Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Arboridinine

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Cyathin B2: A Desymmetric Double-Allylboration Approach

A powerful Pt-catalyzed asymmetric diboration/desymmetric double-allylboration cascade reaction has been developed for the construction of synthetically useful, densely functionalized hydrindanes with five stereocenters, including three quaternary ones, in good yields and excellent enantiomeric excess (ee) values within a single synthetic operation. A unified strategy utilizing this key tandem methodology enabled the concise asymmetric total synthesis of cyathane diterpene (-)-Cyathin B2 in 14 steps from commercially available starting materials, thereby demonstrating its remarkable potential in the synthesis of hydrindane-containing natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Cephalotane diterpenoids: structural diversity, biological activity, biosynthetic proposal, and chemical synthesis

Covering: up to the end of 2023Cephalotane diterpenoids are a unique class of natural products exclusive to the genus Cephalotaxus, featuring a rigid 7,6,5,6-fused tetracyclic architecture. The study of cephalotanes dates back to the 1970s, when harringtonolide (1), a Cephalotaxus troponoid with a peculiar norditerpenoid carbon skeleton, was first discovered. In recent years, prototype C20 diterpenoids proposed as cephalotane were disclosed, which triggered intense studies on this diterpenoid family. To date, a cumulative total of 105 cephalotane diterpenoids with great structural diversity and biological importance have been isolated. In addition, significant advances have been made in the field of total synthesis and biosynthesis of cephalotanes in recent years. This review provides a complete overview of the chemical structures, bioactivities, biosynthetic aspects, and completed total synthesis of all the isolated cephalotane diterpenoids, which will help guide future research on this class of compounds.

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.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Arboduridine

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloid arboduridine has been accomplished. The tricyclic A/B/D ring system was constructed by an enantioselective Michael reaction followed by intramolecular nucleophilic addition. Intramolecular α-amination of a ketone forged the piperidine ring, while a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction was used to form the pyrrolidine ring. A reduction cyclization cascade led to formation of the tetrahydrofuran ring.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Cephalotanin B

Cephalotaxus diterpenoids are attractive natural products with intriguing molecular frameworks and promising biological features. As a structurally unusual member, (-)-cephalotanin B possesses an extraordinarily congested heptacyclic skeleton, three lactone units, and nine consecutive stereocenters. Herein, we report an enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cephalotanin B based on a divergent asymmetric Michael addition reaction, a novel Pauson-Khand/deacyloxylation process discovered in the development of a second-generation stereoselective Pauson-Khand reaction protocol, and an epoxide-opening/elimination/dual-lactonization cascade to construct the challenging propeller-shaped A-B-C ring system as key transformations.

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloid dimers from the Melodinus axillaris induce G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis via p38 MAPK activation in HCT116 cells

Four monoterpenoid indole alkaloid dimers (MIADs), axidimins A-D (1-4), which possesses unprecedented apidosperma-aspidosperma-type skeletons, along with twelve known MIAs were isolated from Melodinus axillaris. Their structures were established by comprehensive analysis of the HRESIMS, NMR, ECD calculation and DP4 + analysis. A possible biosynthetic pathway for axidimins A-D was proposed. In vitro, axidimins C and D exhibited significant cytotoxicities against HCT116 cells with IC50 values of 5.3 μM and 3.9 μM, respectively. The results obtained from flow cytometry and Western blot analysis clearly demonstrated that axidimins C and D significantly induced a reverse G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis of HCT116 cells. The potential mechanism of axidimins C and D on HCT116 cells were thoroughly discussed through the utilization of network pharmacology and molecular docking research. Subsequently, the selected targets were validated using Western blot and CETSA analysis, confirming that axidimins C and D exert its cytotoxic effects through the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway, ultimately leading to HCT116 cells death. This study provides evidence indicating that axidimins C and D have the potential to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCT116 cells by modulating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings offer a novel perspective for the development of anti-colorectal cancer drugs.

