Synthesis of the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of pectenotoxin 2

In this study, we synthesized the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of the diarrhetic shellfish toxin pectenotoxin 2. The C8-C20 segment was assembled from a phosphonate corresponding to the C8-C15 segment (prepared from l-malic acid in 19 steps) and an aldehyde corresponding to the C16-C20 segment (synthesized from 3-methyl-3-butenol in nine steps) by a twelve-step process including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, regio- and stereoselective reduction of the resulting enone, diastereoselective epoxidation, and 5-exo epoxide cleavage forming the C-ring. The C21-C30 segment was constructed in 13 steps from (S)-glycidol via a route involving E-ring formation by 5-exo epoxide cleavage and stereoselective methylation at C27 by the Evans method.     

Unified syntheses of cavicularin and riccardin C: addressing the synthesis of an arene adopting a boat configuration

Concise syntheses of the natural products cavicularin (ten steps) and riccardin C (seven steps) are reported. Key features of the new synthetic route are a convergent strategy to assemble acyclic precursors and a sequence of regioselective reduction and halogenation steps to facilitate Wittig macrocyclisation and transannular ring contraction reactions.     

Diverse synthesis of the C ring fragment of bryostatins via Zn/Cu-promoted conjugate addition of α-hydroxy iodide with enone

A convergent approach to 1,5-hydroxy ketones,the general precursors for constructing the C ring of bryostatins,has been developed via a Zn/Cu-promoted conjugate addition of a-hydroxy iodides with enones.The reaction leads to direct formation of the C21-C22 bond and tolerates diverse functionalities at the C17-,C18-and C24-positions.The approach also enables a more concise synthesis of the known C ring intermediate(10 longest linear steps and 14 total steps),in contrast to its previous synthesis(17 longest linear steps and 22 total steps) in our total synthesis of bryostatin 8.     

Direct generation of acyclic polypropionate stereopolyads via double diastereo- and enantioselective iridium-catalyzed crotylation of 1,3-diols: beyond stepwise carbonyl addition in polyketide construction

Under the conditions of transfer hydrogenation employing the cyclometalated iridium catalyst (R)-I derived from [Ir(cod)Cl](2), allyl acetate, 4-cyano-3-nitrobenzoic acid, and the chiral phosphine ligand (R)-SEGPHOS, α-methylallyl acetate engages 1,3-propanediol (1a) and 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (1b) in double carbonyl crotylation from the alcohol oxidation level to deliver the C(2)-symmetric and pseudo-C(2)-symmetric stereopolyads 2a and 3a, respectively, with exceptional control of anti-diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Notably, the polypropionate stereopentad 3a is formed predominantly as 1 of 16 possible stereoisomers. Desymmetrization of 3a is readily achieved upon iodoetherification to form pyran 4. The direct generation of 3a enables a dramatically simplified approach to previously prepared polypropionate substructures, as demonstrated by the synthesis of C19-C27 of rifamycin S (eight steps, originally prepared in 26 steps) and C19-C25 of scytophycin C (eight steps, originally prepared in 15 steps). The present transfer hydrogenation protocol represents an alternative to chiral auxiliaries, chiral reagents, and premetalated nucleophiles in polyketide construction.     

(-)-Lytophilippine A: synthesis of a C1-C18 building block

The convergent enantioselective synthesis of a protected C1-C18 building block for the total synthesis of (-)-lytophilippine A was achieved. A catalytic asymmetric Gosteli-Claisen rearrangement and an Evans aldol reaction served as key C/C-connecting transformations during the assembling of the C1-C7 subunit (10 steps from 4, 29%). The synthesis of the C8-C18 segment was achieved utilizing d-galactose as inexpensive ex-chiral-pool starting material (15 steps, 15%). The merger of the subunits was accomplished by a remarkably efficient sequence consisting of esterification and ring-closing metathesis (five steps, 56%).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of the C21-C38 fragment of the unnatural enantiomer of the antibiotic nystatin A1

The C(21)-C(38) fragment all-trans-41 of the unnatural enantiomer 1 of nystatin A(1) was prepared starting from the N-propionyl oxazolidinone 9. Aldol adduct ent-8 (ee > 96 %) derived in two steps was hydroborated with (thexyl)BH(2). Oxidative work-up and treatment with acid furnished delta-lactone 4. It contains the complete stereotetrade of the target molecule. The alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 28 was reached after another four steps. It should be a precursor for the polyene moieties of a variety of polyol,polyene macrolides. Illustrating that, the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde 29 obtained from 28 and DIBAL was extended by 10 C atoms in four steps yielding the C(21)-C(38) segment 41. The latter set of transformations included the regio- and stereoselective Claisen rearrangement 32-->35.     

