@prefix vivo: . @prefix edm: . @prefix ns0: . @prefix dcterms: . @prefix skos: . vivo:departmentOrSchool "Science, Faculty of"@en, "Chemistry, Department of"@en ; edm:dataProvider "DSpace"@en ; ns0:degreeCampus "UBCV"@en ; dcterms:creator "Vlattas, Isidoros"@en ; dcterms:issued "2011-10-28T22:27:47Z"@en, "1963"@en ; vivo:relatedDegree "Master of Science - MSc"@en ; ns0:degreeGrantor "University of British Columbia"@en ; dcterms:description "Ozonization of 7-ketocholesteryl acetate has yielded methyl 5-keto-5, 7-seco-6-nor-3-cholestene-7-oate in reasonably high yield. This intermediate was converted by catalytic hydrogenation to methyl-5-keto-5, 7-seco-6-norcholestan-7-oate which upon treatment with benzyl amine gave N-benzyl-6-aza-4-cholesten-7-one."@en ; edm:aggregatedCHO "https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/38420?expand=metadata"@en ; skos:note "SYNTHESIS OF AZA STEROIDS Part I. The synthesis of 6-aza steroids Part II. The synthesis of 11-aza steroids by ISIDOROS I. VIATTAS Diploma Chem. The University of Athens - Greece, 1959 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in the Department of Chemistry We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Apr i l , 1963 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I Introduction .. .. .. 1 Discussion 5 Conclusion,, 11 Experimental 12 Bibliography .. 16 List of Figures 1* Synthetic route to 6-aza steroids i n the cholestane series 21 2. Synthetic route to 6-aza steroids i n the androstane series 3 3. Improved synthetic route to 6-aza steroids i n the cholestane series 7 l i . Improved synthetic route to 6-aza steroids i n the androstane series .. • 9 5>. LiAlH^ reduction of the 6-aza-U-cholesten-7-one .. 9 PART II Introduction .* .. *. .. 17 Discussion .. 21 Conclusion 30 Experimental .. .. .. .. .. .. .* 31 Bibliography .. 1;3 List of Figures I* Synthesis of 12-aza-C-homo steroids 18 2. Synthesis of 9-aza-C-homo steroids 18 3 . Synthesis of 11-aza-C-homo steroids 19 U* Investigation of the benzylamine reaction with the ketd acid (X) .. 23 5. Investigation of the benzylamine reaction with the keto acid (X) 26 6 . Synthetic route to 11-aza steroids .. i . . . . . 28 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writer expreses his appreciation to Dr. James Kutney for his guidance and encouragement during the course of this research. Financial aid from the National Research Council of Canada and from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service, grant No. CT-5037, i s very gratefully acknowledged. PART I THE SYNTHESIS OF 6-AZA. STEROIDS ABSTRACT Ozonization of 7-ketocholesteryl acetate has yielded methyl- £-keto-5,7-seco-6-nor-3-cholestene-7-oate i n reasonably high yie l d . This intermediate was converted by catalytic hydrogenation to methyl-5-keto-5,7-seco-6-norcholestan-7-oate which upon treatment with benzyl amine gave N-benzyl-6-aza-U-cholesten-7-one. INTRODUCTION In recent years there have been numerous investigations concerned with the effect of substituents attached to the normal steroid skeleton on the biological properties of these important substances. These investigations have brought forth the realization that very dramatic alterations i n these properties are indeed encountered when such substituents as halogen, particularly fluorine, hydroxyl and methyl are placed at rather specific positions i n the molecule (1-3)• These steroidal derivatives s t i l l possess the basic steroid skeleton so that the nature of the molecule i s not altered to a very significant extent. In this connection i t appeared of interest to us to consider a more substantial alteration i n the chemical nature of steroidal substances i n order to see whether any appreciable differences i n the biological activity of these molecules are associated with this change. We therefore considered the replacement of one or more carbon atoms of the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene system by a hetero atom. The introduction of a nitrogen atom into the steroid nucleus has attracted the interests of chemists for some time. However inspection of the older literature reveals that most of the aza steroids represent analogues i n which one of the rings of the skeleton has been expanded from a 6- to a 7- membered ring or i n the situation of ring D, from a 5- to a 6- membered cycle. Very recently some successful syntheses of ii-aza steroids possessing the true steroid skeleton have been reported (h) and some interesting biological properties of these compounds have been described (5). Figure I Synthetic route to 6-aza steroids i n the cholestane series -3-Figure 2 Synthetic route to 6-aza steroids in the androstane series -k-Interest i n the chemistry and biological properties of aza steroids stimulated research i n this area i n our laboratory. In 1959, Kutney and Johnson considered several approaches which were directed toward the synthesis of ring B aza steroids. It was f e l t that the introduction of a nitrogen atom i n this ring would allow the retention of a A^-3>-keto moeity i n ring A - a structural feature present i n most of the active steroidal hormones. At the time that their work was init i a t e d , there were no ring B aza steroids known although since that time two laboratories have independently reported some work on 6-aza cholestane derivatives ( 6 , 7 ) . The successful sequence developed by Kutney and Johnson (8 ,9) represented a general approach to the synthesis of 6-aza steroids and, i n particular, provided the f i r s t preparation of a 6-aza derivative i n the androstane series. This scheme i s outlined i n figure 1 . The generality of the above approach was exemplified•by i t s successful u t i l i z a t i o n i n the f i r s t synthesis of N-benzyl-6-azaandrostajrie as outlined i n figure 2. • DISCUSSION I t was evident to us that although the above approach was of considerable applicability, i t suffered from the fact that the ozonolysis reaction provided the desired product i n low y i e l d . Consequently a considerable amount of experimentation was