Visible-Light-Mediated Aerobic Tandem Dehydrogenative Povarov/Aromatization Reaction: Synthesis of Isocryptolepines

A metal-free, photoinduced aerobic tandem amine dehydrogenation/Povarov cyclization/aromatization reaction between N-aryl glycine esters and indoles leads to tetracyclic 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolines under mild conditions and with high yields. The reaction can be performed by using molecular iodine along with visible light, or by combining an organic photoredox catalyst with a halide anion. Mechanistic studies reveal that product formation occurs through a combination of radical-mediated oxidation steps with an iminium ion or N-haloiminium ion [4+2]-cycloaddition, and the N-heterocyclic products constitute new analogues of the antiplasmodial natural alkaloid isocryptolepine.     

Synthetic approach to seco-tetracenomycin natural products saccharothrixone A–C

Design and development of first synthetic approach to the functionalized tetracyclic framework of structurally novel seco-tetracenomycin natural products saccharothrixones A–C has been reported. A thermal dehydro Diels-Alder reaction of an arenyne-alkyne unit has been utilized as the key synthetic step. This strategy has been extended for the generation of a small library of diversely functionalized tetracyclic systems of seco-tetracenomycins. An approach for the synthesis of poly-hydroxyl tetracyclic system has also been described. This report represents the first synthetic approach to the tetracenomycin natural products saccharothrixones A–C.     

Synthesis of new thieno[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives by palladium-catalyzed couplings and intramolecular cyclizations

Two methyl 3-aminothieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates were prepared from 3-fluoro or 3-nitropicolinonitriles and methyl thioglycolate in DMF/KOH(aq). From the unsubstituted precursor in the pyridine ring, di(hetero)arylamines were obtained by C-N Buchwald-Hartwig coupling with bromonitrobenzenes and with 2-bromopyridine. In the latter case a tetracyclic compound was formed by intramolecular cyclization. Using a brominated derivative in the pyridine ring as a coupling component, it was possible to synthesize C-C (Suzuki and Sonogashira) and C-N (Buchwald-Hartwig) coupling products and a tetracyclic compound obtained by bifunctionalization of the thienopyridine system.     

A one-pot synthesis of novel sugar derived 5,6-dihydro-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-ones: an entry towards highly functionalized sugar-heterocyclic hybrids

An efficient and practical one-pot method for the synthesis of novel diversified sugar derived dihydro-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-ones has been reported. Various protected sugar hemiacetals were used to synthesize the hybrid tetracyclic ring system. The one-step reductive transformation of 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one with different sugar hemiacetals furnished the desired tetracyclic product in good yields and with high purity.     

An efficient route for the construction of cyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives via intramolecular cyclopropanation

A one-pot process to introduce diazoacetoacetate functionality into quinoline was identified with excellent yield and regioselectivity. An intramolecular cyclopropanation of the resulting adducts gave tetracyclic cyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives in nearly quantitative yields. A synthetic utility of the tetracyclic derivatives was examined by a simple ring opening reaction to afford cyclopenta[b]quinoline in a good yield.     

Diastereospecific synthesis of novel tetracyclic β-lactams via 6-exo-trig radical cyclization

An efficient and diastereospecific synthesis of a tetracyclic, 3.6.6.4 ring system fused to a β-lactam has been achieved in high yield via 6-exo-trig radical cyclization.     

Leucolusine, a tetracyclic alkaloid with a novel ring system incorporating an oxindole moiety and fused piperidine-tetrahydrofuran rings

A tetracyclic ring-opened oxindole alkaloid, possessing an unprecedented ring system incorporating fused piperidine-tetrahydrofuran rings, has been isolated from the Malayan species, Leuconotis griffithii. The structure was established by analysis of the spectroscopic data and a possible biogenetic pathway from an Aspidosperma precursor is presented.     

