Recent advances of synthesis of fluorenone and fluorene containing natural products

Divergent Aromatization of α-Halobenzyl γ-Butenolides Initiated by Selective Enol Protonation to Benzo[c]fluorenones and Naphthalenes

An unprecedented divergent aromatization reaction of α-halobenzyl γ-butenolides has been described for the selective and concise synthesis of highly substituted benzo and higher π-extended fluorenones, and 1,3-disubstituted naphthalenes depending on the migration ability of the quaternary α-substituent. This aromatization switch from Ag+-mediated planarization to ylidenebutenolides likely originates from selective protonation on the enolic double bond rather than the benzyl halides by TfOH.

Interrupted Corey-Chaykovsky Reaction of Tethered Bis-Enones to Access 2,3-Epoxy-hexahydrofluoren-9-ones

The Corey-Chaykovsky reaction is usually employed to synthesize cyclopropanes from activated olefins. We intercepted the intermediates prevailing during this transformation and diverted the process for the creation of intricate molecular motifs. We describe an unusual skeletal remodelling of tethered bis-enones to 2,3-epoxy-hexahydrofluoren-9-ones via an "interrupted Corey-Chaykovsky reaction". The strategy rationally merges the nucleophilic features of sulfur ylides with electronically biased olefins to achieve the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of several new classes of hydrofluorenones. We have demonstrated the synthetic utility of the products in accessing several highly functionalized molecules.

6aH-Benzo[α]fluorene: NMR evidence of the unexpected product of the reaction of butyryl chloride with 1,2-diphenylacetylene

The reaction of butyryl chloride with ethynylbenzene in the presence of AlCl3 afforded a mixture of the Z/E-isomers of 1-chloro-2-phenylhex-1-en-3-one. 1,2-Diphenylethyne under these conditions gave a novel polycarbocycle core, 6aH-benzo[a]fluorene. The chemical structure of 11-chloro-5,6-diphenyl-6a-propyl-6aH-benzo[a]fluorene was established by means of IE-MS, 1 H, 13 C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and 2D INADEQUATE technique.

Skeletal Editing of Dibenzolactones to Fluorenes via Ni- or Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylation

The skeletal editing of dibenzolactones to fluorenes by Ni- or Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation is reported. In contrast to previously reported intramolecular decarboxylative couplings, inductively electron-withdrawing ortho substituents on the aryl carboxylate moiety and metal additives are not required. The decarboxylation reaction proceeds cleanly and can be applied to the skeletal editing of a natural product analogue. Mechanistic observations are consistent with stabilization of the carboxylate-ligated Ni complex over the Ni-carboxylate ion pair, which is the key factor in promoting the challenging decarboxylation step in the catalytic cycle.

A regioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-benzylidene-1-indenones with functional olefins to access indanone-fused 2D/3D skeletons

The regioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-benzylidene-1-indenones with functional olefins was established with DABCO as a base under mild conditions. Using this approach, a series of diversely substituted indanone-fused cyclopentane polycycles with highly crowded multiple substituents were synthesized in high yields.

Electricity-Promoted Friedel-Crafts Acylation of Biarylcarboxylic Acids

An electricity-promoted method for Friedel-Crafts acylation of biarylcarboxylic acids is described in this research. Various fluorenones can be accessed in up to 99% yields. During the acylation, electricity plays an essential role, which might motivate the chemical equilibrium by consuming the generated TFA. This study is predicted to provide an avenue to realize Friedel-Crafts acylation in a more environmentally friendly process.

Direct Benzylic C-H Functionalization with Fluorenones under Visible-Light Irradiation

An external photocatalyst-free benzylic C-H functionalization with fluorenones under visible-light irradiation has been achieved. This transformation provides an efficient synthetic approach to 9-benzylated fluorenols in ≤91% yield with 100% atom economy under mild conditions. Spectroscopic studies suggest that a reductive quenching of photoexcited fluorenones with toluene derivatives generates ketyl radicals and benzyl radicals, which undergo a cross-coupling to afford the desired fluorenols.