done to find optimum conditions for this reaction* Although we have not been able to obtain the corresponding acidic product i n substantially higher yields, we have been able to overcome the d i f f i c u l t y by preparing the neutral ester directly from the ozonization. It appeared to us that i t may be of advantage to conduct the ozonolysis i n non-acidic solvents: and i n particular, i n the presence of an alcohol so that the direct conversion of the ozonide to an ester would be possible. Indeed when 7-ketocholesteryl acetate was treated with ozone at -78°C i n a solvent mixture of methylene chloride-methanol followed by oxidative decomposition of the ozonide with hydrogen peroxide and water, only k0% of the material was extracted with sodium carbonate. We did not investigate the nature of this acidic material as we concentrated our attention on the investigation of the remaining neutral residue. This neutral material was treated with base i n aqueous dioxane to provide h5% of an oil y neutral substance. Chromatography of this neutral product on a s i l i c a gel column gave a clear viscous o i l (yield 35%) which was characterized as methyl-5-oxo-5,7-seco-6-nor-3-cholestene-7-oate (XC). The infrared spectrum of X with absorption bands at $.Qlp- and 5*98 jo. , characteristic of an ester carbonyl and an «,p unsaturated carbonyl respectively was i n support for the structural assignment. The n.m.r. spectrum of X showed a sharp signal at 6.5 T characteristic of a carbomethoxy function and multiplets at U.25 T and 3 - 8 T corresponding to the -C=C-C=0 group. Finally the presence of the unsaturated ketone H H system was shown i n the ultra-violet spectrum of this compound which possessed a maximum at 227 (see figure 3 ). It was; therefore obvious that the i n i t a l neutral material was mainly the expected intermediate, methyl-3 (3 -acetoxy-5-'Pxo:-5,7-seco-6-norcholestan-7-oate (IX). This compound on treatment with base then readily loses the elements of acetic acid to give X. In addition to the neutral ester, an acidic material (15$ yield) was obtained from the basic aqueous dibxane solution. Chromatography of this acid on a s i l i c a gel column gave the unsaturated keto-acid (III) i n 5% y i e l d . The unsaturated keto ester (X) was readily converted by catalytic hydrogenation to the corresponding saturated keto ester, methyl-5-oxo-5,7**seco-6-norchoIestan-7-oate (XI), which was a beautifully crystalline, white s o l i d . The success of the hydrogenation was evidenced by a shift of the ketone carbonyl absorption to 5»9 y- i n the infrared and by the disappearance of any absorption i n the ultra-violet spectrum. The structure of the unsaturated ester (X) was f i n a l l y confirmed when the reduction product, XI, was treated with benzyl amine and the enol lactam which resulted was shown to be identical i n every respect to N-benzyl-6-aza-U-cholesten-7-one. In this manner, the overall y i e l d of this enol lactam from 7-ketocholesteryl acetate was raised to k0%» -7-VIII Figure 3 Improved synthetic route to 6-aza steroids in the cholestane series -8-It was not necessary to extend our studies to the androstane series since at that time that our investigations i n the cholesterol series were being conducted, Atwater (13) i n his paper on 6-oxa androstane derivatives, indicated that the analogous ozonolysis reaction provided the corresponding B- nor seco ester i n yields up to 73%. It i s now clear that the extension to the androstane series; i s v a l i d . The above approach as well as the original sequence of Kutney and Johnson have the disadvantage of the loss of the functional group at C^ . For the reintroduction of an oxygen function at C 3 , we have concentrated our efforts on the synthesis of N-benzyl-6-aza analogues since the presence of a tertiary nitrogen atom provides more suitable intermediates for this purpose. It would be expected that i n the parent 6-aza series, which possess a secondary nitrogen atom, that undesirable: double bond migrations might occur. Indeed Jacobs and coworkers (6) have suggested that the reduction of 6-aza-ii-cholesten-7-one (XV) with lithium aluminum hydride gives 6-aza-5-choIestene (XVT) rather than 6-aza-U-cholestene. (Figure 5) In this connection we have put some effort toward the re-introduction of an oxygen function i n the a l l y l i c Cy position of the enol lactam. An a l l y l i c oxidation was attempted with SeC>> i n a variety of solvents such as: absolute ethanol, g l a c i a l acetic acid, nitrobenzene and butanol. In a l l these cases we recovered the starting material. Under drastic conditions (fefluxing diethylene glycol for 1$ hours) the product from the selenium dioxide oxidation, was an o i l y material. The spectroscopic data was completely different from that of the starting material. This oi l y product had no ultraviolet absorption and after chromatographic -9' Figure 5 LiAlH^ reduction of the 6-aza-4~cholesten-7-one -10-purification on a s i l i c a gel column, i t gave different o i l y fractions. These fractions possessed infrared absorption maxima at £.8 J4 , 6.0 and 6.3 ^ while the strong absorption at 6.1 fL corresponding to the lactam carbonyl group had disappeared. However, the oi l y nature of this material made i t d i f f i c u l t to obtain any reliable analytical data and we did not continue this aspect any further. Bromination of (VIII) with N-bromosuccinimide also gave an oi l y product which was chromatographed on a s i l i c a gel column. The main fraction was an oi l y material and i n spite of numerous attempts, i t resisted a l l efforts to obtain i t crystalline. This material had infrared absorption maxima at 6.0 y- and 6.18 jx and an ultra-violet absorption at 2U2 rri|A. Again no characterization was done on this substance. It i s clear that further experimentation must be carried out on this aspect of the problem. -11-CONCLUSION The synthesis of the N-benzyl-6-aza-lt-cholesten-7-one via the above discussed sequence led to an increase of the overall y i e l d of the enol lactam (VIII) from 