https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2019/NP/C8NP00092A

Marine natural products.

The direct functionalization of C-H bonds in organic compounds has recently emerged as a powerful and ideal method for the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. This Review provides an overview of C-H bond functionalization strategies for the rapid synthesis of biologically active compounds such as natural products and pharmaceutical targets.

C-H bond functionalization: emerging synthetic tools for natural products and pharmaceuticals

In studying the evolution of organic chemistry and grasping its essence, one comes quickly to the conclusion that no other type of reaction plays as large a role in shaping this domain of science than carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The Grignard, Diels-Alder, and Wittig reactions are but three prominent examples of such processes, and are among those which have undeniably exercised decisive roles in the last century in the emergence of chemical synthesis as we know it today. In the last quarter of the 20th century, a new family of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions based on transition-metal catalysts evolved as powerful tools in synthesis. Among them, the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are the most prominent. In this Review, highlights of a number of selected syntheses are discussed. The examples chosen demonstrate the enormous power of these processes in the art of total synthesis and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions in total synthesis.

4.2.8. Reductive Coupling 3109 5. Reaction of Aromatic Compounds 3110 5.1. Electrophilic Substitutions 3110 5.2. Radical Substitution 3111 5.3. Oxidative Coupling 3111 5.4. Photochemical Reactions 3111 6. Reaction of Carbonyl Compounds 3111 6.1. Nucleophilic Additions 3111 6.1.1. Allylation 3111 6.1.2. Propargylation 3120 6.1.3. Benzylation 3121 6.1.4. Arylation/Vinylation 3121 6.1.5. Alkynylation 3121 6.1.6. Alkylation 3121 6.1.7. Reformatsky-Type Reaction 3122 6.1.8. Direct Aldol Reaction 3122 6.1.9. Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction 3124 6.1.10. Hydrogen Cyanide Addition 3125 6.2. Pinacol Coupling 3126 6.3. Wittig Reactions 3126 7. Reaction of R,â-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds 3127

Organic Reactions in Aqueous Media with a Focus on Carbon−Carbon Bond Formations: A Decade Update

The design and implementation of cascade reactions is a challenging facet of organic chemistry, yet one that can impart striking novelty, elegance, and efficiency to synthetic strategies. The application of cascade reactions to natural products synthesis represents a particularly demanding task, but the results can be both stunning and instructive. This Review highlights selected examples of cascade reactions in total synthesis, with particular emphasis on recent applications therein. The examples discussed herein illustrate the power of these processes in the construction of complex molecules and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Cascade reactions in total synthesis.

The odoriferous principle of black tea has been produced from 2,2-dimethylcyclopentanone. The reaction sequence begins with 1,2-addition of 5-lithio-2-methyl-2,3-dihydrofuran to this ketone and immediate acid-catalyzed ring expansion of the resulting carbinols to a separable pair of spiro ethers. Individual conversion of these diastereomers to α,β-unsaturated ketones is followed by tandem condensation with the methyllithium−lithium bromide complex and oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate.

Concise Synthesis of cis- and trans-Theaspirones via Oxonium Ion-Initiated Pinacol Ring Expansion

Full control of regioselectivity in linear and angular polyquinane construction from squarate esters by incorporation of a leaving group into a single vinyl anion reactant

The feasibility of the titled reactions for the rapid, enantioselective synthesis of cis-tricyclo[9.3.1.03,8]pentadecane precursors to taxusin and taxol has been examined. The catalysts most well suited to inducing the appropriate 1,2-shifts have been identified. To a great extent, the rearrangement products are formed as a direct consequence of appropriate structural features (kinetic phenomenon) and strain minimization (thermodynamic driving force). Complementary MM2 calculations of the global minimum in each series provided indications that were completely in line with the experimental observations. Sophisticated NMR studies and X-ray crystallographic determinations were coordinated to remove any ambiguity of product structure and solid-state conformation.

An Enantioselective Approach to the Taxanes: Direct access to functionalized cis‐tricyclo[9.3.1.03,8]pentadecanes via α‐hydroxy ketone and Wagner‐Meerwein rearrangements

Highly enantioselective total synthesis of natural epoxydictymene. An alkoxy-directed cyclization route to highly strained trans-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes

A completely stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-subergorgic acid (1) has been accomplished. The starting β-hydroxy ketone was prepared in optically pure condition by lipase-promoted hydrolysis of the racemic chloroacetate.Ring A was introduced by a reaction sequence that included a Mukaiyama-type aldol condensation and subsequent photochemical oxidation with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and iodine. To permit proper functionalization within ring C, a carbonyl group was transformed into an internal double bond by Pd(II)-promoted reduction of the derived enol triflate with formate ion

Leo A. Paquette

Papers

Concise Synthesis of cis- and trans-Theaspirones via Oxonium Ion-Initiated Pinacol Ring Expansion

Full control of regioselectivity in linear and angular polyquinane construction from squarate esters by incorporation of a leaving group into a single vinyl anion reactant

An Enantioselective Approach to the Taxanes: Direct access to functionalized cis‐tricyclo[9.3.1.03,8]pentadecanes via α‐hydroxy ketone and Wagner‐Meerwein rearrangements

Highly enantioselective total synthesis of natural epoxydictymene. An alkoxy-directed cyclization route to highly strained trans-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-subergorgic acid