A tandem Prins/Schmidt reaction approach to marine alkaloids: formal and total syntheses of lepadiformines A and C

Synthesis of Dihydropyridine Spirocycles by Semi-Pinacol-Driven Dearomatization of Pyridines

The identification of the beneficial pharmacokinetic properties of aza-spirocycles has led to the routine incorporation of these highly rigid and three-dimensional structures in pharmaceuticals. Herein, we report an operationally simple synthesis of spirocyclic dihydropyridines via an electrophile-induced dearomative semi-pinacol rearrangement of 4-(1'-hydroxycyclobutyl)pyridines. The various points for diversification of the spirocyclization precursors, as well as the synthetic utility of the amine and ketone functionalities in the products, provide the potential to rapidly assemble medicinally relevant spirocycles.

General Synthesis of Cyclopropanols via Organometallic Addition to 1-Sulfonylcyclopropanols as Cyclopropanone Precursors

The addition of organometallic reagents to ketones constitutes one of the most straightforward synthetic approaches to tertiary alcohols. However, due to the absence of a well-behaved class of cyclopropanone surrogates accessible in enantioenriched form, such a trivial synthetic disconnection has received very little attention in the literature for the formation of tertiary cyclopropanols. In this work, we report a simple and high-yielding synthesis of 1-substituted cyclopropanols via the addition of diverse organometallic reagents to 1-phenylsulfonylcyclopropanols, acting here as in situ precursors of the corresponding cyclopropanones. The transformation is shown to be amenable to sp-, sp²-, or sp³-hybridized organometallic C-nucleophiles under mild conditions, and the use of enantioenriched substrates led to highly diastereoselective additions and the formation of optically active cyclopropanols.

Diastereocontrolled Formal Syntheses of (±)-Lepadiformines A, B, and C and the Divergent Synthesis of 2-epi-Lepadiformine C through Unexpected Double Consecutive Epimerizations

We describe here the diastereocontrolled formal racemic syntheses of tricyclic marine alkaloids, lepadiformines A, B, and C as well as their C2 epimers, featuring divergent and stereoselective syntheses of the N-acetyl-8a-cyanodecahydroquinoline frameworks and the base-mediated intramolecular cyclization to establish the spiral quaternary center of the tricyclic framework from sterically well-defined α-aminonitrile 2. The approach allows us to accomplish the tricyclic core structure efficiently from readily available starting materials through simple operations. An unexpected pair of consecutive epimerizations at two contiguous stereocenters is observed on the basis of single-crystal X-ray analyses of the intermediates and derivatives. The findings have been successfully applied to the total synthesis of 2-epi-lepadiformine C. The epimerization mechanism has been elucidated through a series of deuterium-labelling-controlled experiments.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Lepadiformine A via Radical Translocation-Cyclization Reaction

Total synthesis of (-)-lepadiformine A featuring construction of the 1-azaspiro[4.5]decane skeleton by a highly diastereoselective radical translocation-cyclization reaction of a γ-lactam derivative bearing a chiral butenolide moiety is described. The enantioselective construction of butenolide is conducted via Krische's catalytic asymmetric allylation protocol. After the radical translocation-cyclization reaction, a hydroxymethyl group at the C-13 position was stereoselectively introduced by a one-pot partial reduction-allylation protocol of the unprotected lactam derivative. Finally, the total synthesis is completed by formation of a C ring.

Recent applications of the 1,2-carbon atom migration strategy in complex natural product total synthesis

1,2-Carbon atom rearrangement has been broadly applied as a guiding strategy in complex molecule assembly. As it entails the carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bond migration between two vicinal atoms, this type of reaction is capable of generating structural complexity through a molecular skeletal reorganization. This review will focus on recent employment of this strategy in the total synthesis of natural products, highlighting the exceptional utility of such synthetic methodologies in the construction of intricate carbocycles, heterocycles or structurally complex motifs from synthetically more accessible precursors.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclobutanone via Lewis Acid Catalyzed Tandem Cyclopropanation/Semipinacol Rearrangement

Chiral Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric formation of cyclobutanones from α-silyloxyacroleins and α-alkyl or α-aryl diazoesters has been developed. In the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion catalyst, various α-silyloxycyclobutanones possessing a chiral β-quaternary center were synthesized in high yield (up to 91%) with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity (up to 98% ee and up to >20:1 dr) through tandem cyclopropanation/semipinacol rearrangement. The synthetic potential of this method was illustrated by conversion of the product to various cyclic compounds such as γ-lactone, cyclobutanol, and cyclopentanone.

Studies toward the Synthesis of Lepadiformine A

Herein is described an original approach to access a tricyclic framework of the lepadiformine-type alkaloids. A Grignard/N-acylpyridinium salt reaction of a 4-methoxytetrahydroquinoline is the key carbon-carbon bond-forming step that was used to establish the desired absolute stereochemistry at the C2 position of the target alkaloid. The synthesis features an allylation reaction with an N-acyliminium ion to set the C10 quaternary stereocenter, a mild dissolving-metal cleavage of hindered phenyl carbamates, and an aminoiodocyclization to form the pyrrolidine ring. While this route does not provide the correct C10 stereochemistry, it showcases an efficient method to build analogues with the ring system of this class of alkaloids in 11 steps overall.

Synthesis of Fasicularin

The synthesis of a tricyclic marine alkaloid, fasicularin, was accomplished. Stereoselective synthesis of the aza-spirocyclic BC-ring precursor and ensuing construction of the A-ring with stereocontrolled installation of the C2 hexyl group feature prominently in the synthesis.

