Facile synthesis of cyclopentenone B1- and L1-type phytoprostanes.

Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) represent non-enzymatic metabolites of α-linolenic acid (ALA), the essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) derived from plants. PhytoPs are present in the plant kingdom and represent endogenous mediators capable of protecting cells from oxidative stress damages in plants. Recently, it was found that such metabolites are present in cooking oil in high quantities, and also that B1-PhytoPs protect immature neurons from oxidant injury and promote differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors through PPAR-γ activation. We report a novel and facile synthesis of natural 2,3-substituted cyclopentenone PhytoPs, 16-B1-PhytoP, and 9-L1-PhytoP. Our strategy is based on reductive alkylation at the 2-position of 1,3-cyclopentanedione using a recent protocol developed by Ramachary et al. and on a cross-coupling metathesis to access conjugate dienone system. In conclusion, this strategy permitted access to B1- and L1-PhytoPs in a relative short sequence process, and afford the possibility to easily develop analogs of PhytoPs.

Introduction

Non-enzymatic production of biologically relevant compounds seems rather scarce in nature. One of the reasons could be the lack of researchers willing to accept the idea that auto-oxidative formation of metabolites could possess a primordial role in biology, and therefore to unravel their hidden properties. While this idea is only starting to grow in the field of oxidative stress and the production of non-enzymatically formed metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), it is still rather uncommon. In 1990, Morrow and Roberts discovered isoprostanes (IsoPs), compounds produced in human fluids and tissues by non-enzymatic free radical peroxidation of arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-3, AA) in phospholipid membranes (Morrow et al., 1990). These compounds later became the “gold standard” biomarker of lipid oxidative stress (Kadiiska et al., 2005), but also showed many relevant biological activities (Jahn et al., 2008; Galano et al., 2015). In 1998, Mueller and coworkers discovered that peroxidation of α-linolenic acid in plant (C18:3 n-3, ALA) lead to dinor-isoprostanes, later called Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) (Parchmann and Mueller, 1998; Jahn et al., 2010). They also represent a standard of oxidative stress in plants (Durand et al., 2009), and are considered, like the jasmonate compounds, to be able to activate genes implicated in the detoxification response, and many other response signals to protect the plants (Durand et al., 2009). PhytoPs are also relevant to human, particularly to human diet, being present in vegetable oil (Karg et al., 2007; Collado-González et al., 2015a,b), and it was demonstrated that their level in humans can increase after high consumption of ALA (Barden et al., 2009). Recently, 2,3-substituted cyclopentenone PhytoPs such as 16-B1-PhytoPs showed protective effects on immature neurons from oxidant injury and on the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors through PPAR-γ activation (Minghetti et al., 2014).

A few syntheses of such 2,3-substituted cyclopentenone phytoprostanes are reported in the literature (El Fangour et al., 2005; Schmidt and Boland, 2007; Perlikowska and Mikołajczyk, 2009, 2011; Vázquez-Romero et al., 2009, 2013; Beretta et al., 2015), and our group developed the first ones in 2005, 9-L1-PhytoP and 16-B1-PhytoP (El Fangour et al., 2005). Later, Boland and coworkers developed a very elegant and rapid synthesis of such compounds and analogs based on a 1,3-cyclopentanedione functionalization and Heck or Sonogashira-type coupling reactions (Schmidt and Boland, 2007). We believed that a rapid and facile unexplored approach could also be carried out based on a cross-metathesis strategy between conjugated 3-vinyl-cyclopentenone derivatives such as A and enone or allyl unit partners to introduce the unsaturated side chain. Derivatives such as A could be obtained from 2-alkylation of 1,3-cyclopentanedione followed by introduction of the conjugated dienone unit (Scheme 1). Interestingly, large variation at the 2-position could be achieved using the elegant Ramachary protocol for reductive alkylation of 1,3-cyclopentanedione (Ramachary and Kishor, 2008). Here we described the rapid and facile syntheses of 2,3-substituted cyclopentenone PhytoPs, 16-B1-PhytoP and 9-L1-PhytoP based on the novel approach described above.

Scheme 1

Retrosynthetic analyses of 1 and 2 from 1,3-cyclopentanedione.

