A Concise Total Synthesis of (+)-Waihoensene Guided by Quaternary Center Analysis

Asymmetric Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Platensilin, Platensimycin, Platencin, and Their Analogs via a Bioinspired Skeletal Reconstruction Approach

Platensilin, platensimycin, and platencin are potent inhibitors of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (FabF) in the bacterial and mammalian fatty acid synthesis system, presenting promising drug leads for both antibacterial and antidiabetic therapies. Herein, a bioinspired skeleton reconstruction approach is reported, which enables the unified synthesis of these three natural FabF inhibitors and their skeletally diverse analogs, all stemming from a common ent-pimarane core. The synthesis features a diastereoselective biocatalytic reduction and an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction to prepare the common ent-pimarane core. From this intermediate, stereoselective Mn-catalyzed hydrogen atom-transfer hydrogenation and subsequent Cu-catalyzed carbenoid C-H insertion afford platensilin. Furthermore, the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction succeeded by regioselective ring opening of the newly formed cyclopropane enables the construction of the bicyclo[3.2.1]-octane and bicyclo[2.2.2]-octane ring systems of platensimycin and platencin, respectively. This skeletal reconstruction approach of the ent-pimarane core facilitates the preparation of analogs bearing different polycyclic scaffolds. Among these analogs, the previously unexplored cyclopropyl analog 47 exhibits improved antibacterial activity (MIC80 = 0.0625 μg/mL) against S. aureus compared to platensimycin.

Gold-catalyzed cyclization and cycloaddition in natural product synthesis

Covering: 2016 to mid 2023Transition metal catalysis, known for its remarkable capacity to expedite the assembly of molecular complexity from readily available starting materials in a single operation, occupies a central position in contemporary chemical synthesis. Within this landscape, gold-catalyzed reactions present a novel and versatile paradigm, offering robust frameworks for accessing diverse structural motifs. In this review, we highlighted a curated selection of publications in the past 8 years, focusing on the deployment of homogeneous gold catalysis in the ring-forming step for the total synthesis of natural products. These investigations are categorized based on the specific ring formations they engender, accentuating the prevailing gold-catalyzed methodologies applied to surmount intricate challenges in natural products synthesis.

Creation of a Chiral All-Carbon Quaternary Center Induced by CF3 and CH3 Substituents via Cu-Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition

Cu-catalyzed asymmetric construction of a chiral quaternary center bearing CH3 and CF3 groups was achieved with high to excellent enantioselectivity using our originally developed ligands. The asymmetric conjugate addition of Me3Al to β-CF3-substituted enones and unsaturated ketoesters proceeded efficiently. The use of unsaturated ketoesters gives optically active furanones in high yields with high enantioselectivities. The perfluoroalkyl-substituted enone does not seem to be favorable in the present reaction.

A Photoinduced Radical Cascade Cyclization for the Synthesis of Angularly Fused Tricyclic Compounds

A photoinduced electron transfer (PET)-triggered cascade reaction has been devised for the conversion of second-generation enol silyl ethers into angularly fused tricyclic scaffolds. Utilizing readily available and cost-effective DCA and phenanthrene as the catalytic systems, this cascade transformation is achieved with high efficiency. The reaction demonstrates a good substrate scope and excellent stereoselectivity, thereby enriching the realm of PET-induced cascade reactions. Additionally, the radical adducts generated through this process can serve as valuable subunits for the synthesis of complex molecules.

Isotopic labelings for mechanistic studies

The intricate mechanisms in the biosynthesis of terpenes belong to the most challenging problems in natural product chemistry. Methods to address these problems include the structure-based site-directed mutagenesis of terpene synthases, computational approaches, and isotopic labeling experiments. The latter approach has a long tradition in biosynthesis studies and has recently experienced a revival, after genome sequencing enabled rapid access to biosynthetic genes and enzymes. Today, this allows for a combined approach in which isotopically labeled substrates can be incubated with recombinant terpene synthases. These clearly defined reaction setups can give detailed mechanistic insights into the reactions catalyzed by terpene synthases, and recent developments have substantially deepened our understanding of terpene biosynthesis. This chapter will discuss the state of the art and introduce some of the most important methods that make use of isotopic labelings in mechanistic studies on terpene synthases.

