Efficient synthesis of (−)-γ-lycorane alkaloid by two Bu3SnH-mediated radical cyclisations

Short Formal Syntheses of Lycorine and Congeners Using a 5-Endo-Trig/6-Endo-Trig Radical Cyclization Sequence

Here, we report a practical route to medicinally interesting lycorine congeners alongside formal syntheses of various lycorine-type natural products, including lycorine itself. The efficiency of our strategy derives from a back-to-back 5-endo-trig/6-endo-trig radical cyclization sequence, which we systematically studied both experimentally and computationally. The results of our work will facilitate future development of urgently needed antiviral therapeutics based on lycorine.

Synthetic Approaches to α-, β-, γ-, and δ-lycoranes

Lycorane is a pentacyclic core presented in alkaloids isolated from the Amaryllidaceae family of herbaceous flowering plants. Members of this class of natural products have shown to display important biological properties including analgesic, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities. This review presents the known synthetic routes toward α-, β-, γ-, and δ-lycoranes. α-(19 routes), β-(10 routes), γ-(38 routes), and δ-(6 routes).

Extension of hydrogen borrowing alkylation reactions for the total synthesis of (-)-γ-lycorane

The total synthesis of (-)-γ-lycorane (10 steps) and synthesis of (±)-γ-lycorane (8 steps) was completed from cyclohexenone. A new two step hydrogen borrowing alkylation of an aziridinyl alcohol, coupled with a Ph* (Me₅C₆) deprotection/cyclisation procedure was developed for de novo formation of the fused 6,5 heterocyclic ring. This work is one of the first examples of hydrogen borrowing C-C bond formation being used as a key step in a total synthesis project.

Hydroamination of Dihapto-Coordinated Benzene and Diene Complexes of Tungsten: Fundamental Studies and the Synthesis of γ-Lycorane

Reactions are described for complexes of the form WTp(NO)(PMe₃)(η²-arene) and various amines, where the arene is benzene or benzene with an electron-withdrawing substituent (CF₃, SO₂Ph, SO₂Me). The arene complex is first protonated to form an η²-arenium species, which then selectively adds the amine. The resulting η²-5-amino-1,3-cyclohexadiene complexes can then be subjected to the same sequence with a second nucleophile to form 3-aminocyclohexene complexes, where up to three stereocenters originate from the arene carbons. Alternatively, 1,3-cyclohexadiene complexes containing an ester group at the 5 position (also prepared from an arene) can be treated with acid followed by an amine to form trisubstituted 3-aminocyclohexenes. When the amine is primary, ring closure can occur to form a cis-fused bicyclic γ-lactam. Highly functionalized cyclohexenes can be liberated from the tungsten through oxidative decomplexation. The potential utility of this methodology is demonstrated in the synthesis of the alkaloid γ-lycorane. An enantioenriched synthesis of a lactam precursor to γ-lycorane is also described. This compound is prepared from an enantioenriched version of the tungsten benzene complex. Regio- and stereochemical assignments for the reported compounds are supported by detailed 2D-NMR analysis and 13 molecular structure determinations (SC-XRD).

Multifaceted α-Enaminone: Adaptable Building Block for Synthesis of Heterocyclic Scaffolds Through Conceptually Distinct 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, and C-O Bond Forming Annulations

The new reactivity of α,β-unsaturated enaminones driven by their "dual electronic attitude" is reported. We introduce unexplored, α-enaminone synthones and reveal the unusual functionalities of these building blocks. The feasibility of this new concept is demonstrated in the direct functionalization of enaminone precursors, such as alkylation; 1,2- 1,3-, or 1,4-addition; and C-O bond formation. The general and potential applicability is presented through the collective synthesis of several important classes of heterocycles via controlled cyclizations of easily accessible common precursors. The rapid composition of novel key α-enaminone synthones yields an assembly of oxazines, azaspirones, quinolinones, and quinolinols in a regio- and chemoselective fashion.

Short Total Synthesis of (±)-γ-Lycorane by a Sequential Intramolecular Acylal Cyclisation (IAC) and Intramolecular Heck Addition Reaction

An intramolecular acylal cyclisation (IAC) approach to the synthesis of a range of bicyclic heterocycles is reported. As an example of the utility of the IAC reaction, the methodology was applied in a protecting-group-free five-step total synthesis of (±)-γ-lycorane, incorporating a new intramolecular Heck addition reaction to generate the pentacyclic core structure of the natural product in good yield.