, G. A.; Meng, D. Tetrahedron 1998, 54, 12721. (k) Bio, M. M.;
Leighton, J. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 890. (l) Nicolaou, K. C.;
Baran, P. S.; Jautelat, R.; He, Y.; Fong, K. C.; Choi, H.-S.; Yoon, W. H.;
Zhong, Y.-L. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 549. (m) Clive, D. L. J.;
Sun, S.; He, X.; Zhang, J.; Gagliardini, V. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40,
4605. (n) Meng, D.; Danishefsky, S. J. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1999, 38,
1485. (o) Yoshimitsu, T.; Yanagiya, M.; Nagaoka, H. Tetrahedron Lett.
1999, 40, 5215. (p) Meng, D.; Tan, Q.; Danishefsky, S. J. Angew. Chem.,
Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 3197. (q) Sulikowski, G. A.; Agnelli, F.; Corbett, R. M.
J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 337. (r) Devaux, J.-F.; O’Neil, S. V.; Guillo, N.;
Paquette, L. A. Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 2000, 65, 490. (s) Davies,
H. M. L.; Calvo, R. L.; Townsend, R. J.; Pingda, R.; Churchill, R. M. J.
Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 4261. (t) Bio, M. M.; Leighton, J. L. Org. Lett. 2000,
2, 2905. (u) Clive, D. L. J.; Sun, S.; Gagliardini, V.; Sano, M. K.
Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 6259. (v) Yoshimitsu, T.; Yanagisawa, S.;
Nagaoka, H. Org. Lett. 2000, 2, 3751. (w) Davies, H. M. L.; Ren, P.
Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 9021. (x) For biosynthetic explorations, see:
Spencer, P.; Agnelli, F.; Williams, H. J.; Keller, N. P.; Sulikowski, G. A.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 420. (y) Njardarson, J. T.; Wood, J. L. Org.
Lett., in press. (z) Njardarson, J. T.; McDonlad, I. M.; Spiegel, D. A.; Inove,
M.; Wood, J. L. Org. Lett. 2001, 3, 2435.
Figure 1. Structures and absolute configurations of the CP-molecules. For
the purposes of this series of papers, structures 1 and 2 will designate the
racemic compounds, whereas structures 3 and 4 will designate the proven
naturally occurring enantiomeric forms of the CP-molecules.
studies directed toward their total synthesis.2 The intense
interest3 in these natural products is fueled by their interesting
biological activities1 (inhibitors of ras farnesyl transferase and
squalene synthase) and complex and unusual molecular con-
nectivities. Indeed, the exquisite chemical architectures of the
CP-molecules and the sheer challenge associated with their total
synthesis demand and inspire the design, development, and
discovery of new synthetic methods and novel synthetic
strategies.4
In 1999 we reported the first total syntheses of 1 and 2
(racemic),5 and in 2000 we determined their absolute configura-
tions (3 and 4, as shown in Figure 1) by way of asymmetric
(3) For reviews, see: (a) Hepworth, D. Chem. Ind. (London) 2000, 2, 59. (b)
Starr, J. T.; Carreira, E. M. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2000, 39, 1415. (c)
Diederichsen, U. Nachr. Chem. Tech. Lab. 1999, 47, 1423.
(4) Nicolaou, K. C.; Vourloumis, D.; Winssinger, N.; Baran, P. S. Angew.
Chem., Int. Ed. 2000, 39, 44.
9
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J. AM. CHEM. SOC. VOL. 124, NO. 10, 2002 2183

A R T I C L E S
Nicolaou et al.
Scheme 2. Simplified Retrosynthetic Analysis of 1 and 2a
Scheme 1. Model Studies and the Two Original Pathways toward
the CP Central Core
a PMB ) p-methoxybenzyl; TBDPS ) tert-butyldiphenylsilyl.
Scheme 3. First-Generation Retrosynthetic Analysis of the
Diels-Alder Precursor 7
synthesis.6 Since then, three additional and elegant total
syntheses have emerged from the Shair,7 Fukuyama,8 and
Danishefsky9 laboratories. In addition, numerous creative model
studies toward these compounds have been reported.2
In this and the following two papers in this issue, we present
a full account of our investigations, which led not only to the
total syntheses of these molecules but also to a series of
interesting discoveries including novel strategies, cascade reac-
tions, and useful synthetic technologies.
