Synthesis of the C11-C29 fragment of amphidinolide F

Total synthesis and structure-antifouling activity relationship of scabrolide F

An efficient synthetic strategy for scabrolide F (7), a norcembranolide diterpene that was isolated from the Taiwanese soft coral Sinularia scabra, has only recently been reported by our group. Herein, we report details of the first total synthesis of 7. The tetrahydrofuran domain of 7 was stereoselectively constructed via the 5-endo-tet cyclization of a hydroxy vinyl epoxide. The reaction of alkyl iodide 30 with dithiane 38, followed by the introduction of an alkene moiety, afforded allylation precursor 41. The coupling of alkyl iodide 42 and allylic stannane 43 was examined as a model experiment of allylation. Because the desired allylated product 44 was not obtained, an alternative synthetic route toward 7 was investigated instead. In the second synthetic approach, fragment-coupling between alkyl iodide 56 and aldehyde 58, macrolactonization, and transannular ring-closing metathesis were used as the key steps to achieve the first total synthesis of 7. We hope that this synthetic strategy provides access to the total synthesis of other macrocyclic norcembranolides. We also evaluated the antifouling activity and toxicity of 7 and its synthetic intermediates toward the cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. This study is the first to report the antifouling activity of norcembranolides as well as the biological activity of 7.

Advances Toward Amphidinolides C, F and U: Isolations, Synthetic Studies and Total Syntheses

Amphidinolides C, F, and U, including C2-C4 analogs, are highly cytotoxic marine macrolides, mainly isolated from dinoflagellates of the genus Amphidinium. All these polyketides share a 75 % or more similar structure, highlighted by a macrolactone ring, at least one trans-2,5-substituted-THF motif and a characteristic polyenic side chain. From their isolation and absolute configurational assignment, the total synthesis of these marine macrolides represented an intense challenge to the organic synthesis community over the last 15 years, with around 14 research groups engaged in this inspiring task. In the first part of this review, we present the different approaches to the isolation and characterization of these natural products, including the most recent analogs, which may cast doubt on the biogenetic origin of these compounds. The various synthetic approaches to the total synthesis of C, F, and U amphidinolides are presented in a second part, focusing on key reactions and/or innovative strategies. The review concludes in a third section summarizing the successful approaches leading to the total synthesis of one of the members of this amphidinolide subfamily.

Synthetic Studies on Amphidinolide F: Exploration of Macrocycle Construction by Intramolecular Stille Coupling

Exploration of an ambitious new strategy for the total synthesis of the cytotoxic marine natural product amphidinolide F is described, which features fabrication of the core structure from four readily accessible fragments and macrocycle construction through C9-C10 bond formation by intramolecular Stille coupling between an alkenyl iodide and alkenyl stannane. Efficient stereoselective synthesis of each of the four building-blocks and subsequent coupling of them to produce the requisite cyclization precursor has been accomplished, but suitable conditions for high-yielding palladium-mediated closure of the macrocycle to produce the fully protected amphidinolide F ring system have yet to be identified.

Convergent Synthesis of the C1-C29 Framework of Amphidinolide F

The complete carbon framework of the macrocyclic marine natural product amphidinolide F has been prepared by a convergent synthetic route in which three fragments of similar size and complexity have been coupled. Key features of the syntheses of the fragments include the stereoselective construction of the tetrahydrofuran in the C1–C9 fragment by oxonium ylide (free or metal-bound) formation and rearrangement triggered by the direct generation of a rhodium carbenoid from 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole, the highly diastereoselective aldol reaction between a boron enolate and an aldehyde with 1,4-control to prepare the C10–C17 fragment, and the formation of the tetrahydrofuran in the C18–C29 fragment by intramolecular nucleophilic ring opening of an epoxide with a hydroxyl group under acidic conditions.

