The β-lactone route to α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones. Total syntheses of (±)-goniothalamin and (−)-massoialactone

Total Synthesis and Absolute Configuration of Simpotentin, a Potentiator of Amphotericin B Activity

The total synthesis of simpotentin (1), a new potentiator of amphotericin B activity against Candida albicans, was achieved. Our research results enabled the access of all stereoisomers of 1 and the elucidation of the unknown absolute configuration of 1. Furthermore, one of the stereoisomers is a better amphotericin B potentiator than 1 and is an excellent lead compound for the development of a novel amphotericin B potentiator.

Emerging anticancer potentials of goniothalamin and its molecular mechanisms

The treatment of most cancers is still inadequate, despite tremendous steady progress in drug discovery and effective prevention. Nature is an attractive source of new therapeutics. Several medicinal plants and their biomarkers have been widely used for the treatment of cancer with less known scientific basis of their functioning. Although a wide array of plant derived active metabolites play a role in the prevention and treatment of cancer, more extensive scientific evaluation of their mechanisms is still required. Styryl-lactones are a group of secondary metabolites ubiquitous in the genus Goniothalamus that have demonstrated to possess antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. A large body of evidence suggests that this activity is associated with the induction of apoptosis in target cells. In an effort to promote further research on the genus Goniothalamus, this review offers a broad analysis of the current knowledge on Goniothalamin (GTN) or 5, 6, dihydro-6-styryl-2-pyronone (C₁₃H₁₂O₂), a natural occurring styryl-lactone. Therefore, it includes (i) the source of GTN and other metabolites; (ii) isolation, purification, and (iii) the molecular mechanisms of actions of GTN, especially the anticancer properties, and summarizes the role of GTN which is crucial for drug design, development, and application in future for well-being of humans.

Chiral α-substituted allylboronates in a one-pot three-component asymmetric allylic alkylation/carbonyl allylation reaction sequence — Applications to the syntheses of (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-decanolide and (–)-massoialactone

The use of different organomagnesium reagents in the copper-catalyzed allylic alkylation of 3-chloropropenyl boronates with chiral phosphoramidite ligands produces the desired α-substituted allylic boronate reagents in high regioselectivity and with modest to high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee). The size of the incoming alkyl substituent from the organomagnesium reagent was found to impact the yield and selectivity of the allylic alkylation. A one-pot procedure for the preparation of these chiral allylic boronates followed by a Lewis acid (BF3) catalyzed addition to aldehydes delivers the desired allylboration products, homoallylic secondary alcohols, in good yields and very high diastereoselectivity. This three-component reaction methodology was applied to the syntheses of two lactone-containing natural products, (–)-massoialactone and (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-decanolide. The key step of these syntheses involved the one-pot enantioselective copper-catalyzed allylic alkylation/allylboration reaction with a benzylic aldehyde, and afforded the desired product in 87% yield, 92% ee, and high E/Z selectivity in a ratio of 22:1. Remarkably, the allylic alkylation step of this sequential reaction was performed with a low catalyst loading of 2 mol% on a scale of >15 mmol that can provide multiple grams of the three-component product.

Comparative chemical analysis of the essential oil constituents in the bark, heartwood and fruits of Cryptocarya massoy (Oken) Kosterm. (Lauraceae) from Papua New Guinea

Exhaustive hydro-distillation of the bark, heartwood and fruits of Cryptocarya massoy (Lauraceae) afforded pale yellow-coloured oils in 0.7, 1.2 and 1.0 % yields, respectively. Detailed chemical evaluation of these distillates using GC/MS revealed the major components in the bark and the heartwood oils to be the C-10 (5,6-dihydro-6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one) and C-12 (5,6-dihydro-6-heptyl-2H-pyran-2-one) massoia lactones, while the major fruit oil constituent was benzyl benzoate (68.3 %). The heartwood also contained trace amounts of the C-14 (5,6-dihydro-6-nonyl-2H-pyran-2-one) massoia lactone (1.4 %) and the saturated C-10 derivative delta-decalactone (2.5 %).