A total synthesis of d,1-histrionicotoxin

A comparative study of synthetic approaches towards total synthesis of histrionicotoxin: a selective inhibitor of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The aim of this review is to provide a critical and comparative account of the total synthetic approaches toward histrionicotoxins, alkaloids isolated from skin extracts of Colombian poison arrow frog Dendrobates histrionicus. We have summarized the maneuvers in each paper by graphically detailing the synthesis and associated reaction niceties of only the key intermediates by different researchers. Fascinating structural feature of histrionicotoxins is "8-hydroxy-l-azaspiro[5.5]undecane core" with two side chains at C-2 and C-7 which differ in their length and nature of unsaturation. All synthetic approaches to histrionicotoxins aim at the construction of key intermediate "azaspiro[5.5]undecane ring" and installation of side chains at C-2 and C-7.

One-Step Synthesis of the 1-Azaspiro[5.5]undecane Skeleton Characteristic of Histrionicotoxin Alkaloids from Linear Substrates via Hg(OTf)2 -Catalyzed Cycloisomerization

Histrionicotoxin (HTX) alkaloids isolated from the poison arrow frogs possess a unique structure characterized by a 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton common to the HTX family. The unique molecular architecture of HTXs and the interest as potential target drugs have prompted synthetic chemists to promote the total synthesis so far. However, all of the synthetic strategies to access the 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane framework of HTXs take a multistep approach from linear starting materials due to stepwise construction of either six-membered carbo- or azacycle. Herein, we report the direct one-step construction of the 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton from linear amino ynone substrates bearing an N-methoxycarbonyl group utilizing our mercuric triflate (Hg(OTf)₂ )-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction. The utility of this novel methodology was demonstrated by the total and formal syntheses of HTX-235A and HTX-283A, respectively, from the azaspirocycle.

Formal total synthesis of histrionicotoxin alkaloids via Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed cycloisomerization and SmI2-induced ring expansion

The efficient formal total synthesis of histrionicotoxin alkaloids was achieved via Hg(OTf)₂-catalyzed cycloisomerization and SmI₂-induced ring expansion.

Total synthesis of complex alkaloids by nucleophilic addition to amides

This mini review focuses on the recent progress of total synthesis of complex alkaloids based on the nucleophilic additions toN-alkoxyamides, tertiary amides and secondary amides.

Synthetic approaches towards alkaloids bearing α-tertiary amines

Alkaloids account for some of the most beautiful and biologically active natural products. Although they are usually classified along biosynthetic criteria, they can also be categorized according to certain structural motifs. Amongst these, the α-tertiary amine (ATA), i.e. a tetrasubstituted carbon atom surrounded by three carbons and one nitrogen, is particularly interesting. A limited number of methods have been described to access this functional group and fewer still are commonly used in synthesis. Herein, we review some approaches to asymmetrically access ATAs and provide an overview of alkaloid total syntheses where those have been employed.

Total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin

A total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin was achieved. Our synthesis features preparation of a pseudosymmetrical dienyne through chirality transfer from an allenylsilane, a dienyne metathesis to produce the bicyclo [5.4.0] system in optically active form, selective functionalization of a diene via a 5-exo-trig iodoetherification, and an asymmetric propargylation.

Thirty-five years of synthetic studies directed towards the histrionicotoxin family of alkaloids

This article brings together for the first time reviews of all the synthetic attempts towards the spirocyclic histrionicotoxin alkaloids published since the discovery of the group in 1971. This covers 5 total syntheses of the fully unsaturated parent alkaloid HTX-283A, 7 total syntheses of perhydrohistrionicotoxin, 15 total syntheses of other members of this alkaloid family, 25 formal syntheses, and 19 partial syntheses involving the successful formation of the core azaspirocyclic structure but lacking advancement towards the target structure.

A Concise Total Synthesis of dl-Histrionicotoxin

The synthesis of (+/-)-histrionicotoxin has been achieved in just nine steps using a two-directional synthesis strategy. Key reactions include a two-directional cross-metathesis, a tandem oxime formation/Michael addition/1,4-prototopic shift/[3 + 2]-cycloaddition cascade, a selective Z,Z-bisenyne formation, and a one-pot N-O and bischloroacetylene reduction.