We began our drive to the CP-molecules shortly after their
disclosure1a and in 1997 reported two distinctly different
approaches to model systems of their core skeleton (Scheme 1,
paths A2a and B2b). While both paths (Scheme 1) featured novel
reactions, the intramolecular Diels-Alder strategy was deemed
more attractive due to higher overall yield and convergency,
and was, therefore, adopted for full exploration as will be
discussed below.
building blocks 9-11. In turn, these building blocks, in
principle, could be rapidly synthesized from inexpensive,
commercially available propylene glycol (12), dimethyl mal-
onate (13), and cyclooctene (14). This strategy was based on
the successful model studies reported earlier on a simpler
substrate (see Scheme 1) and included an important simplifica-
tion with regards to the quaternary carbon.2a Thus, by proposing
to enter the Diels-Alder reaction with a symmetrically substi-
tuted, prochiral quarternary center (C-14), we expected certain
advantages. This belief was based on the reasoning that since
the bicyclo[4.3.1] skeleton of 1 and 2 harbors pronounced
concave and convex faces, the groups on C-14 could be
differentiated with ease, later on.
1. Syntheses of Racemic Building Blocks. Scheme 4
summarizes the synthesis of the bicyclic core 5 in its racemic
form. Thus, 13 was converted into aldehyde 10 via the five-
step sequence entailing (i) treatment with NaH and quenching
of the resulting anion with I(CH2)2OTBS (60% yield), (ii) a
second alkylation with NaH and allyl iodide (96% yield), (iii)
reduction of both ester groups with LiBH4 (72% yield), (iv)
acetonide formation, and (v) ozonolysis, followed by reduction
with Ph3P (75% yield). Subsequent treatment of aldehyde 10
with cyclohexylamine under azeotropic removal of H2O led to
imine 14. The directed Aldol reaction of imine 14 proceeded
smoothly upon exposure to LDA at -20 °C, followed by
quenching of the resulting anion with aldehyde 11 to afford,
after acidic workup, R,â-unsaturated aldehyde 15 (ca. 1:1
mixture of geometric isomers) in 50% overall yield from 10.
Aldehyde 11 was expediently prepared, in two steps, from 14
Results and Discussion
A simplified retrosynthetic analysis of the CP-molecules
featuring the key Diels-Alder disconnection is illustrated in
Scheme 2. We reasoned that construction and subsequent
elaboration of an intermediate of type 7 or 8 could lead to the
CP-molecules via a carefully orchestrated sequence. Our first-
generation retrosynthesis of the precursor 7 to the bicyclo[4.3.1]
skeleton of the CP-molecules via a type-II intramolecular Diels-
Alder (IMDA)10 reaction is shown in Scheme 3. This analysis
featured a TMS-cyanohydrin coupling11 and a directed Aldol
reaction12 to construct the key intermediate 7 from the simple
(5) (a) Part 1: Nicolaou, K. C.; Baran, P. S.; Zhong, Y.-L.; Choi, H.-S.; Yoon,
W. H.; He, Y.; Fong, K. C. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 1669. (b)
Part 2: Nicolaou, K. C.; Baran, P. S.; Zhong, Y.-L.; Fong, K. C.; He, Y.;
Yoon, W. H.; Choi, H.-S. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 1676.
(6) Nicolaou, K. C.; Jung, J.-K.; Yoon, W. H.; He, Y.; Zhong, Y.-L.; Baran,
P. S. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2000, 39, 1829.
(7) Chuo, C.; Layton, M. E.; Sheehan, S. M.; Shair, M. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2000, 122, 7424.
(8) Nobuaki, W.; Itoh, T.; Fukuyama, T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7825.
(9) Tan, Q.; Danishefsky, S. J. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2000, 39, 4509.
(10) Bear, B. R.; Sparks, S. M.; Shea, K. J. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2001, 40,
820.
(11) Hertenstein, U.; Hu¨nig, S.; O¨ ller, M. Chem. Ber. 1980, 113, 3783.
(12) Wittig, G.; Reiff, H. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1968, 7, 7.
