Synthesis of (−)-(Z)-Deoxypukalide

A Unified Synthetic Approach to the Pleurotin Natural Products

The asymmetric total syntheses of four pleurotin natural products, namely, (-)-pleurotin, (+)-leucopleurotin, (+)-leucopleurotinic acid, and (+)-dihydropleurotinic acid, were described in a concise manner. Key transformations feature a Johnson-Claisen rearrangement, a diastereo-controlled sequential hydroboration-oxidation, a SOMO/photoredox activated aldehyde α-alkylation, and oxidative cyclizations.

Studies toward Providencin: The Furanyl-Cyclobutanol Segment

The furanocembranoid providencin remains an unconquered bastion, although the synthesis of 17-deoxyprovidencin─lacking a single -OH group─has been accomplished in the past. This paper describes a practical approach to a properly hydroxylated building block via an iridium-catalyzed photosensitized intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition as the key step. While an attempt to convert this compound into providencin via RCAM failed, it might well be elaborated into the natural product by adopting the literature route.

A Vicinal Diol Approach for the Total Synthesis of Molestin E, ent-Sinulacembranolide A and ent-Sinumaximol A

In this work an approach for the synthesis of furanocembranoid natural products containing the C-7,8-diol moiety is disclosed. This culminated in the first total synthesis of the natural product molestin E, together with ent-sinulacembranolide A and ent-sinumaximol A as well as a thorough exploration of their chemistry. Late-stage ring-closure of the C-7,8-diols to the corresponding epoxides was also demonstrated. Key features of this synthetic strategy include a stereoselective Baylis-Hillman reaction, ring-closing metathesis and Shiina macrolactonisation. Chiral-pool materials were deployed to ensure the desired absolute stereochemistry which was confirmed by late-stage single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis of Conjugated Dienes in Natural Compounds

This review describes the various synthetic methods commonly used to obtain molecules possessing conjugated dienes. We focus on methods involving cross-coupling reactions using various metals such as nickel, palladium, ruthenium, cobalt, cobalt/zinc, manganese, zirconium, or iron, mainly through examples that aimed to access natural molecules or their analogues. Among the natural molecules covered in this review, we discuss the total synthesis of a phytohormone, Acid Abscisic (ABA), carried out by our team involving the development of a conjugated diene chain.

Cis Selective RCM Study to the 14-Membered Cyclic Subunit of Bielschowskysin

A concise, (Z)-selective ring-closing metathesis (RCM) route to the 14-membered carbocycle of bielschowskysin is detailed using naturally occurring chiral starting materials. Unproductive RCM substrates were attributed to alkyne chelation of the ruthenium catalyst and steric disadvantages within the cembranoid precursors, which was eventually circumvented by using cyclic diol benzylidene protection involving a C8-quaternary carbinol center.

Copper(I)/Ligand-Catalyzed 5-endo Radical Cyclization-Aromatization of 2,2,2-Trichloroethyl Vinyl Ethers: Synthesis of 2,3-Difunctionalized 4-Chlorofurans

Copper(I)/ligand-catalyzed one pot synthesis of highly substituted 2,3-difunctionalized-4-chlorofurans has been reported. The reaction proceeds via a Cu(I)-catalyzed regioselective 5-endo-trig radical cyclization of 2,2,2-trichloroethyl vinyl ethers followed by the base-promoted dehydrochlorination. The success of the kinetically disfavored 5-endo cyclization was attributed to the formation of captodatively stabilized radical intermediate in the cyclization step and relatively high reaction temperature. Synthetic application of this protocol was also demonstrated in the preparation of alkyl and aryl substituted 4-chlorofuranonapthoquinones.

Recent applications in natural product synthesis of dihydrofuran and -pyran formation by ring-closing alkene metathesis

Examples from 2003 to 2015 of ring-closing alkene metathesis (RCM) in the generation of dihydro-furans or -pyrans for natural product synthesis, are reviewed.

