A Modular Access to (±)-Tubocurine and (±)-Curine - Formal Total Synthesis of Tubocurarine

Recent Advances in the Total Synthesis of the Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids (2002-2020)

The tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) natural products constitute one of the largest families of alkaloids and exhibit a wide range of structural diversity and biological activity. Ranging from simple THIQ natural products to complex trisTHIQ alkaloids such as the ecteinascidins, the chemical syntheses of these alkaloids and their analogs have been thoroughly investigated due to their intricate structural features and functionalities, as well as their high therapeutic potential. This review describes the general structure and biosynthesis of each family of THIQ alkaloids as well as recent advancements of the total synthesis of these natural products from 2002 to 2020. Recent chemical syntheses that have emerged harnessing novel, creative synthetic design, and modern chemical methodology will be highlighted. This review will hopefully serve as a guide for the unique strategies and tools used in the total synthesis of THIQ alkaloids, as well as address the longstanding challenges in their chemical and biosynthesis.

The biology and total syntheses of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids

This mini-review provides a concise overview of the biosynthetic pathway and pharmacology of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid (bisBIA) natural products. Additional emphasis is given to the methodologies in the total syntheses of both simpler acyclic diaryl ether dimers and their macrocyclic counterparts bearing two diaryl ether linkages.

Total Synthesis of (S,S)-Tetramethylmagnolamine via Aerobic Desymmetrization

We describe a concise synthesis of the pseudodimeric tetrahydroisoqunoline alkaloid (S,S)-tetramethylmagnolamine by a catalytic aerobic desymmetrization of phenols. Desymmetrization reactions increase molecular complexity with high levels of efficiency, but those that do so by aerobic oxidation are uncommon. Our conditions employ molecular oxygen as an oxygen atom transfer agent and a formal acceptor of hydrogen, enabling two mechanistically distinct aromatic C-H oxygenation reactions with high degrees of selectivity.

Metal-mediated C–O bond forming reactions in natural product synthesis

Metal catalyzed reactions for the formation of C(sp²)–O bonds have had a dramatic impact in natural product synthesis. They have enabled the emergence of new bond disconnections, which notably resulted in remarkably efficient and short synthetic pathways. The use of these reactions for the formation of C–O bonds in natural product synthesis is overviewed in this critical review.