Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Bioactive Marine Natural Product Biselyngbyolide B

Stereoselective synthesis of the northern hemisphere of the proposed structure of neaumycin B

The stereoselective synthesis of the northern hemisphere (C20-C41) of the purported structure of the extremely potent anticancer natural product neaumycin B has been accomplished. Twelve out of nineteen asymmetry centers have been installed chemically. The key highlights of this synthesis include the Krische iridium catalyzed anti-diastereoselective carbonyl crotylation, the Crimmins aldol reaction, HWE olefination, CBS reduction, vanadium promoted stereoselective epoxidation, Evans methylation and spiroketalization.

Stereoselective synthesis of thailandamide A methyl ester

A convergent strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of the methyl ester of the structurally challenging and highly labile antibacterial polyene polyketide natural product thailandamide A has been developed. The key steps include the Zincke aldehyde reaction, Stille cross coupling, Negishi reaction, Julia-Kocienski olefination, cross metathesis, and the less explored Pd(I)-based Heck coupling to access different unsaturation bonds. Additionally, Urpi acetal aldol, Evans methylation, and Crimmins acetate aldol reactions were employed to construct four out of six asymmetric centers of the molecule.

Total Synthesis of Antibacterial Macrolide Sorangiolide A

A convergent route for the asymmetric total synthesis of antibacterial macrolide sorangiolide A has been developed for the first time. The key feature of this synthesis includes Krische iridium-catalyzed anti-diastereoselective carbonyl crotylation, Crimmins acetate aldol, Yamaguchi esterification, Julia-Kocienski olefination, Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination, and ring-closing metathesis. The origin of the low intensity of the 13C{1H} NMR signals of the C1 and C2 centers of the natural product has been investigated, disclosing possible forms of existence for the natural product in the solution phase.

Heck Macrocyclization in Forging Non-Natural Large Rings including Macrocyclic Drugs

The intramolecular Heck reaction is a well-established strategy for natural product total synthesis. When constructing large rings, this reaction is also referred to as Heck macrocyclization, which has proved a viable avenue to access diverse naturally occurring macrocycles. Less noticed but likewise valuable, it has created novel macrocycles of non-natural origin that neither serve as nor derive from natural products. This review presents a systematic account of the title reaction in forging this non-natural subset of large rings, thereby addressing a topic rarely covered in the literature. Walking through two complementary sections, namely (1) drug discovery research and (2) synthetic methodology development, it demonstrates that beyond the well-known domain of natural product synthesis, Heck macrocyclization also plays a remarkable role in forming synthetic macrocycles, in particular macrocyclic drugs.

Site-directed late-stage diversification of macrocyclic nannocystins facilitating anticancer SAR and mode of action studies

Nannocystins are a family of 21-membered cyclodepsipeptides with excellent anticancer activity. However, their macrocyclic architecture poses a significant challenge to structure modification. Herein, this issue is addressed by leveraging the strategy of post-macrocyclization diversification. In particular, a novel serine-incorporating nannocystin was designed so that its appending hydroxyl group could diversify into a wide variety of side chain analogues. Such effort facilitated not only structure-activity correlation at the subdomain of interest, but also the development of a macrocyclic coumarin-labeled fluorescence probe. Uptake experiments indicated good cell permeability of the probe, and endoplasmic reticulum was identified as its subcellular localization site.

Total synthesis of the antibacterial polyketide natural product thailandamide lactone

Stereoselective total synthesis of the structurally intriguing polyketide natural product thailandamide lactone was accomplished, and done so using a convergent approach for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The key features of this synthesis included use of a Crimmins acetate aldol reaction, Evans methylation, Urpi acetal aldol reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and subsequent γ-lactonization for the installation of six asymmetric centers and the use of the Negishi reaction, Julia-Kocienski olefination, cross metathesis, HWE olefination and intermolecular Heck coupling for construction of a variety of unsaturated linkages. Pd(i)-based Heck coupling was introduced, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, quite efficiently to couple the major eastern and sensitive western segments of the molecule. The antibacterial activity of thailandamide lactone was also evaluated.