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Total Synthesis of the CP-Molecules. 1
A R T I C L E S
Scheme 5. Second-Generation Retrosynthetic Analysis of
Scheme 4. First-Generation Strategy toward the CP Skeleton 5a
Diels-Alder Precursor 8
Scheme 6. Second-Generation Synthesis of the Diels-Alder
Product 6a
a Reagents and conditions: (a) NaH (1.3 equiv), I(CH2)2OTBS (1.3
equiv), THF, reflux, 5 h; (b) allyl iodide (1.3 equiv), NaH (1.5 equiv), DME,
25 °C, 4 h, 96% overall; (c) LiBH4 (2.0 equiv), THF, 0 f 25 °C, 2 h,
72%; (d) Me2C(OMe)2 (1.5 equiv), CSA (0.05 equiv), CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 10
min, 92%; (e) O3, CH2Cl2, -78 °C, 1 h; then Me2S (2.0 equiv), -78 f
+25 °C, 12 h, 75%; (f) cyclohexylamine (1.2 equiv), benzene, Dean-Stark,
2 h; (g) LDA (1.1 equiv), Et2O, -78 °C, 1 h; then C9H17CHO (1.5 equiv)
in Et2O, -78 f 0 °C, 12 h; then oxalic acid (4.0 equiv), H2O, 0 °C, 1 h,
50% overall from 10; (h) KH (5.0 equiv), MeI (1.5 equiv), DME/HMPA
(5:2), 0 °C, 1.2 h, 72%; (i) TBAF (2.0 equiv), THF, 0 °C, 2 h, 95%; (j)
Ph3P (1.8 equiv), imidazole (2.0 equiv), I2 (1.5 equiv), CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 52%;
(k) 9 (5.0 equiv), LiHMDS (5.0 equiv), THF, -78 °C, 0.5 h; then TBAF
(3.0 equiv), 20 s, 39% overall; (l) Me2AlCl (0.10 equiv), CH2Cl2, -10 °C,
0.5 h, 95%; (m) TMSCN (1.1 equiv), ZnI2 (0.5 equiv), 25 °C, 12 h, 100%.
TBS ) tert-butyldimethylsilyl; DME ) 1,2-dimethoxyethane; CSA )
camphorsulfonic acid; LDA ) lithium diisopropylamide; TBAF ) tetra-
n-butylammonium fluoride; DMF ) N,N-dimethylformamide; LiHMDS )
lithium hexamethyldisilazide; TMS ) trimethylsilyl.
a Reagents and conditions: (a) NaH (1.3 equiv), I(CH2)3OTBS (1.3
equiv), THF, reflux, 5 h, 98%; (b) NaH (1.5 equiv), allyl bromide (1.3
equiv), DME, 25 °C, 4 h, 95%; (c) LiBH4 (2.0 equiv), THF, 0 f 25 °C, 4
h, 87%; (d) Me2C(OMe)2 (1.5 equiv), CSA (0.05 equiv), CH2Cl2, 25 °C,
10 min, 94%; (e) O3, CH2Cl2, -78 °C, 1 h; then Ph3P (1.0 equiv), -78 f
+25 °C, 12 h, 97%; (f) cyclohexylamine (1.2 equiv), benzene, reflux, Dean-
Stark, 2 h; (g) LDA (1.1 equiv), Et2O, -78 °C, 1 h; then C9H17CHO (1.5
equiv) in Et2O, -78 f +30 °C, 12 h; then oxalic acid (4.0 equiv), H2O,
0 °C, 1 h, 80% overall from 20; (h) KH (5.0 equiv), PMBCl (1.5 equiv),
DME/HMPA (5:2), 0 °C, 15 min; (i) TBAF (2.0 equiv), THF, 25 °C, 2 h;
(j) SO3·py (3.0 equiv), Et3N (5.0 equiv), CH2Cl2/DMSO (4:1), 0 f 25 °C,
3 h, 51% overall; (k) 26 (1.5 equiv), THF, -78 °C, 0.5 h; (l) SO3·py (4.0
equiv), Et3N (5.0 equiv), DMSO/CH2Cl2 (1:4), 25 °C, 3 h, 70% overall;
(m) Me2AlCl (0.02 equiv), CH2Cl2, -10 °C, 1 h, 90%; (n) Cp2Zr(H)Cl
(1.2 equiv), 19a (1.0 equiv), 25 °C, 3 h; then CCl4, I2 (1.0 equiv), 75%; (o)
19 (1.5 equiv), t-BuLi (1.5 equiv), THF, -78 °C, 0.5 h. PMB )
p-methoxybenzyl chloride.
employing Schreiber’s terminally differentiating ozonolysis
methodology13 (to produce the mono-dimethyl acetal aldehyde)
followed by a Schlosser-modified Wittig reaction14 and workup
with TsOH to remove the initially installed dimethyl acetal.
