A direct route to angularly substituted hydrindanes. Formal synthesis of bakkenolide-A and synthesis of an advanced intermediate to umbellactal

A direct route for the synthesis of highly functionalized angularly substituted hydrindanes has been developed. The key step involves RO-RCM of an appropriately functionalized norbornene derivative. The hydrindane derivative obtained in this way has been used to accomplish a formal synthesis of bakkenolide-A. This protocol has also been extended for the synthesis of an advanced intermediate to the synthesis of the diterpene umbellactal.     

Studies towards the synthesis of epothilone A via organoboranes

Studies towards the synthesis of epothilone A via organoboranes have been described. A modified procedure for the large-scale preparation of B-gamma,gamma-dimethylallyldiisopinocampheylborane from prenyl alcohol has been developed. This reagent, upon reaction with various aldehydes, provides the corresponding alpha,alpha-dimethylhomoallylic alcohols in high enantioselectivities. The application of this reagent for the synthesis of the C1-C6 subunit of epothilone has been demonstrated. Alternatively, inter- and intramolecular asymmetric reduction protocols have also been utilized for the synthesis of the C1-C6 subunit of epothilone A. The synthesis of the C7-C21 fragment of epothilone A involving asymmetric alkoxyallyl- and crotylboration using alpha-pinene-derived reagents has also been described.     

Development of the Vinylogous Pictet–Spengler Cyclization and Total Synthesis of (±)‐Lundurine A

A novel vinylogous Pictet–Spengler cyclization has been developed for the generation of indole‐annulated medium‐sized rings. The method enables the synthesis of tetrahydroazocinoindoles with a fully substituted carbon center, a prevalent structural motif in many biologically active alkaloids. The strategy has been applied to the total synthesis of (±)‐lundurine A.     

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of endocyclic enol ethers and its application to the synthesis of spiroacetals

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of endocyclic enol ethers based on a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling/ring-closing metathesis sequence has been developed. The strategy has successfully been applied to the synthesis of spiroacetals, including cytotoxic marine metabolites attenols A and B.     

Direct conversion of methylarenes into dithiocarbamates,thioamides and benzyl esters

A new strategy for the synthesis of a variety of dithiocarbamates and thioamides has been developed employing inexpensive and readily available methylarenes under metal-free and solvent-free conditions. The approach offers a one-pot procedure and has also been extended to the synthesis of a diverse range of benzyl esters.     

Synthesis of the JKLM-ring fragment of ciguatoxin

A stereoselective synthesis of the LM-ring fragment has been achieved starting from a sugar derivative. A stereoselective synthesis of the JKLM-ring fragment has been achieved through a coupling between two segments via heteroconjugate addition, seven-membered ether ring formation mediated by an acetylene cobalt complex, and spiroketalization reaction.     

Synthesis of the HCV protease inhibitor Vaniprevir (MK-7009) using ring-closing metathesis strategy

A highly efficient synthesis of Vaniprevir (MK-7009) has been accomplished in nine linear steps and 55% overall yield. The key features of this synthesis include a cost-effective synthesis of the isoindoline subunit and efficient construction of the 20-membered macrocyclic core of Vaniprevir (MK-7009) utilizing ring-closing metathesis technology. A high-performing ring-closing metathesis protocol has been achieved by simultaneous slow addition of the ruthenium catalyst (0.2 mol %) and the diene substrate at a concentration of 0.13 M.     

Total synthesis of (+)-cylindramide A

A total synthesis of cylindramide A has been completed in 19 steps. The key step of the synthesis is a tandem ring-opening-ring-closing-cross metathesis that converts a readily available norbornene into an advanced intermediate.     

New efficient and totally stereoselective copper allylic benzoyloxylation of sterol derivatives

A new efficient and totally stereoselective copper allylic benzoyloxylation of sterol derivatives has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to the synthesis of 7α-hydroxy DHEA and 7α-hydroxy cholesterol in a two-step synthesis with high chemical yields (77% and 61% overall yield, respectively). A mechanistic rationale justifying the total stereoselectivity encountered has been proposed.     

Synthetic studies towards dendridine A: synthesis of hemi-dendridine A acetate by Fischer indolization

A short synthesis of hemi-dendridine A acetate has been accomplished. The synthesis is based on a modified Fischer indolization that represents a rare example of the single-step synthesis of a 7-oxytryptamine from an ortho-oxygenated phenylhydrazine. The synthetic route required developing an efficient synthesis of N-acetyl-2-pyrroline, the key coupling partner for the modified Fischer indolization. Some interesting chemistry associated with the abnormal Fischer indolization has been uncovered, whereby two molecules of the phenylhydrazine substrate combined along the abnormal reaction pathway, affording an unusual N-phenylindoleamine product.     