Direct Excitation of Aldehyde to Activate the C(sp2 )-H Bond by Cobaloxime Catalysis toward Fluorenones Synthesis with Hydrogen Evolution

A new way to form fluorenones via the direct excitation of substrates instead of photocatalyst to activate the C(sp² )-H bond under redox-neutral condition is reported. Our design relies on the photoexcited aromatic aldehyde intermediates that can be intercepted by cobaloxime catalyst through single electron transfer for following β-H elimination. The generation of acyl radical and successful interception by a metal catalyst cobaloxime avoid the use of a photocatalyst and stoichiometric external oxidants, affording a series of highly substituted fluorenones, including six-membered ketones, such as xanthone and thioxanthone derivatives in good to excellent yields, and with hydrogen as the only byproduct. This catalytic system features a readily available metal catalyst, mild reaction conditions and broad substrate scope, in which sunlight reaction and scale-up experiments by continuous-flow approach make the new methodology sustainable and amenable for potentially operational procedures.

Xenoacremones D-H, Bioactive Tyrosine-decahydrofluorene Analogues from the Plant-Derived Fungus Xenoacremonium sinensis

Five novel tyrosine-decahydrofluorene analogues, xenoacremones D−H (1−5), each bearing a fused 6/5/6 tricarbocyclic core and a 13-membered para-cyclophane ring system, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Xenoacremonium sinensis. Compound 1 was a novel polyketide synthase−nonribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS−NRPS) tyrosine-decahydrofluorene hybrid containing a 6/5/6/6/5 ring system. Their structures were elucidated from comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on LPS-induced NO production in macrophages and their cytotoxicities against the NB4 and U937 cell lines. Compounds 3 and 5 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Compounds 1 and 3−5 displayed significant antiproliferative activity against the tumor cell lines (IC50 < 20 µM).

pH-Controlled Intramolecular Decarboxylative Cyclization of Biarylacetic Acids: Implication on Umpolung Reactivity of Aroyl Radicals

A simple approach for the intramolecular aroylation of electron-rich arenes under mild conditions has been developed. A pH-controlled polarity umpolung strategy can be used to synthesize different fluorenones, which are important building blocks for biological applications. Unlike previous acylation reactions involving nucleophilic aroyl radicals, this approach likely relies on in situ generated electrophilic aroyl radicals. Detailed mechanistic and computational investigations provide detailed insights into the reaction mechanism and support the hypothesis of a pH-mediated umpolung.

TfOH-Catalyzed Intramolecular Annulation of 2-(Aryl)-Phenyl-Substituted p-Quinone Methides under Continuous Flow: Total Syntheses of Selaginpulvilin I and Isoselagintamarlin A

In this article, we describe a convenient method to access 9-aryl fluorene derivatives through a TfOH-catalyzed intramolecular 1,6-conjugate arylation of 2-(aryl)-phenyl-substituted p-quinone methides (QMs) under continuous flow using the microreaction technique. This method was found to be very effective for most of the p-QMs, and the corresponding 9-aryl fluorene derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, this protocol was further elaborated to the first total syntheses of selaginpulvilin I and isoselagintamarlin A.

Preparative Production of Functionalized (N- and O-Heterocyclic) Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Human Cytochrome P450 3A4 in a Bioreactor

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their N- and O-containing derivatives (N-/O-PAHs) are environmental pollutants and synthetically attractive building blocks in pharmaceuticals. Functionalization of PAHs can be achieved via C-H activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (e.g., P450 CYP3A4) in an environmentally friendly manner. Despite its broad substrate scope, the contribution of CYP3A4 to metabolize common PAHs in humans was found to be small. We recently showcased the potential of CYP3A4 in whole-cell biocatalysis with recombinant yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) catalysts for the preparative-scale synthesis of naturally occurring metabolites in humans. In this study, we aimed at exploring the substrate scope of CYP3A4 towards (N-/O)-PAHs and conducted a bioconversion experiment at 10 L scale to validate the synthetic potential of CYP3A4 for the preparative-scale production of functionalized PAH metabolites. Hydroxylated products were purified and characterized using HPLC and NMR analysis. In total, 237 mg of fluorenol and 48 mg of fluorenone were produced from 498 mg of fluorene, with peak productivities of 27.7 μmol/L/h for fluorenol and 5.9 μmol/L/h for fluorenone; the latter confirmed that CYP3A4 is an excellent whole-cell biocatalyst for producing authentic human metabolites.