Total Synthesis of Strasseriolide A

Stereoselective total synthesis of structurally intriguing antimalarial macrolide strasseriolide A has been accomplished by adopting a convergent approach. The salient features of this synthesis include Co(BH₄)₂-mediated selective reduction of conjugated olefin, Crimmins propionate aldol, Evans alkylation, intermolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination, Yamaguchi macrolactonization, and selective saponification of ester moiety in the presence of a lactone functionality. The ¹³C{¹H} NMR data of strasseriolide A were found to be very sensitive to its solution concentration.

Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of bipolamide A acetate

Asymmetric total synthesis of an acetate analogue of the endophytic unstable secondary metabolite bipolamide A has been achieved for the first time adopting a convergent approach. The key feature of this synthesis includes Evans's asymmetric ethylation, Wittig olefination, Takai olefination, stereoselective Grignard addition and intermolecular Heck coupling. This eventually developed a synthetic route of the rarely found branched amine bearing an acyloin moiety. Our synthesis finally established unambiguously the stereochemistry of the unassigned C-8 center of the naturally occurring unstable bipolamide A.

Total synthesis of nahuoic acid A via a putative biogenetic intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction

Inspired by the biogenetic proposal of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition, the total synthesis of natural product nahuoic acid A, a cofactor-competitive inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine methyl transferase SETD8, has been carried out. A non-conjugated pentaenal precursor was synthesized with high levels of stereoselectivity at seven stereogenic centers and with the appropriate control of double bond geometries. Although the IMDA reaction of the non-conjugated pentaenal using Me2AlCl for catalysis at -40 °C selectively afforded the trans-fused diastereomer corresponding to the Re-endo mode of cycloaddition, under thermal reaction conditions it gave rise to a mixture of diastereomers, that preferentially formed through the exo mode, including the cis-fused angularly-methylated octahydronaphthalene diastereomer precursor of nahuoic acid A. The natural product could be obtained upon oxidation and overall deprotection of the hydroxyl groups present in the Si-exo IMDA diastereomer.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Allylative Dicarbofunctionalization of Aryl Phenol-Tethered Alkynes with Allyl Iodides: Synthesis of Skipped Dienes

A palladium-catalyzed cascade allylative dicarbofunctionalization of aryl phenol-tethered alkynes with allyl iodides is described. A series of polysubstituted spirocyclo-containing skipped dienes with an all-carbon tetrasubstituted alkene unit are synthesized through this convenient process. The cascade reaction proceeds selectively through dearomative C-allylation instead of O-allylation of aryl phenols.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Amphirionin-2

A convergent route for the asymmetric total synthesis of potent anticancer polyketide natural product amphirionin-2 has been developed. Our initial synthetic trials revealed that the proposed structures of amphirionin-2 need to be revised consistent with a recent report of Fuwa et al., where the actual structure of amphirionin-2 was established. The key features of our synthesis comprised Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, followed by cycloetherification, Wittig olefination, Julia-Kocienski olefination, and Crimmins propionate aldol reaction.

Total synthesis: the structural confirmation of natural products

This feature article highlights total synthesis as one of the reliable tools for the structural confirmation of natural products.

Heck macrocyclization in natural product total synthesis

Covering: 1981-2020 Heck macrocyclization is a logical extension of the award-winning Mizoroki-Heck reaction. Through covalent linking of two otherwise discrete coupling partners, the resultant chimeric substrate is transformed into a large ring with enhanced rigidity and unique functional group disposition. Pioneered in the early 1980s, this methodology has evolved into a competent option for creating diverse macrocycles. Despite its growing influence, hitherto no systematic survey has ever appeared in the literature. The present review delineates the state-of-the-art of Heck macrocyclization in the context of natural product synthesis. Sixteen selected cases, each examined from a different perspective, coalesce into the view that the title reaction is a viable tool for synthesis-enabled macrocycle research.

