Isolation and structure determination of (+)-trienomycin F. An endgame synthetic strategy for the trienomycin family of antitumor antibiotics

Ansamycins with Antiproliferative and Antineuroinflammatory Activity from Moss-Soil-Derived Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. asoensis H2S5

Three new 21-membered macrocyclic benzenoid ansamycins, trienomycins J-L (1-3), together with seven known analogues, trienomycins A-G (4-10), were isolated from liquid culture of the moss soil-derived actinomycete Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. asoensis H2S5. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of trienomycins were established by Marfey's method. Antiproliferative assays showed that compound 1 had the greatest activity against HepG2 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.1 μM. The induction of apoptosis of HepG2 cells by 1 was investigated by flow cytometry and evaluation of nuclear morphology. In addition, all of the compounds inhibited nitric oxide production with IC₅₀ values of 0.02 to 8.3 μM, and compounds 1, 4, and 7 were the most potent inhibitors. These findings will facilitate the development of new antineuroinflammatory agents.

New Ansamycins from the Deep-Sea-Derived Bacterium Ochrobactrum sp. OUCMDZ-2164

Two new ansamycins, trienomycins H (1) and I (2), together with the known trienomycinol (3), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the deep-sea-derived bacterium Ochrobactrum sp. OUCMDZ-2164. Their structures, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses, ECD spectra, and Marfey’s method. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic effects on A549 and K562 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 15 and 23 μM, respectively.

Total synthesis of (+)-trienomycins A and F via C-C bond-forming hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation

The triene-containing C17-benzene ansamycins trienomycins A and F were prepared in 16 steps (longest linear sequence, LLS) and 28 total steps. The C11-C13 stereotriad was generated via enantioselective Ru-catalyzed alcohol CH syn crotylation followed by chelation-controlled carbonyl dienylation. Enantioselective Rh-catalyzed acetylene-aldehyde reductive coupling mediated by gaseous H2 was used to form a diene that ultimately was subjected to diene-diene ring closing metathesis to form the macrocycle. The present approach is 14 steps shorter (LLS) than the prior syntheses of trienomycins A and F, and 8 steps shorter than any prior synthesis of a triene-containing C17-benzene ansamycin.

Synthesis of the cytotrienin A core via metal catalyzed C-C coupling

A synthetic approach to the C17-benzene ansamycins via metal catalyzed C-C coupling is described. Key bond formations include direct iridium catalyzed carbonyl crotylation from the alcohol oxidation level followed by chelation-controlled Sakurai-Seyferth dienylation to form the stereotriad, which is attached to the arene via Suzuki cross-coupling. The diene-containing carboxylic acid is prepared using rhodium catalyzed acetylene-aldehyde reductive C-C coupling mediated by gaseous hydrogen. Finally, ring-closing metathesis delivers the cytotrienin core.

Cascade Reactions in Total Synthesis

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.