Total synthesis of (-)-cylindrocyclophanes A and F exploiting the reversible nature of the olefin cross metathesis reaction

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Cylindrocyclophanes A and F and Merocyclophanes A and D

Incorporating enzymatic reactions into natural product synthesis can significantly improve synthetic efficiency and selectivity. In contrast to the increasing applications of biocatalytic functional-group interconversions, the use of enzymatic C-C bond formation reactions in natural product synthesis is underexplored. Herein, we report a concise and efficient approach for the synthesis of [7.7]paracyclophane natural products, a family of polyketides with diverse biological activities. By using enzymatic Friedel-Crafts alkylation, cylindrocyclophanes A and F and merocyclophanes A and D were synthesized in six to eight steps in the longest linear sequence. This study demonstrates the power of combining enzymatic reactions with contemporary synthetic methodologies and provides opportunities for the structure-activity relationship studies of [7.7]paracyclophane natural products.

Naturally Occurring Organohalogen Compounds-A Comprehensive Review

The present volume is the third in a trilogy that documents naturally occurring organohalogen compounds, bringing the total number-from fewer than 25 in 1968-to approximately 8000 compounds to date. Nearly all of these natural products contain chlorine or bromine, with a few containing iodine and, fewer still, fluorine. Produced by ubiquitous marine (algae, sponges, corals, bryozoa, nudibranchs, fungi, bacteria) and terrestrial organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, higher animals) and universal abiotic processes (volcanos, forest fires, geothermal events), organohalogens pervade the global ecosystem. Newly identified extraterrestrial sources are also documented. In addition to chemical structures, biological activity, biohalogenation, biodegradation, natural function, and future outlook are presented.

Direct Synthesis of Polyaromatic Cyclophanes Containing Bis-Methylene-Interrupted Z-Double Bonds and Study of Their Antitumor Activity In Vitro

An original synthetic route was developed for the preparation of previously unknown unsaturated polyaromatic macrolactones containing a 1Z,5Z-diene moiety in 48–71% yields and with >98% stereoselectivity. The method is based on intermolecular cyclocondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acids with α,ω-alka-nZ,(n+4)Z-dienediols (1,12-dodeca-4Z,8Z-dienediol, 1,14-tetradeca-5Z,9Z-dienediol, 1,18-octadeca-7Z,11Z-dienediol) mediated by N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). The unsaturated diols were prepared by successive homo-cyclomagnesiation of tetrahydropyran ethers of O-containing 1,2-dienes with EtMgBr in the presence of Mg metal and the Cp₂TiCl₂ catalyst (10 mol.%) and subsequent treatment with 0.1 equiv. of para-toluenesulfonic acid of pyran ethers formed after the acid hydrolysis of magnesacyclopentanes. The resulting cyclophanes exhibited high cytotoxic activity in vitro against Jurkat, K562, U937, and HL60 cancer lines. Additionally, the synthesized products were studied for their effect on mitochondria, ability to induce apoptosis, and influence on the cell cycle using modern flow cytometry methods.

Divergent Synthesis of Novel Cylindrocyclophanes that Inhibit Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

The cylindrocyclophanes are a family of macrocyclic natural products reported to exhibit antibacterial activity. Little is known about the structural basis of this activity due to the challenges associated with their synthesis or isolation. We hypothesised that structural modification of the cylindrocyclophane scaffold could streamline their synthesis without significant loss of activity. Herein, we report a divergent synthesis of the cylindrocyclophane core enabling access to symmetrical macrocycles by means of a catalytic, domino cross-metathesis-ring-closing metathesis cascade, followed by late-stage diversification. Phenotypic screening identified several novel inhibitors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The most potent inhibitor has a unique tetrabrominated [7,7]paracyclophane core with no known counterpart in nature. Together these illustrate the potential of divergent synthesis using catalysis and unbiased screening methods in modern antibacterial discovery.

Chemistry, bioactivity and biosynthesis of cyanobacterial alkylresorcinols

Covering: up to 2019 Alkylresorcinols are amphiphilic metabolites, well-known for their diverse biological activities, produced by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. A few classes of alkylresorcinol scaffolds have been reported from the photoautotrophic cyanobacteria, ranging from the relatively simple hierridins to the more intricate cylindrocyclophanes. Recently, it has emerged that cyanobacteria employ two different biosynthetic pathways to produce unique alkylresorcinol scaffolds. However, these convergent pathways intersect by sharing biosynthetic elements which lead to common structural motifs. To obtain a broader view of the biochemical diversity of these compounds in cyanobacteria, we comprehensively cover the isolation, structure, biological activity and biosynthesis of their mono- and dialkylresorcinols. Moreover, we provide an overview of the diversity and distribution of alkylresorcinol-generating biosynthetic gene clusters in this phylum and highlight opportunities for discovery of novel alkylresorcinol scaffolds. Because some of these molecules have inspired notable syntheses, different approaches used to build these molecules in the laboratory are showcased.

