Convergent and enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-nalanthalide, a potential Kv1.3 blocking immunosuppressant

Enantioselective Divergent Syntheses of Diterpenoid Pyrones

Capitalizing a synergy between late-stage C(sp3)-H alkynylation and a series of transition metal-catalyzed alkyne functionalization reactions, we reported herein enantioselective divergent synthesis of 10 diterpenoid pyrones within 14-16 steps starting from chiral pool enoxolone, including the first enantioselective synthesis of higginsianins A, B, D, E, and metarhizin C. Our synthesis also highlights an unprecedented biomimetic oxidative rearrangement of α-pyrone into 3(2H)-furanone, as well as applications of Echavarren C(sp3)-H alkynylation reaction and Toste chiral counterion-mediated Au-catalyzed intramolecular allene hydroalkoxylation in natural product synthesis.

Application of The Dess-Martin Oxidation in Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), a commercially available chemical, is frequently utilized as a mild oxidative agent for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. DMP shows several merits over other common oxidative agents such as chromiumand DMSO-based oxidants; thus, it is habitually employed in the total synthesis of natural products. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of DMP as an effective oxidant in an appropriate step (steps) in the multi-step total synthesis of natural products.

Natural diterpene pyrones: chemistry and biology

Diterpene pyrones (DTPs) are a group of well-known, mainly fungal, natural products, first isolated in 1966. As the name indicates, they are composed of two main structural features: a diterpenyl moiety and a pyrone ring. Various names have been given to this class of metabolites; however, biogenetic evidence indicates that they originate through the same metabolic pathway. Based on their biosynthesis, which leads to differences in their structural architecture, the DTPs can be classified into three main types. In addition to their intriguing chemistry, these compounds demonstrate a wide range of biological activities rendering them a desirable target for total synthesis. To date, sixty-seven DTPs have been isolated from various fungal species, with one example originating from the plant kingdom. This review aims at unifying the classification of these compounds, in addition to presenting a detailed description of their isolation, bioactivities, biosynthesis, and total synthesis.

Synthetic efforts towards the stereoselective synthesis of NF00659B1

NF00659B₁ is a novel α-pyrone diterpenoid natural product with potent anti-colon cancer activity. A stereoselective approach to the 2,2-dimethyl oxepanol core of NF00659B₁ is described enlisting a sequence of olefinic ester ring-closing metathesis, epoxidation, and Grignard addition. This strategy paves the way to a total synthesis of NF00659B₁ for further biological studies.

Applications of the Wittig-Still Rearrangement in Organic Synthesis

This Review traces the discovery of the Wittig-Still rearrangement and its applications in organic synthesis. Its relationship to Wittig rearrangements is discussed along with detailed analysis of E/Z- and diastereoselectivity. Modifications of the products arising from the Wittig-Still rearrangement are reviewed in the context of increased complexity in intermediates potentially useful in target-oriented synthesis. Early applications of the Wittig-Still rearrangement to modifications of steroids are reviewed as are applications to various terpene and alkaloid natural product targets and miscellaneous compounds. To the best of our knowledge, the literature is covered through December 2016.

Unusual cyclic terpenoids with terminal pendant prenyl moieties: from occurrence to synthesis

The paper reviews the known examples of cyclic terpenoids produced from open chain polyenic precursors by an "unusual" biosynthetic pathway, involving selective electrophilic attack on an internal double bond followed by cyclization. The resulting compounds possess cyclic backbones with pendant terminal prenyl groups. Synthetic approaches applied for the synthesis of such specifically functionalized compounds are also discussed, as well as biological activity of reported representatives.

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-candelalides A, B and C: potential Kv1.3 blocking immunosuppressive agents

Novel Kv1.3 blocking immunosuppressants, (-)-candelalides A, B and C, were efficiently synthesized for the first time in a convergent and unified manner starting from (+)-5-methyl-Wieland-Miescher ketone. The synthetic method involved the following key steps: i) a strategic [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of a stannylmethyl ether to install the stereogenic center at C9 and the exo-methylene function at C8 present in the decalin portion; ii) a straightforward coupling of a trans-decalin portion (BC ring) and a gamma-pyrone moiety through the C16-C3' bond to assemble the requisite carbon framework; and iii) a construction of a characteristic di or tetrahydropyran ring (A ring) by internal nucleophilic ring closure of a hydroxy aldehyde or a hydroxy epoxide. The present total synthesis has fully established the absolute configuration of these natural products.

Configurational Stability of Oxymethyllithiums as Intermediates in Intramolecular Rearrangements

Several homochiral oxymethyllithiums, chiral by virtue of the hydrogen isotopes protium and deuterium, were prepared. They were tested for their microscopic configurational stability in intramolecular isomerizations, such as the silyl- and germyl-[1,2]-retro-Brook and the sigmatropic[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement. The influence of temperature, solvent, and migrating group on the stability of the intermediate carbanions was studied. Furthermore, the stereochemical course of these rearrangements was elucidated, resulting in highly enantioenriched alcohols (90-97% ee; ee=enantiomeric excess) up to temperatures of 0 degrees C.