A Unified Approach for the Assembly of Atisine‐ and Hetidine‐type Diterpenoid Alkaloids: Total Syntheses of Azitine and the Proposed Structure of Navirine C

A tetracyclic dinitrile was synthesized in twelve steps from cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one by using a chelation‐triggered conjugate addition to a γ‐hydroxy‐substituted α,β‐unsaturated nitrile and an oxidative dearomatization/Diels–Alder cycloaddition cascade as the key steps. The first total synthesis of azitine (in 17 steps) was achieved through a simple reductive cyclization of this intermediate and subsequent transformations while the total synthesis of the proposed structure of navirine C (in 19 steps) was accomplished by a hydrogen‐atom‐transfer reaction of the tetracyclic dinitrile, Pd/C‐catalyzed reductive cyclization, and subsequent functional group manipulation.     

Towards Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) Fragments of Phorboxazole A

The stereoselective synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) fragments of phorboxazole A ( 1 ) was achieved from commercially available and inexpensive D ‐mannitol. Crimmins aldol reaction and a decarboxylative Claisen‐type reaction are the key steps for the C(31)–C(39) fragment, and L ‐proline‐catalyzed aldol reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and epoxide ring opening reaction with Gilman's reagent are the key steps for the C(20)–C(27) fragment of phorboxazole.     

Nonequilibrium effects in diffusion of interacting particles on vicinal surfaces

We study the influence of nonequilibrium conditions on the collective diffusion of interacting particles on vicinal surfaces. To this end, we perform Monte Carlo simulations of a lattice-gas model of an ideal stepped surface, where adatoms have nearest-neighbor attractive or repulsive interactions. Applying the Boltzmann-Matano method to spreading density profiles of the adatoms allows the definition of an effective, time-dependent collective diffusion coefficient D(C) (t)(theta) for all coverages theta. In the case of diffusion across the steps and strong binding at lower step edges we observe three stages in the behavior of the corresponding D(xx,C) (t)(theta). At early times when the adatoms have not yet crossed the steps, D(xx,C) (t)(theta) is influenced by the presence of steps only weakly. At intermediate times, where the adatoms have crossed several steps, there are sharp peaks at coverages theta<1L and theta>1-1L, where L is the terrace width. These peaks are due to different rates of relaxation of the density at successive terraces. At late stages of spreading, these peaks vanish and D(xx,C) (t)(theta) crosses over to its equilibrium value, where for strong step edge binding there is a maximum at theta=1L. In the case of diffusion in direction along the steps the nonequilibrium effects in D(yy,C) (t)(theta) are much weaker, and are apparent only when diffusion along ledges is strongly suppressed or enhanced.     

Synthesis of hexacyclic parnafungin A and C models

A convergent, practical route to unstable hexacyclic parnafungin A and C models has been developed. Two iodoxanthones were prepared in four or five steps (33-50% overall yield). Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of the iodoxanthones with excess readily available 3-carbomethoxy-2-nitrophenyl pinacol boronate afforded the hindered highly functionalized 2-arylxanthones (53-58%) in the first key step. In the second key step, zinc reduction gave benzisoxazolinones that were treated with MsCl and then base to generate the unstable hexacyclic parnafungin A (13% overall yield for 8 steps) and C (8% overall yield for 9 steps) models. Analogously to the parnafungins, hexacyclic parnafungin C model decomposes to a phenanthridine with a half-life of 2 d in CDCl(3).     

Toward the synthesis of norzoanthamine: complete fragment assembly

The complex marine alkaloid norzoanthamine (2) was envisioned to be assembled from three key building blocks: the C1-C5 fragment A, the C6-C10 fragment B, and the C11-C24 fragment C. The synthesis of fragment A was achieved in 14 steps and 33% overall yield from (R)-gamma-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone. Fragment B was made in two steps from PMB-protected 4-pentynol in 76% yield. The C11-C24 fragment C was made from (S)-carvone via (R)-isocarvone in 18 steps (6% overall yield). The convergent stereoselective synthesis of the entire carbon framework (C1-C24) of the target molecule was achieved via the following assemblage. Alkenyl iodide 20 derived from the C11-C24 fragment C was coupled to fragment B (C6-C10) through a high-yielding Stille coupling reaction of these two sterically very demanding coupling partners, affording the key Diels-Alder precursor 24. The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction proceeded smoothly in excellent yield and diastereoselectivity, generating the tricyclic trans-anti-trans perhydrophenanthrene motif of norzoanthamine (C6-C24). The final fragment coupling between lithiated fragment A (C1-C5) and aldehyde 40 (C6-C24) has also been successfully accomplished affording the entire carbon framework of the natural product.     

