PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF ROOPEROL, HYPOXOSIDE AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing compounds of formula (I) (wherein, R A represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R B represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R A and R B carrying at least one hydroxy substituent; and Z represents a hydrogen or hydroxy group); which comprises subjecting a compound of formula (II) (wherein, R C represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from trialkylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R D represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from trialkylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R C and R D carrying at least one trialkylsilyloxy substituent; and Z is as defined above) to alkylammonium fluoride or acid mediated hydrolysis. The invention also provides for the glucodisation of a compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (II).

Description: The invention relates to the preparation of a glucoside named Hypoxoside, namely 1,5-bis[3'4', 3",4"-tetrahydroxyphenyl]pent-4-en-1-ynyl-4-4"-di[β-D-glucopyranoside], its aglycone Rooperol, namely 1,5-bis[3'4',3",4"-tetrahydroxyphenyl]pent-4-en-1-yne and some of its analogues and derivatives. The synthesis requires the use of tert -butyl dimethylsilyl ethers or other suitable protecting groups. The glycosylation of rooperol and its derivatives is also described. The isolation of E-1,5-bis(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-pent-4-en-1-yne-4',4'-di-β-D-glucopyranoside, Hypoxoside, from Hypoxis obtusa and Hypoxis rooperi has been described by Marini-Bettolo et al (Tetrahedron 1982, 38 , pp 1683-1687) and Drewes et al (Phytochemistry, 1984, 23 , pp 1315-1316). The use of Hypoxoside, Rooperol and related pent-4-en-1-yne derivatives in anticancer compositions has been disclosed (European Patent Application No. 843044983). The preparation of Rooperol by the hydrolysis of Hypoxoside in water at pH 6.3 with β-glucosidase at preferably 37°C, the preparation of the tetra-acetate from Rooperol by acylation with (Ac₂O/C₅H₅N), and also the preparation of tetramethoxyrooperol from Rooperol by methylation with diazomethane has been disclosed (Marini-Bettolo et al, Drewes et al, references as above). The synthesis of the tetramethoxy derivative of Rooperol is achieved by the conversion of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde to the alkynide anion of 3,4-dimethoxyethynylbenzene (3 steps) and subsequent coupling to 3,4-dimethoxycinnamyl chloride obtained from 3-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl) prop-2-enoic acid (3 steps) via copper catalysis. Similar synthetic sequences using phenyl rings with no substituents or precursors in which one or both phenyl rings carry methoxy- or methylenedioxy substituents, have been described (Drewes et al, reference as above). Although a variety of protecting groups have been used, neither the removal of these protecting groups to yield Rooperol, nor the glucosidation of Rooperol to yield Hypoxoside, have been described. It is the object of this invention to provide a process for the synthesis of Rooperol and related derivatives as well as Hypoxoside and related glucosides. The overall process according to the invention comprises the synthesis of a protected hydroxycinnamyl aldehyde or a corresponding allylic haloalkane and the reaction thereof with an alkylating agent such as phenylacetylide anion or a protected hydroxyphenylacetylide anion to form a variety of substituted pent-4-en-1-yne compounds followed by deprotection to yield the hydroxy derivatives. According to one aspect the present invention provides a process for preparing compounds of formula (I) (wherein, R A represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R B represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R A and R B carrying at least one hydroxy substituent; and Z represents a hydrogen or hydroxy group); which comprises subjecting a compound of formula (II) (wherein, R C represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from tert-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R D represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from tert-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R C and R D carrying at least one trialkylsilyloxy substituent; and Z is as defined above), to alkylammonium fluoride or acid mediated hydrolysis. The process according to the invention is preferably a process as hereinbefore described for preparing compounds of formula (I) (wherein, R A , R B and Z are as hereinbefore defined) which comprises treating a compound of formula (III) (wherein R B is as hereinbefore defined) with tert-butyldimethyl silyl chloride in the presence of a base, reducing the resultant compound of formula (IV) (wherein R D is as hereinbefore defined) to the aldehyde or alcohol, optionally converting the resultant alcohol to an allylic halide of formula (V) (wherein R D is as defined above) reacting said allylic halide