Bio‐Inspired Fragmentations: Rapid Assembly of Indolones, 2‐Quinolinones,and (−)‐Goniomitine

Inspired by the biogenetic origin of goniomitine, new synthetic bio‐inspired fragmentation strategies for the synthesis of functionalized 2‐quinolinones and indolones have been developed. Remarkable synthetic efficiency was achieved by telescoping several transformations into one‐pot reactions, allowing for the direct coupling of 2‐alkynyl‐anilines and diazo ketones. The synthetic utility was demonstrated by the 5‐step asymmetric total synthesis of (−)‐goniomitine from 2‐ethyl‐cyclopentanone.     

Total Synthesis of Tiacumicin B: Implementing Hydrogen Bond Directed Acceptor Delivery for Highly Selective β‐Glycosylations

A total synthesis of tiacumicin B, a natural macrolide whose remarkable antibiotic properties are used to treat severe intestinal infections, is reported. The strategy is in part based on the prior synthesis of the tiacumicin B aglycone, and on the decisive use of sulfoxides as anomeric leaving groups in hydrogen‐bond‐mediated aglycone delivery (HAD). This new HAD variant permitted highly β‐selective rhamnosylation and noviosylation. To increase convergence, the rhamnosylated C1–C3 fragment thus obtained was anchored to the C4–C19 aglycone fragment by adapting the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling used for the aglycone synthesis. Ring‐size‐selective macrolactonization provided a compound engaged directly in the noviolysation step with virtually total β selectivity. The final efficient removal of all the protecting groups provided synthetic tiacumicin B.     

Bio‐Inspired Fragmentations: Rapid Assembly of Indolones, 2‐Quinolinones,and (−)‐Goniomitine

Inspired by the biogenetic origin of goniomitine, new synthetic bio‐inspired fragmentation strategies for the synthesis of functionalized 2‐quinolinones and indolones have been developed. Remarkable synthetic efficiency was achieved by telescoping several transformations into one‐pot reactions, allowing for the direct coupling of 2‐alkynyl‐anilines and diazo ketones. The synthetic utility was demonstrated by the 5‐step asymmetric total synthesis of (−)‐goniomitine from 2‐ethyl‐cyclopentanone.     

‐Aminonitriles: From Sustainable Preparation to Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

Due to their numerous reactivity modes, α‐aminonitriles represent versatile and valuable building blocks in organic total synthesis. Since their discovery by Adolph Strecker in 1850, this compound class has seen a wide dissemination in synthetic applications from laboratory to million‐ton industrial scale and was extensively used in the syntheses of various classes of natural products. As these compounds provide a multitude of reactivity options, we feel that a broad overview of their multiple reaction modes may reveal less familiar opportunities for successful total synthesis planning. This personal account article will thus focus on α‐aminonitriles used as key intermediates in selected natural product synthesis sequences which have been reported in the two decades since Enders’ and Shilvock's seminal review. Natural α‐aminonitriles will also briefly be treated.     

Total Synthesis and Complete Stereostructure of a Marine Macrolide Glycoside, (−)‐Lyngbyaloside B

We have described in detail the total synthesis of both the proposed and correct structures of (?)‐lyngbyaloside B, which facilitated the elucidation of the complete stereostructure of this natural product. Our study began with the total synthesis of 13‐demethyllyngbyaloside B, in which an esterification/ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) strategy was successfully used for the efficient construction of the macrocycle. We also established reliable methods for the introduction of the conjugated diene side chain and the l ‐rhamnose residue onto the macrocyclic framework. However, the esterification/RCM strategy proved ineffective for the parent natural product because of the difficulties in acylating the sterically encumbered C‐13 tertiary alcohol; macrolactionization of a seco‐acid was also extensively investigated under various conditions without success. We finally completed the total synthesis of the proposed structure of (?)‐lyngbyaloside B by means of a macrolactonization that involves an acyl ketene as the reactive species. However, the NMR spectroscopic data of our synthetic material did not match those of the authentic material, which indicated that the proposed structure must be re‐examined. Inspection of the NMR spectroscopic data of the natural product and molecular mechanics calculations led us to postulate that the configuration of the C‐10, C‐11, and C‐13 stereogenic centers had been incorrectly assigned in the proposed structure. Finally, our revised structure of (?)‐lyngbyaloside B was unambiguously verified through total synthesis.     

Efficient Enantioselective Syntheses of Chiral Natural Products Facilitated by Ligand Design

The employment of enantioselective transition‐metal‐catalyzed transformations as key steps in asymmetric natural product syntheses have attracted considerable attention in recent years owing to their versatile synthetic utilities, mild conditions and high efficiency in chirality generation. The chiral catalysts or supporting ligands are believed to be crucial for the requisite reactivity and enantioselectivity. Therefore, the rational design of chiral ligands is at the heart of developing new asymmetric transition‐metal catalyzed reactions and provides an avenue to the asymmetric synthesis of natural products. Our group has been engaged in the development of transition‐metal‐catalyzed enantioselective cross‐coupling, cyclization and other related reactions and the application of these methodologies to natural product syntheses. In this account, we summarized our recent synthetic efforts towards the efficient total syntheses of several different types of natural products including terpenes, alkaloids and polyketides facilitated by the design of a series of versatile P‐chiral phosphorous ligands.     

