A convergent route to the Galbulimima alkaloids (-)-GB 13 and (+)-GB 16

Synthesis of functionalized tetrahydrodibenzo[b,g][1,8]naphthyridin-1(2H)-ones through base-promoted annulation of quinoline-derived dipolarophiles and cyclic enaminones

An eco-friendly and metal-free method for the synthesis of tetrahydrodibenzo[b,g][1,8]naphthyridin-1(2H)-ones was established. Quinoline-derived dipolarophiles and cyclic enaminones as starting materials undergo a 1,4-Michael addition/SNAr tandem annulation reaction affording the target products. This approach features transition metal-free conditions, good functional group tolerance and operational simplicity.

Samarium(ii) iodide-mediated reactions applied to natural product total synthesis

Natural product synthesis remains a field in which new synthetic methods and reagents are continually being evaluated. Due to the demanding structures and complex functionality of many natural products, only powerful and selective methods and reagents will be highlighted in this proceeding. Since its introduction by Henri Kagan, samarium(ii) iodide (SmI2, Kagan's reagent) has found increasing use in chemical synthesis. Over the years, many reviews have been published on the application of SmI2 in numerous reductive coupling procedures as well as in natural product total synthesis. This review highlights recent advances in SmI2-mediated synthetic strategies, as applied in the total synthesis of natural products since 2004.

Concise syntheses of GB22, GB13, and himgaline by cross-coupling and complete reduction

Neuroactive metabolites from the bark of Galbulimima belgraveana occur in variable distributions among trees and are not easily accessible through chemical synthesis because of elaborate bond networks and dense stereochemistry. Previous syntheses of complex congeners such as himgaline have relied on iterative, stepwise installation of multiple methine stereocenters. We decreased the synthetic burden of himgaline chemical space to nearly one-third of the prior best (7 to 9 versus 19 to 31 steps) by cross-coupling high fraction aromatic building blocks (high Fsp2) followed by complete, stereoselective reduction to high fraction sp3 products (high Fsp3). This short entry into Galbulimima alkaloid space should facilitate extensive chemical exploration and biological interrogation.

The synthesis of seven- and eight-membered rings by radical strategies

Radical strategies for preparation of seven- or eight-membered rings.

Application of Pauson-Khand reaction in the total synthesis of terpenes

The Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) is a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition involving an alkyne, an alkene and carbon monoxide mediated by a hexacarbonyldicobaltalkyne complex to yield cyclopentenones in a single step. This versatile reaction has become a method of choice for the synthesis of cyclopentenone and its derivatives since its discovery in the early seventies. The aim of this review is to point out the applications of PKR in the total synthesis of terpenes.

Construction of Bridged Polycyclic Skeletons via Transition-Metal Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Bond-Forming Reactions

Transition-metal catalysis has become one of most important methods for constructing molecules with diverse architectures. Bridged polycyclic skeletons are often considered one of most challenging structures in organic synthesis. This Minireview summarizes the recent progress on synthesis of bridged polycyclic skeletons by transition-metal-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction. Four main ring-forming strategies including connection via olefin or carbonyl functionality, enolate intermediacy, C-H functionality, and aryl functionality are detailed and some effective methods are discussed with particular emphasis on reaction design and mechanism.

In Pursuit of Synthetic Efficiency: Convergent Approaches

The field of total synthesis has reached a stage in which emphasis has been increasingly focused on synthetic efficiency rather than merely achieving the synthesis of a target molecule. The pursuit of synthetic efficiency, typically represented by step count and overall yield, is a rich source of inspiration and motivation for synthetic chemists to invent innovative strategies and methods. Among them, convergent strategy has been well recognized as an effective approach to improve efficiency. This strategy generally involves coupling of fragments with similar complexity to furnish the target molecule via subsequent cyclization or late-stage functionalization. Thus, methodologies that enable effective connection of fragments are critical to devising a convergent plan. In our laboratory, convergent strategy has served as a long-standing principle for pursuing efficient synthesis during the course of planning and implementing synthetic projects. In this Account, we summarize our endeavors in the convergent synthesis of natural products over the last ten years. We show how we identify reasonable bond disconnections and employ enabling synthetic methodologies to maximize convergency, leading to the efficient syntheses of over two-dozen highly complex molecules from eight disparate families.In detail, we categorize our work into three parts based on the diverse reaction types for fragment assembly. First, we demonstrate the application of a powerful single-electron reducing agent, SmI₂, in a late-stage cyclization step, forging the polycyclic skeletons of structurally fascinating Galbulimima alkaloids and Leucosceptrum sesterterpenoids. Next, we showcase how three different types of cycloaddition reactions can simultaneously construct two challenging C-C bonds in a single step, providing concise entries to three distinct families, namely, spiroquinazoline alkaloids, gracilamine, and kaurane diterpenoids. In the third part, we describe convergent assembly of ent-kaurane diterpenoids, gelsedine-type alkaloids, and several drug molecules via employing some bifunctional synthons. To access highly oxidized ent-kaurane diterpenoids, we introduce the hallmark bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system at an early stage, and then execute coupling and cyclization by means of a Hoppe's homoaldol reaction and a Mukaiyama-Michael-type addition, respectively. Furthermore, we showcase how the orchestrated combination of an asymmetric Michael addition, a tandem oxidation-aldol reaction and a pinacol rearrangement can dramatically improve the efficiency in synthesizing gelsedine-type alkaloids, with nary a protecting group. Finally, to address the supply issue of several drugs, including anti-influenza drug zanamivir and antitumor agent Et-743, we exploit scalable and practical approaches to provide advantages over current routes in terms of cost, ease of execution, and efficiency.

