Lipase-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Desprenyl-carquinostatin A and Descycloavandulyl-lavanduquinocin

An asymmetric synthesis of the core carbazole structure, 6-desprenyl-carquinostatin 3 and 6-descycloavandulyl-lavanduquinocin 3, toward a total synthesis of carquinostatin A (1) and lavanduquinocin (2), has been established. Lipase QLM (Meito) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of the racemic alcohol 6 gave the (-)-acetate 7 and the (+)-alcohol 6 with high enantioselectivity. The absolute stereochemistry of the (-)- and (+)-alcohol 6 have been determined to be R- and S-configurations, respectively, by the advanced Mosher method. In the same manner, the (-)-acetate 13 and the (+)-alcohol 12 have been obtained from the racemic alcohol 12. The (R)-(-)-acetate 13, derived from the (R)-(-)-acetate 7, was the same as the (-)-acetate 13, which has been determined to be (R)-configuration. Oxidation of the (R)-(-)-acetate 13 followed by hydrolysis afforded (R)-(-)-6-desprenyl-carquinostatin [and (R)-(-)-6-descycloavandulyl-lavanduquinocin] 3. In addition, oxidation of the (S)-(+)-alcohol 12 provided (S)-(+)-3, which is the enantiomer of 6-desprenyl-carquinostatin A (R)-(-)-3.