A synthesis of the ring system of terpestacin

Total synthesis of sesterterpenoids

Total syntheses of biologically and structurally fascinating sesterterpenoids published between Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2018 are summarized and discussed here.

Total Biosynthesis of Antiangiogenic Agent (-)-Terpestacin by Artificial Reconstitution of the Biosynthetic Machinery in Aspergillus oryzae

The total biosynthesis of (-)-terpestacin was achieved by heterologous expression of four biosynthetic enzyme genes ( tpcA- D) in Aspergillus oryzae. After construction of preterpestacin I by the action of bifunctional terpene synthase (TpcA), two cytochrome P450s (TpcBC) activate inert C-H bond to install three hydroxyl groups on the A-ring in stereo- and regioselective manners. Subsequently, a flavin-dependent oxidase (TpcD) catalyzes oxidation of the vicinal diol moiety to give a α-diketone, which undergoes an enolization to furnish terpestacin. The successful synthesis of structurally elaborated terpestacin showed that a reconstitution approach that harnesses several biosynthetic enzyme genes in A. oryzae could be a promising alternative to the current chemical synthesis of natural terpenoids.

C10-substituted camphors and fenchones by electrophilic treatment of 2-methylenenorbornan-1-ols: enantiospecificity, scope, and limitations

Valuable chiral sources of C(10)-substituted camphors and C(10)-substituted fenchones can be straightforwardly obtained by treatment of an appropriate, easily obtainable, camphor- or fenchone-derived 2-methylenenorbornan-1-ol with an electrophilic reagent. The process takes place via a tandem regioselective carbon-carbon double-bond addition/stereocontrolled Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement. A complete study of the enantiospecificity, scope, and limitations of this process, as well as about the role played by the hydroxyl group attached at the C(1) bridgehead position of the starting 2-methylenenorbornan-1-ols, has been realized. The feasibility of the described methodology has been exemplified by the highly efficient enantiospecific preparation of several interesting C(10)-halogen-, C(10)-O-, C(10)-S-, C(10)-Se-, or C(10)-C-substituted camphors and fenchones.