Facile synthesis of a pentasaccharide repeating unit corresponding to the common O-antigen of Salmonella enterica O57 and Escherichia coli O51

A concise chemical synthetic strategy has been developed for the synthesis of a pentasaccharide present in the O-antigen of Salmonella enterica O57 and Escherichia coli O51 strains. A sequential glycosylation strategy has been adopted for the synthesis of the target pentasaccharide. All intermediate steps are high yielding and the glycosylation steps are stereoselective. A number of recently developed methodologies have been used in the synthesis.     

Synthetic strategies directed to the antitumour alkaloids sesbanimide A and manzamine A

Synthons derived from nature's chiral pool have been utilized in developing strategies aimed at the syntheses of the alkaloids sesbanimide A and manzamine A. The route designed for sesbanimide A has provided the naturally occurring alkaloid and a facile access to several analogues for structure-activity relationship studies. The approach to the synthesis of manzamine A has led to a strategically functionalized chiral tricyclic intermediate possessing the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. Recent results on the synthesis of sesbanimide analogues and the progress towards the total synthesis of manzamine A is described.     

An expedient, fast and competent synthesis of organic dithiocarbamates over nanocrystalline MgO in water at room temperature

A new, expeditious, efficient and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of organic dithiocarbamates has been achieved at room temperature using basic nanocrystalline MgO catalyst in aqueous condition. The method has been applied for the synthesis of a range of compounds with variable functionalities in excellent yield and selectivity.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxycyclohexanes and relatives from (-)-quinic acid

An efficient and versatile strategy for the synthesis of polyhydroxycyclohexanes and related compounds 3-6 is reported. The successful synthesis of these analogues has been achieved from a common intermediate, quinic acid derived lactone 2, rapidly accessible from cheap and commercially available (-)-quinic acid (1) as a chiral template. A practical route involving stereocontrolled epoxide formation and hydrolysis has been developed for the synthesis of 2,3-trans analogues 3 and 4. The preparation of the 2,3-cis analogues 5 and 6 has been realized by diasteroselective oxidation of a 5,6-double bond.     

A competent pot and atom-efficient synthesis of Betti bases over nanocrystalline MgO involving a modified Mannich type reaction

A simple, efficient, and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of 1-(α-aminoalkyl) naphthols, the Betti bases, has been carried out over a basic nanocrystalline MgO catalyst in aqueous condition. The method has been applied for the synthesis of a range of compounds with variable functionalities in excellent yield and selectivity.     

A Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Xyolide,a Natural Bioactive Nonenolide

A stereoselective total synthesis of xyolide, a naturally occurring bioactive nonenolide, has been accomplished. The acid fragment of the molecule has been prepared from D ‐mannitol and the alcohol fragment from (2Z)‐but‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diol. The synthesis involves the coupling of these two fragments using the Yamaguchi esterification protocol, followed by intramolecular ring‐closing methathesis. The diastereoisomeric alcohol fragment has also been utilized in this synthesis by employing the Mitsunobu esterification.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 7,11-guaien-8,12-olides from santonin. Synthesis of podoandin and (+)-zedolactone A

Photochemical rearrangement of hydroxy ester 2, easily obtained from santonin (1), afforded butenolide 4, a good starting material for the synthesis of 7,11-guaien-8,12-olides. Compound 4 has been transformed into compound 10, which has been used for the synthesis of podoandin (5) and (+)-zedolactone A (ent-6). Regioselective elimination of the acetyl group on C10 afforded directly podoandin (5). For the synthesis of ent-6, a hydroxyl group has been regio- and stereoselectively introduced at the 4alpha-position through the 3alpha,4alpha-epoxide 15. The basic hydrolysis of the 10-acetyl group in compound 18 took place with concomitant intramolecular conjugated addition of the alkoxide to the butenolide moiety to give ether 19. Cleavage of the 7,10-oxido bridge via the lactone enolate afforded (+)-zedolactone A (ent-6). This synthesis has allowed for the establishment of the absolute stereochemistry of natural zedolactone A as the enantiomer of our synthetic product.     

Titanium(II)-mediated cyclizations of (silyloxy)enynes: a total synthesis of (-)-7-demethylpiericidin A1

A concise total synthesis of 7-demethylpiericidin A1 has been completed. The synthesis features a titanium(II)-mediated cyclization of a (silyloxy)enyne as the key step and proceeds in nine steps from tiglic aldehyde.     

Synthetic Studies on Actinorhodin and γ‐Actinorhodin: Synthesis of Deoxyactinorhodin and Deoxy‐γ‐actinorhodin/Crisamicin A Isomer

A strategy based on bidirectional Dötz benzannulation and the oxa‐Pictet–Spengler reaction toward the synthesis of actinorhodin and γ‐actinorhodin has been explored. This work has resulted in the synthesis of deoxyactinorhodin and deoxy‐γ‐actinorhodin. The latter is a regioisomer of crisamicin A (which has 10,10′‐dihydroxy groups).     

Synthesis of the proposed structure of phaeosphaeride A

The first total synthesis of the proposed structure of phaeosphaeride A has been achieved via six-membered-ring formation by means of an intramolecular vinyl-anion aldol reaction as the key step. This synthesis suggests a revised configurational assignment for phaeosphaeride A.