Syntheses of Dihydroconduramines (±)-B-1, (±)-E-1, and (±)-F-1 via Diastereoselective Epoxidation of N-Protected 4-Aminocyclohex-2-en-1-ols.

Diastereoselective syntheses of dihydroconduramines (±)-B-1, (±)-E-1, and (±)-F-1 have been achieved from N-protected 4-aminocyclohex-2-en-1-ols via two complementary procedures for epoxidation as the key step. Treatment of either trans- or cis-4-N-benzylaminocyclohex-2-en-1-ol with Cl3CCO2H and then m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) resulted in initial formation of the corresponding ammonium species, followed by epoxidation on the face syn to the ammonium moiety exclusively; chemoselective N-benzylation then provided either (1RS,2SR,3RS,4RS)- or (1RS,2RS,3SR,4SR)-2,3-epoxy-4-N,N-dibenzylaminocyclohexan-1-ol, respectively. Treatment of either trans- or cis-4-N,N-dibenzylaminocyclohex-2-en-1-ol with m-CPBA resulted in initial formation of the corresponding N-oxide, followed by epoxidation on the face syn to the hydroxyl group exclusively; reduction then provided either (1RS,2RS,3SR,4RS)- or an alternative route to (1RS,2RS,3SR,4SR)-2,3-epoxy-4-N,N-dibenzylaminocyclohexan-1-ol, respectively. In all cases, S(N)2-type ring opening of these epoxides upon treatment with aqueous H2SO4 proceeded by nucleophilic attack with inversion at C(2) preferentially, distal to the in situ formed ammonium moiety. Hydrogenolytic N-deprotection then gave the corresponding dihydroconduramines (±)-B-1, (±)-E-1, and (±)-F-1.