Total Syntheses of Anominine and Tubingensin A

Bioinspired Total Synthesis of Cephalotaxus Diterpenoids and Their Structural Analogues

Herein, we present a unified chemical synthesis of three subgroups of cephalotaxus diterpenoids. Key to the success lies in adopting a synthetic strategy that is inspired by biosynthesis but is opposite in nature. By employing selective one-carbon introduction and ring expansion operations, we have successfully converted cephalotane-type C18 dinorditerpenoids (using cephanolide B as a starting material) into troponoid-type C19 norditerpenoids and intact cephalotane-type C20 diterpenoids. This synthetic approach has enabled us to synthesize cephinoid H, 13-oxo-cephinoid H, 7-oxo-cephinoid H, fortalpinoid C, 7-epi-fortalpinoid C, cephanolide E, and 13-epi-cephanolide E. Furthermore, through the development of an intermolecular asymmetric Michael reaction between β-oxo esters and β-substituted enones, we have achieved the enantioselective synthesis of advanced intermediates within our synthetic sequence, thus formally realizing the asymmetric total synthesis of the cephalotaxus diterpenoids family.

Base-Mediated Nitrophenyl Reductive Cyclization for the Synthesis of Hexahydro-2,6-methano-1-benzazocines

A Diels-Alder reaction leading to 4-nitrophenylcyclohexanones followed by a newly developed base-mediated reductive cyclization of the resulting ketone tethered to the nitrobenzene moiety gives access to the hexahydro-2,6-methano-1-benzazocine ring system present in several biologically interesting natural products such as aspernomine. The scope of the reaction was explored with eight substituted nitrobenzenes, obtaining yields of up to 87%. The highest cytotoxicity was observed in benzazocine 4h, bearing an enone moiety, which was active against eight cancer cell lines.

Nickel-Catalyzed Tandem Ueno-Stork Cyclization: Stereoselective 1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of Cyclic Alkenes

A nickel-catalyzed tandem Ueno-Stork cyclization is developed to enable stereoselective 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of cyclic alkenes and efficiently build various bicyclic products. This new protocol does not involve any toxic or difficult-to-remove tin reagent and is scalable and amenable to build all-carbon quaternary centers.

Benzannulation Reactions: A Case for Perspective Change From Arene Decoration to Arene Construction

Benzannulation reactions involve construction of a benzene ring from acyclic precursors. This class of reactions offer a versatile and often superior alternative to aromatic substitution for construction of substituted arenes. Selected pioneering and recent reports of various benzannulation reactions are categorised and discussed in this review.

A Chiral-Pool-Based Strategy to Access trans-syn-Fused Drimane Meroterpenoids: Chemoenzymatic Total Syntheses of Polysin, N-Acetyl-polyveoline and the Chrodrimanins

trans-syn-Fused drimane meroterpenoids are unique natural products that arise from contra-thermodynamic polycyclizations of their polyene precursors. Herein we report the first total syntheses of four trans-syn-fused drimane meroterpenoids, namely polysin, N-acetyl-polyveoline, chrodrimanin C, and verruculide A, in 7-18 steps from sclareolide. The trans-syn-fused drimane unit is accessed through an efficient acid-mediated C9 epimerization of sclareolide. Subsequent applications of enzymatic C-H oxidation and contemporary annulation methodologies install the requisite C3 hydroxyl group and enable rapid generation of structural complexity to provide concise access to these natural products.

Leveraging Fleeting Strained Intermediates to Access Complex Scaffolds

Arynes, strained cyclic alkynes, and strained cyclic allenes were validated as plausible intermediates in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite initially being considered mere scientific curiosities, these transient and highly reactive species have now become valuable synthetic building blocks. This Perspective highlights recent advances in the field that have allowed access to structural and stereochemical complexity, including recent breakthroughs in asymmetric catalysis.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Norzoanthamine

We report herein the asymmetric total synthesis of norzoanthamine using radical reactions as key steps for rapid access to the congested carbocyclic core, which is the major synthetic challenge for most zoanthamine alkaloids. (1) The Ueno-Stork radical cyclization was applied to construct the adjacent quaternary centers at the C-9 and C-22 positions; (2) a Co-catalyzed HAT radical reaction was successfully applied to construct the quaternary center at C-12 via Csp³ -Csp² bond formation; (3) a Mn-catalyzed HAT radical reaction was used to stereospecifically reduce the tetra-substituted olefin (C13=C18) and install the contiguous stereocenters in proximity to the quaternary center. A one-pot bio-inspired cyclization step was finally applied to forge the unstable bis-amino acetal skeleton. Our approach can precisely control the stereochemistry of seven vicinal stereocenters and effectively construct the highly congested heptacyclic skeleton.

