Quinones as Dienophiles in the Diels-Alder Reaction: History and Applications in Total Synthesis

Unexpectedly Regioselective Diels-Alder Reactions of New Unsymmetrical Benzoquinones: A Convenient Synthetic Entry to Uniquely Substituted Decalins

We report flexible synthesis of new unsymmetrically 2,6-disubstituted benzoquinones (33 examples) and a systematic study of their reactivity in the Diels-Alder reaction. The Diels-Alder reactions of selected unsymmetrical benzoquinones with seemingly similar substituents were found to proceed with high regioselectivity and the formation of selected experimentally observed main products was rationalized by theoretical (DFT) calculations. The findings can be exploited in the convenient preparation of densely substituted and stereochemically defined decalins with unique angular substituents at ring fusion. We also demonstrate the usefulness of this methodology in complex molecule synthesis through the total synthesis of a novel forskolin analog possessing an ethyl group at the fusion of the rings B and C.

The role of an intramolecular hydrogen bond in the redox properties of carboxylic acid naphthoquinones

A bioinspired naphthoquinone model of the quinones in photosynthetic reaction centers but bearing an intramolecular hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid has been synthesized and characterized electrochemically, spectroscopically, and computationally to provide mechanistic insight into the role of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) of quinone reduction in photosynthesis. The reduction potential of this construct is 370 mV more positive than the unsubstituted naphthoquinone. In addition to the reversible cyclic voltammetry, infrared spectroelectrochemistry confirms that the naphthoquinone/naphthoquinone radical anion couple is fully reversible. Calculated redox potentials agree with the experimental trends arising from the intramolecular hydrogen bond. Molecular electrostatic potentials illustrate the reversible proton transfer driving forces, and analysis of the computed vibrational spectra supports the possibility of a combination of electron transfer and PCET processes. The significance of PCET, reversibility, and redox potential management relevant to the design of artificial photosynthetic assemblies involving PCET processes is discussed.

Asymmetric total syntheses of sarglamides A, C, D, E, and F

Sarglamides A-E were identified as a structurally new class of alkaloids with potential application for inflammation-associated diseases. Reported is the first asymmetric total synthesis of sarglamides A, C, D, E, and F within 7 steps, featuring an intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition of (S)-phellandrene and 1,4-benzoquinone and intramolecular (aza-)Michael addition to construct the tetracyclic core of sarglamides. Importantly, our work demonstrated that the hypothetic Diels-Alder reaction of α-phellandrene with dienophile toussaintine C (or analogues) originally proposed as a biosynthetic pathway was not viable under non-enzymatic conditions. Additionally, we discovered novel and efficient double cyclization (cycloetherification and oxa-Michael cyclization) to construct the core framework of sarglamides E and D. Our concise synthetic strategy might allow rapid access to a library of sarglamide analogues for further evaluation of their bioactivity and mode of action.

The Synthesis and Reactivity of Naphthoquinonynes

The first systematic exploration of the synthesis and reactivity of naphthoquinonynes is described. Routes to two regioisomeric Kobayashi-type naphthoquinonyne precursors have been developed, and the reactivity of the ensuing 6,7- and 5,6-aryne intermediates has been investigated. Remarkably, these studies have revealed that a broad range of cycloadditions, nucleophile additions and difunctionalizations can be achieved while maintaining the integrity of the highly sensitive quinone unit. The methodologies offer a powerful diversity oriented approach to C6 and C7 functionalized naphthoquinones, which are typically challenging to access. From a reactivity viewpoint, the study is significant because it demonstrates that aryne-based functionalizations can be utilized strategically in the presence of highly reactive and directly competing functionality.

An Accesss to 4,5,6-Trisubstituted Pyrimidines from 2H-Azirines and α-Isocyanoacetates or α-Isocyanoacetamides Enabled by 1,3-Dipolar [3 + 2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Expanding/Oxidative Aromatization Process

The products containing pyrimidine scaffolds exhibit various important physiological and biological activities. To date, the strategies to generate 4,5,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines were not reported. Here, a copper-catalyzed reaction of 2H-azirines with α-isocyanoacetates or α-isocyanoacetamides has been developed, rapidly preparing 4,5,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines. The mechanistic results reveal that this strategy underwent a formal 1, 3-dipolar [3 + 2] cycloaddition/ring-expanding/oxidative aromatization procedure to construct the desired pyrimidines.