Materials and methods

All reactions requiring anhydrous conditions were conducted in oven-dried glassware (120°C for 12 h minimum), syringes, and needles with magnetic stirring under nitrogen unless mentioned otherwise. Anhydrous THF and Et2O were obtained from the Innovative Technology PureSolv™ PS-400 solvent purification system. Other solvents and reagents were used as obtained from the supplier (Acros or Aldrich) unless otherwise noted. Lipase acrylic resin from Candida antarctica ≥5000 U/g, recombinant, expressed in Aspergillus niger was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Reactions were monitored by TLC using plates precoated with silica gel 60 (Merck). Reaction components were visualized by using a 254 nm UV lamp, treatment with acidic p-anisaldehyde stain followed by gentle heating. Organic layers were dried with anhydrous MgSO4 unless otherwise stated. Column chromatography was performed by using silica gel 40–63 μm. Optical rotations were measured with a Jasco P2000 digital polarimeter at 20°C. Concentrations c reported for the optical rotation data are given in g/100 mL. Infrared data are reported as wavenumbers (cm−1). ES-MS data were obtained by positive electrospray ionization methods. 1H NMR spectra were obtained at 300 or 500 MHz on Bruker spectrometers (AMX300 or Avance 500 MHz). The spectra were recorded in CDCl3 (internal reference at δ = 7.26 ppm) unless otherwise noted. The 1H NMR spectra are reported as follows: chemical shift in ppm [multiplicity, coupling constant(s) J in Hz, relative integral]. The multiplicities are defined as follows: br., broad; m, multiplet; AB, AB system; s, singlet; d, doublet; t, triplet; or combinations thereof. Selected 13C NMR spectra were recorded by using a J-modulated sequence, and the central peak of the CDCl3 triplet was used as the internal reference (δ = 77.16 ppm) and MeOD (fixed at δ = 49.0 ppm). The NMR spectra were assigned by homonuclear (1H–1H) and heteronuclear (1H–13C) correlation spectroscopy (COSY45, HSQC, HMBC). Infrared spectra were obtained using Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One Spectrometer. They were reported as wavenumber (cm−1) of significant peaks.

2-ethyl-3-methoxycyclopent-2-enone (3)

To a solution of 2-ethylcyclopentane-1,3-dione (1 g, 7.9 mmol, 1.0 eq) in 30 mL Et2O and 3 mL of MeOH, at 0°C, TMS-diazomethane solution was added (2M in Et2O, 6.9 mL, 9.9 mmol, 1.75 eq) over 1 min. After 10 min at 0°C and 2 h at room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude was directly used in the next step without further purification. R = 0.45 (95/5: EtOAc/MeOH);1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.61–2.58 (m, 2H), 2.40–2.36 (m, 2H), 2.10 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 0.94 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 204.7, 184.2, 122.1, 56.2, 33.4, 24.4, 14.4, 12.5.

2-ethyl-3-vinylcyclopent-2-enone (4)

To a crude solution of 2-ethyl-3-methoxycyclopent-2-enone 3 (theory ~ 7.9 mmol, 1.0 eq) in anhydrous THF (40 mL) at −78°C, a vinyl magnesium bromide solution (1M in THF, 11.9 mL, 11.9 mmol, 1.5 eq) was added dropwise. After 30 min at −78°C and 1 h at room temperature, the crude mixture was added to a solution of HCl (1M, 50 mL) and ice (80 g). The mixture was vigorously stirred 2 h and extracted with EtOAc (4 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (3 × 50 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 80/20: pentane/EtOAc). 663 mg of compound 4 was obtained (61% yield, 2 steps). R = 0.63 (50/50: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.89 (dd, J = 10.7, 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.70 (dd, J = 1.0, 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.46 (dd, J = 1.0, 10.7 Hz, 1H); 2.62–2.59 (m, 2H); 2.39–2.36 (m, 2H), 2.25 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 0.97 (J = 7.6 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.5, 162.9, 143.0, 131.0, 120.7, 33.7, 24.9, 16.2, 13.3; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C9H13O [M+H]+ 137.0966, found 137.0957.

Methyl 9-hydroxyundec-10-enoate (5)

To a solution of methyl 10-undecenoate (1 g, 5 mmol, 1 eq) in 16 mL of CH2Cl2, SeO2 (1.11 g, 10 mmol, 2 eq) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (5.5 M in decane, 6.5 mL, 35 mmol, 7 eq) were added. The mixture was heated under reflux overnight. After cooling, a solution of FeSO4 (11 g) and citric acid (3.5 g) in water (40 mL) was added slowly. The reaction mixture was extracted with Et2O (3 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (3 × 50 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and the solvents were removed without vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (90/0 to 60/40: pentane/Et2O) to give 659 mg of 5 (61% yield). R = 0.4 (70/30: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 5.83 (ddd, J = 6.3, 10.4, 17.2 Hz, 1H), 5.18 (dt, J = 1.3, 17.2 Hz, 1H), 5.06 (dt, J = 1.2, 10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.05 (q, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 2.26 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2 H), 1.65–1.46 (m, 5H), 1.32–1.21 (m, 8H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 174.2, 141.3, 114.4, 73.1, 51.3, 36.9, 34.0, 29.2, 29.0, 28.9, 25.1, 24.8; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C12H23O3 [M+H]+ 215.1647, found 215.1658.