An efficient new route towards biologically active isocryptolepine and γ-carboline derivatives using an intramolecular thermal electrocyclization strategy

An efficient and short route is established for biologically active 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinoline 1, naturally occurring antiplasmodial isocryptolepine 2 and 5-methyl-11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinoline-5-inium iodide 3 using intramolecular thermal electrocyclization strategy.     

Synthetic studies on isoschizogamine: construction of [3.3.1] bicyclic aminal core by using oxidative skeletal rearrangement

The tetracyclic core structure of isoschizogamine containing aminal functionality was constructed by oxidative skeletal rearrangement of a 1,2-diaminoethene derivative. The 1,2-diaminoethane was prepared by palladium-catalyzed allylation at the 4a position of a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline derivative and subsequent lactam formation. After the oxidative skeletal rearrangement using dimethyldioxirane, the allyl group was removed by a three-step sequence to provide the tetracyclic core skeleton of isoschizogamine with aminal functionality.     

Studies on the Enantioselective Synthesis of E-Ethylidene-bearing Spiro[indolizidine-1,3′-oxindole] Alkaloids

A synthetic route for the enantioselective construction of the tetracyclic spiro[indolizidine-1,3′-oxindole] framework present in a large number of oxindole alkaloids, with a cis H-3/H-15 stereochemistry, a functionalized two-carbon substituent at C-15, and an E-ethylidene substituent at C-20, is reported. The key steps of the synthesis are the generation of the tetracyclic spirooxindole ring system by stereoselective spirocyclization from a tryptophanol-derived oxazolopiperidone lactam, the removal of the hydroxymethyl group, and the stereoselective introduction of the E-ethylidene substituent by acetylation at the α-position of the lactam carbonyl, followed by hydride reduction and elimination. Following this route, the 21-oxo derivative of the enantiomer of the alkaloid 7(S)-geissoschizol oxindole has been prepared.     

Efficient strategy for convergent synthesis of trans-fused polycyclic ethers based on an intramolecular SmI2-promoted cyclization of iodo ester

An efficient convergent strategy for the construction of a trans-fused 6-6-6-6-membered tetracyclic ether ring system was developed. The key steps involve coupling of two cyclic ethers by esterification, SmI₂-promoted intramolecular reductive cyclization of iodo ester to hemiacetal, dehydration to dihydropyran, hydroboration, oxidation, intramolecular acetalization, and Lewis-acid catalyzed silane reduction.     

New tri- and tetracyclic diterpenes from Euphorbia villosa

Three new tetracyclic diterpenes were isolated from the chloroform-soluble extract of Euphorbia villosa, together with one new and one known lathyrane diterpene. The structures were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic methods, including HREI-MS, HRFAB-MS, UV, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Spectral analyses revealed that two of the tetracyclic compounds contain the rare 5-6-6-4 fused ring system, while the third has a 5-6-7-3 fused diterpene core. Such diterpene skeletons have previously been found only in euphoractines A-E isolated from Euphorbia micractina. As a new structural feature, the diterpene framework described here has a C-2 epimer configuration. The new lathyrane diterpene is a diester of a hitherto unknown polyfunctional parent alcohol.     

Convergent synthesis of trans-fused 6/n/6/6 (n=7, 8) tetracyclic ether system via α-cyano ethers

A convergent method for synthesizing 6/n/6/6 (n=7, 8) tetracyclic ether system via two-rings construction of the central n/6 ring system was developed. The key steps of the present synthesis involve a ring-closing metathesis reaction for the construction of the seven- and eight-membered rings, and reductive etherification for the tetrahydropyrans. Unification of the two fragments through acetal formation, followed by regioselective cleavage of the acetal using TMSCN/TMSOTf in the presence of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine, afforded the α-cyano ether, of which the nitrile group was manipulated to give the precursors of the ring-closing reactions.     

Syntheses of aza-analogous iso-ergoline scaffolds using carbene mediated C-H insertion

A novel direct, flexible, and robust approach to the iso-ergoline tetracyclic system in which a five or six-membered ring is established by intramolecular carbene C-H insertion is reported. The protocol involves a two step conversion of an aromatic aldehyde to the corresponding hydrazone and without purification further conversion to the diazo-compound followed by thermal carbene formation and C-H insertion α to a nitrogen.     

