Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans by Mn(OAc)3-Based Oxidative Cycloaddition of 2-Cyclohexenones with Alkenes. Synthesis of (±)-Conocarpan

Recent Advances in Manganese(III)-Assisted Radical Cyclization for the Synthesis of Natural Products: A Comprehensive Review

Natural products play an important part in synthetic chemistry since they have many pharmacological properties and are used as active drug compounds in pharmaceutical chemistry. However, synthesis of these complex molecules is difficult due to the requirement of various synthetic steps, which include highly regio- and stereoselectivity. Therefore, oxidative radical cyclization assisted by manganese(III) acetate serves as an important step in obtaining spiro-, tricyclic, tetracyclic, and polycyclic derivatives of these compounds. Manganese(III)-based reactions offer a single-step regio- and stereoselective cyclizations and α-acetoxidations, reducing the number of synthetic steps. Also, the manganese(III)-mediated oxidative free radical cyclization method has been successfully applied for the synthesis of cyclic structures found in many natural products. This article presents a broad overview of manganese(III)-based radical reactions of natural products as a key step in overall synthesis. The authors have classified natural product synthesis processes assisted by manganese(III) acetate as intermolecular, intramolecular, oxidation, acetoxidation, aromatization, and polymerization reactions, respectively.

Furo[3,2-c]coumarins carrying carbon substituents at C-2 and/or C-3. Isolation, biological activity, synthesis and reaction mechanisms

The isolation, biological activity and synthesis of natural furo[3,2-c]coumarins are presented, covering mainly the developments in the last 35 years. The most relevant approaches toward the synthesis of 2-substituted, 3-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted heterocycles are also discussed, with emphasis on the efficiency of the processes and their mechanisms.

Treasures old and new: what we can learn regarding the macrocyclic problem from past and present efforts in natural product total synthesis

In this review the strategies leading to successful macrocyclization, in the context of total synthesis are discussed.

A mechanistic study of manganese(iii) acetate-mediated phosphonyl group additions to [60]- and [70]-fullerenes: the oxidative-ion-transfer mechanism vs. free radical addition

The phosphonylation of fullerenes with HP(O)(OAlk)₂ and Mn(OAc)₃·2H₂O occurs via the oxidative-ion-transfer mechanism involving the intermediate Mn(OAc)₂P(O)(OAlk)₂ rather than by the free radical process.

Photocatalytic synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans by oxidative [3+2] cycloaddition of phenols

We report a protocol for oxidative [3+2] cycloadditions of phenols and alkenes applicable to the modular synthesis of a large family of dihydrobenzofuran natural products. Visible-light-activated transition metal photocatalysis enables the use of ammonium persulfate as an easily handled, benign terminal oxidant. The broad range of organic substrates that are readily oxidized by photoredox catalysis suggests that this strategy may be applicable to a variety of useful oxidative transformations.

Asymmetric supramolecular catalysis: a bio-inspired tool for the high asymmetric induction in the enamine-based Michael reactions

King size: Utilization of large-size supramolecular rings in the pre-transition state (pre-TS) of enamine-based Michael reactions for high asymmetric induction is described. Enantiomerically pure, druglike hexahydroxanthenes with three contiguous stereocenters were synthesized through supramolecular catalysis by D-proline and quinine-NH-thiourea followed by reductive etherification from simple precursors under mild conditions (see scheme).

One-pot, Pd-catalyzed synthesis of trans-dihydrobenzofurans from o-aminophenols

An efficient and facile synthesis of trans-dihydrobenzofurans has been accomplished from o-aminophenols and phenylpropenes via a novel (one-pot) diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed oxyarylation reaction. The development and optimization of this method is described.

New neolignans and a phenylpropanoid glycoside from twigs of Miliusa mollis

From the twigs of Miliusa mollis Pierre, three new compounds including (2S,3S)-2,3-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-[1(E)-propenyl]benzofuran, (7S,8S)- threo-Δ^8′-4-methoxyneolignan and tyrosol-1-O-β-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-gluco-pyranoside were isolated, along with seven known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of their spectroscopic data.

Mechanisms of Mn(OAc)(3)-based oxidative free-radical additions and cyclizations

The mechanistic details of Mn(OAc)(3)-based oxidative free-radical additions and cyclizations are reviewed. The mechanisms of electron transfer to generate radicals, electron transfer to convert the radicals to oxidized products, and further oxidation of the products are covered.

Asymmetric synthesis of neolignans (-)-epi-conocarpan and (+)-conocarpan via Rh(II)-catalyzed C-H insertion process and revision of the absolute configuration of (-)-epi-conocarpan

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of neolignan natural products (-)-epi-conocarpan and (+)-conocarpan has been achieved by exploiting an enantio- and diastereoselective intramolecular C-H insertion reaction to construct a cis-2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran ring system as a key step. The C-H insertion reaction of 5-bromoaryldiazoacetate catalyzed by Rh(2)(S-PTTEA)(4), a new dirhodium(II) carboxylate complex that incorporates N-phthaloyl-(S)-triethylalaninate as chiral bridging ligands, provided 2-aryl-5-bromo-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran with exceptionally high diastereoselectivity (cis/trans = 97:3) and high enantioselectivity for the cis isomer (84% ee).

Manganese(III)-mediated transformations of phloroglucinols: a formal oxidative [4 + 2] cycloaddition leading to bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiones

Manganese(III)-mediated oxidative transformations of dearomatized phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) derivatives are reported. A number of cyclization modes have been observed, including polycyclization to afford bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiones via a formal oxidative radical [4 + 2] cycloaddition.