Methyl 9-oxoundec-10-enoate (6)

To a solution of oxalyl chloride (304 μL, 3.5 mmol, 1.5 eq) in 15 mL of CH2Cl2 at −78°C, DMSO (497 μL, 7 mmol, 3 eq) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred 10 min and a solution of 5 (500 mg, 2.33 mmol, 1 eq) in 5 mL of CH2Cl2was added. The crude was stirred 20 min and Et3N (1.95 mL, 14 mmol, 6 eq) was added. After stirring 2 h at room temperature, water (50 mL) was added. The layers were separated. The aqueous one was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 × 25 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with water (25 mL), saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO3 (25 ml), brine (20 mL) and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed without vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 80/20: pentane/Et2O) to give 389 mg of 6 (79% yield). R = 0.6 (50/50: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.32 (dd, J = 10.3, 17.6 Hz, 1H), 6.17 (dd, J 1.2, 17.6 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (dd, J = 1.2, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 2.54 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.26 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.64–1.56 (m, 4H), 1.36–1.24 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 200.9, 174.1, 136.5, 127.3, 51.3, 39.5, 33.9, 28.9 (2 C), 28.8, 24.8, 28.8; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C12H21O3 [M+H]+ 213.1491, found 213.1471.

Enzymatic resolution of methyl 9-hydroxyundec-10-enoate (5)

To a solution of methyl 9-hydroxyundec-10-enoate 5 (1.2 g, 5.6 mmol, 1 eq) in hexane (5.2 mL) Candida antarctica lipase B (240 mg, 20% w/w) and vinyl acetate (5.2 mL, 56 mmol, 10 eq) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and filtered. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (90/10 to 60/40: pentane/Et2O) to give 657 mg of acetylated product (R)-5-Ac (93%ee, 46% yield) and 545 mg of free hydroxylated (S)-5 (45% yield, 99% ee, [α]20 = −5.3 (c 10, CHCl3).

(R)-5-Ac was deacetylated in the presence of K2CO3 (1.06 g, 7.7 mmol, 3 eq) in MeOH (50 mL). The mixture was stirred 5 h and brine (150 ml) was added. The crude was extracted with pentane/Et2O 1/1 (3 × 150 mL). The organic layers were washed with brine (3 × 100 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and evaporated slowly under controlled vacuum to obtain 505 mg of (R)-5 (92% yield). (R)-5 was enzymatically resolved one more time with CALB, deacetylated with K2CO3 and analyzed to give 333 mg of (R)-5 (83% yield, ee = 99%).

Esterification of (R)-5 and (S)-5 with 2,4-dinitrobenzyl chloride in pyridine gave the corresponding esters, which were analyzed by chiral HPLC (Chiralcel OD®, 95/5: Hexane/isopropanol, 0.7 ml/min, λ = 254 nm) to give ee = 99% for (S)-5-ester (tr = 18.1 min) and ee = 93% for (R)-5-ester (tr = 23.6 min).

Determination of stereochemistry of 5

One aliquot of (S)-5 was esterified with (S)-acetyl phenyl acetic acid and (R)-acetyl phenyl acetic acid in presence of EDCI, DMAP in CH2Cl2. In the same way, (R)-5 was esterified. With the four diastereoisomers in hand, the stereochemistry of (S)-5 and (R)-5 was determined as previously described (Chataigner et al., 1998).

9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP (9)

To a mixture of 4 (200 mg, 1.47 mmol, 1 eq) and 6 (935 mg, 4.4 mmol, 3 eq) in carefully degassed CH2Cl2 (30 mL) Hoveyda Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst (69 mg, 0.11 mmol, 0.025 eq) was added. The mixture was heated 5 h under reflux. The crude was evaporated without heating with celite® and rapidly purified under silica gel chromatography (100/0 to 80/20: CH2Cl2/Et2O). The 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester 8 was slightly degraded by silica gel and contaminated by dimer of 4 and 6. The mixture was used directly in the next step.

To a solution of previously recovered 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester 8 (and dimers) in MeCN (20 mL) and phosphate buffer (20 mL, pH = 7) CALB (20 mg, 2% w/w) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight. The crude was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The organic layers were washed with brine (2 × 50 mL) and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (100/0 to 98/2: CH2Cl2/MeOH) to give 260 mg of 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP 9 (58% yield, 2 steps) with 5% of cis isomer. R = 0.25 (95/5: CH2Cl2/MeOH); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.59 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 6.51 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 2.65–2.58 (m, 4H), 2.45–2.42 (m, 2H), 2.38–2.27 (m, 4H), 1.63–1.56 (m, 4 H), 1.36–1.23 (m, 6H), 1.00 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.0, 200.1, 179.3, 159.7, 149.1, 133.9, 130.5, 41.4, 33.9, 33.8, 28.9, 28.8, 28.7, 25.3, 24.5, 23.8, 16.7, 13.5; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H27O4 [M+H]+ 307.1909, found 307.1897.

