Tremorgenic indole alkaloids. The total synthesis of (-)-penitrem D

A convergent, stereocontrolled total synthesis of the architecturally complex tremorgenic indole alkaloid (-)-penitrem D (4) has been achieved. Highlights of the synthesis include an efficient, asymmetric synthesis of the western hemisphere; the stereocontrolled assembly of the I-ring; discovery of a novel autoxidation to introduce the C(22) tertiary hydroxyl group, required for tremorgenic activity; union of fully elaborated eastern and western hemispheres, exploiting an indole synthetic protocol developed expressly for this purpose; and a late-stage, stereoselective construction of the A and F rings exploiting a Sc(OTf)(3-)promoted reaction cascade. The longest linear sequence leading to (-)-penitrem D (4) was 43 steps.     

Construction of eight-membered ether rings by olefin geometry-dependent internal alkylation: first asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-3-(E)- and (+)-3-(Z)-pinnatifidenyne

The first and highly stereoselective asymmetric total syntheses of eight-membered ring ether marine natural products (+)-3-(E)-pinnatifidenyne and (+)-3-(Z)-pinnatifidenyne have been accomplished. Notable features of our syntheses include a novel and efficient construction of oxocene 5 by a highly stereo- and regioselective internal alkylation and direct ketone synthesis of ketone 16 from the alpha-alkyloxy amide moiety in oxocene 5.     

Indole‐Diterpene Synthetic Studies: Total Synthesis of (−)‐21‐Isopentenylpaxilline

An efficient, stereocontrolled total synthesis of the complex indole‐diterpene alkaloid (?)‐21‐isopentenylpaxilline ( 1 ) has been achieved. Key elements of the synthesis include the stereocontrolled construction of the advanced eastern hemisphere (?)‐ 68 , involving a highly efficient union of the eastern and western fragments (?)‐ 68 and 5 exploiting our 2‐substituted indole synthesis, application of the Negishi π cycloalkylation tactic as a new, potentially general protocol for the construction of ring C, and the fragmentation of a β,γ‐epoxy ketone to introduce the tertiary OH group at C(13) in the indole diterpene skeleton.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-erinacine B

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-erinacine B has been achieved. Our approach features convergent construction of the 5-6-7 tricyclic cyathane core system via chiral building blocks prepared using asymmetric catalysis developed by us and highly stereoselective construction of all stereogenic centers in the aglycon. [reaction: see text].     

Indole diterpene synthetic studies. Total synthesis of (+)-nodulisporic acid F and construction of the heptacyclic cores of (+)-nodulisporic acids A and B and (-)-nodulisporic acid D

A first-generation strategy for construction of (+)-nodulisporic acids A (1) and B (2) is described. The strategy entails union of the eastern and western hemisphere subtargets via the indole synthesis protocol developed in our laboratory. Subsequent elaboration of rings E and F, however, revealed the considerable acid instability of the C(24) hydroxyl, thereby preventing further advancement. Nonetheless, preparation of the heptacyclic core of (+)-nodulisporic acids A and B, the total synthesis of (+)-nodulisporic acid F, the simplest member of the nodulisporic acid family, and elaboration of the heptacyclic core of (-)-nodulisporic acid D were achieved.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-scabronine G via intramolecular double Michael reaction and Prins cyclization

The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-scabronine G is described. The key features of the present synthesis include the construction of a 5-6 ring system containing two quaternary carbon centers via a diastereoselective intramolecular double Michael reaction and the formation of a seven-membered ring using a Prins cyclization.     

Short synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine using a radical cascade

The short total synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine is described. The concise construction of the pentacyclic core of this alkaloid was achieved by a radical cascade involving 7-endo and 5-endo cyclizations.     

Total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin 285A and (-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin

Starting from commercially available ( S)-glycidol, and via a common intermediate, the total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin 285A and (-)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin has been achieved. Key to this synthesis was the efficient construction of a six-membered, chiral, cyclic nitrone.     

