Bisindole Alkaloids from the Alstonia Species: Recent Isolation,Bioactivity, Biosynthesis,and Synthesis

Bisindoles are structurally complex dimers and are intriguing targets for partial and total synthesis. They exhibit stronger biological activity than their corresponding monomeric units. Alkaloids, including those containing C-19 methyl-substitution in their monomeric units, their synthetic derivatives, and their mismatched pairs can be attractive targets for synthesis and may unlock better drug targets. We herein discuss the isolation of bisindoles from various Alstonia species, their bioactivity, putative biosynthesis, and synthesis. The total synthesis of macralstonidine, macralstonine, O-acetylmacralstonine, and dispegatrine, as well as the partial synthesis of alstonisidine, villalstonine, and macrocarpamine are also discussed in this review. The completion of the total synthesis of pleiocarpamine by Sato et al. completes the formal synthesis of the latter two bisindoles.     

First asymmetric synthesis of the oxylipin, (6S,9R,10S)-6,9,10-trihydroxyoctadeca-7E-enoic acid

A brief and facile synthesis of the title compound has been developed using cyclohexylideneglyceraldehyde as a chiral template. The key steps in the synthesis were: (i) two highly diastereoselective organometallic addition reactions to the aldehyde to furnish the required synthons with the appropriate stereogenic centers, and (ii) their cross metathesis to give the E-olefin geometry of the target compound.     

A simple and efficient enantioselective route to 2,6-disubstituted piperidines: synthesis of (2R,6S)-isosolenopsin A and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsin

The enantioselective synthesis of 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine alkaloids, (2R,6S)-isosolenopsin A 2 and (2S,6R)-isosolenopsin 5 from fire ant venom is described. Starting from the dodecanal and decanal, the synthesis presents two key steps. The first step involves Keck allylation to afford the chiral homoallylalcohol with the required stereochemistry and the second key step consists of Grubbs olefin cross metathesis. The synthesis was achieved in five steps with 44% overall yield.     

Concise total synthesis of (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene, sex pheromone component of Hyphantria Cunea

The total synthesis of (3Z,6Z,9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-1,3,6-heneicosatriene, sex pheromone component of Hyphantria cunea, using a convergent synthetic strategy, was achieved through the regioselective coupling of the two fragments, chiral epoxy tosylate and 1,4-diyne. The former fragment was synthesized in two efficient and convenient approaches starting from the same available material using Sharpless AE kinetic resolution as the key step.     

Novel synthesis of the 2-azaanthraquinone alkaloid, scorpinone, based on two microwave-assisted pericyclic reactions

The total synthesis of the 2-azaanthraquinone alkaloid, scorpinone (4), isolated from the mycelium of a Bispora-like tropical fungus, has been completed in nine steps. The two key steps involve a microwave-assisted thermal electrocyclic reaction for the synthesis of an 8-oxygenated isoquinoline skeleton from a 1-aza 6π-hexatriene system, and a regioselective microwave-assisted [4+2] cycloaddition for the construction of a 2-azaanthraquinone framework.     

Improved synthesis of V-PYRRO/NO, a liver-selective nitric oxide prodrug, and analogues

The reported synthesis of O²-vinyl 1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (V-PYRRO/NO), a hepatoprotective agent, was cumbersome and limited by a poor overall yield of 4% from sodium 1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PYRRO/NO). We report an improved synthesis of V-PYRRO/NO in two steps with a significantly higher overall yield of 40% from PYRRO/NO. Using this protocol, a number of structural analogues of V-PYRRO/NO were prepared in good yields.     

A convenient strategy for synthesizing the Agelas alkaloids clathrodin,oroidin, and hymenidin and their (un)saturated linker analogs

A convenient strategy for the scalable synthesis of the 2-aminoimidazole alkaloids, clathrodin, oroidin, and hymenidin derived from marine Agelas species and their analogs possessing a saturated or unsaturated linker moiety is described. The key intermediates, 4-(3-aminopropyl)-1H-imidazol-2-amine and (E)-4-(3-aminoprop-1-en-1-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-amine were obtained through two different synthetic pathways starting from l-ornithine and benzyl 1,2-dihydropyridine-1-carboxylate respectively, using (i) an innovative combination of Weinreb amide strategy with di-Boc protection, and (ii) a modified pyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate based strategy. Convenient access to these 2-aminoimidazole amines is crucial for the synthesis of libraries of clathrodin, oroidin, and hymenidin analogs.     

