Toward the total synthesis of citreamicin η: Synthesis of the pentacyclic core and GAB-ring annelation model studies

A short 11-step synthesis of the pentacyclic core of the polycyclic xanthone antibiotic citreamicin η has been completed. Although the basic approach was inspired by our previous explorations of polycyclic xanthone chemistry, the present report features some new insights into the Moore rearrangement and offers some improvements to our original methodology that include additions of aryllithiums to squarate esters, additions of cerium acetylides to hindered ketones utilizing PDA as an internal indicator, and the use of cyclic di-tert-butylsilyl (DTBS) ethers to protect electron-rich benzyl alcohols toward ionization under acidic conditions. We also developed an improved protocol for selective o-bromination of phenols utilizing N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and tetramethylguanidine (TMG) that promises to be generally useful. Finally, we developed a modular approach for the synthesis of isoquinolones and dihydro-5H-oxazolo[3,2-b]isoquinoline-2,5(3H)-diones that features a novel sequence of alkoxycarbonylation, acetone arylation, transamidation.     

Synthesis of the WXYZA' Domain of Maitotoxin

A synthesis of the WXYZA' domain (7) of the marine neurotoxin maitotoxin (1) is reported. The convergent synthetic strategy involves construction of key building blocks 11 and 12, their coupling, and the elaboration of the resulting ester (10) to the target molecule through a ring-closing metathesis and a hydroxy dithioketal cyclization as the key steps. For the construction of fragment 11, the Noyori reduction/Achmatowicz rearrangement and hydroxy epoxide opening technologies were applied (starting from furfuryl alcohol (13)), whereas for the synthesis of fragment 12, a carbohydrate-based approach was adopted (starting from 2-deoxy-D-ribose (14)). The synthesized WXYZA' domain (7) of maitotoxin (1) exhibited the expected (13)C NMR chemical shifts, supporting the originally assigned structure of the corresponding region of the natural product.     

General and expedient synthesis of 1,4-dioxygenated xanthones

A facile entry to 1,4-dioxygenated xanthones having a variety of substitution patterns and substituents was developed that features a novel application of the Moore cyclization using substrates that were readily assembled in a highly convergent fashion by an acetylide stitching process. The practical utility of the methodology was demonstrated by an efficient synthesis of a naturally occurring xanthone and correction of the structure of dulcisxanthone C.     

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.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Enigmazole A

Total synthesis of (?)‐enigmazole A, a marine macrolide natural product with cytotoxic activity, has been accomplished. The tetrahydropyran moiety was constructed by means of a domino olefin cross‐metathesis/intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition of a δ‐hydroxy olefin. After coupling of advanced intermediates, the macrocycle was formed through gold‐catalyzed rearrangement of a propargylic benzoate, followed by ring‐closing metathesis of the resultant α,β‐unsaturated ketone.     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Glyflavanone by a Rigid Quaternary Ammonium Salt

Total synthesis of (±)‐glyflavanones and glychalcones was accomplished starting from the known 1‐(5‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐2,2‐dimethyl‐2H‐chromen‐6‐yl)ethanone ( 6 ). A new approach to synthesis of flavanones, based on a high yielding N‐benzylcinchoninium salt catalyzed chromane ring forming enantio‐selective cyclization process, is described. Also, synthesis of (+)‐glyflavanone 1 , the natural enantiomer, was achieved through optical resolution of a key intermediate in racemic synthesis.     

Ordering the reductive and cytochrome P450 oxidative steps in demethylsterigmatocystin formation yields general insights into the biosynthesis of aflatoxin and related fungal metabolites