Total synthesis of the tricyclic marine alkaloids (-)-lepadiformine, (+)-cylindricine c, and (-)-fasicularin via a common intermediate formed by formic acid-induced intramolecular conjugate azaspirocyclization

A very short and efficient enantioselective total synthesis of the tricyclic marine alkaloids (-)-lepadiformine (3), (+)-cylindricine C (1c), and (-)-fasicularin (4) has been developed utilizing the formyloxy 1-azaspiro[4.5]decane 5 as a common intermediate. The key strategic element for the synthesis was the formic acid-induced intramolecular conjugate azaspirocyclization, which proved to be a highly efficient and stereoselective way to rapid construction of the 1-azaspirocyclic substructure of these natural products in a single operation. Thus, the common intermediate 5, synthesized in two steps with 70% overall yield starting from the known (S)-N-Boc-2-pyrrolidinone 7 via the conjugate spirocyclization using an acyclic ketoamide 6, was utilized for the concise and stereoselective total synthesis of (-)-lepadiformine (3), which was accomplished in seven steps with 45% overall yield from 5 (31% yield from 7). The developed strategy based on the conjugate spirocyclization was also applied to the stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-cylindricine C (1c), which was achieved in 10 steps from 5 in 18% overall yield (12% yield from 7). Further application of this approach using 5 led to the synthesis of (-)-fasicularin (4), wherein an extremely efficient method for the introduction of the thiocyanato group via an aziridinium intermediate at the last step was developed. Thus, the highly efficient first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-fasicularin was accomplished in nine steps with an overall yield of 41% from 5 (28% yield from 7).     

Total syntheses of enantiomerically enriched R-(+)- and S-(-)-deplancheine

Total syntheses of indoloquinolizidine alkaloid (+/-)-, R-(+)-, and S-(-)-deplancheine are described here. The synthesis features an enantioselective intramolecular formal aza-[3 + 3] cycloaddition for the construction of the quinolizidine CD-ring. This application serves to introduce a new synthetic strategy for the synthesis of indoloquinolizidine alkaloids.     

Synthetic study of 1,3-butadiene-based IMDA approach to construct a [5-7-6] tricyclic core and its application to the total synthesis of C8-epi-guanacastepene O

An efficient intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) strategy for the construction of the [5-7-6] tricyclic core (18) of guanacastepenes has been developed from cis- and trans-1,3-butadiene-tethered 4-oxopent-2-ynoic acid ethyl esters 10 and 11. This method facilitates the synthesis of C8-epi-guanacastepene O (36) in a very efficient manner.     

Total synthesis of the neotropical poison-frog alkaloid (-)-205B

[reaction: see text]. A stereocontrolled total synthesis of the neotropical poison-frog alkaloid (-)-205B (1) has been achieved, employing a dithiane three-component linchpin coupling, a one-pot sequential construction of the embedded indolizidine ring, and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) to arrive at the novel 8b-azaacenaphthylene ring system comprising the alkaloid. The synthesis proceeded with a longest linear sequence of 19 steps, affording (-)-1 in 5.6% overall yield.     

Total synthesis of (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine

Total synthesis of tropane alkaloids (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine were accomplished in nine steps each and in 55% and 46% overall yields, respectively, starting from the known Betti base derivative (+)-(7aR,10R,12S)-10-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-7a,8,9,10-tetrahydro-12-phenyl-12H-naphtho[1,2-e]pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazine. In this novel route, RCM reaction and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were employed as key steps for the enantioselective construction of tropane skeleton and the regioselective introduction of 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring as masked cis-2,3-disubstituents. To obtain the desired precursor (2S,5R)-2-allyl-5-vinylpyrrolidine for RCM reaction, we developed a general and practical method for the preparation of enantiopure cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines bearing alkene- and/or alkyne-containing substituents. We also offered two highly efficient pathways for the conversion of the 3-bromo-2-isoxazoline ring into the desired cis-2,3-disubstituted groups in (-)-cocaine and (-)-ferruginine.     

(3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol as an isofagomine analogue: synthesis and glycosidase inhibition study

The synthesis of (3S,4R,5R)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine-3,4,5-triol 10 has been described from d-glucose. The base promoted cyclization for the construction of the piperdine framework is the key step of the synthesis.     

Total synthesis of (-)-gambierol

The first total synthesis of (-)-gambierol (1), a marine polycyclic ether toxin, has been achieved. Key features of the successful synthesis include (1) a convergent union of the ABC and EFGH ring fragments (5 and 6, respectively) via our developed B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling strategy leading to the octacyclic polyether core 4 and (2) a late-stage introduction of the sensitive triene side chain by use of Pd(PPh(3))(4)/CuCl/LiCl-promoted Stille coupling. The ABC ring fragment 5 was synthesized in a linear manner (B --> AB --> ABC), wherein the A ring was formed by intramolecular hetero-Michael reaction and the C ring was constructed via 6-endo cyclization of hydroxy epoxide 7. An improved synthetic entry to the EFGH ring fragment 6 is also described, in which SmI(2)-induced reductive cyclization methodology was applied to the stereoselective construction of the F and H rings, leading to 6 with remarkable overall efficiency. Stereoselective hydroboration of 5 and subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with 6 provided endocyclic enol ether 45 in high yield, which was then converted to octacyclic polyether core 4. Careful choice of the global deprotection stage was a key element for the successful total synthesis. Functionalization of the H ring and global desilylation gave (Z)-vinyl bromide 2. Finally, cross-coupling of 2 with (Z)-vinyl stannane 3 under Corey's Pd(PPh(3))(4)/CuCl/LiCl-promoted Stille conditions completed the total synthesis of (-)-gambierol (1).     

