New oxidized ent-kaurane and ent-norkaurane derivatives from kaurenoic acid

ARTICLE

New oxidized ent-kaurane and ent-norkaurane derivatives from kaurenoic acid

Ronan BatistaI, III, ^*; Pablo A. García^II; Maria A. Castro^II; José M. Miguel del Corral^II; Arturo San Feliciano^II; Alaíde B. de Oliveira^III

^IDepartamento de Estudos Básicos e Instrumentais, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, BR 415, km 03, 45.700-000 Itapetinga-BA, Brazil

^IIDepartamento de Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain

^IIIDepartamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6.627, 31.270-901 Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil

ABSTRACT

New oxidized ent-kaurane and ent-norkaurane derivatives were synthezised starting from kaurenoic acid. The spectroscopic characterization of all compounds is reported.

Keywords: diterpenes, kaurenoic acid, ent-kaurane and ent-norkaurane derivatives, PDC oxidation

RESUMO

Novos derivados oxidados ent-caurânicos e ent-norcaurânicos foram sintetizados a partir do ácido caurenóico. Todos os produtos obtidos foram caracterizados espectroscopicamente.

Introduction

Kauranes are an important class of diterpenes containing a rigid tetracyclic skeleton and exhibiting a wide variety of biological activities such as antitumor, anti-HIV, trypanocidal and antimicrobial, among others.¹ For this reason, the development of new strategies for the synthesis of novel kaurane derivatives may be considered as one of the interesting challenges in Chemistry of Natural Products. Indeed, many naturally occurring bioactive kauranes have been transformed using chemical and microbial methods in order to improve their bioactivity.^2,3

Kaurenoic acid (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, 1) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of numerous plants and fungal secondary metabolites, including gibberellins, the phytohormones involved in the regulation of growth and development of higher plants,¹ found abundantly in some Brazilian species as Wedelia paludosa D.C. (Asteraceae), Xylopia frutescens and Annona glabra (Annonaceae).⁴

We have reported, in a previous phytochemical study of Wedelia paludosa D.C., the isolation of kaurenoic acid (1) as the main ent-kaurane diterpene in this species, besides other related diterpenes and triterpenes as minor constituents.^4,5 Among more recently biological activities reported for 1, we can stand out the antimicrobial,⁶ antiplatelet aggregation,⁷ analgesic,⁸ antifungal,^3,9 smooth muscle relaxant,¹⁰ hypoglycemic,¹¹ cytotoxic and embryotoxic¹² effects.

Considering these biological effects, along with our special interest on novel kaurane derivatives, we carried on the synthesis of ent-kaurane aldehydes methyl ent-17-oxokauran-19-oate (4) and methyl ent-17-oxo-16b-kauran-19-oate (5), important as semisynthetic coupling intermediates, starting from kaurenoic acid (1). In addition, we describe here, for the first time, the synthesis of methyl ent-17-oxokauran-19-oate (4), ent-19-methoxy-19-oxokauran-17-oic acid (7), methyl ent-16b-hydroxy-17-norkauran-19-oate (8) and methyl ent-16-oxo-17-norkauran-19-oate (9), from the usual PDC oxidation of methyl ent-17-hydroxykauran-19-oate (6). The nomenclature and numbering of ent-kaurane derivatives obtained in this work follow the IUPAC recomendations.¹³

Results and Discussion

Kaurenoic acid (1), isolated from aerial parts of Wedelia paludosa D.C.,^4,5 was esterified with diazomethane to the corresponding methyl ester 2, which was subjected to two different pathways of chemical transformation (Scheme 1).

