A new norsesterterpenoid from the sponge species sarcotragus

Recent advances in Cu-catalyzed transformations of internal alkynes to alkenes and heterocycles

Numerous metal-catalyzed reactions involving internal alkynes and aimed towards synthetically and pharmacologically important alkenes and heterocycles have appeared in the literature. Among these, Cu-catalyzed reactions have a special place, which has prompted the investigation and development of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. These reactions possess wide scope, and during the paths of these reactions, either stable or in situ intermediates are formed via the addition of Cu as a core catalyst or synergistic catalyst. In this review, we aim to report different contributions relating to Cu-catalyzed reactions of internal alkynes for the synthesis of different valuable alkenes and heterocycles which have appeared in the literature in the last decade. We anticipate that this appraisal will deliver basic insights for the further advancement of Cu-catalyzed reactions in organic chemistry.

Sesterterpenoids

Sesterterpenoids are known as a relatively small group of natural products. However, they represent a variety of simple to more complex structural types. This contribution focuses on the chemical structures of sesterterpenoids and how their structures are constructed in Nature.

New marine natural products from sponges (Porifera) of the order Dictyoceratida (2001 to 2012); a promising source for drug discovery, exploration and future prospects

The discovery of new drugs can no longer rely primarily on terrestrial resources, as they have been heavily exploited for over a century. During the last few decades marine sources, particularly sponges, have proven to be a most promising source of new natural products for drug discovery. This review considers the order Dictyoceratida in the Phylum Porifera from which the largest number of new marine natural products have been reported over the period 2001-2012. This paper examines all the sponges from the order Dictyoceratida that were reported as new compounds during the time period in a comprehensive manner. The distinctive physical characteristics and the geographical distribution of the different families are presented. The wide structural diversity of the compounds produced and the variety of biological activities they exhibited is highlighted. As a representative of sponges, insights into this order and avenues for future effective natural product discovery are presented. The research institutions associated with the various studies are also highlighted with the aim of facilitating collaborative relationships, as well as to acknowledge the major international contributors to the discovery of novel sponge metabolites. The order Dictyoceratida is a valuable source of novel chemical structures which will continue to contribute to a new era of drug discovery.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2012 for marine natural products, with 1035 citations (673 for the period January to December 2012) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1241 for 2012), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Heterocyclic terpenes: linear furano- and pyrroloterpenoids

This review of furano- and pyrroloterpenoids covers the literature, 180 articles in all, published from January 2006 to December 2013.