Expected and Unexpected Products in Half Curcuminoid Synthesis: Crystal Structures of But-3-en-2-ones and 3-Methylcyclohex-2-enones

The expected (E)-but-3-en-2-ones compounds I and II (half curcuminoids) were obtained by the Claisen–Schmidt reaction between aldehydes 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde or 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with acetone. Concomitantly, 3-methylcyclohex-2-enones compounds III and IV arose from an unexpected reaction of but-3-en-2-ones in the cascade reaction of a Michael-type addition of a second molecule of acetone followed by Robinson annulation under strong basic conditions. Both enones exhibit the (E)-configuration, compound I displays s-trans conformation, whereas compound II exhibits conformational disorder as solid solution of s-cis and s-trans conformations. The related 3-methylcyclohex-2-enones exhibit envelope conformation. Compound III constitutes an example of the rarest case of racemic solid solution (pseudoracemate), where a lack of chiral discrimination with respect to the two enantiomers leads to an enantiomeric disorder of a racemic mixture with different occupancies at the reference site. Due to the lack of strong hydrogen-bond donors in all compounds, the crystal packing is mainly stabilized by weak intermolecular C-H···O interactions between the molecules. The present work provides a new perspective on the search for by-products normally overlooked in Claisen–Schmidt condensations.

Studies towards the Total Synthesis of Kadcotrione B

A convergent and efficient approach towards the total synthesis of Kadcotrione B is described. For this purpose, the syntheses of two fragments, 6/6/5-fused tricyclic ring and C-9 side chain, were accomplished. The salient features of these syntheses are the utilization of aldol condensation, Evans aldol reaction, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination, Michael addition, Robinson annulation, and Wacker oxidation.

How to Start a Total Synthesis from the Wieland-Miescher Ketone?

Background: he Wieland-Miescher ketone consists of a couple of enantiomers of 9-methyl- Δ5(10)-octalin-1,6-dione, in which the configuration at 9-position is S- or R-type. The Robinson annulation of 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione with methyl vinyl ketone is able to afford the Wieland-Miescher ketone. As widely used in the total synthesis, the Wieland-Miescher ketone is treated at the beginning of total synthesis, and protocols for treating the Wieland-Miescher ketone are worthy to be addressed. Objective: The presented review provides the progress of the usage of Wieland-Miescher ketone for the total synthesis, while treatments on C=C and C=O in the Wieland-Miescher ketone at the beginning of total synthesis are exemplified herein. Conclusion: Modifications of the Wieland-Miescher ketone are composed of oxidation, reduction, and electrophilic or nucleophilic addition. In addition, protection of non-conjugated C=O with glycol or protection of conjugated C=O with ethanedithiol, and the introduction of substituents into α-position of C=C can also be used to modify the structure of the Wieland-Miescher ketone. It is reasonably believed that many novel strategies will be found to treat the Wieland-Miescher ketone in the future total synthesis.

One-pot Fluorination and Organocatalytic Robinson Annulation for Asymmetric Synthesis of Mono- and Difluorinated Cyclohexenones

A one-pot fluorination and organocatalytic Robinson annulation sequence has been developed for asymmetric synthesis of 6-fluoroyclohex-2-en-1-ones and 4,6-difluorocyclohex-2-en-1-ones. The reactions promoted by cinchona alkaloid amine afforded products bearing two or three stereocenters in good to excellent yields with up to 99% ee and 20:1 dr.