Free radical reactions in synthesis. Total synthesis of isoamijiol

Highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of secodolastane diterpenoid isolinearol

The first asymmetric total synthesis of isolinearol has been achieved with high stereoselectively. The synthetic method includes enatio- and diastereoselective reductive desymmetrization, stereocontrolled introduction of the methallyl group, regio- and stereocontrolled allylation and introduction of the side chain carbonyl group using olefin cross-metathesis with a pinacol vinyl boronic ester.

Microwave-Assisted Coupling of Carbonyl Compound: An Efficient Synthesis of Olefin

Self-coupling of various ketones and aldehyde as well as mixed coupling of ketones employing TiCl4/ Zn under microwave irradiation has been carried out to afford the corresponding olefins.

Asymmetric total synthesis of caribenol A via an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

A total synthesis of the caribenol A (1), a novel natural product with an intriguing tetracyclic framework, has been achieved. The synthesis features an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction for the facile construction of the tricyclic [5-7-6] skeleton of caribenol A (1) and a biomimetic oxidation reaction for the formation of the 2-hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one motif of caribenol A (1) as key steps. This synthetic approach also reveals that the sp(2) carbon at C(2) in substrate 8 is a critical factor for the formation of the tricyclic [5-7-6] skeleton in 7.

Synthesis of (±)-14-epi-hydroxydolasta-1(15),7,9-triene and (±)-7-epi-acetoxy-14-epi-hydroxydolasta-1(15),8-diene*Taken in part from the Ph.D. dissertation of Jianhua Yu, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA, 2009

1,3-Dimethyl-2-nitrobenzene was converted to the key intramolecular Friedel–Crafts intermediate 24 in ten steps. Treatment of 24 with TiCl4 produced tricyclic enone 25 in 61%–75% yield, having the requisite trans relationship of the two angular methyl groups and many of the salient features of the dolastane diterpenes. The structure of enone 25 was verified by X-ray crystallography analysis. Cyclization product 25 permitted the facile synthesis of (±)-14-epi-hydroxydolasta-1(15),7,9-triene and (±)-7-epi-acetoxy-14-epi-hydroxydolasta-1(15),8-diene, which are detailed in this article.

Photochemical reactions as key steps in natural product synthesis

Photochemical reactions contribute in a significant way to the existing repertoire of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions by allowing access to exceptional molecular structures that cannot be obtained by conventional means. In this Review, the most important photochemical transformations that have been employed in natural product synthesis are presented. Selected total syntheses are discussed as examples, with particular attention given to the photochemical key step and its stereoselectivity. The structural relationship between the photochemically generated molecule and the natural product is shown, and, where necessary, the consecutive reactions in the synthesis are illustrated and classified.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)-Indicol by a Carbene Cyclization–Cycloaddition Cascade Strategy

The first total synthesis of a secodolastane, (-)-indicol, has been accomplished. The key reaction is a rhodium(II)-mediated carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade, by which the core bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane skeleton was assembled. In this one-pot reaction, a domino series of transformations resulting in the construction of three sigma bonds and three stereocenters was realized in good yield.

Tautomerization tendencies of 2-acetylcycloalkanones, 2-acetyl-1,3-cycloalkanediones, and cyclic β-keto esters of five- and six-membered rings

NMR and kinetics studies of the tautomeric equilibrium of 2-acetylcycloalkanones, 2-acetyl-1,3-cycloalkanediones, and methyl 2-oxocycloalkanecarboxylates of five- and six-membered rings have been carried out. By comparing 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra recorded in D2O–DOCD3 and CDCl3, with those results derived using a bromination kinetic procedure in dilute aqueous solution, information concerning tautomeric interconversion is provided. Some discussions considering ionisation equilibria and rate constants involved have also been considered. Solvent and concentration effects on keto-enol equilibria have also been discussed.Key words: 2-acetylcycloalkanones, 2-acetyl-1,3-cycloalkanediones, methyl 2-oxocycloalkanecarboxylates, equilibrium, tautomerization, ionization.