The stereoselective synthesis of the macrolactone core of the natural product koshikalide is described. Starting with readily available 1,4-butanediol and malic acid as synthons, our synthetic strategy involved the reiterative application of Gilman’s reaction, Swern oxidation and Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation to establish the required stereocentres. Other key steps in the synthesis include Negishi cross coupling and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reactions for construction of the main fragments. The 14-membered lactone ring was prepared by a selective Mitsunobu macrolactonization approach.

Studies directed towards the total synthesis of koshikalide: stereoselective synthesis of the macrocyclic core

The Julia–Kocienski Olefination

Total Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Mycobactin J.

In the course of our search for new anticancer agents, a series of novel malyngamide derivatives were synthesized by sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, followed by Julia-Kocinski olefination reactions as key reaction sequence. Anticancer activities of all these derivatives were screened against IMR-32, SF-295, SKNSH, HeLa, Colon-502713, SW-620, and Hop-62 cell lines for the first time.

Novel malyngamide structural analogs: synthesis and biological evaluation

Guineensine ((2E,4E,12E)-13-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-N-isobutyltrideca-2,4,12-trienamide) is a plant-derived natural product that inhibits reuptake of the endocannabinoid anandamide with sub-micromolar potency. We have established a highly efficient total synthesis of guineensine, which provided the natural product in only five steps from commercially available 3-nonyn-1-ol in 17 % overall yield, relying on the attachment of the benzodioxolyl moiety to the unsaturated fatty acid chain by means of a Suzuki coupling as the key step. Subsequent SAR studies revealed that replacement of the N-isobutyl group in the natural product by various alkyl, arylalkyl, or aryl groups is generally well tolerated, and derivatives could be identified that are slightly more potent anandamide reuptake inhibitors than guineensine itself. In contrast, modifications of the benzodioxolyl moiety led to decreased activity. Intriguingly, a change in the configuration of the C4=C5 double bond from E to Z was found to be very well tolerated, in spite of the associated change in the overall geometry of the molecule.

Shailesh D. Shingala

Papers

Practical and efficient approach to the synthesis of guineensine