9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester ((S)-7)

To a mixture of 4 (109 mg, 0.8 mmol, 1 eq) and (S)-5 (214 mg, 1 mmol, 1.25 eq) in carefully degassed CH2Cl2 (15 mL) Hoveyda Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst (12.5 mg, 0.02 mmol, 0.025 eq) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 days. A new crop of catalyst (12.5 mg) was added and the reaction was stirred for 3 more days. To the reaction mixture celite® was added followed by evaporation of the solvents without heating, then rapid purification under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 50/50: CH2Cl2/EtOAc). 103 mg of 9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-7 was obtained (40% yield). R = 0.24 (80/20: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.74 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.19 (dd, J = 5.9, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.27–4.23 (m, 1H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 2.58–2.55 (m, 2H), 2.46 (sl, 1H), 2.35–2.31 (m, 2H), 2.25–2.18 (m, 4H), 1.57–1.51 (m, 4H), 1.36–1.20 (m, 8H), 0.93 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.5, 174.2, 162.9, 142.4, 140.5, 123.4, 72.1, 51.3, 37.1, 33.9, 33.7, 29.2, 29.0, 28.9, 25.5, 25.2, 24.7, 16.2, 13.3; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C19H31O4 [M+H]+ 323.2222, found 323.2207.

Ent-9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester ((R)-7)

Similar to the above, ent-9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester (R)-7 was obtained from 4 and (R)-5 in similar yield (108 mg, 42% yield). R = 0.24 (80/20: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.76 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (dd, J = 5.9, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.29–4.25 (m, 1H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 2.60–2.57 (m, 2H), 2.38–2.35 (m, 2H), 2.28–2.21 (m, 4H), 2.12 (sl, 1H), 1.59–1.53 (m, 4H), 1.36–1.23 (m, 8H), 0.97 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.4, 174.2, 162.7, 142.6, 140.2, 123.6, 72.2, 51.3, 37.1, 33.9, 33.8, 29.2, 29.0, 28.9, 25.5, 25.2, 24.7, 16.2, 13.3.

9-L1-PhytoP (1)

To a solution of 9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-7 (80 mg, 0.248 mmol, 1 eq) in MeCN (4.5 mL) and phosphate buffer (4.5 mL, pH = 7) CALB (1.6 mg, 2% w/w) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 day. The crude was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The organic layers were washed with brine (2 × 10 mL) and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (50/50 to 25/75: CH2Cl2/EtOAc) to give 63.4 mg of 9-L1-PhytoP 1 (83% yield). R = 0.20 (95/5: CH2Cl2/MeOH); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.81 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, J = 6.0, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (q, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 2.66–2.2.64 (m, 2H), 2.45–2.43 (m, 2H), 2.35 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.31 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.65–1.60 (m, 4H), 1.36–1.33 (m, 8H), 1.01 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 211.1, 180.3, 164.2, 144.2, 141.4, 125.2, 73.8, 38.5, 35.2(2C), 30.6, 30.5, 30.3, 27.0, 26.6, 26.0, 17.7, 14.9; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H29O4 [M+H]+ 309.2066, found 309.2070; [α]20 = −19.3 (c 10, CHCl3).

Ent-9-L1-PhytoP (ent-1)

Similar to the above, the ent-9-L1-PhytoP (ent-1) was obtained from (R)-7 (69.2 mg, 85% yield). R = 0.20 (95/5: CH2Cl2/MeOH); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.81 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, J = 6.0, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (q, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 2.65–2.2.64 (m, 2H), 2.45–2.42 (m, 2H), 2.35 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.31 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.65–1.60 (m, 4H), 1.36–1.33 (m, 8H), 1.01 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 211.1, 180.5, 164.3, 144.1, 141.5, 125.2, 73.8, 38.5, 35.3, 35.2, 30.6, 30.5, 30.3, 27.0, 26.6, 26.0, 17.7, 14.9; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H29O4 [M+H]+ 309.2066, found 309.2043; [α]20 = +19.1 (c 10, CHCl3).

Methyl 8-oxooctanoate (10)

In a solution of cyclooctene (1.95 mL, 15 mmol, 1 eq) and Na2CO3 (400 mg, 3.75 mmol, 0.25 eq) in CH2Cl2/MeOH (45 mL/5 mL), at −78°C, a flow of generated ozone/air was bubbled 3 h, until a blue color appeared. After elimination of ozone excess by bubbling nitrogen, the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature, then the solution was filtered to remove excess Na2CO3. The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. CH2Cl2(40 mL) was added to the crude reaction mixture, then Et3N (3.13 mL, 22.5 mmol, 1.5 eq) and Ac2O (3.9 mL, 41.5 mmol, 2.75 eq) were added successively dropwise. The mixture was stirred overnight at rt, washed with 0.1N HCl solution (2 × 30 mL), 1N NaOH solution (2 × 30 mL), water (30 mL), and brine (2 × 30 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 90/10: cyclohexane/EtOAc) to give 1.78 g of 10 (69% yield). R = 0.33 (80/20: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.68 (t, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 2.35 (dt, J = 1.8, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.23 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.58–1.51 (m, 4H), 1.29–1.24 (m, 4H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 202.5, 174.0, 51.3, 43.6, 33.8, 28.8, 28.6, 24.5, 21.7; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C9H17O3 [M+H]+ 173.1178, found 173.1184.