or said aldehyde with a compound of formula (VI) (wherein R C is as hereinbefore defined) to form a compound of formula (II) (as hereinbefore defined) and subjecting said compound of formula (II) to alkylammonium fluoride or acid mediated hydrolysis. Further, according to the invention a protected or unprotected compound may be glycosylated with a halosugar to yield a glycoside. Thus, according to a further aspect the present invention provides a process for preparing compounds of formula (IX) (wherein, R E represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from glucosyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R F represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from glucosyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R E and R F carrying at least one glucosyloxy group; and Z is as hereinbefore defined); which comprises the glucosidation of a compound of Formula (I) or of Formula (II) in a consecutive step to its prepartion by the process as hereinbefore described wherein the Formulae (I) and (II) are as hereinbefore defined. In a preferred form of the invention the phenolic hydroxy groups in caffeic acid ester are protected by their conversion to silyl ethers by using tert butyldimethylsilyl chloride and a base such as imidazole. The silyloxy ester is reduced to the aldehyde by means of DIBAH and to the corresponding alcohol with an excess of DIBAH or LiAlH₄. Direct reduction of silyloxycaffeic acid to the alcohol may be achieved by its treatment with B₂H₆. The conversion of the alcohol to the corresponding halide proceeds smoothly by conventional methods. The silyl ether of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetylene may be prepared as shown in SCHEME 2 by: (i) treating 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with tert -butyldimethylsilyl chloride and imidazole as a base; (ii) conversion of a carbonyl group to the corresponding dibromide by the method of E J Corey (Tetrahedron Lett. 1972, pp 3769-3772) followed by dehydrohalogenation with two equivalents of butyl lithium; (iii) alkylation with different α,β- unsaturated aldehydes or allylic haloalkanes yields the corresponding substituted pent-4-en-1-yne derivatives; (iv) deprotection of the silyl ethers with a tetraalkyl ammonium fluoride, or the like, e.g. tetraethyl ammonium fluoride, yields the corresponding alcohols as shown in SCHEME 2. By treating 3-(3',4'- tert -butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl) prop-2-enal or 3-(3',4'- tert -butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)-1-haloprop-2-ene with phenylacetylene magnesium bromide 1-phenyl-5-(3',4'- tert -butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)pent-4-en-1-yn-3-ol or 1-phenyl-5-(3',4'- tert -butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)pent-4-en-1-yne were obtained. Deprotection of the siloxy products with tetraalkyl ammonium fluoride or the like yields the corresponding hydroxy compounds (SCHEMES 1 and 2). Glycosylation of the phenolic hydroxy groups by the classical Koenigs Knorr rection (Koenigs et al, Ber 1901, 34 , pp 957-981) or modified procedures (H Paulsen: Angew. Chem. Int. Engl. Ed. 1982, 21 , 155 and Angew. Chem. 1982, 94 , pp. 184-201; S R Pougny et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1977, 99 , pp 6762-6763; K C Nicolaou et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1983, 105 , pp 2430-2434), yielded the corresponding glycosides. The preferred glycoside group is the β-D-glucoside substituent. Treatment of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride (S Hasimoto et al, Tetrahedron Lett. 1984, pp 1379-1382) with the silyl ethers yielded the products as shown in SCHEME 2. PROCEDURES: I Synthesis of the ethyl ester of caffeic acid (3 in SCHEME 1) Method: A solution of caffeic acid (10.0 g, 0.055 mol) in a mixture of benzene (300 ml), ethanol (80 ml) and H₂SO₄(conc. 5 ml) is refluxed for 34 hours. The cooled dark green reaction mixture is neutralized with a saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The aqueous layer is then extracted with ether (3 x 15 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and the combined organic extracts concentrated to yield a brown crystalline product (9.0 g, 78%). Recrystallization from ethyl acetate yielded the ethyl ester of caffeic acid as a light brown crystalline product (5.98 g, 52%) mp 143-146°C; δ H (acetone; 80 MHz; TMS): 1.27(3 H, t, J = 7.1 Hz, CH₂C H ₃); 4.2(2 H, t, J = 7.1 Hz, C H ₂CH₃), 6.27(1 H, d, J = 15.9 Hz, H-2) 6.82-7.18(3 H, m, Ar H ), and 7.55(1 H, d, J = 15.9 Hz, H-3) II Synthesis of 3-[3',4'-di(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenyl] prop-2-en-1-ol : Method: DIBAH (175 mg, 0.137 mmol) in toluene (3.3 ml) is added to a solution of the disilyl ether of the ester (4) (500 mg, 0.114 mmol) in toluene (1.5 ml) at -78°C over a period of 1 hour. The reaction mixture is then allowed to reach room temperature when it is quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (10 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 