Total Synthesis of (−)‐Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃‐mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (?)‐glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.     

Total Synthesis of (−)-Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃-mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (−)-glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.     

Synthesis of cyanofuroxans from 4-nitrofuroxans via CC bond forming reactions

A substitution reaction of 4-nitrofuroxans to prepare 4-cyanofuroxans is described. This substitution reaction was complicated by the reverse reaction and a judicious choice of cyanide source was important to enable this direct synthesis process. The optimized reaction conditions showed an excellent applicability for the synthesis of a range of 4-cyanofuroxans. 3-Cyanofuroxans, known to be thiol-mediated nitric oxide donors, could also be obtained by the thermal or photochemical isomerization of 4-cyanofuroxans. The developed cyanation of furoxans is a rare example of CC bond-forming reaction on a furoxan ring.     

A formal total synthesis of (-)-FR901483, using a tandem cationic aza-Cope rearrangement/Mannich cyclization approach

A formal total synthesis of the immunosuppressant FR901483 has been accomplished. The key step in the synthesis utilizes a tandem cationic aza-Cope rearrangement/Mannich cyclization reaction for accessing the unprecedented bridging tricyclic azaspirane substructure of this compound. The tandem reaction proceeds through a bridgehead iminium ion, a functionality that has rarely been explored in the context of natural product syntheses. Improved stereoselectivity was observed in an aldol reaction when using a Boc-protected amino aldehyde and zinc chloride as an additive. A stereoselective epimerization of the aldehyde-containing stereocenter was achieved with l-phenylalanine upon completion of the Mannich cyclization. Finally, this synthesis is the only one to date that controls the stereochemistry of the oxygen-bearing stereocenters. All other synthetic routes required late stage adjustments to at least one of these stereocenters.     

A novel strategy for the synthesis of medium-sized lactams

[reaction: see text] A novel method for the synthesis of medium-sized lactams based on an auxiliary-mediated combined tethered/templated strategy is presented. Cyclization by a tethered ring-closing metathesis reaction was followed by a templated transannular aminolysis reaction to give seven- to ten-membered lactams in good yields.     

A modified approach to the phomoidrides: synthesis of a late-stage intermediate containing a key carbon quaternary stereocenter

A previously developed approach to the synthesis of the phomoidrides has been modified to incorporate all necessary carbon atoms prior to the key tandem carbonylation/Cope rearrangement reaction. This modification necessitated the synthesis of a challenging all-carbon quaternary stereocenter, which in turn rendered ineffective several reactions from the original synthesis. An oxidative radical cleavage of a spirocyclopropane ring system was developed that accomplishes the synthesis of the quaternary center, and a regioselective double hydroboration reaction was devised that provides an alternate approach to a key sequence of functional group interconversions, where the originally developed route was found to be ineffective.     

Concise, Biomimetic Total Synthesis of d,l-Marcfortine C

A biomimetic total synthesis of the fungal metabolite marcfortine C utilizing an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction is described. In addition, a key stereoselective oxaziridine-mediated oxidation/pinacol rearrangement of indole 24 was used to complete the total synthesis.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Nakadomarin A

A highly efficient 12‐step synthesis of the marine alkaloid (?)‐nakadomarin A has been accomplished. The key advanced intermediate, a tetracyclic ketone derivative, was constructed in just seven steps using a sequence that includes an asymmetric Pauson–Khand reaction, an Overman rearrangement reaction, a ring‐closing metathesis reaction, and an amination reaction. Late introduction of the furan ring during the synthesis of (?)‐nakadomarin A means that the key tetracyclic ketone derivative has the potential to serve as an advanced intermediate for the synthesis of related marine alkaloids.     

Synthetic studies on neomarinone: practical and efficient stereoselective synthesis of the side chain

A practical and efficient stereoselective synthesis of the side chain of neomarinone is reported. The synthesis was achieved in six steps (41% overall yield) from 2-methyl-2-cyclohexenone. The key step is a novel stereoselective 1,4-conjugate addition/enolate alkylation by an epoxide-opening reaction.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A (orantine)

The stereocontrolled total synthesis of (-)-ephedradine A has been accomplished. The synthesis features an asymmetric C-H insertion reaction, an intramolecular ester-amide exchange reaction, and a Sharpless asymmetric aminohydroxylation reaction. Construction of the complex macrocyclic ring was performed by Ns-strategy and an intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction.     

Synthesis of the core structure of cruentaren A

The core structure of the macrolactone cruentaren A (1) was prepared via a ring-closing alkyne metathesis reaction. The corresponding ester 33 was constructed from the benzoic acid derivative 14 and the diol 30. As a key step in the synthesis of acid 14, an aldol reaction resulted in the required anti-OH/Me pattern. The anti-configuration in the stereotetrad of diol 30 was established by a Marshall reaction. [reaction: see text].     