Synthetic studies of kampanols, novel p21 farnesyltransferase inhibitors: an efficient synthesis of the tetracyclic ABCD ring system of kampanols

An enantioselective synthesis of the tetracyclic ABCD ring system (4) of kampanols, novel Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitors from a microorganism, was efficiently achieved for the first time starting from the known trans-decalone derivative 9. The synthetic method involves the following two key steps: (i) a conjugate addition reaction between the α-methylene ketone 6 and the Grignard reagent (7) of the ortho-disubstituted bromobenzene derivative 8 to deliver the coupling product 21 with stereoselectivity at the C9 position and (ii) a phenylselenium-mediated cyclization reaction of the phenol derivative 5 to stereoselectively construct the requisite tetracyclic intermediate 25 possessing the cis-fused connectivity of the B/C rings.     

Concise total synthesis of flavone C-glycoside having potent anti-inflammatory activity

The total synthesis of anti-inflammatory active flavone C-glycoside isolated from oolong tea extract is achieved. Introducing a C-glucosyl moiety to an aryl system and constructing a fused tetracyclic ring characteristic to this natural product were conducted based on the O-to-C rearrangement of sugar moiety and the successive intramolecular Mitsunobu reaction, respectively. This concise and efficient synthetic pathway is applicable to the large-scale synthesis of target flavone and for constructing a large library of related compounds.     

New formal (3+3) cycloaddition of enaminones for forming tetracyclic indolo[2,3-b]quinolines under microwave irradiation

Concise and efficient base-promoted domino formal (3+3) cycloaddition has been established for the formation of tetracyclic indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives under microwave heating. The present methodology shows attractive properties, such as the maximum efficiency of a process, short reaction periods, and operational simplicity, and it can avoid time-consuming and costly syntheses, tedious work-up and isolation of intermediate. This chemistry provides a facile and promising synthetic strategy to construction of tetracyclic indolo[2,3-b]quinoline skeleton.     

Tandem C-3/C-2 annulation of indole,benzofuran, and benzothiophene with 2-alkynyl benzylalcohol: an efficient approach to the diverse tetracyclic heteroazulene ring systems

We demonstrate an efficient and flexible strategy toward the synthesis of a library of biologically and pharmaceutically important tetracyclic heteroazulene derivatives in the presence of inexpensive and less toxic molecular iodine. The present strategy involves a sequential alkylation and alkenylation of indole/benzofuran/benzothiophene with o-alkynyl benzyl alcohols derivatives to obtain tetracyclic heteroazulene derivatives in moderate to good yields. Compared to other methodologies, the present strategy is more general, versatile, and environmentally friendly.     

3-Cyanochromones in [3+2] cycloadditions with an azomethine ylide derived from sarcosine and formaldehyde. A short synthesis of 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrolidines

Reactions of 3-cyanochromones with sarcosine and paraformaldehyde proceed diastereoselectively to give 1-benzopyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines and tetrahydro-1H-spiro[chromeno[2,3-c]pyrrol-9,5′-oxazolidine]-9a-carbonitriles, depending on the reactant ratio, as a result of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate nonstabilized azomethine ylide at the double bond and carbonyl group of the chromone system. The latter undergoes demethylenation and recyclization into a novel hexahydrochromeno[2,3-c:3,4-c′]dipyrrole tetracyclic system on heating with hydrochloric acid.     

Synthesis of both enantiomers of conosilane A

Conosilane A, an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 isolated from Conocybe siliginea, is a tremulane sesquiterpene with highly oxygenated tetracyclic ring system. In this study, we report the synthesis of both enantiomers of conosilane A. The key steps of this synthesis involve asymmetric aldol reaction, furan-ring oxidation followed by transacetalization and intramolecular reductive Heck-type cyclization.