Methyl 8-(2-methoxy-5-oxocyclopent-1-enyl)octanoate (11)

To a solution of 1,3-cyclopentanedione (456 mg, 4.65 mmol, 1 eq) in CH2Cl2 (15 mL) at room temperature methyl 8-oxooctanoate 10 (1.2 g, 6.96 mmol, 1.5 eq), Hantzsch ester (1.3 g, 5.1 mmol, 1.1 eq), and L-proline (27 mg, 0.23 mmol, 0.05 eq) were added successively. The reaction mixture was stirred 4 h and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. A mixture of solvents Et2O/MeOH 9/1 (15 mL) was added to the crude and a solution of (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane (2M in Et2O, 4.64 mL, 9.28 mmol, 2 eq) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred 30 min and solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified under silica gel chromatography (75/25 to 50/50: CH2Cl2/EtOAc) to give 1.15 g of 11 (91% yield). R = 0.44 (95/5: EtOAc/MeOH); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 2.61–2.58 (m, 2H), 2.38–2.35 (m, 2H), 2.22 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.04 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2 H), 1.57–1.50 (m, 2H), 1.35–1.19 (m, 8H);13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 204.8, 184.5, 174.2, 120.8, 56.2, 51.3, 34.0, 33.4, 29.2, 28.9, 28.8, 27.7, 24.8, 24.3, 21.1; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C15H25O4 [M+H]+ 269.1753, found 269.1745.

8-(2-methoxy-5-oxocyclopent-1-enyl)octanoic acid (12)

To a solution of methyl ester 11 (1.4 g, 5.22 mmol, 1 eq) in MeCN (50 mL) and phosphate buffer (50 mL, pH = 7) CALB (28 mg, 2% w/w) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 days. After adding NaCl powder, the crude was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 50 mL). The organic layers were washed with brine (2 × 25 mL), and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude of the reaction mixture (12) (1.342 g) was used directly in the next step.1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 3.90 (s, 3H), 2.63–2.60 (m, 2H), 2.43–2.40 (m, 2H), 2.29 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.09–2.00 (m, 2 H), 1.60–1.56 (m, 2H), 1.36–1.20 (m, 8H);13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 205.3, 184.9, 179.0, 120.9, 56.3, 33.9, 33.3, 29.2, 28.9, 28.8, 27.7, 24.6, 24.4, 21.0.

Methyl 8-(5-oxo-2-vinylcyclopent-1-enyl)octanoate (13)

To a solution of 12 (theory: 5.22 mmol, 1 eq), in anhydrous THF (55 mL), at −78°C, a vinyl magnesium bromide solution (1M in THF, 26.4 mL, 26.4 mmol, 5 eq) was added. After 30 min at −78°C and 2 h at room temperature, the crude reaction mixture was added to a solution of HCl (1 M, 150 mL) and ice (150 g). The mixture was vigorously stirred 2 h and extracted with EtOAc (4 × 100 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (3 × 50 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. A mixture of solvents Et2O/MeOH 9/1 (15 mL) was added to the crude extract and a solution of (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane (2M in heptane, 3.3 mL, 6.6 mmol, 1.25 eq) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred 30 min and solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 80/20: pentane/EtOAc). 686 μg microgram of compound 13 was obtained (50% yield, 3 steps). R = 0.57 (50/50: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.88 (dd, J = 10.7, 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.71 (dd, J = 0.9, 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.47 (d, J = 10.7 Hz, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 2.64–2.61 (m, 2H), 2.40–2.37 (m, 2H), 2.24 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 1.59–1.54 (m, 2H), 1.38–1.26 (m, 8H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.6, 174.2, 163.4, 141.7, 131.2, 120.7, 51.3, 34.0, 33.6, 29.3, 28.9 (2C), 28.7, 24.9, 24.8, 22.9; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C16H25O3 [M+H]+ 265.1804, found 265.1819.

(3S,6S,E)-oct-4-ene-3,6-diol (+)-14

At −5°C, a solution of BuLi (1.6 M in hexanes, 5.64 mL, 9 mmol, 1.3 eq) was added dropwise to a solution of freshly distillated 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyperidine (1.52 mL, 9 mmol, 1.3 eq) in anhydrous tBuOMe (3.5 mL). The reaction was stirred 5 min at −5°C and 20 min at room temperature. After cooling at −5°C, (S)-1,2-epoxybutane (500 μL, 6.93 mmol, 1 eq) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred 6 h at −5°C and overnight at room temperature. MeOH (10 mL) was added and then the reaction mixture was stirred 10 min and evaporated with celite® under vacuum. The crude was purified under silica gel chromatography (75/25 to 50/50: pentane/EtOAc) to give 149 mg of (+)-14 (36% yield). R = 0.1 (70/30: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 5.61–5.59 (m, 2H), 4.00–3.94 (m, 2H), 2.35 (sl, 2H), 1.59–1.44 (m, 4H), 0.87 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 133.8, 73.7, 30.0, 9.6; [α]20 = +21.7 (c 10, CHCl3).

