Total Synthesis of (-)-Nodulisporic Acids D, C, and B: Evolution of a Unified Synthetic Strategy

Synthesis of the indeno[1,2-b]indole core of janthitrem B

The tetracyclic core structure of the majority of indole diterpenoids features a trans-hydrindane moiety that is fused to an indole unit. We report here a novel synthetic route that includes a photo-Nazarov cyclization of a 3-acylindole precursor initially providing the thermodynamically preferred cis-hydrindanone. After reduction and conversion to the cyclopentadiene, dihydroxylation and hydrogenation provided the indoline. The key step generated the trans-system by stereospecific hydride shift on a dioxaphospholane under Grainger's conditions, for the first time applied to an N-heterocycle. When starting from the corresponding indole, we observed the formation of hitherto unknown methanocyclohepta[b]indolones. Deoxygenation of the trans-hydrindanone was achieved after conversion to the 1,3-dithiolane, followed by RANEY® Ni reduction.

Asymmetric Construction of the Core of C6, C7-Epoxy Daphnane Diterpenoid Orthoesters

Asymmetric construction of the core of C6, C7-epoxy daphnane diterpenoid orthoesters is developed through a convergent synthetic strategy. The salient features include a diastereoselective nucleophilic assembly of two bulky cyclic fragments, an oxidative cleavage/transesterification/aldol cascade to fashion the seven-membered ring, and a base-mediated transesterification/retro-aldol/aldol/epoxidation cascade to install the epoxy moiety with proper stereochemistry.

Synthesis towards Phainanoid F: Photo-induced 6π-Electrocyclization for Constructing Contiguous All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

In this paper, we report an efficient strategy for synthesizing the DEFGH rings of phainanoid F. The key to the construction of the 13,30-cyclodammarane skeleton of the molecule was a photo-induced 6π-electrocyclization and a homoallylic elimination. Notably, this is a rare example of using electrocyclization reaction to simultaneously construct two vicinal quaternary carbons in total synthesis. The strategy outlined here forms the basis of our total synthesis of Phainanoid F, and it could also serve as a generally applicable approach for synthesizing other natural products containing similar 13,30-cyclodammarane skeletons.

Pyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloids: Total Synthesis of Makaluvamines A and K

Herein, an efficient, scalable, and concise approach to an advanced pyrroloiminoquinone synthetic intermediate (6b) by way of a Larock indole synthesis is reported. The synthetic utility of this intermediate is demonstrated by its ready conversion to makaluvamines A (1) and K (4).

Biosynthesis of Nodulisporic Acids: A Multifunctional Monooxygenase Delivers a Complex and Highly Branched Array

Nodulisporic acids (NAs) are structurally complex potent antiinsectan indole diterpenes. We previously reported the biosynthetic gene cluster for these metabolites in Hypoxylon pulicicidum and functionally characterised the first five steps of the biosynthetic pathway. Here we reveal a highly complex biosynthetic array, furnishing multiple end products through expression of cluster components in Penicillium paxilli. We show that seven additional cluster-encoded gene products comprise the biosynthetic machinery that elaborate precursor NAF in this highly branched pathway. The combined action of these enzymes delivers 37 NA congeners including four major end products, NAA, NAA₁ , NAA₂ and NAA₄ . The plethora of intermediates arises due to modification of the carboxylated prenyl tail by a single promiscuous P450 monooxygenase, NodJ, a pivotal branchpoint enzyme which produces four distinct biosynthetic products giving rise to the complex metabolic grid that characterises NA biosynthesis.

Synthesis of rearranged indole diterpenes of the paxilline type

Covering: up to 2021Rearranged indole diterpenes of the paxilline type comprise a large group of fungal metabolites that possess diverse structural features and potentially useful biological effects. The unique indoloterpenoid motif, which is common to all congeners, was first confirmed by crystallographic studies of paxilline. This family of natural products has fascinated organic chemists for the past four decades and has inspired numerous syntheses and synthetic approaches. The present review highlights efforts that have laid the foundation and introduced new directions to this field of natural product synthesis. The introduction includes a summary of biosynthetic considerations and biological activities, the main body of the manuscript provides a detailed discussion of selected syntheses, and the review concludes with a brief outlook on the future of the field.

Asymmetric total synthesis of prostaglandin C2 TBS ether

We disclose an asymmetric total synthesis of prostaglandin C₂ TBS ether, a derivative of an extremely sensitive natural prostaglandin C₂. The key to the synthesis is a SmI₂-mediated ketyl-enoate reaction that leads to the formation of the functionalized cyclopentane ring with high-level stereochemical control. Access to the crucial alkene system is realized late in the synthesis by the implementation of a Grignard addition/dehydration/metathesis sequence.

