A novel expeditious entry into gibberellins. The total synthesis of (±)-GA5

Concise Synthesis of (-)-GA18 Methyl Ester

Gibberellins (GAs) are important plant hormones, but some of their family members are in extremely limited natural supply including GA18. Herein, we report a concise synthesis of (-)-GA18 methyl ester, a member of the C20 gibberellins, from commercially available and cheap andrographolide. Our synthesis features an intramolecular ene reaction to form the C ring, an oxidative cleavage followed by aldol condensation to realize a ring contraction and form the challenging trans-hydrindane (AB ring), and a photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition accompanied by a subsequent SmI2-mediated skeletal rearrangement to construct the methylenebicyclo[3.2.1]octanol moiety (CD ring).

An Intramolecular Cycloaddition Approach to the Kauranoid Family of Diterpene Metabolites

Synthetic studies toward the ent-kauranoid family of diterpene natural products are reported. An intramolecular (4 + 3) cycloaddition allows the direct elaboration of diverse natural product frameworks, encompassing a challenging bicyclo[3.2.1]octane core. The established routes comprise only a few synthetic operations (3-5 steps), transforming a range of simple starting materials into the tetracyclic scaffolds that are commonly found in many ent-kaurene metabolites.

Exploitation of Cyclopropane Ring-Cleavage Reactions for the Rapid Assembly of Tetracyclic Frameworks Related to Gibberellins

[Structure: see text] The readily available hexahydrofluorene 5 has been elaborated over six steps, including three involving cyclopropane ring-cleavage reactions, into compound 12 which incorporates the carbocyclic framework associated with gibberellins.

Synthesis of (-)-calicoferol B

The first total synthesis of (-)-calicoferol B (III) is described. The cyclozirconation product I, prepared in enantiomerically pure form, was converted into the CD ring chiron II. This was coupled with the aromatic A-ring, and then the side chain was constructed with control of relative and absolute configuration to complete the total synthesis of III. The first total synthesis of (-)-calicoferol B (1) is described. The cyclozirconation product 8, prepared in enantiomerically pure form, was converted into the CD ring chiron 6. This was coupled with the aromatic A-ring, and then the side chain was constructed with control of relative and absolute configuration to complete the total synthesis of 1.

Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions using alpha-methylene lactones as dienophile

Several dienals were prepared and reacted in the presence of zinc metal with ethyl 2-bromomethylacrylate to provide in a Reformatsky-like reaction alpha-methylene lactones carrying a dienyl side chain. Thermolysis of these compounds (11, 21, 29, and 37) gave in an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction the corresponding tricyclic cycloadducts (51, 52, 53, and 54). The cycloadditions took place with good diastereoselectivity and yields. The stereochemistry of the major isomer is in accordance with an endo transition state for cycloadducts 51, 52, and 54. In one instance (compound 58), the structure was supported by X-ray crystallography. In contrast to the other substrates, the nonatriene 29 cyclized to the exo product 53exo. The stereochemical situation could also be proven by NOESY NMR. However, the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction did not work with furan as dienophile (compound 41) and substrate 50 featuring a densely functionalized tether connecting diene and alpha-methylene lactone.