(3R,6R,E)-oct-4-ene-3,6-diol (−)-14

Similar to the above, (R)-1,2-epoxybutane (500 μL, 6.93 mmol) gave access to compound (−)-14 (160 mg, 38% yield). R = 0.1 (70/30: cyclohexane/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): 5.65–5.63 (m, 2H), 4.03–3.97 (m, 2H), 1.83 (sl, 2H), 1.60–1.47 (m, 4H), 0.89 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ =133.7, 73.7, 30.0, 9.6; [α]20 = −20.0 (c 10, CHCl3).

16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP (16)

To a mixture of 13 (200 mg, 0.75 mmol, 1 eq) and pent-1-en-3-one (150 μL, 1.5 mmol, 2eq) in carefully degassed CH2Cl2 (15 mL) Hoveyda Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst (11.8 mg, 0.019 mmol, 0.025 eq) was added. The mixture was heated 4 h under reflux. To the reaction mixture celite® was added, followed by evaporation of the solvents without heating, and rapidly purified under silica gel chromatography (100/0 to 80/20: CH2Cl2/Et2O). The 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester 16 was slightly degraded by silica gel and contaminated by byproducts. The mixture was used directly in the next step. To a solution of contaminated 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester 16 in MeCN (8.5 mL) and phosphate buffer (8.5 mL, pH = 7) CALB (36 mg, 20% w/w) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred 5 h. After filtration, the crude mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 50 mL). The organic layers were washed with brine (2 × 25 mL) and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (100/0 to 90/10: CH2Cl2/MeOH) to give 80.6 mg of 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP 17 (47% yield, 2 steps). R = 0.39 (95/5: CH2Cl2/MeOH); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.60 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 1H), 2.70–2.62 (m, 4H), 2.46–2.43 (m, 2H), 2.34–2.27 (m, 4H), 1.60–1.56 (m, 2 H), 1.40–1.23 (m, 8H), 1.13 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.0, 200.5, 179.31, 160.1, 147.8, 134.0, 130.2, 34.7, 33.8, 33.7, 29.2, 28.8 (2C), 28.7, 25.3, 24.5, 23.3, 7.8; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H27O4 [M+H]+ 307.1909, found 307.1895.

16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-15

To a mixture of 13 (90 mg, 0.34 mmol, 1 eq) and (-)-14 (35 mg, 0.24 mmol, 0.7 eq) in carefully degassed CH2Cl2 (7 mL) Hoveyda Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst (5.3 mg, 0.0085 mmol, 0.025 eq) was added. The mixture was stirred for 4 days. New crops of catalyst (5.3 mg) were added each day. To the reaction mixture celite® was added, followed by evaporation of the solvents without heating, and rapid purification under silica gel chromatography (95/5 to 80/20: CH2Cl2/EtOAc). 53.6 mg of 16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-15 was obtained (49% yield). R = 0.26 (80/20: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.74 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (dd, J = 5.8, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.23–4.18 (m, 1H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 2.60–2.57 (m, 2H), 2.39–2.33 (m, 3H), 2.21 (q, J = 7.5 Hz, 4H), 1.62–1.51 (m, 4H), 1.34–1.19 (m, 8H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.5, 174.3, 163.2, 141.1, 140.1, 123.8, 73.4, 51.3, 33.9, 33.7, 30.0, 29.1, 28.9, 28.8, 28.6, 25.5, 24.7, 22.8, 9.5.

Ent-16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (R)-15

Similar to the above, from (+)-14 the reaction gave ent-16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (R)-15 (52.6 mg, 53% yield). R = 0.26 (80/20: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.76 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.21 (dd, J = 5.8, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.25–4.20 (m, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 2.62–2.59 (m, 2H), 2.39–2.36 (m, 2H), 2.21 (q, J = 7.6 Hz, 4H), 2.13 (s, 1H), 1.64–1.53 (m, 4H), 1.37–1.23 (m, 8H), 0.95 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 209.5, 174.3, 163.1, 141.2, 139.9, 123.9, 73.5, 51.3, 33.9, 33.7, 30.1, 29.1, 28.9, 28.8, 28.6, 25.5, 24.7, 22.8, 9.5.