Bioactive PKS-NRPS Alkaloids from the Plant-Derived Endophytic Fungus Xylaria arbuscula

A novel hybrid PKS–NRPS alkaloid, xylarialoid A (1), containing a 13-membered macrocyclic moiety and [5,5,6] fused tricarbocyclic rings, together with ten known cytochalasins (2–11), was isolated from a plant-derived endophytic fungus, Xylaria arbuscula. The chemical structures of all compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR, HR ESIMS spectroscopic analyses, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Compounds 1–3 and 10 exhibited significant antitumor activities against A549 and Hep G2 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 3.6–19.6 μM. In addition, compound 1 showed potent anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells (IC₅₀, 6.6 μM).

DMAP-Catalyzed Reaction of Diethyl 1,3-Acetonedicarboxylate with 2-Hydroxybenzylideneindenediones: Facile Synthesis of Fluorenone-Fused Coumarins

The base-catalyzed reaction of diethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate with 2-hydroxybenzylidene indenediones was studied. The reaction provides a facile and expeditious protocol for the synthesis of natural product inspired fluorenone-fused coumarins in good to very good yields. This process resembles a combination of domino Michael–intramolecular Knoevenagel–aromatization–lactonization reactions in a single step. Although this reaction operates with many bases, the best yields were obtained with DMAP as a catalyst. This protocol could open new potential avenues for the synthesis of fused coumarins by the reaction of substituted β-keto esters with different 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidenes) of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

Stereoselective Synthesis of the Core Structures of Pyrrocidines and Wortmannines through the Excited-State Nazarov Reactions

The reaction conditions and scope of the excited-state Nazarov reaction of dicyclicvinyl ketones were studied. The stereochemistry of this electrocyclization is consistent with the mechanism of the pericyclic reaction and Woodward-Hoffmann rule. UV-light-promoted excited-state Nazarov reactions gave hydrofluorenones bearing a syn-cis configuration via a disrotatory cyclization. The core tricyclic hydrofluorenones of pyrrocidines and wortmannines were constructed via the excited-state Nazarov reactions, which demonstrated their synthetic potential in complex natural product total synthesis.

Fluorene-Based Multicomponent Reactions

Fluorene and fluorenone are privileged structures with extensive utility in both materials science and drug discovery. Here, we describe syntheses of those moieties through isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs) and the incorporation of the products in diverse and complex derivatives that can be further utilized. We performed six different IMCRs, based on the dual functionality of 9-isocyano-9H-fluorene, and we describe 23 unprecedented adducts.

Asymmetric total synthesis of cephanolide B

The asymmetric synthesis of cephanolide B, a complex C₁₈ Cephalotaxus dinorditerpenoid, is presented for the first time.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Cephanolide A

The first asymmetric total synthesis of cephanolide A, a complex hexacyclic C₁₈ dinorditerpenoid from cephalotaxus sinensis, was achieved. The synthesis features a convergent strategy, which provides a flexible approach to prepare the biogenetically cephalotaxus diterpenoids and structurally related derivatives for biological studies. A mild intramolecular Prins cyclization was developed to construct the central hexahydrofluorenol skeleton (A-B-C ring), which relies on the originally proposed hydroacylation strategy. A remote hydroxy group directed hydrogenation was applied to stereospecifically reduce the tetra-substituted enone unit. A sequence of ring forming steps, including lactonization, cation mediated etherification and Friedel-Crafts cyclization, was efficiently utilized to forge the cage-like skeleton.

Synthesis and Spectrophotometric Analysis of 1-Azafluorenone Derivatives

A new extension for the 'one pot' construction of diverse 1-azafluorene derivatives featuring a Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder cycloaddition is reported. Conditions were also determined for oxidation to the derived azafluorenones. The spectrophotometric analysis of five different azafluorenones were performed. Moderate fluorescence was observed with azafluorenone derivatives that bear an imbedded pyridone motif; whereas those bearing substituted pyridines do not fluoresce.

