The Synthesis of Germacrane Sesquiterpenes and Related Compounds

A review is presented of the various methods for the preparation of germacrane sesquiterpenes and related compounds

The Synthesis of (+)-Hedycaryol, Starting from Natural (–)-Guaiol

Starting from the readily available (–)-guaiol the germacrane sesquiterpene (+)-hedycaryol can be synthesized in a 7 steps reaction sequence in an overall yield of 16%. Additionally, (+)-γ-eudesmol has been synthesized, also starting from (–)-guaiol.

About the Chiral Stability of Germacrene B and the Biomimetic Synthesis of Guaiane Sesquiterpenes

The planar chirality of 15-hydroxygermacrene B (2) has been examined by means of the asymmetric Sharpless epoxidation, performed as a kinetic resolution. 1H NMR experiments with Eu(hfc)3 demonstrate that the recovered 2 is racemic. Consequently, 2 and most likely also germacrene B (1) are not enantiomerically stable at room temperature. The formation of the optically active cis-fused guaiane 4 of high ee with limited Sharpless reagent shows that the asymmetric epoxidation of 2 proceeds highly enantioselectively. The Sharpless epoxidation methodology applied on the (E,Z)-germacrane 3 results in the formation of the stable optically active epoxide 5. Acid-induced cyclization of 5, leading to a mixture of guaianes, probably proceeds via the trans-fused carbocationic intermediate A.

Relative and Absolute Configuration of Allohedycaryol. Enantiospecific Total Synthesis of Its Enantiomer

The enantiomer of (+)-allohedycaryol, a germacrane alcohol isolated from giant fennel (Ferula communis L.), has been synthesized, thereby elucidating the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. The synthesis of (-)-allohedycaryol started from (+)-α-cyperone (5) which was available in relatively large quantities via alkylation of imine 7 derived from (+)-dihydrocarvone and (R)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine. In a number of steps 5 was converted into the mesylate 4 with a regio- and stereoselective epoxidation as the key step. A Marshall fragmentation of 4 was used to prepare the trans,trans-cyclodeca-1,6-diene ring present in allohedycaryol. The conformation of synthetic (-)-allohedycaryol was elucidated via photochemical conversion into a bourbonane system. The synthesis of (-)-allohedycaryol also showed that natural (+)-allohedycaryol has the opposite absolute stereochemistry to that normally found in higher plants.

Total Synthesis of Neohedycaryol. Its Possible Role in the Biosynthesis of Eudesmane Sesquiterpenes

The total synthesis of neohedycaryol (4), the C(9)-C(10) double bond regioisomer of the germacrane sesquiterpene hedycaryol, was accomplished in 10 steps from the known dione 6. A Marshall fragmentation of the intermediate mesylate 14 was used to prepare the trans,trans-cyclodeca-1,6-diene ring present in neohedycaryol. During the synthesis of 14, a pronounced example of through-bond interactions (TBI) was observed. The preferred elongated chair conformation of neohedycaryol was demonstrated spectroscopically and by chemical conversion into α-, β-, and γ-eudesmol. These findings indicate that the occurrence of neohedycaryol as a precursor in the biosynthesis of epi-eudesmanes as proposed in the literature is unlikely. The preference of neohedycaryol for the elongated chair conformation further shows that the compound occupies the meso form. This implies that neohedycaryol may act as a precursor in the biosynthesis of both ent- and usual eudesmanes.