Transition Metal-Mediated C-C Single Bond Cleavage: Making the Cut in Total Synthesis

Transition-metal-mediated cleavage of C-C single bonds can enable entirely new retrosynthetic disconnections in the total synthesis of natural products. Given that C-C bond cleavage inherently alters the carbon framework of a compound, and that, under transition-metal catalysis, the generated organometallic or radical intermediate is primed for further complexity-building reactivity, C-C bond-cleavage events have the potential to drastically and rapidly remodel skeletal frameworks. The recent acceleration of the use of transition-metal-mediated cleavage of C-C single bonds in total synthesis can be ascribed to a communal recognition of this fact. In this Review, we highlight ten selected total syntheses from 2014 to 2019 that illustrate how transition-metal-mediated cleavage of C-C single bonds at either the core or the periphery of synthetic intermediates can streamline synthetic efforts.

Structures of New Alkaloids from Rain Forest Trees Galbulimima belgraveana and Galbulimima baccata in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Northern Australia

Following on our 60-year research on the chemical constituents of the rain forest trees Galbulimima belgraveana and Galbulimima baccata, we report the isolation of seven new alkaloids: GB14 (14), GB22 (15), GB25 (16), GB21 (17), GB23 (18), GB24 (19), and GB26 (20). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray crystallography, as well as structure degradation and interconversion. The newly isolated alkaloids are precursors or derivatives of the known family members from our early studies and could be intermediates in the biosynthesis of the Galbulimima alkaloids. Therefore, the present study has expanded the range of structures in this family of alkaloids and provided some missing links in the biosynthetic sequences.

Galbulimima Alkaloids

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of recent achievements in the area of Galbulimima alkaloids. Following a discussion of the isolation of Galbulimima alkaloids and structural features of members of this fascinating family of secondary metabolites, biological properties of selected compounds are briefly discussed. Furthermore, the proposed biosynthetic routes toward Galbulimima alkaloids are outlined. The main section of the chapter is devoted to a detailed discussion and comparison of all total syntheses of Galbulimima alkaloids published to date.

Total Synthesis of the Galbulimima Alkaloids Himandravine and GB17 Using Biomimetic Diels-Alder Reactions of Double Diene Precursors

The enantioselective total syntheses of himandravine and GB17 were completed through a common biomimetic strategy involving Diels-Alder reactions of unusual double diene containing linear precursors. The double diene precursors, containing or lacking a C12 substituent as required to produce GB17 or himandravine, respectively, were found to undergo Diels-Alder reactions to afford mixtures of regioisomeric cycloadducts that map onto the alternative carbocyclic frameworks of both himandravine and GB17. Computational investigations revealed that these Diels-Alder reactions proceed via transition state structures of similar energy that have a high degree of bispericyclic character and that the low levels of regioselectivity observed in the reactions are a consequence of competing orbital interaction and distortion energies. The combined experimental and computational results provide valuable insights into the biosynthesis of the Galbulimima alkaloids.

Expedient construction of the ABEF azatetracyclic ring systems of lycoctonine-type and 7,17-seco-type C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloids

A synthetic strategy for the modeling construction of the highly bridged azatetracyclic ABEF ring system of numerous lycoctonine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids bearing a characteristic oxygenated quaternary center at C-7 has been successfully developed. The tetracyclic core was constructed rapidly from a readily prepared 6,7-bicyclic AB ring precursor through a 13-step sequence via an advanced tetracyclic N,O-acetal intermediate, which belong to another core structure of natural 7,17-seco-type alkaloids. The key step involves an SmI2-promoted intramolecular radical coupling reaction of an N,O-acetal with a carbonyl group, mimicking a plausible biogenetic transformation.

New apotirucallane-type triterpenoids from Chisocheton paniculatus

Two new apotirucallane triterpenoids, namely chisiamols G (1) and H (2), featuring a 21,23-lactone, together with five known triterpenoids, were isolated from the twigs of Chisocheton paniculatus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Synthesis of bridged polycyclic ring systems via carbene cascades terminating in C-H bond insertion

A carbene cascade reaction that constructs functionalized bridged bicyclic systems from alkynyl diazoesters is presented. The cascade proceeds through diazo decomposition, carbene/alkyne metathesis, and C-H bond insertion. The diazoesters are easily synthesized from cyclic ketones. Substrate ring size and substitution patterns control the connectivity and diastereomeric preference found in the products.

Approaches to the Synthesis of the Galbulimima Alkaloid Himandrine

The hexacyclic skeleton of himandrine (2), which is present in 15 of the more complex alkaloids obtained from the bark of the tropical rain forest tree Galbulimima belgraveana has been prepared by means of a 19-step synthesis beginning with the known [3.2.1]-benzobicyclooctene intermediate 9. An alternative approach is also described, thus far culminating in 34. Key transformations include Diels–Alder cycloadditions, ring contractions, a Curtius rearrangement, a Birch reduction, an intramolecular nucleophilic amination, and a palladium-mediated alkene amination.