Recent advances in total syntheses of natural products containing the benzocycloheptane motif

Covering: 2010 to 2020Benzocycloheptane is a fundamental and unique structural motif found in pharmaceuticals and natural products. The total syntheses of natural products bearing the benzocycloheptane subunit are challenging and there are only a few efficient approaches to access benzocycloheptane. Thus, new methods and innovative strategies for preparing such natural products need to be developed. In this review, recent progress in the total syntheses of natural products bearing the benzocycloheptane motif is presented, and key transformations for the construction of benzocycloheptane are highlighted. This review provides a useful guide for those engaged in the syntheses of natural products containing the benzocycloheptane motif.

Total Synthesis of Daphniphyllum Alkaloids: From Bicycles to Diversified Caged Structures

Native to the Asia-Pacific region and widely applied in traditional Chinese medicine, the genus Daphniphyllum has produced over 330 known Daphniphyllum alkaloids. Investigations into these alkaloids have shown an exceptional range of interesting bioactivities. Challenging and caged polycyclic architectures and the promising biological profiles make Daphniphyllum alkaloids intriguing synthetic targets. Based on their backbones, these alkaloids can be categorized into 13-35 structurally distinct subfamilies. In addition to our work, almost 30 impressive total syntheses of Daphniphyllum alkaloids from seven subfamilies, namely, daphniphylline-type, secodaphniphylline-type, daphnilactone A-type, bukittinggine-type, daphmanidin A-type, calyciphylline A-type, and calyciphylline B-type alkaloids, have been reported by 11 research groups. However, many Daphniphyllum alkaloid subfamilies remain inaccessible by chemical synthesis.In this Account, we summarize our recent endeavors in the total synthesis of Daphniphyllum alkaloids commencing from simple chiral bicyclic synthons. Daphniphyllum alkaloids with diversified skeletons from four different subfamilies, namely, calyciphylline A-type, daphnezomine A-type, bukittinggine-type, and yuzurimine-type alkaloids, have been achieved. Furthermore, the tricyclic core structure of daphniglaucin C-type alkaloids daphnimacropodines was also synthesized. First, we describe a 14-step synthesis of calyciphylline A-type alkaloid (-)-himalensine A, which features a mild Cu-mediated nitrile hydration, an intramolecular Heck reaction to assemble the pivotal 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane moiety, and a Meinwald rearrangement to introduce the critical oxidative state into the skeleton. We then introduce the synthesis of daphnezomine A-type alkaloid dapholdhamine B, which possesses a unique aza-adamantane core. This target molecule was fabricated using key reactions including Huang's amide-activation-annulation. An unexpected radical detosylation during the synthesis of dapholdhamine B further inspired an ambitious radical cyclization cascade strategy, which eventually led to an efficient total synthesis of bukittinggine-type alkaloid (-)-caldaphnidine O. This highly chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective radical reaction cascade also shed light on the synthetic strategy of other alkaloids with caged structures. We next describe the first total synthesis of yuzurimine-type alkaloid (+)-caldaphnidine J. The key steps in our approach include a Pd-catalyzed regioselective hydroformylation and a novel Swern oxidation/ketene dithioacetal Prins reaction cascade. The work has achieved the first synthesis of a member of the largest subfamily of Daphniphyllum alkaloids. Finally, we show our efforts toward the total synthesis of daphniglaucin C-type alkaloids. Overall, we hope that the interesting strategies and synthetic methods demonstrated in our efforts could inspire a wide variety of additional applications to natural product synthesis.

Application of The Dess-Martin Oxidation in Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), a commercially available chemical, is frequently utilized as a mild oxidative agent for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. DMP shows several merits over other common oxidative agents such as chromiumand DMSO-based oxidants; thus, it is habitually employed in the total synthesis of natural products. In this review, we try to underscore the applications of DMP as an effective oxidant in an appropriate step (steps) in the multi-step total synthesis of natural products.

Total Synthesis of Gastrodinol via Photocatalytic 6π Electrocyclization

The first total synthesis of gastrodinol, an unprecedented poly-p-cresol-substituted natural product with a rearranged and reconstructed C ring moiety, is reported. Our synthesis features a convergent fragment approach. The Sonogashira coupling reaction forges the two segments together to furnish the conjugated ene-yne. Photocatalytic 6π electrocyclization followed by spontaneous aromatization is used to construct the tetrasubstituted B ring at the late stage. Further study shows that gastrodinol exhibits significant cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines in vitro (IC₅₀ 2.5-3.8 μM).