7-ketochoIesteryl acetate,to forty percent. This marked improvement now makes the above approach a very attractive one indeed. This work i s reported i n a recent publication ( U ) . The introduction of an oxygen or a bromine atom at G3 of the enol lactam (VIII) was. also studied b r i e f l y . However the results are not nearly conclusive and further work must s t i l l be carried out. -12-EXPERIMENTAL A l l melting points were determined on a Fischer-Johns apparatus and are uncorrected. The ultra-violet spectra were recorded i n 9S% ethanol on a Gary Iii recording spectrophotometer and the rotations were taken i n chloroform. The n;m.r. spectra were taken at 60 Mc on a Varian A60 instrument. The values are given i n the Tiers T\" scale with the signal of tetramethylsilane, which was used as the internal standard, set at 10.0 nr units. Analyses were performed by A. Bernhardt, Mulheim (Ruhr) Germany and by Mrs. Aldridge, University of Br i t i s h Columbia. Methyl S-Oxo-^^-seco^-nor^-cholesten-T-oate (X) A solution of 7 r o x o c h o l e s t e r y l acetate (£.0 g) i n dichloromethane (75 ml) and absolute methanol (25 ml) was ozonized at - 7 8 ° u n t i l the solution had attained a blue color (about 20 minutes). The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature, 30$ aqueous hydrogen peroxide (0 . 7 ml) and water (1 . 7 ml) was added and the mixture was then allowed to stand at room temperature f o r 16 hours. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted several times with dichloromethane. The organic extracts were combined, washed with water and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate* Evaporation of the solvent after removing the drying agent by f i l t r a t i o n , provided a viscous clear o i l . This o i l was taken up i n ether and the ethereal solution was washed with 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide to remove any acidic materials* The workup of this aqueous layer i s giisen below;. -13-The ether layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed to provide a viscous, neutral o i l (3.3 g). This neutral o i l was taken up in dioxane, treated with 5$ aqueous sodium hydroxide (30 ml), and the whole mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. This mixture was then treated with 1.5 l i t e r s of water and extracted exhaustively with ether in a continuous extraction apparatus. The resulting ether extract was washed with water, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed to yield a viscous o i l (2.25 g)- This o i l was taken up in benzene and chromatographed on s i l i c a gel (80 g). The desired, unsaturated keto ester was eluted with benzene as a clear viscous o i l (1.76 g) and i n spite of numerous attempts, i t resisted a l l efforts to obtain i t crystalline. Infrared i n CClj^: 5.98 ,, 5*81 p 5 > max 2 2 7 ^ ( l o S £ 3-8U.)5 [oTJ ^ 6 + 83; n.m.r. signals (CCl^): sharp signal at 6.5 T (-COOCH3), multiplets at k.,25 T and 3.8 T (-C=C-C=0).. Found: C, 77*52j H, 10.31. C a l c for C^H^Oy C, 77*83s H, 10.65. The aqueous alkaline layer from the potassium hydroxide i n dioxane treatment was acidified with hydrochloric acid_and the resulting mixture was extracted with ether. The ethereal extract, after washing with water was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.. Removal of the solvent yielded an acidic material (0.7 g). This acidic material (0.7 g) was reduced over 10$ palladium on charcoal (O.Ii g) in ethanol at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The catalyst was f i l t e r e d off and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. This crude reduction product was chroraatographed on s i l i c a - g e l (16 g) and a solid material (200 mg) which was obtained upon elution with benzene-chloroform turned out to be 5-oxo-5,7-seco-6-norcholestan-7-oic acid (IV). The original aqueous alkaline extract of the product resulting directly from the ozonization was acidified with hydrochloric acid and this acidic mixture was then extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with water; and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.. Removal of the solvent yielded an acidic material (1 .94 g). Methyl 5-oxo-5 J7-seco-6-norcholestan-7-oate (XI) The unsaturated keto ester, X (1*65 g) was hydrogenated over 10$ palladium on charcoal (1 g) i n ethanol at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The catalyst was removed by f i l t r a t i o n and the solvent evaporated to y i e l d a white solid. This solid was taken up i n benzene and chromatographed on s i l i c a gel (60 g). Elution with benzene provided a white crystalline material (1 .5 g) which on several recrystallizations from benzene yielded an analytical sample, 28 m.p. 8 1 - 8 3 ° ; [\" o< 1 + 97° j infrared i n KBr: $.90 ; 5 . 8 0 ; Found: C, 7 7 . 3 0 ; H, 10*96. Calc. for C2f%60y. C, 77*46; H, 1 1 . 0 8 . N£Benzyl-6-aza-4-cholesten-7-one from Q[j) The saturated.keto ester, XI, ( l g) was refluxed i n benzyl amine ( 2 . 5 ml) f o r 2:0 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting reaction mixture,was taken up in ether and the ethereal solution was washed with -15-dilute hydrochloric acid to remove any benzyl amine. This solution was then washed with $% aqueous sodium hydroxide, water and f i n a l l y dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave a white solid (1.1 g) which upon recrystallization from methanol provided a pure sample of the enol lactam, VIII, (0.95 g)» -16-BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 . J* Fried and A* Borman, Vitamins and Hormones, 16 , 303 (1958)* 2 . V* A. D r i l l and B* Riegel,, Recent Progress i n Hormone Research, lU, 29 (1958) . 3. R* Hirshraann, G. A. Bailey, R. Walker and J. M. Ghemerda, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,. 8 l , 2832 (1959)* U* M. Uskokovic and M* Gut, Helv. Chim. Acta, kg, 2258 (1959)* 5. R. I. Dorfman, M. Uskokovic and M. Gut, 137th Meeting of the Am. Chem. Soc, p. 19 N ( i 9 6 0 ) * 6 . T. L. Jacobs and R. B. Brownfield, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 8 2 , 1+033 ( I 9 6 0 ) . 