Przemysław J Boratyński1. 1. Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 26, Wrocław 50-370, Poland.
Abstract
The unexpected domino coupling and rearrangement of the Cinchona alkaloid skeleton has been found to occur in the reaction of 9-chloro-9-deoxy-alkaloids with Grignards from peri-dihalogenonaphthalene. The cyclization and migration of the central quinuclidinylmethyl group (C9) from position C-4' to position C-3' of quinoline formed a novel chiral ring system of 5-aza-7H-benzo[no]tetraphene, yielding products of unlike configuration. The proposed reaction pathway involves radical intermediates.
The unexpected domino coupling and rearrangement of the Cinchona alkaloid skeleton has been found to occur in the reaction of 9-chloro-9-deoxy-alkaloids with Grignards from peri-dihalogenonaphthalene. The cyclization and migration of the central quinuclidinylmethyl group (C9) from position C-4' to position C-3' of quinoline formed a novel chiral ring system of 5-aza-7H-benzo[no]tetraphene, yielding products of unlike configuration. The proposed reaction pathway involves radical intermediates.
The Cinchona alkaloids
are of relevance to medicinal
chemistry and the development of asymmetric catalytic methods. Many
valuable organocatalysts and metal ligands were made by the manipulation
of the central 9-hydroxyl group of quinine.[1] In 2008, a synthetically viable substitution of 9-chlorodeoxy-Cinchona alkaloids with sp2 Grignard reagents
providing 9-arylated Cinchona derivatives emerged.
The reactions proceeded stereoconvergently, producing only an 8,9-like diastereoisomer from both 9R and 9S epimers of chloro derivatives. This stereochemical outcome
was justified by the coordination of magnesium by the quinuclidine
nitrogen atom.[2] In previous reactions of
Grignard reagents from meta- and para-dihalobenzene, halophenyl derivatives were rather efficiently prepared
(23–80% yield), while di-Grignard reagents produced the corresponding
dimeric products.[3] Reactions of unmodified
alkaloids with Grignard reagents have been shown to result in nucleophilic
additions at positions 4′ and 2′ (Scheme A).[4]
Scheme 1
(A) Reactivity
of Cinchona Alkaloids and Their Derivatives
with Grignard Reagents; (B) Rearrangements and Bond Dissociations
in Cinchona Alkaloid Chemistry Involving the C-9
Atom; (C) New Domino Coupling–Rearrangement; Essential NOESY
Interactions and Traditional Atom Numbering Are Shown
Cinchona alkaloids functionalized
at position
9 with the 1,2-disubstituted naphthyl group have been utilized in
several asymmetric transformations.[5] The
naphthalene ring facilitates π-interactions and gives versatility
to functional group placement. Although the most effective spatial
control would be enforced through 1,8-substitution (peri arrangement),[6] no such product has been
described, hence the attempt to couple a Cinchona alkaloid with the 8-functionalized naphthalene ring amenable for
further derivatization. The reactivity of 1,8-dihalonaphthalene-derived
Grignards with 9-chloro-9-deoxy-quinine resulted in the formation
of an additional carbon–carbon bond and an unprecedented rearrangement
within the quinoline part. Previously, some modifications at position
9 caused rearrangements of the alkaloid structure, mostly by the breakage
of the adjacent N-1–C-8 bond, which resulted in quinuclidine
ring opening or ring expansion.[1,7] There is a reaction
of a likely radical mechanism, in which the quinuclidine methyl group
separates from the quinoline ring on treatment with the LiAlH4/O2 system (Scheme B).[8] However, no migration
of this group to other positions of the quinoline ring has been reported.
