Studies toward the synthesis of spirolide C: exploration into the formation of the 23-membered all-carbon macrocyclic framework

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Phaeocaulisin A

The therapeutic properties of Curcuma (ginger and turmeric’s family) have long been known in traditional medicine. However, only recently have guaiane-type sesquiterpenes extracted from Curcuma phaeocaulis been submitted to biological testing, and their enhanced bioactivity was highlighted. Among these compounds, phaeocaulisin A has shown remarkable anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, which appears to be tied to the unique bridged acetal moiety embedded in its tetracyclic framework. Prompted by the promising biological profile of phaeocaulisin A and by the absence of a synthetic route for its provision, we have implemented the first enantioselective total synthesis of phaeocaulisin A in 17 steps with 2% overall yield. Our route design builds on the identification of an enantioenriched lactone intermediate, tailored with both a ketone moiety and a conjugated alkene system. Taking advantage of the umpolung carbonyl-olefin coupling reactivity enabled by the archetypal single-electron transfer (SET) reductant samarium diiodide (SmI₂), the lactone intermediate was submitted to two sequential SmI₂-mediated cyclizations to stereoselectively construct the polycyclic core of the natural product. Crucially, by exploiting the innate inner-sphere nature of carbonyl reduction using SmI₂, we have used a steric blocking strategy to render sites SET-unreceptive and thus achieve chemoselective reduction in a complex substrate. Our asymmetric route enabled elucidation of the naturally occurring isomer of phaeocaulisin A and provides a synthetic platform to access other guaiane-type sesquiterpenes from C. phaeocaulis—as well as their synthetic derivatives—for medicinal chemistry and drug design.

Convenient access to 5-membered cyclic iminium ions: evidence for a stepwise [4 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism

In situ generation and reaction of novel 5-membered N-tosyl cyclic α,β-unsaturated iminium ions from readily prepared stable precursors is demonstrated. Formal iminium Diels-Alder cycloaddition proceeded in good yield via a stepwise rather than concerted cycloaddition process, confirmed through the isolation of a Mukaiyama-Michael type intermediate. Relative stereochemistry was determined upon subsequent intramolecular cyclisation under Lewis acid catalysis to afford formal endo 5,6-spirobicyclic adducts, as confirmed by crystallography. Further synthetic elaboration towards complex molecular scaffolds based on the dinoflagellate metabolite portimine, a potent apoptosis inducer, were also developed.

Synthesis and biology of cyclic imine toxins, an emerging class of potent, globally distributed marine toxins

From a small group of exotic compounds isolated only two decades ago, Cyclic Imine (CI) toxins have become a major class of marine toxins with global distribution. Their distinct chemical structure, biological mechanism of action, and intricate chemistry ensures that CI toxins will continue to be the subject of fascinating fundamental studies in the broad fields of chemistry, chemical biology, and toxicology. The worldwide occurrence of potent CI toxins in marine environments, their accumulation in shellfish, and chemical stability are important considerations in assessing risk factors for human health. This review article aims to provide an account of chemistry, biology, and toxicology of CI toxins from their discovery to the present day.

Evolution of a Unified Strategy for Complex Sesterterpenoids: Progress toward Astellatol and the Total Synthesis of (-)-Nitidasin

Astellatol and nitidasin belong to a subset of sesterterpenoids that share a sterically encumbered trans-hydrindane motif with an isopropyl substituent. In addition, these natural products feature intriguing polycyclic ring systems, posing significant challenges for chemical synthesis. Herein, the evolution of our stereoselective strategy for isopropyl trans-hydrindane sesterterpenoids is detailed. These endeavors included the synthesis of several building blocks, enabling studies toward all molecules of this terpenoid subclass, and of advanced intermediates of our initial route toward a biomimetic synthesis of astellatol. These findings provided the basis for a second-generation and a third-generation approach toward astellatol that eventually culminated in the enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-nitidasin. In particular, a series of substrate-controlled transformations to install the ten stereogenic centers of the target molecule was orchestrated and the carbocyclic backbone was forged in a convergent fashion. Furthermore, the progress toward the synthesis of astellatol is disclosed and insights into some observed yet unexpected diastereoselectivities by detailed quantum-mechanical calculations are provided.