Asymmetric total syntheses of (-)-jorumycin, (-)-renieramycin G, 3-epi-jorumycin, and 3-epi-renieramycin G

The total synthesis of (-)-jorumycin (1) and (-)-renieramycin G (2) has been accomplished in 25 and 23 steps, respectively, from 5-benzyloxy-2,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl-benzyl alcohol. The synthesis features a substrate-tunable stereoselective intramolecular Pictet-Spengler-type reaction for the construction of the key pentacyclic core of both targets, bearing either the natural configuration or the epimeric configuration at C-3. With access to a C-3 epi-pentacyclic framework, 3-epi-jorumycin (32) and 3-epi-renieramycin G (34) were also successfully synthesized. Furthermore, preliminary biological evaluation of 3-epi-jorumycin (32), in addition to relevant synthetic intermediates, revealed that significant cytotoxicity had been retained in these compounds. Therefore, these early studies constitute the basis for a new structure activity relationship (SAR) investigation for this class of antitumor antibiotics.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of (-)-apicularen A and its analogues

The total synthesis of (-)-apicularen A (1), a highly cytostatic 12-membered macrolide, and its analogues is described. The convergent and distinct approach not only provides 1, but also opens the opportunity to synthesize C10-C11 functional analogues of 1. The key steps of the total synthesis include assembling of iodoalkene 12 and aldehyde 13by Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) coupling, stereospecific construction of 2,6-trans-disubstituted dihydropyran by Pd(II)-catalyzed 1,3-chirality transfer reaction, and Yamaguchi macrolactonization. The (17E,20Z,22Z)-heptadienoylenamine moiety in the side chain is installed by an efficient Cu(I)-mediated coupling to complete the synthesis. Analogues of C11-epi-, C11-deoxy-C10-α-hydroxy-, and C10-C11 dehydrated apicularen A 3-5 were also prepared. Cytostatic activities of (-)-apicularen A and the three analogues for three different cancer cell lines are described.     

Methyl (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoate in the asymmetric synthesis of Idea Leuconoe pheromone and formal syntheses of (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxydecano-5-lactone, verbalactone, and Tolypothrix pentaether

A simple and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (5S,7R)-7-hydroxydodecano-5-lactone, a component of the giant danaine butterfly Idea leuconoe pheromone, and formal syntheses of (+)-(3R,5R)-3-hydroxydecano-5-lactone, verbalactone, and Tolypothrix pentaether have been accomplished starting from methyl (3R,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoate. The latter is obtained from methyl 3-[(tributylstannyl)methyl]but-3-enoate using Keck allylation in the key step of the construction of its carbon skeleton.     

First total synthesis of (-)-AL-2

Treatment of the 3,4-dioxygenated-9-hydroxy-1-nonyn-5-one derivative, derived from diethyl l-tartrate, with a palladium catalyst in methanol under a CO atmosphere effected an intramolecular acetalization and a stereoselective construction of the (E)-methoxycarbonylmethylidene functionality resulting in formation of the core framework of the diacetylenic spiroacetal enol ether natural products. Chemical transformations of the 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane derivative thus formed led to the first total synthesis of (-)-AL-2. [reaction: see text]     

Enantioselective total synthesis of the potent antitumor agent (-)-mucocin using a temporary silicon-tethered ring-closing metathesis cross-coupling reaction

The enantioselective total synthesis of the annonaceous acetogenin (-)-mucocin (1) was accomplished using a triply convergent 12-step sequence (longest linear sequence) in 13.6% overall yield. This represents the first application of the temporary silicon-tethered (TST) ring-closing metathesis (RCM) cross-coupling reaction and the enantioselective alkyne/aldehyde addition to the synthesis of a complex annonaceous acetogenin. Moreover, all three fragments required for the coupling reactions are conveniently prepared in 5-6 steps from two readily available enantiomerically enriched epoxides. Finally, this synthesis stimulated the development of a new approach for the construction of 3-hydroxy-2,6-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans, using the bismuth tribromide-mediated reductive etherification reaction, which represents a motif that is prevalent in a wide range of pharmacologically significant natural products.