Synthesis of Bisbenzannulated SpiroketalsModel Studies for a Modular Approach to Rubromycins

A tandem Prins spirocyclization for the stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrospiro[chroman-2,4′-pyran] derivatives

A novel cascade process has been developed for the synthesis of tetrahydrospiro[chroman-2,4′-pyran] derivatives by condensation of aldehydes with 2-(5-hydroxy-3-methylenepentyl)phenols using BF₃·OEt₂ under mild reaction conditions.

Isolation, biological activity, biosynthesis and synthetic studies towards the rubromycin family of natural products

The rubromycins are a unique family of natural products. This review covers their isolation, biological activity, biosynthesis and a detailed discussion of the diverse chemistry employed for total synthesis.

Alkoxyallenes as building blocks for organic synthesis

Alkoxyallenes are unusually versatile C3 building blocks in organic synthesis. Hence this tutorial review summarizes the most important transformations, including subsequent reactions and their applications in the synthesis of relevant compounds, e.g. natural products. The reactivity patterns involved and the synthons derived from alkoxyallenes are presented. Often alkoxyallenes can serve as substitutes of acrolein or acrolein acetals, utilisation of which has already led to interesting products. Most important is the use of lithiated alkoxyallenes which smoothly react with a variety of electrophiles and lead to products with unique substitution patterns. The heterocycles or carbocycles formed are intermediates for the stereoselective synthesis of natural products or for the preparation of other structurally relevant compounds. The different synthons being put into practice by the use of lithiated alkoxyallenes in these variations will be discussed.

Total synthesis of (±)-δ-rubromycin

Transition-metal-catalyzed spiroketalization cyclization has been performed successfully and has led to the first total synthesis of (±)-δ-rubromycin with a longest linear sequence of 18 steps from commercially available guaiacol in a 2.7% overall yield.

Alternative spiroketalization methods toward purpuromycin: a hemiketal conjugate addition strategy and use of an electron-rich isocoumarin precursor

Two methods are presented that were designed to circumvent the persistent problem of benzofuran formation and instead yield a spiroketal of the rubromycin family type. First, using an alternative disconnection, a hemiketal conjugate addition to a naphthaquinone electrophile was investigated. Synthesis of the requisite electrophile provided insight into the selective oxidation and functionalization of the naphthalene portion. Second, the electronic features of the isocoumarin ring system were adjusted, and the corresponding reactivity further supports the hypothesis that electron-rich isocoumarins are capable of spiroketalization. Robust, flexible syntheses from simple precursors were developed that allowed multiple reduced isocoumarins to be generated. Combined, the data presented herein give insight into the sensitivities of this family and illuminate other potential methods of spiroketalization. In addition, the convergent assembly of substrates containing different naphthaquinone and isocoumarin subunits highlights the utility of our 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition approach to generate analogs of these structures for SAR, as well as chemical reactivity studies.

Preparation of pyridine-3,4-diols, their crystal packing and their use as precursors for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

A series of trifluoromethyl-substituted 3-alkoxypyridinol derivatives has been deprotected to furnish pyridine-3,4-diol derivatives in good yields. The X-ray crystal structure analysis proved that a 1:1 mixture of pyridine-3,4-diols and their pyridin-4-one tautomers exist in the solid state. Subsequent conversion into bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonate)s were smoothly achieved. The obtained compounds were used as substrates for palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions. Fluorescence measurements of the biscoupled products showed a maximum of emission in the violet region of the spectrum.

Sugars, alkaloids, and heteroaromatics: exploring heterocyclic chemistry with alkoxyallenes

As master craftsmen, modern synthetic chemists are challenged to achieve remarkable feats of efficiency and elegance toward molecular targets. The nature of this pursuit necessitates the collection of synthetic repertoires that are tried and true. With methodologies and pathways increasingly scrutinized, the adept chemist must seek out propitious tools to incorporate into the arsenal. With this in mind, this Account highlights the versatility of alkoxyallenes as precursors to valuable heterocyclic building blocks for such efforts as natural product synthesis. Accessed by the etherification of either propargyl alcohols or propargylic halides, alkoxyallenes are obtained after base-catalyzed isomerizations of the propargylic ethers. A host of umpolung synthons are available through this scheme after metalation, generating C(3) nucleophiles synthetically equivalent to vital anionic and zwitterionic synthons. Reactions with a diverse set of heteroatomic electrophiles yield carbohydrates, spiroketals, alkaloids, and heteroaromatics via [3 + 2] or [3 + 3] cyclizations. By employing lithiated alkoxyallenes into transformation routes, the natural product chemist can utilize this methodology as a viable resource in stereoselective synthesis. A survey of our own utilization of alkoxyallenes along synthetic pathways toward natural product targets reveals their suitability for generating advantageous precursors. A set of four stereoisomeric 2,6-dideoxyhexoses were stereoselectively obtained after an initial lithiated alkoxyallene and lactaldehyde cyclization, followed by the oxidative ring opening of the dihydrofurans. Through the addition of a lithiated alkoxyallene to a functionalized benzaldehyde, an essential spiroketal diastereomer was rapidly achieved in a few steps. We greatly benefitted from alkoxyallenes in the construction of complex nitrogen-containing synthetic targets, whether pyrrolidine alkaloids, substituted imidazole derivatives, or functionalized pyridines. A pinnacle example of their utility came from the coupling of alkoxyallenes to nitrones affording 1,2-oxazines, which served as a gateway to an array of novel polyfunctionalized compounds such as aminopolyols, hydroxylated pyrrolidines, or carbohydrate mimetics. Alkoxyallenes have proven themselves to be powerful C(3) building blocks toward complex molecular targets, revealing novel pathways to a variety of desirable highly functionalized heterocycles. In our view, the full extent of their synthetic utility has yet to be truly realized.

Facile synthesis of naphthoquinone spiroketals by diastereoselective oxidative [3 + 2] cycloaddition

A highly selective oxidative [3 + 2] cycloaddition of chiral enol ethers and hydroxynaphthoquinone is described. This convergent strategy is amenable to an enantioselective synthesis of beta-rubromycin and related naphthoquinone spiroketals. Several compounds were found to inhibit DNA-polymerase and telomerase in a manner resembling alpha-rubromycin and beta-rubromycin.