Direct enantioselective conjugate addition of carboxylic acids with chiral lithium amides as traceless auxiliaries

Michael addition is a premier synthetic method for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation. Using chiral dilithium amides as traceless auxiliaries, we report the direct enantioselective Michael addition of carboxylic acids. A free carboxyl group in the product provides versatility for further functionalization, and the chiral reagent can be readily recovered by extraction with aqueous acid. The method has been applied in the enantioselective total synthesis of the purported structure of pulveraven B.

Synthesis and biological activity of the C'D'E'F' ring system of maitotoxin

Stereoselective synthesis of the C'D'E'F' ring system of maitotoxin was achieved starting from the E' ring through successive formation of the D' and C' rings based on SmI2-mediated reductive cyclization. Construction of the F' ring was accomplished via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with a side chain fragment and Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization of an allylic alcohol. The C'D'E'F' ring system inhibited maitotoxin-induced Ca(2+) influx in rat glioma C6 cells with an IC50 value of 59 μM.

Bioactive marine drugs and marine biomaterials for brain diseases

Marine invertebrates produce a plethora of bioactive compounds, which serve as inspiration for marine biotechnology, particularly in drug discovery programs and biomaterials development. This review aims to summarize the potential of drugs derived from marine invertebrates in the field of neuroscience. Therefore, some examples of neuroprotective drugs and neurotoxins will be discussed. Their role in neuroscience research and development of new therapies targeting the central nervous system will be addressed, with particular focus on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In addition, the neuronal growth promoted by marine drugs, as well as the recent advances in neural tissue engineering, will be highlighted.

Asymmetric alcohol C-H allylation and syn-crotylation: C9-C20 of tetrafibricin

The C9-C20 segment of the fibrinogen receptor inhibitor tetrafibricin was prepared in 10 steps (longest linear sequence). Ruthenium catalyzed enantioselective syn-crotylation is used to construct C9-C13. Iridium catalyzed asymmetric alcohol C-H allylation of a commercial malic acid derived alcohol is used to construct C14-C20. Recovery and recycling of the iridium catalyst is described.

Re2O7-catalyzed reaction of hemiacetals and aldehydes with O-, S-, and C-nucleophiles

Re(VII) oxides catalyze the acetalization, monoperoxyacetalization, monothioacetalization and allylation of hemiacetals. The reactions, which take place under mild conditions and at low catalyst loadings, can be conducted using hemiacetals, the corresponding O-silyl ethers, and, in some cases, the acetal dimers. Aldehydes react under similar conditions to furnish good yields of dithioacetals. Reactions of hemiacetals with nitrogen nucleophiles are unsuccessful. 1,2-Dioxolan-3-ols (peroxyhemiacetals) undergo Re(VII)-promoted etherification but not allylation. Hydroperoxyacetals (1-alkoxyhydroperoxides) undergo selective exchange of the alkoxide group in the presence of either Re₂O₇ or a Brønsted acid.

Stability of cyclic imine toxins: interconversion of pinnatoxin amino ketone and pinnatoxin A in aqueous media

Pinnatoxins belong to the cyclic imine (CI) group of marine toxins with a unique toxicological profile. The need for structural integrity of the aliphatic 7-membered cyclic imine for the potent bioactivity of pinnatoxins has been experimentally demonstrated. In this study, we probe interconversion of the natural cyclic imine and its open form, pinnatoxin A amino ketone (PnTX AK), under physiologically relevant aqueous conditions. Our studies demonstrate the high stability of PnTX A. The unusual stability of the imine ring in PnTX A has implications for its oral toxicity and detoxification. These studies, as well the access to PnTX amino ketone, were enabled by the total synthesis of (+)-pinnatoxin A completed previously in our laboratory.