7 . H. Lettre and L. Knof, Ber., 9 3 , 2860 ( i 9 6 0 ) . 8* R. A. Johnson, M*Sc Thesis i n Chemistry, U. B. C , September, 1961* 9 . J* P. Kutney and R. A. Johnson, Chem. and Ind., 1713 ( 1 9 6 l ) . 1 0 . N. W. Atwater, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 8 3 , 3071 ( 1 9 6 1 ) . 11 . J. P. Kutney, R. A. Johnson and I. Vlattas, Can. J. Chem., 1+1, 613 (1963). PART II THE SYNTHESIS OF 11-AZA STEROIDS ABSTRACT The ozonization or Lemieux oxidation of 9,11-dehydrohecogenin acetate yielded 3 [3 -acetoxy-9-; oxo-9,12-seco-ll-norhecogenin-12-oic acid (X) an intermediate useful i n the preparation of 11-aza steroids. The keto acid (X), upon treatment with benzyl amine, gave a mixture of two compounds. The minor component was the 3p -hydroxyl-ll-aza-5o( ,22 p -spirost-8,9-ene-12-one (XX) and the major one, was 3 j$ -hydroxy-9-oxo-9,12-seco-ll-nor-25-iso - 5 o ( ,22 p -spirostan-12-N-benzyl carboxaraide (XI). The enol lactam (XX) was also prepared from the keto acid (X), upon treatment with ammonia. It was subsequently shown that the steroid enol lactam (XX) could be prepared i n essentially quantitative yield by treatment of the keto acid with anhydrous ammonia at 1$0°C. Acetylation of the enol lactam (XX) provided 3'p -acetoxy-11-aza-5 0( ,22 p -spirost-8(9)-ene-12-ohe (XJX) which i s the f i r s t 11-aza steroid i n the sapogenin series. — INTRODUCTION After the successful synthetic sequence leading to the introduction of a nitrogen function into ring B of the steroid skeleton was initiated i n 1959 by Kutney and Johnson in our laboratory ( 1 , 2 ) , we decided to extend our studies to the synthesis of ring C-aza steroids. The investigation of such compounds appeared attractive not only from a chemical standpoint but also i n consideration of the possible biological importance of certain aza derivatives of steroid hormones. At the time when our work was initiated, no ring C-aza steroids with an unexpanded C ring system were known. The synthesis of 9,11 and 12-aza-C-homo steroids has been reported recently (3,U ,5), but these analogues possess a seven membered C-ring and not the true steroid skeleton., However, since this work represents the only instances of preparation of any type of ring C-aza steroids prior to our own, i t i s appropriate to discuss i t b r i e f l y at this point. In 1959, Mazur (3) described the preparation of several 12-aza-C-homo steroids by applying a Beckman rearrangement on the oxime of a 12-keto steroid. The oxime of hecogenin acetate (I) was used and the main product of the reaction was 12 0»80 u ,; 5*93 yl ) and s t i l l retained the characteristic spiroketal bands ( U , 12) indicating that the spiroketal side chain remained unaffected under these conditions. In spite of numerous experiments, we were not able to improve the yield i n this reaction and we turned to consider another approach to this problem. An attractive alternative was the use of the Lemieux reagent (13,11L) since just at this time, Edward (lj?) published some work which indicated that this reagent was superior to -22-ozone i n the instance of chplest-i4-en-3-one. Consequently, 9,11-dehydro-hecogenin acetate was treated with this reagent and a crystalline acidic product was obtained from this reaction. This substance was shown to be identical with the ozonolysis product (X). In addition, another crystalline compound was obtained from the acidic fraction of the reaction product which on the basis of i t s infrared spectrum (5»68 j*.), i s tentatively assigned an enol lactone structure (XIII). Our present evidence does not f u l l y establish this structure and further investigation w i l l be necessary. The overall yield of the desired keto acid (X) was substantially higher i n the Lemieux reaction particularly since a large proportion of the neutral fraction i n this reaction was unreacted starting material. Inaddition to the improved yield, i t was also more convenient to u t i l i z e this reagent i n large . scale preparations of (X) and we have used this procedure i n a l l our subsequent preparations. After this phase of the work was completed, 9 11 a detailed study of the ozonolysis of -121-keto steroids; was reported by Engel (16). Because of our success with benzyl .amine i n our previous work on ring B aza steroids, we decided to study the cyclization of the keto acid (X) with this amine. When the keto acid was reacted with refluxing benzyl amine and the reaction nurture extracted with ether, there was obtained from the neutral portion of the reaction product, two crystalline compounds. The minor component was a high melting substance which exhibited strong absorption at 6*01.^ and 6 . 0 6 ^ i n the infrared spectrum and also possessed an absorption maximum of 255 m^i i n the ultraviolet spectrum* This spectral data i n i t i a l l y led us to believe that the desired -23-Figure it Investigation of the benzylamine reaction with the keto acid (X) - 2 U -enol lactam (XIV) had been obtained but the subsequent analytical data, was; not i n agreement with this structure. The structure of this product w i l l be discussed i n a later portion of this discussion. The major product of the benzyl amine reaction was a lower melting crystalline compound which possessed strong carbonyl absorption i n the infrared at $.88^. and 6*1$JA .. • The substance did not possess any absorption i n the ultraviolet and the n.m.r. spectrum of this material showed an intense signal i n the aromatic proton region (2..75 T ). It was therefore clear that this substance did not represent a cyclic enol lactam structure but was most probably the keto amide (XI). The analytical data supported this structure for the substance. In view of the apparent difference i n reaction of the keto acid (X) when compared to the corresponding keto acid i n the ring B series ( 1 , 2 ) , i t was necessary to establish f u l l y the assigned structure (XI) for this ksto amide* The following results provided conclusive proof of the structure (XI)» The presence