Asymmetric Formal Coupling of β-Ketoesters with Quinones Promoted by a Chiral Bifunctional N-Heterocyclic Olefin

A highly enantioselective formal coupling of β-ketoesters with quinones was accomplished by a chiral bifunctional N-heterocyclic olefin organocatalyst. With as low as 1 mol % catalyst loading, a number of enantioenriched quinone derivatives were afforded in good yields with high enantioselectivities and regioselectivities (up to 96% yield, 98% ee, and 19:1 rr). Gram-scale synthesis and the high inhibitory effect of several products on the viability of cancer cells demonstrate the potential utility of the current method.

Electrochemically Enabled Total Syntheses of Natural Products

Electrochemical techniques have helped to enable the total synthesis of natural products since the pioneering work of Kolbe in the mid 1800's. The electrochemical toolset grows every day and these new possibilities change the way chemists look at and think about natural products. This review provides a perspective on total syntheses wherein electrochemical techniques enabled the carbon─carbon bond formations in the skeletal assembly of important natural products, discussion of mechanistic details, and representative examples of the bond formations enabled over the last several decades. These bond formations are often distinctly different from those possible with conventional chemistries and allow assemblies complementary to other techniques.

Isolation, Structural Analysis and Biological Activity Assays of Biselisabethoxanes A and B: Two Dissymmetric Bis-Diterpenes from the Southwestern Caribbean Sea Gorgonian Coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

Two novel dissymmetric diterpenoids, biselisabethoxanes A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the hexane extracts of the gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Biselisabethoxane A (1) represents the first example of a marine-derived C₄₀ dimer made of two distinct diterpene fragments, whereas biselisabethoxane B (2) is a fused heterodimer stemming from coupling of two amphilectane-based fragments. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral data analysis. The molecular structure of 1 was subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. When evaluated for their inhibitory effects in a series of well-established biological activity assays the isolated compounds were shown to moderately inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Telescoped Continuous Flow Synthesis of 2-Substituted 1,4-Benzoquinones via Oxidative Dearomatisation of para-Substituted Phenols Using Singlet Oxygen in Supercritical CO2

This paper describes a continuous multi-step synthesis in supercritical CO2. A continuous flow synthesis of 2-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones is reported, and details of the high-pressure reactors are given. This proceeds via the telescoped dearomatisation of p-substituted phenols using singlet oxygen in supercritical CO2 and an acid-mediated C–C migration. The process has a short residence time of 30 minutes, with overall yields and projected productivities of up to 83% and 9 g/day, respectively. This methodology enables a safe and efficient synthesis of 2-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones from photo-generated singlet oxygen, and cheap and readily available p-substituted phenols. The procedure has high atom efficiency, low photocatalyst loading, and substitutes potentially hazardous and corrosive reagents and solvents for molecular oxygen, CO2, and the less hazardous solid-supported acid Amberlyst-15.

Bioinspired Total Synthesis of Erectones A and B, and the Revised Structure of Hyperelodione D

The field of biomimetic synthesis seeks to apply biosynthetic hypotheses to the efficient construction of complex natural products. This approach can also guide the revision of incorrectly assigned structures. Herein, we describe the evolution of a concise total synthesis and structural reassignment of hyperelodione D, a tetracyclic meroterpenoid derived from a Hypericum plant, alongside some biogenetically related natural products, erectones A and B. The key step in the synthesis of hyperelodione D forms six stereocentres and three rings in a bioinspired cascade reaction that features an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction, an intramolecular Prins reaction and a terminating cycloetherification.

An Integrated Building Block for Cascade Diels-Alder and Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions

The Diels-Alder (DA) reaction and hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction are among the most powerful methods for the construction of carbocycles and heterocycles. Herein, an integrated building block of DA and HDA reactions is described. The triazenyl dienes could undergo a DA reaction, while the newly released alkene moiety and the triazene were able to engage in a HDA reaction. In these processes, the triazene group could facilitate the electron-demand DA reaction and also act as a fragment of diazadiene.

