An enantiomerically pure epoxyorganolithium reagent for the synthesis of oligo(tetrahydrofurans) by an epoxide-cascade reaction

Copper-Catalyzed One-Pot Borylative Aldolisation β-Fluoride Elimination for the Formal Addition of Acrylates to Carbonyl Moieties

Herein, we report the copper-catalyzed domino borylation/aldolisation of methyl 2-fluoroacrylate with carbonyl compounds followed by an elimination to give Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) analogues. The optimal conditions described were shown to be compatible with a wide range of aldehydes and ketones. Unprecedented MBH adducts derived from ketones were efficiently synthesized.

Discovery, semisynthesis, biological activities, and metabolism of ocotillol-type saponins

Ocotillol-type saponins are one kind of tetracyclic triterpenoids, sharing a tetrahydrofuran ring. Natural ocotillol-type saponins have been discovered in Panax quinquefolius L., Panax japonicus, Hana mina, and Vietnamese ginseng. In recent years, the semisynthesis of 20(S/R)-ocotillol-type saponins has been reported. The biological activities of ocotillol-type saponins include neuroprotective effect, antimyocardial ischemia, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Owing to their chemical structure, pharmacological actions, and the stereoselective activity on antimyocardial ischemia, ocotillol-type saponins are subjected to extensive consideration. In this review, we sum up the discovery, semisynthesis, biological activities, and metabolism of ocotillol-type saponins.

Epoxide-opening cascades in the synthesis of polycyclic polyether natural products

The structural features of polycyclic polyether natural products can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin. However in case that are less well understood, only biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades are proposed. We summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers (see scheme) and related natural products.The group of polycyclic polyether natural products is of special interest owing to the fascinating structure and biological effects displayed by its members. The latter includes potentially therapeutic antibiotic, antifungal, and anticancer properties, and extreme lethality. The polycyclic structural features of this class of compounds can, in some cases, be traced to their biosynthetic origin, but in others that are less well understood, only to proposed biosynthetic pathways that feature dramatic, yet speculative, epoxide-opening cascades. In this review we summarize how such epoxide-opening cascade reactions have been used in the synthesis of polycyclic polyethers and related natural products.