Towards the Core Structure of Strychnos Alkaloids Using Samarium Diiodide‐Induced Reactions of Indole Derivatives

This report describes the development of a first and second generation approach towards the synthesis of the ABCEG pentacyclic core structure of Strychnos alkaloids. First, we discuss a sequential approach applying a series of functional group transformations to prepare suitable precursors for cyclization reactions. These include attempts of samarium diiodide‐induced cyclizations or a Barbier‐type reaction of a transient lithium organyl, which successfully led to a tetracyclic key building block earlier used for the synthesis of strychnine. Secondly, we account our first steps towards the development of an atom‐economical samarium diiodide‐induced cascade reaction using “dimeric” indolyl ketones as cyclization precursors. In this context, we discuss plausible mechanisms for the samarium diiodide‐induced cascade reaction as well as transformations of the obtained tetracyclic dihydroindoline derivatives.     

Total Syntheses of Daphenylline,Daphnipaxianine A,and Himalenine D

We report the total syntheses of daphenylline ( 1 ), daphnipaxianine A ( 5 ), and himalenine D ( 6 ), three Daphniphyllum alkaloids from the calyciphylline A subfamily. A pentacyclic triketone was prepared by using atom‐transfer radical cyclization and the Lu [3+2] cycloaddition as key steps. Inspired by the proposed biosynthetic relationship between 1 and another calyciphylline A type alkaloid, we developed a ring‐expansion/aromatization/aldol cascade to construct the tetrasubstituted benzene moiety of 1 . The versatile triketone intermediate was also elaborated into 5 and 6 through a C=C bond migration/aldol cyclization approach.     

Total Syntheses of Daphenylline,Daphnipaxianine A,and Himalenine D

We report the total syntheses of daphenylline ( 1 ), daphnipaxianine A ( 5 ), and himalenine D ( 6 ), three Daphniphyllum alkaloids from the calyciphylline A subfamily. A pentacyclic triketone was prepared by using atom‐transfer radical cyclization and the Lu [3+2] cycloaddition as key steps. Inspired by the proposed biosynthetic relationship between 1 and another calyciphylline A type alkaloid, we developed a ring‐expansion/aromatization/aldol cascade to construct the tetrasubstituted benzene moiety of 1 . The versatile triketone intermediate was also elaborated into 5 and 6 through a C=C bond migration/aldol cyclization approach.     

Unprecedented aromatic homolytic substitutions and cyclization of amide-iminyl radicals: experimental and theoretical study

Amide-iminyl radicals are versatile and efficient intermediates in cascade radical cyclizations of N-acylcyanamides. They are easily trapped by alkenes or (hetero-)aromatic rings and cyclize into a series of new heterocyclic compounds which bear a pyrroloquinazoline moiety. As an illustration of the synthetic importance of these compounds, the total synthesis of the natural antitumor compound luotonin A was achieved through a tin-free radical cascade cyclization process. Not only do amide-iminyl radicals lead to new tetracyclic heterocycles but these nitrogen-centered radical species also react in aromatic homolytic substitutions. Indeed, the amide-iminyl radical moiety unprecedentedly displaces methyl, methoxy, and fluorine radicals from an aromatic carbon atom. This seminal reaction in the field of radical chemistry has been developed experimentally and its mechanism has additionally been investigated by a theoretical study.     

A new, efficient and stereoselective synthesis of tricyclic and tetracyclic compounds by samarium diiodide induced cyclisations of naphthyl-substituted arylketones--an easy access to steroid-like skeletons

In this report, we present the application of samarium diiodide induced cyclisations of naphthyl-substituted ketones towards an easy and stereoselective access to tri- and tetracyclic-functionalised compounds. Typical naphthalene derivatives were studied to investigate the scope and limitations of this novel cyclisation process. The model substrates studied demonstrate that the samarium ketyl cyclisations are essentially restricted to the formation of six-membered rings. The diastereoselectivity of these reactions is strongly influenced by the connection of the alkyl side chain to the naphthalene core. Gamma-naphth-1-yl-substituted ketones furnished cyclisation products, such as 17 or 22-26, as single diastereomers, whereas gamma-naphth-2-yl-substituted precursors gave mixtures of diastereomers--as demonstrated by the conversion of model compound 10 into tricyclic products 18 a/18 b, or that of cyclohexanone derivative 33 into tetracyclic diastereomers 34 a/34 b. Cyclic ketones as ketyl precursors furnished steroid-like tetracyclic skeletons; however, due to the cis/cis fusion of rings B/C and C/D these products have an "unnatural" bowl-like shape. Several of the cyclisation products have been identified by X-ray analyses, which not only proved the constitutions, but also the relative configurations and the preferred conformations. Steroid analogue 23 was subjected to subsequent transformations, which demonstrate that the styrene-like double bond of such compounds can be used for further structural diversification. First attempts to synthesise related azasteroids by incorporating nitrogen atoms into the ketone moiety are also reported. Thus, pyrrolidine derivatives 44 and 47 as well as piperidine derivatives 50 and 52 were subjected to samarium diiodide induced cyclisations. The expected tetracyclic products 48, 49 a/49 b, 51 and 53 a/53 b were obtained in moderate to good yields. The stereoselectivities observed follow the rules already established for the all-carbon precursors. The resulting products, bearing a nitrogen atom in ring D, are interesting azasteroid analogues with "unnatural" configuration.     

