Synthesis of a possible structure of pyrinodemin A

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2003 for marine natural products, with 619 citations (413 for the period January to December 2003) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates and echinoderms. The emphasis is on new compounds (656 for 2003), together with their relevant biological activities, source organisms and country or origin. Biosynthetic studies or syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries have been included (78), including any first total syntheses of a marine natural product.

Marine natural products: synthetic aspects

An overview of marine natural products synthesis during 2003 is provided. The emphasis on total syntheses of molecules of contemporary interest, new total syntheses, and syntheses that have resulted in structure conformation or stereochemical assignments.

Total synthesis and assignment of the double-bond position and absolute configuration of (-)-pyrinodemin A

[structure: see text] The first asymmetric total synthesis of a structurally novel cis-cyclopent[c]isoxazolidine alkaloid, (-)-pyrinodemin A (3), which exhibits potent cytotoxicity, has been accomplished through a highly diastereoselective intramolecular nitrone-olefin cycloaddition reaction as the key step. Thus, it has been found that the hitherto unknown absolute configuration of pyrinodemin A is as indicated in the structural formula 3.