Synthesis of Lepadiformine Using a Hydroamination Transform

Dissection of lepadiformine by a double hydroamination transform affords a simple achiral amino diene. This reaction is accomplished in the forward sense by amine-directed hydroboration and an oxidative alkyl shift to nitrogen, both of which occur with high stereoselectivity to generate three stereogenic centers and the lepadiformine skeleton.

Synthesis of novel N-cyclopentenyl-lactams using the Aubé reaction

A novel and convenient method utilizing the Aubé reaction to access a new class of compounds that are similar to carbocyclic nucleosides is reported. The azido alcohol derived from Vince lactam undergoes the Aubé reaction with various cyclic ketones to give cyclopentenyl-substituted lactams. Upon dihydroxylation, this affords the N-cyclopentenyl-lactam compounds in racemic form. Given the numerous uses of nucleosides and related compounds, we were interested in the synthesis of carbocylic nucleoside mimics. The attempts and results are described herein.

Temperature dependence of turnover in a Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed intramolecular Schmidt reaction

The intramolecular Schmidt reaction of ketones and tethered azides is an efficient method for the generation of amides and lactams. This reaction is catalyzed by Lewis acids, which tightly bind the strongly basic amide product and result in product inhibition. We report herein conditions to achieve a catalytic Schmidt reaction using substoichiometric amounts of the heat-stable Lewis acid Sc(OTf)₃. This species was shown to effectively release products of the Schmidt reaction in a temperature-dependent fashion. Thus, heat was able to promote catalyst turnover. A brief substrate scope was conducted using these conditions.

Probing chemical space with alkaloid-inspired libraries

Screening of small molecule libraries is an important aspect of probe and drug discovery science. Numerous authors have suggested that bioactive natural products are attractive starting points for such libraries, due to their structural complexity and sp³-rich character. Here, we describe the construction of a screening library based on representative members of four families of biologically active alkaloids (Stemonaceae, the structurally related cyclindricine and lepadiformine families, lupin, and Amaryllidaceae). In each case, scaffolds were based on structures of the naturally occurring compounds or a close derivative. Scaffold preparation was pursued following the development of appropriate enabling chemical methods. Diversification provided 686 new compounds suitable for screening. The libraries thus prepared had structural characteristics, including sp³ content, comparable to a basis set of representative natural products and were highly rule-of-five compliant.

Propargylic cation-induced intermolecular electrophilic addition–semipinacol rearrangement

A novel propargylic electrophile-induced tandem intermolecular addition–semipinacol rearrangement was developed for the synthesis of a series of synthetically useful β-propargyl spirocyclic ketones. Its synthetic application was demonstrated by efficient construction of the key tricyclic moiety of daphlongamine E.

Radical azidation reactions and their application in the synthesis of alkaloids

Recent advances in radical azidation using sulfonyl azides are presented. For instance, radical carboazidation using α-iodoketones, desulfitative carboazidation, and anti-Markovnikov hydroazidation of alkenes are described. These novel methods tolerate a large number of functional groups and allow the synthesis of organic azides that would be difficult to synthesize otherwise. The transformation of the azides using reductive processes as well as a Schmidt reaction under nonacidic conditions were used to synthesize alkaloids including indolizidine 167B, monomorine I, cylindricine C, and lepadiformine C.

Stereocontrol in a combined allylic azide rearrangement and intramolecular Schmidt reaction

Pre-equilibration of an interconverting set of isomeric allylic azides is coupled with an intramolecular Schmidt reaction to afford substituted lactams stereoselectively. The effect of substitution and a preliminary mechanistic study are reported. The synthetic potential of this method is demonstrated in the context of an enantioselective synthesis of an advanced intermediate leading toward pinnaic acid.

Total synthesis of lepadiformine alkaloids using N-Boc α-amino nitriles as trianion synthons

Lepadiformine A, B, and C were synthesized in an enantiomerically pure form using a reductive cyclization strategy. N-Boc α-amino nitriles were deprotonated and alkylated with enantiomerically pure dibromides to afford the first ring. The products were manipulated to introduce phosphate leaving groups, and subsequent reductive lithiation followed by intramolecular alkylation formed the second ring with high stereoselectivity. The third ring was formed by intramolecular displacement of a mesylate by the deprotected amine. Lepadiformine A and B contain a hydroxymethyl group adjacent to the amine. This appendage was introduced in a sequence using a Polonovski-Potier reaction as the key step. The synthetic strategy is stereoselective and convergent and demonstrates the utility of N-Boc α-amino nitriles as linchpins for alkaloid synthesis.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2010. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2011, 28, 196. This review covers the literature published in 2010 for marine natural products, with 895 citations (590 for the period January to December 2010) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1003 for 2010), together with the 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.

Oxidative spirocyclization of phenolic sulfonamides: scope and applications

A full account of the oxidative dearomatization of para- and ortho-phenolic sulfonamides is provided together with an overview of the chemistry of the products and their elaboration to building blocks for spirocyclic alkaloids. A concise total synthesis of putative lepadiformine complements the discussion.

Efficient carboazidation of alkenes using a radical desulfonylative azide transfer process

The radical-mediated carboazidation of terminal alkenes using electrophilic alkanesulfonyl azides is reported. A single reagent delivers the necessary electrophilic alkyl radical as well as the azido group, and good yields are obtained by using a moderate excess of the carboazidating reagent (1.5-2 equiv). Interestingly, in addition to the starting sulfonyl azide, this method requires only the use of a radical initiator, di-tert-butyldiazene. In terms of atom economy, this azide transfer reaction is close to ideal, as SO2 (1 equiv) is the only side product. The synthetic potential of this process has been demonstrated by a formal synthesis of the alkaloid lepadiformine C.