The biosynthesis of the potent environmental carcinogen aflatoxin B1 involves ca. 15 steps beyond the first polyketide intermediate. Central among these is the rearrangement of the anthraqinone versicolorin A to the xanthone demethylsterigmatocystin. Genetic evidence strongly suggests that two enzymes are required for this process, a cytochrome P450, AflN, and a probable NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase, AflM. Given the overall redox change evident in this skeletal rearrangement, two rounds of oxidation and a reduction necessarily occur. Earlier experiments indicated that reductive deoxygenation of versicolorin A is not the first step. In the present report we consider a mechanistic alternative that AflM-mediated reduction is instead the last of these three reactions prior to formation of the xanthone intermediate. To this end, 9-hydroxydihydrodemethylsterigmatocystin was prepared by total synthesis as was its 9-deoxy analogue, an established aflatoxin precursor. During the final isolation of the "angular" synthetic xanthone targets it was found that acid catalysis promoted their isomerization to thermodynamically favored "linear" xanthones. Whole-cell and ground-cell incubations of the 9-hydroxy- and 9-deoxyxanthones were conducted with a mutant strain of Aspergillus parasiticus blocked at the first step of the pathway and examined for their ability to support aflatoxin production. The 9-deoxyxanthone gave dramatically enhanced levels of the mycotoxin. The 9-hydroxyxanthone, on the other hand, afforded no detectable increase in aflatoxins above controls, indicating that reductive deoxygenation at C-9 of a xanthone precursor does not take place in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Constraints imposed by earlier studies and the experiments in this paper serve to eliminate simple and intuitive conversions of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin and lead inescapably to a more subtle reaction sequence of oxidation-reduction-oxidation. Previous puzzling observations of extensive A-ring hydrogen exchange in the course of the rearrangement of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin have now been explained by a new mechanism that is consistent with all extant data. We propose that P450-mediated aryl epoxidation (AflN) initially disrupts the aromatic A-ring of versicolorin A. Oxirane opening enables A-ring proton exchange, as does the subsequent AflM-mediated reductive step. A second cycle of P450 oxidation (AflN), this time a Baeyer-Villiger cleavage, enables decarboxylation and the formation of demethylsterigmatocystin. Mechanistic and stereoelectronic principles that underlie this proposal are described and may prove general as illustrated in biogenetic hypotheses for four other fungal anthraquinone --> xanthone transformations.     

Total Synthesis of Homodimericin A

We report the concise total synthesis of homodimericin A ( 1 ), a recently identified fungal metabolite bearing an unprecedented molecular architecture. The success of the approach hinges on a series of rationally designed and bioinspired transformations, including a Moore rearrangement to assemble the monomeric hydroquinone precursor, homodimerization through double Michael addition to construct the planar A/B/C tricyclic framework, and a tandem Diels–Alder reaction/carbonyl–ene cyclization to forge the congested D/E/F tricyclic cage motif. Unequivocal evidence for the elucidated structure of homodimericin A was also provided by this study.     

Total Synthesis of Homodimericin A

We report the concise total synthesis of homodimericin A ( 1 ), a recently identified fungal metabolite bearing an unprecedented molecular architecture. The success of the approach hinges on a series of rationally designed and bioinspired transformations, including a Moore rearrangement to assemble the monomeric hydroquinone precursor, homodimerization through double Michael addition to construct the planar A/B/C tricyclic framework, and a tandem Diels–Alder reaction/carbonyl–ene cyclization to forge the congested D/E/F tricyclic cage motif. Unequivocal evidence for the elucidated structure of homodimericin A was also provided by this study.     

Synthesis of sphingomyelin carbon analogues as sphingomyelinase inhibitors

The highly efficient and stereocontrolled syntheses of sphingomyelin carbon analogues 1 and 2 were achieved by effectively utilizing Hofmann rearrangement of enantiomerically pure beta-hydroxyamide 7, which was prepared by an asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-acyl-gamma-butyrolactone 9 and ring opening with NH(3). Intermediary isocyanate 6 was selectively trapped with the vicinal hydroxy group in an intramolecular fashion to produce an oxazolidinone derivative, 5. In the synthesis of a quite polar compound such as 1, a convenient one-pot procedure of the introduction of a benzyloxycarbonyl group into the hydroxy group resulting from the oxazolidinone ring opening is another key point, because, in addition to the efficiency, this protecting group was easily removable by a simple procedure and workup at the final step. Both synthesized compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate inhibitory activity toward sphingomyelinase from B. cereus.     

Total synthesis of (+)-asteltoxin

A convergent synthesis of (+)-asteltoxin (1) has been achieved by the Horner-Emmons olefination of bis(tetrahydrofuran) aldehyde 53 and alpha-pyrone phosphonate 5. A key step features the stereoselective construction of a sterically congested quaternary center embedded in the densely functionalized bis(tetrahydrofuran) subunit by a Lewis acid-catalyzed, pinacol-type rearrangement of an epoxy silyl ether. This pivotal rearrangement methodology parallels the proposed biosynthetic pathway of 1 and is ripe for applications to the stereocontrolled synthesis of structurally complex natural products.     

Total synthesis of (±)-spiniferin-1 via a polyfluoroalkanosulfonyl fluoride induced homoallylic carbocation rearrangement reaction

A facile total synthesis of marine natural product (±)-spiniferin-1 has been accomplished in eight steps with 28.9% overall yield, involving a rearrangement reaction initiated by polyfluoroalkanosulfonyl fluoride to construct the 1,6-methano[10]annulene core of the natural product as a key step.     