Transition-Metal Catalysis of Triene 6π Electrocyclization: The π-Complexation Strategy Realized

Triene 6π electrocyclization, wherein a conjugated triene undergoes a concerted stereospecific cycloisomerization to a cyclohexadiene, is a reaction of great historical and practical significance. In order to circumvent limitations imposed by the normally harsh reaction conditions, chemists have long sought to develop catalytic variants based upon the activating power of metal-alkene coordination. Herein, we demonstrate the first successful implementation of such a strategy by utilizing [(C₅ H₅ )Ru(NCMe)₃ ]PF₆ as a precatalyst for the disrotatory 6π electrocyclization of highly substituted trienes that are resistant to thermal cyclization. Mechanistic and computational studies implicate hexahapto transition-metal coordination as responsible for lowering the energetic barrier to ring closure. This work establishes a foundation for the development of new catalysts for stereoselective electrocyclizations.

Catalytic enantioselective construction of vicinal quaternary carbon stereocenters

This review summarizes the advances in the catalytic enantioselective construction of vicinal quaternary carbon stereocenters, introduces major synthetic strategies and discusses their advantages and limitations, highlights the application of known protocols in the total synthesis of natural products, and outlines the synthetic opportunities.

This review summarizes the advances in catalytic enantioselective construction of vicinal quaternary carbon stereocenters, introduces major synthetic strategies and discusses their advantages and limitations, and outlines the synthetic opportunities.

Construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters by catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition to cyclic enones in natural product synthesis

This review discusses the construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters using catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition and its application in natural product synthesis.

Recent progress in the synthesis of limonoids and limonoid-like natural products

Recent progress in syntheses of limonoids and limonoid-like natural products is reviewed. The current “state-of-art” advance on novel synthetic strategy are summarized and future outlook will be presented.

Rapid Access to the Structural Core of Aflavinines via Stereoselective Tandem Intramolecular Diels-Alder Cycloaddition Controlled by the Allylic 1,3-Strain

An expedient route to access the functionalized structural core of aflavinines has been developed starting from three readily available fragments over 12 steps in 29.1% overall yield without using any transition metal catalysis. The key feature of this approach is a tandem intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition to complete the hexacyclic framework with the correct stereochemistry and all the requisite structural elements in place to achieve the total synthesis of aflavinine and its congeners.

Synthesis of the Core Structure of Daphnimacropodines

Daphniphyllum alkaloids daphnimacropodines A-C possess a highly congested ring system and share a common tetracyclic ring skeleton. To access the challenging chemical structure of daphnimacropodines, a divergent synthetic approach toward their total synthesis is described. A stereoselective synthesis of the core structure of daphnimacropodines has been achieved from a simple diketone building block. Our approach features an intramolecular carbamate aza-Michael addition and a hydropyrrole synthesis via a Au-catalyzed alkyne hydration followed by an aldol condensation, whereas all the other attempts failed.

Biomimetic Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Petromindole

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-petromindole, an architecturally distinct congener of indole diterpene family, has been achieved. Key features of this synthetic route include the scalable and concise synthesis of tricyclic allylic alcohol from enantiopure Wieland-Mischer ketone derivative, and TMSOTf-mediated, highly efficient biomimetic C-4 cyclization of indole derivative for the rapid construction of a hexacyclic skeleton of petromindole.

Toward a Unified Total Synthesis of the Xiamycin and Oridamycin Families of Indolosesquiterpenes

A unified synthetic strategy toward the oridamycin and xiamycin families of natural products was designed, aiming to access several natural products from a common synthetic intermediate readily prepared from geranyl acetate. Part of this strategy was successfully realized, culminating in the synthesis of oridamycin A and oridamycin B. Key steps include a Mn(III)-mediated oxidative radical cyclization to construct the trans-decalin ring, and a 6π-electrocyclization/aromatization sequence to produce the 2,3-fused carbazole. Oridamycin B was accessed through a late-stage, C-H oxidation that converted the C16 methyl to a hydroxymethyl. A variety of strategies were explored to form a chelated radical intermediate en route to xiamycin A, including enolate SET oxidation, oxo-vanadium oxidation, and atom-transfer cyclization. Unfortunately, none of these strategies provided the desired C16-epimeric trans-decalin. Exploratory studies on photoredox-catalyzed radical cyclizations yielded interesting results, including the formation of a bicyclic lactone arising from oxidative termination of the photoredox-catalyzed radical cyclization, and a double 6-endo cyclization with catalyst loadings as low as 0.01 mol%.

