Enantioselective synthesis of the lomaiviticin aglycon full carbon skeleton reveals remarkable remote substituent effects during the dimerization event

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the Fully Glycosylated Monomeric Unit of Lomaiviticin A

We describe a stereocontrolled synthesis of 3, the fully glycosylated monomeric unit of the dimeric cytotoxic bacterial metabolite (-)-lomaiviticin A (2). A novel strategy involving convergent, site- and stereoselective coupling of the β,γ-unsaturated ketone 6 and the naphthyl bromide 7 (92%, 15:1 diastereomeric ratio (dr)), followed by radical-based annulation and silyl ether cleavage, provided the tetracycle 5 (57% overall), which contains the carbon skeleton of the aglycon of 3. The β-linked 2,4,6-trideoxy-4-aminoglycoside l-pyrrolosamine was installed in 73% yield and with 15:1 β:α selectivity using a modified Koenigs-Knorr glycosylation. The diazo substituent was introduced via direct diazo transfer to an electron-rich benzoindene (4 → 27). The α-linked 2,6-dideoxyglycoside l-oleandrose was introduced by gold-catalyzed activation of an o-alkynyl glycosylbenzoate (75%, >20:1 α:β selectivity). A carefully orchestrated endgame sequence then provided efficient access to 3. Cell viability studies indicated that monomer 3 is not cytotoxic at concentrations up to 1 μM, providing conclusive evidence that the dimeric structure of (-)-lomaiviticin A (2) is required for cytotoxic effects. The preparation of 3 provides a foundation to complete the synthesis of (-)-lomaiviticin A (2) itself.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of (2S,2'S)-Lomaiviticin A

(-)-Lomaiviticin A (1) is a genotoxic C2-symmetric metabolite that arises from the formal dimerization of two bis(glycosylated) diazotetrahydrobenzo[b]fluorenes. Here we present a synthesis of the monomer 17 and its coupling to form (2S,2'S)-lomaiviticin A (4), an unnatural diastereomer of 1. (2S,2'S)-Lomaiviticin A (4) is significantly less genotoxic, a result we attribute to changes in the orientation of the diazofluorene and carbohydrate residues, relative to 1. These data bring the importance of the configuration of the conjoining bond to light and place the total synthesis of 1 itself within reach.

Synthesis of the bis(cyclohexenone) core of (-)-lomaiviticin A

(-)-Lomaiviticin A is a complex C ₂-symmetric bacterial metabolite comprising two diazotetrahydrobenzo[b]fluorene (diazofluorene) residues and four 2,6-dideoxy glycosides, α-l-oleandrose and N,N-dimethyl-β-l-pyrrolosamine. The two halves of lomaiviticin A are linked by a single carbon-carbon bond oriented syn with respect to the oleandrose residues. While many advances toward the synthesis of lomaiviticin A have been reported, including synthesis of the aglycon, a route to the bis(cyclohexenone) core bearing any of the carbohydrate residues has not been disclosed. Here we describe a short route to a core structure of lomaiviticin A bearing two α-l-oleandrose residues. The synthetic route features a Stille coupling to form the conjoining carbon-carbon bond of the target and a double reductive transposition to establish the correct stereochemistry at this bond. Two synthetic routes were developed to elaborate the reductive transposition product to the bis(cyclohexenone) target. The more efficient pathway features an interrupted Barton vinyl iodide synthesis followed by oxidative elimination of iodide to efficiently establish the enone functionalities in the target. The bis(cyclohexenone) product may find use in a synthesis of lomaiviticin A itself.

Pro-oxidant versus anti-oxidant effects of seeds aglycone extracts of Lepidium sativum and Eruca vesicaria Linn., in vitro, and on neutrophil nitro-oxidative functions

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of seeds aglycone extracts from Lepidium sativum (LS) and Eruca vesicaria (EV) Linn., on oxidative damages in vitro and on neutrophil nitro-oxidative functions. The results showed that LS and EV aglycone extracts attenuated liver microsomal lipids and proteins oxidation through a potent antioxidant effect as attested by the dose dependent quenching of DPPH radical scavenging activity. LS and EV aglycone extracts inhibited dose dependently the production of superoxide anion by BALB/c mice-derived peritoneal neutrophils, whereas they slightly enhanced exocytosis of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a marker of azurophilic granules. Interestingly, only LS replenished glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide levels, indicating a fine differential effect. This study highlighted the subtle oxidative and antioxidant capacity of LS and EV seeds aglycone extracts. These health promoting compounds could be used to finely modulate critical events involved in microbial infection, inflammation and nitro-oxidative stress.

