Spiro ent-Clerodane Dimers: Discovery and Green Approaches for a Scalable Biomimetic Synthesis

Scospirosins A (1) and B (2), two unprecedented spiro ent-clerodane dimers with 6/6/10/6 and 6/6/6/6/6 ring systems, respectively, were isolated from Isodon scoparius. Their structures were unambiguously established by spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, and chemical approaches. A bioinspired protecting-group-free strategy for their synthesis was achieved on a gram scale and featured the application of green methods, including neat reaction, sensitized photooxygenation, and electrochemical oxidation. 2 exhibited selective immunosuppressive activity against the proliferation of T lymphocytes (IC₅₀ = 1.42 μM).

Metal-Free Intramolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of γ-Hydroxy Acetylenic Ketones with Alkynes for the Synthesis of Naphtho[1,2-c]furan-5-ones and Its Derivatization via a Selective C(sp2)-H Deuteration Reaction

A metal-free intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddtion has been achieved by treating benzene-linked propynol-ynes with AcOH/H₂O in a one-pot manner. The reaction provides greener, 100% atom-economic, highly regioselective, and more practical access to functionalized naphtho[1,2-c]furan-5-ones with valuable and versatile applications. The regioselective α-deuteration of naphtho[1,2-c]furan-5-ones has been also presented with excellent deuterium incorporation and chemical yields. Moreover, the fluorescent properties of naphtho[1,2-c]furan-5-one products have been investigated in solution.

Expanding the antibacterial selectivity of polyether ionophore antibiotics through diversity-focused semisynthesis

Polyether ionophores are complex natural products capable of transporting cations across biological membranes. Many polyether ionophores possess potent antimicrobial activity and a few selected compounds have ability to target aggressive cancer cells. Nevertheless, ionophore function is believed to be associated with idiosyncratic cellu-lar toxicity and, consequently, human clinical development has not been pursued. Here, we demonstrate that structurally novel polyether ionophores can be efficiently constructed by recycling components of highly abundant polyethers to afford analogues with enhanced anti-bacterial selectivity compared to a panel of natural polyether ionophores. We used classic degradation reactions of the natural polyethers lasalocid and monensin and combined the resulting fragments with building blocks provided by total synthesis, including halogen-functionalized tetronic acids as cation-binding groups. Our results suggest that structural optimization of polyether ionophores is possible and that this area represents a potential opportunity for future methodological innovation.

Direct lactonization of alkenols via osmium tetroxide-mediated oxidative cleavage

[reaction: see text] A highly efficient, mild, and simple protocol is presented for the tandem OsO(4)-mediated oxidative cleavage/oxidative lactonization of alkenols to lactones. The protocol couples the OsO(4)-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of olefins with Oxone as the co-oxidant with the direct oxidation of aldehydes in alcoholic solvents to their corresponding esters.

Novel antibacterial macrolides: synthesis of 15-membered diolides

Novel 15-membered macrolides possessing the dilactone skeleton, diolides 13a and 13b, have been synthesized in our research program aimed at finding new antibacterial macrolides. Key strategic elements of the approach include the ring-expanding reaction of 13-membered dilactones, prepared from erythromycin A (Ery-A), to 15-membered dilactones via intramolecular translactonization. The absolute configuration at the regenerated C-8 position of the new diolides was determined by chemical transformation, leading to the corresponding lactam analogues, whose stereochemistry is known in the literature. For further confirmation, X-ray analysis was performed. The X-ray structure determination of 13a revealed a backbone conformation similar to that of Ery-A. Novel 15-membered diolide 13a and the 11,12-diol 18 exhibited antibacterial activities comparable to that of Ery-A.