Total synthesis of alkaloid 205B

Total synthesis of the natural (-)-205B alkaloid and its activity toward α7 nAChRs

A new approach to the synthesis of the (-)-205B alkaloid is described in this paper. This work is characterised by the development of an efficient chirality transfer through a silyl tethered intramolecular alkylation reaction, an unprecedented tandem highly selective iridium catalyzed partial reduction of lactam coupled with an acid promoted aza-Prins reaction, and an almost complete stereochemical control in Shenvi's radical hydrogen atom transfer on an exocyclic methylene. The second part of this work demonstrates the positive allosteric behavior of this natural alkaloid toward α7 nAChRs, in contrast to the reported inhibitory effect of the unnatural enantiomer.

Formal total synthesis of (±)-7-deoxycylindrospermopsin and its 8-epi isomer

A concise formal synthesis of (±)-7-deoxycylindrospermopsin in 14 steps was reported.

Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridones and 4-Pyridones by the Cyclization Reaction of Ester-Tethered Enaminones

2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridone skeleton is an important building block in organic synthesis because it features several reaction sites with nucleophilic or electrophilic properties. Herein, we disclose a method for its formation by intramolecular cyclization of ester-tethered enaminones, which can easily be synthesized from readily available materials, such as amines, activated alkynes, and activated alkenes. 2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridones have been isolated in 41-90% yields. We also demonstrate the transformation of these heterocycles into another important class of compounds, 4-pyridones, by utilizing 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (chloranil) as an oxidizing agent. The latter products were isolated in 65-94% yields.

Reactions of Allylmagnesium Reagents with Carbonyl Compounds and Compounds with C═N Double Bonds: Their Diastereoselectivities Generally Cannot Be Analyzed Using the Felkin-Anh and Chelation-Control Models

This review describes the additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds and to imines, focusing on the differences in reactivity between allylmagnesium halides and other Grignard reagents. In many cases, allylmagnesium reagents either react with low stereoselectivity when other Grignard reagents react with high selectivity, or allylmagnesium reagents react with the opposite stereoselectivity. This review collects hundreds of examples, discusses the origins of stereoselectivities or the lack of stereoselectivity, and evaluates why selectivity may not occur and when it will likely occur.

Enantiodivergent Approach to the Synthesis of Cis-2,6-Disubstituted Piperidin-4-ones

Enantiopure β-amino ketone derivatives were synthesized by decarboxylative Mannich reaction of chiral N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines with β-keto acids and were subsequently transformed into cis-2,6-disubstituted piperidin-4-ones through an organocatalyzed condensation with aldehydes. Both enantiomers were accessible from the same precursors by inverting the order in the reaction sequence of the aldehydes involved in the imine formation and the intramolecular Mannich condensation. The synthesis of the piperidine alkaloids (+)-241D, (-)-epimyrtine, and (-)-lasubine II demonstrated the utility of this methodology.

Regioselective addition of Grignard reagents to N-acylpyrazinium salts: synthesis of substituted 1,2-dihydropyrazines and Δ5-2-oxopiperazines

The regioselective addition of Grignard reagents to mono- and disubstituted N-acylpyrazinium salts affording substituted 1,2-dihydropyrazines in modest to excellent yields (45–100%) is described. Under acidic conditions, these 1,2-dihydropyrazines can be converted to substituted Δ⁵-2-oxopiperazines providing a simple and efficient approach towards their preparation.

Synthesis of Multifunctionalized 2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridones and 4-Pyridones via the Reaction of Carbamoylated Enaminones with Aldehydes

The novel and effective diastereoselective synthesis of multifunctionalized dihydropyridones, including CF₃-substituted derivatives, has been developed on the basis of the piperidine-promoted domino reaction of carbamoylated enaminones with aldehydes. The products have been prepared in 38-90% yields and can be easily isolated by crystallization. Tautomerism, epimerization, and atropisomerism of dihydropyridones have been studied. The use of the resulting dihydropyridones in the synthesis of 1,2,6-trisubstituted 4-pyridone-3-carboxamides has been demonstrated via oxidative aromatization initiated by iodine.

Pyridinium salts: from synthesis to reactivity and applications

This review highlights the pyridinium salts in terms of their natural occurrence, synthesis, reactivity, biological properties, and diverse applications.

Stereoselective strategies for the construction of polysubstituted piperidinic compounds and their applications in natural products’ synthesis

An abridged and far-reaching review communication on the construction of the polysubstituted piperidinic core using diverse methodologies for the benefit of organic chemists interested in the total synthesis of biologically active compounds.

Concise synthesis of alkaloid (-)-205B

Described herein is a short total synthesis of alkaloid (-)-205B (1) by means of an anti-selective SN2' alkylation of an attractively functionalized cyclopropanol and diastereoselective cyclization of the resulting aminoallene adduct for bicyclic ring formation. The synthesis features a general route to cis- or trans-2,6-disubstituted piperidines by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the imine intermediate by an appropriate choice of solvent and cis- or trans-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines by an exceptional level of chirality transfer from a pendant allene. Particularly noteworthy are the brevity and convergence made possible by a segment-coupling strategy.

A new approach to the 8b-azaacenaphthylene ring system

A new approach to the 8b-azaacenaphthylene ring system is described featuring several stereoselective transformations.