Construction of the tetracyclic core of (±)-cycloclavine and 4-amino Uhle's ketone

Construction of the tetracyclic core of (±)-cycloclavine and 4-amino Uhle's ketone.

Methods Utilizing First-Row Transition Metals in Natural Product Total Synthesis

First-row transition-metal-mediated reactions constitute an important and growing area of research due to the low cost, low toxicity, and exceptional synthetic versatility of these metals. Currently, there is considerable effort to replace existing precious-metal-catalyzed reactions with first-row analogs. More importantly, there are a plethora of unique transformations mediated by first-row metals, which have no classical second- or third-row counterpart. Herein, the application of first-row metal-mediated methods to the total synthesis of natural products is discussed. This Review is intended to highlight strategic uses of these metals to realize efficient syntheses and highlight the future potential of these reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis.

Diazo Compounds: Versatile Tools for Chemical Biology

Diazo groups have broad and tunable reactivity. That and other attributes endow diazo compounds with the potential to be valuable reagents for chemical biologists. The presence of diazo groups in natural products underscores their metabolic stability and anticipates their utility in a biological context. The chemoselectivity of diazo groups, even in the presence of azido groups, presents many opportunities. Already, diazo compounds have served as chemical probes and elicited novel modifications of proteins and nucleic acids. Here, we review advances that have facilitated the chemical synthesis of diazo compounds, and we highlight applications of diazo compounds in the detection and modification of biomolecules.

A photo-induced C–C bond formation methodology to construct tetrahydrofluorenones and their related structures

A metal-free, photo-induced C–C bond formation methodology was developed to construct tetrahydrofluorenones and their related structures.

A comprehensive review of glycosylated bacterial natural products

A systematic analysis of all naturally-occurring glycosylated bacterial secondary metabolites reported in the scientific literature up through early 2013 is presented. This comprehensive analysis of 15 940 bacterial natural products revealed 3426 glycosides containing 344 distinct appended carbohydrates and highlights a range of unique opportunities for future biosynthetic study and glycodiversification efforts.

Discovery of the lomaiviticin biosynthetic gene cluster in Salinispora pacifica

The lomaiviticins are a family of cytotoxic marine natural products that have captured the attention of both synthetic and biological chemists due to their intricate molecular scaffolds and potent biological activities. Here we describe the identification of the gene cluster responsible for lomaiviticin biosynthesis in Salinispora pacifica strains DPJ-0016 and DPJ-0019 using a combination of molecular approaches and genome sequencing. The link between the lom gene cluster and lomaiviticin production was confirmed using bacterial genetics, and subsequent analysis and annotation of this cluster revealed the biosynthetic basis for the core polyketide scaffold. Additionally, we have used comparative genomics to identify candidate enzymes for several unusual tailoring events, including diazo formation and oxidative dimerization. These findings will allow further elucidation of the biosynthetic logic of lomaiviticin assembly and provide useful molecular tools for application in biocatalysis and synthetic biology.

Synthesis studies on the lomaiviticin A aglycone core: development of a divergent, two-directional strategy

The enantiomer of the bicyclic lomaiviticin aglycone A core was prepared via a two-directional, divergent approach featuring (1) a double Ireland Claisen rearrangement to establish key core bonds with correct relative stereochemistry and (2) a double olefin metathesis reaction to deliver both cyclohexene rings of the target.

