Diosgenin-3,6-dione: second polymorph in space group P212121

The title steroid, [(25R)-spirost-4-en-3,6-dione, C27H38O4], is obtained by oxidation of diosgenin, using the Jones reagent (CrO3/H2SO4). The crystal structure was previously reported in space group P212121, but nonetheless with the wrong absolute configuration and omitting positions for H atoms [Rajnikant et al. (2000). Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. Sci. Technol. Sect. C, 12, 101–110]. The diffraction data set reported herein is for a second polymorph in the same space group, as evidenced by simulated powder patterns. Both forms are characterized by a similar orthorhombic unit cell, and a similar arrangement of the molecules in the crystal structure. However, the conformation of the A/B rings in the steroid nucleus is slightly modified, leading to the observed polymorphism.

Multistep Synthesis and In Vitro Anticancer Evaluation of 2-Pyrazolyl-Estradiol Derivatives, Pyrazolocoumarin-Estradiol Hybrids and Analogous Compounds

Although the hormone independent cytotoxic activity of several estradiol derivatives endowed with a simple substituent at C-2 has been reported so far, 2-heterocyclic and 2,3-condensed analogs are less investigated from both synthetic and pharmacological points of view. Therefore, novel A-ring-connected 2-pyrazoles of estradiol and, for comparison, their structurally simplified non-steroidal pairs were synthesized from estradiol 3-methyl ether and 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene. Friedel-Crafts acetylation of the protected phenolic compounds and subsequent O-demethylation led to ortho-substituted derivatives regioselectively, which were converted to arylhydrazones with phenylhydrazine, 4-tolylhydrazine and 4-chloro-phenylhydrazine, respectively, under microwave conditions. The hydrazones were subjected to cyclization with the Vilsmeier-Haack reagent immediately after preparation and the ring closure/formylation sequence resulted in steroidal and non-steroidal 4′-formylpyrazoles in moderate to good yields. During reductive transformations, 4-hydroxymethyl-pyrazoles were obtained, while oxidative lactonization of the 4-formylpyrazole moiety with the phenolic OH in the presence of the Jones reagent afforded A-ring-integrated pyrazolocoumarin hybrids and related analogs. Steroidal pyrazoles, which were produced as C-17 acetates due to acetylation of C-17 OH during the primary Friedel-Crafts reaction, underwent deacetylation in alkaline methanol to furnish 2-heterocyclic estradiol derivatives. Pharmacological studies revealed the overall and cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity of the derivatives and the half maximal inhibitory concentrations were obtained for the most promising compounds.

A three-step synthesis of estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione

Estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione, an important pharmaceutical intermediate, was synthesized by a three-step sequence from δ-lactone 1 in 23.4% overall yield. Reaction of δ-lactone 1 and Grignard reagent 2 followed by treatment with Jones reagent resulted in precursor 4. The domino cyclization reaction of 4 with piperidinium acetate gave estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione.

The Dimerization of Precocene I

In an earlier work we reported that treatment of precocene I with Brönsted and Lewis acids produces its oligomerization, giving dimers, trimers, tetramers, etc. Now, in this article we show that bromination of precocene I with phenyltrimethylammonium tribromide (PTT) blocks its oligomerization giving a dibromo-dimer, which was reduced with tri- n-butyl tin hydride affording the same dimer obtained in the reactions with acid, thus avoiding the oligomerization. Additionally, the oxidations of precocene I with Jones reagent afforded the corresponding 3-hydroxy-4-chromanone, 3,4-chromandione, 3,4-diacid, and two dimers.

The Theodorakis Synthesis of (–)-Jiadifenolide

There has recently been a great deal of interest in the synthesis of natural products that promote neurite outgrowth. Emmanuel A. Theodorakis of the University of California, San Diego described (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 3672) the preparation of one of the most potent (10 nM) of these, (–)-jiadifenolide 3. Fittingly, a key transformation en route to this highly oxygenated seco-prezizaane was the oxidative rearrangement of 1 to 2. The starting point for the synthesis was the commercially available diketone 4. Allylation followed by addition to 5 gave the prochiral triketone 6. Enantioselective aldol condensation following the Tu/Zhang protocol then delivered the bicyclic enone 7. Alkylation to give 8 proceeded with high diastereoselectivity, perhaps controlled by the steric bulk of the silyloxy group. Exposure of the protected ketone to the McMurry reagent PhNTf2 gave the enol triflate 9, which smoothly carbonylated to the lactone 10. Epoxidation with alkaline hydrogen peroxide followed by oxidation gave the carboxylic acid, which spontaneously opened the epoxide, leading to the bis lactone 1. With 1 in hand, the stage was set for the key oxidative rearrangement to 2. It was envisioned that epoxidation would generate the cis-fused 11, which on oxidation would undergo acid-catalyzed elimination to give 12. The newly freed OH would then be in position to engage the lactone carbonyl, leading to 2. In the event, oxidation of the epoxide with the Dess-Martin reagent required sonication for 2 h. The rearranged lactone, even though it was susceptible to further oxidation, was secured in 38% overall yield from 1. After hydrogenation and protection, preparation of the enol triflate 13 from the congested cyclopentanone necessitated the use of the more reactive Comins reagent. Hydrogenation of the trisubstituted alkene from coupling with Me3Al then required 90 atmospheres of H2 overpressure. Hydroxylation of the lactone 14 with the Davis oxaziridine followed by further oxidation to the ketone with the Jones reagent and deprotection then completed the synthesis of (–)-jiadifenolide 3.

Rapid Synthesis of 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carboxylic Acid

4-Oxo-4H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid (8) is an important intermediate in many biologically active compounds. In this work, a rapid synthetic method for compound 8 was established. The compound 8 was synthesized from the commercially available 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl) ethanone 9 through two steps including vilsmeier reaction and oxidation by Jones reagent. The structure was confirmed by1HNMR and13CNMR spectrum. Furthermore, the synthetic method was optimized.