Synthesis of Cytotoxic Palmerolides

Heck macrocyclization in natural product total synthesis

Covering: 1981-2020 Heck macrocyclization is a logical extension of the award-winning Mizoroki-Heck reaction. Through covalent linking of two otherwise discrete coupling partners, the resultant chimeric substrate is transformed into a large ring with enhanced rigidity and unique functional group disposition. Pioneered in the early 1980s, this methodology has evolved into a competent option for creating diverse macrocycles. Despite its growing influence, hitherto no systematic survey has ever appeared in the literature. The present review delineates the state-of-the-art of Heck macrocyclization in the context of natural product synthesis. Sixteen selected cases, each examined from a different perspective, coalesce into the view that the title reaction is a viable tool for synthesis-enabled macrocycle research.

Synthetic studies on palmerolide C: synthesis of an advanced intermediate towards the revised structure of palmerolide C

A stereoselective synthesis of the highly advanced intermediates towards the revised structure of palmerolide C and 10-epi-palmerolide C is described in this paper. The required key fragments C1-C6, C7-C14 and C15-C23 have been successfully assembled in a convergent manner to access the C1-C23 framework bearing all the five stereocenters present in the natural product. The synthesis involves the Julia-Kocienski reaction, Yamaguchi esterification, Takai olefination and regioselective epoxide opening as key steps. The proposed route is flexible and could also be applied to the synthesis of structurally related palmerolides.

Secondary Metabolites from Polar Organisms

Polar organisms have been found to develop unique defences against the extreme environment environment, leading to the biosynthesis of novel molecules with diverse bioactivities. This review covers the 219 novel natural products described since 2001, from the Arctic and the Antarctic microoganisms, lichen, moss and marine faunas. The structures of the new compounds and details of the source organism, along with any relevant biological activities are presented. Where reported, synthetic and biosynthetic studies on the polar metabolites have also been included.

Regio- and enantioselective catalytic monoepoxidation of conjugated dienes: synthesis of chiral allylic cis-epoxides

Ti(IV)-salan 4 catalyzes the diastereo- and enantioselective monoepoxidation of conjugated dienes using 30% H2O2 at rt or below even in the presence of other olefins and adjacent stereocenters. Its enantiomer, ent-4, provides access to the opposite diastereomer or enantiomer. The resultant chiral allylic epoxides, and the triols derived from them, are versatile synthetic intermediates as well as substructures present in many bioactive natural products. The epoxidation is highly specific for Z-olefins. For 1-acyl(silyl)oxypenta-2,4-dienes, epoxidation of the distal olefin is generally favored in contrast to the adjacent regioselectivity characteristic of Sharpless, peracid, and other directed epoxidations of hydroxylated dienes.

Regio- and stereoselective monoepoxidation of dienes using methyltrioxorhenium: synthesis of allylic epoxides

Methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) complexed with pyridine was shown to be a highly effective catalyst for the regioselective monoepoxidation of conjugated di- and trienes using 30% H₂O₂ at or below room temperature. The resultant allylic epoxides, and the triols derived from them, are versatile synthetic intermediates as well as substructures present in many bioactive natural products. The site of epoxidation was dependent upon olefin substitution, olefin geometry (Z vs E), and the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents on adjacent carbons. For 1-acyl(silyl)oxypenta-2,4-dienes, epoxidation of the distal olefin was generally favored in contrast to the adjacent regioselectivity characteristic of Sharpless, peracid, and other directed epoxidations of hydroxylated dienes.