Total Syntheses of (+)-Lyconadin A and (−)-Lyconadin B

The applications of catalytic asymmetric halocyclization in natural product synthesis

Catalytic asymmetric halocyclization of olefinic substrate has evolved rapidly and been well utilized as a practical strategy for constructing enantioenriched cyclic skeletons in natural product synthesis.

Complanadine F, a novel dimeric alkaloid from Lycopodium complanatum

A novel Lycopodium alkaloid, complanadine F (1), seco-complanadine A type was isolated from the club moss Lycopodium complanatum. The planar structure and relative configuration were elucidated based on spectroscopic data.

Second-Generation Synthesis of (+)-Fastigiatine Inspired by Conformational Studies

(+)-Fastigiatine is a complex alkaloid isolated from the alpine club moss Lycopodium fastigatum, most commonly found in New Zealand. It has been the subject of two successful synthetic campaigns. A second-generation route toward fastigiatine was developed to resolve two problematic steps from our initial synthesis. Selective reduction and protection of the C13 ketone improved the yield and reliability of the dibromocarbene ring expansion step. In the prior synthesis, cuprate addition to the C10 enone generated a 1:1 mixture of isomers in an advanced intermediate. Protection of the C13 alcohol with a large silyl group changed the conformational preference of the enone and led to a more selective conjugate addition to produce the desired β-epimer at C10. MacMillan's decarboxylative photoredox addition method proved to be more practical than the prior aminomethyl cuprate addition chemistry. The second-generation synthesis is longer than the original but improves the selectivity and reproducibility of the overall route.

Hupercumines A and B, Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia cunninghamioides, Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase

A novel class of C₃₈N₄ Lycopodium alkaloid, hupercumine A (1), consisting of two octahydroquinolines, a decahydroquinoline, and a piperidine, and a new C₂₇N₃-type alkaloid, hupercumine B (2), were isolated from Huperzia cunninghamioides (Hayata) Holub. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, chemical means, and biogenetic point of view. Hupercumines A (1) and B (2) showed moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase.

Catalytic enantioselective OFF ↔ ON activation processes initiated by hydrogen transfer: concepts and challenges

Hydrogen transfer initiated processes are eco-compatible transformations allowing the reversible OFF ↔ ON activation of otherwise unreactive substrates. The minimization of stoichiometric waste as well as the unique activation modes provided by these transformations make them key players for a greener future for organic synthesis. Long limited to catalytic reactions that form racemic products, considerable progress on the development of strategies for controlling diastereo- and enantioselectivity has been made in the last decade. The aim of this review is to present the different strategies that enable enantioselective transformations of this type and to highlight how they can be used to construct key synthetic building blocks in fewer operations with less waste generation.

Lyconadins G and H, Two Rare Lyconadin-Type Lycopodium Alkaloids from Lycopodium complanatum

Two rare lyconadin-type Lycopodium alkaloids, lyconadins G (1) and H (2), together with four known ones (3-6), were isolated from Lycopodium complanatum. The structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by an X-ray crystallographic analysis. It is the first time to establish the absolute configuration of lyconadin-type Lycopodium alkaloid by an X-ray diffraction experiment. In addition, these findings may provide more information for the biosynthesis of lyconadins.

Concise synthesis of (+)-fastigiatine

(+)-Fastigiatine was assembled in six steps from (R)-5-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one. Intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction introduced most of the carbon atoms for the target. The two Boc-protected nitrogen atom building blocks were introduced by a Suzuki coupling and a cuprate addition. A biomimetic transannular Mannich reaction generated the two quaternary centers at a late stage. Each step builds core bonds, and combined with a minimalist protecting group strategy, this approach led to a very concise synthesis.

Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Annulation of Azavinyl Carbenes Through Ring-Expansion of 1,3,5-Trioxane: Rapid Access to Nine-Membered 1,3,5,7-Trioxazonines

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed denitrogenative coupling of N-alkylsulfonyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 1,3,5-trioxane led to nine-membered-ringed trioxazonines in moderate-to-good yields. 1,3,5-Trioxane, acting as an oxygen nucleophile, reacted with the α-aza-vinylcarbene intermediate, giving rise to ylide formation, which was probably the key step in the reaction. Triazoles that contained aryl substituents with various electronic and steric features on the C4 carbon atom were well-tolerated. The synthesis of trioxazonine derivatives was achieved through a one-pot, two-step procedure from 1-mesylazide and a terminal alkyne by combining Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and rhodium-catalyzed transformations.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of lycoposerramine-R

The first asymmetric total synthesis of lycoposerramine-R was accomplished by a strategy featuring the stereoselective intramolecular aldol cyclization giving a cis-fused 5/6 bicyclic skeleton and a new method for the construction of the pyridone ring via the aza-Wittig reaction, thereby establishing the absolute configuration of the natural product.