The first one was the epoxidation of 2 with MCPBA taking place stereoselectively at the more accesible side of the double bond, to yield exclusively the ent-16b,17-epoxide 3, what was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.¹⁴ Further rearrangement of 3 employing Lewis acids such as InCl₃ or BF₃ afforded a 1:1 mixture of epimer aldehydes 4 and 5, in moderate to quantitative yields (43% and 100%, respectively), that could not be separated by column chromatography. A mixture of products is usually obtained from rearrangement of epoxides to carbonyl compounds, due to lack of regioselectivity in the ring opening step.¹⁵

Moreover, methyl ester 2 was subjected to hydroboration reaction with NaBH₄ and BF₃•Et₂O, followed by NaOH and H₂O₂ oxidation, giving exclusively the hydroxymethyl group at the ent-a side of the derivative 6. These results, affording stereoselectively the alcohol 6 with an ent-16a configuration, are in agreement with literature data¹⁶ and are justified by the regio- and stereoselectivity of the hydroboration-oxidation reaction, with a syn-addition taking place at the less hindered face of the double bond. Next, the PDC oxidation of 6 yielded the aldehyde 4 as the major product, together with the ent-kaurane 7 and ent-norkauranes 8 and 9 as minor products. The isomerization of 4 into its more stable epimer 5 was satisfactoriously performed by hydrochloric and acetic acids condition.

At the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the kaurane and norkaurane derivatives 4, 7, 8 and 9 by the oxidation of methyl ent-17-hydroxykauran-19-oate (6) under PDC conditions. These products may be considered as subsequent oxidized compounds from alcohol 6. The initial oxidation of 6 afforded the expected aldehyde 4, which in the presence of the chromate underwent further oxidation to the acid 7. This acid can be considered the precursor of the norkauranes 8 and 9 according to the mechanism proposed in Scheme 2. As seen in this scheme, the key step of this mechanism is pointed to be the nucleofilic addition between HCrO₃^_ (1 mol) and the acid 7, followed by intra-SN₂ rearrangement of this intermediate and finally a decarboxylation-oxidation step, respectively. So, it is possible to explain the synthesis of the norkaurane alcohol 8, bearing an ent-b configuration at C-16, in opposite to the other kaurane derivatives 4, 6 and 7, that stand an ent-16a configuration.

All products were characterized by mass, NMR and IR spectroscopies. Known compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9 were identified by comparison of their spectral properties (MS, ¹H NMR and, except for 3, ¹³C NMR) with those reported in literature.^16-20 Compounds 4, 5 and 8, along with ¹³C NMR data for compound 3, are reported here for the first time as far as the authors know.

Structures of compounds 4 and 5 were established on the basis of their IR, NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR) and mass spectral data. FAB-HRMS data indicated molecular masses for 4 (333.2417) and for 5 (333.2428), both in agreement with the molecular formula C₂₁H₃₂O₃ (calculated = 333.2430). Aldehyde functions of 4 and 5 were evident in their IR spectra, with a CH stretching band of –CHO group at 2701 cm^-1 and in their ¹H NMR spectra, by characteristic signals at d 9.89 and d 9.65 (1H each), respectively (Table 1). The ent-a and ent-b orientations of aldehydes 4 and 5, respectively, were deduced from the chemical shifts and multiplicity of H-17, which was deshielded as a singlet at d 9.89 (4) or shielded as a ²J 1.8 doublet at d 9.65 (5) by the carbonyl group, according to literature data.²¹ The shielded chemical shift of C-12 observed for 4 (d 27.0), in comparison to that for 5 (d 30.9), indeed ensure this assignement (Table 2).

The norkaurane pattern of methyl esters 8 and 9 was confirmed by both ¹³C NMR (20 signals each compound) and FAB-HRMS (C₂₀H₃₂O₃ and C₂₀H₃₀O₃, respectively) methods. There is a close similarity between ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR (Tables 1 and 2) data of these compounds, the differences being those related to the alcohol (8) and ketone (9) functions at C-16. The location of the –OH group at C-16 in structure 8 was confirmed by the correlations in the COSY spectrum between H-16 (d 4.14, d, J 6.0), H-15a (d 1.90, m) and H-15b (d 1.20, m), in addition to the helpfull HMQC spectrum data. The ent-b configuration of the –OH group at C-16 position was assigned in terms of gauche interactions, by comparison of its C-12 (d 28.7) and C-14 (d 36.1) chemical shifts with those (d 29.0 and d 38.5, respectively) from the epoxide 3 (Table 2). This assignement is also corroborated by the multiplicity observed for the H-16 signal (Table 1), since the doublet format is understandable if there is a 90º diedral angle of H-16 simultaneosly with H-13 and H-15a, that ocurrs just when H-16 is at ent-a configuration.