Exposure of 15 to KH followed by addition of MeI led to diene
16 as the sole isomer in 72% yield. In preparation for the next
coupling, compound 16 was converted into the corresponding
alkyl iodide (18) in 50% overall yield by desilylation with
TBAF, and subsequent treatment of the resulting alcohol (17)
with Ph3P/I2. Presumably as a consequence of the nearby
quarternary center, nucleophilic acylation of 18 to afford the
Diels-Alder precursor proceeded only sluggishly. Thus, con-
version of cyanohydrin 9 to its anion with LHMDS or LDA,
followed by addition of this anion to iodide 18 and workup
with TBAF, afforded only ca. 25-40% yield of the desired
coupling product 7. Despite our inability to optimize this
reaction, we were reassured by the fact that compound 7
underwent the expected intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction
with ease in the presence of Me2AlCl to afford the CP-molecule
skeleton 5 in 95% yield. However, initial model studies to
construct the various peripheral elements of the CP-molecules
suggested that the methyl group could not serve as a suitable
protecting group due to difficulties in its removal, and thus
another approach was sought.
A second-generation strategy is illustrated retrosynthetically
in Scheme 5. Whereas the first-generation approach involved
displacement of a hindered iodide (18) with a hindered
lithiocyanohydrin (9), the new strategy projected the union of
two sterically unencumbered species (25 and 26, Scheme 6)
derived from the building blocks 11, 19, and 20. In addition, it
was anticipated that the PMB group might be more versatile in
(13) Claus, R. E.; Schreiber, S. L. Org. Synth. 1986, 64, 150.
(14) Schlosser, M.; Christmann, K. F. Liebigs Ann. 1967, 708, 1.
9
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A R T I C L E S
Nicolaou et al.
Table 1. Asymmetric Induction in the Diels-Alder Reaction of
terms of orthogonality and stability to a range of reagents than
the originally proposed methoxy group.
Prochiral Triene Compound 8 in the Presence of Enantiomerically
Enriched Lewis Acid Catalysts
The construction of the Diels-Alder product 6 (racemic) from
13 is depicted in Scheme 6. Thus, reaction of 13 with NaH
followed by quenching of the resulting enolate with I(CH2)3-
OTBS led to pure monoalkylated malonate in 98% yield after
flash chromatography. This compound was then treated with
an additional equivalent of NaH in DME and quenched with
allyl bromide (95% yield). Reduction of the ester groups of the
resulting dialkylated product with LiBH4 in THF and protection
of the resulting 1,3-diol as the acetonide by exposure to 2,2-
dimethoxypropane and catalytic amounts of CSA in CH2Cl2 led
to aldehyde 20 after ozonolytic cleavage of the terminal olefin,
in 78% yield overall yield. Initial attempts to construct diene
23 from aldehyde 20 were plagued by the formation of large
amounts of the undesired E,E-diene isomer. Not surprisingly,
the latter diene, when carried through the remainder of the
sequence (to generate the E,E-isomer of 8), failed to participate
in the key Diels-Alder ring closure. After much experimenta-
tion, the desired E,Z-diene 23 was delivered stereoselectively
from 22 by a carefully controlled sequence involving treatment
with KH followed by syringe pump addition of PMBCl in DME
to the resulting anion at 0 °C over 1 h. Alternative solvents,
temperatures, and orders of addition had a deleterious effect on
the ratio of dienes formed as did the quality of the reagents
(KH and PMBCl) employed. In preparation for the key
vinyllithium addition, compound 23 (crude) was treated with
TBAF to remove the TBS group, and the resulting alcohol (24)
was oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde (25) with SO3·py
in 51% overall yield from 20. Addition of 25 to a solution of
vinyllithium 26 (prepared from the corresponding iodide 19 and
n-BuLi, Scheme 6) led to the expected allylic alcohol, which
was quickly oxidized (SO3·py) to the R,â-unsaturated ketone 8
in 70% overall yield. The planned type-II intramolecular Diels-
Alder reaction was then accomplished upon exposure of the
latter compound (8) to Me2AlCl at -10 °C, forming, within
minutes, the desired [4.3.1] bicyclic ketone 6 in 90% yield.
