A four-step synthesis of the hydroazulene core of guanacastepene

A convergent synthesis of the tricyclic architecture of the guanacastepenes featuring a selective ring fragmentation

[reaction: see text] This Letter describes a concise, diastereoselective synthesis of the tricyclic carbon framework of the guanacastepene family of natural products. An intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction established a remote stereochemical relationship and facilitated a synthesis of allylic acetate 3, which was subsequently joined with vinylstananne 9 via a Stille coupling. An intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition then afforded complex cyclobutyl ketone 19, which underwent a stereoelectronically controlled fragmentation to the guanacastepene architecture on treatment with samarium diiodide.

Studies toward the total synthesis of diterpene antibiotic guanacastepene A: construction of the hydroazulenic core

[reaction: see text] As a part of studies aimed toward the total synthesis of biologically important natural product guanacastepene A of contemporary interest, a new and concise route to a fully functionally endowed hydroazulenic core is delineated. The strategy involves the building of the requisite stereochemical features on a endo-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decane matrix and excision of the five-membered ring through a retro-Diels-Alder reaction. Generation of the seven-membered ring to access the hydroazulenic framework was achieved employing ring closure metathesis (RCM) reaction as the key step.

Lewis acid promoted phenylseleno group transfer tandem radical cyclization reactions

[reaction: see text] A new Lewis acid promoted phenylseleno group transfer tandem radical cyclization method was developed. In the presence of Lewis acids such as Yb(OTf)3 or Mg(ClO4)2, under photolysis condition at low temperature (-45 degrees C), various unsaturated alpha-phenylseleno beta-keto amides underwent radical cyclization reactions to give monocyclic or bicyclic products in a highly efficient, regioselective, and stereoselective manner.