Single-Molecule Junction: A Reliable Platform for Monitoring Molecular Physical and Chemical Processes

Monitoring and manipulating the physical and chemical behavior of single molecules is an important development direction of molecular electronics that aids in understanding the molecular world at the single-molecule level. The electrical detection platform based on single-molecule junctions can monitor physical and chemical processes at the single-molecule level with a high temporal resolution, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio. Recently, the combination of single-molecule junctions with different multimodal control systems has been widely used to explore significant physical and chemical phenomena because of its powerful monitoring and control capabilities. In this review, we focus on the applications of single-molecule junctions in monitoring molecular physical and chemical processes. The methods developed for characterizing single-molecule charge transfer and spin characteristics as well as revealing the corresponding intrinsic mechanisms are introduced. Dynamic detection and regulation of single-molecule conformational isomerization, intermolecular interactions, and chemical reactions are also discussed in detail. In addition to these dynamic investigations, this review discusses the open challenges of single-molecule detection in the fields of physics and chemistry and proposes some potential applications in this field.

Advances in Diels-Alder/aromatization of biomass furan derivatives towards renewable aromatic hydrocarbons

The effective upgrading of renewable resources into high value-added chemicals is of great significance to achieve the sustainable economic development, as well as the implementation of carbon neutral technologies practically....

Exploration of brominated Plastoquinone analogs: Discovery and structure-activity relationships of small antimicrobial lead molecules

In the fight with the antimicrobial resistance, our continuous effort to find quinone analogs with higher inhibitory activity has previously led us to the promising Plastoquinone analogs. The 1,4-quinone moiety substituted with alkoxy substituent(s) plays an important role in the field of antimicrobial and anticancer drug discovery and development. Thus, an extensive series of 1,4-quinones, substituted in different positions with a variety of alkoxy substituents, has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Here, we describe the synthesis of brominated Plastoquinone analogs (BrPQ1-15) based on the dimethyl-1,4-quinone scaffold by employing two different paths. We also present here the in vitro antimicrobial activity of these analogs (BrPQ1-15) against a panel of pathogenic organisms. These studies resulted in several new selective antibacterial inhibitors and gave valuable insights into the structure-activity relationships. Among all the analogs studied, two analogs BrPQ1 with a methoxy substituent and BrPQ14 with a cyclic dioxy stand out as the most promising antibacterial molecules against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Afterwards, two analogs were selected for a further investigation for biofilm evaluation. Finally, molecular docking studies for BrPQ1 and BrPQ14 with probable target S. aureus PNPase (5XEX) and predictive ADMET studies were also carried out.

Organophotocatalytic Aerobic Oxygenation of Phenols in a Visible-Light Continuous-Flow Photoreactor

A mild photocatalytic phenol oxygenation enabled by a continuous-flow photoreactor using visible light and pressurized air is described herein. Products for wide-ranging applications, including the synthesis of vitamins, were obtained in high yields by precisely controlling principal process parameters. The reactor design permits low organophotocatalyst loadings to generate singlet oxygen. It is anticipated that the efficient aerobic phenol oxygenation to benzoquinones and p-quinols contributes to sustainable synthesis.

A straightforward conversion of 1,4-quinones into polycyclic pyrazoles via [3 + 2]-cycloaddition with fluorinated nitrile imines

In-situ-generated N-aryl nitrile imines derived from trifluoroacetonitrile efficiently react with polycyclic 1,4-quinones, yielding fused pyrazole derivatives as the exclusive products. The reactions proceed via the initially formed [3 + 2]-cycloadducts, which undergo spontaneous aerial oxidation to give aromatized heterocyclic products. Only for 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, the expected [3 + 2]-cycloadduct exhibited fair stability and could be isolated in moderate yield (53%). The presented method offers a straightforward access to hitherto little known trifluoromethylated polycyclic pyrazoles. All products were isolated as pale colored solids with medium-intensity absorption maxima in the range of 310-340 nm for naphthoquinone-derived products and low-intensity bands in the visible region (≈400 nm) for the anthraquinone series.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis and Biosynthetic Implications of Perovskones, Hydrangenone, and Hydrangenone B

Perovskones and hydrangenones are a family of structurally complex triterpenoids that were mainly isolated from the genus Salvia medicinal plants. These isoprenoids exhibit a broad range of biological activities, such as antitumor and antiplasmodial activities. Here, we report the collective total synthesis of perovskone, perovskones C, D, F, hydrangenone, and hydrangenone B. The key strategies in this work include the following: (1) an asymmetric photoenolization/Diels-Alder reaction was developed to construct a tricyclic ring bearing three contiguous quaternary centers, which was used to build the core icetexane skeleton; (2) a bioinspired Diels-Alder reaction of perovskatone D with trans-α-ocimene was applied to stereospecifically generate perovskones; (3) late-stage oxidations and ring forming steps were developed to synthesize perovskones and hydrangenones. Our synthetic work suggests that (1) perovskatone D may serve as the precursor of the biosynthesis of perovskones and (2) the formation of hydrangenone and hydrangenone B, containing a five-membered D ring, may involve an oxidative ring cleavage and ring regeneration process.

