Total synthesis of (+)-Z-deoxypukalide, a furanobutenolide-based cembranoid isolated from the pacific octocoral Leptogorgia spp

Studies toward Providencin: The Furanyl-Cyclobutanol Segment

The furanocembranoid providencin remains an unconquered bastion, although the synthesis of 17-deoxyprovidencin─lacking a single -OH group─has been accomplished in the past. This paper describes a practical approach to a properly hydroxylated building block via an iridium-catalyzed photosensitized intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition as the key step. While an attempt to convert this compound into providencin via RCAM failed, it might well be elaborated into the natural product by adopting the literature route.

Cis Selective RCM Study to the 14-Membered Cyclic Subunit of Bielschowskysin

A concise, (Z)-selective ring-closing metathesis (RCM) route to the 14-membered carbocycle of bielschowskysin is detailed using naturally occurring chiral starting materials. Unproductive RCM substrates were attributed to alkyne chelation of the ruthenium catalyst and steric disadvantages within the cembranoid precursors, which was eventually circumvented by using cyclic diol benzylidene protection involving a C8-quaternary carbinol center.

Rapid Construction of the Scaffold of Quorumolide A Enabled by a Tandem ROM/RCM Strategy and a Tandem Oxidative Cyclization Strategy

A synthetically challenging framework in the plant-derived cembranoid quorumolide A was established in a seven-step sequence featuring a ring-opening/-closing metathesis cascade reaction to construct the fused butenolide ring and the 14-membered macroring in a single step. The utilization of a tandem oxidative cyclization strategy is the key to build the tetrahydro-2H-pyran moiety.

Ovatodiolides: Scalable Protection-Free Syntheses, Configuration Determination, and Biological Evaluation against Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells

A concise, scalable, six-step (longest linear sequence) synthetic route to ovatodiolide scaffolds was developed for the first time. This protecting-group-free route features tandem ring-opening metathesis/ring-closing metathesis reactions to install the macrocycle-fused butenolide ring and a tandem allylboration/lactonization to build the α-methylene-γ-lactone. Our syntheses have enabled the determination of the hitherto unknown stereochemical configurations of this family of natural products. Preliminary tests of structure-activity relationships were conducted with four natural ovatodiolides and three analogues. Further assays indicated that the synthetic natural product isoovatodiolide can significantly decrease the population of hepatic cancer stem cells and reduce the tumorsphere-forming capability of HepG2 cells.

Stereoconfining macrocyclizations in the total synthesis of natural products

This review covers selected examples of point chirality-forming macrocyclizations in natural product total synthesis in the past three decades.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Metathesis Cascade Reactions in Natural Products Synthesis

In this account, we provide a brief summary of recent developments in ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions towards the total synthesis of natural products. We also highlight recent progress from our own laboratory regarding the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, which has resulted in the development of novel ruthenium-catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions. Inspired and guided by the pioneering and elegant research conducted in this area, we developed a regio-controlled relay dienyne metathesis cascade reaction and a cyclobutene-promoted RCM/ROM/RCM cascade reaction for the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, respectively.

Recent applications of ring-rearrangement metathesis in organic synthesis

Ring-rearrangement metathesis (RRM) involves multiple metathesis processes such as ring-opening metathesis (ROM)/ring-closing metathesis (RCM) in a one-pot operation to generate complex targets. RRM delivers complex frameworks that are difficult to assemble by conventional methods. The noteworthy point about this type of protocol is multi-bond formation and it is an atom economic process. In this review, we have covered literature that appeared during the last seven years (2008–2014).

Collective synthesis of humulanolides using a metathesis cascade reaction

A new method has been developed for the concise and asymmetric synthesis of seven humulanolides in 5-7 steps without the need for protecting groups. Notably, the challenging 11-membered ring and bridged butenolide moieties in asteriscunolide D and 6,7,9,10-tetrahydroasteriscunolide were introduced in one step using a ring-opening/ring-closing metathesis cascade reaction. Asteriscunolide D was used as a versatile synthetic precursor to prepare asteriscunolides A-C via a photoinduced isomerization reaction, asteriscanolide via a unique transannular Michael reaction, and 6,7,9,10-tetradehydroasteriscanolide via a transannular Morita-Baylis-Hillman-type reaction. The unique bicyclo[6.3.0]undecane core was introduced diastereoselectively.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2010. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2011, 28, 196. This review covers the literature published in 2010 for marine natural products, with 895 citations (590 for the period January to December 2010) 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 (1003 for 2010), 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.

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of α-(acyloxy)-tri-n-butylstannanes with alkenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl electrophiles

Racemic and scalemic α-(acyloxy)-tri-n-butylstannanes undergo Pd-catalyzed cross-couplings with alkenyl/aryl/heteroaryl iodides, bromides, and triflates in moderate to good yields in THF at 45 °C. Simple aryl iodides and unprotected aza-arenes, two classes of electrophiles that typically react sluggishly, are also good substrates. Cross-couplings proceed with retention of configuration at the alkenyl and stannyl-substituted stereocenters.