16-B1-PhytoP (2)

To a solution of 16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-15 (50 mg, 0.155 mmol, 1 eq) in MeCN (2.6 mL) and phosphate buffer (2.6 mL, pH = 7) CALB (1 mg, 2% w/w) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 day. After filtration, the crude was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 10 mL). The organic layers were washed brine (2 × 10 mL) and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvents were removed under vacuum. The crude of the reaction was purified under silica gel chromatography (75/25 to 25/75: CH2Cl2/EtOAc) to give 42.4 mg of 16-B1-PhytoP2 (88% yield). R = 0.05 (50/50: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.79 (d, J = 15.8 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, J = 5.9, 15.8 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (q, J = 6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.65–2.63 (m, 2H), 2.43–2.41 (m, 2H), 2.32 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 2.25 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.65 (quint, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.61–1.58 (m, 2H), 1.36–1.33 (m, 2H), 1.33–1.24 (m, 6H), 0.97 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 211.4, 180.2, 165.0, 142.7, 141.3, 125.4, 75.0, 35.3, 35.2, 31.4, 30.4, 30.0 (2C), 29.9, 27.0, 25.9, 24.2, 11.0; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H29O4 [M+H]+ 309.2066, found 309.2064; [α]20 = + 22.6 (c 10, CHCl3).

Ent-16-B1-PhytoP (ent-2)

Similar to the above, from (R)-15 the reaction gave ent-16-B1-PhytoP (ent-2) (36.8 mg, 77% yield). R = 0.05 (50/50: CH2Cl2/EtOAc); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.80 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, J = 5.9, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (q, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.67–2.63 (m, 2H), 2.43–2.41 (m, 2H), 2.32 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.26 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 1.68–1.56 (m, 4H), 1.41–1.24 (m, 8H), 0.98 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 211.4, 180.1, 164.9, 142.7, 141.2, 125.4, 75.0, 35.3, 35.2, 31.4, 30.4, 30.03, 30.02, 29.9, 27.0, 25.9, 24.2, 11.0; HRMS (ESI+) calculated for C18H29O4 [M+H]+ 309.2066, found 309.2081; [α]20 = − 22.1 (c 10, CHCl3).

Result and discussion

Our initial target was 9-L1-PhytoP, and while the ethyl group at the 2-position of 1,3-cyclopentanedione could be introduced using the Ramachary protocol (Ramachary and Kishor, 2008), we started with commercial and affordable 2-ethyl-1,3-cyclopentanedione (Scheme 2). Protection of one of the ketone groups was done by O-alkylation with commercial TMSCHN2 in a MeOH/Et2O solution to give the corresponding enol ether 3. The latter is then treated with a solution of vinyl magnesium bromide in THF to provide the desired conjugated dienenone system 4 in 61% yield over 2 steps (Fisher et al., 1988). Having in hand 4, the synthesis of racemic coupling partner 5 is easily achieved by allylic oxidation of commercial methyl 10-undecenoate with SeO2and tBuOOH in refluxing CH2Cl2 overnight in 61% yield (Scheme 3). The corresponding enone compound 6 was obtained by Swern oxidation sequence in 79% yield.

Scheme 2

Access to 2-ethyl-3-vinyl-cyclopentenone 4.

Scheme 3

Synthesis of alkene precursors.

Enzymatic resolution of 5 was carried out using Candida antartica lipase B (CALB) with vinyl acetate in hexane on gram scale. After overnight conversion, non-reactive alcohol and acetate compounds are separated by silica gel to afford (S)-5 in 99% ee and 45% yield and (R)-5-Ac in 46% yield and 93% ee. (R)-5-Ac can be submitted to a second enzymatic resolution, after methanolysis, CALB conversion and methanolysis to afford (R)-5 in an improved 99% ee in 76% overall yield from (R)-5-Ac. Absolute configurations are determined using the corresponding mandelic ester derivatives (Chataigner et al., 1998).

Cross-metathesis (CM) between diene (or electron deficient diene) and alkene (or electron deficient alkene) are nowadays quite widespread in the literature (Grubbs, 2004), however CM between conjugated dienone and allylic alcohol, or even more complex electron deficient enone substrate have never been attempted to the best of our knowledge (Wojtkielewicz, 2013).

CM was initially investigated between allylic alcohol (S)-5 and 2-ethyl-3-vinyl-cyclopentenone 4 (Scheme 4). Two second generation N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium (II) complexes i.e., Grubbs 2nd generation (G-II) and Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation (HG-II) were screened, and the best conditions were 2.5 mol% of catalyst in CH2Cl2 at room temperature for 2 days followed by another batch for 3 days. Later six other catalysts from Omega Cat System (M831-SIPr, M832-SIPr, M843-SIPr, M73-SIPr, M71-SIPr, and M71-SIMes) were tested, but HG-II proved to be the best giving 40% of our desired compound (S)-. G-II gave lower yield (33%) and the 6 others from Omega Cat System even lower (0–17%). Heating the reaction or microwave condition resulted in poor recovering yield. Homodimerized cyclopentenone of 4 were observed to a minor extent (10%). Similarly, CM of enantiomer (R)-5 gave compound (R)-7 in 42% yield. The final step in this short synthesis of 9-L1-PhytoP consisted of the enzymatic saponification of the carboxylic ester group of (S)-7 using CALB (2% w/w) in MeCN/Phosphate buffer (pH = 7) (82% yield). Ent-9-L1-PhytoP was also recovered in 85% yield. Both syntheses permitted in a matter of 6–7 steps the recovery of more than 60 mg of those natural products.