Conclusions

This work reports the synthesis of new oxidized ent-kaurane (4 and 5) and ent-norkaurane (8) derivatives starting from kaurenoic acid (1). In addition, we describe here, for the first time, the synthesis of compounds 4, 7, 8 and 9 by the oxidation of methyl ent-17-hydroxykauran-19-oate (6) under PDC conditions.

Experimental

General experimental procedures

Melting points were taken with a Microquímica apparatus APF-301 and were uncorrected. Optical rotations were measured with a Perkin-Elmer 241 digital polarimeter. IR spectra were obtained on a Shimadzu IR-400 and Nicolet Impact 410 spectrophotometer. NMR spectra were recorded at 200 MHz for ¹H and 50 MHz for ¹³C in deuterochloroform, added of TMS as internal reference, on a Bruker AC 200. The assignments of carbon signals were made by comparison with literature data and by means of 2D NMR ¹H and ¹³C single bond correlation studies, on a Bruker Advance DRX400 (400 MHz for ¹H and 100 MHz for ¹³C in deuterochloroform). Chemical shift values are expressed in ppm and coupling constants (J) in Hz. Column chromatography (CC) and flash column chromatography (FCC) were performed on silica gel Merck 60 (0.063-0.200 and 0.040-0.063 mm, respectively). HRMS were run in a VG TS-250 spectrometer working at 70 eV. TLC were carried out on silica gel Merck 60 F₂₅₄ (0.25 mm thick). Solvents and reagents were purified by standard procedures as necessary.

ent-Kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid) (1)

Obtained from Wedelia paludosa ethanol extract, as described previously.⁵¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2.

Methyl ent-kaur-16-en-19-oate (2)

Obtained from kaurenoic acid (1) (500 mg) by usual procedure with an ethereal solution (100 mL) of diazomethane giving the ester 2 (527 mg) in quantitative yield. mp 80-82 ºC (Lit.²² 72-75 ºC); – 82.8º, CH₂Cl₂, c 1.08 (Lit.²² - 91.9º, CHCl₃, c 7.93). IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 3064, 1724, 1656. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2.

Methyl ent-kauran-16b,17-epoxy-19-oate (3)

The methyl ester 2 (266 mg, 0.84 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) was treated with MCPBA (55%, 298 mg, 0.96 mmol), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature, in the presence of NaHCO₃ excess (500 mg). After 30 minutes, the solution was washed with aq. satd. Na₂S₂O₃, water and brine, and dried (Na₂SO₄). The organic solvent was evaporated and the product was purified by FCC on silica-gel, eluting with n-hexane-EtOAc (95:5) to give compound 3 (217 mg, 78 %), mp 129-131 ºC (Lit.¹⁸ colourless gum); – 108.8º, CHCl₃, c 0.93 (Lit.¹⁸ – 84º, CHCl₃, c 1.16). IR(film) n_max/cm^-1: 2986, 1724. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 333.2430; Found 333.2407.

Methyl ent-17-hydroxykauran-19-oate (6)

The methyl ester 2 (302 mg, 0.96 mmol) in dry THF (20 mL) was treated with diborane generated in situ by adding NaBH₄ (364 mg, 9.62 mmol) followed by BF₃.Et₂O (dropwise, 1.2 mL, 9.55 mmol). After stirring for 2 h at room temperature under argon atmosphere, EtOH (10 mL), 5 mol L^-1 NaOH (10 mL) and 30% H₂O₂ (5 mL) were added at 0 ºC and stirring continued for 1 h, at 50 ºC. The THF was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with brine (2´100 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The recovered product was purified by FCC eluting with n-hexane-EtOAc (9:1) to yield 6 (276 mg, 86%). Gum (Lit.¹⁹ gum), [a] – 68.1º (CH₂Cl₂, c 0.99). IR(film) n_max/cm^-1: 3379, 2983, 1726, 1032. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 335.2586; Found 335.2588.