Evolution of a Short Route to Strychnine by Using the Samarium‐Diiodide‐Induced Cascade Cyclization as a Key Step

This comprehensive report accounts the development of a highly diastereoselective samarium diiodide‐induced cascade reaction of substituted indolyl ketones. The complexity‐generating transformation with SmI₂ allows the diastereoselective generation of three stereogenic centers including one quaternary center in one step. The obtained tetra‐ or pentacyclic dihydroindole derivatives are structural motifs of many monoterpene indole alkaloids, and their subsequent transformations gave way to one of the shortest approaches towards strychnine (14 % overall yield in ten steps, or 10 % overall yield in eight steps). During the course of this report we discuss the influence of substituents on the cyclization step, plausible mechanistic scenarios for the SmI₂‐induced cascade reaction, diastereoselective reductive amination, and regioselective dehydratization protocols towards the pentacyclic core structure of strychnos alkaloids.     

Research on Au(I)-catalyzed ene-yne cycloisomerization for construction of quassinoid scaffold

Compounds that undergo Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerizations affording tetracyclic products that can be converted into compounds with the skeleton of bruceantin are described. The Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerizations reported herein are hindered by a 1,3-diaxial interaction between the substituent and the methyl group in the transition state. The use of small substituents was found to increase the yield of the desired product, while the reaction of substrates with large substituents afford undesired constitutional isomers.     

Heterodiamantane und strukturell verwandte Verbindungen II. Pentacyclische Diäther der C10-Reihe: 5,12-Dioxapentacyclo-[6.4.0.02,6.04,9]dodecan und 4,12-Dioxapentacyclo[6.3.1.02,7.03,10.05,9]- dodecan

In connection with studies on heterodiamantanes and structurally related compounds the two novel pentacyclic diethers 9 and 10 were prepared starting from the photo-dimer 8 of cyclopentadienone. All three compounds have as common features a central carbocyclic 6membered ring with four axial alkyl substituents and two oxygen function in 1,4-position. The diether 9 was obtained on the one hand from the intermediate tetracyclic unsaturated alcohol 23 by intramolecular addition, catalyzed either by acid or base (scheme 3), and on the other hand from the tetracyclic diol 32 or the dibromoketones 34 (via 38 ) and 35 (via 39 ) by intramolecular substitution (schemes 4 and 5). The synthesis of the isomeric diether 10 was achieved by intramolecular substitution of the tetracyclic diol 33 (scheme 4). Diether 9 is thermodynamically more stable than 10 . The latter was easily isomerized to the former on treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid in benzene.     

The Synthesis and Herbicidal Evaluation of Fluorine-Containing Phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonate Derivatives

To investigate the influence of a fluorine moiety on the biological activity of phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonates, a series of fluorine-containing phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonates were synthesized and screened for herbicidal activity in a greenhouse. The majority of the title compounds showed better preemergence activity than postemergence activity against the test plants, especially on monocotyledon. Compound 5l exhibited notable activity. Results showed that by introducing a fluorine moiety to the parent structure of phenoxyacetoxyalkylphosphonates, a series of new compounds with satisfactory herbicidal activity could be synthesized. A reasonable combination of a fluorine moiety and other substituents on the benzene ring had a great influence on the herbicidal activity.     

A second generation formal synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine

A second generation formal synthesis of the alkaloid (-)-cephalotaxine has been achieved using an alkylidene carbene 1,5-CH insertion reaction to establish a key quaternary stereocenter. The carbene precursor was readily derived from L-proline, and the 1,5-CH insertion reaction was performed under Ohira's conditions using lithiotrimethylsilyldiazomethane (LTDM), which gave the desired spirocyclic product in 74% yield. The hydroxymethyl group was then oxidized and then decarbonylated (93%), and this material was easily transformed into the desired Friedel-Crafts cyclization precursor. Exposure of this material to SnCl4 then gave the desired pentacyclic product, which was identical to that previously prepared by Mori and thus represents a formal total synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine.     