Highly chemoselective deoxygenation of N-heterocyclic N-oxides under transition metal-free conditions

Because their site-selective C-H functionalizations are now considered one of the most useful tools for synthesizing various N-heterocyclic compounds, the highly chemoselective deoxygenation of densely functionalized N-heterocyclic N-oxides has received much attention from the synthetic chemistry community. Here, we provide a protocol for the highly chemoselective deoxygenation of various functionalized N-oxides under visible light-mediated photoredox conditions with Na2-eosin Y as an organophotocatalyst. Mechanistic studies imply that the excited state of the organophotocatalyst is reductively quenched by Hantzsch esters. This operationally simple technique tolerates a wide range of functional groups and allows high-yield, multigram-scale deoxygenation.

Enamides and dienamides in phosphoric acid-catalysed enantioselective cycloadditions for the synthesis of chiral amines

This feature article describes how enamides and dienamides can participate in chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective cycloadditions to prepare a wide range of cyclic amines.

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)-Carbocyclinone-534 Reveals Its Biosynthetic Pathway

Carbocyclinone-534 is a new antibiotic produced after the metabolism of tapinarof. We identify a biomimetic total synthesis of carbocyclinone-534 in eight steps by taking advantage of an intermolecular Diels-Alder homodimerization/dehydrogenation/intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition cascade. This synthetic sequence provides direct experimental evidence for revealing the biosynthetic pathway of carbocyclinone-534.

A versatile Diels-Alder approach to functionalized hydroanthraquinones

The synthesis of highly substituted hydroanthraquinone derivatives with up to three stereogenic centres via a Diels-Alder reaction, starting from easily accessible 2-substituted naphthoquinones, is described. The [4+2]-cycloaddition is applicable for a broad range of substrates, runs under mild conditions and results in high yields. The highly regioselective outcome of the reactions is enabled by a benzoyl substituent at C2 of the dienophiles. The obtained hydroanthraquinones can be further modified and represent ideal substrates for follow-up intramolecular coupling reactions to create unique bicyclo[3.3.1] or -[3.2.2]nonane ring systems which are important natural product skeletons.

Allyl Monitorization of the Regioselective Pd-Catalyzed Annulation of Alkylnyl Aryl Ethers Leading to Bismethylenechromanes

The mechanism for the synthesis of 2,3-bismethylenechromanes obtained by the reaction between silylethynyloxyarenes and allylic pivalates and catalyzed by a palladium complex has been investigated using computational methods rooted in density functional theory. The reaction is promoted by a C-H bond activation and the consequent bond cleavage of both substrates, followed by a novel annulation. The whole mechanism of this reaction is described together with the drawbacks that could block it. The main role played by the allyl rotation, inducing selectivity, together with the lability of the phosphine ligand and base (Cs₂CO₃) effects are unraveled. Finally, the nature of the substrates was managed, confirming that ortho-allylated silylethynyloxybenzenes lead to the same type of annulated products.

Hetero Diels-Alder Reactions with a Dicationic Urea Azine Derived Azo Dienophile and Their Use for the Synthesis of an Electron-Rich Pentacene

Herein, the first hetero Diels-Alder (DA) reactions with a stable, dicationic urea azine derived azo dienophile, synthesized by two-electron oxidation of a neutral urea azine are reported. Several charged DA products were synthesized in good yield and fully characterized. The DA adduct of anthracene is in thermal equilibrium with the reactants at room temperature, and the reaction enthalpy and entropy were determined from the temperature-dependent equilibrium constant. Furthermore, base addition to solutions of the pentacene DA product led to deprotonation, cleavage of the N-N bond, and formation of an electron-rich 6,13-bisguanidinyl-substituted pentacene. The redox and optical properties of this new pentacene derivative were studied. Furthermore, the dication resulting from its two-electron oxidation was synthesized and fully characterized. The results disclose a new elegant route to electron-rich pentacene derivatives.