Amphidinolides F and C2: An Odyssey in Total Synthesis

Amphidinolides F, C, C2, and C3 are marine natural products isolated from dinoflagellates Amphidinium species. They share the same macrolactone core, with the difference between them residing at the side chain level. A predominant feature of these amphidinolides is the presence of two trans-THF rings inside the macrolactone core, which is thought to be built by C-glycosylation with titanium enolate of N-acetyl oxazolinethiones. Thus, the original strategy for their total synthesis was based on the assembly of three main fragments corresponding to C₁-C₉, C₁₀-C₁₉, and C₂₀-C₂₉ or C₂₀-C₃₄ disconnections. Whereas synthesis of all fragments was successful, the C-glycosylation reaction between C₁₉ and C₂₀ turned out to be an issue. Therefore, a second route was designed. The new disconnection between C₁₇ and C₁₈ was based on a sulfone addition and a desulfonylation sequence. Our convergent strategy allowed the total synthesis of amphidinolide F and enabled a new unifying route toward the synthesis of amphidinolides C, C2, and C3 using a late-stage divergent approach. Although there were unsatisfying yields at some critical steps, our work culminated into the first total synthesis of amphidinolide C2.

Formation of Nucleophilic Allylboranes from Molecular Hydrogen and Allenes Catalyzed by a Pyridonate Borane that Displays Frustrated Lewis Pair Reactivity

Here we report the in situ generation of nucleophilic allylboranes from H₂ and allenes mediated by a pyridonate borane that displays frustrated‐Lewis‐pair reactivity. Experimental and computational mechanistic investigations reveal that upon H₂ activation, the covalently bound pyridonate substituent becomes a datively bound pyridone ligand. Dissociation of the formed pyridone borane complex liberates Piers borane and enables a hydroboration of the allene. The allylboranes generated in this way are reactive towards nitriles. A catalytic protocol for the formation of allylboranes from H₂ and allenes and the allylation of nitriles has been devised. This catalytic reaction is a conceptually new way to use molecular H₂ in organic synthesis.

Studies toward the Synthesis of Amphidinolide C1: Stereoselective Construction of the C(1)-C(15) Segment

An enantioselective synthesis of the C(1)-C(15) segment of the marine natural product amphidinolide C has been accomplished by a route that includes a stereoselective boron-Wittig reaction to furnish a trisubstituted alkenylboronate. In addition, the route employs enantioselective alkene diboration to install the C(6) hydroxyl group which undergoes intramolecular conjugate addition to establish a tetrahydrofuran ring. Lastly, a catalytic Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling is accomplished to construct the C(9)-C(10) bond.

Studies of the Enantiocontrolled Synthesis of the C(10)-C(25) Subunit of Amphidinolide C

A stereocontrolled synthesis of 28, the C(10)-C(25) component of amphidinolide C (1), has been efficiently achieved. Reaction of the dithiane component 21 with nonracemic bis(epoxide) 19 directly affords functionalized 2,5-trans-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran 22. Propargylation is highly diastereoselective for the formation of the desired C(12)-C(13) anti stereochemistry, and the resulting terminal alkyne 25 is utilized for a regioselective syn-silylstannylation. A general strategy is illustrated for sequential replacement of stannyl and silyl substituents of the trisubstituted alkene to yield (E)-alkenyl iodide 28.

Stereoselective Synthesis of the C1-C9 and C11-C25 Fragments of Amphidinolides C, C2, C3, and F

An efficient synthesis of the C1-C9 and the C11-C25 fragments of amphidinolides C, C2, C3, and F from a common intermediate is reported. The construction of the C1-C9 fragment involves an intramolecular hetero-Michael cyclization to form the 3,5-disubstituted trans-tetrahydrofuran moiety. The approach to prepare the C11-C25 fragment utilizes a highly stereoselective aerobic cobalt-catalyzed alkenol cyclization and a chelated Mukaiyama aldol reaction to form the C13-C14 bond and to concomitantly install the C13 hydroxyl group.

Exploiting hidden symmetry in natural products: total syntheses of amphidinolides C and F

The total synthesis of amphidinolide C and a second-generation synthesis of amphidinolide F have been accomplished through the use of a common intermediate to access both the C1-C8 and the C18-C25 sections. The development of a Ag-catalyzed cyclization of a propargyl benzoate diol is described to access both trans-tetrahydrofuran rings. The evolution of a Felkin-controlled, 2-lithio-1,3-dienyl addition strategy to incorporate C9-C11 diene as well as C8 stereocenter is detailed. Key controlling aspects in the sulfone alkylation/oxidative desulfurization to join the major subunits, including the exploration of the optimum masking group for the C18 carbonyl motif, are discussed. A Trost asymmetric alkynylation and a stereoselective cuprate addition to an alkynoate have been developed for the rapid construction of the C26-C34 subunit. A Tamura/Vedejs olefination to introduce the C26 side arm of amphidnolides C and F is employed. The late-stage incorporation of the C15, C18 diketone motif proved critical to the successful competition of the total syntheses.

Enantioselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols via an allene hydroboration-double-allylboration reaction sequence

Kinetically controlled hydroboration of allenylboronate 5 followed by double allylboration with the resulting allylborane (Z)-7 gave (Z)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols 6 in good yield and high enantioselectivity in the presence of 10% BF3·OEt2 as the catalyst in the second allylboration step. Under thermodynamically controlled isomerization conditions, (Z)-7 can readily isomerize to (E)-7. Double allylboration of representative aldehydes with allylborane (E)-7 gave (E)-2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols 4 in good yield and high enantioselectivity without requiring use of the BF3·OEt2 catalyst. Thus, 2-methyl-1,5-anti-pentenediols with either olefin geometry can be synthesized from the same allenylboronate precursor 5. Furthermore, 1,5-pentenediols 4 and 6 can be easily converted to 1,3,5-triols with excellent diastereoselectivity in one step.

Studies for the total synthesis of amphidinolide P

A convergent, enantiocontrolled total synthesis of the 15-membered macrolide, amphidinolide P, is described. The synthesis utilizes three nonracemic components for an efficient assembly of the macrolactone in 12 steps via the longest linear pathway. Key developments include studies of the Hosomi-Sakurai reaction for the formation of the C6-C7 bond, a "ligandless" palladium-mediated Stille cross-coupling of the vinylic stannane 4 and the alkenyl bromide 5 to produce a highly functionalized dienol, and a thermally induced, intramolecular lactonization via the late-stage formation of an intermediate α-acylketene.

Syntheses of the C1-C14 and C15-C25 fragments of amphidinolide C

Divergent syntheses of the C1-C14 and C15-C25 fragments of amphidinolide C have been achieved. The synthesis of the C15-C25 fragment featured cobalt-catalyzed modified Mukaiyama aerobic alkenol cyclization and sulfur-directed regiocontrolled Wacker oxidation of an internal alkene. The C1-C14 fragment was established by alkenyllithium addition to an aldehyde followed by a challenging olefination of a highly inert C9 ketone.

Enantioselective syntheses of syn- and anti-β-hydroxyallylsilanes via allene hydroboration-aldehyde allylboration reactions

The kinetic hydroboration of allenylsilane 5 with ((d)Ipc)(2)BH at -40 °C provides allylborane 9Z with ≥12:1 selectivity. When the hydroboration is performed at temperatures above -40 °C, 9Z isomerizes to the thermodynamically more stable allylborane 9E with >20:1 selectivity. Subsequent treatment of 9Z or 9E with aldehydes at -78 °C provides syn- or anti-β-hydroxyallylsilanes, 7 or 8, respectively.

Efficient synthesis of the C(1)-C(9) fragment of amphidinolides C, C2, and F

The synthesis of the C(1)-C(9) fragment of amphidinolides C, C2, and F was achieved by using a vinyloguous Mukaiyama aldol reaction on a chiral aldehyde with a silyloxyfuran and by using a C-glycosylation of a lactol derivative with an acetyl oxazolidinethione. From the available chiral acetonide-glyceraldehyde, all the stereogenic centers were perfectly induced along the synthesis. The C(1)-C(9) fragment was synthesized as a vinyl stannane at C(9) in 10 steps, with 16% yield.

Synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C and the C(18)-C(29) fragment of amphidinolide F

A convergent synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C and the C(18)-C(29) fragment of amphidinolide F is reported. The approach involves the synthesis of the common intermediate tetrahydrofuranyl-β-ketophosphonate via cross metathesis, Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization, and hydroboration-oxidation. The β-ketophosphonate was coupled to three side chain aldehydes using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination reaction to give dienones, which were reduced with l-selectride to give the fragments of amphidinolide C and F.