Synthesis of chiral malonates by α-alkylation of 2,2-diphenylethyl tert-butyl malonates via enantioselective phase-transfer catalysis

An efficient synthetic approach for chiral malonates was established via enantioselective phase transfer catalysis. The α-alkylation of 2,2-diphenylethyl tert-butyl α-methylmalonates with (S,S)-3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-NAS bromide as a phase-transfer catalyst under phase-transfer catalytic conditions successfully produced corresponding α-methyl-α-alkylmalonates; these compounds are versatile chiral building blocks containing a quaternary carbon center in high chemical yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). α,α-Dialkylmalonates were selectively hydrolyzed to the corresponding chiral malonic monoacids under basic (KOH/MeOH) and acidic conditions (TFA/CH₂Cl₂), showing the practicality of the method.

Iodine(III)-Mediated C-C Bond Coupling to Construct Spirocyclic Indolenines of Various Ring Sizes

Herein, we report a novel iodine(III)-mediated intramolecular dearomative spirocyclization of indole derivatives to generate highly strained spirocyclobutyl, spirocyclopentyl, and spirocyclohexyl indolenines in moderate to good yields. A set of structurally novel, densely functionalized spiroindolenines with broad functional group compatibility was efficiently constructed in this way under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the β-enamine ester as a versatile functional group in the product provides great convenience for the synthesis of bioactive compounds and related natural products.

Dearomative logic in natural product total synthesis

Covering: 2011 to 2022The natural world is a prolific source of some of the most interesting, rare, and complex molecules known, harnessing sophisticated biosynthetic machinery evolved over billions of years for their production. Many of these natural products represent high-value targets of total synthesis, either for their desirable biological activities or for their beautiful structures outright; yet, the high sp3-character often present in nature's molecules imparts significant topological complexity that pushes the limits of contemporary synthetic technology. Dearomatization is a foundational strategy for generating such intricacy from simple materials that has undergone considerable maturation in recent years. This review highlights the recent achievements in the field of dearomative methodology, with a focus on natural product total synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. Disconnection guidelines and a three-phase dearomative logic are described, and a spotlight is given to nature's use of dearomatization in the biosynthesis of various classes of natural products. Synthetic studies from 2011 to 2021 are reviewed, and 425 references are cited.

Pd-Catalyzed Cascade Intramolecular Heck Cyclization/Dearomatization of Indoles for the Construction of Two All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

A facile Pd-catalyzed cascade of intramolecular Heck cyclization/alkylpalladium activated dearomatization of aryl alkyne-tethered indole is described. In this single step two nonadjacent all-carbon quaternary centers, two nitrogen-containing heterocycles, and three C(sp²)-C(sp³) bonds are efficiently furnished. These products could also undergo 5-to-6 ring migration-expansion reaction under Brønsted-acid conditions to transform into the benzo[c]carbazole skeletons.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Alstonlarsine A

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-alstonlarsine A has been realized. The prominent features of the current synthesis include the following: (i) a Pd/self-adaptable ligand complex-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of 2-methyl-2-cyclopentenyl carbonate with 2-indolylsubstituted dimethyl malonate to establish the key stereocenter of C15, (ii) an intramolecular nitrile oxide-alkene [3 + 2] cycloaddition (INOC [3 + 2]) to construct the cyclohepta[b]indole backbone with the installment of the requisite stereochemistry of the all-carbon quaternary center of C20, and (iii) a late-stage interrupted Pictet-Spengler reaction (IPSR) to rapidly assemble the core structure of (+)-alstonlarsine A.

Formal Synthesis of Arboridinine Enabled by a Double-Mannich Reaction

A formal synthesis of arboridinine has been achieved. In this synthesis, a double-Mannich reaction of the complex multisubstituted cyclohexanone was used to form the core skeleton of arboridinine.

Total synthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (–)-arbophyllidine

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (–)-arbophyllidine, an unusual pentacyclic monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, has been achieved.

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.

Divergent Synthesis of Skeletally Distinct Arboridinine and Arborisidine

A divergent synthesis of skeletally distinct arboridinine and arborisidine was achieved. The central divergent strategy was inspired by the divergent biosynthetic cyclization mode of arboridinine and arborisidine and their hidden topological connection. The branch point was reached through a Michael and Mannich cascade process. A site-selective intramolecular Mannich reaction was developed to construct the tetracyclic core of arboridinine, while a site-selective intramolecular α-amination of ketone was used to access the tetracyclic core of arborisidine. A strategic Peterson olefination through intramolecular nucleophile delivery was able to set up the exocyclic olefin of arboridinine.