of the hydroxyl group at was readily demonstrated by the formation of a monoacetate (XII) which now showed, apart from the ketone and amide absorption, a new band at 5*80 y. i n i t s infrared spectrum. In addition, the n.m.r. spectrum indicated a new signal for the acetate methyl group (8*0 T ) . Reduction of the keto amide with sodium borohydride or, with lithium aluminum hydride under mild conditions, provided a dihydroxy amide (XV) i n good y i e l d . Chromatographic purification of this reduction product indicated a predominance of only one isomer. The infrared spectrum of this compound indicated a disappearance of the acetate and ketone absorptions but s t i l l -25-indicated the amide band at 6*15 • Similarly, a disappearance of the acetate methyl signal was likewise noted i n the n.m.r. spectrum for this substance. A similar reduction of the acetate provided a mixture of the hydroxy acetate (XVI) and the dihydroxy amide (XV). The hydroxy acetate (XVI) was also obtained from a mild acetylatioh of XV. This l a s t reaction demonstrated that i t was possible to obtain preferential acetylation at without affecting the hydroxyl function at Co. Acetylation of XV under drastic conditions (refluxing isopropenyl acetate or acetic anhydride i n pyridine) provided a crystalline, high melting compound which had no band at 6 * 1 5 i n the infrared spectrum, corresponding to the amide group. Further reduction of XV with lithium aluminum hydride i n boiling tetrahydrofuran, provided the amine (XVIII) i n good yield* The infrared spectrum of this compound indicated the disappearance of the amide band, while a sharp absorption at 3.1 j-t indicated the presence of the N-H group. The analysis of XVIII was not satisfactory, however, we were able to characterize this material as the N-acetyl-3p ,9£ -diacetate (XIX). The presence of the three acetyl groups i n XIX was indicated by the appearance of two strong bands at 5»8j^ and 6 . 0 5 ^ i n the infrared spectrum and three sharp signals at 7•93!, 8.03 and 8*19 T i n the n.m*r. spectrum. This series of, reactions served to cdemonstrate the functionality present i n the major reaction product from the benzyl amine reaction and allowed us to assign structure Tt' to this substance. It was now clear that the cyclization of 9,12-seco keto-acids of the type indicated above could not be accomplished under the influence of refluxing benzyl famine to provide N-benzyl 11-aza steroid analogues* XVIII XIX Figure 3> Investigation of the benzylamine reaction with the keto acid (X) -27-We f e l t that the steric influence of the angular methyl group at C-^ Q was probably the reason why the cyclization with relatively large N-benzyl function had f a i l e d . In order to obtain more information about the cyclization reaction, we subjected the keto-acid (X~) to a reduction with sodium borohydride i n the hope that the resulting hydroxy acid could be cyclized to provide ;ja , -lactone structure (XVII). Indeed when we completed this reduction we obtained as one of the reaction products, a crystalline substance which showed only one carbonyl absorption i n the infrared spectrum ($.81 JA. )• The n.m.r. spectrum of this material showed the absence of a carboxylic proton and the analytical data was i n good•agreement with a lactone structure. Consequently, we tentatively assign the lactone structure XVII to this reduction product although i t i s necessary to carry out a more careful study of this reaction. It i s to be noted that Atwater, i n his paper on oxasteroids (17), has reported a complex mixture of lactones and lactols i n his work on ring B seco steroids and i t would be of some interest to see whether similar results; are also obtained in; ring C However, as far as the present phase of the investigation was concerned, i t was merely necessary to realize that the cyclization of 9,12-seco steroids could indeed be successfully accomplished. With the above information at hand, we reacted an alcoholic solution of the keto acid (X), with anhydrous ammonia i n a sealed tube at 1$0°C for 1$ hours (8) and obtained an excellent y i e l d of the expected enol lactam (XX'). This compound possessed an absorption at 2$$ i n i t s ultraviolet spectrum as expected for this type of chromophore (1,2,8) and i t s high melting point was immediately reminiscent of the minor -28-m 3 XXI Figure 6 Synthetic route to 11-aza steroids -29-product which we had previously isolated i n the reaction of benzyl amine with X. Indeed, infrared, n.m.r. and mixed melting point comparison of these two products and of their acetylation products (XXI) established beyond any doubt that they were identical. This very interesting result revealed several important aspects of the cyclization reaction* F i r s t , the cyclization of 9,12-seco keto-acids can be accomplished very successfully with ammonia and, most probably, with relatively small amines to generate 11-aza steroid derivatives. As already mentioned above, Engel has recently reported this reaction in another series of compounds (18) and our results amplify the generality of this type of reaction. Secondly, i f a ste r i c a l l y larger amine such as benzyl amine i s employed, the reaction path takes an unusual course wherein an unexpected cyclic product i s obtained. It i s not knownat this time whether the mechanism of the benzyl amine reaction involves debenzylation at some stage or whether perhaps ammonia possibly formed by prolonged heating of the benzyl amine i s the actual reactant. CONCLUSION A synthesis of 11-aza steroids with the true steroid skeleton has been developed. This represents the f i r s t synthesis of an 11-aza steroid i n the steroidal sapogenin series. The sequence employs hecogenin acetate as the starting material to provide the necessary °,12:-seco keto-acid. This latter substance could be cyclized i n the presence of ammonia to 11-aza steroidal analogues. Attempts to cyclize the keto acid with benzyl amine led to some interesting results. The major product from this reaction was a keto amide which indicated