Development of enantioselective synthetic routes to (-)-kinamycin F and (-)-lomaiviticin aglycon

The development of enantioselective synthetic routes to (-)-kinamycin F (9) and (-)-lomaiviticin aglycon (6) are described. The diazotetrahydrobenzo[b]fluorene (diazofluorene) functional group of the targets was prepared by fluoride-mediated coupling of a β-trimethylsilylmethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketone (38) with an oxidized naphthoquinone (19), palladium-catalyzed cyclization (39→37), and diazo transfer (37→53). The D-ring precursors 60 and 68 were prepared from m-cresol and 3-ethylphenol, respectively. Coupling of the β-trimethylsilylmethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketone 60 with the juglone derivative 61, cyclization, and diazo transfer provided the advanced diazofluorene 63, which was elaborated to (-)-kinamycin F (9) in three steps. The diazofluorene 87 was converted to the C(2)-symmetric lomaiviticin aglycon precursor 91 by enoxysilane formation and oxidative dimerization with manganese tris(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (94, 26%). The stereochemical outcome in the coupling is attributed to the steric bias engendered by the mesityl acetal of 87 and contact ion pairing of the intermediates. The coupling product 91 was deprotected (tert-butylhydrogen peroxide, trifluoroacetic acid-dichloromethane) to form mixtures of the chain isomer of lomaiviticin aglycon 98 and the ring isomer 6. These mixtures converged on purification or standing to the ring isomer 6 (39-41% overall). The scope of the fluoride-mediated coupling process is delineated (nine products, average yield = 72%); a related enoxysilane quinonylation reaction is also described (10 products, average yield = 77%). We establish that dimeric diazofluorenes undergo hydrodediazotization 2-fold faster than related monomeric diazofluorenes. This enhanced reactivity may underlie the cytotoxic effects of (-)-lomaiviticin A (1). The simple diazofluorene 103 is a potent inhibitor of ovarian cancer stem cells (IC(50) = 500 nM).

Total syntheses of HMP-Y1, hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1

Total syntheses of HMP-Y1, atrop-HMP-Y1, hibarimicinone, atrop-hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1 are described using a two-directional synthesis strategy. A novel benzyl fluoride Michael-Claisen reaction sequence was developed to construct the complete carbon skeleton of HMP-Y1 and atrop-HMP-Y1 via a symmetrical, two-directional, double annulation. Through efforts to convert HMP-Y1 derivatives to hibarimicinone and HMP-P1, a biomimetic mono-oxidation to desymmetrize protected HMP-Y1 was realized. A two-directional unsymmetrical double annulation and biomimetic etherification was developed to construct the polycyclic and highly oxidized skeleton of hibarimicinone, atrop-hibarimicinone, and HMP-P1. The use of a racemic biaryl precursor allowed for the synthesis of both hibarimicinone atropisomers and provides the first confirmation of the structure of atrop-hibarimicinone. Additionally, this work documents the first reported full characterization of atrop-hibarimicinone, HMP-Y1, atrop-HMP-Y1, and HMP-P1. Last, a pH-dependent rotational barrier about the C2-C2' bond of hibarimicinone was discovered, which provides valuable information necessary to achieve syntheses of the glycosylated congeners of hibarimicinone.

Oxidative Coupling of Enolates, Enol Silanes and Enamines: Methods and Natural Product Synthesis

The oxidative coupling of enolates, enol silanes, and enamines provides a direct method for the construction of useful 1,4-dicarbonyl synthons. Despite being first reported in 1935, with subsequent important advances beginning in the 1970's, the development of this powerful reaction into a reliable methodology was somewhat limited. In recent years, there have been a number of reports from several research groups demonstrating advances in several neglected areas of oxidative coupling. This microreview summarizes these new advances in methodology and provides an overview of recent natural product syntheses that showcase the power of these transformations.

Synthetic studies directed toward dideoxy lomaiviticinone lead to unexpected 1,2-oxazepine and isoxazole formation

In the course of studies directed toward the synthesis of dideoxy lomaiviticinone, 3-(nitromethyl)cyclohexenones 2a (X = H) and 2b (X = I) were prepared. The corresponding enolates were reacted with naphthazarin (1) and unexpectedly afforded 1,2-oxazepine 3 and isoxazole 4, respectively. Rationale for their formation is proposed.

11-Step enantioselective synthesis of (-)-lomaiviticin aglycon

Lomaiviticins A and B are complex antitumor antibiotics that were isolated from a strain of Micromonospora. A confluence of several unusual structural features renders the lomaiviticins exceedingly challenging targets for chemical synthesis. We report an 11-step, enantioselective synthetic route to lomaiviticin aglycon. Our route proceeds by late-stage, stereoselective dimerization of two equivalent monomeric intermediates, a transformation that may share parallels with the natural products' biosyntheses. The route we describe is scalable and convergent, and it lays the foundation for determination of the mode of action of these natural products.