Showing papers on "Total synthesis published in 2015"

Copper-catalysed selective hydroamination reactions of alkynes

Abstract: The development of selective reactions that utilize easily available and abundant precursors for the efficient synthesis of amines is a longstanding goal of chemical research. Despite the centrality of amines in a number of important research areas, including medicinal chemistry, total synthesis and materials science, a general, selective, and step-efficient synthesis of amines is still needed. In this work we describe a set of mild catalytic conditions utilizing a single copper-based catalyst that enables the direct preparation of three distinct and important amine classes (enamines, α-chiral branched alkylamines, and linear alkylamines) from readily available alkyne starting materials with high levels of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. This methodology was applied to the asymmetric synthesis of rivastigmine and the formal synthesis of several other pharmaceutical agents, including duloxetine, atomoxetine, fluoxetine, and tolterodine.

Total Synthesis of Verruculogen and Fumitremorgin A Enabled by Ligand-Controlled C–H Borylation

Abstract: Verruculogen and fumitremorgin A are bioactive alkaloids that contain a unique eight-membered endoperoxide. Although related natural products such as fumitremorgins B and C have been previously synthesized, we report the first synthesis of the more complex, endoperoxide-containing members of this family. A concise route to verruculogen and fumitremorgin A relied not only on a hydroperoxide/indole hemiaminal cyclization, but also on the ability to access the seemingly simple starting material, 6-methoxytryptophan. An iridium-catalyzed C–H borylation/Chan–Lam procedure guided by an N-TIPS group enabled the conversion of a tryptophan derivative into a 6-methoxytryptophan derivative, proving to be a general way to functionalize the C6 position of an N,C3-disubstituted indole for the synthesis of indole-containing natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Dearomative Cyclization for the Efficient Synthesis of Terpenes and Steroids

Abstract: A novel enantioselective palladium-catalyzed dearomative cyclization has been developed for the efficient construction of a series of chiral phenanthrenone derivatives bearing an all-carbon quaternary center. The effectiveness of this method in the synthesis of terpenes and steroids was demonstrated by a highly efficient synthesis of a kaurene intermediate, the facile construction of the skeleton of the anabolic steroid boldenone, and the enantioselective total synthesis of the antimicrobial diterpene natural product (−)-totaradiol.

Enantioselective α-Alkylation of Aldehydes by Photoredox Organocatalysis: Rapid Access to Pharmacophore Fragments from β-Cyanoaldehydes

Abstract: The combination of photoredox catalysis and enamine catalysis has enabled the development of an enantioselective α-cyanoalkylation of aldehydes. This synergistic catalysis protocol allows for the coupling of two highly versatile yet orthogonal functionalities, allowing rapid diversification of the oxonitrile products to a wide array of medicinally relevant derivatives and heterocycles. This methodology has also been applied to the total synthesis of the lignan natural product (−)-bursehernin.

Design and synthesis of analogues of natural products

Abstract: In this article strategies for the design and synthesis of natural product analogues are summarized and illustrated with some selected examples. Proven strategies include diverted total synthesis (DTS), function-oriented synthesis (FOS), biology-oriented synthesis (BIOS), complexity to diversity (CtD), hybrid molecules, and biosynthesis inspired synthesis. The latter includes mutasynthesis, the synthesis of natural products encoded by silent genes, and propionate scanning. Most of the examples from our group fall in the quite general concept of DTS. Thus, in case an efficient strategy to a natural product is at hand, modifications are possible at almost any stage of a synthesis. However, even for compounds of moderate complexity, organic synthesis remains a bottle neck. Unless some method for predicting the biological activity of a designed molecule becomes available, the design and synthesis of natural product analogues will remain what it is now, namely it will largely rely on trial and error.

Recent applications of the hetero Diels–Alder reaction in the total synthesis of natural products

Abstract: The synthetic utility and potential power of the Diels–Alder (D–A) reaction in organic chemistry is evident. These significances have been extended to the synthesis of a plethora and wide variety of heterocyclic compounds via [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, the so called hetero Diels–Alder (HDA) reaction. In this work we try to focus on the scope and preparative synthetic applications of the HDA reaction as a key step in the total synthesis of natural products.