Alkenyl alane-pyridine complexes in a new synthesis of aryl alk-1-enyl sulfoxides

A new and an efficient synthesis of aryl alk-1-enyl sulfoxides is reported. The reaction between alane-pyridine complexes, triphenylphosphine, and sulfonyl chlorides affords the title products in good to excellent yields (70-94%) in short reaction times using mild conditions. The optimal ratio between reagents (alane-pyridine/PPh₃/sulfonyl chloride 1.00/1.35/0.92) was obtained performing a chemiometric analysis. A rationale for the reaction was advanced.     

Concise synthesis and revision of the proposed biogenesis of helicascolides

A concise synthesis of helicascolides A, B and C was achieved in three to five steps from commercially available materials. The key transformations of the synthesis include an Evans-Metternich anti-aldol reaction of the known β-keto imide 10 and strategic base-mediated one-pot cyclization/alkylation. Based on the new chemical evidence of ring-opening reaction of β-keto ester under biocompatible basic conditions, Krohn’s proposal for the biosynthetic relationship between helicascolide A (1) and a naturally co-existing acyclic dienone 4 was suggested in a reverse manner.     

De novo asymmetric syntheses of D- and L-talose via an iterative dihydroxylation of dienoates

[reaction: see text] A short and highly efficient route to D- and L-talo-gamma-lactones has been developed. The key transformation was the sequential osmium-catalyzed bis-dihydroxylation reaction of substituted 2,4-dienoates. When the first dihydroxylation reaction is performed on (2Z,4E)-dienoates with use of the Sharpless AD-mix procedure, a regio- and enantioselective dihydroxylation resulted along with an in situ lactonization. A subsequent dihydroxylation, using OsO4/NMO in MeOH conditions, resulted in an exceedingly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of talo-gamma-lactone.     

Triazole-gold (TAAu) catalyzed three-component coupling (A3 reaction) towards the synthesis of 2, 4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives

A gold-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction (A3 reaction) was developed as an efficient approach for the synthesis of challenging 2,4-disubstituted quinoline derivatives. Compared to previously reported Cu/Au bi-catalyst system, this protocol enables achieving A3 reaction only in the presence of triazole-gold catalyst. Notably, 4-alkyl substituted or 2-alkyl substituted quinoline derivatives were obtained with good yields, which highlighted the unique advantage of this new strategy.     

Synthesis of the western half of the lolicines and lolitrems

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of the highly substituted indole portion of the complex tremorgenic natural products lolicine A and B is presented. The Diels-Alder reaction of a quinone monoimine enables the synthesis of an appropriately substituted indole. The key step in the synthesis is a tandem isopropenyl cuprate addition/aldol cyclocondensation which provides the necessary functionality for elaboration to the 2,2,5,5-tetramethyltetrahydrofuran.     

Revisiting a classic approach to the Aspidosperma alkaloids: an intramolecular Schmidt reaction mediated synthesis of (+)-aspidospermidine

[reaction: see text] A total synthesis of (+)-aspidospermidine (1) is described. The key reactions used in the synthesis of this pentacyclic Aspidosperma alkaloid were a deracemizing imine alkylation/Robinson annulation sequence, a selective "redox ketalization", and an intramolecular Schmidt reaction. A Fischer indolization step carried out on a tricyclic ketone mirrored the sequence reported by Stork and Dolfini in their classic aspidospermine synthesis.     

Silica sulfuric acid/ethylene glycol as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile derivatives

A simple and efficient eco-friendly method was developed for the synthesis of new benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile derivatives in excellent yields. The synthesis was achieved through the reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazole, aldehydes and active nitriles (malononitrle or ethyl cyanoacetae) in the presence of silica sulfuric acid/ethylene glycol. This protocol offers very short reaction times (in some cases, reaction times were reduced to five minutes), high yields and low cost. This method thus provides an improvement over the existing methods.     

氮气吹扫和费托合成的脉冲过程以提高α-烯烃的选择性

费托合成可以将煤炭或者生物质气化得到的合成气转化为α-烯烃等重要的化工产品。研究将费托合成和氮气吹扫操作组合成一脉冲过程,在稳定的操作状态下保证费托合成和氮气吹扫交替进行。在传统的费托合成条件下(反应气速为2 000 h^-1,温度为497 K, 压力为 2.0 MPa, 氢碳体积比为2.0)考察了Fe-Co催化剂在脉冲过程中费托合成的活性和选择性。结果表明,N₂吹扫温度和压力分别为517 K和0.2 MPa下的费托合成的C₃烯烷比是未脉冲的相同反应条件下的九倍左右。同时,反应过程中CH₄的选择性和CO的转化率有所下降。在此基础上,通过间歇反应在固定床反应器中进行该脉冲过程,实验结果表明,利用脉冲操作在费托反应中可以获得更高的烯烃选择性。     

Preparation of shape-persistent macrocycles with a single pyridine unit by double cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides and alkynes

A double Sonogashira-type coupling reaction between aryl bromides and alkynes using a catalytic Pd/XPhos (2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2',4',6'-triisopropylbiphenyl) system was introduced as an efficient method for the synthesis of shape-persistent macrocycles (SPMs). This approach is advantageous in the synthesis of SPMs with a single pyridine unit.