Copper(I)/DDQ-Mediated Double-Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reaction of Aryl Butenes with 1,4-Diketones and Indolones

A copper(I)/DDQ-mediated double-dehydrogenative Diels-Alder (DDDA) reaction of simple butenes with 1,4-diketones and indolones has been established for the first time. This strategy is based on a tandem double-dehydrogenation/Diels-Alder reaction from nonprefunctionalized starting materials, in which both a diene and dienophile were in situ generated via activation of fourfold inert C(sp³)-H bonds in one catalytic system.

Enantioselective Redox-Divergent Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Quinone Diels-Alder Reactions

An efficient enantioselective construction of tetrahydronaphthalene-1,4-diones as well as dihydronaphthalene-1,4-diols by a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed quinone Diels-Alder reaction with dienecarbamates is reported. The nature of the protecting group on the diene is key to the success of achieving high enantioselectivity. The divergent "redox" selectivity is controlled by using an adequate amount of quinones. Reversible redox switching without erosion of enantioselectivity was possible from individual redox isomers.

Diels–Alder reactions between cyclopentadiene analogs and benzoquinone in water and their application in the synthesis of polycyclic cage compounds

Diels–Alder reactions between cyclopentadiene analogs and p-benzoquinone were explored in water and yielded 83–97% product, higher than the results reported in water with a catalyst or cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) micelles. The novel adduct 10 was synthesized and further used to synthesize the bi-cage hydrocarbon 4,4′-spirobi[pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane], which has a high density (1.2663 g cm⁻³) and a high volumetric heat of combustion (53.353 MJ L⁻¹). Four novel bi-cage hydrocarbon compounds were synthesized in water using this method starting from 2,2′-bi(p-benzoquinone) and cyclopentadiene analogs.

Diels–Alder reactions between cyclopentadiene analogs and p-benzoquinone were explored in water and yielded 83–97% product, higher than the results reported in water with a catalyst or cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) micelles.

One-electron oxidative dehydrogenative annulation and cyclization reactions

This review focuses on the recent advances in one-electron oxidation involved oxidative dehydrogenative annulations and cyclizations for the intermolecular and intramolecular construction of valuable ring structures.

Naturally occurring [4 + 2] type terpenoid dimers: sources, bioactivities and total syntheses

This review article highlights recent progress on their sources, bioactivities, biosynthetic hypotheses and total chemical syntheses of naturally occurring [4 + 2] type terpenoid dimers.

One-step preparation of novel 1-(N-indolyl)-1,3-butadienes by base-catalysed isomerization of alkynes as an access to 5-(N-indolyl)-naphthoquinones

A series of novel 1-(N-indolyl)-1,3-butadienes, as (1 : 1) mixtures of the (E) and (Z) dienes, was prepared in one step by base-catalysed isomerization of N-alkylindoles with a terminal butyne chain. The reaction conditions are mild, and in all cases the yields were very high (>90%). The (E) and (Z) dienes were separable by preparative TLC and could be fully characterized. This isomerization proceeded readily in the case of a butynyl chain, but didn't take place with a pentynyl chain. A mechanism was proposed for this reaction, based on previous studies on the isomerization of alkynes in basic media, and a key intermediate that supports the proposed mechanism could be isolated and fully characterized. A theoretical study of the proposed mechanism was performed by computational methods and the results validated the proposal. The reactivity of the synthesized dienes was studied in Diels-Alder reactions with p-benzoquinone, to obtain a small library of new 5-(N-indolyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones.The lack of reactivity in the case of the (Z) isomers was explained by calculation of the rotational curves of the central bond of the (Z) and (E) dienes. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the new 5-(N-indolyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones was tested against a panel of three cell lines.

Novel binaphthyl and biphenyl α- and β-amino acids and esters: organocatalysis of asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions. A combined synthetic and computational study

Asymmetric catalysis of the Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and cinnamaldehydes has been studied using as catalysts a range of novel α- and β-aminoacids and aminoesters with binaphthyl and biphenyl backbones, providing enantioselectivities of up to 62% ee. B3LYP/6-31G* calculations, including free energy corrections, have been carried out on a binaphthyl catalyst example to identify transition state structures and to aid in the identification of major enantiomers. The calculated product ratios agree well with the experimental data; the transition states identified involve preferential approach of cyclopentene along a trajectory adjacent to the acid/ester group. The four lowest energy transition states display a stabilizing dipolar interaction between the carbonyl group oxygen atom and a terminal proton of the diene unit.