ml). The combined extracts are dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to provide a light yellow oil of 3-[3',4'-di( tert -butyldimethylsiloxy)phenyl]prop-2-en1-ol (350 mg, 78%); δ H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz; TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, Si-C H ₃), 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 1.22-1.28(2 H, m, C H ₂), 4.22(1 H, d, J = 5.1 Hz, H-2), 6.20(1 H, d, J = 5.1 Hz, H-3) and 6.69-6.85(3 H, m, Ar H ) III Synthesis of 3-[3',4'-di(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenyl] prop-2-enal : Method : MnO₂ (2.95 g; 0.034 mol) is added to a solution of 3-[(3',4'- tert -butyldimethylsiloxy)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-ol (250 mg, 0.0064 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml). The reaction mixture is stirred for 24 hours and a light yellow oil of 5 (220 mg, 76%) is obtained after filtration and evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure. δ H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.23(12 H, s, -Si-C H ₃), 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 6.52(1 H, dd, J = 7.6 Hz and J = 16 Hz, H-2), 6.99-7.11(3 H, m, Ar H ), 7.36(1 H, d, J = 16 Hz, H-3) and 9.64(1 H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, C H O). IV Synthesis of 3,4-di(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2',2'-dibromostyrene : Method : A suspension of activated zinc (1.90 g, 0.029 mol, 2 eqv), triphenylphosphine (7.60 g, 0.0029 mol, 2 eqv) and carbon tetrabromide (9.60 g, 0.029 mol, 2 eqv) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml) is stirred for 30 hours under N₂. To this Wittig reagent is added 3,4-di( tert -butyldimethylsiloxy)benzaldehyde (5.50 g, 0.015 mol) and the mixture is stirred for 3 hours at room temperature before it is quenched with pentane (50 ml) and filtered. The residue is washed with CH₂Cl₂ (30 ml) and the organic solvents are evaporated to provide the dibromide as a yellow oil (5.08 g, 66%). δ H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, -Si-C H ₃), 0.90(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃) and 6.82(1 H, s, C H ) and 7.20-7.33(3 H, m, Ar H ) V Synthesis of 3',4'-di(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)phenylethyne : Method : To a solution of 3,4-di( tert -butyldimethylsiloxy)-2',2'-dibromostyrene (3.00 g, 0.006 mol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) is added BuLi (2 eqv) at -78°C over a period of 1 hour. The reaction mixture is allowed to reach room temperature when it is quenched with saturated aq. NaHCO₃ (20 ml), extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 20 ml) and the combined extracts are dried (MgSO₄) before the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide the corresponding acetylenic product as a dark brown oil (1.8 g, 86%).δ H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, -Si-C H ₃), 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 2.96(1 H, s, C H ), and 6.69-7.26(3 H, m, Ar H ). General Procedures :- VI Protection of the aromatic OH groups as tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers A solution of the phenolic compound (1 eqv), tert -butyldimethylchlorosilane (1.1 eqv per OH group), and imidazole (1.2 eqv) in DMF is stirred for 24 hours at 23⁰C. The solution is quenched with a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO₃ and extracted with ether. The combined extracts are washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent evaporated to provide a crude product which is purified by suitable methods. As an example compounds 4 and 6,as in SCHEME 1 and 2,. have been prepared by the above methods. Compound 4 H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.90(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 1.33(3 H, t, J = 7.08 Hz, CH₂C H ₃), 4.25(2 H, q, J = 7.08 Hz, C H ₂-CH₃), 6.22(l H, d, J = 15.8 Hz, H-2); 6.75-7.06(3 H, m, Ar H ) and 7.57(l H, d, J = 15.8 Hz, H-3). Compound 6 H(CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, Si-C H₃ ), 0.9(18 Ht s, Si+C H₃ ), 6.75-7.43(3 H, m, Ar H ) and 9.80(1 H, S, C H O) VII Alkylatlon of alkylhalides with phenylacetylide magnesium bromide 2 Bromoethane (1 mol equiv) is added dropwise to a stirred mixture of magnesium metal (1.05 mol equiv) and tetrahydrofuran under anhydrous conditions and a N₂ atmosphere. Once the exothermic reaction has subsided, the reaction mixture is refluxed for 10 minutes, cooled to 20°C and the alkyne (as in SCHEMES 1 and 2) (1.05 mol equiv) dissolved in THF is added dropwise. Ethane is evolved during the formation of the phenylacetylide magnesium bromide. The mixture is then refluxed for 45 minutes and cooled to 20° C. Dry cuprous chloride is added to the phenylacetylide magnesium bromide containing reaction mixture which is then stirred for 15 minutes before the alkyl halide (as in SCHEME 1 and 2) (1.05 mol eqv) dissolved in THF is added dropwise. The green suspension is refluxed for 45 minutes before an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride and KCN is added followed by ether extraction and work-up to yield the corresponding pent-4-ene-1-yn products. As example compound 16 (R = H), as in SCHEME 1, was synthesised by the same method. H (DCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.23(12 H, s, -SiCH₃), 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 3.35(2 H, d, J = 5 Hz, H-2,3), 6.0(1 H, dt, J = 5 Hz and J = 16 Hz, H-4), 6.83(1 H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5) and 0.9-7.6(8 H, m, Ar H ). VIII Alkylation of alkanals with phenylacetylene magnesium bromide (2) The phenylacetylide magnesium bromide containing reaction mixture as prepared by method VII is cooled to 0°C and the alkanal (as in SCHEME 2) dissolved in THF is added dropwise maintaining the temperature between 0-5°C. After all the alkanal has been added the reaction mixture is stirred for a further 2.5 hours at 25°C and then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of NH₄Cl followed by ether extraction and work-up to yield the corresponding pent-4-ene-1-yn-3-ol products. As example compound 17 was synthesised by this method H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(12 H, s, -SiC H ₃), 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 5.19(1 H, d, J = 5.9 Hz, H-3), 6.24(1 H, dd, J = 5.9 Hz and J = 15 Hz), 6.8(1 H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5) and 7.2-7.6(8 H, m, Ar H ). IX Alkylation of alkyl halides with Lithium (3,4-di(tert-butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)acetylide(13) A mixture of cuprous chloride and 13 (1 mol eqv), as prepared by procedure V, in dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred for 15 minutes before the alkyl halide (as in SCHEME 2) (1.1 mol eqv) dissolved in dry THF is added dropwise. The green suspension is refluxed for 45 minutes before an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride and KCN is added followed by extraction with ethyl acetate and work-up to yield the corresponding silyl ether pent-4-ene-1-yne products. Deprotection of these provide, for example, compound 14 as described under Procedure XI. X Alkylation of alkanals with Lithium 3,4-di(-tert-butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)acetylide(13) A THF solution of the phenylacetylide 13 as prepared by procedure V is cooled to 0°C and the alkanal in dry THF is added dropwise maintaining the temperature between 0-5°C. After all alkanal has been added the mixture is stirred for a further 2.5 hours at 25°C and then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of NH₄Cl followed by extraction with ether and work-up to yield the corresponding pent-4-ene-1-yn-3-ol products. As example compounds 7 and 8, as in SCHEME 2, have been synthesised by this method. Compound 7 H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 0.25(24 H, s, Si-C H ₃), 0.9(36 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 5.18(1 H, d, J = 5.9 Hz, H-3), 6.24(1 H, dd, J = 5.9 Hz, J = 15 Hz, H-4), and 6.71-7.11(7 H, m, Ar H , and H-5). Compound 8 H (CD₃COCD₃; 80 MHz, TM5): 0.25(12 H, s, Si-C H ₃, 0.9(18 H, s, Si+C H ₃), 5.19(1 H, d, J = 5.9 Hz, H-3), 6.24(1H, dd, J = 5.9 Hz and J = 15 Hz, H-4), 6.83(1 H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5) and 7.2-7.6(8 H, m, Ar H ) XI Deprotection of the silyl ether products To a solution of the silyl ether (1 eqv) in dry THF is added tetraethyl ammonium fluoride (1.2 eqv per silyl ether group) in dry THF over a period of 15 minutes and the resulting mixture is stirred for an additional 3 hours at 23°C. The cooled reaction mixture is diluted with water and extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is purified according to standard procedure to provide the free phenolic products. As example compounds 11 and 14, as in SCHEME 2, have been synthesised by this method. Compound 11 R' = H H (CDCl₃; 80 MHz, TMS): 5.21(1 H, d, J = 5.9 Hz, H-3), 6.24(1 H, dd, J = 5.9 Hz and J = 16 Hz, H-4), 6.64(1H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5) and 7.06-7.47(8 H, m, Ar H ). Compound 14 (Rooperol) H (CD₃OD; 80 MHz, TMS): 3.35(2 H, d, J = 5 Hz, H-2,3), 6.00(1 H, dt, J = 5 Hz and J = 16 Hz, H-4), 6.83(1 H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5) and 7.2-7.6(6 H, m, Ar H ). XII Glucosidation of the silyl ethers : To a solution of the 2,3,4,6- tetra -O-benzyl-αD-glucopyranosyl fluoride (2.1eqv) and the silyl ether (1 eqv) in acetonitrile is added a solution of tetrafluorosilane (0.25 eqv) in acetonitrile at 0°C. The resulting mixture is stirred for 4 hours at 0°C and then poured into a solution of potassium fluoride (5 g) and 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The ethyl acetate extract of this reaction mixture is washed with an aqueous solution of NaHCO₃ and dried (MgSO₄) before solvent evaporation. