Total Synthesis of (+)-Ambruticin S: Probing the Pharmacophoric Subunit

Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropanes from Vinyl Sulfoxonium Ylides Catalyzed by a Chiral-at-Metal Rh(III) Complex

A chiral-at-metal Rh(III) complex-mediated [2+1] cyclization of vinyl sulfoxonium ylides with α,β-unsaturated 2,2-acylimidazoles has been demonstrated for the first time. This work provides a practical approach for assembling 1,2,3-trisubstituted chiral cyclopropane with alkyl structural units, which had advantages such as a wide range of substrates, good functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions. In addition, further amplification experiments and transformation of cycloaddition products were carried out to highlight the practicality of the method.

My 50-Plus Years of Academic Research Collaborations with Industry. A Retrospective

A retrospective is presented highlighting the synthesis of selected "first-in-kind" natural products, their synthetic analogues, structure elucidations, and rationally designed bioactive synthetic compounds that were accomplished because of collaborations with past and present pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies. Medicinal chemistry projects involving structure-based design exploiting cocrystal structures of small molecules with biologically relevant enzymes, receptors, and bacterial ribosomes with synthetic small molecules leading to marketed products, clinical candidates, and novel drug prototypes were realized in collaboration. Personal reflections, historical insights, behind the scenes stories from various long-term projects are shared in this retrospective article.

Combining total synthesis and genetic engineering to probe dihydropyran formation in ambruticin biosynthesis

The ambruticins are a family of potent antifungal polyketide derived natural products isolated from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. Their unusual structures include a trisubstituted cyclopropyl group and two oxygen heterocycles, a tetrahydropyran (THP) and dihydropyran (DHP). Herein we report a flexible modular approach for the total synthesis of ambruticins which is used to prepare ambruticins F and S as well as in the first total synthesis of 20,21-dihydroambruticin F. The flexible strategy unites 3 fragments via Julia-Kocienski olefinations and provides important standards for investigation of dihydropyran formation in ambruticin biosynthesis. Cultures of wild-type S. cellulosum So ce10 produce mainly ambruticin S and the VS series of metabolites. An efficient electroporation method enabled gene knockout experiments which revealed that the ΔambP-S mutant of S. cellulosum accumulated the bisTHP polyketide 20,21-dihydroambruticin F. In contrast, the ΔambN-S mutant gave ambruticin F with the 20,21-alkene as the major metabolite confirming that AmbP and AmbO (a Rieske enzyme and flavin-dependent monooxygenase respectively) are implicated in 20,21-alkene formation. The results of feeding studies to a Sorangium strain containing only ambP and ambO are in accord with formation of the 20,21-alkene occurring prior to generation of the C3 to C7 dihydroxylated tetrahydropyran in ambruticin biosynthesis.

Recent advances on synthesis of C-glycosides

In recent years, C-glycosides have emerged as significant building blocks for many naturally occurring alkaloids and pharmaceutically active drug molecules. Therefore, significant efforts have been devoted to the construction of structurally important C-glycosidic linkages in carbohydrate compounds. Herein, we have summarized the recent developments of diverse synthesis of C-glycoside core between the time period from 2019 to 2022 focusing on different catalytic strategies, such as (i) transition-metal, and (ii) metal-free catalytic approaches. Further, the transition metal catalyzed C-glycosylations have been categorized into four sub classes: (a) metal based C-H activation, (b) cross-coupling reaction, (c) glycosyl radical intermediate-based process, and (d) Others.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropanes from Sulfoxonium Ylides Catalyzed by a Chiral-at-Metal Rh(III) Complex

An enantioselective cyclopropanation reaction of sulfoxonium ylides with β,γ-unsaturated ketoesters catalyzed by a chiral rhodium catalyst has been realized. A variety of optically pure 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes was synthesized in 48-89% yields, with up to 99% ee, and with dr >20:1. Furthermore, research shows that a weak coordination between the chiral rhodium catalyst and β,γ-unsaturated ketoesters was responsible for the high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity of the corresponding products.

Catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of sulfoxonium ylides catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex

An efficient asymmetric cyclopropanation of sulfoxonium ylides with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex has been developed.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of the Putative Biosynthetic Intermediate Ambruticin J

The family of anti-fungal natural products known as the ambruticins are structurally distinguished by a pair of pyran rings adorning a divinylcyclopropane core. Previous characterization of their biosynthesis, including the expression of a genetically modified producing organism, revealed that the polyketide synthase pathway proceeds via a diol intermediate, known as ambruticin J. Herein, we report the first enantioselective total synthesis of the putative PKS product, ambruticin J, according to a triply convergent synthetic route featuring a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and a Julia-Kocienski olefination for fragment assembly. This synthesis takes advantage of synthetic methodology previously developed by our laboratory for the stereoselective generation of the trisubstituted cyclopropyl linchpin.