Scheme 4

Synthesis of 9-L.

To access 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP, which we believe is a potential metabolite of 1, we decided to perform a CM between cyclopentenone 4 and enone 6. Reaction conditions proved to be smoother than before as only one batch of 2.5 mol% of HG-II catalyst in refluxing CH2Cl2 for 5 h afforded the corresponding coupling product with complete consumption of starting materials. Purification was only performed to remove catalyst because substrate 8 slowly decomposed over silica gel. We also noted that dimers of 4 and 6 were formed in greater amount than from the previous CM with allylic alcohol 5, even if we did not intend to recover them for further characterization. Saponification of 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP methyl ester 8 in MeCN/Phosphate buffer (pH = 7) with CALB provided after column chromatography 9-oxo-9-L1-PhytoP 9 (58% yield, 2 steps) contaminated with 5% of Z isomer.

To access our second target, 16-B1-PhytoP, the synthesis of methyl 8-oxooctanoate 10 was necessary to perform the reductive alkylation procedure to introduce the 2-alkyl-substituent of 1,3-cyclopentanedione (Scheme 5). Therefore, ozonolysis of cyclooctene followed by in situ transformation of the methoxy-hydroperoxide intermediate gave the desired aldehyde 10 in 68% yield on gram scale (Claus and Scheiber, 1986). The reductive alkylation of 1,3-cyclopentanedione with methyl 8-oxooctanoate 10 and Hantzsch ester under L-proline-catalysis (5 mol%) following Ramachary procedure (Ramachary and Kishor, 2008), provided 2-alkylated cyclopentane-1,3-dione at rt in CH2Cl2 for 4 h. Further reaction with TMSCHN2 in Et2O/MeOH furnished O-methylated compound 11 in 91% over 2 steps. In order to introduce the vinyl moiety, enzymatic saponification with CALB lipase was sought, leading to the carboxylic acid compound 12, followed by vinyl magnesium bromide addition in THF. Late stage esterification with TMSCHN2 provided dienone compound 13 in 50% yield over 3 steps.

Scheme 5

Synthesis of cyclopentenone 13.

What remained to be accomplished was the metathesis CM between 13 and enantiomerically enriched penten-3-ol or corresponding penten-3-one. Resolution of penten-3-ol was already described in the literature by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation (Moslin and Jamison, 2006), however we could not achieve the level of enantiopurity reported (66% vs. >90% ee). While no report for lipase enzymatic resolution of penten-3-ol was reported, we screened a panel of commercially available lipases but did not reach a significant level of enantiopurity either, which could certainly be explained due to the relatively small difference between the vinyl and the ethyl groups. However, it is well known that CM can also be performed starting with the homodimer of the olefin partner (Finnegan et al., 2006). Fortunately, a very simple procedure to access enantiomerically pure 2-ene-1,4-diols of such, from simple dimerization of terminal epoxides was reported by Hodgson's research group.(Hodgson et al., 2005) Therefore commercially available (S)-1,2-epoxybutane was added to LiTMP in tBuOMe at −5°C to give after purification homodimer (+)-14 in 36% yield (Scheme 6). Similarly, (R)-1,2-epoxybutane yielded homodimer (-)-14 in 38% yield. CM study started with cyclopentenone 13 (1 eq) and (−)-14 (0.7 eq) in CH2Cl2 at rt for 4 days as previously described above, but with 2.5 mol% HG-II added every day (Scheme 7). These conditions afforded 16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester (S)-15 in 49% yield. The last step consisted of enzymatic saponification with CALB yielding 16-B1-PhytoP 2 in 88% yield. The synthesis of ent-16-B1-PhytoP ent-2 was achieved in similar conditions and yields from precursor (+)-14.

Scheme 6

LiTMP dimerization of 1,2-epoxybutane.

Scheme 7

Synthesis of 16-B.

The last target, 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP 17 was obtained from commercially available pent-1-en-3-one (2 eq) and cyclopentenone 13 (1 eq) in refluxing CH2Cl2 for 4 h and only 2.5 mol% of HG-II to furnish 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP methyl ester 16. CALB enzymatic saponification resulted in 16-oxo-16-B1-PhytoP 17 in 47% yield over 2 steps.

Conclusion

In this paper, we have developed a rapid and flexible synthetic strategy for 2,3-substituted cyclopentenone phytoprostanes which can permit development of synthetic analogs from commercially available materials within a few steps. This strategy can compete with the Boland's one in terms of the number of steps and flexibility with a limitation in terms of yield in the CM compare to the Heck reaction (higher yield of coupling and scale), however no protecting group of the side chains was required in our strategy.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.