Catalytic Asymmetric Polycyclization of Tertiary Enamides with Silyl Enol Ethers: Total Synthesis of (-)-Cephalocyclidin A

A catalytic enantioselective polycyclization of tertiary enamides with terminal silyl enol ethers has been developed by virtue of Cu(OTf)2 catalysis with a novel spiropyrroline-derived oxazole (SPDO) ligand. This tandem reaction offers an effective approach to assemble bicyclic and tricyclic N-heterocycles bearing both aza- and oxa-quaternary stereogenic centers, which are primal subunits in a range of natural alkaloids. Strategic application of this methodology and a late-stage radical cyclization as key steps have been showcased in the concise total synthesis of (-)-cephalocyclidin A.

Finding activity through rigidity: syntheses of natural products containing tricyclic bridgehead carbon centers

Covering: up to 2022Tricyclic bridgehead carbon centers (TBCCs) are a synthetically challenging substructure found in many complex natural products. Here we review the syntheses of ten representative families of TBCC-containing isolates, with the goal of outlining the strategies and tactics used to install these centers, including a discussion of the evolution of the successful synthetic design. We provide a summary of common strategies to inform future synthetic endeavors.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Aberrarone

The structurally intriguing diterpene (+)-aberrarone has been assembled in only 12 steps from the commercially available (S,S)-carveol without protecting group manipulations. This concise synthesis features a Cu-catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration to generate the chiral methyl group, a Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling to link two fragments, and a Mn-mediated radical cascade cyclization to construct the triquinane system.

Synthetic study toward the diterpenoid aberrarone

An approach to aberrarone, an antimalarial diterpenoid natural product with tetracyclic skeleton is reported. Key to the stereoselective preparation of the 6-5-5 tricyclic skeleton includes the mediation of Nagata reagent for constructing the C1 all-carbon quaternary centers and gold-catalyzed cyclopentenone synthesis through C–H insertion.

An efficient approach to angular tricyclic molecular architecture via Nazarov-like cyclization and double ring-expansion cascade

A modular and efficient method for constructing angular tri-carbocyclic architectures containing quaternary carbon center(s) from 1,3-dicycloalkylidenyl ketones is established, which involves an unconventional synergistic cascade of a Nazarov cyclization and two ring expansions. It features high selectivity, mild conditions and convenient operation, wide scope and easy availability of substrate. Substitution with R¹ and R² at the 4πe-system with electron-donating group favors this reaction, while that with electron-withdrawing group or proton disfavors. The electron-donating group as R¹ directs the initial ring expansion at its own site, while the p-π- or n-π- associated substituent as R² favors selectively the later ring expansion near its location because of the beneficial maintenance of an original conjugated system. The stereoselectivity has proved to be governed by either the steric effect of R³ and R⁴ at the expanded rings, or the migration ability of the migrating atom. Density Functional Theory calculation suggests the initial Nazarov cyclization would be the rate-determining step. A racemic total synthesis of the natural (±)-waihoensene is realized in 18 steps by use of this methodology.

Total syntheses of strained polycyclic terpenes

Terpenoids constitute a broad class of natural compounds with tremendous variability in structure and bioactivity, which resulted in a strong interest of the chemical community to this class of natural products over the last 150 years. The presence of strained small rings renders the terpenoid targets interesting for chemical synthesis, due to limited number of available methods and stability issues. In this feature article, a number of recent examples of total syntheses of terpenoids with complex carbon frameworks featuring small rings are discussed. Specific emphasis is given to the new developments in strategical and tactical approaches to construction of such systems.

The N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of isoindigos with enals: the enantioselective construction of three contiguous stereogenic centers

An NHC-catalyzed enantioselective [3 + 2] annulation of enals and isoindigo is introduced as an efficient strategy for the construction of dimeric spirocyclic bisindoline alkaloid derivatives with moderate yields and good enantioselectivities.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective and Desymmetrizative Pauson-Khand Reaction: Access to Tricyclo[6.2.1.04,11]undecenes

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization Pauson-Khand reaction of C4-alkynyl-tethered cyclohexadienones has been developed as a novel strategy for access to fused 6-5-5 tricycles bearing three consecutive stereogenic centers. An array of chiral tricyclo[6.2.1.0^4,11]undecenes have been synthesized in high yields and enantioselectivities in a single step under mild conditions. This strategy employs readily accessible internal-olefin-containing 1,6-enynes, providing a potentially powerful tool for constructing chiral polycyclic scaffolds of complex molecules containing cyclopentenones and cyclohexenones.