Unconventional Macrocyclizations in Natural Product Synthesis

Over the past several decades, macrocyclic compounds have emerged as increasingly significant therapeutic candidates in drug discovery. Their pharmacological activity hinges on their rotationally restricted three-dimensional orientation, resulting in a unique conformational preorganization and a high enthalpic gain as a consequence of high-affinity macrocycle-protein binding interactions. Synthetic access to macrocyclic drug candidates is therefore crucial. From a synthetic point of view, the efficiency of macrocyclization events commonly suffers from entropic penalties as well as undesired intermolecular couplings (oligomerization). Although over the past several decades ring-closing metathesis, macrolactonization, or macrolactamization have become strategies of choice, the toolbox of organic synthesis provides a great number of versatile transformations beyond the aforementioned. This Outlook focuses on a selection of examples employing what we term unconventional macrocyclizations toward the synthesis of natural products or analogues.

Biselyngbyolides A & C: their total synthesis and anticancer activities

Convergent strategies for the first total synthesis of biselyngbyolide C and an alternative route for the total synthesis of biselyngbyolide A have been developed. The key strategic feature in this study is Heck macrocyclization. The use of intramolecular Heck coupling for biselyngbyolide B was demonstrated by us earlier; however such a strategy has not been explored further for the other members of this family of natural products, in particular, where sensitive skipped olefins are involved. The other highlights of this synthetic study include iterative Crimmins acetate aldol and Wittig olefination processes, followed by the less explored cobalt-hydride-based reduction of an activated olefin and Shiina esterification. Our synthetic study enabled us to amend the reported NMR data of biselyngbyolides A and C. An evaluation of the anticancer activities of both biselyngbyolides A and C revealed that the apoptosis generated in cancer cells followed an intrinsic pathway.

Total synthesis of nafuredin B

Total synthesis of marine secondary metabolite nafuredin B has been achieved for the first time using a convergent strategy. Sharpless epoxidation followed by acid catalyzed epoxide opening were adopted to install the tetrasubstituted hydroxy center, whereas the iterative Julia-Kocienski olefination, Wittig olefination and HWE olefination afforded the olefin bonds. Ring closing metathesis in the presence of a free tetrasubstituted hydroxy group provided the unsaturated δ-lactone moiety. This synthetic study provided unambiguous structural confirmation of the isolated nafuredin B.

A Comparative Synthetic Strategy Perspective on α-Amino Acid- and Non-Amino Acid-Derived Synthons towards Total Syntheses of Selected Natural Macrolides

Macrocyclic alkaloids (macrolides) and cyclopeptides have an immense range of applications in drug discovery research because of their natural abundance and potential biological and physicochemical properties. Presently, more than 100 approved drugs or clinical drug candidates contain macrocyclic scaffolds as the biologically active component. This review provides an interesting perspective about the use of amino acid-derived chiral pools versus other methods derived from miscellaneous synthons towards the total synthesis of non-peptidic macrolides. The synthetic routes and the key strategies involved in the total syntheses of ten natural macrolides have been discussed. Both the amino acid-derived and non-amino acid-derived synthetic routes have been illustrated to present a comparative study between the two approaches.

Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase Inhibitors: Beyond Anticancer Perspective

The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), which plays a key role in the maintenance of Ca²⁺ ion homeostasis, is an extensively studied enzyme, the inhibition of which has a considerable impact on cell life and death decision. To date, several SERCA inhibitors have been thoroughly studied and the most notable one, a derivative of the sesquiterpene lactone thapsigargin, is gradually approaching a clinical application. Meanwhile, new compounds with SERCA-inhibiting properties of natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic origin are being discovered and/or developed; some of these might also be suitable for the development of new drugs with improved performance. This review brings an up-to-date comprehensive overview of recently discovered compounds with the potential of SERCA inhibition, discusses their mechanism of action, and highlights their potential clinical applications, such as cancer treatment.

Bidentate auxiliary-directed alkenyl C–H allylation via exo-palladacycles: synthesis of branched 1,4-dienes

An alkenyl C–H allylation by exo-palladacycle is demonstrated to produce branched skipped dienes, employing alkenyl amides and allyl carbonates.