Synthesis of 2,15-Hexadecanedione as a Precursor of Muscone

Muscone is a precious fragrant compound scarce in nature. Many synthetic attempts for this unique natural product have been carried out. In this work, the one-carbon unit transfer reaction of tetrahydrofolate coenzyme was initialed. Bisbenzimidazolium salt was used as tetrahydrofolate coenzyme model, and thus the biomimetic synthesis of 2,15-hexadecanedione, a precursor of muscone, was successfully accomplished by using the addition-hydrolysis reaction of bisbenzimidazolium salt with methyl magnesium iodide.     

Total Synthesis and Structural Revision of (+)‐Uprolide G Acetate

The first, asymmetric total synthesis of the proposed structure of (+)‐uprolide G acetate (UGA) is reported, and the spectral properties of the synthetic compound clearly differed from those reported for natural UGA. On the basis of comprehensive analysis of the NMR data, two possible structures for the natural UGA were proposed and their total synthesis achieved, thus leading to the identification and confirmation of the correct structure and absolute configuration of the natural UGA. This synthesis was enabled by development of a novel synthetic strategy, which revolved around three key cyclization reactions: an Achmatowicz rearrangement, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation/lactonization, and ring‐closing metathesis. These synthetic studies pave the way for further studies on this class of structurally unusual cytotoxic cembranolides.     

Total syntheses of colchicine in comparison: a journey through 50 years of synthetic organic chemistry

Colchicine, the major alkaloid of the meadow saffron, is one of the most prominent natural products and, like other tubulin-binding natural products (e.g. taxol and the epothilones), exhibits great pharmaceutical potential. The first syntheses in the late 1950s were milestones in natural product synthesis. But even today this structurally supposedly simple molecule poses a challenge to synthetic chemists. Only in the last years have syntheses been developed that are efficient enough to provide novel structurally modified colchicine analogues. The comparative examination of all known colchicine total syntheses undertaken in this Review not only reveals the tremendous progress in synthetic organic methodology over the past decades, but also shows how the unique synthetic problems posed by this molecule can be solved in an exceptionally creative manner. Only a few target molecules have been synthesized in such multifaceted ways.     

A Cascade Strategy Enables a Total Synthesis of (−)‐Gephyrotoxin

A concise and efficient synthesis of (?)‐gephyrotoxin from L ‐pyroglutaminol has been realized. The key step in this approach is a diastereoselective intramolecular enamine/Michael cascade reaction that forms two rings and two stereocenters and generates a stable tricyclic iminium cation. A hydroxy‐directed reduction of this intermediate plays a key role in establishing the required cis‐decahydroquinoline ring system, enabling the total synthesis of (?)‐gephyrotoxin in nine steps and 14 % overall yield. The absolute configuration of the synthetic material was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and is consistent with the structure originally proposed for material isolated from the natural source.     

Comments on recent achievements in biomimetic organic synthesis

The appealing beauty of the routes that Nature uses to build natural products is breath taking and the quest for laboratory syntheses that mimic these routes is longstanding. Since Robert Robinson introduced the concept of biomimetic synthesis in 1917, debates have been conducted about the participation of specific enzymes in every step of the biogenesis of every class of natural product. The successful synthesis of many natural products often follows routes analogous to processes that occur in the living cell with minimum enzyme participation. It should not be concluded, however, that we are only able to imitate biogenetic processes in which enzymes are not involved. Perhaps the most appealing facet of a biomimetic strategy is that it pursues the development of synthetic methodology inspired by biogenesis, even if the mimicked biogenetic route is only hypothetical. Improved biogenetic syntheses could be brought about by artificial enzymes that catalyze specific transformations.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (+)‐trans‐Dihydronarciclasine

A highly stereoselective and efficient total synthesis of trans‐dihydronarciclasine from a readily available chiral starting material was developed. The synthesis defines two of the five stereogenic centers of the natural product by an amino acid ester–enolate Claisen rearrangement. The other three stereogenic centers are created in a highly stereocontrolled fashion via a six‐ring vinylogous ester intermediate, which is generated from the γ,δ‐unsaturated ester functional group of the Claisen rearrangement product in an efficient three‐step sequence. This concise total synthesis exemplifies the use of a highly regioselective Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclization to form the B ring via an isocyanate intermediate derived from an N‐Boc group, which is superior to the conventional method using an imino triflate intermediate. This same N‐Boc group is employed to give high selectivity in the Claisen rearrangement earlier in the sequence.     

Total Syntheses of (−)‐Huperzine Q and (+)‐Lycopladines B and C

Utilizing a late‐stage enamine bromofunctionalization strategy, the twelve‐step total synthesis of (?)‐huperzine Q was accomplished. Furthermore, the first total syntheses of (+)‐lycopladines B and C are described. An unprecedented X‐ray crystal structure of an unusual epoxyamine intermediate is also reported, and the synthetic application of this intermediate in natural product synthesis is demonstrated.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Pleuromutilin

The first enantiospecific total synthesis of the antibacterial natural product (+)‐pleuromutilin has been achieved. The approach includes the synthesis of a non‐racemic cyclisation substrate from (+)‐trans‐dihydrocarvone, a highly selective SmI₂‐mediated cyclisation cascade, an electron transfer reduction of a hindered ester, and the first efficient conversion of (+)‐mutilin to the target.     

