An Enantioselective Approach to the Securinega Alkaloids: The Total Synthesis of (+)-Norsecurinine and (+)-Allonorsecurinine

Total Synthesis of (±)-Phyllantidine: Development and Mechanistic Evaluation of a Ring Expansion for Installation of Embedded Nitrogen-Oxygen Bonds

The development of a concise total synthesis of (±)-phyllantidine (1), a member of the securinega family of alkaloids containing an unusual oxazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core, is described. The synthesis employs a unique synthetic strategy featuring the ring expansion of a substituted cyclopentanone to a cyclic hydroxamic acid as a key step that allows facile installation of the embedded nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) bond. The optimization of this sequence to effect the desired regiochemical outcome and its mechanistic underpinnings were assessed both computationally and experimentally. This synthetic approach also features an early-stage diastereoselective aldol reaction to assemble the substituted cyclopentanone, a mild reduction of an amide intermediate without N-O bond cleavage, and the rapid assembly of the butenolide found in (1) via use of the Bestmann ylide.

Stereoselective Sequential Spirocyclopropanation/Cloke-Wilson Rearrangement Reactions for Synthesis of trans-β,γ-Disubstituted γ-Butyrolactones Using Alkylidene Meldrum's Acid and Benzyl Halides

The stereoselective sequential spirocyclopropanation/Cloke-Wilson rearrangement reactions have been developed to synthesize γ-butyrolactones using alkylidene Meldrum's acids and benzyl halides. The DBU-promoted spirocyclopropanation was carried out efficiently at room temperature to generate trans-isomeric spirocyclopropyl Meldrum's acid, and the following stereospecific thermal decarboxylative Cloke-Wilson rearrangement afforded trans-γ-butyrolactones. A variety of aromatic and aliphatic Meldrum's acid derived olefins and benzyl halides were tolerated. Various trans-β,γ-disubstituted γ-butyrolactones were produced with moderate to good overall yields from 46 to 96% and excellent diastereoselectivities.

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.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Secu'amamine A Exploiting Type II Anion Relay Chemistry

A total synthesis of (-)-secu'amamine A has been achieved exploiting Type II Anion Relay Chemistry (ARC) to provide the full linear carbon and nitrogen skeleton in a single flask with the requisite stereochemistry and functionality. A mechanistic rationale is also proposed to account for the stereochemical outcome of the key aldol reaction leading to the advanced aza tricyclic core.

(2aR*,5S*,6aS*,8aS*,E)-Ethyl 5-hydroxy-7,7,8a-trimethyl-8-oxo-2,2a,6,6a,7,8,8a,8b-octahydro-1H-pentaleno[1,6-bc]oxepine-4-carboxylate

The title compound, C₁₇H₂₄O₅, featuring a 2-carbeth­oxy-3-oxepanone unit in its intra­molecularly O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonded enol form, was obtained via [(CF₃CO₂)₂Rh]₂-catal­ysed intra­molecular O—H bond insertion in the α-diazo-ω-hy­droxy-β-ketoester, ethyl 4-[(1S,3aS,6R,6aS)-6-hy­droxy-2,2,3a-trimethyl-3-oxo-octa­hydro­penta­len-1-yl]-2-diazo-3-oxobutano­ate. The seven-membered oxacyclic ring, thus constructed on a cis-fused diquinane platform, was found to adopt a distorted boat–sofa conformation.