Organocatalytic stereoselective iodoamination of alkenes

A new chiral thiohydantoin catalyst is used for the stereoselective iodoamination of alkenes. N-iodosuccinimide as the source of the electrophilic iodine is activated by catalytic amounts of different additives which also influence the regioselectivity of some cyclizations.

Total Syntheses of Lyconadins: Finding Efficiency and Diversity

Lyconadins A-C are important members of the Lycopodium alkaloid family with challenging structural features and interesting biological profile. Herein, various synthetic strategies and methods for their preparation are summarized with the focus on constructive bond formation and our efficient and divergent synthesis based on functional group pairing (FGP) strategy.

Divergent total syntheses of lyconadins A and C

Divergent and concise total syntheses of two lycopodium alkaloids, lyconadins A and C have been developed. The synthesis of lyconadin A, having potent neurotrophic activity, features an efficient one-pot ketal removal and formal aza-[4+2] cyclization to form the cagelike core structure. A tandem ketal removal/Mannich reaction was developed to build the tricyclic structure of lyconadin C. Both lyconadins A and C were synthesized from a pivotal intermediate.

Neurotrophic natural products: chemistry and biology

Neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injury affect approximately 50 million people worldwide, bringing the total healthcare cost to over 600 billion dollars per year. Nervous system growth factors, that is, neurotrophins, are a potential solution to these disorders, since they could promote nerve regeneration. An average of 500 publications per year attests to the significance of neurotrophins in biomedical sciences and underlines their potential for therapeutic applications. Nonetheless, the poor pharmacokinetic profile of neurotrophins severely restricts their clinical use. On the other hand, small molecules that modulate neurotrophic activity offer a promising therapeutic approach against neurological disorders. Nature has provided an impressive array of natural products that have potent neurotrophic activities. This Review highlights the current synthetic strategies toward these compounds and summarizes their ability to induce neuronal growth and rehabilitation. It is anticipated that neurotrophic natural products could be used not only as starting points in drug design but also as tools to study the next frontier in biomedical sciences: the brain activity map project.

Pyridone annulation via tandem Curtius rearrangement/6π-electrocyclization: total synthesis of (-)-lyconadin C

A concise, enantioselective total synthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloid (-)-lyconadin C was achieved in 12 steps and high overall yield. Key features include construction of a luciduline congener through Mannich-type cyclization and a one-pot, tandem Curtius rearrangement/6π-electrocyclization to fashion the 2-pyridone system of lyconadin C.

Exploration of an epoxidation-ring-opening strategy for the synthesis of lyconadin A and discovery of an unexpected Payne rearrangement

In the context of synthetic efforts targeting the alkaloid lyconadin A, scalemic epoxide 25 was prepared by a highly stereoselective sequence involving a Myers alkylation and a Shi epoxidation. Ring-opening of this epoxide with a vinylcopper complex afforded alcohol 26 instead of the expected product 27. An unusual Lewis acid promoted Payne rearrangement of an α-trityloxy epoxide is proposed to account for this outcome.

Illicium sesquiterpenes: divergent synthetic strategy and neurotrophic activity studies

Majucin-type sesquiterpenes from Illicium sp., such as jiadifenolide (2), jiadifenin (3), and (1R,10S)-2-oxo-3,4-dehydroxyneomajucin (4, ODNM), possess a complex caged chemical architecture and remarkable neurotrophic activities. As such, they represent attractive small-molecule leads against various neurodegenerative diseases. We present an efficient, enantioselective, and unified synthesis of 2, 3, and 4 and designed analogues that diverge from tetracyclic key intermediate 7. The synthesis of 7 is highlighted by the use of an enantioselective Robinson annulation reaction (construction of the AB rings), a Pd-mediated carbomethoxylation reaction (construction of the C ring), and a one-pot oxidative reaction cascade (construction of the D ring). Evaluation of the neurotrophic activity of these compounds led to the identification of several highly potent small molecules that significantly enhanced the activity of nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC-12 cells. Moreover, efforts to define the common pharmacophoric motif suggest that substitution at the C-10 center significantly affects bioactivity, while the hemiketal moiety of 2 and 3 and the C-1 substitution might not be critical to the neurotrophic activity.