Synthesis of the C29-C44 portion of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A)

Two synthetic approaches to the C29-C44 portion of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A) have been developed. The key step of the first approach relies on the Claisen rearrangement of glucal 18 to provide ester 20a. This intermediate was advanced to silyl enol ether 30, which was coupled under Mukaiyama aldol conditions with aldehyde 3. Cyclization of this aldol adduct completed our first synthesis of the C29-C44 portion of spongistatin 1, requiring 25 total steps and occurring in 2.4% yield over the longest linear sequence (21 steps). We have also developed a second-generation approach based on the C-glycosidation of glucal 43. Through equilibration of the corresponding C-glycosides 49a/b and 50a/b the desired C-glycoside (50a) was obtained in good yield. Aldol condensation of this ketone provided cyclization precursor 67, which undergoes acid-catalyzed ketalization to close the E-ring of the spongistatins. An oxidation/reduction protocol was employed to set the C37 stereocenter. Protection of the C37 carbonol and selective unmasking of the C44 carbonol completed our second generation synthesis. This approach requires 27 steps and occurred in 13.2% yield over the longest linear sequence (18 steps).     

Kinetic study of thermal breakdown of triglycerides contained in extra-virgin olive oil

Thermal decomposition of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) up to 550°C at different heating rates (from 5 to 12.5°C min⁻¹). The thermal degradation study of four unsaturated or saturated esterified C18 fatty acids with glycerol (i.e., glyceryl-tristearate (C18:0),-trioleate (C18:1),-trilinoleate (C18:2) and-trilinolenate (C18:3)) was also carried out under the same experimental conditions. A deconvolution procedure applied only to the first two overlapping steps of EVOO and C18:1 enabled the activation energy of decomposition to be determined both by the Kissinger and the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall isoconversional method for the two deconvoluted steps of EVOO and C18:1, as well as for the only single step of the other three C18 triglycerides. Practically constant activation energy for the first deconvoluted step of EVOO and C18:1 and for the single step of C18:0 was found in good agreement with the results obtained with the Kissinger method, while a similar increasing trend was observed for the second decomposition step of EVOO and C18:1 and for the single steps of C18:2 and C18:3 triglycerides.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of the C（17）——C（28） Subunit of Didemnaketal B

The stereocontrolled synthesis of the C（17）--C（28） fragment 3 of didemnaketal B was accomplished in 21 steps from the natural （R）-（＋）-pulegone and （S）-（--）-citronellal. The key steps involved diastereoselective construction of two chiral carbon centers through the intramolecular chiral induction and uncommon Julia olefination of ketone forming the E-trisubstituted C（22）--C（23） double bound.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-gliocladine C: convergent construction of cyclotryptamine-fused polyoxopiperazines and a general approach for preparing epidithiodioxopiperazines from trioxopiperazine precursors

A concise second-generation total synthesis of the fungal-derived alkaloid (+)-gliocladin C (11) in 10 steps and 11% overall yield from isatin is reported. In addition, the epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) natural product (+)-gliocladine C (6) has been prepared in six steps and 29% yield from the di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl) precursor of 11. The total synthesis of 6 constitutes the first total synthesis of an ETP natural product containing a hydroxyl substituent adjacent to a quaternary carbon stereocenter in the pyrrolidine ring.     

Theoretical study of catalytic dinitrogen reduction under mild conditions

Density functional theory results on key steps of Schrock's catalytic cycle are presented. The quantum chemical modeling of the dinitrogen-reducing reaction steps is conducted without simplifying the bulky HIPT [HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2))(2)C(6)H(3)] substituents at the triamidoamine ligand.     

