Teubrevin G and teubrevin H: the first total syntheses of rearranged neo-clerodanes including solutions to the problems of chirality merger and furan ring assembly

Tandem ROMP/Hydrogenation Approach to Hydroxy-Telechelic Linear Polyethylene

Hydroxy-telechelic polyalkenamers have long been synthesized using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in the presence of an acyclic olefin chain-transfer agent (CTA); however, this route typically requires protected diols in the CTA due to the challenge of alcohol-mediated degradation of ruthenium metathesis catalysts that can not only deactivate the catalysts, but also compromise the CTA. We demonstrate the synthesis and implementation of a new hydroxyl-containing CTA in which extended methylene spacers isolate the olefin and alcohol moieties to mitigate decomposition pathways. This CTA enabled the direct ROMP synthesis of hydroxy-telechelic polycyclooctene with controlled chain lengths dictated by the initial ratio of monomer to CTA. The elimination of protection/deprotection steps resulted in improved atom economy. Subsequent hydrogenation of the backbone olefins was performed by a one-pot, catalytic approach employing the ruthenium complex used for the initial ROMP. The resultant approach is a streamlined, atom-economic, and low-waste route to hydroxy-telechelic linear polyethylene that uses a green solvent, succeeds with miniscule quantities of catalyst (0.005 mol %), and requires no additional purification steps.

Synthetic studies on palmerolide C: synthesis of an advanced intermediate towards the revised structure of palmerolide C

A stereoselective synthesis of the highly advanced intermediates towards the revised structure of palmerolide C and 10-epi-palmerolide C is described in this paper. The required key fragments C1-C6, C7-C14 and C15-C23 have been successfully assembled in a convergent manner to access the C1-C23 framework bearing all the five stereocenters present in the natural product. The synthesis involves the Julia-Kocienski reaction, Yamaguchi esterification, Takai olefination and regioselective epoxide opening as key steps. The proposed route is flexible and could also be applied to the synthesis of structurally related palmerolides.

Activation by allylic alcohols of sulfur-containing dienes to ruthenium-catalysed ring-closing metathesis

The presence of an allylic alcohol facilitates ring-closing metathesis of sulfur-containing substrates with Grubbs’ dihydroimidazole ruthenium complex.

Phosphine-mediated sequential annulations of allenyl ketone and isocyanide: a bicyclization strategy to access a furan-fused eight-membered ring and a spirocycle

Phosphine-mediated cascade annulations of allenyl ketone and isocyanide have been disclosed. This strategy enables the efficient synthesis of a furan-fused eight-membered ring and a spirocycle.

Automated Multistep Continuous Flow Synthesis of 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)thiazole Derivatives

The multistep continuous flow assembly of 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)thiazoles using a Syrris AFRICA® synthesis station is reported. Sequential Hantzsch thiazole synthesis, deketalization and Fischer indole synthesis provides rapid and efficient access to highly functionalized, pharmacologically significant 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)thiazoles. These complex, drug-like small molecules are generated in reaction times of less than 15 min and in high yields (38%-82% over three chemical steps without isolation of intermediates).

Exploiting the divergent reactivity of α-isocyanoacetate: multicomponent synthesis of 5-alkoxyoxazoles and related heterocycles

A novel multicomponent synthesis of 5-alkoxyoxazoles, based on a new reactivity profile of α-isocyanoacetates, is described. Thus, simply heating a solution of amine, aldehyde, and α-(EWG-phenyl)-α-isocyanoacetate or α-(4-pyridyl)-α-isocyanoacetate (EWG=electron-withdrawing group) in toluene provided 5-alkoxyoxazoles in good to excellent yields. Reaction of the 5-alkoxyoxazoles with various α,β-unsaturated acyl chlorides led to the formation of epoxytetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones by a domino N-acylation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition sequence. Subsequent fragmentation under basic conditions provided 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones. A four-component synthesis of the pyridin-5-one compounds, without isolation of the 5-alkoxyoxazole, was subsequently developed.

Acceleration effect of an allylic hydroxy group on ring-closing enyne metathesis of terminal alkynes: scope, application, and mechanistic insights

An interesting acceleration effect of an allylic hydroxy group on ring-closing enyne metathesis has been found. Ring-closing enyne metathesis of terminal alkynes possessing an allylic hydroxy group proceeded smoothly without the ethylene atmosphere generally necessary to promote the reaction. The synthesis of (+)-isofagomine with the aid of this efficient reaction has been demonstrated. Mechanistic studies of the acceleration effect were also carried out. Results of NMR studies suggested that the reaction proceeded via an "ene-then-yne" pathway. Kinetic studies indicated switching of the rate-determining step as a consequence of the presence of an allylic hydroxy group. These results suggest acceleration of the reentry step of Ru-carbene species by the allylic hydroxy group.

Macrocyclization by Ring-Closing Metathesis in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products: Reaction Conditions and Limitations

The construction of macrocycles by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is often used as the key step in the synthesis of natural products containing large rings. This reaction is attractive because of its high functional group compatibility and the possibility for further transformations. The finding of suitable reaction conditions is critical for the success of the synthesis. In this Minireview we summarize the efforts of many research groups to develop efficient RCM reactions on their way towards the total synthesis of natural macrocyclic products. Their findings should help in future synthesis to reduce the time-consuming phase of the optimization of the reaction conditions.

Selective Construction of Carbocyclic Eight-Membered Rings by Ring-Closing Metathesis of Acyclic Precursors

Although the efficient preparation of cyclooctanoids has remained a long-standing objective, a real breakthrough was possible only relatively recently with the development of more specific reagents and by the development of new reactions. The direct construction of carbocyclic eight-membered rings from acyclic precursors is still a challenge, mainly because of unfavorable entropic and enthalpic factors that preclude ring formation. This Minireview describes the utilization of ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as a new approach to synthesize cyclooctanoids.

Asymmetric Synthesis of the Carbocyclic Nucleoside Building Block (R)-(+)-4-Aminocyclopentenone Using δ-Amino β-Ketophosphonates and Ring-Closing Metathesis (RCM)

Amino keto-2,7-dienes undergo ring-closing metathesis (RCM) to give 4-aminocyclopentenones, valuable intermediates in the asymmetric construction of carbocyclic nucleosides. The key amino ketodienes were prepared using delta-amino beta-ketophophonates, a new sulfinimine-derived chiral building block, and HWE chemistry. [reaction: see text]

Tandem Enyne Metathesis-Diels−Alder Reaction for Construction of Natural Product Frameworks

Enynes connected through aromatic rings are used as substrates for metathesis reactions. The reactivity of three ruthenium carbene complexes is compared. The resulting 1,3-dienes are suitable precursors of polycyclic structures via a Diels-Alder process. Some domino RCM-Diels-Alder reactions are performed, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of the ruthenium catalyst in the cycloaddition process. Other examples require Lewis acid cocatalyst. When applied to aromatic ynamines or enamines, a new synthesis of vinylindoles is achieved. Monitorization of several metathesis reactions with NMR shows the different behavior for ruthenium catalysts. New carbenic species are detected in some reactions with an important dependence on the solvent used.

Relative rate profile for ring-closing metathesis of a series of 1-substituted 1,7-octadienes as promoted by a 4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene-coordinated ruthenium catalyst

[reaction: see text] This report details the kinetic responses of nine compounds of type 6 to ring-closing metathesis as promoted by 2 to give the identical product 7. The experimental observations have been subjected to Hammett analysis. The rho value for the composite aromatic derivatives (R = p-XC(6)H(4)-) differs from that of the aliphatic series, although both are negative because electron-donating groups accelerate the reaction.