A formal synthesis of the C1-C9 fragment of amphidinolide C employing the Tamaru reaction

Homoallylation of aldehydes with isoprene and triethylborane catalyzed by Ni(acac)(2) gave hydroxyalkenes in good yield with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. Cross metathesis of the hydroxyalkenes with methyl acrylate using second-generation Grubbs catalyst and copper(I) iodide afforded alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, which underwent cyclization in the presence of DBU to produce tetrahydrofurans with the correct relative configuration for the C1-C9 fragment of amphidinolides C, C2, and F.

Efficient synthesis of the C(7)-C(20) subunit of amphidinolides C and F

Synthesis of the C(7)-C(20) subunit of amphidinolides C and F has been accomplished utilizing a Me(3)Al-mediated ring opening of a vinyl iodide/allylic epoxide to establish the C(12,13)anti stereochemistry, an organolithium coupling/olefination sequence to construct the C(9)-C(11) diene moiety and a sulfone alkylation/hydroxylation strategy to join the C(7)-C(14) and C(15)-C(20) fragments.

Stereoselective syntheses of the C(1)-C(9) fragment of amphidinolide C

Stereoselective syntheses of the C(1)-C(9) fragments 18 and 28 of amphidinolide C have been developed. The first-generation sequence involves a diastereoselective chelate-controlled [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of 6 and 7, while the second-generation synthesis involves an intramolecular hetero-Michael cyclization of 8.

Diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via mead reductive cyclization of keto-beta-lactones derived from the tandem Mukaiyama aldol lactonization (TMAL) process

The development of a diastereoselective, three-step strategy for the construction of substituted tetrahydrofurans from alkenyl aldehydes based on the tandem Mukaiyama aldol-lactonization process and Mead reductive cyclization of keto beta-lactones is reported. Stereochemical outcomes of the TMAL process are consistent with models established for Lewis acid-mediated additions to alpha-benzyloxy and beta-silyloxy aldehydes while reductions of the five-membered oxocarbenium ions are consistent with Woerpel's models. Further rationalization for observed high diastereoselectivity in reductions of alpha-silyloxy 5-membered oxocarbenium ions based on stereoelectronic effects are posited. A diagnostic trend for coupling constants of gamma-benzyloxy beta-lactones was observed that should enable assignment of the relative configuration of these systems.

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of syn-β-Hydroxyallylsilanes via a Chiral (Z)-γ-Silylallylboronate

syn-beta-Hydroxyallylsilanes of general structure 11 and 28 are prepared in 50-86% yield and 91-95% ee (for aliphatic aldehydes; 50% ee for benzaldehyde) via the BF(3).Et(2)O-promoted gamma-silylallylboration reactions, using reagents 14 and 15.

Total Synthesis of Amphidinolide E and Amphidinolide E Stereoisomers

Four amphidinolide E stereoisomers, amphidinolide E (1), 2-epi-amphidinolide E (2), 19-epi-amphidinolide E (3), and 2-epi-19-epi-amphidinolide E (4), have been synthesized via the judicious union of aldehyde 5, allylsilanes 7 or 8, acids 9 or 10, and vinylstannane 6. The C19 stereocenters of the C19 epimeric allylsilanes 7 and 8 were introduced via crotylboration reactions early in the synthesis. [3+2]-Annulation reactions of aldehyde 5 with allylsilanes 7 and 8 were employed to set the core tetrahydrofuran units of 1-4. Finally, the C2 stereocenter was installed by esterification using acid 9, without incident, or with acid 10, in which case an unexpected and completely stereoselective inversion of C2 occurs.

A convenient multigram synthesis of highly enantioenriched methyl 3-silylglycidates

A multigram scale synthesis of the four stereoisomers of methyl 3-silylglycidates (epoxysilanes) with high enantiopurity is described. Key reactions include a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation (SAE) of a trans-vinylsilane and an enzymatic resolution of a racemic cis-epoxysilane to establish the desired configurations. Few chromatographic separations (5 columns out of 13 steps) are required for purification, establishing a convenient reaction sequence for both the trans- and cis-isomers.

Total synthesis of amphidinolide E

A convergent and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of amphidinolide E (1) has been accomplished. The synthesis features a highly diastereoselective (>20:1) BF3.Et2O promoted [3+2] annulation reaction between aldehyde 3 and allylsilane 4 to afford substituted tetrahydrofuran 2.