2. Asymmetric Synthesis of Building Blocks. Attempts by
us and others to crystallize naturally derived heavy-atom
derivatives of the CP-molecules to decipher their absolute
configuration via X-ray crystallographic analysis have been
thwarted by the inability to grow suitably ordered crystals. We,
therefore, turned our attention to determining the absolute
configuration of these compounds through chemical synthesis.
Toward this end, a chiral reagent-based strategy was originally
designed for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched building
blocks for the CP total synthesis. The obvious stage to evaluate
this strategy was at the key Diels-Alder cyclization, which
could, in principle, be induced by chiral catalysts. As shown in
Table 1, despite the use of numerous chiral Lewis acid catalysts,
only marginal success was realized. The low levels of enanti-
oselectivity in this reaction were attributed to the monodentate
nature of the dienophile moiety and the flexibility of the
aluminum-oxygen coordination bond of the initially formed
complex between the substrate and the Lewis acid. In view of
these disappointing results, a strategy predicated on substrate-
based control of the diastereoselectivity of the cycloaddition
was then undertaken. Specifically, we envisaged modifying the
ketone precursor 8 to introduce a bulky chiral moiety capable
of influencing the facial selectivity of the key Diels-Alder
a Reactions carried out with 0.02 mmol of substrate (8) in toluene (1.5
mL). b Isolated, chromatographically pure 6. c Enantiomeric excess was
determined by analysis of the desilylated product using chiral HPLC
(ChiralCel OD, i-PrOH/hexanes (7:93), flow rate 0.5 mL/min, detection
wavelength 254 nm). d c ) 1.0, CHCl3. e c ) 0.8, CHCl3. f c ) 0.36, CHCl3.
g c ) 0.77, CHCl3. h c ) 0.75, CHCl3. i c ) 0.73, CHCl3. j c ) 0.25, CHCl3.
k c ) 0.52, CHCl3.
reaction. An additional design criterion was that the Diels-
Alder precursor could be seamlessly converted into a known
intermediate along the path chartered for the total syntheses of
the racemic compounds. Since the absolute configurations of 1
and 2 were unknown, we arbitrarily chose the chirality of the
starting material and then proceeded to identify optimum
substrates/conditions for a diastereoselective cycloaddition and
to rigorously determine the absolute configurations of the
resulting intermediates before finally carrying the optically
enriched compounds through the previously developed sequence
to the CP-molecules.
9
2186 J. AM. CHEM. SOC. VOL. 124, NO. 10, 2002

Total Synthesis of the CP-Molecules. 1
A R T I C L E S
Scheme 7. Synthesis of Enantiomerically Enriched Diels-Alder Precursors 30-33a
a Reagents and conditions: (a) (i) TMSCtCH (1.5 equiv), n-BuLi (1.4 equiv), THF, -78 °C, added to a solution of 27 (1.0 equiv), n-BuLi (1.1 equiv),
THF, -78 f +25 °C, 12 h; (ii) TBSOTf (3.0 equiv), 2,6-lutidine (1.0 equiv), CH2Cl2, 0 to 25 °C; (iii) K2CO3 (2.0 equiv), MeOH, 25 °C, 12 h; (b)
Cp2Zr(H)Cl (1.2 equiv), benzene, 25 °C; then I2 (1.0 equiv), CCl4, 25 °C, 62% overall from 27; (c) vinyl iodide (1.5 equiv), n-BuLi (1.5 equiv), THF, -78
°C, 0.5 h; (d) vinyl iodide added to 25 in THF, -78 °C, 0.5 h, 90%; (e) DMP (1.3 equiv), NaHCO3 (5.0 equiv), CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 1 h, 49% (30), 64% (31),
56% (32); (f) TBAF (4.0 equiv), THF, 25 °C, 2 h; (g) TBDPSCl (3.5 equiv), imidazole (4.0 equiv), 20 h, 85%; (h) TESCl (3.5 equiv), imidazole (4.0 equiv),
CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 20 h, 90%; (i) [i-Pr2SiCl]2O (2.0 equiv), imidazole (3.0 equiv), CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 20 h, 86%.