Enamide Derivatives: Versatile Building Blocks for Total Synthesis

Abstract: Enamides and enecarbamates are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. This review describes the development of enamide chemistry and the utility of the resulting products in the synthesis of a variety of important, biologically active molecules. 1 Introduction 2 Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Enamides 3 Monofunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 3.1 Palladium-Catalyzed α-Functionalization of Enamide Derivatives 3.2 Ruthenium-Catalyzed β-Functionalization of Enamide Derivatives 4 Ionic Vicinal Difunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 4.1 Tandem Difunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 4.2 Cycloadditions 4.2.1 [4+2] Cycloadditions 4.2.2 [2+2] Cycloadditions 4.2.3 Cyclopropanation of Enamides 4.3 Other Pericyclic Reactions 4.3.1 Electrocyclization Reactions 4.3.2 Overman Rearrangement 4.4 Platinum-Catalyzed Vicinal Difunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 5 Radical Vicinal Difunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 6 Oxidative Vicinal Difunctionalization of Enamide Derivatives 7 N-Arylation of Enecarbamates 8 Conclusion 9 Ligand Glossary

Recent applications of intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction in total synthesis of natural products

Abstract: Diels–Alder (D–A) reaction is undoubtedly the most powerful [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in organic synthesis. It has been always considered as a model and a symbol of cycloaddition reactions. Intramolecular D–A reactions (IMDA) are also well recognized and can be employed in one or more steps for the total synthesis of several natural products. In this report, we wish to highlight the recent applications of IMDA as a key step in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products, including alkaloids and terpenes.

Total synthesis and antiviral activity of indolosesquiterpenoids from the xiamycin and oridamycin families.

Abstract: Indolosesquiterpenoids are a growing class of natural products that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Here, we report the total syntheses of xiamycin A and oridamycins A and B, indolosesquiterpenoids isolated from Streptomyces. Two parallel strategies were exploited to forge the carbazole core: 6π-electrocyclization/aromatization and indole C2-H bond activation/Heck annulation. The construction of their trans-decalin motifs relied on two diastereochemically complementary radical cyclization reactions mediated by Ti(III) and Mn(III), respectively. The C23 hydroxyl of oridamycin B was introduced by an sp(3) C-H bond oxidation at a late stage. On the basis of the chemistry developed, the dimeric congener dixiamycin C has been synthesized for the first time. Evaluation of the antiviral activity of these compounds revealed that xiamycin A is a potent agent against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) in vitro.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Apocynaceae Hydrocarbazole Alkaloids (+)-Deethylibophyllidine and (+)-Limaspermidine

Abstract: An unprecedented asymmetric catalytic tandem aminolysis/aza-Michael addition reaction of spirocyclic para-dienoneimides has been designed and developed through organocatalytic enantioselective desymmetrization A unified strategy based on this key tandem methodology has been divergently explored for the asymmetric total synthesis of two natural Apocynaceae alkaloids, (+)-deethylibophyllidine and (+)-limaspermidine The present studies not only enrich the tandem reaction design concerning the asymmetric catalytic assembly of a chiral all-carbon quaternary stereocenter contained in the densely functionalized hydrocarbazole synthons but also manifest the potential for the application of the asymmetric catalysis based on the para-dienone chemistry in asymmetric synthesis of natural products

The daphniphyllum alkaloids: total synthesis of (-)-calyciphylline N.

Abstract: Presented here is a full account on the development of a strategy culminating in the first total synthesis of the architecturally complex daphniphyllum alkaloid, (−)-calyciphylline N. Highlights of the approach include a highly diastereoselective, intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction of a silicon-tethered acrylate; an efficient Stille carbonylation of a sterically encumbered vinyl triflate; a one-pot Nazarov cyclization/proto-desilylation sequence; and the chemoselective hydrogenation of a fully substituted diene ester.

Aqueous Titanium Trichloride Promoted Reductive Cyclization of o‐Nitrostyrenes to Indoles: Development and Application to the Synthesis of Rizatriptan and Aspidospermidine

Abstract: Treatment of o-nitrostyrenes with aqueous TiCl3 solution at room temperature afforded indoles through a formal reductive C(sp(2) )-H amination process. A range of functions such as halides (Cl, Br), carbonyl (ester, carbamate), cyano, hydroxy, and amino groups were tolerated. From β,β-disubstituted o-nitrostyrenes, 2,3-disubstituted indoles were formed by a domino reduction/cyclization/migration process. Mild conditions, simple experimental procedure, ready accessibility of the starting materials and good to excellent yields characterize the present transformation. The methodology was used as a key step in a concise synthesis of rizatriptan and a formal total synthesis of aspidospermidine.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone G

Abstract: A concise total synthesis of (+)-propindilactone G, a nortriterpenoid isolated from the stems of Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua, has been achieved for the first time. The key steps of the synthesis include an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction, a Pauson-Khand reaction, a Pd-catalyzed reductive hydrogenolysis reaction, and an oxidative heterocoupling reaction. These reactions enabled the synthesis of (+)-propindilactone G in only 20 steps. As a consequence of our synthetic studies, the structure of (+)-propindilactone G has been revised.

