Synlett 2012(3): 337-356  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1290107
ACCOUNT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

The Wieland-Miescher Ketone: A Journey from Organocatalysis to Natural Product Synthesis

Ben Bradshaw*, Josep Bonjoch*
Laboratori de Química Orgànica, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, IBUB, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Fax: +34(934)024539; e-Mail: benbradshaw@ub.edu, josep.bonjoch@ub.edu;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 13 July 2011
Publication Date:
09 December 2011 (online)

Abstract

The Hajos-Parrish-Eder-Sauer-Wiechert reaction can be considered as the origin of asymmetric organocatalysis, giving rise to the Wieland-Miescher ketone 1 (WMK), a versatile building block. Although 40 years have passed since its discovery, a highly enantioselective and scalable synthesis of the WMK has remained elusive. This account details a solution to that problem that came about in the development of methodology towards C-8a WMK analogues as part of the total synthesis of complex diterpene natural products. The work has been placed in the context of the historical background and reactivity of this important building block, highlighting the challenges faced by organocatalysis in large-scale reactions.

1 Introduction

2 The Wieland-Miescher Ketone

2.1 The Hajos-Parrish-Eder-Sauer-Wiechert Reaction: A Historical Perspective

2.2 Practicalities of the Wieland-Miescher Ketone Synthesis Using Proline

2.3 Alternative Catalysts for the Synthesis of the Wieland-­Miescher Ketone

3 Background to Developing a New Wieland-Miescher ­Ketone Synthesis

4 Optimization of Method and Conditions

5 Key Reactions of the Wieland-Miescher Ketone

5.1 Reduction, Oxidation, Protection, and Non-C-C-Bond-Forming Reactions

5.2 C-C-Bond-Forming Reactions

5.3 Ring-Expansion and -Contraction Reactions

6 Conclusions and Future Considerations

35

Catalysts 16 and 17 were tested in the synthesis of compound 52 (Scheme  [9] ) not the WMK itself.

38

Furthermore it would seem that the enantioselectivities were measured directly from the reaction mixture not the purified compounds. Since prolinamide intermediates were formed in the reaction mixture it may well be that kinetic resolution led to an increase in one enantiomer. The observation that the related catalyst 17, screened by Zhang gave a consid-erably reduced enantioselectivity would seem to support this hypothesis.

61

Bradshaw, B.; Bonjoch, J. unpublished work.

65

This catalyst was first introduced by the Najera group (see ref. 33) and with whom the methodological part of this work was developed in collaboration.