First total synthesis of neurotrophic diacetylene tetrol (−)-petrosiol D

Neurotrophic Natural Products

Neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT3, NT4) can decrease cell death, induce differentiation, as well as sustain the structure and function of neurons, which make them promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, neurotrophins have not been very effective in clinical trials mostly because they cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier owing to being high-molecular-weight proteins. Thus, neurotrophin-mimic small molecules, which stimulate the synthesis of endogenous neurotrophins or enhance neurotrophic actions, may serve as promising alternatives to neurotrophins. Small-molecular-weight natural products, which have been used in dietary functional foods or in traditional medicines over the course of human history, have a great potential for the development of new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this contribution, a variety of natural products possessing neurotrophic properties such as neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth promotion (neuritogenesis), and neuroprotection are described, and a focus is made on the chemistry and biology of several neurotrophic natural products.

Synthesis and biological activities of petrosiols B and D

A divergent total synthesis of natural diacetylenic tetraols, petrosiol B and petrosiol D, was accomplished by taking advantage of a carbohydrate chiral template.

Stereoselective total synthesis and structural revision of the diacetylenic diol natural products strongylodiols H and I

The stereoselective total synthesis of strongylodiol H and I has been accomplished. The synthetic procedure comprised the stereoselective reduction of a ketone functionality in an ene-yne-one employing CBS as a catalyst and a Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling reaction as the key reaction steps. A common aldehyde intermediate has been used for the synthesis of both strongylodiols.

A systematic study on the Cadiot–Chodkiewicz cross coupling reaction for the selective and efficient synthesis of hetero-diynes

99% selectivity for cross coupling. Excellent yields (upto 94%). Low basic reaction medium, high functional group tolerance. Use of green solvent water.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2013 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 982 citations (644 for the period January to December 2013) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1163 for 2013), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Recent developments and applications of the Cadiot–Chodkiewicz reaction

The classical heterocoupling of a 1-haloalkyne with a terminal alkyne catalyzed by copper salts in the presence of a base for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diynes is termed the Cadiot–Chodkiewicz coupling reaction.