Total synthesis of cryptomoscatones D1 and D2: stereochemical assignment of cryptomoscatone D1

From the Total Synthesis of Semi-Viriditoxin, Semi-Viriditoxic Acid and Dimeric Naphthopyranones to their Biological Activities in Burkitt B Cell Lymphoma

Dimeric naphthopyranones are known to be biologically active, however, for the corresponding monomeric naphthopyranones this information is still elusive. Here the first enantioselective total synthesis of semi-viriditoxic acid as well as the synthesis of semi-viriditoxin and derivatives is reported. The key intermediate in the synthesis of naphthopyranones is an α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone, which we synthesized in two different ways (Ghosez-cyclization and Grubbs ring-closing metathesis), while the domino-Michael-Dieckmann reaction of the α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone with an orsellinic acid derivative is the key reaction. A structure-activity relationship study was performed measuring the cytotoxicity in Burkitt B lymphoma cells (Ramos). The dimeric structure was found to be crucial for biological activity: Only the dimeric naphthopyranones showed cytotoxic and apoptotic activity, whereas the monomers did not display any activity at all.

Total Synthesis and Determination of Absolute Configuration of Cryptorigidifoliol G

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (1S,5R,7S)-cryptorigidifoliol G and (1S,5R,7R)-cryptorigidifoliol G of the proposed natural product was achieved. The key steps in the synthesis involved Keck-Maruoka allylation, our own developed protocol for the construction of the trans-2,6-disubstituted dihydropyran, iodolactonization, cross-metathesis, Prins cyclization, and cis-Wittig olefination reaction. A comparison of the NMR as well as analytical data and thorough analysis of the 2D NMR suggested that the absolute stereochemistry of the proposed natural product is (1S,5R,7S)-cryptorigidifoliol G.

Regio- and diastereoselective access to densely functionalized ketones via the Boekelheide rearrangement of isoxazoline N-oxides

In this work, the classical "isoxazoline route" toward aldols involving the [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of nitrile oxide to alkenes and hydrogenolysis of the oxime group was revisited. To avoid regioselectivity issues, [4 + 1]-annulation of nitroalkenes with sulfonium ylides was used to construct the isoxazoline ring bearing an N-oxide moiety. Subsequent deoxygenative C-H functionalization using the Boekelheide rearrangement and hydrogenolysis of the isoxazoline ring afforded α'-acyloxy-substituted aldols, which are difficult to access both by the classical aldol reaction and the "isoxazoline route". The products are formed in good to high overall yields and as single diastereomers in most cases. The synthetic use of these aldols was showcased by their smooth transformation into diastereomerically pure triols and a 2,3-diaryl-4-hydroxy-substituted tetrahydrofuran derivative, which is structurally related to cinncassin B.

Synthesis of a Model Compound of the Unique Meroterpenoids Cryptolaevilactones

Cryptolaevilactones (CLs) A-L, found in the leaves and twigs of Cryptocarya laevigata, are unique natural meroterpenoids with a spiro[3.5]nonane skeleton. We report the total synthesis of a simplified model compound of CLs A-C. The synthetic route included introduction of a styryl group and coupling of a lactone moiety to a spiro ring system, which was constructed by a pinacol-like rearrangement.

Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Activity and Absolute Configurations of Arylalkenyl α,β-Unsaturated δ/γ-Lactones from Cryptocarya concinna

During an ongoing exploration of potential anti-inflammatory agents from medicinal plants, eight new arylalkenyl α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones, cryptoconcatones A-H (1-8), and two unusual arylalkenyl α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones, cryptoconcatones I and J (9 and 10), were identified from the leaves and twigs of Cryptocarya concinna. The structures of these compounds were established based on spectroscopic data (MS, 1D/2D NMR), and their absolute configurations were determined with Riguera's method, the modified Mosher's method, chemical derivatization, and the Snatzke chirality rule. Compounds 4-6 and 8-10 showed inhibitory activity toward nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, particularly compounds 4 and 8-10, with IC50 values of 3.2, 4.2, 3.4, and 7.5 μM, respectively.

Vibrational spectroscopy as a direct stereochemical probe for polyhydroxylated molecules

Relative and absolute configurations of polyhydroxylated molecules via acetonide derivatives: the power of IR and VCD.

Beyond DP4: an Improved Probability for the Stereochemical Assignment of Isomeric Compounds using Quantum Chemical Calculations of NMR Shifts

The DP4 probability is one of the most sophisticated and popular approaches for the stereochemical assignment of organic molecules using GIAO NMR chemical shift calculations when only one set of experimental data is available. In order to improve the performance of the method, we have developed a modified probability (DP4+), whose main differences from the original DP4 are the inclusion of unscaled data and the use of higher levels of theory for the NMR calculation procedure. With these modifications, a significant improvement in the overall performance was achieved, providing accurate and confident results in establishing the stereochemistry of 48 challenging isomeric compounds.

Antimalarial 5,6-Dihydro-α-pyrones from Cryptocarya rigidifolia: Related Bicyclic Tetrahydro-α-Pyrones Are Artifacts1

Antimalarial bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOH extract of the root wood of Cryptocarya rigidifolia (Lauraceae) led to the isolation of the five new 5,6-dihydro-α-pyrones cryptorigidifoliols A-E (1-5) and the six bicyclic tetrahydro-α-pyrone derivatives cryptorigidifoliols F-K (6-11). The structure elucidations of all compounds were made on the basis of the interpretation of spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization, and the relative and absolute configurations were determined by NOESY, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and (1)H NMR analysis of α-methoxyphenylacetyl (MPA) derivatives. The bicyclic tetrahydro-α-pyrone derivatives were identified as products of acid-catalyzed intramolecular Michael addition of the 5,6-dihydro-α-pyrones in the presence of silica gel. A structure-activity relationship study suggested that the presence of an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety is not essential for potent antimalarial activity.

First total synthesis of cryptomoscatone F1

The total synthesis of cryptomoscatone F1 has been accomplished for the first time.

Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of cryptolatifolione

An enantioselective total synthesis of cryptolatifolione and its C-8 epimer is presented in a protecting-group-free fashion.