A diastereodivergent synthetic strategy for the syntheses of communesin F and perophoramidine

Enantioselective construction of triaryl-substituted all-carbon quaternary stereocenters via organocatalytic arylation of oxindoles with azonaphthalenes

Azonaphthalenes have been verified as a class of effective arylation reagents in a variety of asymmetric transformations. Here a highly efficient approach to construct triaryl-substituted all-carbon quaternary stereocenters through chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed enantioselective arylation of 3-aryl-2-oxindoles with azonaphthalenes is disclosed. This chemistry is scalable and displays excellent functional group tolerance, furnishing a series of 3,3-disubstituted 2-oxindole derivatives in good yields with excellent enantiocontrol. Preliminary mechanistic data suggest that the initially formed direct addition intermediate undergoes intramolecular annulation under acidic reaction conditions.

Palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization of allenamide with 2-iodoanilines to access functionalized indoloquinolines

A novel and efficient palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization to indoloquinoline derivatives in one pot has been developed by using allenamide derivatives and 2-iodoanilines as the key building blocks. The process involved two cyclizations: intramolecular cyclization/π-allylic substitution and intramolecular 6-endo Heck cyclization. Furthermore, dihydrobenzofuro[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives could also be achieved via this strategy using allenyl ethers instead of allenamides. The readily available substrates, mild conditions, high efficiency and step economy make this strategy a promising method in the synthesis of polycyclic motifs.

Ag(I)/PPh3-catalyzed diastereoselective syntheses of spiro[indole-3,4'-piperidine] derivatives via cycloisomerizations of tryptamine-ynamides

A Ag(I)/PPh₃-catalyzed chelation-controlled cycloisomerization of tryptamine-ynamide was developed to access the spiro[indole-3,4'-piperidine] scaffold in a racemic and diastereoselective manner. The diastereoselective products were achieved by a chiron approach. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that strong non-covalent effects between the substrate and catalyst/ligand complex stabilized the spiroindoleninium intermediate via cation-π-π interactions.

Synthesis of Indoloquinolines: An Intramolecular Cyclization Leading to Advanced Perophoramidine-Relevant Intermediates

The bioactive natural product perophoramidine has proved a challenging synthetic target. An alternative route to its indolo[2,3-b]quinolone core structure involving a N-chlorosuccinimde-mediated intramolecular cyclization reaction is reported. Attempts to progress towards the natural product are also discussed with an unexpected deep-seated rearrangement of the core structure occurring during an attempted iodoetherification reaction. X-ray crystallographic analysis provides important analytical confirmation of assigned structures.

Stereoselective synthesis and applications of spirocyclic oxindoles

This review summaries recent synthetic developments towards spirocyclic oxindoles and applications as valuable medicinal and synthetic targets.

Ring expansion and ring opening of 3-halooxindoles with N-alkoxycarbonyl-O-tosylhydroxylamines for divergent access to 4-aminoquinolin-2-ones and N-Cbz-N’-arylureas

The reaction of N-alkoxycarbonyl-O-tosylhydroxylamines with indol-2-ones in situ generated from 3-halooxindoles has been developed for divergently accessing 4-aminoquinolin-2-ones and N-Cbz-N’-arylureas in good to excellent yields.

Access to Polycyclic Azepino[5,4,3-cd]indoles via a Gold-Catalyzed Post-Ugi Dearomatization Cascade

The development of a rapid and diverse access to complex natural product-like 3,4-fused indole scaffolds has always attracted considerable attention from synthetic and medicinal communities. We herein disclose a modular and straightforward protocol to prepare the densely substituted polycyclic azepino[5,4,3-cd]indole scaffolds. This synthetic process involves an Ugi four-component reaction from easily available starting materials and a gold-catalyzed post-Ugi domino dearomatization/Michael addition sequence, enabling facile access to the highly functionalized azepino[5,4,3-cd]indole core with excellent chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity.

Enzyme-Catalyzed Azepinoindole Formation in Clavine Alkaloid Biosynthesis

(-)-Aurantioclavine (1), which contains a characteristic seven-membered ring fused to an indole ring, belongs to the azepinoindole class of fungal clavine alkaloids. Here we show that starting from a 4-dimethylallyl-l-tryptophan precursor, a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-binding oxidase and a catalase-like heme-containing protein are involved in the biosynthesis of 1. The function of these two enzymes was characterized by heterologous expression, in vitro characterization, and deuterium labeling experiments.

