Die Entdeckung und Synthese von marinen Polyethern

Bioinspired Ether Cyclizations within a π-Basic Capsule Compared to Autocatalysis on π-Acidic Surfaces and Pnictogen-Bonding Catalysts

While the integration of supramolecular principles in catalysis attracts increasing attention, a direct comparative assessment of the resulting systems catalysts to work out distinct characteristics is often difficult. Herein is reported how the broad responsiveness of ether cyclizations to diverse inputs promises to fill this gap. Cyclizations in the confined, π-basic and Brønsted acidic interior of supramolecular capsules, for instance, are found to excel with speed (exceeding general Brønsted acid and hydrogen-bonding catalysts by far) and selective violations of the Baldwin rules (as extreme as the so far unique pnictogen-bonding catalysts). The complementary cyclization on π-acidic aromatic surfaces remains unique with regard to autocatalysis, which is shown to be chemo- and diastereoselective with regard to product-like co-catalysts but, so far, not enantioselective.

The Formosalides: Structure Determination by Total Synthesis

Total synthesis allowed the constitution of the cytotoxic marine macrolides of the formosalide family to be confirmed and their previously unknown stereostructure to be assigned with confidence. The underlying blueprint was inherently modular to ensure that each conceivable isomer could be reached. This flexibility derived from the use of strictly catalyst controlled transformations to set the stereocenters, except for the anomeric position, which is under thermodynamic control; as an extra safety measure, all stereogenic centers were set prior to ring closure to preclude any interference of the conformation adopted by the macrolactone rings of the different diastereomers. Late-stage macrocyclization by ring-closing alkyne metathesis was followed by a platinum-catalyzed transannular 6-exo-dig hydroalkoxylation/ketalization to craft the polycyclic frame. The side chain featuring a very labile unsaturation pattern was finally attached to the core by Stille coupling.

An Endo-Selective Epoxide-Opening Cascade for the Fast Assembly of the Polycyclic Core Structure of Marine Ladder Polyethers

The rapid synthesis of marine ladder polyethers from polyepoxide precursors (in analogy with the biosynthetic pathway hypothesized by Nakanishi) is hampered by the fact that the exo-selective epoxide-opening cyclization cascade that gives THF-type polyethers is preferred over the endo-selective cascade that gives the desired products. We found that perfluoro-tert-butanol (PFTB) cooperating with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM]BF₄ ) can promote endo-selective epoxide-opening cyclization reactions of trisubstituted epoxy alcohols. Starting from readily accessible homochiral polyepoxy alcohols with a methyl group at all the endo-cyclization sites, we were able to construct polyethers up to five consecutive fused 6-, 7-, and/or 8-membered rings in one step. Notably, molecules with the 7/7/6/6 and 7/7/6/7/6 polyether frameworks of hemibrevetoxin B and brevenal, respectively, could be synthesized in 40 % and 17 % chemical yields.

Enantioselective Intramolecular Nicholas Reaction Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphoric Acid: Enantioconvergent Synthesis of Seven-Membered Cyclic Ethers from Racemic Diols

An enantioconvergent intramolecular Nicholas reaction of racemic diols was developed using BINOL- and SPINOL-derived phosphoric acids as the chiral Brønsted acid catalyst. The developed reaction features an efficient approach to the synthesis of seven-membered cyclic ethers in a highly enantioselective manner. Further derivatization of the enantioenriched cyclic ethers, initiated by the de-complexation of the dicobalt species, afforded densely functionalized cyclic ethers having an unsaturated diester moiety without loss of enantiomeric excess.

Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Annulation of Azavinyl Carbenes Through Ring-Expansion of 1,3,5-Trioxane: Rapid Access to Nine-Membered 1,3,5,7-Trioxazonines

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed denitrogenative coupling of N-alkylsulfonyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 1,3,5-trioxane led to nine-membered-ringed trioxazonines in moderate-to-good yields. 1,3,5-Trioxane, acting as an oxygen nucleophile, reacted with the α-aza-vinylcarbene intermediate, giving rise to ylide formation, which was probably the key step in the reaction. Triazoles that contained aryl substituents with various electronic and steric features on the C4 carbon atom were well-tolerated. The synthesis of trioxazonine derivatives was achieved through a one-pot, two-step procedure from 1-mesylazide and a terminal alkyne by combining Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and rhodium-catalyzed transformations.

Total synthesis and complete structural assignment of gambieric acid A, a large polycyclic ether marine natural product

More than thirty years after the discovery of polycyclic ether marine natural products, they continue to receive intense attention from the chemical, biological, and pharmacological communities because of their potent biological activities and highly complex molecular architectures. Gambieric acids are intriguing polycyclic ethers that exhibit potent antifungal activity with minimal toxicity against mammals. Despite the recent advances in the synthesis of this class of natural products, gambieric acids remain unconquered due to their daunting structural complexity, which poses a formidable synthetic challenge to organic chemists. This paper reviews our long-term studies on the total synthesis, complete configurational reassignment, and structure-activity relationships of gambieric acid A over the last decade.