An alternative route to the proline derivative (2S,5R)-5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid from protected glutamic acid

The synthesis of (2S,5R)-5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid was achieved in two steps, with an overall yield of 53%. This synthesis used Cbz-Glu-OBzl as the starting material and led to the titled compound with a d.e.>96%.     

Enantioselective synthesis of natural (−)-tochuinyl acetate, (−)-dihydrotochuinyl acetate and (+)-β-cuparenone using both enantiomers of the same building block

The first enantioselective synthesis of tochuinyl acetate and dihydrotochuinyl acetate, two natural marine products isolated from Tochuina tetraquetra and Gersemia rubiformis, has been achieved starting from an enantiopure building block. The key feature of the present synthesis is complete control of two vicinal quaternary stereogenic centers present in the natural products and elucidation of their absolute stereochemistry, which was previously unknown. Furthermore, starting from the enantiomer of the same building block, the applied methodology provided a new approach towards natural (R)-(+)-β-cuparenone.     

Mild, powerful, and robust methods for esterification, amide formation, and thioesterification between acid chlorides and alcohols, amines, thiols, respectively

We developed two efficient practical methods for esterification, amide formation, and thioesterification between acid chlorides and alcohols, amines, thiols, respectively. The present mild and robust reaction was performed by two separate methods both by combining cheap and readily available amines, N-methylimidazole, and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). Method A uses catalytic N-methylimidazole and TMEDA with an equimolar amount of K₂CO₃, whereas Method B uses equimolar amounts of N-methylimidazole and TMEDA. The salient features are as follows. (i) With regard to reactivity, Method B was superior to Method A for esterification and thioesterification, whereas cost-effective Method A was superior to Method B for amide formation. (ii) Amide formation proceeded smoothly between acid chlorides and less nucleophilic and stereocongested amines such as 2,6-dichloroaniline. (iii) This protocol was applied to the successful synthesis of two agrochemicals, bromobutide and carpropamid.     

First total synthesis of rhuscholide A,glabralide B and denudalide

The first total synthesis of rhuscholide A, a benzofuran lactone possessing anti-HIV-1 activity, had been accomplished in 14 linear steps with 10.6% overall yield. In this synthesis, base-mediated phenol ortho-alkylation and piperidine promoted aldol condensation were exploited as key steps. The synthesis was flexible and allowed for the convenient preparation of two analogous natural products glabralide B and denudalide.     

Isolation and total syntheses of two new alkaloids, dubiusamines-A, and -B, from Pandanus dubius

Chemical investigation of the crude base of Pandanus dubius led to the isolation of two new alkaloids, dubiusamine-A (1) and dubiusamine-B (2). The structures of the two alkaloids including their absolute configuration were unambiguously confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR analysis and asymmetric total synthesis.     

Total synthesis of maremycins A,B, C1/C2, D1, and D2

The total synthesis of maremycins A, B, C₁/C₂, D₁, and D₂ is achieved starting from the natural amino acids l-isoleucine and S-methyl-l-cysteine, in which the total synthesis of maremycins B, C₁/C₂, and D₂ is accomplished for the first time. The synthesis features a position-selective intramolecular bromination process for the synthesis of key chiral building block, a Pd-catalyzed indole synthesis for the preparation of (2S,3S)-β-methyltryptophan and hydroxylation of oxindoles by molecular oxygen. In addition, the protocol for conversion of maremycins A and B to maremycins C and D was improved.     

A new, improved synthesis of the trisaccharide repeating unit of the O-antigen from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 8004

Recent studies have revealed that lipid-A and core fragments of the lipopolysaccharide from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 8004 (Xcc), a phytopathogenic Gram-negative bacterium, are able to elicit plant immunity with two independent mechanisms. To date, nothing is known about the effect of the O-antigen portion. Since its separation from the core region by selective chemical degradation is very difficult, the chemical synthesis of related oligosaccharides is strictly necessary. In this paper a new, improved synthesis of the O-antigen repeating unit is presented. The main improvements in the synthesis are: (1) a shorter, high-yielding preparation of an efficient glycosyl donor of the rare sugar 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-d-galactopyranose (3-acetamido-d-fucose, d-Fucp3NAc); (2) a new protecting group pattern, which is demonstrated to open a path to the future synthesis of higher oligomers.     