Since the migration of any group from position 4 to position 3 of
pyridine requires special circumstances, it is rare.[9]
Results and Discussion
In order to selectively modify Cinchona alkaloids
with the previously developed method for C-9–C bond formation,[2] 9S-chlorodeoxyquinine was treated
with the Grignard reagents obtained separately from 1,8-diiodonaphthalene
and 1,8-dibromonaphthalene. The electrospray mass spectrometry of
the crude reaction mixtures only revealed traces of naphthalene 8-halogenated
derivatives. Instead, the most abundant signal originated from unexpected
product 1, which was isolated in up to 30% yield (Scheme C). In this product,
the quinuclidine methylene unit (the C-9 atom) migrated from position
4′ to position 3′ of the quinoline ring and the newly
introduced naphthalene ring became fused between the central C-9 and
quinoline C-4′ carbon atoms. The product contains an unprecedented
fusion of five rings with one nitrogen and one sp3 carbon
atom of defined stereochemistry.By way of model experiments
on the reaction mechanism, the reaction
of 1,8-dibromonaphthalene with magnesium in tetrahydrofuran (THF)
was initially found to provide a mixture of mono- and bis-Grignard
reagents (3:1 to 10:1) after 1 h of reaction time and only moderately
correlated with the ratio of reactants. When the reaction was carried
out for 18 h, bis-Grignard[10] and mono-Grignard
were both separately prepared in an estimated >92% selectivity
by
controlling the magnesium to dibromonaphthalene ratio (2.1:1 and 1.07:1)
as evidenced by quenching experiments (for details, see the SI). In the subsequent reaction with 9-chloro-9-deoxyquinine,
an increase in bis-Grignard quantity led to a significant deterioration
of yields. An opposite effect was seen with pure 8-bromo-1-naphthylmagnesium
bromide, which provided the highest yield when used in 2-fold excess
(30% for 2.0 equiv, compared to 16% for 1.3 equiv). Furthermore, the
quantity of isolated product 1 (0.3 mmol) exceeded the
content of the initial bis-Grignard species (0.2 mmol).All
9-chloro-9-deoxy derivatives of Cinchona alkaloids
reacted in the same manner as quinine (Table ). Much lower yields (4–5%) were observed
for derivatives of cinchonine and cinchonidine, which do not have
the 6′-methoxy group. The lack of the methoxy group has been
previously shown to halve the yield of the initial coupling at position
9 with simple aryl Grignards.[2]
Table 1
Domino Coupling–Rearrangement
of 9-Chloro-9-deoxy Cinchona Alkaloids
parent alkaloid
R6′
R3
product config
product,
%a
quinine
OMe
C2H3
(8S,9R)
1, 16–30b
quinidine
OMe
C2H3
(8R,9S)
2, 15
cinchonine
H
C2H3
(8R,9S)
3, 5
dihydrocinchonidine
H
Et
(8S,9R)
4, 4
Isolated yield.
Under optimized conditions with
2 equiv of 8-bromo-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide.
Isolated yield.Under optimized conditions with
2 equiv of 8-bromo-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide.The structures of quinine-derived 1 and
cinchonine-derived 3 were unambiguously elucidated from
NMR experiments (see
the SI). The relative configuration of
the products was investigated with a combination of NMR and density
functional theory (DFT) computations. In the lowest energy conformers
of quinine-derived products of 9R and 9S configuration, the observed contacts between atoms of quinuclidine
and benzo[no]tetraphene rings (Scheme C) correspond to 2.2–2.5 Å and
3.7–4.8 Å, respectively. The correlation of computed and
experimental chemical shifts is also noticeably better assuming unlike (8S,9R)-1 and unlike (8R,9S)-3 configurations (for details, see the SI). Therefore, for the isolated products, rearrangement
must have occurred with the inversion of configuration. Flash chromatography
aided by mass spectrometry detection revealed traces of plausible
isomeric products. These isomers were not isolated in pure form; nevertheless,
the diastereomeric ratio lower limit was estimated at 20:1. The reaction
of any 9 epimer of 9-chlorodeoxyquinine resulted in the formation
of the same isomer of product 1. This is partly consistent
with our previous finding that the Wurtz-type coupling of Grignard
reagents only produced a single like stereoisomer
of the product regardless of the configuration at position 9 of the
starting material.[2] In later experiments
it was shown that thermodynamic base-promoted equilibration produced
a mixture of stereoisomers in comparable quantities.[11] Here, for the reaction quenched in D2O no observable
incorporation of deuterium into the molecule occurred thus precluding
thermodynamic equilibration of the product.A tentative reaction
mechanism can be outlined (Scheme ). First, the substitution
of quinine 9-halide with 8-bromonaphth-1-ylmagnesium bromide according
to the previously described pathway[2] would
produce intermediate Int.A. Proximity of another Grignard
molecule could initiate single electron transfer (SET) analogous to
the one postulated for metal–halogen exchange in main group
organometallic chemistry, particularly at elevated temperatures.[12] This could produce aryl radical Int.B.[13] This
localized nucleophilic radical can attack the C-4′ atom of
the quinoline ring, forming a spirocyclic radical Int.C.[14] The
ensuing fragmentation of the C-4′/C-9 bond produces Int.D in an overall radical substitution
reaction from Int.B.[15] In this intermediate, the radical is of a highly
delocalized benzyl type and as such is expected to be more stable
than Int.B. Furthermore,
sufficient lifetime of this species may result in the loss of stereochemistry
at the sp2 carbon at the former position 9. Productive
intramolecular addition[16] in the intermediate Int.D can result in the formation
of a bond between C-9 and quinoline C-3′, giving diarylmethyl-type
radical Int.E, which
has a complete carbon skeleton of the end product 1.
