Studies toward the total synthesis of Sch 202596, an antagonist of the galanin receptor subtype GalR1: synthesis of geodin, the spirocoumaranone subunit of Sch 202596

Catalyst-Controlled Selectivity Switch in Three-Component Reaction: An NHC-Catalyzed Strategy for the Synthesis of δ-Lactone-Fused Spirobenzofuran-3-ones

An efficient, three-component reaction of aldehydes and benzofuran-3-ones was developed. This process provides a new approach for the preparation of synthetically and biologically important spirobenzofuran-3-one derivatives with moderate-to-good yields under mild conditions. A switch of intramolecular to intermolecular domino Michael–aldol–lactonization leading to differential product formation was achieved by different NHCs catalysis.

NHC-Catalyzed Organocatalytic Asymmetric Approach to 2,2-Disubstituted Benzofuran-3(2H)-ones Containing Fully Substituted Quaternary Stereogenic Center

A highly efficient and enantioselective approach to the synthesis of functionalized benzofuran-3(2H)-ones is presented. It proceeds via an intramolecular Stetter reaction using β,β-disubstituted Michael acceptors in the construction of five-membered rings with fully-substituted quaternary stereogenic centers and is promoted by terpene-derived triazolium salts. As a result, a series of chiral 2,2-disubstituted benzofuran-3(2H)-one derivatives with linear, branched, and cyclic aliphatic substitutions on the quaternary stereogenic center were obtained in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee.

Asperjinone, a nor-neolignan, and terrein, a suppressor of ABCG2-expressing breast cancer cells, from thermophilic Aspergillus terreus

Breast cancer cells express ABCG2 transporters, which mediate multidrug resistance. Discovering a novel compound that can suppress ABCG2 expression and restore drug sensitivity could be the key to improving breast cancer therapeutics. In the current work, one new nor-neolignan, asperjinone (1), as well as 12 other known compounds, was isolated from Aspergillus terreus. The structure of the new isolate was determined by spectroscopic methods. Among these isolates, terrein (2) displayed strong cytotoxicity against breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Treatment with terrein (2) significantly suppressed growth of ABCG2-expressing breast cancer cells. This suppressive effect was achieved by inducing apoptosis via activating the caspase-7 pathway and inhibiting the Akt signaling pathway, which led to a decrease in ABCG2-expressing cells and a reduction in the side-population phenotype.

Synthesis of a 4,5-epoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative via epoxide ring opening, 1,3-carbonyl transposition and epoxide ring regeneration: a synthetic study on a scyphostatin analogue

A 6-alkyl-4,5-epoxy-6-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative, a model compound for the hydrophilic moiety of scyphostatin, was stereoselectively synthesized from the Diels-Alder adduct. The key steps were the reductive cleavage of the 4,5-epoxide ring of the epoxidated adduct, the 1,3-carbonyl transposition of the 3-carbonyl group to the C1 position by a Wharton reaction and stereoselective bromination to provide a trans bromohydrin derivative, a precursor to the desired compound. Desilylation of the bromohydrin derivative with TBAF directly gave the target compound.

Studies toward the total synthesis of mumbaistatin, a highly potent glucose-6-phosphate translocase inhibitor. Synthesis of a mumbaistatin analogue

A strategy for the total synthesis of the highly potent glucose-6-phosphate translocase inhibitor mumbaistatin (1) and structural analogues was elaborated. Such compounds represent a lead structure in the development of potential new drugs for the treatment of diabetes. To evaluate the general strategy, the close mumbaistatin analogue 10 was synthesized in a convergent manner. The anthraquinone building block 20 was efficiently prepared via aryne/phthalide annulation. After conversion of 20 into the corresponding 9,10-dimethoxyanthracene-1-carbaldehyde derivative (13), coupling with a lithiated arene (12) and subsequent multiple oxidation under Jones conditions yielded the mumbaistatin analogue 10. The preparation of the functionalized arene intermediates was achieved exploiting highly regioselective bromination and ortho-lithiation reactions.

Efficient synthesis of a 4,5-epoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative bearing a spirolactone via a Diels-Alder reaction with high pi-facial selectivity: a synthetic study towards scyphostatin

The Diels-Alder reaction of spirolactones with cyclopentadiene afforded the adduct with high pi-facial selectivity; a hydrophilic analogue of scyphostatin was synthesized from the Diels-Alder adduct.

A short and efficient route to novel scyphostatin analogues

[structure: see text]. Several novel scyphostatin analogues have been prepared in up to 18% yield over five steps from commercially available 4-bromoguaiacol, utilizing an organometallic addition to afford the desired syn-hydroxy-epoxides.