Synthesis of 6-oxy functionalized campest-4-en-3-ones: efficient hydroperoxidation at C-6 of campest-5-en-3-one with molecular oxygen and silica gel

Steroids. 2000 Aug;65(8):443-9. doi: 10.1016/s0039-128x(00)00105-7.

Abstract

As a reference compound library for the investigation of biosynthesis of brassinosteroids, focused on a pathway from campesterol (1) to campestanol (2), 6-oxy functionalized campest-4-en-3-ones as well as campest-5-en-3-one (7) and campestane-3,6-dione were prepared from 1. Oxidation of 1 with pyridinium chlorochromate buffered by calcium carbonate gave 5-en-3-one (7) in 76% yield. Treatment of 7 with silica gel under an oxygen atmosphere in ethyl ether at room temperature produced efficient hydroperoxidation at the C-6 position to give 6alpha-hydroperoxycampest-4-en-3-one and 6beta-hydroperoxycampest-4-en-3-one in 34% and 49% yields, respectively. These compounds were converted to 6alpha-hydroxycampest-4-en-3-one and 6beta-hydroxycampest-4-en-3-one by reduction with triethyl phosphite. This provided the first example of the practical use of hydroperoxidation at C-6 of a Delta(5(6))-unsaturated 3-oxo-steroid with molecular oxygen and silica gel. On the other hand, oxidation of 1 with pyridinium chlorochromate in the absence of calcium carbonate gave campest-4-ene-3,6-dione in 64% yield. This compound was then converted in a highly stereoselective manner to campestane-3,6-dione with A/B trans ring junction by reduction with titanium (III) chloride in 85% yield.

MeSH terms

  • Biochemistry / methods*
  • Cholesterol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cholesterol / chemical synthesis
  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oxygen
  • Phytosterols / chemistry
  • Phytosterols / metabolism
  • Silica Gel
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

  • Phytosterols
  • campest-5-en-3-one
  • campestane-3,6-dione
  • campestanol
  • campesterol
  • Silica Gel
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Cholesterol
  • Oxygen