Polyene substrates with unusual methylation patterns to probe the active sites of three catalytic antibodies

Total synthesis of odoamide, a novel cyclic depsipeptide, from an Okinawan marine cyanobacterium

Odoamide, a highly potent cytotoxic cyclic depsipeptide was synthesized.

Divergent approach to the bisanthraquinone natural products: total synthesis of (S)-bisoranjidiol and derivatives from binaphtho-para-quinones

The development of the first asymmetric synthesis of a chiral anthraquinone dimer is outlined, resulting in the first total synthesis of (S)-bisoranjidiol. Rather than a biomimetic dimerization retrosynthetic disconnection, the anthracenyl ring systems are generated after formation of the axially chiral binaphthalene framework. This synthetic strategy has enabled the synthesis of several analogues. Key features of the synthesis include the enantioselective coupling of a hindered 2-naphthol containing substitution peri to the site of C-C bond formation, the regioselective oxidation of 8,8'-hydroxylated binaphthols to binaphtho-para-quinones, and a tandem regioselective Diels-Alder/aromatization reaction.

Asymmetric construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters by chiral-auxiliary-mediated Claisen rearrangement and total synthesis of (+)-bakuchiol

An asymmetric Claisen rearrangement using Oppolzer’s camphorsultam was developed. Under thermal conditions, a geraniol-derived substrate underwent the rearrangement with good stereoselectivity. The absolute configuration of the newly formed all-carbon quaternary stereocenter was confirmed by the total synthesis of (+)-bakuchiol from the rearrangement product.

Enantioselective total synthesis of (S)-bisoranjidiol, an axially chiral bisanthraquinone

The first enantioselective total synthesis of the bisanthraquinone (S)-bisoranjidiol and an unnatural regioisomer has been accomplished. Key features of the synthesis include the asymmetric oxidative biaryl coupling of a hindered 8-substituted 2-naphthol, selective para-quinone formation, and regioselective tandem Diels-Alder/aromatization reactions.

Catalytic asymmetric vinylogous mannich reaction of N-(2-thienyl)sulfonylimines

Both cyclic and acyclic silyl dienol ethers participate efficiently in the asymmetric vinylogous Mannich reaction of N-2-thienylsulfonylimines catalyzed by copper(I) complexes of Fesulphos ligands. This procedure displays wide imine and nucleophile versatility, high enantiocontrol, and complete gamma-regioselectivity in most cases examined. The mild sulfonamide deprotection allows the resulting products to be readily transformed into optically active delta-lactams or 5-hydroxy-2-piperidone derivatives.