A concise and scalable strategy for the total synthesis of dictyodendrin B based on sequential C–H functionalization

Abstract: A sequential CH functionalization strategy for the synthesis of the marine alkaloid dictyodendrin B is reported. Our synthesis begins from commercially available 4-bromoindole and involves six direct functionalizations around the heteroarene core as part of a gram-scale strategy towards the natural product.

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Rubriflordilactone A

Abstract: Two enantioselective total syntheses of the nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are described, which use palladium- or cobalt-catalyzed cyclizations to form the CDE rings, and converge on a late-stage synthetic intermediate. These key processes are set up through the convergent coupling of a common diyne component with appropriate AB-ring aldehydes, a strategy that sets the stage for the synthetic exploration of other members of this family of natural products.

Total Synthesis, Stereochemical Revision, and Biological Reassessment of Mandelalide A: Chemical Mimicry of Intrafamily Relationships

Abstract: Mandelalide A and three congeners had recently been isolated as the supposedly highly cytotoxic principles of an ascidian collected off the South African coastline. Since these compounds are hardly available from the natural source, a concise synthesis route was developed, targeting structure 1 as the purported representation of mandelalide A. The sequence involves an iridium-catalyzed two-directional Krische allylation and a cobalt-catalyzed carbonylative epoxide opening as entry points for the preparation of the major building blocks. The final stages feature the first implementation of terminal acetylene metathesis into natural product total synthesis, which is remarkable in that this class of substrates had been beyond the reach of alkyne metathesis for decades. Synthetic 1, however, proved not to be identical with the natural product. In an attempt to clarify this issue, NMR spectra were simulated for 20 conceivable diastereomers by using DFT followed by DP4 analysis; however, this did not provide a reliable assignment either. The puzzle was ultimately solved by the preparation of three diastereomers, of which compound 6 proved identical with mandelalide A in all analytical and spectroscopic regards. As the entire “northern sector” about the tetrahydrofuran ring in 6 shows the opposite configuration of what had originally been assigned, it is highly likely that the stereostructures of the sister compounds mandelalides B–D must be corrected analogously; we propose that these natural products are accurately represented by structures 68–70. In an attempt to prove this reassignment, an entry into mandelalides C and D was sought by subjecting an advanced intermediate of the synthesis of 6 to a largely unprecedented intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction, which furnished the γ-lactone derivative 74 as a mixture of diastereomers. Whereas (24R)-74 was amenable to a hydroxyl-directed dihydroxylation by using OsO4/TMEDA as the reagent, the sister compound (24S)-74 did not follow a directed path but simply obeyed Kishi’s rule; only this unexpected escape precluded the preparation of mandelalides C and D by this route. A combined spectroscopic and computational (DFT) study showed that the reasons for this strikingly different behavior of the two diastereomers of 74 are rooted in their conformational peculiarities. This aspect apart, our results show that the OsO4/TMEDA complex reacts preferentially with electron deficient double bonds even if other alkenes are present that are more electron rich and less encumbered. Finally, in a brief biological survey authentic mandelalide A (6) was found to exhibit appreciable cytotoxicity only against one out of three tested human cancer cell lines and all synthetic congeners were hardly active. No significant fungicidal properties were observed.

Applications of Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation in total synthesis

Abstract: This report presents the applications of enantioselective epoxidation of prochiral allylic alcohols, so called ‘Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation’, which is frequently referred as ‘kinetic resolution’. This reaction results in the corresponding 2,3-epoxy alcohols in high stereoselectivity as excellent starting materials for the synthesis of complex targets, such as naturally occurring biologically active molecules.

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Hippolachnin A

Abstract: The first total synthesis of the marine polyketide (±)-hippolachnin A has been achieved in nine linear steps and an overall yield of 9 %. Rapid access to the oxacyclobutapentalene core structure was secured by strategic application of an ene cyclization.

