Photocatalytic Tandem Radical Cyclization Enables Expeditious Total Synthesis of Epoxyhinokiol Analogues for Anticancer Activity Evaluation

A photocatalytic radical cascade with an unusual endo-trig cyclization was developed, which enables the efficient assembly of divergent tricyclic diterpenoid frameworks. The first total synthesis of abietane 10-epi-epoxyhinoliol was thus achieved in six steps by a subsequent reductive coupling of i-PrBr under photoredox/nickel dual catalysis. Inhibitory tests of chiral 10-epi-epoxyhinoliol and its analogues in 4T1 cancer cells demonstrated the critical role of the C12 hydroxyl group, leading to a discovery of the simplified analogue with better activity.

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Synthesis of Benzothiophene-Fused Oxa[6.6.5]tricyclic Skeletons through a Cinchonidine- or NaOH-Promoted Quadruple Domino Sequence

Two base-promoted quadruple domino reactions between thioaurones and allylic phosphonium salts have been developed to synthesize benzothiophene-fused oxa[6.6.5]tricyclic skeletons in moderate to good yields with excellent stereoselectivity and broad functional-group tolerance. This is a simple and useful protocol for the rapid construction of the umbrella-like oxa[6.6.5]tricyclic skeleton.

A rapid construction of the ABC tricyclic skeleton of malabanone A

The construction of the ABC tricyclic skeleton of malabanone A with the required 4 stereocenters was accomplished in a concise route starting from R-carvone. The synthesis featured an intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to assemble its A ring and an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to construct its C ring.

Radicals in natural product synthesis

Free radical intermediates have intrigued chemists since their discovery, and an ever-increasing appreciation for their unique reactivity has resulted in the widespread utilization of these species throughout the field of chemical synthesis. This is most evident from the recent surge in the application of intermolecular radical reactions that feature in complex molecule syntheses. This tutorial review will discuss the diverse methods utilized for radical generation and reactivity to form critical bonds in natural product total synthesis. In particular, stabilized (e.g. benzyl) and persistent (e.g. TEMPO) radicals will be the primary focus.

Total synthesis of conosilane A via a site-selective C–H functionalization strategy

The strategy developed for the first total synthesis of highly oxygenated natural product conosilane A involving double manipulation of allylic C(sp³)–H functionalization renders the power of C–H functionalization in organic syntheses.