A similar mechanism was proposed for radical rearrangement annulation
involving nitrogen-centered (aminyl) attacking and leaving radicals.[17] Overall, the presence of a radical pathway is
partly supported by the observation of a faint EPR signal after 3
h of reaction time and by the trapping experiments with DMPO and TEMPO.
The adduct with DMPO showed an intense EPR trace, which could not
be easily interpreted. The diamagnetic coupling product with TEMPO
was identifiable in the ESI-MS. The observed value (m/z 590) is consistent with the formula of isomeric
intermediate radicals Int.B–F (for details, see the SI). The
end radical Int.E/Int.F will eventually become diamagnetic 1, either
by hydrogen abstraction and oxidative rearomatization during workup
or by electron abstraction in another SET process. The latter explanation
may be consistent with the unchanged ESI-MS spectral pattern following
the workup of the reaction mixture under reductive conditions (NaBH4). For a brief discussion of alternative reaction pathways,
see the SI.
Scheme 2
Outline of Considered
Intermediates in the Observed Substitution–Rearrangement
Reaction
Some stabilization of the proposed intermediates Int.C–F may be offered
by forming a coordination
bond between the quinoline nitrogen atom and magnesium ions.[12,18] DFT calculations on simplified models (MgBr+ removed
or replaced with a proton) were conducted at the DFT/B3LYP/CC-pVDZ
and M06-2X/CC-pVDZ levels of theory. These indicate that the radical
isomerization pathway from Int.B to Int.F is energetically
favorable. For the observed (9R)-1,
additional stabilization can be offered by the interaction between
quinoline C-2′ and quinuclidine nitrogen atoms (Int.F).
In the radical cation model, the geometry of Int.E converges
into Int.F. This intermolecular nucleophilic addition is spatially not
accessible for the unobserved 9S epimer of 1 and is likely the cause of the observed stereoselectivity
in the reaction (Figure ).
Figure 1
Computed ground state free energies DFT/B3LYP or M06-2X levels
of theory (gas phase and SMD solvent model for THF) with the CC-pVDZ
basis set and structures and at the SMD/M06-2X/CC-pVDZ level of intermediate
radical cation models of Int.C•, Int.D•, and Int.Es/F.
Computed ground state free energies DFT/B3LYP or M06-2X levels
of theory (gas phase and SMD solvent model for THF) with the CC-pVDZ
basis set and structures and at the SMD/M06-2X/CC-pVDZ level of intermediate
radical cation models of Int.C•, Int.D•, and Int.Es/F.Attempts to extend the scope of the reaction for
either other peri-substituted arenes or non-Cinchona alkaloid derivatives were synthetically ineffective.
For the reaction
of similar 5,6-dibromoacenaphthene, the most abundant signal in the
mass spectrometry corresponded to alkaloid 9-dimer. The presence of
a likely cyclized product was evident (m/z = 459), but the quantity was low and the isolation of
a sample of sufficient purity was not achieved. The reaction of organomagnesium
compound from 1,8-dibromonaphthalene and 4-quinoline carbaldehyde
was also attempted. Again, no annulation–rearrangement product
was received; however the relevant ESI-MS (m/z = 284) signal was observed.The obtained products
can be defined as nitrogen-containing polyaromatics
which may be valued for their electronic and associated fluorescent
properties.[19] The large nearly planar polycyclic
aromatic system with a nitrogen atom in 1–4 is the cause of fluorescent properties on the TLC plate
and in the solution. In the absence of external acid, blue light is
emitted, while in 15 mM TFA the solution of 1 becomes
deeply orange and green fluorescence emerges with a similar quantum
yield (ΦF = 0.32–0.45, Figure A). The corresponding emission maxima for
quinine-derived 1 are 436 nm for neutral and 522 nm for
acidic samples. The presence of acid also increases the Stokes shift
by a factor of 2 (56 nm vs 94 nm). In contrast, the results for the
cinchonine derivative 3 (ΦF = 0.47–0.58)
show that the methoxy group is not responsible for fluorescence (for
details, see the SI). The structure of
the modified natural products as well as acidity-dependent fluorescence
prompted the evaluation of its utility for biological staining in
a simple assay.[20] The microscopic live
plant cell imaging with the quinine derivative 1 revealed
preferential fluorescence staining of some globular cell cytoplasm
structures surrounding the nucleus and cell walls (Figure B).
Figure 2
(A) Emission (solid lines)
and excitation (dashed lines) for a
10–4 M solution of 1 in DCM without
acid (blue lines) and in 15 mM TFA (red lines). (B) Fluorescence micrograph
(280× magnification, FITC setup) of live plant skin from Allium cepa stained with 1.
