Stereoselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Aristolactam GI

Synthesis of Phenanthrenes and 1-Hydroxyphenanthrenes via Aromatization-Assisted Ring-Closing Metathesis: toward Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

This study presents an efficient synthetic strategy for phenanthrenes and 1-hydroxyphenanthrenes through aromatization-assisted ring-closing metathesis (RCM). It involves vinylation of 1-bromo-2-naphthaldehyde derivatives, Barbier allylation, and subsequent one-pot RCM/dehydration of the diene precursors to yield phenanthrene derivatives. Further, the corresponding keto analogues of diene precursors produce 1-hydroxyphenanthrenes through RCM and aromatization-driven keto-enol tautomerism. This pathway enables rapid access to a diverse array of functionalized phenanthrenes and 1-hydroxyphenanthrenes, including synthetically challenging derivatives containing both -OH and -OMe groups via the sequential construction of the terminal phenanthrene ring.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Amovillosumin A and Structure Correction of (-)-Amovillosumin C Using Chemical Synthesis

Norlignans are a rare class of natural products isolated from a diverse range of plant species, many of which have interesting biological activities including antibacterial, antioxidant, phytotoxic, platelet aggregation inhibitory effects, and more. Isolated from Amomum villosum (Amomi Fructus), amovillosumins A (1) and C (3) are norlignans which were of interest to synthesize, due to their interesting bioactivities, specifically their ability to increase stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. In this research, key intermediate 15 was used to stereoselectively synthesize (7R,8R)-amovillosumins A (1) and C (3). The developed method includes a Mitsunobu coupling, a modified rhodium-catalyzed Miyaura arylation, and an acid-catalyzed cyclization in key bond-forming steps. After synthesis, the structure of 1 was confirmed, but it was revealed that the benzodioxane-containing structure of amovillosumin C (3) that had been proposed in the literature was incorrect. Thus, with further investigation a structure correction of 3 was achieved by synthesis, the correct structure being 8-O-4'-oxynorlignan.

Fissistigma oldhamii (Hemsl.) Merr.: Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects

The species Fissistigma oldhamii (Hemsl.) Merr. (Annonaceae) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China to treat diverse human diseases. Decoctions from the roots of the plant (Guā Fù Mù) are used to treat body pain and inflammatory pathologies, such as rheumatic syndromes, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. The phytochemical content of the plant and the associated pharmacological activities have been analyzed. Seventy natural products were identified in the different parts of the plants, namely, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds. The compounds comprise many tri- and tetracyclic alkaloids (aporphine-type), anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, and others. The pharmacological properties of these molecules were analyzed to point out the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and/or antimicrobial effects, together with the underlying modulated pathways and molecular targets in some cases. The panel of phytoconstituents present in F. oldhamii extracts is large, with the majority of bioactive products identified in the roots and stems. Multiple molecules can contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts. Network pharmacology analyses of the phytoconstituents are needed to better delineate the effective components and their targets.

A deconstruction-reconstruction strategy to access 1-naphthol derivatives: application to the synthesis of aristolactam scaffolds

A deconstruction-reconstruction strategy for the synthesis of multisubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is delineated herein. The deconstruction step enables the synthesis of o-cyanomethylaroyl fluorides that are bifunctional substrates holding both a pro-nucleophile and an electrophile. The construction step involves a formal [4 + 2] benzannulation using o-cyanomethylaroyl fluorides and active methylenes. The utility of this synthetic method is also demonstrated by the synthesis of a tetracyclic aristolactam derivative.

Total Synthesis of Linear Coumarniolignoids (+) and (-)-Sapiumin C, (-)-Moluccanin, and (-)-Hemidesminine

Coumarinolignoids (CLs) are a class of natural products isolated from a diverse range of plant species. Due to their unique structural scaffold, they exhibit a wide range of interesting biological activities including hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities among others. In this research, key intermediate 10 was used to stereoselectively synthesize CLs (7'S,8'S)- and (7'R,8'R)-sapiumin C 1 and 2, (7'S,8'S)-moluccanin 3, and (7'S,8'S) hemidesminine 4 for the first time, establishing a versatile synthetic method for the stereoselective synthesis of linear CLs. The developed method includes a Mitsunobu coupling, a modified Miyaura arylation via a rhodium catalyst, and an acid-catalyzed cyclization in key bond-forming steps. The developed synthetic route allows the synthesis of both enantiomers of a given natural product from the same chiral pool reagent (S)-solketal while allowing easy variation of aromatic substitution and hydroxymethyl/allylhydroxymethyl moieties that are common in this class of natural products.

Mitsunobu Reaction: A Powerful Tool for the Synthesis of Natural Products: A Review

The Mitsunobu reaction plays a vital part in organic chemistry due to its wide synthetic applications. It is considered as a significant reaction for the interconversion of one functional group (alcohol) to another (ester) in the presence of oxidizing agents (azodicarboxylates) and reducing agents (phosphines). It is a renowned stereoselective reaction which inverts the stereochemical configuration of end products. One of the most important applications of the Mitsunobu reaction is its role in the synthesis of natural products. This review article will focus on the contribution of the Mitsunobu reaction towards the total synthesis of natural products, highlighting their biological potential during recent years.

Unveiling the Impact of Aggregation on Optical Anisotropy of Triazaacephenanthrylene Single Crystals. A Combined Quantum Crystallography and Conceptual Density Functional Theory Approach

Triazaacephenanthrylene (TAAP) triclinic single crystals show substantial optical anisotropy of absorption and fluorescence. The maximum effect can be correlated with the direction perpendicular to the plane of chromophores connected in a head-to-tail manner via weak dispersive interactions. This phenomenon is uncommon as usually the existence of postulated π···π interactions between the molecules forming dimers or stacks cause quenching of fluorescence. Herein we present a comprehensive study of inter- and intramolecular interactions in the crystal of TAAP enriched with the investigation of aromaticity. Our results show that intramolecular interactions stabilize the overall conformation of the molecule whereas dispersive forces determine the aggregation between TAAP molecules. In fact, there is no conventional π···π interaction between the molecules in the dimer. Instead, we observed a close contact between the lone pair of the bridgehead N10B atom and π-deficient pyrazine ring from an adjacent molecule. Optical anisotropy in TAAP crystals was directly correlated with the alignment of the molecular transition dipole moments caused by specific molecular self-assembly.