Total Synthesis of Schilancitrilactones B and C

Strategy towards the enantioselective synthesis of schiglautone A

The enantioselective synthesis of a functionalized intermediate comprising 6 of the 7 stereocenters of schiglautone A is reported and features a lithiation–borylation enzymatic resolution sequence.

One step synthesis of γ-alkylidenebutenolides from simple vinyl carboxylic acids and alkenes

A tandem cross-coupling/oxa-Michael addition/dehydrogenation process is described, providing one-step synthesis of γ-alkylidenebutenolides from vinyl carboxylic acids and alkenes.

Fragment Coupling with Tertiary Radicals Generated by Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Convergent synthesis strategies in which a target molecule is prepared by a branched approach wherein two or more complex fragments are combined at a late stage are almost always preferred over a linear approach in which the overall yield of the target molecule is eroded by the efficiency of each successive step in the sequence. As a result, bimolecular reactions that are able to combine complex fragments in good yield and, where important, with high stereocontrol are essential for implementing convergent synthetic strategies. Although intramolecular reactions of carbon radicals have long been exploited to assemble polycyclic ring systems, bimolecular coupling reactions of structurally complex carbon radicals have rarely been employed to combine elaborate fragments in the synthesis of structurally intricate molecules. We highlight in this Account recent discoveries from our laboratories that demonstrate that bimolecular reactions of structurally elaborate tertiary carbon radicals and electron-deficient alkenes can unite complex fragments in high yield using nearly equimolar amounts of the two coupling partners. Our discussion begins by considering several aspects of the bimolecular addition of tertiary carbon radicals to electron-deficient alkenes that commend these transformations for the union of structurally complex, sterically bulky fragments. We then discuss how in the context of synthesizing rearranged spongian diterpenoids we became aware of the exceptional utility of coupling reactions of alkenes and tertiary carbon radicals to unite structurally complex synthetic intermediates. Our initial investigations exploit the early report of Okada that N-(acyloxy)phthalimides reductively fragment at room temperature in the presence of visible light and catalytic amounts of the photocatalyst Ru(bpy)3Cl2 to form carbon radicals that react with alkenes. We show that this reaction of a tertiary radical precursor and an enone can combine two elaborate enantioenriched fragments in good yield with the formation of new quaternary and secondary stereocenters. As a result of the ready availability of tertiary alcohols, we describe two methods that were developed, one in collaboration with the MacMillan group, to generate tertiary radicals from tertiary alcohols. In the method that will be preferred in most instances, the tertiary alcohol is esterified in high yield to give a tert-alkyl hemioxalate salt, which-without purification-reacts with electron-deficient alkenes in the presence of visible light and an Ir(III) photocatalyst to give coupled products having a newly formed quaternary carbon in high yield. Hemioxalate salts containing Li, Na, K, and Cs countercations can be employed in this reaction, whose only other product is CO2. These reactions are carried out using nearly equimolar amounts of the addends, making them ideal for coupling of complex fragments at the late stage in a synthetic sequence. The attractive attributes of the fragment-coupling chemistry that we discuss in this Account are illustrated by an enantioselective total synthesis of a tricyclic trans-clerodane diterpenoid in eight steps and 34% overall yield from commercially available precursors. We anticipate that bimolecular reactions of carbon radicals will be increasingly used for fragment coupling in the future.

LC-UV-Guided Isolation and Structure Determination of Lancolide E: A Nortriterpenoid with a Tetracyclo[5.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7)]undecane-Bridged System from a "Talented" Schisandra Plant

Lancolide E (1) featuring a complex tetracyclo[5.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7)]undecane-bridged system that is constructed by an eight-, a three-, and two five-membered carbon rings in a sterically congested region was obtained in trace amounts from a "talented" schinortriterpenoid producer Schisandra lancifolia. Its structure was fully characterized by combining 2D NMR spectroscopy, theoretical calculations, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The biogenetic pathway of 1 was proposed to involve a Prins cyclization.

Total Synthesis of Epoxyeujindole A

The total synthesis of epoxyeujindole A, a structurally unusual indole diterpenoid isolated from Eupenicillium javanicum, has been accomplished for the first time. The synthesis features a late-stage cationic cyclization strategy, which took advantage of an electron-rich olefinic substrate. The CDE ring system was assembled via an enantioselective conjugate addition/alkylation, a Luche cyclization, and a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction. The heavily substituted A ring was constructed through a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and a cationic cyclization, and the bridged fused B ring was formed through a Prins reaction.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Rubriflordilactone A

Two enantioselective total syntheses of the nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are described, which use palladium- or cobalt-catalyzed cyclizations to form the CDE rings, and converge on a late-stage synthetic intermediate. These key processes are set up through the convergent coupling of a common diyne component with appropriate AB-ring aldehydes, a strategy that sets the stage for the synthetic exploration of other members of this family of natural products.

Kadcoccinones A-F, New Biogenetically Related Lanostane-Type Triterpenoids with Diverse Skeletons from Kadsura coccinea

Six new lanostane-related triterpenoids, kadcoccinones A-F (1-6), were isolated from Kadsura coccinea. Compound 3 possesses a novel 6/6/9-fused carbocyclic core containing a rare oxabicyclo[4.3.1]decane system. Compounds 4 and 5 are isomers representing the first example of the 18(13 → 12)-abeo-26-norlanostane triterpenoid. The absolute configurations of 1 and 4-6 were defined by X-ray diffraction and experimental ECD spectra, and that of 3 was elucidated by quantum chemical calculations. The plausible biogenetic pathway of 1-6 is postulated.