A General Entry to Antifeedant Sesterterpenoids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐Norleucosceptroid B,and (−)‐Leucosceptroid K

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the antifeedant terpenoids (+)‐norleucosceptroid A, (?)‐norleucosceptroid B, and (?)‐leucosceptroid K has been accomplished. This highly concise synthetic route was guided by our efforts to develop a platform for the collective synthesis of a whole family of antifeedant natural products. The synthesis features a Hauser–Kraus‐type annulation followed by an unprecedented, highly efficient intramolecular dilactol aldol‐type condensation reaction to produce the 5,6,5 skeleton. The developed synthetic route proceeds for norleucosceptroid A and B in 16 steps (longest linear sequence) from known compounds.     

Synthesis of 5‐ and 8‐Deoxytetrodotoxin

Tetrodotoxin, a toxic principle of puffer fish intoxication, is one of the most famous marine natural products owing to its complex structure and potent biological activity, which leads to fatal poisoning. Continuous synthetic studies on tetrodotoxin and its analogues to elucidate biologically interesting issues associated with tetrodotoxin have led to the development of versatile routes for a variety of tetrodotoxin derivatives. With the aim of investigating the structure–activity relationship of tetrodotoxin with voltage‐gated sodium channels, this study describes the first total syntheses of 5‐deoxytetrodotoxin, a natural analogue of tetrodotoxin, and 8‐deoxytetrodotoxin, an unnatural analogue, from a newly designed, versatile intermediate in an efficient manner. An estimation of the biological activities of these compounds reveals the importance of the hydroxy groups at the C‐5 and C‐8 positions on the inhibition of voltage‐gated sodium channels.     

Synthesis of Phaitanthrin E and Tryptanthrin through Amination/Cyclization Cascade

Phaitanthrin E was biomimetically synthesized from methyl indole‐3‐carboxylate and methyl anthranilate or anthranilic acid using the ester group as an activating group. The reaction proceeds through NCS‐mediated dearomatization/TFA‐catalyzed protonation of indolenine/C(2) amination/Et₃N‐promoted aromatization and cyclization in one‐pot procedure. This method is capable of converting simple biomass materials to phaitanthrin E. The synthesis not only allows assessment of antiproliferative activity, but also affords experimental support for the hypothetical biosynthetic pathway of phaitanthrin E. The resulting phaitanthrin E derivatives were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer cells (DLD‐1). The biogenetic intermediate of phaitanthrin E showed higher antiproliferative activity than the natural product, phaitanthrin E. Furthermore, a concise synthesis of tryptanthrin is also accomplished from indole‐3‐carbaldehyde and methyl anthranilate using the aldehyde group as an activating group.     

Total Synthesis of Marine Eicosanoid (−)‐Hybridalactone

(?)‐Hybridalactone ( 1 ) is a marine eicosanoid isolated from the red alga Laurencia hybrida. This natural product contains cyclopropane, cyclopentane, 13‐membered macrolactone and epoxide ring systems incorporating seven stereogenic centers. Moreover, this compound has an acid‐labile skipped Z,Z‐diene motif. In this paper, we report on the total synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ). The unique eicosanoid (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) was synthesized starting from optically active γ‐butyrolactone 2 in a linear sequence comprising 21 steps with an overall yield of 21.9 %. A key step in the synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) is the methyl phenylsulfonylacetate‐mediated one‐pot synthesis of the cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone derivative. This reaction provided an efficient and stereoselective access to cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone 12 . Further elaboration of the latter compounds through desulfonylation, epoxidation, oxidation, Wittig olefination and Shiina macrolactonization afforded (?)‐hybridalactone.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Morphine

We have developed an efficient total synthesis of (?)‐morphine in 5 % overall yield with the longest linear sequence consisting of 17 steps from 2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one. The cyclohexenol unit was prepared by means of an enzymatic resolution and a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling as key steps. Construction of the morphinan core features an intramolecular aldol reaction and an intramolecular 1,6‐addition. Furthermore, mild deprotection conditions to remove the 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonyl (DNs) group enabled the facile construction of the morphinan skeleton. We have also established an efficient synthetic route to a cyclohexenol unit containing an N‐methyl‐DNs‐amide moiety.     

Synthesis and Absolute Configuration of Demethyl (C‐11) Cezomycin

The synthesis of (?)‐demethyl (C‐11) cezomycin was achieved through an efficient route that features the use of a Kulinkovich reaction to couple two multifunctionality‐containing fragments and a cascade of ring opening of cyclopropanol/1,5‐hydrogen shift/desilylation–oxidation. The hidden yet undeniable problem of irreproducible specific rotation for this family of compounds was solved by sufficient acidification. The absolute configuration for the natural product was thus established as the mirror image of the synthetic sample.