Total synthesis of the Daphniphyllum alkaloid daphenylline

Stereoselective synthesis of isoquinuclidines through an aza-[4 + 2] cycloaddition of chiral cyclic 2-amidodienes

A highly stereoselective aza-[4 + 2] cycloaddition of chiral cyclic 2-amidodienes with N-sulfonyl aldimines is described. While this Lewis acid promoted heterocycloaddition provides an efficient strategy for constructing optically enriched isoquinuclidines, it is mechanistically intriguing. The cycloaddition favored the endo-II pathway in the absence of a viable bidentate coordination. This represents an unexpected switch from the anticipated endo-I selectivity obtained in the all-carbon cycloaddition.

Strategies towards the synthesis of calyciphylline A-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids

The Daphniphyllum alkaloids are a diverse family of natural products rich in number and structural diversity that have been known for many decades. However, the structurally unique subclass of calyciphylline A-type alkaloids has only recently been discovered and is relatively unexplored. Several noteworthy core syntheses and the development of a wide range of novel synthetic strategies have been achieved. This includes strategies based on intramolecular Michael addition, Pd-catalysis, cycloaddition, and Mannich-type reactions. This review will provide an overview of these synthetic studies.

Rapid access to the heterocyclic core of the calyciphylline A and daphnicyclidin A-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids via tandem cyclization of a neutral aminyl radical

A streamlined approach to the tertiary amine-containing core of the calyciphylline A and daphnicyclidin A-type Daphniphyllum alkaloids is presented. A known carvone derivative is converted into the core structure in only four synthetic operations, and it is well poised for further elaboration. The key enabling methodology is a radical cyclization cascade beginning with addition of a secondary, neutral aminyl radical to the β-position of an enone, followed by trapping with a pendant alkyne.

Total synthesis of (-)-calyciphylline N

The total synthesis of the architecturally complex Daphniphyllum alkaloid (-)-calyciphylline N has been achieved. Highlights of the synthesis include a Et2AlCl-promoted, highly stereoselective, susbtrate-controlled intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, a transannular enolate alkylation, an effective Stille carbonylation/Nazarov cyclization sequence, and a high-risk diastereoselective hydrogenation of a fully substituted conjugated diene ester.

Strategic innovation in the total synthesis of complex natural products using gold catalysis

This review has been organized from the perspective of synthetic target families, with emphasis on the use of gold-catalyzed transformations and cascade reactions that significantly increase molecular complexity.

One-pot synthesis of polysubstituted 3-acylpyrroles by cooperative catalysis

Polysubstituted 3-acylpyrroles were synthesized from readily available unsaturated ketones and N-substituted propargylated amines via an aza-Michael/alkyne carbocyclization cascade followed by oxidation in one pot.