Tandem electrophilic and nucleophilic additions to bicyclic tert-butyldimethylsilyloxypyrrole derived from (S)-pyroglutaminol

An oxidative photocyclization approach to the synthesis of Securiflustra securifrons alkaloids

Securines and securamines are cytotoxic alkaloids that contain reactive alkene and heterocyclic residues embedded in skeletons comprising four to six oxidized rings. This structural complexity imparts a rich chemistry to the isolates but has impeded synthetic access to the structures in the nearly three decades since their isolation. We present a flexible route to eight isolates that exemplify the three skeletal classes of metabolites. The route proceeds by the modular assembly of the advanced azides 38 and 49 (13 steps, 6 to 10% yield), sequential oxidative photocyclizations, and late-stage functional group manipulations. With this approach, the targets were obtained in 17 to 19 steps, 12 to 13 purifications, and 0.5 to 3.5% overall yield. The structure of an advanced intermediate was elucidated by microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) analysis. The route will support structure-function and target identification studies of the securamines.

Stereoselective synthesis of 1,6-diazecanes by a tandem aza-Prins type dimerization and cyclization process

We report the stereocontrolled synthesis of 1,6-diazecanes via a tandem aza-Prins type reaction of N-acyliminium ions with allylsilanes. It involves an aza-Prins type dimerization and cyclization in a single-step operation. This reaction represents the first example of 10-membered N-heterocycle synthesis using an aza-Prins reaction. Also, the interesting formation of an unusual tetracyclic compound through further cyclization of 1,6-diazecane and bicyclic compounds by the intramolecular cyclization of linear allylsilane are described. This tandem aza-Prins protocol provides a new synthetic strategy for the direct synthesis of medium-sized nitrogen heterocycles.

Diastereoselective syntheses of deoxydysibetaine, dysibetaine, and its 4-epimer

(+/-)-Deoxydysibetaine 2 and 4-epi-dysibetaine 3 were prepared in a few steps from methyl pyroglutamate through a regioselective Mannich reaction at C-2. Natural (2S,4S)-dysibetaine 1, a sponge metabolite isolated from Dysidea herbacea, and (2S)-2 were synthesized from enantiopure (S)-pyroglutaminol with very high stereoselectivity. The key steps were an original formation of stereogenic quaternary center C-2 and the diastereoselective hydroxylation at C-4.