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel to yield the different anomeric glucosides as shown in SCHEME 2. XIII Glucosidation of the phenols : Classical Koenigs-Knorr synthesis using CdCO₃ (or Ag₂CO₃· Ag₂O, HgCN) as catalyst and acid scavenger and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide was used. Standard workup procedure followed to yield, after colum chromatography, the different anomeric glucosides as in SCHEME 2. XIV Hydrolysis of tetraacetate or tertabenzoate Derivatives : Methanolic KOH (4%) was added to a stirred solution of the tetraacetate or tetrabenzoate in CHCl₃ and the solution heated to just below the boiling point for 30 minutes. The resultant mixture was allowed to stand for 3 hours before it is again heated and stirred for 30 minutes. This procedure was repeated until t.l.c. checks showed that hydrolysis was complete. The reaction was worked up by standard procedures to yield a mixture of anomeric glucosides. As example compound 15 as in SCHEME 2 has been synthesised by this method. Compound 15 (2x meta R = H, 2x para R = β-D-glucosyl) H (CD₃OD; 80 MHz, TMS): 3.10-4.05(14 H, m, C H ₂ and 12 glucosylprotons), 4.75(2 H, m, O H ), 6.06(1 H, dt, J = 15.0 and J= 50 Hz, H-4), 6.53(1 H, d, J = 15 Hz, H-5), 6.65-6.90(4 H, m, Ar H ) and 7.07(2 H, d, Ar H ).

Claims: A process for preparing compounds of formula (I) (wherein, R A represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R B represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R A and R B carrying at least one hydroxy substituent; and Z represents a hydrogen or hydroxy group); which comprises subjecting a compound of formula (II) (wherein, R C represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from tert-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R D represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from tert-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R C and R D carrying at least one tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy substituent; and Z is as defined above), to alkylammonium fluoride or acid mediated hydrolysis. A modification of a process as claimed in claim 1 for preparing compounds of formula (I) (wherein, R A , R B and Z are as defined in claim 1), which comprises treating a compound of formula (III) (wherein R B is as defined above), with a tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl chloride in the presence of a base, reducing the resultant compound of formula (IV) (wherein R D is as defined in claim 1), to the aldehyde or alcohol, optionally converting the resultant alcohol to an allylic halide of formula (V) (wherein R D is as defined above) reacting said allylic halide or said aldehyde with a compound of formula (VI) (wherein R C is as defined in claim 1) to form a compound of formula (II) (as defined in claim 1) and subjecting said compound of formula (II) to the alkylammonium fluoride or acid mediated hydrolysis. A modification of the process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compound of formula (VI) is prepared by the conversion of a compound of formula (VII) (wherein R C is as defined in claim 1) via a compound of formula (VIII) A process as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2 wherein the compound of formula (I) produced is 1,5-bis]3'4',3",4"-tetrahydroxyphenyl]pent-4-en-1-yne. A process as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2 wherein the compound of formula (I) produced is 1,5-bis[3;'4',3",4"-tetrahydroxyphenyl]pent-4-en-1-yn-3-ol. A process for preparing compounds of formula (IX) (wherein, R E represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from glucosyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; R F represents an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by up to 5 groups selected from glucosyloxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, halide and acyloxy groups; at least one of the groups R E and R F carrying at least one glucosyloxy group; and Z is as defined in claim 1); which comprises the glucosidation of a compound of Formula (I) or of Formula (III) in a consecutive step to its preparation by the process as hereinbefore described wherein the Formulae (I) and (II) are as hereinbefore described defined. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the compound of formula (I) is treated with tetra-acylα-glucosyl bromide in the presence of a Koenigs-Knorr catalyst selected from Ag₂o , Ag₂CO₃, CdCO₃ or HgCN ,followed by base hydrolysis. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the compound of formula (I) is treated with a peracyl-glucosyl bromide in the presence of a Koenigs-Knorr catalyst (as defined in claim 7) followed by base hydrolysis. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the compound of formula (I) is treated with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride and tetrafluorosilane to provide a mixture of anomeric products. A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the compound of formula (IX) formed is 1,5-bis[3',4',3", 4"-tetrahydroxyphenyl]pent-4-en-1-ynyl-4,4"-di[β-D-glucopyranoside].

Inventors: DREWES, SIEGFRIED, PEGEL, KARL H., WENTELER, GEORGE L.
Applicants: ROOPEROL (NA) NV
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C07C33
IPC codes: C07C67, C07C27, C07F7, C07H15, C07C69, C07C39, C07C37