Intramolecular Sakurai Allylation of Geminal Bis(silyl) Enamide with Indolenine. A Diastereoselective Cyclization To Form Functionalized Hexahydropyrido[3,4-b]Indole

A fluoride-promoted intramolecular Sakurai allylation of geminal bis(silyl) enamide with indolenine has been developed. The reaction facilitates an efficient cyclization to give hexahydropyrido[3,4-b]indoles in good yields with high diastereoselectivity. The resulted cis, trans-stereochemistry further enables the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction of two alkene moieties, giving a tetracyclic N-hetereocycle widely found as the core structure in akuammiline alkaloids.

Copper-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Ynones Coupled with Dearomatizing Spirocyclization of Indoles: Access to CF3-Containing Spiro[cyclopentane-1,3'-indole]

A one-pot protocol for the Cu(I)-catalyzed difunctionalization of indolyl ynones has been achieved via trifluoromethylation of alkyne followed by dearomatizing spirocyclization of indoles. This cascade process enables constructing diverse CF₃-containing spiro[cyclopentane-1,3'-indole] scaffolds in moderate to excellent yields which have challenging quaternary spirocyclic carbon and tetrasubstituted alkenes.

Synthesis of cyclobutane-fused oxygen-containing tricyclic framework via thermally promoted intramolecular cycloaddition of cyclohexadienone-tethered allenes

We have developed a unique approach for the thermally promoted cycloaddition of cyclohexadienone-tethered allenes to form a versatile cyclobutane-fused oxygen-containing tricyclic framework in an environmentally friendly and atomic economic fashion with high regioselectivity. The reaction encompasses a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance of cyclohexadienone moieties. Moreover, the cycloaddition was also applicable to the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

A General Method for Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Hydroxylation of Carboxylic Acids

A general and practical method for decarboxylative hydroxylation of carboxylic acids was developed through visible light-induced photocatalysis using molecular oxygen as the green oxidant. The addition of NaBH₄ to in situ reduce the unstable peroxyl radical intermediate much broadened the substrate scope. Different sp³ carbon-bearing carboxylic acids were successfully employed as substrates, including phenylacetic acid-type substrates, as well as aliphatic carboxylic acids. This transformation worked smoothly on primary, secondary, and tertiary carboxylic acids.

The indole-based subincanadine alkaloids and their biogenetic congeners

The tryptamine-derived polycyclic bridged bioactive indole alkaloids subincanadines A-G were isolated in 2002 by Ohsaki and coworkers from the bark of the Brazilian medicinal plant Aspidosperma subincanum. Kobayashi proposed that subincanadines D-F could be biosynthetically resulting from stemmadenine via two different pathways and, furthermore, that the subincanadines A-C could be biogenetically resulting from subincanadines D and E. Kam and coworkers, in their focused efforts, isolated five indole alkaloids from Malaysian Kopsia arborea species, namely valparicine, apparicine, arboridinine, arborisidine, and arbornamine in combination with subincanadine E. On the basis of structural features, it has been proposed and proved in some examples that subincanadine E is a biogenetic precursor of these five different bioactive indole alkaloids bearing complex structural architectures. All important information on isolation, characterization, bioactivity, probable biogenetic pathways, and more specifically racemic and enantioselective total synthesis of subincanadine alkaloids and their biogenetic congeners are summarized in the present chapter. Special importance is given to the total synthesis and the synthetic strategies intended therein, comprising a set of main reactions.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Arborisidine

The first total synthesis of arborisidine, a unique Kopsia indole alkaloid possessing a fully substituted cyclohexanone ring system with two quaternary carbons, has been achieved in seven steps in racemic format from tryptamine and in nine steps in asymmetric format from d-tryptophan methyl ester. Key elements of the design include a carefully orchestrated decyanation protocol to finalize the asymmetric formation of an aza-quaternary center that is challenging to access in optically active format via direct Pictet-Spengler cyclizations with tryptamine, a metal-promoted 6- endo-dig cyclization of an enyne to establish the second core quaternary center, and regiospecific functionalizations of the resultant complex diene to finalize the target structure. The distinct and efficient nature of the developed solution is highlighted by several unsuccessful approaches and unexpected rearrangements.