Stereoselective 6-exo radical cyclization using cis-vinyl sulfoxide: practical total synthesis of CTX3C

Synthesis and Structural Implication of the JKLMN-Ring Fragment of Caribbean Ciguatoxin C-CTX-1

Synthesis of the JKLMN-ring fragment of Caribbean ciguatoxin C-CTX-1, the causative toxin of ciguatera fish poisoning in the Caribbean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic areas, is described in detail. Key to the synthesis are a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to construct a seven-membered α-hydroxy exo-enol ether, stereoselective construction of an angular tetrasubstituted stereogenic center on the seven-membered M-ring by a hydrogen atom transfer-based reductive olefin coupling, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of the KLMN-ring enol phosphate with a highly congested M-ring, and silica gel-mediated epoxide ring opening to form the J-ring. Comparison of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data for the synthesized fragment with those for the natural product provided support for the formerly assigned structure of the N-ring in the right-hand terminal of C-CTX-1.

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.

Rationally Designed Synthetic Haptens to Generate Anti-Ciguatoxin Monoclonal Antibodies, and Development of a Practical Sandwich ELISA to Detect Ciguatoxins

"Ciguatera" fish poisoning (CFP) is one of the well-known food poisoning caused by the ingestion of fish that have accumulated trace amounts of ciguatoxins (CTXs). CFP affects more than 50,000 individuals annually. The difficulty in preventing CFP comes from the lack of reliable methods for analysis of CTXs in contaminated fish, together with the normal appearance, taste, and smell of CTX-contaminated fish. Thus, a sensitive, accurate, routine, and portable analytical method to detect CTXs is urgently required. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific against either wing of major CTX congeners (CTX1B, 54-deoxyCTX1B, CTX3C, and 51-hydroxyCTX3C) were generated by immunizing mice with rationally designed synthetic haptens-KLH conjugates instead of the CTXs. Haptenic groups with a surface area greater than 400 Å2 are required to produce mAbs that can strongly bind to CTXs. Furthermore, a highly sensitive fluorescence-based sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. This protocol can detect and quantify four major CTX congeners (CTX1B, 54-deoxyCTX1B, CTX3C, and 51-hydroxyCTX3C) with a limit of detection (LOD) of less than 1 pg/mL. The LOD determined for this sandwich ELISA is sufficient to detect CTX1B-contaminated fish at the FDA guidance level of 0.01 ppb.

Highly Sensitive and Practical Fluorescent Sandwich ELISA for Ciguatoxins

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) caused by the consumption of fish that have accumulated ciguatoxins (CTXs) affects more than 50000 people annually. The spread of CFP causes enormous damage to public health, fishery resources, and the economies of tropical and subtropical endemic regions. The difficulty in avoiding CFP arises from the lack of sensitive and reliable analytical methods for the detection and quantification of CTXs in contaminated fish, along with the normal appearance, smell, and taste of fish contaminated with the causative toxins. Thus, an accurate, sensitive, routine, and portable detection method for CTXs is urgently required. We have successfully developed a highly sensitive fluorescent sandwich ELISA, which can detect, differentiate, and quantify four major CTX congeners (CTX1B, CTX3C, 51-hydroxyCTX3C, and 54-deoxyCTX1B) with a detection limit of less than 1 pg/mL. The ELISA protocol, using one microtiter plate coated with two mAbs (10C9 and 3G8), and ALP-linked 8H4, can detect any of the four CTX congeners in a single operation. CTX1B spiked into fish at the FDA guidance level of 0.01 ppb CTX1B equivalent toxicity in fish from Pacific regions was also proven to be reliably detected by this ELISA. Furthermore, the efficiency of extraction/purification procedures and the matrix effect of contaminants in fish were evaluated in detail, since pretreatment and matrix effects are critical for ELISA analysis.

Syntheses and Biological Activities of the LMNO, ent-LMNO, and NOPQR(S) Ring Systems of Maitotoxin

Structure-activity relationship studies of maitotoxin (MTX), a marine natural product produced by an epiphytic dinoflagellate, were conducted using chemically synthesized model compounds corresponding to the partial structures of MTX. Both enantiomers of the LMNO ring system were synthesized via aldol reaction of the LM ring aldehyde and the NO ring ketone. These fragments were derived from a common cis-fused pyranopyran intermediate prepared through a sequence involving Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction, intramolecular oxa-Michael addition, and Pummerer rearrangement. The NOPQR(S) ring system, in which the original seven-membered S ring was substituted with a six-membered ring, was also synthesized through the coupling of the QR(S) ring alkyne and the NO ring aldehyde and the construction of the P ring via 1,4-reduction, dehydration, and hydroboration. The inhibitory activities of the synthetic specimens against MTX-induced Ca²⁺ influx were evaluated. The LMNO ring system and its enantiomer induced 36 and 18% inhibition, respectively, at 300 μM, whereas the NOPQR(S) ring system elicited no inhibitory activity.

Total synthesis and related studies of large, strained, and bioactive natural products

Our chemical syntheses and related scientific investigations of natural products with complex architectures and powerful biological activities are described, focusing on the very large 3 nm-long polycyclic ethers called the ciguatoxins, highly strained and labile chromoprotein antitumor antibiotics featuring nine-membered enediyne cores, and extremely potent anthelmintic macrolides called the avermectins.

Total Synthesis of Gymnocin-A

A convergent total synthesis of cytotoxic marine natural polycyclic ether, gymnocin-A (1), is described. The synthesis features three iterations of an oxiranyl anion strategy, involving base-mediated cycloetherification, ring expansion, and reductive etherification, for the construction of the FGH fragment and for its coupling with the ABC and KLMN fragments.

Practical route to the left wing of CTX1B and total syntheses of CTX1B and 54-deoxyCTX1B

Ciguatoxins, the principal causative agents of ciguatera seafood poisoning, are extremely large polycyclic ethers. We report herein a reliable route for constructing the left wing of CTX1B, which possesses the acid/base/oxidant-sensitive bisallylic ether moiety, by a 6-exo radical cyclization/ring-closing metathesis strategy. This new route enabled us to achieve the second-generation total synthesis of CTX1B and the first synthesis of 54-deoxyCTX1B.

Divergent synthesis of trans-fused polycyclic ethers by a convergent oxiranyl anion strategy

Octacyclic polyethers that correspond to the CDEFGHIJ-ring system of yessotoxin as well as G- and/or I-ring-modified analogues were synthesized in a divergent manner, starting from a common intermediate, using an [X + 2 + Y]-type convergent method. Reaction of a triflate with the oxiranyl anion generated from an epoxy sulfone, followed by ring expansion, allowed for the incorporation of medium-sized ring ethers into the key intermediate. Subsequent acetal formation and reductive etherification afforded various octacycles containing seven- and eight-membered ether rings.