Total Synthesis and Anti-Cancer Activity of All Known Communesin Alkaloids and Related Derivatives

A unified enantioselective total synthesis and anticancer evaluation of all known epoxide-containing communesin alkaloids and related derivatives is described. Our synthesis is predicated on the convergent and modular diazene-directed assembly of two complex fragments to secure the critical C3a-C3a' linkage followed by a guided biomimetic aminal reorganization to deliver the heptacyclic core of these alkaloids. Concise enantioselective syntheses of the fragments were devised, with highlights including the application of a rationally designed sulfinamide chiral auxiliary, an efficient calcium trifluoromethanesulfonate promoted intramolecular amination, and a diastereoselective epoxidation that simultaneously converts the new chiral auxiliary to a versatile amine protective group. The modularity of our convergent approach enabled the rapid synthesis of all epoxide-containing members of the communesin family from a single heterodimeric intermediate, including the first total synthesis of communesins C-E, and G-I, and facilitated our stereochemical revision of (-)-communesin I, the most recently isolated communesin alkaloid. Furthermore, the generality of our biogenetically inspired heterodimer rearrangement was demonstrated in a guided synthesis of a communesin derivative with an unnatural topology. Finally, we report the first comparative analysis of the anticancer activities of all naturally occurring communesin alkaloids A-I and eight complex derivatives against five human cancer cell lines. From these data, we have identified (-)-communesin B as the most potent natural communesin and discovered that derivatives with N8'-sulfonamide substitution exhibit up to a 10-fold increase in potency over the natural alkaloids.

Total Synthesis as a Vehicle for Collaboration

"Collaboration" is not the first word most would associate with the field of total synthesis. In fact, the spirit of total synthesis is all-too-often reputed as being more competitive, rather than collaborative, sometimes even within individual laboratories. However, recent studies in total synthesis have inspired a number of collaborative efforts that strategically blend synthetic methodology, biocatalysis, biosynthesis, computational chemistry, and drug discovery with complex molecule synthesis. This Perspective highlights select recent advances in these areas, including collaborative syntheses of chlorolissoclimide, nigelladine A, artemisinin, ingenol, hippolachnin A, communesin A, and citrinalin B. The legendary Woodward-Eschenmoser collaboration that led to the total synthesis of vitamin B₁₂ is also discussed.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carboborylation of 1,3-diene and synthesis of ABCD ring of communesins

A palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carboborylation of 1,3-diene has been developed for the synthesis of iminoindolines with a quaternary carbon centre. This method was applied to a substrate bearing several functional groups to afford a complex iminoindoline, which was subsequently converted into an ABCD ring model compound of communesins via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type reaction.

Synthesis of the ABCDG ring skeleton of communesin F based on carboborylation of 1,3-diene and Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed cyclizations

Communesins, isolated from the mycelium of a strain of Penicillium sp., are cytotoxic heptacyclic indole alkaloids bearing a bis-aminal structure and two contiguous quaternary carbon centers. Toward a total synthesis of communesin F, we synthesized a pentacyclic ABCDG ring skeleton via carboborylation of 1,3-diene and a Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization, resulting in the formation of an azepine ring through a Bi(OTf)₃-catalyzed S_N2' reaction.

1-Alkyl-3-alkylindolin-2-imine hydrochlorides as useful building blocks in the copper-catalyzed synthesis of polycyclic indoline scaffolds

A novel and efficient copper-catalyzed synthesis of dihydro-6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives has been developed by using 3-alkyl-1-alkylindolin-2-imine hydrochlorides as the building blocks.

Thermal-mediated catalyst-free heterolytic cleavage of 3-halooxindoles: rapid access to 3-functionalized-2-oxindoles

Herein a previously unreported catalyst-free S_N1 reaction of the 3-halooxindoles to build 3-functionalized-2-oxindoles is described.

Tryptophol and derivatives: natural occurrence and applications to the synthesis of bioactive compounds

This report presents some fundamental aspects related to the natural occurrence and bioactivity of tryptophol as well as the synthesis of tryptophols and their utilization for the preparation of naturally occurring alkaloid metabolites embedding the indole system.

Functionalized Spiroindolines with Anticancer Activity through a Metal-Free Post-Ugi Diastereoselective One-Pot Cascade Reaction

A post-Ugi diastereoselective one-pot cascade reaction requiring no metal catalyst was developed. The reaction scope was wide with mild conditions and good yields. A collection of spiroindolines was prepared by the protocol and screening tests in several difficult-to-inhibit cancer cell lines were conducted. The relationship of structure and anticancer activities was promising and in the Huh7 cell lines compound 16 j is more potent than Vinbalstine. The cyclization design strategy could be applicable to other multicomponent reactions (MCRs) for synthesizing bioactive and drug-like heterocycles.

Total synthesis of natural productsviairidium catalysis

An overview of the highlights in total synthesis of natural products using iridium as a catalyst is given.

Organocatalytic and Late-Stage CH-Functionalization Enabled Asymmetric Synthesis of Communesin F and Putative Communesins

Herein we report the total syntheses of communesin F and putative members of the communesin family of polycyclic bis-aminal alkaloids. The successful strategy featured a novel organocatalytic reaction between two oxindole subunits to cast, after extensive optimization, the all-carbon vicinal quaternary stereocenters of the target molecule with high enantiocontrol. The resulting bis-oxindole intermediate further underwent a Ti(O ⁱPr)₄-mediated dehydrative skeletal rearrangement to furnish the communesin core structure. Consider the ready availability and low-cost of unsubstituted isatin, and the inferior organocatalytic reaction employing a bromo-substituted substrate, a Pd(OAc)₂-catalyzed and oxalamide-directed aryl CH-alkenylation reaction was implemented to assemble the complete skeletal backbone of the target molecule. Collectively, the synthetic technologies disclosed herein constitute the first asymmetric organocatalytic approach to the communesins, together with a highly effective late-stage CH-functionalization in stark contrast to the bromoarene substrates employed in all of the past synthetic work.

