Stereoselective trans- and cis-dihydroxylations of 2H-pyranyl and dihydropyridinyl heterocycles synthesized from formal [3 + 3]-cycloaddition reactions of alpha,beta-unsaturated iminium ions with 1,3-dicarbonyl equivalents

Hyperhenrones: Prenylated α-pyrones with anti-inflammatory activity from Hypericum henryi

Fourteen previously undescribed α-pyrone derivatives (1-14) together with four known analogs (15-18) were isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal plant Hypericum henryi. Compounds (+)/(-)-1, 2, and 3 share a rare 6/6/4/6/6 polycyclic skeleton. Compound 14 was the first example of a 7,7-dimethyl-pyran-4-one moiety. Their structures were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and electronic circular dichroism calculations. The anti-inflammatory activities of 1-18 were screened in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 14, (+)-18, and (-)-18 exhibited inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, compound 14 suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, preliminary mechanism studies indicated that compound 14 suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB, and this led to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Asymmetric total synthesis of onoseriolide, bolivianine, and isobolivianine

In this article, we describe our efforts on the total synthesis of bolivianine (1) and isobolivianine (2), involving the synthesis of onoseriolide (3). The first generation synthesis of bolivianine was completed in 21 steps by following a chiral resolution strategy. Based on the potential biogenetic relationship between bolivianine (1), onoseriolide (3), and β-(E)-ocimene (8), the second generation synthesis of bolivianine was biomimetically achieved from commercially available (+)-verbenone in 14 steps. The improved total synthesis features an unprecedented palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation through an allylic metal carbene, for the construction of the ABC tricyclic system, and a Diels-Alder/intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder (DA/IMHDA) cascade for installation of the EFG tricyclic skeleton with the correct stereochemistry. Transformation from bolivianine to isobolivianine was facilitated in the presence of acid. The biosynthetic mechanism and the excellent regio- and endo selectivities in the cascade are well supported by theoretical chemistry based on the DFT calculations.

Total synthesis of (±)-chloranthalactone A

A total synthesis of (±)-chloranthalactone A was completed. It features substrate-controlled epoxidation of ketone and highly diastereoselective intramolecular cyclopropanation to construct the cis, trans-3/5/6 tricyclic skeleton.

A Stereodivergent Approach for Accessing Both C2,8a-Syn and C2,8a-Anti Relative Stereochemical Manifolds in the Lepadin Family via a TiCL(4)-Promoted Aza-[3 + 3] Annulation

Details in developing a stereodivergent approach to the lepadin family and establishing an entry to both C2,8a-syn and C2,8a-anti relative stereochemical manifolds through a common intermediate are described here. This works paves a foundation for constructing all members of the lepadin family, which consists of three subsets based on an array of interesting relative configurations. These efforts underline the prominence of aza-[3 + 3] annulation as a unified strategy in alkaloid synthesis.

Total synthesis of (+)-lepadin F

An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-lepadin F is described. The synthetic sequence features an intermolecular aza-[3 + 3] annulation, homologation of a vinylogous amide via Eschenmoser's episulfide contraction, and a highly stereoselective hydrogenation essential for achieving the 1,3-anti relative stereochemistry at C2 and C8a.

Enantioselective organocatalytic formal [3 + 3]-cycloaddition of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and application to the asymmetric synthesis of (-)-isopulegol hydrate and (-)-cubebaol

[reaction: see text] The first highly enantioselective organocatalyzed carbo [3 + 3] cascade cycloaddition of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is reported. Using this methodology, crotonaldehyde is converted to 6-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohex-1-enecarbaldehyde, which is used in the synthesis of (-)-isopulegol hydrate, (-)-cubebaol, and p-tolualdehyde as well as (-)-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-cyclohexene-1-methanol acetate, an intermediate in the total synthesis of lycopodium alkaloid magellanine. Other alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes give rise to chiral cyclohexadienes via formal [4 + 2] reactions.

Synthesis of Stable 2H-Pyran-5-carboxylates via a Catalyzed Propargyl-Claisen Rearrangement/Oxa-6π Electrocyclization Strategy

[reaction: see text] The application of easily accessed propargyl vinyl ethers for the synthesis of monocyclic 2H-pyrans was achieved. Under the reaction conditions, highly substituted heterocycles were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. The one-pot sequence proceeds via a Ag(I)-catalyzed propargyl-Claisen rearrangement, followed by a base-catalyzed isomerization, and 6pi-oxaelectrocyclization, leading to the formation of stable 2H-pyrans.

Efficient and stereodivergent synthesis of deoxyimino sugars

Both cis- and trans-2-substituted-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridin-3-ols have been prepared via an aldol condensation-ring-closing metathesis sequence. A stereodivergent synthesis of optionally functionalized deoxyimino sugars was achieved via asymmetric dihydroxylation or epoxidation/nucleophilic substitution of these tetrahydropyridines.