Efficient stereospecific synthesis of (S,S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine

Efficient stereospecific synthesis of (S,S)-3-methoxy-4-methylaminopyrrolidine, an important intermediate for a novel quinolone antitumor agent AG-7352 is presented. Starting from either d- or l-tartaric acid, a stereospecific synthesis of the chiral pyrrolidine was achieved via two S_N2 displacement reactions. From the results of this synthetic study, the absolute structure of AG-7352 was chemically determined.     

A Journey from June 2018 to October 2021 with N,N-Dimethylformamide and N,N-Dimethylacetamide as Reactants

A rich array of reactions occur using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as reactants, these two amides being able to deliver their own H, C, N, and O atoms for the synthesis of a variety of compounds. This account highlights the literature published since June 2018, completing previous reviews by the author.     

Synthetic studies on trans-clerodane diterpenoids and congeners : stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-4-methylene-9α-(3-oxobutyl)-5β, 8β,9β-trimethyl-trans-decalin and related intermediates

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of the title compound, a marine natural product as well as a degradation product of sigmosceptrellins and palauolide, has been accomplished by a simple route broadly applicable to certain trans-clerodanes and congeners. In addition, the synthesis of two key degradation products of ilimaquinone, which can serve as trans-clerodane precursors, and 4,4-ethylene-dioxy-9α-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5β, 8β,9β-trimethyl-trans-decalin, an intermediate employed earlier in a total synthesis of (±)-annonene, are described.     

Versatile synthesis of epicatechin series procyanidin oligomers, and their antioxidant and DNA polymerase inhibitory activity

Proanthocyanidins, known as condensed tannins or oligomeric flavonoids, exist in many edible plants and show various interesting biological activities. We have developed a simple and versatile method of synthesizing procyanidin oligomers consisting of (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin. This method is applicable to the synthesis of various 3-O-substituted oligomers. We report here the stereoselective and length controlled synthesis of [4-8]-condensed (−)-epicatechin series procyanidin oligomers. We described the details of the synthesis of an two tetramers, (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin and (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(+)-catechin (arecatannin A1), (−)-epicatechin pentamer and two 3,3″,3?-tri-O-galloyl trimers, (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-3,3″,3?-tri-O-gallate and (−)-epicatechin-(−)-epicatechin-(+)-catechin-3,3″,3?-tri-O-gallate with the condensation method using TMSOTf as a catalyst. The ability of DPPH radical scavenging activity and DNA polymerase inhibitory activity of these oligomeric compounds were investigated.     

A new enantioselective synthesis of the four stereoisomers of pallantione,the male-produced sex pheromone of Pallantia macunaima (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

In a previous study we reported the identification of the first ketone found in the Pentatomidae family, the sex attractant pheromone of the male stink bug Pallantia macunaima, (6R,10S)-6,10,13-trimethyltetradecan-2-one. Here we describe an efficient enantioselective route for the synthesis of the four stereoisomers of this pheromone. The synthesis was conceived as the connection of two chiral building blocks, employing (R)- or (S)-citronellol and methyl (S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate as the source of chirality.     

First Synthesis of Racemic Trans Propargylamino-Donepezil,a Pleiotrope Agent Able to Both Inhibit AChE and MAO-B,with Potential Interest against Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease towards which pleiotropic approach using Multi-Target Directed Ligands is nowadays recognized as probably convenient. Among the numerous targets which are today validated against AD, acetylcholinesterase (ACh) and Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) appear as particularly convincing, especially if displayed by a sole agent such as ladostigil, currently in clinical trial in AD. Considering these results, we wanted to take benefit of the structural analogy lying in donepezil (DPZ) and rasagiline, two indane derivatives marketed as AChE and MAO-B inhibitors, respectively, and to propose the synthesis and the preliminary in vitro biological characterization of a structural compromise between these two compounds, we called propargylaminodonepezil (PADPZ). The synthesis of racemic trans PADPZ was achieved and its biological evaluation established its inhibitory activities towards both (h)AChE (IC₅₀ = 0.4 µM) and (h)MAO-B (IC₅₀ = 6.4 µM).