Oxidative Cyclization in Natural Product Biosynthesis

Oxidative cyclizations are important transformations that occur widely during natural product biosynthesis. The transformations from acyclic precursors to cyclized products can afford morphed scaffolds, structural rigidity, and biological activities. Some of the most dramatic structural alterations in natural product biosynthesis occur through oxidative cyclization. In this Review, we examine the different strategies used by nature to create new intra(inter)molecular bonds via redox chemistry. This Review will cover both oxidation- and reduction-enabled cyclization mechanisms, with an emphasis on the former. Radical cyclizations catalyzed by P450, nonheme iron, α-KG-dependent oxygenases, and radical SAM enzymes are discussed to illustrate the use of molecular oxygen and S-adenosylmethionine to forge new bonds at unactivated sites via one-electron manifolds. Nonradical cyclizations catalyzed by flavin-dependent monooxygenases and NAD(P)H-dependent reductases are covered to show the use of two-electron manifolds in initiating cyclization reactions. The oxidative installations of epoxides and halogens into acyclic scaffolds to drive subsequent cyclizations are separately discussed as examples of "disappearing" reactive handles. Last, oxidative rearrangement of rings systems, including contractions and expansions, will be covered.

Advances in Stereoconvergent Catalysis from 2005 to 2015: Transition-Metal-Mediated Stereoablative Reactions, Dynamic Kinetic Resolutions, and Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformations

Stereoconvergent catalysis is an important subset of asymmetric synthesis that encompasses stereoablative transformations, dynamic kinetic resolutions, and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations. Initially, only enzymes were known to catalyze dynamic kinetic processes, but recently various synthetic catalysts have been developed. This Review summarizes major advances in nonenzymatic, transition-metal-promoted dynamic asymmetric transformations reported between 2005 and 2015.

Convergent and Biomimetic Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Communesin F

The first biomimetic enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-communesin F based on a late-stage heterodimerization and aminal exchange is described. Our synthesis features the expedient diazene-directed assembly of two advanced fragments to secure the congested C3a-C3a' linkage in three steps, followed by a highly efficient biogenetically inspired aminal reorganization to access the heptacyclic communesin core in only two additional steps. Enantioselective syntheses of the two fragments were developed, with highlights including the catalytic asymmetric halocyclization and diastereoselective oxyamination reactions of tryptamine derivatives, a stereoselective sulfinimine allylation, and an efficient cyclotryptamine-C3a-sulfamate synthesis by either a new silver-promoted nucleophilic amination or a rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination protocol. The versatile syntheses of the fragments, their stereocontrolled assembly, and the efficient aminal exchange as supported by in situ monitoring experiments, in addition to the final stage N1'-acylation of the communesin core, provide a highly convergent synthesis of (-)-communesin F.

P450-Mediated Coupling of Indole Fragments To Forge Communesin and Unnatural Isomers

Dimeric indole alkaloids are structurally diverse natural products that have attracted significant attention from the synthetic and biosynthetic communities. Here, we describe the characterization of a P450 monooxygenase CnsC from Penicillium that catalyzes the heterodimeric coupling between two different indole moieties, tryptamine and aurantioclavine, to construct vicinal quaternary stereocenters and yield the heptacyclic communesin scaffold. We show, via biochemical characterization, substrate analogues, and computational methods that CnsC catalyzes the C3-C3' carbon-carbon bond formation and controls the regioselectivities of the pair of subsequent aminal bond formations to yield the communesin core. Use of ω-N-methyltryptamine and tryptophol in place of tryptamine led to the enzymatic synthesis of isocommunesin compounds, which have not been isolated to date.

Total synthesis of dehaloperophoramidine using a highly diastereoselective Hosomi–Sakurai reaction

Synthesis involving diastereoselective Hosomi–Sakurai reaction to install the contiguous quaternary stereocentres.

Recent Advances on the Total Syntheses of Communesin Alkaloids and Perophoramidine

The communesin alkaloids are a diverse family of Penicillium-derived alkaloids. Their caged-polycyclic structure and intriguing biological profiles have made these natural products attractive targets for total synthesis. Similarly, the ascidian-derived alkaloid, perophoramidine, is structurally related to the communesins and has also become a popular target for total synthesis. This review serves to summarize the many elegant approaches that have been developed to access the communesin alkaloids and perophoramidine. Likewise, strategies to access the communesin ring system are reviewed.

Enantioselective Construction of Spiroindolines with Three Contiguous Stereogenic Centers and Chiral Tryptamine Derivatives via Reactive Spiroindolenine Intermediates

The highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched spiroindolines by iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic dearomatization and reduction is presented. Spiroindolines containing three contiguous stereogenic centers were obtained with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity. In addition, a chiral tryptamine derivative could be easily accessed in good yield with excellent ee value through an unprecedented dearomatization/retro-Mannich/hydrolysis cascade reaction of an indole derivative.