that cyclization with this amine did not occur. A minor product from the benzyl amine reaction was shown to be identical to the substance obtained from the ammonia cyclization. The isolation of t h i s material reveals that steric effects are important i n determining the course of the reaction. Further investigation w i l l be necessary before any accurate evaluation of this steric factor can be made. A portion of this work has been submitted f o r publication (19). -31-EXPERIMENTAL A l l melting points were determined on a Fischer-Johns apparatus and are uncorrected. The ultra-violet spectra were recorded i n 9$% ethyl alcohol on a Gary lk recording spectrophotometer and the rotations were taken i n 1% chloroform solutions except where stated otherwise. The infrared spectra were determined on a Perkin-Elmer Model 21 spectrophotometer. The n.m.r. spectra were taken at 60 Mc on a Varian A60 instrument. The values are given i n the Tiers T scale with the signal of tetramethylsilane, which was used as the internal standard, set at 1 0 . 0 T units. Analyses were performed by Mrs. Aldridge, University of Br i t i s h Columbia and by A. Bernhardt and his associates, Mulheim (Ruhr) Germany. Ozonolysis of Qjll\"Dehydrohecogenin Acetate This experiment was i n i t i a l l y done by Dr. Ganti Verkat Rao of this laboatory. A solution of 9,11-dehydrohecogenin acetate (2:.7g, prepared according to the procedure of Bowers et a l (10)) i n methylene chloride (100 ml) was ozonised at -78°C over a period of one hour with an ozone stream producing 0 . 1 mole ozone per hour. The reaction mixture was then brought to room temperature and water (5 ml) and 30% hydrogen peroxide (5 ml) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred for k hours at room temperature and then the organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with several small portions of methylene chloride and the combined organic extracts were evaporated to dryness. The residue was taken up i n ©ther (250 ml) and washed with a saturated ' -32-solution of sodium bicarbonate (100 ml) to remove acidic components* The sodium bicarbonate layer was then made acidic with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The ether extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to yi e l d an insignificant amount (0.l5g) of a solid, acidic material* The original ether extract, which had been washed with the sodium bicarbonate solution, was now washed with cold aqueous 1% sodium hydroxide to remove any remaining acidic products. The alkaline layer was then acidified with hydrochloric acid and this mixture now; extracted exhaustively with ether. The ether extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to yi e l d 0.73 g (total, 0.88 g) of crystalline, acidic product with a melting point of 262-26I4.0. Several recrystallizations from methanol-chloroform provided a pure sample (0.7g) of 3(3 -acetoxy-°-oxo-°, 12>seco-ll-nor-25-iso-5 ,; 22! 0 -spirostan-12-oic acid. (X), m*p. 261-265? [<*]p 6~ 8 7°' infrared (KBr): £.80j-i , 5.93 JA • Found: C, 68.9U; H, 8.895 °» 22.53* Calc. for C2S%2°7 : c * 6 8 -54; H, 8*63,5 0, 22.83* Lemieux Oxidation of 9,11-Dehydrohecogenin Acetate A solution of 9,11-dehydrohecogenin acetate (3»0g) in a t-butanol-water mixture (220*6 ml, prepared from 200 ml t-butanol and 20.6 ml water) was treated with an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate (1*375 g) i n water (39 ml). This stirred mixture'was then treated with an aliquot (25 ml) of a stock solution of sodium metaperiodate (prepared from sodium meta periodate (9*81 g) i n water (123 ml.)) and 0*8$ aqueous potassium permanganate (2*5 ml) and the s t i r r i n g was continued. The remainder of the periodate solution was added slowly to the reaction mixture over a period of 10 minutes and after this time, another portion (2*5 ml) of 0 .8$ aqueous permanganate was added. The whole mixture was stirred at room temperature for another 30 minutes;, a third portion (3»75 ml) of permanganate was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for k hours. The excess permanganate was destroyed by the addition of sodium b i s u l f i t e and the resultant brownish reaction mixture was concentrated on a steam bath i n vacuo to about one-half the original volume (until most of the vo l a t i l e materials had been removed). The reaction mixture was cooled i n ice, acidified with ice-cold 50$ aqueous sulfuric acid and extracted with ether* The ether extract was then washed several times with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide and f i n a l l y with water. The alkaline and water washings were combined and treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid u n t i l the solution was acidic and then extracted with ether. The ether extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed to provide a crystalline, acidic product (1.1. g). Several recrystallizations from methanol-chloroform (1:1) provided the pure product (0.75 g)« Infrared and mixed melting point comparison established that this product was identical with the ozonolysis product (XT). The mother liquors from the above crystallizations were concentrated and another crop (300 mg) of crystals was collected, m.p. 230-240°. Repeated recrystallization of this material from aqueous methanol provided a crystalline substance (2.00 mg) which exhibited a somewhat improved melting point (235-238°) but i t was clear that this sample was not analytically pure. The infrared spectrum of this substance with only one strong carbonyl absorption at 5«68 J-L -3h-suggests an enol lactone structure XIII but further work w i l l be necessary before any definite conclusions can be made. The original ether extract which had been washed with sodium hydroxide and water was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed to yield 1.3 g of a crystalline, neutral product which proved to be unreacted starting material. Because of the recovery of a significant amount of starting material i n this reaction indicating a much improved overall yield of the desired