Iridium-catalyzed alkenyl C–H allylation using conjugated dienes

An iridium-catalyzed olefinic C–H allylation of acrylamides with conjugated dienes was developed, providing an atom economic synthesis of skipped dienes.

Studies toward the synthesis of macrotermycin C: stereoselective construction of the acyclic skeleton of the aglycon

The first asymmetric synthesis of the acyclic skeleton of the aglycon of macrotermycin C has been achieved in 17 linear steps with 5.7% overall yield following a convergent approach.

Stereoselective synthesis of the C14-C23 fragment of biselyngbyolide A and B enabled by transition metal catalysis

Transition met al catalysis has enabled the highly stereoselective and protecting group-free synthesis of the C14-C23 fragment of the apoptosis-inducing natural products biselyngbyolide A and B. A Pd-catalyzed Stille reaction between a vinyl stannane and a crotyl carbonate formed the skipped diene with complete control of the the trisubstituted bond and excellent control over the branched/linear products. A Cu-catalyzed Stahl oxidation was used to form the requisite aldehyde needed for a Ag-catalyzed asymmetric allylation. The latter provided the final fragment with excellent stereochemical control.

Total Synthesis of Cytospolide Q

A flexible and convergent strategy for the stereoselective total synthesis of bioactive marine natural product cytospolide Q has been developed. The key features of this synthesis include Evans anti-aldol reaction for the installation of C-2 and C-3 stereocenters and cycloetherification via epoxide opening followed by concomitant lactonization for the construction of tetrahydrofuran and γ-butyrolactone scaffolds. This synthetic study also revealed that protected oxygenated functionality (methyl ester or benzyl ether) at C-1 position participated readily in epoxide opening.

Studies Directed toward the Stereoselective Synthesis of Cytospolide E

Our exhaustive effort toward the total synthesis of cytotoxic marine nonanolide cytospolide E has been detailed. To achieve this synthesis, we have explored both the ring-closing metathesis and lactonization-based macrocyclization strategies using a variety of precursors. Unfortunately, none of them provided the desired product. The ring-closing metathesis approach provided mainly the macrocycle with Z-olefin, whereas the macrolactonization strategy culminated in 8-epi-9-epi-cytospolide E following the regioselective formation of a 10-membered macrocycle over a 9-membered macrocycle.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2016. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2017, 34, 235-294This review covers the literature published in 2016 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 757 citations (643 for the period January to December 2016) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1277 in 432 papers for 2016), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Studies toward the synthesis of strevertenes A and G: stereoselective construction of C1–C19segments of the molecules

Efficient route for the stereoselective synthesis of common C₁–C₁₉segment of strevertenes A and G has been developed.

Rapid, enantioselective synthesis of the C1–C13 fragment of biselyngbyolide B

Using catalytic transformations for C–C bond formation allows for a nine-step synthesis of the biselyngbyolide C1–C13 fragment.

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Carolacton

A short and convergent strategy for the stereoselective total synthesis of biologically active natural product carolacton has been accomplished. Our synthesis highlights the Urpi acetal aldol, Crimmins aldol, Ireland-Claisen rearrangement, TiCl₄-assisted aldol followed by β-hydroxy elimination to construct C₇-C₈ olefin, and ring-closing metathesis as the key steps for achieving the target molecule with an overall yield of 18.8%.

Total synthesis of nannocystin Ax

Total synthesis of nannocystin Ax has been accomplished concisely. The key elements in this total synthesis feature Kobayashi's remote asymmetric induction with vinylketene silyl N,O-acetal, Roush's asymmetric crotylboration of aldehyde, Mitsunobu's esterification and macrocyclization via Stille cross-coupling.

Total synthesis of cananginone C and structural revision of debilisone A

A short, convergent and general strategy for stereoselective total synthesis of biologically active α-substituted γ-hydroxymethyl γ-lactone based natural products cananginone C and debilisone A has been developed. The salient features of this synthesis include Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling, Evans allylation, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and γ-lactonization. The originally proposed structure of debilisone A has been revised.