With these considerations in mind, we embarked on the
synthesis of a variety of chiral Diels-Alder precursors as
depicted in Scheme 7. Thus, the disilyl acetylene 28 served as
the key building block for the construction of a variety of
different chiral ketones (30-33). This compound (28) was
prepared from the arbitrarily chosen (R)-glycidol (27) by
sequential epoxide opening with TMS acetylide, addition of
TBSOTf, and selective removal of the pendant TMS group
(K2CO3, MeOH) (62% yield overall). Exposure of 28 to the
Schwartz reagent15 [Cp2Zr(H)Cl] followed by addition of I2 then
led to the vinyl iodide 29 in 72% overall yield. Metal-halogen
exchange (n-BuLi) facilitated the union of the vinyl iodide 29
with the previously synthesized aldehyde 25, furnishing, after
oxidation with SO3·py, enone-diene 30 (49% yield overall) via
the lithio derivative 29a. Alternatively, the silyl protecting
groups of vinyl iodide 29 could be exchanged upon treatment
with TBAF and reprotection of the resulting diol with the
corresponding silyl chloride (TBDPSCl, TESCl, or [i-Pr2SiCl]2O)
to afford vinyl iodides 34-36, respectively. Enone-dienes 31-
33 were then similarly prepared from these vinyl iodides
employing the same chemistry as for the preparation of 30 (see
Scheme 7).
As illustrated in Table 2, the structure of the Lewis acid
employed as a catalyst had only a moderate effect on the
diastereoselectivity of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction.
Strikingly, neither antipode of the bulky catalyst 53a (see Table
1) had much influence on the cyclization (entries 1 and 2, Table
2) as compared to Et2AlCl itself (entry 5, Table 2). However,
when the bis(TBS) ketone 30 was employed, optimum condi-
tions were found whereby the use of catalyst 55 in toluene at
-80 °C gave a ca. 5.7:1 mixture of diastereomeric Diels-Alder
products 37a and 37b. The TBDPS-, TES-, and cyclic silyl-
protected ketones (31, 32, and 33, respectively) led, under
similar conditions, to lower diastereoselectivities (entries 7-11,
Table 2) as compared to bis(TBS) ketone 30. Incidentally, when
the diol derived from enone 30 with TBAF was treated with
catalytic amounts of Et2AlCl, rapid decomposition was observed.
Satisfied with the selectivity achieved using catalyst 55 with
triene 30, we proceeded to determine the absolute configurations
of the major and minor diastereomers (37a and 37b, Table 2,
chromatographically separated) resulting from the Diels-Alder
reaction. Toward this end, and as shown in Scheme 8, 37a and
37b were converted separately to the R-methoxy ketones 45a
and 45b, respectively, for comparison purposes with an authentic
racemic sample of 46.16 Thus, the major isomer 37a was treated
with TBAF to remove both TBS groups (95% yield) followed
by selective reprotection of the primary hydroxyl group with
All four precursors (30-33) were subjected to intramolecular
Diels-Alder reactions in the presence of various chiral catalysts.
(15) Schwartz, J.; Labinger, J. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 1976, 15, 333.
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A R T I C L E S
Nicolaou et al.
Table 2. Diastereomeric Induction in the Diels-Alder Reaction of
the Enantiomerically Enriched Compounds 30-33 in the Presence
of Optically Enriched Lewis Acid Catalysts
Scheme 8. Conversion of Enantiomerically Enriched Diels-Alder
Products 37a and 37b to Intermediates 45a and 45b and
Comparisons with Authentic Racemic Sample 46a
a Reagents and conditions: (a) TBDPSCl (2.0 equiv), imidazole (2.1
equiv), CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 1 h, 96%; (b) NaH (4.1 equiv), MeI (4.1 equiv), 0
°C, 1 h, 51%; (c) TBAF (excess), THF, 0 to 25 °C, 2 h, 91% (47% overall
for 43b); (d) DMP (2.0 equiv), NaHCO3, CH2Cl2, 25 °C; (e) 3-pentenyl-
magnesium bromide (1.25 equiv), THF, -78 °C, 1 min; (f) DMP (2.0 equiv),
NaHCO3 (2.0 equiv), CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 64% (48% overall for 43b). DMP )
Dess-Martin periodinane.