(A) Emission (solid lines)
and excitation (dashed lines) for a
10–4 M solution of 1 in DCM without
acid (blue lines) and in 15 mM TFA (red lines). (B) Fluorescence micrograph
(280× magnification, FITC setup) of live plant skin from Allium cepa stained with 1.
Conclusions
In summary, the unprecedented rearrangement
involving carbon bond
migration from position 4 to position 3 of quinoline without transition
metals and under nonacidic conditions forms a novel chiral 5-aza-7H-benzo[no]tetraphene ring system with
fluorescent properties. While the isolated products are limited to Cinchona alkaloid derivatives, the transformation may be
relevant to other lepidine and peri-naphthalene derivatives.
Experimental Section
General Comments
NMR spectra were collected on a 600
MHz Bruker Avance II instrument. Spectra were internally referenced
to tetramethylsilane (TMS, δC = 0 and δH = 0). Structural assignments were made with additional information
from gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, and NOESY experiments. Electrospray (ESI)
MS and HRMS spectra were recorded on a Waters LCT Premier XE apparatus
with a TOF analyzer. ECD spectra were measured on a Jasco J-1500 circular
dichroism spectrophotometer. UV–vis spectra were taken on a
Jasco V-670 spectrophotometer. Fluorescence spectra were taken on
a Horiba Fluoromax-4 spectrofluorimeter and are uncorrected. Flash
chromatography was performed on standard silica gel 230–400
mesh (Merck). Automated flash-chromatography system CombiFlash NextGen
300 (ISCO, Teledyne) was used in some isolations. TLC plates with
F256 indicator (Sigma-Aldrich) were illuminated by a dual UV lamp
at 256 and 365 nm. Cinchona alkaloids were purchased
from Buchler (Braunschweig, Germany). 9S-Chloro-9-deoxyquinine
and other 9-deoxy-9-halogeno-alkaloids were obtained by the treatment
of the corresponding Cinchona alkaloid with thionyl
chloride (56–84% yield) as described in the literature.[21] THF was purified and dried by sequential distillation
from LiAlH4 and distillation from sodium/benzophenone,
and toluene was dried by storing over sodium chunks. All other reagents
were purchased from commercial suppliers (Merck/Sigma-Aldrich and
Fluorochem) and used as received.
Magnesium (190 mg, 7.88 mmol, 1.5 equiv) was activated
with iodine
(ca. 10 mg) and suspended in dry THF (26 mL) under argon. 1,8-Dibromonaphthalene
(2.08 g, 7.26 mmol, 1.4 equiv) was added, and the mixture was stirred
under reflux in an oil bath. 1,2-Dibromoethane was added in small
portions (total 50 μL, 0.58 mmol, 0.1 equiv), and after ca.
1–1.5 h almost all magnesium dissolved. Then, a solution of
9S-chloro-9-deoxyquinine (1.78 g, 5.19 mmol, 1 equiv)
in toluene (25 mL) was added to the reaction mixture, and stirring
was continued in an oil bath set at 85–90 °C for 18 h.
The mixture gradually took a deep brown color. The heating was discontinued,
and at room temperature the reaction was quenched with a saturated
NH4Cl solution (15 mL), extracted with DCM (1 × 60
mL, 3 × 10 mL), and dried over MgSO4 in a flask open
to air. After 18 h the mixture was filtered, evaporated, and subjected
to column chromatography on silica gel with DCM/MeOH (3% to 5% gradient),
and fractions containing a bright fluorescent spot on TLC were collected.
Obtained 0.449 g of 1 as a light brown, amorphous solid
(20%).Repeated reactions on 0.6–3.5 g (2–10 mmol)
scale gave 15–20% yields. The reaction performed with 1,8-diiodonaphthalene
instead of 1,8-dibromonaphthalene gave a 9% yield. An increase of
relative quantity of magnesium vs 1,8-dibromonaphthalene or use of
>2 equiv of magnesium generally caused a decrease in isolated pure
product yield. Reactions run for significantly shorter time (3 h)
or at room temperature showed much lower conversion. Similar yields
were obtained for the reactions run in benzene/THF instead of toluene/THF.
A reaction performed with 2.0 equiv of 8-bromo-1-naphthylmagnesium
bromide gave a 30% yield.
Preparation of 8-Bromo-1-naphthylmagnesium Bromide
Authors: Tristram Chivers; Dana J Eisler; Chantall Fedorchuk; Gabriele Schatte; Heikki M Tuononen; René T Boeré Journal: Inorg Chem Date: 2006-03-06 Impact factor: 5.165