Oxidative rearrangement of alkenes using in situ generated hypervalent iodine(III)

A novel protocol for the oxidative rearrangement of alkenes using in situ generated hypervalent iodine(III) was developed. This approach uses inexpensive, readily available, and stable chemicals (PhI, mCPBA, and TsOH) giving rearrangement products in yields comparable to those obtained using the more expensive commercially available [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene [HTIB or Koser’s reagent]. Additionally, an alternative protocol for the synthesis of 1-methyl-2-tetralone through the one-step epoxidation/rearrangement of 4-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene using mCPBA and TsOH was developed.     

Application of [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in the Wittig-ring expansion sequence for the synthesis of beta-benzocyclo-alkenones from alpha-benzocycloalkenones

The conversion of alpha-benzocycloalkenones to homologous beta-benzocyclo-alkenones containing six, seven and eight-membered rings is reported. This was accomplished via a Wittig olefination-oxidative rearrangement sequence using[hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]-benzene (HTIB) is the oxidant, that enables the synthesis of regioisomeric pairs of methyl-substituted beta-benzocycloalkenones. The incorporation of carbon-13 at C-1 of the beta-tetralone nucleus was also demonstrated. The Wittig-HTIB approach is a useful alternative to analogous sequences in which Tl(NO3)3.3H2O or the Prevost combination (AgNO3/I2) are employed in the oxidation step.     

Enantiospecific total synthesis of the sarpagine related indole alkaloids talpinine and talcarpine as well as the improved total synthesis of alstonerine and anhydromacrosalhine-methine via the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction

The enantiospecific total synthesis of talpinine 1 and talcarpine 2 has been accomplished from D-(+)-tryptophan in 13 steps (11 reaction vessels) in 10% and 9.5% overall yields, respectively. Moreover, this synthetic approach has been employed for the improved synthesis of alstonerine 3and anhydromacrosalhine-methine 4 in 12% and 14% overall yield, respectively. A convenient synthetic route for the enantiospecific, stereospecific preparation of the key intermediate (-)-N(a)-H, N(b)-benzyl tetracyclic ketone 15a via the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction on a multihundred-gram scale has been developed. A diastereocontrolled (>30:1) anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement and the intramolecular rearrangement to form ring-E and an N(b)-benzyl/N(b)-methyl transfer reaction also served as key steps. This general approach can now be utilized for the synthesis of macroline/sarpagine related indole alkaloids and their antipodes for biological screening.     

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.     

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.     

Total synthesis of pancratistatin relying on the [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement

A new total synthesis of the antitumor alkaloid, pancratistatin (1), has been accomplished from readily available starting materials. Claisen rearrangement of the racemic dihydropyranethylene 17 was employed to construct the A and C rings with the appropriate stereochemistry. In addition, the Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of the enantiomerically pure 9 followed by ring-closing metathesis provided the important intermediate 24, thus implying that our approach could yield the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-pancratistatin. With the appropriately functionalized cyclohexene 24, stereo- and regiocontrolled functional group interchanges, such as iodolactonization, dihydroxylations, and a cyclic sulfate elimination reaction, facilitated the production of the target natural product.     

Synthetic approach to hypoxyxylerone,novel inhibitor of topoisomerase I

[reaction: see text] A potential route to the topoisomerase I inhibitor hypoxyxylerone is demonstrated by a highly convergent synthesis of the penta(O-methyl) derivative. The key step in the approach is an anionic homo-Fries rearrangement, little used to date in natural product synthesis and employed here for the first time with a dinaphthalenic substrate, to access the pentacyclic system of hypoxyxylerone.     

Combined C-H activation/cope rearrangement as a strategic reaction in organic synthesis: total synthesis of (-)-colombiasin a and (-)-elisapterosin B

The total synthesis of (-)-colombiasin A (2) and (-)-elisapterosin B (3) has been achieved. The key step is a C-H functionalization process, the combined C-H activation/Cope rearrangement, between methyl (E)-2-diazo-3-pentenoate and 1-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes. When the reaction is catalyzed by dirhodium tetrakis((R)-(N-dodecylbenzenesulfonyl)prolinate), Rh(2)(R-DOSP)(4), an enantiomer differentiation step occurs where one enantiomer of the dihydronaphthalene undergoes the combined C-H activation/Cope rearrangement while the other undergoes cyclopropanation. This sequence controls the three key stereocenters in the natural products such that the remainder of the synthesis is feasible using standard chemistry.