Synthesis of γ-Lactones via the Kowalski Homologation Reaction: Protecting-Group-Free Divergent Total Syntheses of Eupomatilones-2,5,6, and 3-epi-Eupomatilone-6

A highly efficient synthesis of functionalized chiral γ-butyrolactone scaffolds has been described. The basis of the approach is the Kowalski ester homologation that is modified for our proposed transformation. The newly developed methodology combines a divergent synthetic strategy to permit a straightforward protecting-group-free asymmetric total syntheses of eupomatilones-2,5,6, and 3-epi-eupomatilone-6 in five or six steps from commercial starting materials, making it one of the shortest syntheses reported to date.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Cylindrocyclophane F: A Yardstick for Probing New Catalytic C-C Bond-Forming Methodologies

A short and efficient total synthesis of the C₂ -symmetric (-)-cylindrocyclophane F is presented, using a cross olefin metathesis dimerization strategy for construction of the [7,7]-paracyclophane macrocycle. The synthesis of the dimerization building block includes a Pd-catalyzed sp³ -sp² Negishi cross coupling of a sterically hindered Zn-reagent with an aromatic triflate, an enantiospecific Zn-catalyzed sp³ -sp³ cross coupling of an α-hydroxy ester triflate with a Grignard reagent and the application of an enantioselective Rh-catalyzed C-allylation of an electron rich arene.

Effects of Halide Ions on the Carbamidocyclophane Biosynthesis in Nostoc sp. CAVN2

In this study, the influence of halide ions on [7.7]paracyclophane biosynthesis in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. CAVN2 was investigated. In contrast to KI and KF, supplementation of the culture medium with KCl or KBr resulted not only in an increase of growth but also in an up-regulation of carbamidocyclophane production. LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of chlorinated, brominated, but also non-halogenated derivatives. In addition to 22 known cylindrocyclophanes and carbamidocyclophanes, 27 putative congeners have been detected. Nine compounds, carbamidocyclophanes M-U, were isolated, and their structural elucidation by 1D and 2D NMR experiments in combination with HRMS and ECD analysis revealed that they are brominated analogues of chlorinated carbamidocyclophanes. Quantification of the carbamidocyclophanes showed that chloride is the preferably utilized halide, but incorporation is reduced in the presence of bromide. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of 30 [7.7]paracyclophanes and related derivatives against selected pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria exhibited remarkable effects especially against methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant staphylococci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. For deeper insights into the mechanisms of biosynthesis, the carbamidocyclophane biosynthetic gene cluster in Nostoc sp. CAVN2 was studied. The gene putatively coding for the carbamoyltransferase has been identified. Based on bioinformatic analyses, a possible biosynthetic assembly is discussed.

Construction of 1-Naphthols via Benzannulation Based on the Reaction of Aryl tert-Butyl Ynol Ethers with Ynamides or Ynol Ethers

A new version of benzannulation featuring the use of aromatic tert-butyl ynol ethers as the convenient precursors for arylketenes has been developed. Both ynamides and ynol ethers undergo this reaction smoothly, giving 3-amino and 3-alkoxy 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields under the heated reaction conditions. The high efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope render this reaction particularly valuable for organic synthesis.

Synthesis of Highly Substituted Quinolines via a Tandem Ynamide Benzannulation/Iodocyclization Strategy

A two-stage "tandem strategy" for the regiocontrolled synthesis of very highly substituted quinolines is described. Benzannulation based on the reaction of cyclobutenones or diazo ketones with N-propargyl-substituted ynamides proceeds via a cascade of several pericyclic reactions to generate multiply substituted aniline derivatives. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, triflate derivatives of the phenolic benzannulation products undergo Larock cyclization upon exposure to iodine to form products that are further elaborated by methods such as palladium-catalyzed coupling to generate quinolines that can be substituted at every position of the bicyclic system.

Selected synthetic strategies to cyclophanes

In this review we cover various approaches to meta- and paracyclophanes involving popular reactions. Generally, we have included a strategy where the reaction was used for assembling the cyclophane skeleton for further functionalization. In several instances, after the cyclophane is made several popular reactions are used and these are not covered here. We included various natural products related to cyclophanes. To keep the length of the review at a manageable level the literature related to orthocyclophanes was not included.