Assembly of the 1-Azaspiro[5.5]undecane Framework Associated with Perhydrohistrionicotoxin via Electrocyclic Ring-Opening of a Ring-Fused gem-Dichlorocyclopropane and Trapping of the Resulting π-Allyl Cation by a Tethered, Nitrogen-Centered Nucleophile

The carbamate-tethered gem-dichlorocyclopropane 27 was prepared, as a mixture of epimers, in ten steps from commercially available β,γ-unsaturated nitrile 9. Upon treatment with silver acetate under a range of reaction conditions, compound 27 underwent electrocyclic ring opening to give the corresponding π-allyl cation that was then trapped by the reaction solvent, chloride ion, and/or acetate ion, and so affording varying mixtures of the chlorocyclohexenes 28, 29, 30, and/or 31. Sequential treatment of the same substrate with LiHMDS (to generate the conjugate base of this carbamate) then silver tetrafluoroborate afforded the chlorocyclohexadiene 32 as the exclusive product of reaction. No spirocyclization product of the type 3 arising from trapping of the intermediate π-allyl cation by the tethered carbamate was observed under any of the reaction conditions examined. In contrast, analogous treatment of the more rigid system 38 afforded compound 39 incorporating the 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane framework associated with the potent neurotoxin perhydrohistrionicotoxin (2).

A novel and expeditious approach to unusual spirolactam building blocks

A rapid access to 7-azaspiro[4.5]decan-6-ones 1 involving three regio- and chemoselective reactions starting from tetrabromonorbornyl derivatives is described. The alkaline H(2)O(2) cleavage reaction of monosubstituted alpha-diketones 9 furnished the potential bridged bicyclic lactones 10in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. The radical-mediated, intermolecular bridgehead C-C bond formation of the versatile bridged lactones 10 with acrylonitrile followed by LAH reduction of the adduct 13 intriguingly leads to the formation of novel spirolactam building blocks 1.

Formal Synthesis of (+)- and (-)-Perhydrohistrionicotoxin: A "Double Henry"/Enzymatic Desymmetrization Route to the Kishi Lactam(1)

Both antipodes of the Kishi lactam (3), the versatile intermediate for the synthesis of the perhydrohistrionicotoxin (pHTX) alkaloids, have been prepared. The synthetic route involved a "double Henry" condensation between glutaraldehyde and nitroacetal 5 giving meso dioxanyldiol 4 which was acetylated and reduced to afford meso dioxane amide 8. Ultrasound-promoted deacetalization of 8 followed by Wittig olefination and reduction provided meso amide ester 10. Hydrolysis of 10 with aqueous acid followed by dehydrative cyclization with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide gave lactamdiol 11. Acetylation of 11 gave meso diacetate 2 which was an excellent substrate for esterase-mediated hydrolysis to hydroxyacetate 12. Deoxygenation of 12 using a Barton protocol, followed by Zemplén deacylation and Swern oxidation, gave the (-)-antipode of the Kishi lactam (3). Moffatt oxidation of hydroxyacetate 12 followed by ketal protection and Zemplén deacylation gave ketalalcohol 19. Barton deoxygenation of 19 followed by ketal hydrolysis gave (+)-3.

Ultrasound in natural products synthesis: applications to the synthesis of histrionicotoxin via nitroalkanal acetals

Ultrasound promoted the Kornblum reaction of silver nitrite or sodium nitrite with haloalkyl acetals to afford the corresponding C-nitro compounds. The acetalprotected nitro compounds were used as reactants in a 'double Henry' reaction to produce the key intermediate nitrocyclohexane diol with a masked aldehyde side chain. The nitrodiol was then subjected to an ultrasound-promoted one-pot/single operation sequence involving a reduction deprotection followed by a cyclization-reduction. The entire sequence provided the core spiropiperidine substructure of the histrionicotoxins.