Synthesis of Cyclopentenones with C4-Quaternary Stereocenters via Stereospecific [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement and Applications in Total Synthesis of Sesquiterpenoids

A cationic gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of sulfonium leads after cyclization to cyclopentenones with a C4-quaternary stereocenter. Starting with simple vinyl sulfoxides and propargyl silane, numerous compounds were isolated with moderate to good yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses (26 examples). The application of this simple methodology allowed the efficient total synthesis of five natural sesquiterpenoids, including enokipodin A and B, hitoyopodin A, lagopodin A, and isocuparene-3,4-diol.

Concise Total Synthesis of Peyssonnoside A

Peyssonnoside A is a marine-derived sulfated diterpenoid glucoside with a unique 5/6/3/6 tetracyclic skeleton with a highly substituted cyclopropane ring deeply embedded into the structure. Herein, we report the first total synthesis of this natural product in a concise, efficient, scalable, and highly diastereoselective fashion. The aglucone peyssonnosol was synthesized in 21% overall yield after 15 steps, featuring a Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation and Mukaiyama hydration, fully controlled by the spatial structure of the substrates.

Total Synthesis of Kadcoccinic Acid A Trimethyl Ester

The first total synthesis of the trimethyl ester of kadcoccinic acid A is described. The central structural element of our synthesis is a cyclopentenone motif that allows the assembly of the natural product skeleton. A gold(I)-catalyzed cyclization of an enynyl acetate led to efficient construction of the cyclopentenone scaffold. In this step, optimization studies revealed that the stereochemistry of the enynyl acetate dictates regioisomeric cyclopentenone formation. The synthesis further highlights an efficient copper-mediated conjugate addition, merged with a gold(I)-catalyzed Conia-ene reaction to connect the two fragments, thereby forging the D-ring of the natural product. The synthetic strategy reported herein can provide a general platform to access the skeleton of other members of this family of natural products.

Concise and Stereoselective Total Syntheses of Annotinolides C, D, and E

The annotinolides are one of the most recent additions to the Lycopodium family of alkaloids, with its members possessing challenging, caged structures that include a [3.2.1]-bicyclic core bearing six contiguous stereocenters, including four that are fully substituted. Herein, we document a concise and stereoselective route that achieves the first total syntheses of three of its members: annotinolides C, D, and E. Key operations include a gold(I)-catalyzed Conia-ene reaction that fashions much of the main core in a single operation, as well as a number of other challenging and chemoselective transformations to generate the remaining elements. Moreover, efforts utilizing the natural products themselves, seeking adjustments in their oxidation states and the rearrangement of individual ring systems, shed light on their potential biogenesis with some outcomes counter to those originally proposed. Finally, formal enantioenriched syntheses of the target molecules are also presented.

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of γ-Substituted Cyclic β-Ketoesters via Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Constructing Chiral Cyclic β-Hydroxyesters with Three Contiguous Stereocenters

An efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic γ-substituted cyclic β-ketoesters via dynamic kinetic resolution to provide chiral cyclic β-hydroxy esters with three contiguous stereocenters is reported. Using a chiral spiro iridium catalyst (R)-5 (Ir-SpiroSAP), a series of racemic γ-aryl/alkyl substituted cyclic β-ketoesters were hydrogenated to the corresponding chiral cyclic β-hydroxy esters in high yields (84-97%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (69->99% ee) and cis,cis-selectivities (up to >99:1).

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Norzoanthamine

We report herein the asymmetric total synthesis of norzoanthamine using radical reactions as key steps for rapid access to the congested carbocyclic core, which is the major synthetic challenge for most zoanthamine alkaloids. (1) The Ueno-Stork radical cyclization was applied to construct the adjacent quaternary centers at the C-9 and C-22 positions; (2) a Co-catalyzed HAT radical reaction was successfully applied to construct the quaternary center at C-12 via Csp³ -Csp² bond formation; (3) a Mn-catalyzed HAT radical reaction was used to stereospecifically reduce the tetra-substituted olefin (C13=C18) and install the contiguous stereocenters in proximity to the quaternary center. A one-pot bio-inspired cyclization step was finally applied to forge the unstable bis-amino acetal skeleton. Our approach can precisely control the stereochemistry of seven vicinal stereocenters and effectively construct the highly congested heptacyclic skeleton.