by chemoselective attack on the resulting aldehyde 44a with
C5H9MgBr (see Scheme 8) led to the R-methoxy ketone 45a
1
(64% yield), whose H and 13C NMR spectra were different
from those of racemic 46. The minor product 37b was carried
through the same seven-step sequence to furnish 45b, which
proved to be identical with 46 by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Because the configuration of C-7 in the racemic sample 46 was
verified, it followed that the major product 37a had the absolute
configuration shown in Scheme 8. An independent proof of the
stereochemistry of diastereomers 41 and 42 (derived from 37b)
was also carried out as summarized in Scheme 9. Thus, a
TBDPS group was selectively installed (TBDPSCl, imidazole,
96% yield) on the primary hydroxyl groups of 41 and 42, and
the PMB group was removed by treatment with DDQ (44%
yield). The resulting allylic alcohols were oxidized with MnO2
a For the structures of the catalysts, see Table 1. b Isolated yield of
chromatographically pure compounds. c Determined by 1H NMR spectros-
copy.
TBDPSCl (96% yield). Protection of the remaining secondary
alcohol with MeI (NaH, THF, 0 °C, 51% yield) and removal
of the TBDPS group led to alcohol 43a in 91% overall yield.
DMP-mediated oxidation of the latter compound (43a) followed
(16) Nicolaou, K. C.; Baran, P. S.; Zhong, Y.-L.; Fong, K. C.; Choi, H.-S. J.
Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 2190-2201.
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2188 J. AM. CHEM. SOC. VOL. 124, NO. 10, 2002

Total Synthesis of the CP-Molecules. 1
A R T I C L E S
MeSO3H to effect dehydrative ring closure)1 furnished the rigid
pyran systems 48a and 48b (70% overall yield). The observed
NOEs (see arrows on structures 48a and 48b, Scheme 9) in
these compounds confirmed the initial assignment.
Scheme 9. Verification of the Absolute Configuration of 37a and
37b via NOE Correlations of Pyrans 48a and 48ba
Conclusion
The chemistry described herein laid the foundation for the
total syntheses of both racemic and enantiomerically pure CP-
molecules (1 and 2). Specifically, the efficient and stereoselec-
tive pathway to the bicyclo[4.3.1] ketone 6 containing the basic
CP core and enough oxygen atoms for eventual elaboration to
the target molecules was chartered. Furthermore, an asymmetric
approach to suitable optically active building blocks (37a and
37b) was developed. The application of this chemistry to the
total syntheses of the CP-molecules and the determination of
their absolute stereochemistry will be the subject of the
following two papers in this series.16,17
Acknowledgment. We thank Drs. D. H. Huang and G.
Siuzdak for NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric as-
sistance, respectively. This work was financially supported by
the National Institutes of Health, The Skaggs Institute for
Chemical Biology, doctoral fellowships from the National
Science Foundation (to P.S.B.) and Boehringer Ingelheim (to
Y.H.), a postdoctoral fellowship from the Korea Science and
Engineering Foundation (to H.-S.C.), and grants from Abbott,
Amgen, ArrayBiopharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, DuPont, Glaxo,
Hoffmann-La Roche, Merck, Pfizer, and Schering Plough.
a Reagents and conditions: (a) TBDPSCl (2.0 equiv), imidazole (2.1
equiv), CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 1 h, 96%; (b) DDQ (2.1 equiv), CH2Cl2/H2O (20:1),
25 °C, 2 h, 44%; (c) MnO2 (excess), CH2Cl2, 25 °C, 74% (30% overall
yield of 47b from 42); (d) 80% aqueous AcOH, 60 °C, 3 h; (e) CH3SO3H
(catalytic), CH2Cl2, 1 h, 70% (67% overall for 48b).
Supporting Information Available: Experimental procedures
and compound characterization (PDF). This material is available
free of charge via the Internet at http://pubs.acs.org.
JA012010L
to afford the bridgehead enones 47a and 47b (74% yield).
Sequential treatment of 47a and 47b with AcOH (to remove
the acetonide with simultaneous formation of the hemiketal and
(17) Nicolaou, K. C.; Zhong, Y.-L.; Baran, P. S.; Jung, J.; Choi, H.-C.; Yoon,
W. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 2202-2211.
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