Samarium(II)-mediated reactions of gamma,delta-unsaturated ketones. Cyclization and fragmentation processes

[reaction: see text] On treatment with samarium(II) iodide, gamma,delta-unsaturated ketones undergo very different processes depending upon the nature of the reaction conditions. Employing samarium(II) iodide and MeOH, functionalized syn-cyclopentanol products are obtained stereoselectively. Mechanistic studies suggest that this cyclization occurs via a sequential reduction/intramolecular aldol reaction. With samarium(II) iodide and HMPA, products of a 4-exo-trig cyclization and of an interesting fragmentation reaction are observed.     

Allenyl azide cycloaddition chemistry: application to the total synthesis of (±)-meloscine

The pentacyclic alkaloid (±)-meloscine was prepared in 19 steps through a reaction sequence that features a putative azatrimethylenemethane intermediate, generated through cascade cyclization of an allenyl azide substrate, to deliver the core azabicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene substructure. Subsequent manipulation of the peripheral functionality then delivered (±)-meloscine.     

Bis(2,2'-biphenoxy)borates for electrochemical double-layer capacitor electrolytes

Fluorine makes the difference! Bis(2,2'-biphenoxy)borates decorated with fluorine substituents have been synthesized and studied in supercapacitor test cells (see scheme). A clear trend towards higher electrochemical stability with the increase of the fluorine content has been observed. For a maximum performance, only two fluorine substituents per benzene moiety are required.     

Total synthesis of indole and dihydroindole alkaloids. VII. The total synthesis of isovelbanamine, velbanamine, cleavamine, 18beta-carbomethoxycleavamine and catharanthine.

A synthesis of a variety of nine-membered ring intermediates in the cleavaminevelbanamine series is described. The formation of the penultimate intermediate involves a fragmentation reaction in which the cleavamine system is generated from an appropriate rigid pentacyclic Iboga alkaloid derivative. Thus dihydrocatharanthinol tosylate (VIII) on reaction with triethylamine in refluxing benzene undergoes fragmentation to the 5, 18-seco-diene X. This latter substance is then elaborated in various ways to the desired compounds.     

Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization of allenylethylene carbonates and indandiones: Synthesis of tetracyclic dihydrocyclopentaindenofuranone derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization of allenylethylene carbonates with 1,3-indandiones was developed, providing biologically interesting tetracyclic dihydrocyclopentaindenofuranone derivatives having three contiguous quaternary carbon centers in moderate to high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. In this reaction, the allene moiety was fully fused into the cyclopentene ring.     

Heterocyclic compounds. VII. Synthesis of thiadiazasteroid analogs

The synthesis of a number of β-northiadiaza steroid analogs has been described. Suitable o-aminonitriles were acylated with γ-chlorobutyryl chloride. These amidonitriles were cyclized to substituted γ-lactams and subsequently to the tetracyclic products. To functionalize the “17-position” in these steroids, the intermediate γ-lactams were converted to arylidene derivatives before cyclization to the tetracyclic derivatives.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Minfiensine: Construction of the Tetracyclic Core Structure by an Asymmetric Cascade Cyclization

A new method for one‐step construction of the tetracyclic core structure of the indole alkaloid (+)‐minfiensine was developed utilizing a palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric indole dearomatization/iminium cyclization cascade. An efficient total synthesis of (+)‐minfiensine was realized using this strategy. The present method enables access to the common core structure of a series of monoterpene indole alkaloids, such as vincorine, echitamine, and aspidosphylline A.     

Benhamycin, novel alkaloid from terrestrial Streptomyces sp

During our screening for bioactive natural compounds from microorganisms, a novel alkaloid has been isolated from a terrestrial Streptomyces sp. isolate NR12, and named as benhamycin (1). This was along with the known metabolites, uracil, thymine, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2'-deoxyuridin, tryptophol, indolyl-3-carboxylic acid, and indolyl-3-carbaldehyde. Chemical structure of the novel compound was determined by detailed analysis of its spectroscopic data (extensive NMR experiments, 1 & 2D, MS spectroscopy, and MS high resolution). Structurally, Benhamycin (1) is a pentacyclic aromatic compound bearing an acridine moiety lactamized with benzene. Biological studies showed that the strain extract was moderately active against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.     

New persubstituted 1,3,5-trisethynyl benzenes via Sonogashira coupling

Starting from 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene, selective Sonogashira coupling gave trisalkynylbenzenes, which can be further functionalized making use of the reactive fluorine substituents on the benzene core. Along the way, a conceivably trivial deprotection step unexpectedly led to a pentasubstituted benzene derivative the structure of which was revealed by X-ray crystallography.     

Organic Photocatalytic Cyclization of Polyenes: A Visible‐Light‐Mediated Radical Cascade Approach

A visible‐light‐mediated, organic photocatalytic stereoselective radical cascade cyclization of polyprenoids is described. The desired cascade cyclization products are achieved in good yields and high stereoselectivities with eosin Y as photocatalyst in hexafluoro‐2‐propanol. The catalyst system is also suitable for 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, which require only catalytic amounts of LiBr to promote the formation of the corresponding enols.