Rh(II)-Catalyzed Alkynylcyclopropanation of Alkenes by Decarbenation of Alkynylcycloheptatrienes

Alkynylcyclopropanes have found promising applications in both organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry but remain rather underexplored due to the challenges associated with their preparation. We describe a convenient two-step methodology for the alkynylcyclopropanation of alkenes, based on the rhodium(II)-catalyzed decarbenation of 7-alkynyl cycloheptatrienes. The catalytic system employed circumvents a fundamental problem associated with these substrates, which usually evolve via 6-endo-dig cyclization or ring-contraction pathways under metal catalysis. This unique performance unlocks a rapid access to a diverse library of alkynylcyclopropanes (including derivatives of complex drug-like molecules), versatile intermediates that previously required much lengthier synthetic approaches. Combining experiments and DFT calculations, the complete mechanistic picture for the divergent reactivity of alkynylcycloheptatrienes under metal catalysis has been unveiled, rationalizing the unique selectivity displayed by rhodium(II) complexes.

Ambruticins: tetrahydropyran ring formation and total synthesis

The ambruticins are a family of polyketide natural products which exhibit potent antifungal activity. Gene knockout experiments are in accord with the proposal that the tetrahydropyran ring of the ambruticins is formed via the AmbJ catalysed epoxidation of the unsaturated 3,5-dihydroxy acid, ambruticin J, followed by regioselective cyclisation to ambruticin F. Herein, a convergent approach to the total synthesis of ambruticin J is described as well as model studies involving epoxidation and cyclisations of unsaturated hydroxy esters to give tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans. The total synthesis involves preparation of three key fragments which were united via a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and Julia-Kocienski olefination to generate the required carbon framework. Global deprotection to a triol and selective oxidation of the primary alcohol gave, after hydrolysis of the lactone, ambruticin J.

Perrhenate Esters as Intermediates in Molecular Complexity-Increasing Reactions

Allylic alcohols form perrhenate esters upon reaction with Re2O7 or HOReO3. These species undergo nonstereospecific and nonregiospecific alcohol-transposition reactions through cationic intermediates. Sequencing these nonselective processes with reversible trapping by electrophiles results in cyclization reactions where regio- and stereocontrol are dictated by thermodynamics. The cationic intermediates can also be utilized as electrophiles in intra- or intermolecular dehydrative reactions with nucleophiles. These processes serve as the basis for applications in catalytic syntheses of a wide range of heterocyclic and carbocyclic structures that often show considerable increases in molecular complexity. This Account describes a sequence of events that started from a need to solve a problem for the completion of a natural product synthesis and evolved into a central element in the design of numerous new transformations that proceed under mild conditions from readily accessible substrates.

1 Introduction

2 Exploratory Studies

3 Application to Spiroketal Synthesis

4 Reactions with Epoxides as Trapping Agents

5 Development of Dehydrative Cyclizations

6 Bimolecular Reactions

7 Spirocyclic Ether Formation

8 Conclusions

The ambruticins and jerangolids - chemistry, biology and chemoenzymatic synthesis of potent antifungal drug candidates

Covering: 1977 to 2020The ambruticins and jerangolids are myxobacterial reduced polyketides, which are produced via highly unusual biosynthetic pathways containing a plethora of non-canonical enzymatic transformations. Since the discovery of the first congeners in the late 1970s, they have been in the focus of drug development due to their good antifungal activity and low toxicity in mammals, which result from interaction with an unusual innercellular target in fungi. Despite significant efforts, which have led to the development of various total syntheses, their structural complexity has yet avoided full exploitation of their pharmacological potential. This article summarises biological, total and semisynthetic as well as biosynthetic studies on both compounds. An outlook on the biosynthesis-based approaches to them and their derivatives is presented. Due to the structural and biosynthetic characteristics of the ambruticins and jerangolids, chemoenzymatic processes that make use of their biosynthetic pathway enzymes are particularly promising to gain efficient access to derivative libraries for structure activity relationship studies.

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.