Access to Fluorenones Using Benzocyclopentynone Surrogate as Partner for the [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

A convenient and versatile procedure for the straightforward synthesis of substituted fluorenones as valuable scaffolds is described under rhodium catalysis. The present [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of diynes with 3-acetoxy or-3-alkoxyindenones as surrogates of the highly reactive benzocyclopentynone 2π partner allows the preparation of various fluorenone-type derivatives in good yields and provides an additional and tunable process for the generation of more challenging molecules with application in pharmaceutical, polymer, and material sciences.

A denitrogenative palladium-catalyzed cascade for regioselective synthesis of fluorenes

We herein report a denitrogenative palladium-catalyzed cascade for the modular and regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted fluorenes. Hydrazone facilitates the Pd(ii) to Pd(iv) oxidative addition in a Catellani pathway and is also the methylene synthon in the proposed reaction. Aryl iodides and 2-bromoarylaldehyde hydrazones undergo a norbornene-controlled tandem reaction sequence to give a broad scope of fluorenes in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The method described is scalable and adaptable to a three-component reaction with in situ generation of the hydrazone group. Preliminary mechanistic investigations have been conducted.

Synthesis of Anthraquinones by Iridium-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of a 1,2-Bis(propiolyl)benzene Derivative with Alkynes

[2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of a 1,2-bis(propiolyl)benzene derivative with terminal and internal alkynes takes place in the presence of [Ir(cod)Cl]2 (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) combined with bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE) to give anthraquinones in 42% to 93% yields with a simple experimental procedure. A fluorenone derivative can also be synthesized by iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of a benzene-linked ketodiyne with an internal alkyne to give a 94% yield.

Synthesis of Tri- and Disubstituted Fluorenols and Derivatives Thereof Using Catalytic [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization

A method for regioselective synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted and more highly substituted fluorenols using catalytic [2+2+2]cyclotrimerization of mono- and disubstituted diynes with terminal alkynes was explored. In the former case, the preferential formation of the 2,4-regioisomers was achieved in the presence of Cp*Ru(cod)Cl, whereas Rh-based catalysts tended to provide 3,4-regioisomers as the major products. The 2,4-disubstituted fluorenols were converted into the corresponding 9,9′-spirobifluorene derivatives and their structural and photophysical properties were evaluated.

Hyperconjomer stereocontrol of cationic polyene cyclisations

Polyene cyclisations are a powerful method for the direct generation of molecular complexity. This paper describes the use of computational methods to investigate the stereoselectivity of cationic polyene cyclisations of geranylbenzene derivatives. The outcomes highlight the different reactivity of hyperconjomers during the key Friedel-Crafts alkylation step, and informed a successful strategy for the synthesis of (±)-taiwaniaquinone G with improved levels of stereoselectivity.

Functionalized fluorenes via dicationic electrophiles

Dicationic fluorenyl cations are shown to react with nitriles to provide amide-functionalized fluorenes. A similar reaction with alcohols gives ether derivatives. The chemistry is initiated by the reactions of N-heterocyclic ketones in a superacidic solution. This leads to cyclizations involving 2-biphenyl groups and formation of the reactive fluorenyl cations.

Recent advances in the total synthesis of gracilamine

Gracilamine belongs to the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid group and has a unique five-ring skeleton. Its scarcity in plants limits biological studies on it. A number of synthetic chemists have carried out the total synthesis of gracilamine in the past few years. This review will summarize the synthetic studies of gracilamine, and hopes to bring new inspiration to the research of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.

Total synthesis of selaginpulvilins A and C

An efficient strategy for the formal total synthesis of selaginpulvilins A and C has been reported. This approach involves 6 and 7 linear synthetic operations and is associated with 10% and 7% overall yields respectively for selaginpulvilins A and C.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization-Dimerization Cascade of Benzene-Tethered 1,6-Enynes

An unprecedented stereoselective domino reaction of 1,6-enynes with an aryl ring at C3-C4 in the presence of gold(I) catalysts at low temperature is described. This process involves a novel 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization-dimerization sequence to afford formal Diels-Alder adducts that undergo a smooth gold-catalyzed double bond migration at room temperature. In addition, the first examples of the gold mesoionic carbene mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition of these enynes with benzaldehyde are reported.