Asymmetric synthesis of the C(6–18) bis(tetrahydropyran)spiroacetal fragment of the lituarines

Oxidative Spirocyclization of β-Furyl Amides for the Assembly of Spiro-γ-butenolide-γ-butyrolactones

The synthesis of heretofore unknown γ-spirobutenolides has been achieved via an m-CPBA-mediated oxidation of β-furyl amides. The reaction employs a tethered amide, ostensibly a poorly reactive carbonyl, as a nontraditional nucleophile resulting in spirolactone formation and concurrent amide cleavage. The transformation exhibits functional group tolerance and compatibility with complex compounds. In situ 1H NMR spectroscopic studies reveal the identities of key intermediates in the oxidation-spirolactonization-oxidation cascade, suggesting a plausible mechanistic pathway. The distinct diastereofaces of the electrophilic butenolide product may be used for diastereoselective cycloaddition and conjugate addition reactions.

Cation Triggered Domino Aza-Piancatelli Rearrangement/Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Indole-Tethered Furfuyl Alcohols to Access Cycloocta[b]indole Core of Alkaloids

A domino approach to bridged cycloocta[b]indolone through a cascade of aza-Piancatelli rearrangement/Friedel-Crafts alkylation is developed. This transformation has been realized by reaction of an indole-tethered 2-furylcarbinol and substituted aniline in the presence of a Lewis acid to initiate aza-Piancatelli rearrangement followed by an in situ intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation to access bridged tetracyclic frameworks in one pot.

General Synthesis of the Nitropyrrolin Family of Natural Products via Regioselective CO2-Mediated Alkyne Hydration

The total synthesis of the 2-nitropyrrole natural products nitropyrrolins A and B and the formal synthesis of nitropyrrolin D are reported. The key 2-nitro-4-alkylpyrrole core was efficiently assembled by Sonogashira cross-coupling, with complete control of regioselectivity. An unusual carboxylative cyclization, sulfonylcarbamate formation, and base-promoted cleavage sequence enabled access to the key hydroxy ketone without affecting the protected 2-nitropyrrole unit. The total synthesis provides a general approach for preparation of the bioactive nitropyrrolin family of natural products.

Catalyst-Controlled Chemodivergent Modification of Indoles with 2-Furylcarbinols: Piancatelli Reaction vs Cross-Dehydrative Coupling Reaction

A divergent synthetic strategy to functionalize the indole nucleus with readily available 2-furylcarbinols was developed. It was found that the 3-(4-oxo-2-cyclopentenyl)indoles were obtained in moderate to good yields (up to 89%) through Piancatelli reaction catalyzed by ZnCl₂, whereas employment of Brønsted acid TFA afforded directly coupled product 3-(2-furyl)indoles in moderate to good yields (up to 87%) via the deprotonation-rearomatization route.

Achmatowicz Reaction and its Application in the Syntheses of Bioactive Molecules

Substituted pyranones and tetrahydropyrans are structural subunits of many bioactive natural products. Considerable efforts are devoted toward the chemical synthesis of these natural products due to their therapeutic potential as well as low natural abundance. These embedded pyranones and tetrahydropyran structural motifs have been the subject of synthetic interest over the years. While there are methods available for the syntheses of these subunits, there are issues related to regio and stereochemical outcomes, as well as versatility and compatibility of reaction conditions and functional group tolerance. The Achmatowicz reaction, an oxidative ring enlargement of furyl alcohol, was developed in the 1970s. The reaction provides a unique entry to a variety of pyranone derivatives from functionalized furanyl alcohols. These pyranones provide convenient access to substituted tetrahydropyran derivatives. This review outlines general approaches to the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans, covering general mechanistic aspects of the Achmatowicz reaction or rearrangement with an overview of the reagents utilized for the Achmatowicz reaction. The review then focuses on the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans and pyranones and their applications in the synthesis of natural products and medicinal agents.

The versatility of furfuryl alcohols and furanoxonium ions in synthesis

Substituted furfuryl alcohols are extraordinarily versatile starting materials in synthesis. They are precursors to furanoxonium ion intermediates which are implicated in the Piancatelli reaction (leading to 2-cyclopentenones) and in the synthesis of novel dihydrofuran-based exo enol ether/cyclic ketal natural products. They are also intermediates in a recently discovered (4+3) cycloaddition reaction with 1,3-dienes leading to furan ring-fused cycloheptenes. Here we provide a perspective on recent developments in these areas of synthesis, alongside recent applications of the Achmatowicz reaction and [5+2] cycloaddition reactions of the resulting oxidopyrylium ions.