Recent progress of C-glycosylation methods in the total synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals

C-Glycosylation has found widespread use in the synthesis of biomedically important natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Reactivity of (1-methoxycarbonylpentadienyl)iron(1+) cations with hydride, methyl, and nitrogen nucleophiles

The reaction of tricarbonyl and (dicarbonyl)triphenylphosphine (1-methoxycarbonyl-pentadientyl)iron(1+) cations 7 and 8 with methyl lithium, NaBH₃CN, or potassium phthalimide affords (pentenediyl)iron complexes 9a-c and 11a-b, while reaction with dimethylcuprate, gave (E,Z-diene)iron complexes 10 and 12. Oxidatively induced-reductive elimination of 9a-c gave vinylcyclopropanecarboxylates 17a-c. The optically active vinylcyclopropane (+)-17a, prepared from (1S)-7, undergoes olefin cross-metathesis with excess (+)-18 to yield (+)-19, a C9-C16 synthon for the antifungal agent ambruticin. Alternatively reaction of 7 with methanesulfonamide or trimethylsilylazide gave (E,E-diene)iron complexes 14d and e. Huisgen [3+2] cyclization of the (azidodienyl)iron complex 14e with alkynes afforded triazoles 25a-e.

Discovery of the first small-molecule CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors using biophysical screening technologies

AIM

CsrA is a global post-transcriptional regulator protein affecting mRNA translation and/or stability. Widespread among bacteria, it is essential for their full virulence and thus represents a promising anti-infective drug target. Therefore, we aimed at the discovery of CsrA-RNA interaction inhibitors. Results & methodology: We followed two strategies: a screening of small molecules (A) and an RNA ligand-based approach (B). Using surface plasmon resonance-based binding and fluorescence polarization-based competition assays, (A) yielded seven small-molecule inhibitors, among them MM14 (IC50 of 4 µM). (B) resulted in RNA-based inhibitor GGARNA (IC50 of 113 µM).

CONCLUSION

The first small-molecule inhibitors of the CsrA-RNA interaction were discovered exhibiting micromolar affinities. These hits represent tools to investigate the effects of CsrA-RNA interaction inhibition on bacterial virulence.

One-Carbon Homologation of Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids, Esters, and Amides via Mitsunobu Reactions with MAC Reagents

A method is reported for the one-carbon homologation of an alcohol to the extended carboxylic acid, ester, or amide. The process involves the Mitsunobu reaction with an alkoxymalononitrile, followed by unmasking in the presence of a suitable nucleophile. The homologation and unmasking can even be performed in a one-pot process in high yield.

An entry to vinylcyclopropane through palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes with unstabilized allylic tosylhydrazones

Intramolecular cyclopropanation of unstabilized allylic tosylhydrazones with different alkenes was developed in the presence of a Pd catalyst.

Application of cyclic phosphonamide reagents in the total synthesis of natural products and biologically active molecules

A review of the synthesis of natural products and bioactive compounds adopting phosphonamide anion technology is presented highlighting the utility of phosphonamide reagents in stereocontrolled bond-forming reactions. Methodologies utilizing phosphonamide anions in asymmetric alkylations, Michael additions, olefinations, and cyclopropanations will be summarized, as well as an overview of the synthesis of the employed phosphonamide reagents.

Single-electron/pericyclic cascade for the synthesis of dienes

The highly efficient and diastereoselective synthesis of E dienes has been accomplished through radical cyclization of bromoallyl hydrazones. This methodology has been further extended to generate these products through a one-pot condensation/radical cyclization/cycloreversion cascade from simple aldehyde starting materials in high yields (>75%) and high diastereoselectivities (>95:5). Mechanistic investigations suggest that the cascade reaction proceeds through a cyclic diazene intermediate prior to the cycloreversion.

A novel catalytic asymmetric route towards skipped dienes with a methyl-substituted central stereogenic carbon

A highly efficient method for the enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dienes (skipped dienes) with a methyl-substituted central stereogenic carbon using copper-catalysed asymmetric allylic alkylation of diene bromides was developed. Excellent regio- and enantioselectivity (up to 97 : 3 SN2'/SN2 ratio and 99% ee) were achieved with broad substrate scope.

On the proposed structures and stereocontrolled synthesis of the cephalosporolides

The synthesis of four candidate stereoisomers of cephalosporolide H is described, made possible by a zinc-chelation strategy for controlling the stereochemistry of oxygenated 5,5-spiroketals. The same strategy likewise enables the first stereocontrolled synthesis of cephalosporolide E, which is typically isolated and prepared admixed with its spiroketal epimer, cephalosporolide F.

Organoiodine(V) reagents in organic synthesis

Organohypervalent iodine reagents have attracted significant recent interest as versatile and environmentally benign oxidants with numerous applications in organic synthesis. This Perspective summarizes synthetic applications of hypervalent iodine(V) reagents: 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX), Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP), pseudocyclic iodylarenes, and their recyclable polymer-supported analogues. Recent advances in the development of new catalytic systems based on the generation of hypervalent iodine species in situ are also overviewed.