Application of Enantioselective Sulfur Ylide Epoxidation to a Short Asymmetric Synthesis of Bedaquiline, a Potent Anti-Tuberculosis Drug

Org Lett. 2023 Jun 16;25(23):4281-4285. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01286. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Abstract

A highly selective asymmetric synthesis of a potent anti-TB drug (-)-bedaquiline is accomplished using sulfur ylide asymmetric epoxidation, employing (+)-isothiocineole as an inexpensive and readily available chiral sulfide. Excellent enantioselectivity (er 96:4) and diastereoselectivity (dr 90:10) were obtained for the construction of the key diaryl epoxide, which was subsequently subjected to a highly regioselective ring opening (96:4). The synthesis was completed in nine steps starting from commercially available aldehyde in 8% overall yield.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sulfur*

Substances

  • bedaquiline
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Sulfur