Constructing quaternary stereogenic centers using tertiary organocuprates and tertiary radicals. Total synthesis of trans-clerodane natural products.

Abstract: A new concise construction of trans-clerodane diterpenoids is reported in which oxacyclic and trans-hydronaphthalene fragments are coupled, and the critical C9-quaternary carbon stereocenter formed stereoselectively, by 1,6-addition of a tertiary cuprate or a tertiary carbon radical to β-vinylbutenolide. This strategy is specifically illustrated by total syntheses of (−)-solidagolactone (4), (−)-16-hydroxycleroda-3,13-dien-15,16-olide (5, PL3), and (−)-annonene (6).

trans-Hydrogenation: Application to a Concise and Scalable Synthesis of Brefeldin A†

Abstract: The important biochemical probe molecule brefeldin A (1) has served as an inspirational target in the past, but none of the many routes has actually delivered more than just a few milligrams of product, where documented. The approach described herein is clearly more efficient; it hinges upon the first implementation of ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrogenation in natural products total synthesis. Because this unorthodox reaction is selective for the triple bond and does not touch the transannular alkene or the lactone site of the cycloalkyne, it outperforms the classical Birch-type reduction that could not be applied at such a late stage. Other key steps en route to 1 comprise an iron-catalyzed reductive formation of a non-terminal alkyne, an asymmetric propiolate carbonyl addition mediated by a bulky amino alcohol, and a macrocyclization by ring-closing alkyne metathesis catalyzed by a molybdenum alkylidyne.

Total Synthesis of Gelsemoxonine through a Spirocyclopropane Isoxazolidine Ring Contraction

Abstract: Plants of the species Gelsemium have found application in traditional Asian medicine for over a thousand years. Gelsemoxonine represents a novel constituent of this plant incorporating a highly functionalized azetidine at its core. We herein report a full account of our studies directed toward the total synthesis of gelsemoxonine that relies on a conceptually new approach for the construction of the central azacyclobutane. A spirocyclopropane isoxazolidine ring contraction was employed to access a key β-lactam intermediate, which could be further elaborated to the azetidine of the natural product. In the course of our studies, we have gained detailed insight into this intriguing transformation. Furthermore, we report on previously unnoticed oligomerization chemistry of gelsemoxonine. We also document an enantioselective synthesis of a key precursor en route to gelsemoxonine.

Total synthesis of schilancitrilactones b and C.

Abstract: The first total syntheses of schilancitrilactones B and C have been accomplished in 17 steps (longest linear sequence) from commercially available materials. Key steps include an intramolecular radical cyclization to provide the seven-membered ring, late-stage iodination, and an intermolecular radical addition reaction to complete the total synthesis.

Quaternary Stereogenic Centers through Enantioselective Heck Arylation of Acyclic Olefins with Aryldiazonium Salts: Application in a Concise Synthesis of (R)-Verapamil.

Abstract: We describe herein a highly regio- and enantioselective Pd-catalyzed Heck arylation of unactivated trisubstituted acyclic olefins to provide all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. Chiral N,N ligands of the pyrimidine- and pyrazino-oxazoline class were developed for that purpose, providing the desired products in good to high yields with enantiomeric ratios up to >99:1. Both linear and branched substituents on the olefins were well-tolerated. The potential of this new method is demonstrated by the straightforward synthesis of several O-methyl lactols and lactones containing quaternary stereocenters, together with a concise enantioselective total synthesis of the calcium channel blocker verapamil.

A Global and Local Desymmetrization Approach to the Synthesis of Steroidal Alkaloids: Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of Paspaline

Abstract: A stereocontrolled total synthesis of the indole diterpenoid natural product paspaline is described. Key steps include a highly diastereoselective enzymatic desymmetrization, substrate-directed epoxidation, Ireland-Claisen rearrangement, and diastereotopic group selective C–H acetoxylation to assemble the target with excellent stereofidelity. The route and results described herein outline complementary conceptual disconnections in the arena of steroid natural product synthesis.

Total Synthesis of Hyperforin

Abstract: A 10-step total synthesis of the polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP) natural product hyperforin from 2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one is reported. This route was enabled by a diketene annulation reaction and an oxidative ring expansion strategy designed to complement the presumed biosynthesis of this complex meroterpene. The described work enables the preparation of a highly substituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-1,3,5-trione motif in only six steps and thus serves as a platform for the construction of easily synthesized, highly diverse PPAPs modifiable at every position.