A biomimetic route for construction of the [4+2] and [3+2] core skeletons of dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids and asymmetric synthesis of ageliferins

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.

One-Electron Oxidation of Geranyl Acetone Derivatives Using Ceric(IV) Ammonium Nitrate and Manganese(III) Acetate: Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation

Oxidation of geranyl acetone derivatives with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and Mn(OAc)3 afforded tricyclic and bicyclic compounds as well as hydroxy and nitro compounds as a result of one-electron oxidation followed by carbon–carbon bond formation. This is the first example of radical cyclization (formed by one-electron oxidation) of geranyl acetone derivative 1 and its isomer 4 to give tri- and bicyclic products with carbon–carbon bond formation.

Feature-Based Molecular Networking Discovery of Bromopyrrole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Agelas dispar

Investigation of the marine sponge Agelas dispar MeOH fractions using feature-based molecular networking, dereplication, and isolation led to the discovery of new bromopyrrole-derived metabolites. An in-house library of bromopyrrole alkaloids previously isolated from A. dispar and Dictyonella sp. was utilized, along with the investigation of an MS/MS fragmentation of these compounds. Our strategy led to the isolation and identification of the disparamides A-C (1-3), with a novel carbon skeleton. Additionally, new dispyrins B-F (4-8) and nagelamides H2 and H3 (9 and 10) and known nagelamide H (11), citrinamine B (12), ageliferin (13), bromoageliferin (14), and dibromoageliferin (15) were also isolated and identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. Analysis of MS/MS fragmentation data and molecular networking analysis indicated the presence of hymenidin (16), oroidin (17), dispacamide (18), monobromodispacamide (19), keramadine (20), longamide B (21), methyl ester of longamide B (22), hanishin (23), methyl ester of 3-debromolongamide B (24), and 3-debromohanishin (25). Antibacterial activity of ageliferin (13), bromoageliferin (14), and dibromoageliferin (15) was evaluated against susceptible and multi-drug-resistant ESKAPE pathogenic bacteria Klabsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis. Dibromoageliferin (15) displayed the most potent antimicrobial activity against all tested susceptible and MDR strains. Compounds 13-15 presented no significant hemolytic activity up to 100 μM.

Synthesis of Desacyl Furanmonogones A and B

A strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of desacyl furanmonogones A and B has been achieved. The key steps in this synthesis are (1) an Fe(ClO₄)₃-mediated oxidative radical cyclization for construction of a cis-fused [5-6]-bicyclic core with a bridged lactone substitute, (2) a phosphorane-mediated rearrangement to convert the cis-fused [5-6]-bicyclic core to the corresponding trans-fused [5-6]-bicyclic core, and (3) a Au-catalyzed cascade reaction for formation of the 4,5-seco-3(2H)-furanone motif.

Natural products as inspiration for the development of bacterial antibiofilm agents

Natural products have historically been a rich source of diverse chemical matter with numerous biological activities, and have played an important role in drug discovery in many areas including infectious disease. Synthetic and medicinal chemistry have been, and continue to be, important tools to realize the potential of natural products as therapeutics and as chemical probes. The formation of biofilms by bacteria in an infection setting is a significant factor in the recalcitrance of many bacterial infections, conferring increased tolerance to many antibiotics and to the host immune response, and as yet there are no approved therapeutics for combatting biofilm-based bacterial infections. Small molecules that interfere with the ability of bacteria to form and maintain biofilms can overcome antibiotic tolerance conferred by the biofilm phenotype, and have the potential to form combination therapies with conventional antibiotics. Many natural products with anti-biofilm activity have been identified from plants, microbes, and marine life, including: elligic acid glycosides, hamamelitannin, carolacton, skyllamycins, promysalin, phenazines, bromoageliferin, flustramine C, meridianin D, and brominated furanones. Total synthesis and medicinal chemistry programs have facilitated structure confirmation, identification of critical structural motifs, better understanding of mechanistic pathways, and the development of more potent, more accessible, or more pharmacologically favorable derivatives of anti-biofilm natural products.

The preparation of (4H)-imidazol-4-ones and their application in the total synthesis of natural products

(4H)-Imidazol-4-ones are an important scaffold for a variety of applications, including natural products, medicine, agriculture, and other applications. Over the years, there have been a number of preparations published for the synthesis of imidazol-4-ones. This review discusses the progress made on the synthesis of imidazol-4-ones, and their application towards the total synthesis of a range of imidazol-4-one containing natural products. Emphasis is made on areas of the field that still need progress.

Cationic polycyclization of ynamides: building up molecular complexity

Polycyclization reactions are among the most efficient synthetic tools for the synthesis of complex, polycyclic molecules in a single operation from simple starting materials. We report in this manuscript a full account on the discovery and development of a novel cationic polycyclization from readily available ynamides. Simple activation of these building blocks under acidic conditions enables the generation of highly reactive activated keteniminium ions, which triggers an unprecedented cationic polycyclization yielding highly substituted polycyclic nitrogen heterocycles possessing up to seven fused cycles and three contiguous stereocenters.