Procedures for preparation of compounds 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9

Step c, Scheme 1

A solution of epoxide 3 (40 mg, 0.12 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added to a stirred suspension of InCl₃ (16 mg, 0.07 mmol) in THF (2 mL) at room temperature and stirring was continued for 1 h for reaction completion (TLC). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The recovered product was purified by FCC eluting with n-hexane-EtOAc (93:7) to afford a 1:1 mixture of aldehydes 4 and 5 (17 mg, 43%).

Step d, Scheme 1

The BF₃·Et₂O complex (10 µL, 0.08 mmol) was added to a solution of epoxide 3 (41 mg, 0.12 mmol) in benzene (5 mL), and the system was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen by 30 min. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, affording a 1:1 mixture of aldehydes 4 and 5 (42 mg, 100%).

Step f, Scheme 1

A solution of alcohol 6 (144 mg, 0.43 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added to a stirred suspension of PDC (280 mg, 0.74 mmol) and molecular sieves (4 Å) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL). This system was stirred at room temperature under argon for 7.5 h till the reaction was complete (TLC). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the recovered product was purified by CC eluting with CH₂Cl₂ to give 4 (72 mg, 50%) and 9 (23 mg, 17%), and then eluted with CH₂Cl₂-EtOAc (96:4) to give 8 (4 mg, 3%) and 7 (18 mg, 17%).

Step g, Scheme 1

HCl 12 mol L^-1 (0.5 mL, 6 mmol) was added to a solution of aldehyde 4 (23 mg, 0.07 mmol) in HOAc (3 mL) and the solution was stirred under reflux (80-100 ºC) by 60 h. The mixture was diluted with water (100 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by FCC eluting with n-hexane-CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) to yield 5 (16 mg, 70%).

Methyl ent-17-oxokauran-19-oate (4)

Colourless oil; - 57.0 º, CDCl₃, c 1.00; IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 2984, 2701, 1723. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 333.2430; Found 333.2417.

Methyl ent-17-oxo-16b-kauran-19-oate (5)

Colourless oil; - 105.6 º, CHCl₃, c 0.80; IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 2943, 2701, 1724. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 333.2430; Found 333.2428.

ent-19-Methoxy-19-oxokauran-17-oic acid (7)

– 60.5º, CHCl₃, c 1.10 (Lit.²⁰ – 74.4º, CHCl₃, c 0.86). IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 3400, 1725, 1699, 1234. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 349.2379; Found 349.2398.

Methyl ent-16b-hydroxy-17-norkauran-19-oate (8)

mp 126-128 ºC; - 85.0 º, CHCl₃, c 0.20; IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 3400, 1725, 1234, 1032. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 321.2430; Found 321.2466.

Methyl ent-16-oxo-17-norkauran-19-oate (9)

– 62.9º, CHCl₃, c 0.77 (Lit.¹⁷ – 55.2º, CHCl₃, c 0.77); IR (film) n_max/cm^-1: 2986, 1742, 1724, 1235, 1011. ¹H NMR data, Table 1. ¹³C NMR data, Table 2. HRMS (FAB-POSI, M+1) Calc. 319.2273; Found 319.2245.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to UESB, CAPES and CYTED (sub-program X) for grants and financial support.

Supplementary Information

¹H, ¹³C NMR and other data is avaliable free of charge at http://jbcs.sbq.org.br, as PDF file.

Received: August 27, 2006

Web Release Date: May 15, 2007

Supplementary Information

Figura S2

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  28 June 2007
• Date of issue
  2007

History

• Received
  27 Aug 2006
• Accepted
  15 May 2007