Siloxy alkynes in annulation reactions

Siloxy alkynes are a family of versatile species in organic synthesis. This account reviews the annulation reactions of siloxy alkynes for the synthesis of a variety of carbo- and heterocyclic products. With various dipolarophiles or dipolarophile-like reaction partners, siloxy alkynes are capable of forming small (three- to six-membered) rings. Recently, we have expanded the scope to the synthesis of medium- and large-ring lactones, enabled by the design of new amphoteric molecules as well as a new ring-expansion strategy. These annulation reactions provide not only practically useful syntheses of cyclic molecules, but also important understanding of the fundamental reactivity of siloxy alkynes.

Evolution of catalytic stereoselective olefin metathesis: from ancillary transformation to purveyor of stereochemical identity

There have been numerous significant advances in catalytic olefin metathesis (OM) during the past two decades. Such progress has transformed this important set of reactions to strategically pivotal processes that generate stereochemical identity while delivering molecules that cannot be easily prepared by alternative routes. In this Perspective, an analysis of the origin of the inception of bidentate benzylidene ligands for Ru-based OM catalysts is first presented. This is followed by an overview of the intellectual basis that culminated in the development of Mo-based diolates and stereogenic-at-Ru complexes for enantioselective OM. The principles accrued from the study of the latter Ru carbenes and Mo alkylidenes and utilized in the design of stereogenic-at-Mo, -W, and -Ru species applicable to enantioselective and Z-selective OM are then discussed. The influence of the recently introduced catalytic OM protocols on the design of synthesis routes leading to complex organic molecules is probed. The impact of a better understanding of the mechanistic nuances of OM toward the discovery of stereoselective catalysts is reviewed as well.

Direct asymmetric syntheses of chiral aldehydes and ketones via N-acyl chiral auxiliary derivatives including chiral Weinreb amide equivalents

This article covers N-acyl chiral auxiliary-based approaches to the asymmetric synthesis of enantiopure aldehydes and ketones. The use of diastereoisomerically pure N-acyl derivatives of chiral auxiliaries (including chiral Weinreb amide equivalents) and their conversion to the corresponding enantiopure aldehydes and ketones in a single synthetic operation by treatment with a hydride reducing agent or an organometallic reagent, respectively, are highlighted.

Continuous flow chemistry: a discovery tool for new chemical reactivity patterns

A new reactivity pattern and extended reaction scope has been obtained by transferring a reaction from batch mode to flow.

Batch and flow photochemical benzannulations based on the reaction of ynamides and diazo ketones. Application to the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds

Highly substituted polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds are produced via a two-stage tandem benzannulation/cyclization strategy. The initial benzannulation step proceeds via a pericyclic cascade mechanism triggered by thermal or photochemical Wolff rearrangement of a diazo ketone. The photochemical process can be performed using a continuous flow reactor which facilitates carrying out reactions on a large scale and minimizes the time required for photolysis. Carbomethoxy ynamides as well as more ketenophilic bis-silyl ynamines and N-sulfonyl and N-phosphoryl ynamides serve as the reaction partner in the benzannulation step. In the second stage of the strategy, RCM generates benzofused nitrogen heterocycles, and various heterocyclization processes furnish highly substituted and polycyclic indoles of types that were not available by using the previous cyclobutenone-based version of the tandem strategy.

Benzannulation via the reaction of ynamides and vinylketenes. application to the synthesis of highly substituted indoles

A two-stage "tandem strategy" for the synthesis of indoles with a high level of substitution on the six-membered ring is described. Benzannulation based on the reaction of cyclobutenones with ynamides proceeds via a cascade of four pericyclic reactions to produce multiply substituted aniline derivatives in which the position ortho to the nitrogen can bear a wide range of functionalized substituents. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, highly substituted indoles are generated via acid-, base-, and palladium-catalyzed cyclization and annulation processes.

Using Chemical Knowledge to Uncover New Biological Function: Discovery of the Cylindrocyclophane Biosynthetic Pathway

An understanding of organic chemistry can play a central role in uncovering enzymes with new biochemical functions. We have recently identified the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the cylindrocyclophanes, a structurally unique family of natural products, and found that this pathway employs a remarkable macrocyclization event that requires functionalization of an unactivated carbon atom. This work illustrates the potential of using chemically guided approaches for enzyme discovery.

Synthesis of various secosteroidal macrocycles by ring-closing metathesis

We set out to describe an efficient and versatile method for preparing secosteroidal macrocycles from cholic acid, via an oxidative ring-expansion/ring-opening sequence and a ring-closing metathesis reaction as the key steps. The characteristic ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic features of the synthesized compounds are reported.

