Japanese Correspondence
Yamada Science Foundation
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Progress Report of YSF Supported Science Program


Summary of Research Projects (Suppots in 2000 Fiscal Year)
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Subjects Synthetic Approach to the Biosynthesis of Steroid
Representative researcher Tokushima Bunri University Mugio NISHIZAWA
Joint researcher Tokushima Bunri University Takumichi SUGIHARA
Tokushima Bunri University Hiroshi IMAGAWA
Tokushima Bunri University Hiroko TAKAO
Biosyntheses of phytosterols such as dammaranoid, lupanoid, oleananoid, and tirucallanoid are explained by the cyclization of oxidosqualene via 6/6 bicyclic cation, 6/6/5 tricyclic tertiary cation (pre-C ring cation), 6/6/6 tricyclic secondary cation (C-ring cation), and 6/6/6/5 tetra-cyclic tertiary cation In the animal kingdom, steroids are also constructed through the corresponding boat-form B-ring intermediates. Transformation of pre-C ring cation to secondary 6/6/6-cation involves ring expansion of a tertiary cation into a six-membered ring secondary cation, namely, an anti-Markovnikov cation. We chose 3-cyclopentyl-1,3-butanediondiol as the model compound and investigated the chemical behavior of the generated tert-cation. Although, BF3EEt2O, SnCl4, Sc(OTf)3, FeCl3, TiF4 or CF3SO3H leads a hydride shift to give 5/5 spirocyclic ether, TiCl4 selectively induces rearrangement to six-membered ring secondary cation by the ring expansion that corresponds to the C-ring formation of sterol biosynthesis, and afforded 6/5 cis ether, chlorination products. Thus, the biological C-ring formation will be able to achieve as a chemical reaction.