keto-acid, XC, and the convenience of handling larger, quantities under these oxidation conditions, we have u t i l i z e d this procedure i n a l l subsequent preparations of X. Benzyl Amine Reaction on Keto Acid The keto-acid (X, 2*57 g) was dissolved i n benzyl amine (10 ml) and refluxed for 26 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. The cooled reaction mixture was then taken up i n ether (200 ml) and the ethereal mixture was washed several times with $% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, water and f i n a l l y with $% aqueous potassium carbonate. The ether extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to provide a semi-solid neutral material (1*9 g)« This material was taken up i n a small amount of ether and a small amount of white solid which remained undissolved was removed by f i l t r a t i o n . On allowing the ether solution to stand at room temperature f o r one hour, a second crop of the white solid precipitated out. Both crops of the solid were combined and weighed (0.7 g). This substance was recrystallized from benzene to provide pure, white needles (0*55 g) melting at 27U-276 0 -35-(with some decomposition). This compound was subsequently shown to be identical with the enol lactam, X X , by means of infrared, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance and mixed melting point comparison. The preparation and complete characterization of X X i s given i n a later portion of this experimental part. The ether solution remaining after the removal of the enol lactam, XXL, was diluted with petroleum ether and after standing overnight deposited another crop of crystals. Several more crops of crystals were obtained upon concentration of this solution and a t o t a l of 1.0 g of this compound melting at 172-1714° was obtained. Two further recrystal-lizations from ether-petroleum ether provided an. analytical sample (0.85 g) of 3 fi -hydroxy-9-oxo-9, 12-seco-ll-nor-25-iso-5 °< , 22 r3 -spirostan-12-N-benzylcarboxaraide ( X I ) , m.p. 17U-175°; [ *6-H*30; infrared (KBr): 5.88 y » 6.15JA J infrared (CHCI3): 5.90 y » 6.08 p. , and spiroketal bands at 10.19 | A , 10.85 y- > 1 1 Y * H (8>9); NMR (CDCI3): 2.75 T (aromatic H). Found: C, 73.32; H, 8.83; 0, 15.1*8; N, 2.70. Calc. for C^E^O^: C, 73.70j H, 8.81; 0, U4.88; N, 2.61. 3 j3 -Acetoxy-9-oxo-9» 12-seco-ll-nor-25-iso-5 cx , 22 p. -spirostan-12-N- benzylcarboxamide ( X I I ) The keto-amide ( X I , 300 mg) was treated with pyridine (8 ml) and acetic anhydride (5 ml) and the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 2I4. hours. The excess anhydride was destroyed by the cautious addition of water and the reaction mixture was extracted with ether. The ether extract was f i r s t washed with 5$ aqueous hydrochloric acid and then with ice-cold $% aqueous sodium carbonate and -36-f i n a l l y dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed and the crystalline solid (310 mg) was recrystallized from ether-petroleum ether to provide the analytical sample of the acetate (XII, 300 mg), m.p. 168-170°; |\" <* \"f^-132:0; infrared (KBr): 5.80 u , 5.87 f , 0 ' 6.15 Y > ^ (CDCI3): 2.74 T (aromatic H),, 8.0 \"Tt-G-CH^)* Found: C, 72.09; H, 8.42; N, 2:.67. Calc. for 03^1^90^: C, 72-51; H, 8*52; N, 23.92. 3 (3 , 9 g -Mhydroxy-9, I2-seco-ll-nor-25-iso-5 , 22 -spirostan-12- N-benzylcarboxamide (XV) a) By lithium aluminum reduction of keto-amide (XI) The keto-amide (XI, 140 mg) was dissolved i n anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and refluxed for 6 hours with lithium aluminum hydride (400 mg) which was i n i t i a l l y placed i n a Soxhlet extractor and gradually brought into the vessel by the refluxing solvent. The excess hydride was destroyed by careful addition of water and the ether layer was separated. After drying the ether extract over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solvent was removed to yi e l d a white s o l i d (150 mg). This s o l i d was recrystallized several times from ether to provide an. analytical sample of the dihydroxy amide (XV) (120 mg), m.p. 223-224°; j\" °< ] ^ 6-108°; infrared (KBr): 2.86 \\* , 2.91 p , 3*01 pt , 6.15 p» J NMR (CDCI3). 2.75 T (aromatic H), complete disappearance of signal at 8.0 T present i n the spectrum of XII. Found* C, 73.37; H, 9.32; N, 2.78. Calc. for G^H^Ot^N: C, 73.43} H, 9.15; N, 2*66. -37-b) By sodium borohydride reduction of acetoxy keto-amide (XII) A solution of the acetoxy keto-amide (XII, 110 mg) i n methanol (8 ml) was treated with a solution of sodium borohydride (65 mg) i n methanol (6 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. After this time, more sodium borohydride (75 mg) was added to the reaction mixture and the s t i r r i n g was continued at room temperature for a further 3 hours. The mixture was concentrated i n vacuo, water was added and the whole mixture was aci d i f i e d by the addition of 10$ aqueous acetic acid. The organic product was extracted from the reaction mixture with ether and the ether extract was then washed with ice-cold $% potassium carbonate solution and f i n a l l y with water. The ether layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed to yi e l d an oi l y product (110 mg) which did not crystallize too well. This product was taken up i n benzene and chromatographed on s i l i c a gel (50 g). Elution with benzene-chloroform (1:1) provided 35 mg of the 3>acetoxy-9-hydroxy amide, XVI, which i s characterized below. Elution with chloroform-benzene (9 :1) yielded 65 mg of another solid which was shown to be completely identical to the lithium aluminum hydride reduction product, XV, by infrared and mixed melting point comparison. 3Q -Acetoxy-9%, -hydroxy-9» 12!