Total syntheses of lyconadins A-C

The total synthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloid lyconadin A was accomplished and it was applied to the total syntheses of the related congeners, lyconadins B and C. Lyconadin A has attracted attention as a challenging target for total synthesis due to the unprecedented pentacyclic skeleton. Our synthesis of lyconadin A features a facile construction of the highly fused tetracyclic skeleton through a combination of an aza-Prins reaction and an electrocyclic ring opening, followed by formation of a C-N bond. Transformation of the bromoalkene moiety of the tetracycle to a key enone intermediate was extensively investigated, and three methods via sulfide, oxime, or azide intermediates were established. A pyridone ring was constructed from the key enone intermediate to complete the synthesis of lyconadin A. A dihydropyridone ring could also be formed from the same enone intermediate, leading to a synthesis of lyconadin B. Establishment of the conditions for an electrocyclic ring opening without formation of the C-N bond resulted in completion of the total synthesis of lyconadin C.

Constructing molecular complexity and diversity: total synthesis of natural products of biological and medicinal importance

The advent of organic synthesis and the understanding of the molecule as they occurred in the nineteenth century and were refined in the twentieth century constitute two of the most profound scientific developments of all time. These discoveries set in motion a revolution that shaped the landscape of the molecular sciences and changed the world. Organic synthesis played a major role in this revolution through its ability to construct the molecules of the living world and others like them whose primary element is carbon. Although the early beginnings of organic synthesis came about serendipitously, organic chemists quickly recognized its potential and moved decisively to advance and exploit it in myriad ways for the benefit of mankind. Indeed, from the early days of the synthesis of urea and the construction of the first carbon-carbon bond, the art of organic synthesis improved to impressively high levels of sophistication. Through its practice, today chemists can synthesize organic molecules--natural and designed--of all types of structural motifs and for all intents and purposes. The endeavor of constructing natural products--the organic molecules of nature--is justly called both a creative art and an exact science. Often called simply total synthesis, the replication of nature's molecules in the laboratory reflects and symbolizes the state of the art of synthesis in general. In the last few decades a surge in total synthesis endeavors around the world led to a remarkable collection of achievements that covers a wide ranging landscape of molecular complexity and diversity. In this article, we present highlights of some of our contributions in the field of total synthesis of natural products of biological and medicinal importance. For perspective, we also provide a listing of selected examples of additional natural products synthesized in other laboratories around the world over the last few years.

Catalytic enantioselective alkene aminohalogenation/cyclization involving atom transfer

Problem solved: the title reaction was used for the synthesis of chiral 2-bromo, chloro, and iodomethyl indolines and 2-iodomethyl pyrrolidines. Stereocenter formation is believed to occur by enantioselective cis aminocupration and C-X bond formation is believed to occur by atom transfer. The ultility of the products as versatile synthetic intermediates was demonstrated, as was a radical cascade cyclization sequence.

Lycopodium alkaloids: isolation and asymmetric synthesis

Lycopodium alkaloids have attracted the attention of many natural product chemists and synthetic organic chemists due to their important biological activities and unique skeletal characteristics. In this review we describe isolation and asymmetric syntheses of several new alkaloids such as lycoposerramines-C, -V, -W, and cernuine, and show that asymmetric total synthesis played a key role in elucidating the structures of these complex natural products.

Concise total synthesis of (+)-lyconadin A

The total synthesis of lyconadin A from (R)-5-methylcyclohex-2-enone was accomplished. Our synthesis features the facile construction of a highly fused tetracyclic compound through a combination of an aza-Prins reaction and an electrocyclic ring opening. Transformation of the bromoalkene moiety in the tetracycle could be achieved by either a vinylogous Pummerer rearrangement or the formation and subsequent isomerization of the nitrosoalkene to furnish an α,β-unsaturated ketone, from which the pyridone ring was constructed.

Construction of 5,6-Ring Fused 2-Pyridones: An Effective Annulation Tactic Achieved in Water

An efficient protocol for elaboration of the 5,6-fused 2-pyridone ring system, exploiting the tandem condensation of propiolamide and cyclic β-ketomethyl esters in water, followed by acid or base promoted intramolecular ring closure and decarboxylation, has been developed.