Biomimetic Synthesis of Elysiapyrones A and B

pKalculator: A pK a predictor for C-H bonds

Determining the pK a values of various C-H sites in organic molecules offers valuable insights for synthetic chemists in predicting reaction sites. As molecular complexity increases, this task becomes more challenging. This paper introduces pKalculator, a quantum chemistry (QM)-based workflow for automatic computations of C-H pK a values, which is used to generate a training dataset for a machine learning (ML) model. The QM workflow is benchmarked against 695 experimentally determined C-H pK a values in DMSO. The ML model is trained on a diverse dataset of 775 molecules with 3910 C-H sites. Our ML model predicts C-H pK a values with a mean absolute error (MAE) and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.24 and 2.15 pK a units, respectively. Furthermore, we employ our model on 1043 pK a-dependent reactions (aldol, Claisen, and Michael) and successfully indicate the reaction sites with a Matthew's correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.82.

Bioinspired Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Emeriones A–C**

We report asymmetric bioinspired total syntheses of the fungal metabolites emeriones A–C via stereoselective oxidations of two bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene diastereomers. The central bicyclic scaffolds are prepared in an 8π/6π electrocyclization cascade of a stereodefined pentaene, which contains the fully assembled side chains of the emeriones. The anti‐aldol side chain is made using a Paterson‐aldol addition, and the epoxide of the dioxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane side chain via ring‐closure onto an oxidized acetal. Our work has enabled the structural revision of emerione C, and resulted in the synthesis of a “missing” family member, which we call emerione D. DFT calculations identified two methyl groups that govern torquoselectivity in the 8π/6π cascade.

Two Steps to Bicyclo[4.2.0]octadienes from Cyclooctatetraene: Total Synthesis of Kingianic Acid A

Synthetic approaches to bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene natural products frequently employ the synthesis of linear tetraenes to initiate a biosynthetic 8π/6π-electrocyclization cascade. This work forges a functionalized bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene in two steps from cyclooctatetraene. The versatility of this method is demonstrated through natural product synthesis, including the first total synthesis of kingianic acid A and formal syntheses of kingianins A, D, and F and cryptobeilic acid D ethyl ester. The unexpected formation of an E,E,Z,E-tetraene byproduct is rationalized through density functional theory modeling.

Total synthesis of endiandric acid J and beilcyclone A from cyclooctatetraene

The endiandric acids are classic targets in natural product synthesis. The spectacular 8π/6π-electrocylisation/intramolecular Diels-Alder (8π/6π/IMDA) reaction cascade at the heart of their biosynthesis has inspired practitioners and students of pericyclic chemistry for nearly forty years. All previous synthetic approaches have sought to prepare a linear tetraene and thereby initiate the cascade. In this communication we demonstrate the use of cyclooctatetraene to rapidly intercept the 8π/6π/IMDA cascade at the cyclooctatriene stage. Endiandric acid J and beilcyclone A are prepared for the first time in six and five steps, respectively. The strategy features a tactical overall anti-vicinal difunctionalisation of cyclooctatetraene through SN2' alkylation of cyclooctatetraene oxide followed by an intriguing tandem Claisen rearrangement/6π-electrocyclisation from the corresponding vinyl ether. This rapidly constructs an advanced bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene aldehyde intermediate. Olefinations and intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions complete the syntheses. This establishes a short and efficient new path to the endiandric acid natural products. DFT modelling predicts thermal racemisation of bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene intermediates, dashing hopes of enantioselective synthesis.

Application of copper(i) salt and fluoride promoted Stille coupling reactions in the synthesis of bioactive molecules

The Stille coupling between organostannanes and organohalides is an effective catalytic method for organic synthesis. Despite the ample amount of published results in this area, finding the optimal conditions for this transformation is often not straightforward. It was observed that this reaction could be accelerated with improved efficiency by the addition of a Cu(i) salt and fluoride. This review summarises the application of this simple protocol in the synthesis of natural products, their analogues and other biologically active molecules, from 2004 to 2018.

Rearrangements of organic peroxides and related processes

This review is the first to collate and summarize main data on named and unnamed rearrangement reactions of peroxides. It should be noted, that in the chemistry of peroxides two types of processes are considered under the term rearrangements. These are conventional rearrangements occurring with the retention of the molecular weight and transformations of one of the peroxide moieties after O-O-bond cleavage. Detailed information about the Baeyer-Villiger, Criegee, Hock, Kornblum-DeLaMare, Dakin, Elbs, Schenck, Smith, Wieland, and Story reactions is given. Unnamed rearrangements of organic peroxides and related processes are also analyzed. The rearrangements and related processes of important natural and synthetic peroxides are discussed separately.