Multigram synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit and completion of the total synthesis of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2)

A multigram synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2) has been accomplished. Union of this intermediate with the C1-C28 fragment and further elaboration furnished the natural product. Completion of the C29-C51 subunit began with the aldol coupling of the boron enolate derived from methyl ketone 8 and aldehyde 9. Acid-catalyzed deprotection/cyclization of the resulting diastereomeric mixture of addition products was conducted in a single operation to afford the E-ring of altohyrtin C. The diastereomer obtained through cyclization of the unwanted aldol product was subjected to an oxidation/reduction sequence to rectify the C35 stereocenter. The C45-C48 segment of the eventual triene side chain was introduced by addition of a functionalized Grignard reagent derived from (R)-glycidol to a C44 aldehyde. Palladium-mediated deoxygenation of the resulting allylic alcohol was followed by adjustment of protecting groups to provide reactivity suitable for the later stages of the synthesis. The diene functionality comprising the remainder of the C44-C51 side chain was constructed by addition of an allylzinc reagent to the unmasked C48 aldehyde and subsequent dehydration of the resulting alcohol. Completion of the synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit was achieved through conversion of the protected C29 alcohol into a primary iodide. The synthesis of the C29-C51 iodide required 44 steps with a longest linear sequence of 33 steps. From commercially available tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal, the overall yield was 6.8%, and 2 g of the iodide was prepared. The C29-C51 primary iodide was amenable to phosphonium salt formation, and the ensuing Wittig coupling with a C1-C28 intermediate provided a fully functionalized, protected seco-acid. Selective deprotection of the required silicon groups afforded an intermediate appropriate for macrolactonization, and, finally, global deprotection furnished altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2). This synthetic approach required 113 steps with a longest linear sequence of 37 steps starting from either tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal or (S)-malic acid.     

Composition dependence and the nature of endothermic freezing and exothermic melting

The heat capacity, C(p), and enthalpy and entropy change of alpha-cyclodextrin, H(2)O, and 4-methylpyridine solutions have been studied during their freezing on heating, isothermal freezing, and the solid's melting on cooling. Freezing occurs in several endothermic steps on heating to 383 K and alpha-cyclodextrin rich solutions freeze in four steps. The melting rate becomes slower with decrease in temperature and its steps merge. Decreasing the amount of alpha-cyclodextrin decreases the C(p) change on freezing. The endothermic freezing phenomenon differs from freezing of a pure liquid and is attributed to formation of a solid inclusion compound and its incongruent way of exothermic melting.     

Total synthesis of the epidermal growth factor inhibitor (-)-reveromycin B

The total synthesis of the epidermal growth factor inhibitor reveromycin B (2) in 25 linear steps from chiral methylene pyran 13 is described. The key steps involved an inverse electron demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between dienophile 13 and diene 12 to construct the 6,6-spiroketal 11 which upon oxidation with dimethyldioxirane and acid catalyzed rearrangement gave the 5,6-spiroketal aldehyde 9. Lithium acetylide addition followed by oxidation/reduction and protective group manipulation provided the reveromycin B spiroketal core 8 which was converted into the reveromycin A (1) derivative 6 in order to confirm the stereochemistry of the spiroketal segment. Introduction of the C1-C10 side chain began with sequential Wittig reactions to form the C8-C9 and C7-C6 bonds, and a tin mediated asymmetric aldol reaction installed the C4 and C5 stereocenters. The final key steps to the target molecule 2 involved a Stille coupling to introduce the C21-C22 bond, succinoylation, selective deprotection, oxidation, and Wittig condensation to form the final C2-C3 bond. Deprotection was effected by TBAF in DMF to afford reveromycin B (2) in 72% yield.     

Effect of water density on methanol oxidation kinetics in supercritical water

We oxidized methanol in supercritical water at 500 degrees C to explore the influence of the water concentration (or density) on the kinetics. The rate increased as the water concentration increased from 1.8 to 5.7 mol/L. This effect of water density on the kinetics observed experimentally was quantitatively reproduced by a previously validated mechanism-based, detailed chemical kinetics model. In this model, reactions of OH radicals with methanol were the fastest methanol removal steps. The rates of these removal steps increased with water density at 500 degrees C because the OH radical concentration increased. The OH radical concentration increased with density because the rates of the steps H + H2O = OH + H2 and CH3 + H2O = OH + CH4, which produce OH radicals, increased. Thus, the main role of water in accelerating methanol oxidation kinetics at 500 degrees C is as a hydrogen donor to a radical (R) in steps such as R + H2O = OH + RH. This system provides a striking example of SCW being involved on the molecular level in the free-radical oxidation as a reactant in elementary steps.