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.

Bond fixation in annulenes. 6. Equalization of ring inversion and bond shifting energetics in methyl-substituted cyclooctatetraenes. Use of buttressing effects for comparing transition-state geometries

The bicyclic ketone (+)-17b reacts with vinylmagnesium bromide from its exo face, thus enabling exploitation of the anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement and direct alkylation of the enolate so formed with ethyl iodoacetate to provide 24 in an efficient, stereocontrolled manner. Tricyclic lactone 26b, readily produced from 24, proved to be a common precursor to both synthetic targets. The construction of vulgarolide (9) proceeded by transforming the SEM group in 26b into a mesylate for the purpose of conversion to epoxy acid 39 in advance of oxidative cleavage of the double bond. This transformation resulted in direct conversion to 9 and its epimer 42. Central to the companion synthesis of deoxocrispolide (4) was the ability of 37 to undergo the Michael addition of methoxide ion and of 54 to experience regiocontrolled dehydration to bridgehead olefin 55 in a protocol that involves the smooth translocation of bridgehead unsaturation with concomitant functionalization as an allylic alcohol.

A Unified Strategy for the Stereocontrolled Construction of Structurally Unusual Sesquiterpene Lactones. Asymmetric Synthesis of Vulgarolide and Deoxocrispolide

Unusual photoisomerization of an "encased" .alpha.-diketone

Divergent response of a hindered cyclopropene to strong oxidizing agents

The stereochemical course of the epoxidation of the silyl enol ethers of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxycycloheptanone and -cyclooctanone has been investigated and shown to proceed exclusively anti to the existing α-substituent. 2-(Benzyloxy)cyclooctanone behaves similarly, and the presence of a transannular double bond does not alter the outcome. α-Ketol rearrangements are seen to operate during ensuing fluoride ion-induced removal of the silyl protecting groups in select examples. The preferred means for generating the cis isomers of the α,α‘-dihydroxy cycloalkanones involves methylenation of the monoprotected trans-dihydroxy ketones with the Nysted reagent, followed by oxidation and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. Ozonolysis and fluoride ion-induced desilylation complete the route.

Leo A. Paquette

Papers

Bond fixation in annulenes. 6. Equalization of ring inversion and bond shifting energetics in methyl-substituted cyclooctatetraenes. Use of buttressing effects for comparing transition-state geometries

A Unified Strategy for the Stereocontrolled Construction of Structurally Unusual Sesquiterpene Lactones. Asymmetric Synthesis of Vulgarolide and Deoxocrispolide

Unusual photoisomerization of an "encased" .alpha.-diketone

Divergent response of a hindered cyclopropene to strong oxidizing agents

Synthesis of Stereoisomeric Medium-Ring α,α‘-Dihydroxy Cycloalkanones