Conformation-guided analogue design identifies potential antimalarial compounds through inhibition of mitochondrial respiration

Linear (-)-Zampanolide: Flexibility in Conformation-Activity Relationships

Through an understanding of the conformational preferences of the polyketide natural product (-)-zampanolide, and the structural motifs that control these preferences, we developed a linear zampanolide analogue that exhibits potent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. This discovery provides a set of three structural handles for further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of this potent microtubule-stabilizing agent. Moreover, it provides additional evidence of the complex relationship between ligand preorganization, conformational flexibility, and biological potency. In contrast to medicinal chemistry dogma, these results demonstrate that increased overall conformational flexibility is not necessarily detrimental to protein binding affinity and biological activity.

Origin of High Diastereoselectivity in Reactions of Seven-Membered-Ring Enolates

Unlike many reactions of their six-membered-ring counterparts, the reactions of chiral seven-membered-ring enolates are highly diastereoselective. Diastereoselectivity was observed for a range of substrates, including lactam, lactone, and cyclic ketone derivatives. The stereoselectivity arises from torsional and steric interactions that develop when electrophiles approach the diastereotopic π-faces of the enolates, which are distinguished by subtle differences in the orientation of nearby atoms of the ring.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Diverse Lactones through a Cascade Reaction of Rhodium Carbenoids with Ketoacids

A convergent cascade approach for the stereoselective synthesis of diverse lactones is described. The Rh₂(TFA)₄-catalyzed cascade reaction proceeds via a carboxylic acid O-H insertion/aldol cyclization with high chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity. The cascade reaction provides quick access to highly functionalized γ-butyro- and δ-valerolactones from readily accessible ketoacid and diazo synthons. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, a thermally induced oxy-Cope ring-expansion strategy has been incorporated in the cascade sequence to access medium-sized lactones, which can undergo a serendipitous rearrangement to form spiro-lactones through an intramolecular aldol/trans-lactonization sequence. The reaction has proven to be general, with a range of ketoacids and diazo carbonyls to provide functionalized lactones of varying ring sizes.