Taxol semisynthesis: A highly enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of the side chain and a new method for ester formation at C-13 using thioesters

A very simple, new, and straightforward approach to the Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Docetaxel (Taxotere) side chains has been developed using the imine addition reaction of thioester-derived boron enolates bearing chiral ligands. The addition reaction was studied extensively, using a combination of different thioesters (ROCH2COSPh, ROCH(2)60St-Bu), oxygen protecting groups (R = Bn, TBDMS, COPh, EE, TMS), chiral boron ligands [derived from both (-) and (+)-menthone], imines (PhCH=NSiMe3, PhCH=NCOPh), and in the presence or in the absence of additional Lewis acids (BF3-OEt2, Et2AlCl, TiCl4). The side chain was assembled in a few steps with the correct relative (syn) and absolute stereochemistry (2R,3S). The stereochemical outcome of the boron-mediated reaction was rationalized using chair vs boat transition state structures. A new direct route for attachment of the side chains to the baccatin nucleus using thioester chemistry has also been developed. By treatment of a mixture of a thioester (8, 12, or 17) and protected baccatin III (2b, 2c) with LHMDS, the 13-O acylated compounds were obtained in high yield (up to 90%). Hydrolysis of 18b gave Paclitaxel (1a) in 80% yield.