Total Synthesis of Rubriflordilactone B

DBU-Mediated Isomerization/6-π Electro-Cyclization/Oxidation Cascade of Sulfonyl-Substituted Allenyl Ketones for the Construction of Hetero-1,3,5-Trisubstituted Benzene

1,3,5-tri-substituted benzene rings emerged with unique properties has widespread applications in materials, boosting the rapid development of their synthesis. Despite the significance, the direct construction of hetero-1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene core was far less-developed. Herein, we realized a DBU-mediated isomerization/6-π electro-cyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade of sulfonyl-substituted allenyl ketones under an air atmosphere (DBU=1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). This versatile protocol featured metal-free conditions, easy operation, and broad functional group tolerance provides a new avenue for the construction of hetero-1,3,5-tri-substituted benzene.

Advancing the Logic of Chemical Synthesis: C-H Activation as Strategic and Tactical Disconnections for C-C Bond Construction

The design of synthetic routes by retrosynthetic logic is decisively influenced by the transformations available. Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H activation has emerged as a powerful strategy for C-C bond formation, with myriad methods developed for diverse substrates and coupling partners. However, its uptake in total synthesis has been tepid, partially due to their apparent synthetic intractability, as well as a lack of comprehensive guidelines for implementation. This Review addresses these issues and offers a guide to identify retrosynthetic opportunities to generate C-C bonds by C-H activation processes. By comparing total syntheses accomplished using traditional approaches and recent C-H activation methods, this Review demonstrates how C-H activation enabled C-C bond construction has led to more efficient retrosynthetic strategies, as well as the execution of previously unattainable tactical maneuvers. Finally, shortcomings of existing processes are highlighted; this Review illustrates how some highlighted total syntheses can be further economized by adopting next-generation ligand-enabled approaches.

Fe-Catalyzed Anaerobic Mukaiyama-Type Hydration of Alkenes using Nitroarenes

Hydration of alkenes using first row transition metals (Fe, Co, Mn) under oxygen atmosphere (Mukaiyama-type hydration) is highly practical for alkene functionalization in complex synthesis. Different hydration protocols have been developed, however, control of the stereoselectivity remains a challenge. Herein, highly diastereoselective Fe-catalyzed anaerobic Markovnikov-selective hydration of alkenes using nitroarenes as oxygenation reagents is reported. The nitro moiety is not well explored in radical chemistry and nitroarenes are known to suppress free radical processes. Our findings show the potential of cheap nitroarenes as oxygen donors in radical transformations. Secondary and tertiary alcohols were prepared with excellent Markovnikov-selectivity. The method features large functional group tolerance and is also applicable for late-stage chemical functionalization. The anaerobic protocol outperforms existing hydration methodology in terms of reaction efficiency and selectivity.

Transition-Metal Catalysis of Triene 6π Electrocyclization: The π-Complexation Strategy Realized

Triene 6π electrocyclization, wherein a conjugated triene undergoes a concerted stereospecific cycloisomerization to a cyclohexadiene, is a reaction of great historical and practical significance. In order to circumvent limitations imposed by the normally harsh reaction conditions, chemists have long sought to develop catalytic variants based upon the activating power of metal-alkene coordination. Herein, we demonstrate the first successful implementation of such a strategy by utilizing [(C₅ H₅ )Ru(NCMe)₃ ]PF₆ as a precatalyst for the disrotatory 6π electrocyclization of highly substituted trienes that are resistant to thermal cyclization. Mechanistic and computational studies implicate hexahapto transition-metal coordination as responsible for lowering the energetic barrier to ring closure. This work establishes a foundation for the development of new catalysts for stereoselective electrocyclizations.

Convergent Total Syntheses of (-)-Rubriflordilactone B and (-)-pseudo-Rubriflordilactone B

A highly convergent strategy for the synthesis of the natural product (-)-rubriflordilactone B, and the proposed structure of (-)-pseudo-rubriflordilactone B, is described. Late stage coupling of diynes containing the respective natural product FG rings with a common AB ring aldehyde precedes rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerization to form the natural product skeleton, with the syntheses completed in just one further operation. This work resolves the uncertainty surrounding the identity of pseudo-rubriflordilactone B and provides a robust platform for further synthetic and biological investigations.

Synthesis of Four Illudalane Sesquiterpenes Utilizing a One-Pot Diels-Alder/Oxidative Aromatization Sequence

The concise, divergent total syntheses of four illudalane sesquiterpenes using an indanone as the key intermediate are reported. The key elements in these total syntheses, which involve only four to six operational steps, consist of a Suzuki cross-coupling and a one-pot Diels-Alder/oxidative aromatization reaction.

Resolving Inflammation: Synthesis, Configurational Assignment, and Biological Evaluations of RvD1n-3 DPA

New drugs that can resolve inflammation without immunosuppressive effects are at the medicinal chemistry frontier. Pro-resolving endogenously formed small molecules, that is, the resolvins, are excellent candidates displaying such bioactions. The first total synthesis of the specialized pro-resolving mediator RvD1_n-3 DPA has been achieved using the underutilized sp³ -sp³ Negishi cross coupling reaction and an alkyne hydrosilylation-protodesilylation protocol. Biological evaluations revealed that this novel mediator displays low nanomolar pro-resolving properties and potently activates the human DRV1/GPR32 receptor. As such, this endogenous natural product is a lead compound for the development of novel immunoresolvents.

Total Synthesis of the Schisandraceae Nortriterpenoid Rubriflordilactone A

Full details of the total synthesis of the Schisandraceae nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are reported. Palladium- and cobalt-catalyzed polycyclizations were employed as key strategies to construct the central pentasubstituted arene from bromoendiyne and triyne precursors. This required the independent assembly of two AB ring aldehydes for combination with a common diyne component. A number of model systems were explored to investigate these two methodologies, and also to establish routes for the installation of the challenging benzopyran and butenolide rings.