A dioxane template for highly selective epoxy alcohol cyclizations

Ladder polyether natural products are a class of natural products denoted by their high functional-group density and large number of well-defined stereocenters. They comprise the toxic component of harmful algal blooms (HABs), having significant negative economic and environmental ramifications. However, their mode of action, namely blocking various cellular ion channels, also denotes their promise as potential anticancer agents. Understanding their potential mode of biosynthesis will not only help with developing ways to limit the damage of HABs, but would also facilitate the synthesis of a range of analogs with interesting biological activity. 1,3-Dioxan-5-ol substrates display remarkable 'enhanced template effects' in water-promoted epoxide cyclization processes en route to the synthesis of these ladder polyether natural products. In many cases, they provide near complete endo-to-exo selectivity in the cyclization of epoxy alcohols, thereby strongly favoring the formation of tetrahydropyran (THP) over tetrahydrofuran (THF) rings. The effects of various Brønsted and Lewis acidic and basic conditions are explored to demonstrate the superior selectivity of the template over the previously reported THP-based epoxy alcohols. In addition, the consideration of other synthetic routes are also considered with the goal of gaining rapid access to a plethora of potential starting materials applicable towards the synthesis of ladder polyethers. Finally, cascade sequences with polyepoxides are investigated, further demonstrating the versatility of this new reaction template.

Total synthesis of (-)-brevenal: a streamlined strategy for practical synthesis of polycyclic ethers

We describe a streamlined strategy for the practical synthesis of trans-fused polycyclic ethers and its application to a concise total synthesis of (-)-brevenal, a new pentacyclic polyether natural product with intriguing biological activities. The B-, D-, and E-rings were constructed by TEMPO/PhI(OAc)(2)-mediated oxidative lactonization of the corresponding 1,6-diols, with minimal need for manipulation of oxygen functionalities. The B- and E-ring lactones were appropriately functionalized by Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of lactone-derived enol phosphates and subsequent stereoselective hydroboration. The A-ring was formed by our mixed thioacetalization methodology. The AB- and DE-ring fragments were assembled through Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, and the C-ring was forged in the same manner as that for the A-ring. More than two grams of the pentacyclic polyether core of (-)-brevenal have been synthesized by the synthetic route developed in this study.

Maitotoxin: An Inspiration for Synthesis

Maitotoxin holds a special place in the annals of natural products chemistry as the largest and most toxic secondary metabolite known to date. Its fascinating, ladder-like, polyether molecular structure and diverse spectrum of biological activities elicited keen interest from chemists and biologists who recognized its uniqueness and potential as a probe and inspiration for research in chemistry and biology. Synthetic studies in the area benefited from methodologies and strategies that were developed as part of chemical synthesis programs directed toward the total synthesis of some of the less complex members of the polyether marine biotoxin class, of which maitotoxin is the flagship. This account focuses on progress made in the authors' laboratories in the synthesis of large maitotoxin domains with emphasis on methodology development, strategy design, and structural comparisons of the synthesized molecules with the corresponding regions of the natural product. The article concludes with an overview of maitotoxin's biological profile and future perspectives.

Functionalized templates for the convergent assembly of polyethers: synthesis of the HIJK rings of gymnocin A

Extension ladder: The successful application of epoxide-opening strategies towards the synthesis of ladder-type polyethers is contingent upon further elaboration of the product. By employing two different functionalized templates, a fragment of gymnocin A that bears four sites for subsequent fragment coupling has been prepared (see scheme; Bn = benzyl).

Enantioselective total synthesis of brevetoxin A: unified strategy for the B, E, G, and J subunits

Brevetoxin A is a decacyclic ladder toxin that possesses 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered oxacycles, as well as 22 tetrahedral stereocenters. Herein, we describe a unified approach to the B, E, G, and J rings based upon a ring-closing metathesis strategy from the corresponding dienes. The enolate technologies developed in our laboratory allowed access to the precursor acyclic dienes for the B, E, and G medium-ring ethers. The strategies developed for the syntheses of these four monocycles ultimately provided multigram quantities of each of the rings, supporting our efforts toward the completion of a convergent synthesis of brevetoxin A.

Enantioselective total synthesis of brevetoxin A: convergent coupling strategy and completion

A highly convergent, enantioselective total synthesis of brevetoxin A is reported. The development of a [X+2+X] Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons/cyclodehydration/reductive etherification convergent coupling strategy allowed a unified approach to the synthesis of two advanced tetracyclic fragments from four cyclic ether subunits. The Horner-Wittig coupling of the two tetracyclic fragments provided substrates that were explored for reductive etherification, the success of which delivered a late-stage tetraol intermediate. The tetraol was converted to the natural product through an expeditious selective oxidative process followed by methylenation.

Epoxide-opening cascades in the synthesis of polycyclic polyether natural products

The structural features of polycyclic polyether natural products can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin. However in case that are less well understood, only biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades are proposed. We summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers (see scheme) and related natural products.The group of polycyclic polyether natural products is of special interest owing to the fascinating structure and biological effects displayed by its members. The latter includes potentially therapeutic antibiotic, antifungal, and anticancer properties, and extreme lethality. The polycyclic structural features of this class of compounds can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin, but in others that are less well understood, only to proposed biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades. In this review we summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers and related natural products.