-seco-ll-nor-25-iso-5 °( » 22: ]3 -spirostan- 12-N-benzylcarboxamide (XVI) The dihydroxy amide (XV, 100 mg) was dissolved i n pyridine (5 ml) and treated with acetic anhydride (3 ml) and the reaction mixture was l e f t to stand at room temperature for 21+ hours. The excess anhydride -38-was destroyed by the addition of water and the r e s u l t i n g reaction mixture was extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with 5$ aqueous hydrochloric a c i d , then with $% aqueous sodium carbonate and f i n a l l y d ried over anhydrous magnesium s u l f a t e . Evaporation of the solvent yielded a white s o l i d (100 mg) which on r e c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n from ether-petroleum ether provided an:analytical sample of the acetate, XVI, (90 mg) as white needles, m.p. 166-167°; [ 72 .69j H, 9 . 15 ; N, 3 . 2 6 . 3 |3 -Acetoxy-ll-aza-5 , 22 B -spirost-8(9)-ene-12:-one (XXI) The enol lactam (XX, 100 mg) was dissolved i n pyridine (5 ml) and the solution was treated with acetic anhydride (U ml) and then allowed to stand at room temperature for 2k hours. The excess anhydride was; destroyed by addition of water and the reaction mixture was then extracted with ether. After washing the ether extract with 5$ aqueous hydrochloric acid and ice-cold 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution, i t was: dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent provided a white s o l i d (105 mg) which on recrystallization from methyl alcohol yielded the pure acetate, XXI, as white needles (95 mg) m.p. 283-28£° (dec); [ c< ] | 6 + 1 3 2 ° ; ultraviolet: ^max 2 * 5 m r1 (log e 3 . 6 9 ) ; infrared (CHCI3): 5 . 8 1 ^ , 6 . 0 p and spiroketal bands at 10.18 \\X , 10.85 (-!• , 11.11 f and 11*53 yx . Found: C, 71 .05; H, 8 . 6 0 ; N, 2 . 8 5 . Calc. for ^gHjgOjN. C, 71 .30; H, 8*76; N, 2*97. 3(3 -Hydroxy-ll-oxa-g Q< , 22(3 -spirostan-12-one (XVII) The keto-acid (X, 230 mg) was dissolved i n a mixture of wet methyl alcohol (18 ml) and chloroform (10 ml) and treated with a solution of sodium borohydride (150 mg) i n methyl alcohol (10 ml). The reaction mixture was st i r r e d at room temperature f o r one hour and then more sodium borohydride (3O0 mg) was added and s t i r r i n g continued for a further 2.f> hours. After this time the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue treated with a small amount of water and then acidified by the addition of 10$ aqueous acetic acid. The reaction mixture was extracted with ether and the ether extract dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent l e f t a white solid which was recrystallized from aqueous methanol to provide a f i r s t crop (lf>0 mg) of the lactone, XVII. Concentration of the mother liquors provided an additional crop (20 mg) of the same material but subsequent concentrations of the mother liquors provided small crops (total £0 mg) of s o l i d materials which were obviously mixtures and s t i l l remain to be characterized. The f i r s t two crops (170 mg) were combined and recrystallized from aqueous methanol to yield the pure lactone, XVII (140 mg), m.p. 274-276©; [c<]J^ - 2 2 0 ; infrared (KBr): 5*81 p ; infrared (CHCLj); 5.78 y and spiroketal bands at 10.18 )\\ , 1 0 . 8 3 ^ , 11.11 u and 1 1 . 5 3 ^ ; NMR (CDCl^): complete absence of any signals for acetate methyl group and carboxylic proton. Found: C, 72.46; H, 9 . 2 0 ; 0 , 1 8 . 2 7 . Calc. for c 2 6 % > ° 5 : c> 72.19; H, 9*32'; 0,18 .1+9. -42-Benayl Amine Reaction on Lactone (XVII) The lactone (XVII, 115 mg) was; dissolved i n benzyl amine (2 ml) and refluxed for 22: hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. The cooled reaction mixture was taken up i n ether and the ethereal mixture was washed with 5% aqueous hydrochloric acid and then with 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution. After drying the ether extract over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solvent was removed to y i e l d a white solid (130 mg). Crystallization of t h i s substance from ether yielded a pure sample (105 mg), m.p. 222-224°. Subsequent comparison of the infrared spectrum of this product with the spectrum of the dihydroxy amide, XV, indicated that the two substances were identical. This identity was further confirmed by a mixed melting point determination and comparison of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. 4^2-BIBLIOGRAPHI 1) J . P. Kutney and R. A. Johnson, Chem. and Ind*, 1713 ( l?6l ) . 2) J . P. Kutney, R* A.. Johnson and I . Vlattas, Can. J. Chem., 4 l , 613 (1963)• 3) R. H. Mazur, J . Am. Chem.. Soc , 81, 1454 (1959). 4) J« A. Zderic and J * Iriate, J . Org. Chem., 27, 1756 (1962). 5) J . A. Zderic, H. Carpio, D. Chavez Linion and A* Ruiz, Ibid, 26, 2842: (196l). 6) E . B. Hezshberg, E . P. Oliveto and R* Rausser, Chem. and Ind. (London), 1477 (1958)* 7) C. Djerassi, C. H* Martiner and C* Rosenkranz, J . Org. Chem.., 16, 1278 (1951). 8) T . L . Jacobs and R. B. Brownfield, J . Am. Chem. Soc , 82 , 4033 (I960). 9) Ch. R. Engel and W. W. Huculak, Can. J . Chem*,, 3_7, 2031 (1959). 10) A. Bowers, E . Denot, M. B. Sanchez, F . Neuman and C* Djerassi, ®e Chem. Soc , 1859 (1961). 11) C. R. Eddy, M. E . Wall and M. K* Scott, Anal* Chem,, 25, 266 (19530 12) R. N. Jones, E . Katzenelleribogen and K. Dobriner,, J . Am. Chem. Soc , 75, 158 (1953). 13) R. U. Lemieux and E . von Rudloff, Can. J . Chem., 3J*„ 1701, 1710 (1955). 14) E . von Rudloff, Ibid, 33, 1714 (1955)j 3j±, 1413 (1956)* 15) J . T. Edward, D. Holder, W. H. Lunn and I . Puskas, Ibid, 39, 599 (196l). 26) Ch. R. Engel, S. Rakhit and W. W. Huculak, Ibid, h0, 921 (1962). 17) N* W. Atwater, J . Am* Chem* S o c , 8_3_, 3071 (1961). 18) Ch. R. Engel and S. Rakhit, Can. J» Chem.., 40, 2153 (1962). 19) J* P. Kutney, I . Vlattas and Ganti Venkat Rao, Ibid, in press (1963). "@en ; edm:hasType "Thesis/Dissertation"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0061956"@en ; dcterms:language "eng"@en ; ns0:degreeDiscipline "Chemistry"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "University of British Columbia"@en ; dcterms:rights "For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use."@en ; ns0:scholarLevel "Graduate"@en ; dcterms:title "Synthesis of aza steroids. Part I. The synthesis of 6-aza steroids. Part II. The synthesis of 11-aza steroids"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en ; ns0:identifierURI "http://hdl.handle.net/2429/38420"@en .