Total Synthesis of Mycinamicin IV as Integral Part of a Collective Approach to Macrolide Antibiotics

The total synthesis of the 16‐membered macrolide mycinamicin IV is outlined, which complements our previously disclosed, largely catalysis‐based route to the aglycone. This work must also be seen in the context of our recent conquest of aldgamycin N, a related antibiotic featuring a similar core but a distinctly different functionalization pattern. Taken together, these projects prove that the underlying blueprint is integrative and hence qualifies for a collective approach to this prominent class of natural products. In both cases, the final glycosylation phase mandated close attention and was accomplished only after robust de novo syntheses of the (di)deoxy sugars of the desosamine, chalcose, mycinose and aldgarose types had been established. Systematic screening of the glycosidation promoter was also critically important for success.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Indole Diterpenes Paspalicine, Paspalinine, and Paspalinine-13-ene

Paspaline-derived indole diterpenes (IDTs) are structurally complex mycotoxins with unique tremorgenic activity. Reported are asymmetric total syntheses of three paspaline-derived IDTs paspalicine, paspalinine and paspalinine-13-ene. Our synthesis features a green Achmatowicz rearrangement/bicycloketalization for the efficient construction of FG rings (75 % yield) and a cascade ring-closing metathesis of dienyne for highly regioselective formation of CD rings (72 % yield). Other highlights include four palladium-mediated reactions (Stille, aza-Wacker, Suzuki, and Heck) to forge the BE rings and the installation of two continuous all-carbon quaternary stereocenters via reductive ring-opening of cyclopropane and α-methylation of the conjugate ester. Our new synthetic strategy is expected to be applicable to the chemical synthesis of other paspaline-derived IDTs and will facilitate the bioactivity studies of these agriculturally and pharmacologically important IDTs.

Total Synthesis of Shearinines D and G: A Convergent Approach to Indole Diterpenoids

The first total syntheses of the indole diterpenoids (+)‐shearinine G and D are disclosed. The successful routes rely on late‐stage coupling of two complex fragments. Formation of the challenging trans‐hydrindane motif was accomplished by diastereoselective, intramolecular cyclopropanation. A one‐pot sequence consisting of Sharpless dihydroxylation/Achmatowicz reaction was developed to install the dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif. The indenone subunit was accessed by Prins cyclization. Tuning the electronic nature of the substituents on the parent arylcarboxaldehyde allowed access to divergent products that were further transformed into shearinines G and D. Riley‐type oxidation of a bicyclic enone yielded a surprising stereochemical outcome.

Late-Stage Diversification: A Motivating Force in Organic Synthesis

Interest in therapeutic discovery typically drives the preparation of natural product analogs, but these undertakings contribute significant advances for synthetic chemistry as well. The need for a highly efficient and scalable synthetic route to a complex molecular scaffold for diversification frequently inspires new methodological development or unique application of existing methods on structurally intricate systems. Additionally, synthetic planning with an aim toward late-stage diversification can provide access to otherwise unavailable compounds or facilitate preparation of complex molecules with diverse patterns of substitution around a shared carbon framework. For these reasons among others, programs dedicated to the diversification of natural product frameworks and other complex molecular scaffolds have been increasing in popularity, a trend likely to continue given their fruitfulness and breadth of impact. In this Perspective, we discuss our experience using late-stage diversification as a guiding principle for the synthesis of natural product analogs and reflect on the impact such efforts have on the future of complex molecule synthesis.

