Synthesis of (?)-Hobartine and Related Indole Alkaloids

Syntheses of Aristotelia Alkaloids: Reflections in the Chiral Pool

The Aristotelia alkaloids are a family of monoterpene indole alkaloids possessing a characteristic azabicyclononane scaffold, which has been assembled by several synthetic methods. Herein we review those approaches that have adopted a biomimetic approach to unite heterocyclic synthons with chiral pool monoterpenes. Throughout this discussion, the tendency of monoterpenes like α-pinene and limonene to undergo racemization is highlighted, revealing the challenges in developing stereospecific syntheses of these alkaloids. Finally, we provide a brief discussion of how these synthetic efforts have enabled the structural confirmation and elucidation of the Aristotelia alkaloids’ absolute configurations, including our own recent efforts to employ bioactivity data to deduce the naturally occurring configuration of the quinoline alkaloid aristoquinoline.

Synthesis of Aristoquinoline Enantiomers and Their Evaluation at the α3β4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

The first synthesis of aristoquinoline (1), a naturally occurring nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist, was accomplished using two different approaches. Comparison of the synthetic material's spectroscopic data to that of the isolated alkaloid identified a previously misassigned stereogenic center. An evaluation of each enantiomer's activity at the α3β4 nAChR revealed that (+)-1 is significantly more potent than (-)-1. This unexpected finding suggests that naturally occurring 1 possesses the opposite absolute configuration from indole-containing Aristotelia alkaloids.

Hobartine: a tetracyclic indole alkaloid extracted from Aristotelia chilensis (maqui)

The natural compound hobartine {systematic name: (1R)-3-[(1S,5S)-(4,4,8-trimethylbicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-en-2-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole}, C20H26N2, (I), is an indole alkaloid isolated from Aristotelia chilensis as part of a study of secondary metabolites from Chilean flora. The colourless compound has a tetracyclic structure closely related to the strongly coloured polymorphic structures discussed in Paz et al. [Acta Cryst. (2013), C69, 1509-1512] and Watson et al. [Acta Cryst. (1989), C45, 1322-1324]. The main differences reside in the absence of a keto group in (I) compared with the previous structures, as well as an endo double bond in (I) contrasting with the exo double bond found in the previous structures. The supramolecular structure of (I) in strongly related to the twofold screw axis, around which isolated chains build up, internally linked by an N-H···N hydrogen bond which is the only significant intermolecular interaction present in the structure.

Total synthesis and biosynthesis of the paraherquamides: an intriguing story of the biological Diels-Alder construction

The syntheses and biosyntheses of the paraherquamide and brevianamide families of prenylated indole-derived alkaloids are reviewed. It has been proposed that the unique bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctan ring system that is common to this family of natural products, arises by a biological intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. Both synthetic approaches and total syntheses of several members of this family of natural products are reviewed. The biosynthesis of these alkaloids has also constituted an active area of research and the current state of knowledge on the biosynthesis of these natural products are reviewed.

Synthesis and formation of an EMS correlated contaminant in biotechnologically manufactured L-tryptophan

Contaminants in biotechnologically manufactured L-Tryptophan (Trp) are suspected to be responsible for the outbreak of an unknown autoimmune disease in 1989. The contaminants, found in Trp-lots of a Japanese manufacturer, are classified in EMS-correlated and non EMS-correlated substances. Up to now six EMS-correlated substances are known. One of these compounds is 2-(3'-indolylmethyl)-indole (IMT). IMT was detected as a major contaminant in two investigated EMS-associated trp-samples. In a seven step chemical synthesis IMT was obtained for use as a reference substance. A model system to investigate the formation of IMT was created using Trp and 3-indolylmethanol (IM). IMT formation was observed at acidic and alkaline pH-values and the optimal molar ratio of Trp to IM is 100:1. In addition an IMT formation was observed from indole, formaldehyde and Trp as well as from Trp and 3-indolylacetaldehyde.