Rapid access to the core skeleton of the [3 + 2]-type dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids by triplet ketone-mediated C-H functionalization

The ability of triplet ketones to abstract a hydrogen atom from hydrocarbons is reminiscent of that of the high-spin metal-oxo complexes in C-H oxidation enzymes. In practice, the reactivity of triplet ketones is easier to control and applicable to promoting a wider range of reactions. We demonstrate herein the synthetic utility of triplet ketone-mediated C-addition of methanol to cyclopentenone derivatives with an expedient synthesis of the core skeleton of the [3+2]-type dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids. Remarkably, this photochemical C-H functionalization reaction is highly regioselective and can tolerate a good range of functional groups.

A lesson for site-selective C-H functionalization on 2-pyridones: radical, organometallic, directing group and steric controls

A 2-pyridone ring is a frequently occurring subunit in natural products, biologically active compounds, and pharmaceutical targets. Thus, the selective synthesis of substituted 2-pyridone derivatives through decoration and/or formation of pyridone rings has been one of the important longstanding subjects in organic synthetic chemistry. This minireview focuses on recent advances in site-selective C-H functionalization on 2-pyridone. The reported procedures are categorized according to the site selectivity that is achieved, and the substrate scope, limitations, mechanism, and controlling factors are briefly summarized.

Natural products as inspiration for the development of new synthetic methods

Natural products have played an important role in shaping modern synthetic organic chemistry. In particular, their complex molecular skeletons have stimulated the development of many new synthetic methods. We highlight in this article some recent examples of synthetic design inspired by the biosynthesis of natural products.

Muscarine, imidazole, oxazole and thiazole alkaloids

Covering: July 2012 to June 2015. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2013, 30, 869-915The structurally diverse imidazole-, oxazole-, and thiazole-containing secondary metabolites are widely distributed in terrestrial and marine environments, and exhibit extensive pharmacological activities. In this review the latest progress involving the isolation, biological activities, and chemical and biogenetic synthesis studies on these natural products has been summarized.

Stereocontrolled Formation of a [4.4]Heterospiro Ring System with Unexpected Inversion of Configuration at the Spirocenter

Stereoselective construction of the 1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]nonane core skeleton of massadine and related dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids is a synthetic challenge. We describe herein the synthesis of all C13/14 diastereomers of this spiro molecule through controlled oxidation and epimerization of the C13 spirocenter under mild acidic conditions.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Axinellamines A and B

Axinellamines A and B are broad-spectrum antibacterial pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids that have a complex polycyclic skeleton. A new asymmetric synthesis of these marine sponge metabolites is described herein, featuring an oxidative rearrangement and an anchimeric chlorination reaction.

Trends in applying C-H oxidation to the total synthesis of natural products

Covering: 2006 to 2015C-H functionalization remains one of the frontier challenges in organic chemistry and drives quite an active area of research. It has recently been applied in various novel strategies for the synthesis of natural products. It can dramatically increase synthetic efficiency when incorporated into retrosynthetic analyses of complex natural products, making it an essential part of current trends in organic synthesis. In this Review, we focus on selected case studies of recent applications of C-H oxidation methodologies in which the C-H bond has been exploited effectively to construct C-O and C-N bonds in natural product syntheses. Examples of syntheses representing different types of C-H oxidation are discussed to illustrate the potential of this approach and inspire future applications.

Cascade polycyclizations in natural product synthesis

Cascade (domino) reactions have an unparalleled ability to generate molecular complexity from relatively simple starting materials; these transformations are particularly appealing when multiple rings are forged during this process.

Emergence of diversity and stereochemical outcomes in the biosynthetic pathways of cyclobutane-centered marine alkaloid dimers

A deep-sea dive into the ecology and chemistry of surprising cyclobutanes from marine invertebrates.

Syntheses of Sceptrins and Nakamuric Acid and Insights into the Biosyntheses of Pyrrole-Imidazole Dimers

Sceptrins and nakamuric acid are structurally unique antibiotics isolated from marine sponges. Recent studies suggest that the biosynthesis of these dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids involves a single-electron transfer (SET)-promoted [2+2] cycloaddition to form their cyclobutane core skeletons. We describe herein the biomimetic syntheses of racemic sceptrin and nakamuric acid. We also report the asymmetric syntheses of sceptrin, bromosceptrin, and dibromosceptrin in their natural enantiomeric form. We further provide mechanistic insights into the pathway selectivity of the SET-promoted [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions that lead to the divergent formation of the sceptrin and ageliferin core skeletons. Both the [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions are stepwise reactions, with the [2+2] pathway kinetically and thermodynamically favored over the [4+2] pathway. For the [2+2] cycloaddition, the dimerization of pyrrole-imidazole monomers is rate-limiting, whereas for the [4+2] cycloaddition, the cyclization is the slowest step.