Terminal substituent effects on the reactivity, thermodynamics, and stereoselectivity of the 8π-6π electrocyclization cascades of 1,3,5,7-tetraenes

M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) computations are reported for the 8π-6π electrocyclization cascades of 1,3,5,7-tetraenes. The rate-determining step for these cascades is typically the second (6π) ring closure. According to experiment and theory, un- and monosubstituted tetraenes readily undergo 8π electrocyclic ring closure to form 1,3,5-cyclooctatrienes; however, the 6π electrocyclizations of these cyclooctatriene intermediates are slow and reversible, and mixtures of monocyclic and bicyclic products are formed. Computations indicate that di- and trisubstituted tetraenes undergo facile but less exergonic 8π electrocyclization due to a steric clash that destabilizes the 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene intermediates. Relief of this steric clash ensures the subsequent 6π ring closures of these intermediates are both kinetically facile and thermodynamically favorable, and only the bicyclic products are observed for the cascade reactions of naturally occurring tri- and tetrasubstituted tetraenes (in agreement with computations). The 6π electrocyclization step of these cascade electrocyclizations is also potentially diastereoselective, and di- and trisubstituted tetraenes often undergo cascade reactions with high diastereoselectivities. The exo mode of ring closure is favored for these 6π electrocyclizations due to a steric interaction that destabilizes the endo transition state. Thus, theory explains both the recalcitrance of the unsubstituted 1,3,5,7-octatetraene and 1-substituted tetraenes toward formation of the bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene products, as well as the ease and the stereoselectivity with which terminal di- and trisubstituted tetraenes are known to react biosynthetically.

Transition metal-promoted biomimetic steps in total syntheses

Important biomimetic steps in natural product synthesis have been promoted by transition metals, as exemplified by this beautiful ruthenium-catalyzed rearrangement of an endoperoxide into elysiapyrone A. Such reactions are supposed to occur during the biosynthesis, yet under different catalysis conditions.

Asymmetric induction in 8π electrocyclizations. Design of a removable chiral auxiliary

The pseudo C(2) symmetric trans diphenyl oxazoline group acts as an effective chiral auxiliary in the 8π, 6π tandem electrocyclization of a substituted tetraene 1-carboxylic acid. Assignment of absolute stereochemistry to the [4.2.0] bicyclooctadiene product supports a model in which both s-cis and s-trans conformations favor the transition states with the same helical twist. This assignment prefaces the development of analogs of SNF4435 C and D. These natural products demonstrate activity as androgen receptor antagonists and as multidrug resistance (mdr) reversal agents.

Asymmetric 1,4-dihydroxylation of 1,3-dienes by catalytic enantioselective diboration

Asymmetric 1,4-dihydroxylations of 1,3-dienes, and other transformations, are initiated by the Pt-catalyzed enantioselective addition of bis(pinacolato)diboron (B(2)(pin)(2)) to conjugated dienes. The studies reported in this communication suggest that both cyclic and acyclic substrates will participate in this reaction; however, dienes which are unable to adopt the S-cis conformation are unreactive. For most substrates, 1,4-addition is the predominant pathway. In addition to oxidation to the derived 2-buten-1,4-diol, stereoselective carbonyl allylation with the intermediate bis(boronate) ester is also described.

Biomimetic synthesis and structural reassignment of the tridachiahydropyrones

The biomimetic synthesis and structural reassignment of tridachiahydropyrone, tridachiahydropyrone B and tridachiahydropyrone C, isolated from mollusks of the order Sacoglossa, using a sequence of photochemical transformations from a common polyene precursor are described. These complex natural products may act as sunscreens for the producing organism, thus offering protection from harmful UV radiation and oxidative damage.

Biomimetic synthesis of the shimalactones

A biomimetic synthesis of shimalactone A and B is described. Its key features are an unprecedented acid-catalyzed cyclization of a dienyl beta-ketolactone and a Stille coupling/8pi-6pi electrocyclization cascade to create the oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene, respectively. The synthesis is convergent and void of protecting groups.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2005 for marine natural products, with 704 citations (493 for the period January to December 2005) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates and echinoderms. The emphasis is on new compounds (812 for 2005), together with their relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Cascade Reactions in Total Synthesis

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Cleavable Chiral Auxiliaries in 8π (8π, 6π) Electrocyclizations

[reaction: see text] Low to moderate diastereoselectivity was observed in the 8pi electrocyclization of a series of chiral auxiliary-bearing tetraenic esters. In the 8-arylmenthyl series, diastereomeric products were separated by chromatography.

Cycloaddition between Electron-Deficient π-Systems, Photochemical and Radical-Induced Reactions: A Novel, General, and Stereoselective Route to Polyfunctionalized Bridged Bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes, Bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes, Bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes, and Tricyclo[4.3.1.03,7]decanes

A novel, general, and stereoselective route to functionalized bridged bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes, bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes, bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes, and tricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,7)]decanes has been described. Various functionalized and substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes endowed with a beta,gamma-enone chromophore were synthesized via cycloaddition of in situ generated cyclohexa-2,4-dienones with electron-deficient 2pi partners and manipulation of the resulting adducts. Triplet sensitized irradiation of bridged bicyclooctenones led to synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]octanoids, whereas the direct irradiation furnished bicyclo[4.2.0]octanes in stereoselective fashion as a result of modulation of reactivity in excited states. Further, manipulation of the adducts led to appropriately appended and functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes that upon radical induced cyclization provided an efficient and stereoselective route to the tricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,7)]decane (isotwistane) framework of pupukeananes.

Photosensitized Conversion of 9,10-Deoxytridachione to Photodeoxytridachione

[reaction: see text] The photochemical conversion of 9,10-deoxytridachione to photodeoxytridachione has been photosensitized. The conversion was also quenched by piperylene. Photodeoxytridachione was produced in good yields under conditions in which only the cyclohexadiene group is sensitized. The results show that some, and perhaps all, of the photoreactions of 9,10-deoxytridachione occur through a triplet excited state. The mechanistic and biosynthetic implications of these results are discussed.