Synthesis of (-)-conocarpan by two routes based on radical cyclization and establishment of its absolute configuration

Two independent routes for the total synthesis of the bioactive neolignan (-)-conocarpan are described. The first (98% ee) is based on formal radical cyclization onto a benzene ring, and involves a 5-exo-trigonal closure onto a double bond restrained within a 6-membered ring. The second route (88% ee), which is shorter, is based on 5-exo-trigonal cyclization of an aryl radical onto a pendant terminal double bond. The two routes differ in their degree of stereoselectivity. The absolute configuration originally assigned to (+)-conocarpan had previously been called into question on the basis of empirical chiroptical rules; the present chemical work confirms the need for revision, and the assigned absolute configurations of several compounds correlated with (+)-conocarpan must also be changed.

Total synthesis of (−)-conocarpan and assignment of the absolute configuration by chemical methods

(-)-Conocarpan (1) was synthesized by a method based on radical cyclization, and the absolute configuration was established by chemical degradation; the original 2R,3R-assignment to (+)-conocarpan should be reversed, as suggested by a later chiroptical study of model 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans.

Synthetic Studies towards Pentacyclic Quassinoids: Total Synthesis of Unnatural (−)-14-epi-Samaderine E and Natural (−)-Samaderine Y from (S)-(+)-Carvone

First total syntheses of unnatural (-)-14-epi-samaderine E (5) and natural (-)-samaderine Y (2) were accomplished from (S)-(+)-carvone (6) in 18 and 21 steps, respectively. The syntheses are short, efficient (with an average yield of 80 % plus for each transformation), enantiospecific, and produce nine new chiral centers. The crucial points of the syntheses included a regioselective allylic oxidation on ring C, regio- and stereoselective reduction of ketone, a stereocontrolled epoxidation, an epoxymethano-bridge formation, a chemoselective Grignard reaction, an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, an intramolecular aldol addition, and a newly developed manganese(III)-catalyzed allylic oxidation on ring A.

Mild Manganese(III) Acetate Catalyzed Allylic Oxidation: Application to Simple and Complex Alkenes

Manganese(III) acetate catalyzed allylic oxidation of alkenes to the corresponding enones was investigated, showing excellent regioselectivity and chemoselectivity (functional group compatibility). Delta(5)-Steroids were transformed into bioactive Delta(5)-en-7-ones under a nitrogen atmosphere, whereas simple alkenes were converted into the corresponding enones under an oxygen atmosphere in good yields.

Intramolecular Carbolithiation of Allylo-Lithioaryl Ethers: A New Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans

A new and easy method for the diastereoselective synthesis of 3-functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives from allyl 2-bromoaryl ethers is described. The key step of this transformation involves an intramolecular carbolithiation reaction of allyl 2-lithioaryl ethers. The substituents in both the allyl and the aryl moieties play an important and decisive role in stopping the reaction at the benzofuran thus avoiding a gamma-elimination reaction. Finally, this process is amenable to the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched compounds by using (-)-sparteine as a chiral inductor.

A Rapid Synthesis of 2-Aryl-5-substituted-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans

[reaction: see text] An effective strategy has been developed for the rapid and efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl-5-substituted-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans from readily available o-nitrotoluenes and aromatic aldehydes. This strategy allows access to a structurally diverse array of products for further manipulation.

Antibacterial activity of extracts and neolignans from Piper regnellii (Miq.) C. DC. var. pallescens (C. DC.) Yunck

The evaluation of the activity of the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Piper regnellii was tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The aqueous extract displayed a weak activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1000 micrograms/ml. The ethyl acetate extract presented a good activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC and MBC at 15.62 micrograms/ml. In contrast to the relative low MICs for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited by the extracts at concentrations < or = 1000 mg/ml. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated on silica gel into nine fractions. The hexane and chloroform fractions were active against S. aureus (MIC at 3.9 micrograms/ml) and B. subtilis (MIC at 3.9 and 7.8 micrograms/ml, respectively). Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, the hexane fraction was rechromatographed to yield the antimicrobial compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 identified as eupomatenoid-6, eupomatenoid-5, eupomatenoid-3, and conocarpan, respectively. The pure compounds 1 and 2 showed a good activity against S. aureus with MIC of 1.56 micrograms/ml and 3.12 micrograms/ml, respectively. Both compounds presented MIC of 3.12 micrograms/ml against B. subtilis. The pure compound 6 named as conocarpan was quite active against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC of 6.25 micrograms/ml. The antibacterial properties of P. regnellii justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, contaminated through bacteria infections.

Ruthenium porphyrin catalyzed intramolecular carbenoid C[bond]H insertion. Stereoselective synthesis of cis-disubstituted oxygen and nitrogen heterocycles

[reaction: see text] A ruthenium porphyrin-catalyzed stereoselective intramolecular carbenoid C[bond]H insertion is described. Using [Ru(II)(TTP)(CO)] as catalyst, aryl tosylhydrazones are converted to 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, 2,3-dihydroindoles, and beta-lactams in good yields and remarkable cis selectivity (up to 99%). Enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans is also achieved with [Ru(II)(D(4)-Por*)(CO)] as catalyst, and up to 96% ee is attained.

Synthesis of Neolignans from Anaxagorea Clavata

A synthesis of the neolognans (1) and (2) is described employing an intramolecular Wittig cyclisation to generate the 2-arylbenzofuran ring system.