Enantioselective Access to Robinson Annulation Products and Michael Adducts as Precursors

The Robinson annulation is a reaction that has been useful for numerous syntheses since its discovery in 1935, especially in the field of steroid synthesis. The products are usually obtained after three consecutive steps: the formation of an enolate (or derivative), a conjugate addition, and an aldol reaction. Over the years, several methodological improvements have been made for each individual step or alternative routes have been devised to access the Robinson annulation products. The first part of this Review outlines the most relevant developments towards the formation of monocarbonyl-derived Robinson annulation products (MRA products, MRAPs) and activated monocarbonyl-derived Robinson annulation products (AMRA products, AMRAPs). The following sections are then devoted to the diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of these products, while the last section describes the enantiomeric resolution of racemic mixtures.

Indole diterpenoid natural products as the inspiration for new synthetic methods and strategies

Indole terpenoids comprise a large class of natural products with diverse structural topologies and a broad range of biological activities. Accordingly, indole terpenoids have and continue to serve as attractive targets for chemical synthesis. Many synthetic efforts over the past few years have focused on a subclass of this family, the indole diterpenoids. This minireview showcases the role indole diterpenoids have played in inspiring the recent development of clever synthetic strategies, and new chemical reactions.

Total synthesis of architecturally complex indole terpenoids: strategic and tactical evolution

Indole terpenes have attracted the interests of synthetic chemists due to their complex architectures and potent biological activities. Examples of total syntheses of several indole terpenes were reviewed in this article to honor Professor KC Nicolaou.

Total synthesis of (-)-tubingensin B enabled by the strategic use of an aryne cyclization

Tubingensin B is an indole diterpenoid that bears a daunting chemical structure featuring a disubstituted carbazole unit, five stereogenic centres-three of which are quaternary-and a decorated [3.2.2]-bridged bicycle. We describe our synthetic design toward a concise and enantiospecific total synthesis of tubingensin B, which hinges on the strategic use of a transient aryne intermediate. Although initial studies led to unexpected reaction outcomes, we ultimately implemented a sequence of carbazolyne cyclization followed by Rh-catalysed fragmentation to install the seven-membered ring and vicinal quaternary stereocentres of the natural product. Coupled with a late-stage radical cyclization to construct the [3.2.2]-bridged bicycle, these efforts have enabled the total synthesis of tubingensin B. The design and evolution of our succinct total synthesis underscores the utility of long-avoided aryne intermediates for the introduction of structural motifs that have conventionally been viewed as challenging.

A Concise Total Synthesis of Dictyodendrins F, H, and I Using Aryl Ynol Ethers as Key Building Blocks

We report a concise total synthesis of dictyodendrin F and the first total syntheses of dictyodendrins H and I in six steps. In these syntheses, aryl ynol ethers were employed as the key building blocks to introduce aryl and heteroaryl rings in the dictyodendrins. This rapid synthesis utilized a novel hetero-[2 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction between two aryl ynol ethers to yield a cyclobutenone ring. The cyclobutenone was sequentially converted into a highly substituted carbazole via a retro-4π/6π-electrocyclization-N-acylation cascade reaction to provide the dictyodendrin core. Consecutive intramolecular oxidative coupling and deprotection gave dictyodendrins F, H, and I.

Asymmetric Total Syntheses of Aspidodasycarpine, Lonicerine, and the Proposed Structure of Lanciferine

Aspidodasycarpine and lonicerine are a pair of epimeric aspidophylline-type alkaloids bearing vicinal quaternary C7 and C16. The first and enantioselective total syntheses of these molecules are described here. A Ru-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation established the first stereocenter. An Au-promoted Toste cyclization was exploited to assemble the bridged tetracyclic core and define the geometry of the exocyclic olefin; electron deficient (p-CF3C6H4)3P was a suitable ligand for this transformation. An aldol condensation followed by an intramolecular indole C3 alkylation constructed the adjacent quaternary C7 and C16 diastereoselectively, leading to a pentacyclic lactol as an advanced common intermediate for synthesizing both alkaloids. The proposed structure of lanciferine, a highly oxidized congener of aspidodasycarpine, was synthesized from the lactol by tuning the oxidation states of various carbons.