Synthesis of highly substituted pyranonaphthalene spiroketals related to the griseusins using a Hauser–Kraus annulation strategy

Synthesis of highly substituted fluorenones via metal-free TBHP-promoted oxidative cyclization of 2-(aminomethyl)biphenyls. Application to the total synthesis of nobilone

Highly substituted fluorenones are readily prepared in mostly fair to good yields via metal- and additive-free TBHP-promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of readily accessible N-methyl-2-(aminomethyl)biphenyls and 2-(aminomethyl)biphenyls. This methodology is compatible with numerous functional groups (methoxy, cyano, nitro, chloro, and SEM and TBS-protective groups for phenols) and was further utilized in the first total synthesis of the natural product nobilone.

Annulations with Butenolides and Phthalides: New Entries to Isocoumarins, 3,4-Dihydroisocoumarins, and Benzofurans

The reactions of the anions of butenolides and substituted phthalides with sorbate esters and mono-epoxy sorbate esters furnish isocoumarins, 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins, and benzofurans. The yields range from 41% to 71%.

Second-Generation Synthesis of the Northern Fragment of Mandelalide A: Role of π-Stacking on Sharpless Dihydroxylation of cis-Enynes

The development of a π-stacking-based approach for increased stereoselectivity in Sharpless asymmetric and diastereomeric dihydroxylation of cis-enynes is disclosed. The use of neighboring, electron-rich benzoate esters proved key to the success of this process. Density functional theory study suggests that the substrate benzoate ester group rigidifies the dihydroxylation transition states by forming a favorable π-stacking interaction in both Major-TS and Minor-TS. The energetic preference for the Major-TS was found in part because of the favorable eclipsing conformation of the alkene substituent as opposed to the disfavored bisecting conformation found in the Minor-TS. The application to a second-generation synthesis of the C15-C24 northern portion of mandelalide A is demonstrated.

Total synthesis of griseusins and elucidation of the griseusin mechanism of action

An efficient divergent synthesis of griseusins enabled SAR studies, mechanistic elucidation and evaluation in an axolotl tail regeneration model.

A divergent modular strategy for the enantioselective total synthesis of 12 naturally-occurring griseusin type pyranonaphthoquinones and 8 structurally-similar analogues is described. Key synthetic highlights include Cu-catalyzed enantioselective boration–hydroxylation and hydroxyl-directed C–H olefination to afford the central pharmacophore followed by epoxidation–cyclization and maturation via diastereoselective reduction and regioselective acetylation. Structural revision of griseusin D and absolute structural assignment of 2a,8a-epoxy-epi-4′-deacetyl griseusin B are also reported. Subsequent mechanistic studies establish, for the first time, griseusins as potent inhibitors of peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) and glutaredoxin 3 (Grx3). Biological evaluation, including comparative cancer cell line cytotoxicity and axolotl embryo tail inhibition studies, highlights the potential of griseusins as potent molecular probes and/or early stage leads in cancer and regenerative biology.

Pyranonaphthoquinones - isolation, biology and synthesis: an update

Covering: 2008 to 2015. A review on the isolation, biological activity and synthesis of pyranonaphthoquinone natural products from 2008-2015 is providedThis review discusses the isolation, biological activity and synthesis of pyranonaphthoquinone natural products, covering the years 2008-2015. The pyranonaphthoquinones are a group of metabolites sharing a common naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-5,10-dione ring system that have been isolated from a wide range of microorganisms, plants and insects. In addition to their synthetically challenging molecular structures, pyranonaphthoquinones exhibit a wide array of biological activity, including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties. The therapeutic potential of these compounds has led to a dynamic interplay between total synthesis and biological evaluation.

A divergent enantioselective strategy for the synthesis of griseusins

The first enantioselective total synthesis of griseusin A, griseusin C, 4'-deacetyl-griseusin A, and two non-native counterparts in 11-14 steps is reported. This strategy highlights a key hydroxy-directed CH olefination of 1-methylene isochroman with an α,β-unsaturated ketone followed by subsequent stereoselective epoxidation and regioselective cyclization to afford the signature tetrahydro-spiropyran ring. Colorectal cancer cell cytotoxicities of the final products highlight the impact of the griseusin tetrahydro-spiropyran ring on bioactivity. As the first divergent enantioselective synthesis, the strategy put forth sets the stage for further griseusin mechanism-of-action and SAR studies.