Efficient and selective formation of macrocyclic disubstituted Z alkenes by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions catalyzed by Mo- or W-based monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complexes: applications to total syntheses of epilachnene, yuzu lactone, ambrettolide, epothilone C, and nakadomarin A

The first broadly applicable set of protocols for efficient Z-selective formation of macrocyclic disubstituted alkenes through catalytic ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is described. Cyclizations are performed with 1.2-7.5 mol% of a Mo- or W-based monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex at 22 °C and proceed to complete conversion typically within two hours. Utility is demonstrated by synthesis of representative macrocyclic alkenes, such as natural products yuzu lactone (13-membered ring: 73% Z) epilachnene (15-membered ring: 91% Z), ambrettolide (17-membered ring: 91% Z), an advanced precursor to epothilones C and A (16-membered ring: up to 97% Z), and nakadomarin A (15-membered ring: up to 97% Z). We show that catalytic Z-selective cyclizations can be performed efficiently on gram-scale with complex molecule starting materials and catalysts that can be handled in air. We elucidate several critical principles of the catalytic protocol: 1) The complementary nature of the Mo catalysts, which deliver high activity but can be more prone towards engendering post-RCM stereoisomerization, versus W variants, which furnish lower activity but are less inclined to cause loss of kinetic Z selectivity. 2) Reaction time is critical to retaining kinetic Z selectivity not only with MAP species but with the widely used Mo bis(hexafluoro-tert-butoxide) complex as well. 3) Polycyclic structures can be accessed without significant isomerization at the existing Z alkenes within the molecule.

Synthesis of polycyclic benzofused nitrogen heterocycles via a tandem ynamide benzannulation/ring-closing metathesis strategy. Application in a formal total synthesis of (+)-FR900482

A two-stage "tandem strategy" for the synthesis of benzofused nitrogen heterocycles is described that is particularly useful for the construction of systems with a high level of substitution on the benzenoid ring. The first stage in the strategy involves a benzannulation based on the reaction of cyclobutenones with ynamides. This cascade process proceeds via a sequence of four pericyclic reactions and furnishes a multiply substituted aniline derivative which can bear a variety of functionalized substituents at the position ortho to the nitrogen. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, ring-closing metathesis generates the nitrogen heterocyclic ring. This two-step sequence provides efficient access to highly substituted dihydroquinolines, benzazepines, benzazocines, and related benzofused nitrogen heterocyclic systems. The application of this chemistry in a concise formal total synthesis of the anticancer agents (+)-FR900482 and (+)-FR66979 is described.

Role of pseudoephedrine as chiral auxiliary in the "acetate-type" aldol reaction with chiral aldehydes; asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized chiral building blocks

We have studied in depth the aldol reaction between acetamide enolates and chiral α-heterosubstituted aldehydes using pseudoephedrine as chiral auxiliary under double stereodifferentiation conditions, showing that high diastereoselectivities can only be achieved under the matched combination of reagents and provided that the α-heteroatom-containing substituent of the chiral aldehyde is conveniently protected. Moreover, the obtained highly functionalized aldols have been employed as very useful starting materials for the stereocontrolled preparation of other interesting compounds and chiral building blocks such as pyrrolidines, indolizidines, and densely functionalized β-hydroxy and β-amino ketones using simple and high-yielding methodologies.

Construction of the cyclophane core of the hirsutellones via a RCM strategy

Construction of the highly strained [10]-paracyclophane core of the hirsutellones has been completed via an effective RCM strategy.

Catalytic enantioselective olefin metathesis in natural product synthesis. Chiral metal-based complexes that deliver high enantioselectivity and more

Chiral olefin metathesis catalysts enable chemists to access enantiomerically enriched small molecules with high efficiency; synthesis schemes involving such complexes can be substantially more concise than those that would involve enantiomerically pure substrates and achiral Mo alkylidenes or Ru-based carbenes. The scope of research towards design and development of chiral catalysts is not limited to discovery of complexes that are merely the chiral versions of the related achiral variants. A chiral olefin metathesis catalyst, in addition to furnishing products of high enantiomeric purity, can offer levels of efficiency, product selectivity and/or olefin stereoselectivity that are unavailable through the achiral variants. Such positive attributes of chiral catalysts (whether utilized in racemic or enantiomerically enriched form) should be considered as general, applicable to other classes of transformations.

Symmetric macrocycles by a Prins dimerization and macrocyclization strategy

A tandem dimerization/macrocyclization reaction utilizing the Prins cyclization has been developed. This reaction develops molecular complexity through the formation of highly substituted dimeric tetrahydropyran macrocycles. Mild conditions utilizing rhenium(VII) catalysts were explored for aromatic substrates, while harsher Lewis acidic conditions were used for aliphatic substrates. Both aldehydes and acetals are shown to be viable substrates for this reaction.