Synthesis ofAristotelia-Type Alkaloids. Part XIII. Total syntheses of (+)-makonine, (+)-aristotelinone, and (+)-11,12-didehydroaristoteline

Cu2O-catalyzed cascade phosphinylation/cyclization of 2'-aminochalcones for the synthesis of hemi-indigo derivatives

A Cu2O-catalyzed cascade phosphinylation/cyclization reaction of 2'-aminochalcones and diphenylphosphine oxides to produce hemi-indigo derivatives has been developed. This strategy facilitates the sequential formation of a C-P bonds and a C-N bond in a single reaction step. Notably, the approach features one-pot operation, an earth-abundant copper catalyst, readily available starting materials, a broad substrate scope and high compatibility with functional groups, providing 33 compounds in acceptable yields.

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.

Novel base-initiated cascade reactions of hemiindigos to produce dipolar γ-carbolines and indole-fused pentacycles

Novel continuous-flow cascade reactions are developed for producing 1,4-diaryl-disubstituted dipolar γ-carbolines 2 that contain a carboxylate group and their two pentacyclic precursors 6, 7 from hemiindigos 1. The nucleophilic and pro-electrophilic chemistry described is new to the hemiindigos 1, and it led to the discovery of antimycobacterial scaffold characteristic of rimino-type pentacycles 6, 7 and potent drug clofazimine. The new scaffold like clofazimine appears to be useful in developing lead agents active against drug-resistant/dormant TB.

Based on hemiindigos we developed novel reactions for producing γ-carbolines and their precursors that appeared to be active against MTB.

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-alkylidene-3-iminoindoles by reaction of 1,1-dianions with oxalic acid bis(imidoyl) chlorides

Treatment of dilithiated nitriles and sulfones with oxalic acid bis(imidoyl) chlorides resulted in a new cyclization reaction which provided a variety of (3-imino-2, 3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-ylidene)acetonitriles and -sulfones in good yields. The reactions proceeded by condensation of the dianions with the first imidoyl chloride group of the bis(imidoyl) chloride, subsequent intramolecular attack of the ortho carbon of the arylimino group onto the second imidoyl chloride group, and final aromatization. Excellent stereoselectivities were observed in most cases.