An approach for the synthesis of nakamuric acid

The biosynthesis of dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids is likely mediated by enzyme-catalyzed reversible single-electron transfer (SET) cycloaddition. We now show that Ir(ppy)₃ can promote SET-mediated formal [2+2] and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids-related substrates under photolytic conditions. This biomimetic approach is useful for the construction of the core skeleton of nakamuric acid and sceptrin.

Syntheses of Cyclic Guanidine-Containing Natural Products

Naturally occurring guanidine derivatives frequently display medicinally useful properties. Among them, the higher order pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids, the dragmacidins, the crambescidins/batzelladines, and the saxitoxins/tetradotoxins have stimulated the development of many new synthetic methods over the past decades. We provide here an overview of the syntheses of these cyclic guanidine-containing natural products.

Asymmetric syntheses of sceptrin and massadine and evidence for biosynthetic enantiodivergence

Cycloaddition is an essential tool in chemical synthesis. Instead of using light or heat as a driving force, marine sponges promote cycloaddition with a more versatile but poorly understood mechanism in producing pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids sceptrin, massadine, and ageliferin. Through de novo synthesis of sceptrin and massadine, we show that sponges may use single-electron oxidation as a central mechanism to promote three different types of cycloaddition. Additionally, we provide surprising evidence that, in contrast to previous reports, sceptrin, massadine, and ageliferin have mismatched chirality. Therefore, massadine cannot be an oxidative rearrangement product of sceptrin or ageliferin, as is commonly believed. Taken together, our results demonstrate unconventional chemical approaches to achieving cycloaddition reactions in synthesis and uncover enantiodivergence as a new biosynthetic paradigm for natural products.

Cu(I)-catalyzed sequential diamination and dehydrogenation of terminal olefins: a facile approach to imidazolinones

Diamination of olefins presents a powerful strategy to access vicinal diamines. During the last decade, metal-catalyzed diamination of olefins has received considerable attention. This study describes an efficient sequential diamination and dehydrogenation process of terminal olefins with CuBr as catalyst and di-tert-butyldiaziridinone as nitrogen source, providing a facile and viable approach to a variety of imidazolin-2-ones, which are important structural motifs present in various biologically active molecules.

Dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids: synthetic approaches and biosynthetic hypotheses

The pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids are a group of structurally unique and biologically interesting marine sponge metabolites. Among them, the cyclic dimers have caught synthetic chemists' attention particularly. Numerous synthetic strategies have been developed and various biosynthetic hypotheses have been proposed for these fascinating natural products. We discuss herein the synthetic approaches and the biosynthetic insights obtained from these studies.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2012 for marine natural products, with 1035 citations (673 for the period January to December 2012) 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 (1241 for 2012), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

A simple method for the electrophilic cyanation of secondary amines

Bleach oxidizes trimethylsilyl cyanide to generate an electrophilic cyanating reagent that readily reacts with an amine nucleophile. This oxidative N-cyanation reaction allows for the preparation of disubstituted cyanamides from amines without using highly toxic cyanogen halides.

A facile synthesis of sialylated oligolactosamine glycans from lactose via the Lafont intermediate

We have developed a facile synthesis of sialylated oligolactosamine glycans, including Neu5Ac-α-2,3LacNAc-β-1,3LacNAc (3′SLN-LN) and Neu5Ac-α-2,3LacNAc-β-1,3LacNAc-β-1,3LacNAc (3′SLN-LN-LN), also providing a useful method for the preparation of 2-amino sugar building blocks.

Visible light-promoted metal-free C-H activation: diarylketone-catalyzed selective benzylic mono- and difluorination

We report herein an operationally simple method for the direct conversion of benzylic C-H groups to C-F. We show that visible light can activate diarylketones to abstract a benzylic hydrogen atom selectively. Adding a fluorine radical donor yields the benzylic fluoride and regenerates the catalyst. The selective formation of mono- and difluorination products can be achieved by catalyst control. 9-Fluorenone catalyzes benzylic C-H monofluorination, while xanthone catalyzes benzylic C-H difluorination. The scope and efficiency of this new C-H fluorination method are significantly better than those of the existing methods. This is also the first report of selective C-H gem-difluorination.

Total Synthesis of Ageliferin via Acyl N-amidinyliminium Ion Rearrangement

Ageliferin is a marine natural product having antiviral and antimicrobial activities. These functions remain to be characterized at a molecular level. Ageliferin is also thought a biosynthetic intermediary linking oroidin type alkaloids to more complex polycyclic derivatives. This scenario has the amino tetrahydrobenzimidazole motif in ageliferin serving as a reduced progenitor of oxidized, ring-contracted spirocycles. Here we describe the reverse. Namely, a concise synthesis of ageliferin which features ring expansion of a spirocyclic precursor - itself derived from reduction. The pathway also provides access to unique isosteres of the axinellamine ring system, allowing new synthetic additions to the growing family of pyrrole / imidazole alkaloids.