New Methods and Strategies in the Synthesis of Terpenoid Natural Products

Indoloterpenoids of the paxilline type belong to a large family of secondary metabolites that exhibit unique molecular architectures and a diverse set of biological activities. More than 100 congeners identified to date share a common structural motif that contains an indole moiety fused to a rearranged diterpenoid fragment. The representative physiological and cellular effects attributed to this family of natural products include neurological and insecticidal activities, modulation of lipid balance, and inhibition of mitosis. The uniting polycyclic motif combined with the diversity of individual structural features of paxilline indoloterpenoids and the broad scope of their biological activities have fascinated organic chemists for the past four decades and have led to the development of numerous syntheses. In this Account, we describe our contributions to this field and how they in turn shape new directions that are developing in our laboratory.We begin with the discussion of our strategy for the synthesis of the shared indoloterpenoid core. To address stereochemical challenges encountered in earlier reports, we planned to leverage a suitably substituted cyclopentanone in a polycyclization to form the desired trans-decalin motif. This polycyclization relied on a radical-polar crossover cascade initiated by hydrogen atom transfer. The original process exhibited poor diastereoselectivity, but we discovered an efficient solution to this problem that took advantage of intramolecular tethering effects, culminating in short synthesis of emindole SB. During these studies, we also identified indium-mediated alkenylation of silyl enol ethers with alkynes as a suitable method for the synthesis of highly substituted β,γ-unsaturated ketones that was critical to achieving brevity of our route. We subsequently developed a catalytic version of this transformation that allowed for a formal bimolecular ene reaction that exhibited unusual and potentially useful selectivity in construction of quaternary centers.To test the scope and limitations of our approach to paxilline indoloterpenoids and identify potential improvements, we developed a synthesis of the more complex congener nodulisporic acid C. The convergent assembly of this natural product was enabled by identification of new elements of stereocontrol in the radical-polar crossover polycyclization en route to the polycyclic terpenoid motif and development of a highly diastereoselective enyne cycloisomerization to access the indenopyran motif and a ketone arylation protocol to unite the two complex fragments.In subsequent studies, we expanded the radical-polar crossover cascade underlying our approach to paxilline indoloterpenoids to a bimolecular setting, which allowed for annulation of two unsaturated carbonyl components to produce functionalized cyclohexanes. This transformation is particularly well suited for installation of fully substituted carbons and can be complementary to the venerable Diels-Alder reaction. The utility of the new annulation was tested in the synthesis of forskolin, allowing for rapid construction of the complex polycyclic motif in this densely functionalized labdane diterpenoid.Over the past five years, our initial forays into the synthesis of paxilline indoloterpenoids have grown into a program that incorporates development of new synthetic methods and pursues artificial assembly of terpenoid natural products from several different families. We are encouraged by the increasing diversity of structural motifs made accessible by application of this chemistry and continue to discover new aspects of the underlying reactivity.

Recent advances in the total syntheses of indole diterpenoids

Indole diterpenoids constitute a large family of natural products that are characterized by a hybrid molecular architecture consisting of an indole nucleus and diterpenoid moiety. Their pharmacologically and agriculturally important biological properties as well as intriguing molecular architectures have attracted much attention from many synthetic organic chemists. In 2012, we succeeded in the concise total synthesis of a paspalane-type indole diterpenoid, namely paspalinine, by developing a highly efficient indole ring formation protocol. After the report of this total synthesis, 4 research groups achieved the total syntheses of other paspalane- and nodulisporane-type indole diterpenoids using current state-of-the-art methods. This review summarizes the total syntheses of the paspalane- and nodulisporane-type indole diterpenoids that were described in the last 10 years.

Recent Progress in Steroid Synthesis Triggered by the Emergence of New Catalytic Methods

The rich biology associated with steroids dictates a growing demand for the new synthetic strategies that would improve the access to natural and unnatural representatives of this family. The recent advances in the field of catalysis have greatly impacted the field of natural product synthesis including the synthesis of steroids. This article provides a short overview of the recent progress in the synthesis of steroids that was enabled by the advances in catalysis.

Total synthesis of alkaloids using both chemical and biochemical methods

A chemoenzymatic approach to synthesize structurally complex natural alkaloids (tetrahydroisoquinoline antibiotics, indole diterpenes, and monoterpene indole alkaloids) has been reviewed.

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.

Catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition en route to paxilline indoloterpenoids

Development of enantioselective synthesis of precursor en route to paxilline indoloterpenoids is described. Evaluation of 25 diphosphine-based ligands has led to identification of JosiPhos derivative that allows for asymmetric conjugate addition of homoprenyl Grignard reagent to 2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one in excellent yield and with appreciable levels of enantioinduction. Application to the conjugate addition of other Grignard reagents is demonstrated.

Selective Hydroboration of Carboxylic Acids with a Homogeneous Manganese Catalyst

Catalytic reduction of carboxylic acid to the corresponding alcohol is a challenging task of great importance for the production of a variety of value-added chemicals. Herein, a manganese-catalyzed chemoselective hydroboration of carboxylic acids has been developed with a high turnover number (>99 000) and turnover frequency (>2000 h^-1) at 25 °C. This method displayed tolerance of electronically and sterically differentiated substrates with high chemoselectivity. Importantly, aliphatic long-chain fatty acids, including biomass-derived compounds, can efficiently be reduced. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction occurs through the formation of active manganese-hydride species via an insertion and bond metathesis type mechanism.

Twelve-Step Asymmetric Synthesis of (-)-Nodulisporic Acid C

A short, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-nodulisporic acid C is described. The route features two highly diastereoselective polycyclizations en route to the terpenoid core and the indenopyran fragment and a highly convergent assembly of a challenging indole moiety. Application of this chemistry allows for a 12-step synthesis of the target indoloterpenoid from commercially available material.