Total Synthesis of the Diterpene Waihoensene

A racemic and scalable enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-waihoensene was accomplished. (+)-Waihoensene belongs to the diterpene natural product family, and it features an angular triquinane substructure motif. Its tetracyclic [6.5.5.5]backbone is all-cis-fused, containing six contiguous stereocenters, four of which are quaternary. These structural features were efficiently installed by means of a diastereoselective radical cyclization, followed by an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction, a diastereoselective α-alkylation, and a diastereoselective 1,4-addition reaction. Enantioselectivity was introduced at an early stage, by an asymmetric palladium catalyzed decarboxylative allylation reaction on gram scale.

Synthesis of Cyclohexane-Angularly-Fused Triquinanes

Cyclohexane-angularly-fused triquinanes, 6-5-5-5 tetracycles, have attracted the attention of synthetic chemists due to their highly congested core structures and multiple quaternary carbon centers. This review focuses on the six completed total synthesis of naturally occurring cyclohexane-angularly-fused triquinanes in addition to seven notable methodologies that have been developed for the synthesis of these structures.

Evolution of Pauson-Khand Reaction: Strategic Applications in Total Syntheses of Architecturally Complex Natural Products (2016–2020)

Metal-mediated cyclizations are important transformations in a natural product total synthesis. The Pauson-Khand reaction, particularly powerful for establishing cyclopentenone-containing structures, is distinguished as one of the most attractive annulation processes routinely employed in synthesis campaigns. This review covers Co, Rh, and Pd catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction and summarizes its strategic applications in total syntheses of structurally complex natural products in the last five years. Additionally, the hetero-Pauson-Khand reaction in the synthesis of heterocycles will also be discussed. Focusing on the panorama of organic synthesis, this review highlights the strategically developed Pauson-Khand reaction in fulfilling total synthetic tasks and its synthetic attractiveness is aimed to be illustrated.

Total syntheses of spiroviolene and spirograterpene A: a structural reassignment with biosynthetic implications

The recent natural product isolates spiroviolene and spirograterpene A are two relatively non-functionalized linear triquinane terpenes with a large number of structural homologies. Nevertheless, three significant areas of structural disparity exist based on their original assignments, one of which implies a key stereochemical divergence early in their respective biosyntheses. Herein, using two known bicyclic ketone intermediates, a core Pd-catalyzed Heck cyclization sequence, and several chemoselective transformations, we describe concise total syntheses of both natural product targets and propose that the structure of spiroviolene should be reassigned. As a result, these natural products possess greater homology than previously anticipated.

Sulfonate N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Copper Complexes: Uniquely Effective Catalysts for Enantioselective Synthesis of C-C, C-B, C-H, and C-Si Bonds

A copper-based complex that contains a sulfonate N-heterocyclic carbene ligand was first reported 15 years ago. Since then, these organometallic entities have proven to be uniquely effective in catalyzing an assortment of enantioselective transformations, including allylic substitutions, conjugate additions, proto-boryl additions to alkenes, boryl and silyl substitutions, hydride-allyl additions to alkenyl boronates, and additions of boron-containing allyl moieties to N-H ketimines. In this review article, we detail the shortcomings in the state-of-the-art that fueled the development of this air stable ligand class, members of which can be prepared on multigram scale. For each reaction type, when relevant, the prior art at the time of the advance involving sulfonate NHC-Cu catalysts and/or subsequent key developments are briefly analyzed, and the relevance of the advance to efficient and enantioselective total or formal synthesis of biologically active molecules is underscored. Mechanistic analysis of the structural attributes of sulfonate NHC-Cu catalysts that are responsible for their ability to facilitate transformations with high efficiency as well as regio- and enantioselectivity are detailed. This review contains several formerly undisclosed methodological advances and mechanistic analyses, the latter of which constitute a revision of previously reported proposals.

Contiguous Quaternary Carbons: A Selection of Total Syntheses

Contiguous quaternary carbons in terpene natural products remain a major challenge in total synthesis. Synthetic strategies to overcome this challenge will be a pivotal prerequisite to the medicinal application of natural products and their analogs or derivatives. In this review, we cover syntheses of natural products that exhibit a dense assembly of quaternary carbons and whose syntheses were uncompleted until recently. While discussing their syntheses, we not only cover the most recent total syntheses but also provide an update on the status quo of modern syntheses of complex natural products. Herein, we review (±)-canataxpropellane, (+)-waihoensene, (–)-illisimonin A and (±)-11-O-debenzoyltashironin as prominent examples of natural products bearing contiguous quaternary carbons.

Construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters by catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition to cyclic enones in natural product synthesis

This review discusses the construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters using catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition and its application in natural product synthesis.