Unexpected syntheses of seco-cyclopropyltetrahydroquinolines - from a radical 5-exo-trig cyclization reaction: analogs of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins

Molecules. 2004 Feb 28;9(3):125-33. doi: 10.3390/90300125.

Abstract

Analogs of the seco-cyclopyrroloindoline (seco-CPI), the DNA alkylation pharmacophore of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins, can be prepared through a 5-exo-trig radical cyclization of a free radical and a 3-chloro-2-allylic moiety. This manuscript reports an unexpected discovery that, depending on the structure and stability of the free radical, the cyclization process leads to the production of an appreciable amount of seco- cyclopropyltetrahydroquinolines 7a-d along with the seco-cyclopropoyltetra- hydroindoline products (6a-e). For instance, free radical reaction of the bromoallylic chloride 5a produced an equal amount of 6-benzyloxy-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3- (chloromethyl)furano[e]indoline (6a), and 7-benzyloxy-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3-chloro- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofurano[f]quinoline (7a). Three other examples that produced mixtures of indoline and quinoline products are provided. In only one of the examples reported in this manuscript, the 6-benzyloxy-N-t-butoxycarbonyl-3-(chloromethyl)benzo[e]indoline, was a seco-CBI precursor 6e formed exclusively, consistent with literature precedents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / pharmacology
  • Cyclization
  • Cyclopropanes / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclopropanes / chemistry
  • Cyclopropanes / pharmacology
  • Duocarmycins
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrrolidinones / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrrolidinones / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Duocarmycins
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • Pyrrolidinones
  • cyclopropapyrroloindole
  • pyrindamycin B
  • duocarmycin SA
  • CC 1065
  • duocarmycin A