Total Synthesis of Viridiofungins A and B

One-Pot Access to Functionalised Malamides via Organocatalytic Enantioselective Formation of Spirocyclic β-Lactone-Oxindoles and Double Ring-Opening

Malamides (diamide derivatives of malic acid) are prevalent in nature and of significant biological interest, yet only limited synthetic methods to access functionalised enantiopure derivatives have been established to date. Herein, an effective synthetic method to generate this molecular class is developed through in situ formation of spirocyclic β-lactone-oxindoles (employing a known enantioselective isothiourea-catalysed formal [2+2] cycloaddition of C(1)-ammonium enolates and isatin derivatives) followed by a subsequent dual ring-opening protocol (of the β-lactone and oxindole) with amine nucleophiles. The application of this protocol is demonstrated across twelve examples to give densely functionalised malamide derivatives with high enantio- and diastereo-selectivity (up to >95:5 dr and >99:1 er).

Synthesis of More Highly Oxidized Alkyl Citrates via Direct Regio- and Stereoselective Oxidation

An approach to more highly oxidized alkyl citrates by direct regio- and stereoselective oxidations is reported. The total synthesis and structural assignment of alkyl citrate L-731-128 are described, and the synthesis of its C4 oxidized congener L-731,127 utilized a regio- and stereoselective enolate oxidation with oxygen gas. A highly stereoselective Rubottom oxidation of a cyclic silylketene acetal then enabled oxidation at C2 to afford the cinatrins C1 and C3.

Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Synthesis of α-p-Methoxyphenoxy-β-Lactones: Dependence on the Stereoelectronic Properties of the β-Hydroxy-α-p-Methoxyphenoxycarboxylic Acid Precursors

Treatment of β-hydroxy-α-p-methoxyphenoxy carboxylic acids derived from the asymmetric glycolate aldol addition reaction with p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride yielded divergent results depending on the nature of the β-substituent of the carboxylic acid. Substrates bearing either alkyl substituents (R = -n-butyl, -n-octyl, -benzyl, isopropyl, -tert-butyl) or aryl systems bearing electron-withdrawing substituents (R = -p-C₆H₄Cl, -p-C₆H₄Br, -p-C₆H₄NO₂) yielded β-lactones. In contrast, α-p-methoxyphenoxy-β-hydroxycarboxylic acids bearing electron-donating aryl groups or the sterically demanding 2-naphthyl group formed (Z)-alkenes.