Construction of an advanced tetracyclic intermediate for total synthesis of the marine alkaloid sarain A

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of an Advanced Intermediate of (+)-Sarain A

The first organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of an advanced intermediate of (+)-sarain A was achieved. This approach featured the employment of an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition reaction and a nitrogen-to-carbon chirality transfer to forge three chiral centers, as well as a catalytic hydrosilylation for the chemoselective reduction of a key lactam intermediate. The tricyclic intermediate contained all the required functionalities for elaborating into (+)-sarain A.

Recent progress on the total syntheses of macrocyclic diamine alkaloids

This review highlights the progress and challenges in the chemical synthesis of macrocyclic diamine alkaloids since 2006.

The Saraine Alkaloids

Saraines have been isolated by the group of Cimino from the marine sponge Reniera sarai collected in the Bay of Naples. These alkaloids can be classified into two categories, depending on the type of their structure. Saraines 1-3 and isosaraines 1-3 are characterized by a trans-2-oxoquinolizidine moiety bound directly to a tetrahydropyridine ring, both nuclei being also linked by two alkyl chains of different lengths. On the other hand, saraines A-C and misenine present a diazatricyclic central core, showing an unusual interaction between an aldehyde and a tertiary amine and giving them a zwitterionic character, and flanked with two chains forming macrocycles. In a first part of the chapter, the isolation, spectral data, and structure elucidation of saraines are presented. Biological properties and biogenetic proposals concerning these compounds are then described. The most important part is devoted to synthetic approaches and total synthesis of saraine A.

Sulfonylation-induced N- to O-acetyl migration in 2-acetamidoethanol derivatives

The first example of sulfonylation-induced N- to O-acetyl migration of 2-acetamidoethanol derivatives is described. This type of reaction could happen with any 2-acetamidoethanol derivatives under typical sulfonylation conditions (TsCl or MsCl, pyridine) and might be a common side reaction of significance. Furthermore, the results reveal that 2-acetamidoethanol derivatives with a sterically encumbered hydroxyl group result in the migration products in high yields. The mechanism of the migration reaction is discussed.

Total synthesis of (+)-sarain A

This article describes the details of our synthetic studies toward the complex marine alkaloid sarain A. Various strategies were conceived, setbacks encountered, and solutions developed, ultimately leading to a successful enantioselective total synthesis. Our route to (+)-sarain A features a number of key steps, including an asymmetric Michael addition to install the C4'-C3'-C7' stereotriad, an enoxysilane-N-sulfonyliminium ion cyclization to set the C3 quaternary carbon stereocenter, and assemble the diazatricycloundecane core, a ring-closing metathesis to construct the 13-membered ring, an intramolecular Stille coupling to fashion the unsaturated 14-membered macrocycle, and a late-stage installation of the tertiary amine-aldehyde proximity interaction.

Green and efficient synthesis of bidentate Schiff base Ru catalysts for olefin metathesis

A simple, green synthetic protocol to bidentate Schiff base substituted ruthenium carbene complexes is described. These complexes are potent catalysts for olefin metathesis, but the original synthetic route employs the Schiff base ligands in the form of highly toxic thallium(I) salts. The new protocol involves a two-step, quasi-one-pot approach and silver(I) carbonate as base. The target ruthenium carbene complexes are obtained in yields that are similar to, or better than, those of the original protocol.