Natural products with anti-Bredt and bridgehead double bonds

Well over a hundred years ago, Professor Julius Bredt embarked on a career pursuing and critiquing bridged bicyclic systems that contained ring strain induced by the presence of a bridgehead olefin. These endeavors founded what we now know as Bredt's rule (Bredtsche Regel). Physical, theoretical, and synthetic organic chemists have intensely studied this premise, pushing the boundaries of such systems to arrive at a better understood physical phenomenon. Mother nature has also seen fit to construct molecules containing bridgehead double bonds that encompass Bredt's rule. For the first time, this topic is reviewed in a natural product context.

Total synthesis of the congested propellane alkaloid (-)-acutumine

The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-acutumine is described. The synthetic strategy was inspired by the premise that the cyclohexenone ring could be derived from an aromatic precursor. After successful construction of a propellane model system, an initial attempt to prepare the spirocyclic subunit was thwarted by incorrect regioselectivity in a radical cyclization. A second-generation approach involving a radical-polar crossover reaction was successful, and the chemistry developed in the aforementioned model system was then applied to synthesize the natural product. Key reactions included a phenolic oxidation, a diastereoselective ketone allylation utilizing Nakamura's chiral allylzinc reagent, an anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement, an acid-promoted cyclization of a secondary amine onto an α,β-unsaturated ketal, and a regioselective methyl enol etherification of a 1,3-diketone.

Light-mediated total synthesis of 17-deoxyprovidencin

An asymmetric synthesis of the diterpenoid 17-deoxyprovidencin is described. Key steps include an aldol addition, a base-catalyzed Wipf-type furan formation, a Z-selective ring-closing metathesis for macrocyclization, a photochemical E/Z isomerization to a highly strained and conformationally restricted ring system, and the stereoselective formation of two epoxides on the ring.

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-acutumine

An account of the total synthesis of the tetracyclic alkaloid (-)-acutumine is presented. A first-generation approach to the spirocyclic subunit was unsuccessful as a result of incorrect regioselectivity in a radical cyclization. However, this work spawned a second-generation strategy in which the spirocycle was fashioned via a radical-polar crossover reaction. This process merged an intramolecular radical conjugate addition with an enolate hydroxylation and created two stereocenters with excellent diastereoselectivity. The reaction was promoted by irradiation with a sunlamp, and a ditin reagent was required for aryl radical formation. These facts suggest that the substrate may function as a sensitizer, thereby facilitating homolytic cleavage of the ditin reagent. The propellane motif of the target was then installed via annulation of a pyrrolidine ring onto the spirocycle. The sequence of reactions used included a phenolic oxidation, an asymmetric ketone allylation mediated by Nakamura's chiral allylzinc reagent, an anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement, a one-pot ozonolysis-reductive amination, and a Lewis acid promoted cyclization of an amine onto an alpha,beta-unsaturated dimethyl ketal. Further studies of the asymmetric ketone allylation demonstrated the ability of the Nakamura reagent to function well in a mismatched situation. A TiCl(4)-catalyzed regioselective methyl enol etherification of a 1,3-diketone completed the synthesis.

An expedient route to substituted furans via olefin cross-metathesis

The olefin cross-metathesis (CM) reaction is used extensively in organic chemistry and represents a powerful method for the selective synthesis of differentially substituted alkene products. Surprisingly, efforts to integrate this remarkable process into strategies for aromatic and heteroaromatic construction have not been reported. Such structures represent key elements of the majority of small molecule drug compounds; methods for the controlled preparation of highly substituted derivatives are essential to medicinal chemistry. Here we show that the olefin CM reaction, in combination with an acid cocatalyst or subsequent Heck arylation, provides a concise and flexible entry to 2,5-di- or 2,3,5-tri-substituted furans. These cascade processes portend further opportunities for the regiocontrolled preparation of other highly substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic classes.

Synthesis of substituted pyridines and pyridazines via ring closing metathesis

RCM can be used to make aromatic heterocycles, namely pyridines and, for the first time, pyridazines; the key step after RCM involves elimination of sulfinate to provide the aromatic system.

Synthesis of 3-hydroxypyridines using ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing olefin metathesis

New synthetic routes to substituted 3-hydroxypyridines 6 are presented. Ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM)/elimination and RCM/oxidation/deprotection of nitrogen-containing dienes 4 are the key processes of the routes. An application of RCM/oxidation/deprotection to the synthesis of 3-aminopyridine 13f is also described.