Intramolecular Alkynylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction Starting from Bicyclic Alkanones Tethered to Alkynyl Esters: Formal Total Synthesis of (±)‐Hamigeran B

Selecting the ring : tert‐Butyldimethylsilyltriflate (TBSOTf)/NEt₃ treatment of alkynyl esters tethered to bicycloalkanones leads to the formation of tricyclic allenoates with total diasteroselectivity at the ring junction. An intramolecular alkynylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction promoted by a TBSOTf/NEt₃ dual activation is involved. This novel methodology was illustrated by a formal total synthesis of (±)‐hamigeran B.

     

Total Synthesis of Diterpenoid Steenkrotin A

A concise and diastereoselective total synthesis of the diterpenoid (±)‐steenkrotin A is described for the first time. The strategy mainly features three key ring formations: 1) a rhodium‐catalyzed O? H bond insertion followed by an intramolecular carbonyl‐ene reaction to build up the tetrahydrofuran subunit; 2) sequential SmI₂‐mediated Ueno–Stork and ketyl–olefin cyclizations to construct the [5,7] spirobicyclic skeleton; and 3) an intramolecular aldol condensation/vinylogous retro‐aldol/aldol sequence to form the final six‐membered ring with inversion of the relative configuration at the C7 position.     

Total Synthesis of Leucosceptroids A and B

Leucosceptroids A and B are sesterterpenoids with potent antifeedant and antifungal activities. A more efficient gram‐scale total synthesis of leucosceptroid B and the first total synthesis of leucosceptroid A are presented. The key transformations include an aldol reaction between a substituted dihydrofuranone and an (S)‐citronellal‐derived aldehyde, a SmI₂‐mediated intramolecular ketyl–olefin radical cyclization, and final‐stage alcohol oxidation.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Kravanhin B

The first asymmetric total synthesis of kravanhin B has been accomplished with a linear reaction sequence of 13 steps starting from (R)‐(?)‐carvone. The synthesis features an intramolecular aldol cyclization to construct the desired cis‐fused decalin skeleton and an acid‐catalyzed dehydration and olefin isomerization to install the γ‐butenolide ring.     

The Total Synthesis of Inostamycin A

The first total synthesis of inostamycin A is described. With efficient and stereoselective synthetic routes to aldehyde 3 and ketone 4 developed through asymmetric aldol reactions, addition reactions and reduction, and with chiral building blocks, the two large fragments were coupled with remarkable anti stereoselectivity and efficiency by aldol condensation. The coupling reaction provided the complete carbon skeleton with all the requisite functional groups and stereogenic centers for inostamycin A. The two quaternary carbons at C20 and C16 of ketone 4 were elaborated in a highly stereocontrolled manner by addition reactions of the transmetallated 5 to ethyl ketone 6 and the transmetallated 7 to methyl ketone 8 , respectively, in which the use of LaCl₃ for transmetallation was critical for high coupling efficiency.     

Total Synthesis,Stereochemical Reassignment,and Biological Evaluation of (−)‐Lyngbyaloside B

(?)‐Lyngbyaloside B is a 14‐membered macrolide glycoside isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. as a cytotoxic substance by Moore and co‐workers. The first total synthesis of (?)‐lyngbyaloside B and the reassignment of its stereostructure is described. The synthesis features an Abiko–Masamune aldol reaction, a vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a macrocyclization involving an acyl ketene intermediate for the construction of the macrocyclic backbone, which contains an acylated tertiary alcohol. The antiproliferative activity of selected compounds against a small panel of human cancer cell lines is also reported.     

Total Synthesis of Sporolide B

An ocean of discovery : The first total synthesis of the highly oxygenated, marine‐derived, natural product sporolide B has been achieved through a convergent strategy. The key steps involve a ruthenium‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition to assemble the indene structural motif and a thermally induced Diels–Alder‐type reaction to forge the macrocycle (see scheme).

     

Total Synthesis of Pulvomycin D

A synthetic route to the pulvomycin class of natural products is presented, which culminated in the first synthesis of a pulvomycin, pulvomycin D. Key elements of the strategy include a pivotal aldol reaction which led to bond formation between the C24-C40 and the C8-C23 fragment. The remaining C1-C7 fragment was attached by a Yamaguchi esterification completing the assembly of the 40 carbon atoms within the main skeleton. Ring closure to the 22-membered lactone ring was achieved in the final stages of the synthesis by a Heck reaction. The completion of the synthesis required the removal of six silyl protecting groups in combination with olefin formation at C26-C27 by a Peterson elimination.     

Total Synthesis of Marinomycin A Based on a Direct Dimerization Strategy

The asymmetric total synthesis of (+)‐marinomycin A, a 44‐membered macrodiolide antitumor agent and antibiotic isolated from a marine actinomycete, Marinispora strain CNQ‐140, is reported. The key features of the synthesis include the highly convergent stereocontrolled construction of the monomeric hydroxy salicylate starting from asymmetric epoxidation of the σ‐symmetrical dialkenyl carbinol, and an unprecedented direct dimerization through NaHMDS‐promoted double transesterification.     

Total Synthesis of Rubriflordilactone B

Taking advantage of a 6π electrocyclization–aromatization strategy, we accomplished the first and asymmetric total synthesis of rubriflordilactone B, a heptacyclic Schisandraceae bisnortriterpenoid featuring a tetrasubstituted arene moiety. The left‐hand fragment was accessed through a chiral‐pool‐based route, and linked to the right‐hand fragment by a Sonogashira coupling. The cis geometry of the electrocyclization substrates was established by hydrogenation or hydrosilylation of the alkyne. An electrocyclization–aromatization sequence finally built the multisubstituted arene. The hydrosilylation approach was of significant advantage in terms of reaction scale, reproducibility, and intermediate stability. The structure of synthetic rubriflordilactone B was validated by X‐ray crystallographic analysis, and found to be consistent with that reported for the authentic natural product based on an independent X‐ray crystallographic analysis. However, obvious differences in the NMR spectra of the synthetic and authentic samples suggest that the authentic samples subjected to X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy were two different compounds.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐Steenkrotin A and Determination of Its Absolute Configuration

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (+)‐steenkrotin A has been achieved in 18 steps and 4.2 % overall yield. The key features of the strategy entail a Rh‐catalyzed O?H bond insertion followed by an intramolecular carbonyl‐ene reaction, two sequential SmI₂‐mediated Ueno–Stork and ketyl–olefin cyclizations, and a cascade intramolecular aldol condensation/vinylogous retro‐aldol/aldol process with inversion of the relative configuration at the C7 position. The absolute configuration of (+)‐steenkrotin A was determined based on the stepwise construction of the stereocenters during the total synthesis.     

A Total Synthesis of Norhalichondrin B

Four corners : The syntheses of four key building blocks for the total synthesis of norhalichondrin B (see structure) are described. The assembly of these subunits into the natural product is also reported. Key features of the synthesis are the use of the Achmatowicz oxidation/ionic hydrogenation for the synthesis of pyrans and pyranopyrans, and the application of tandem metathesis for the synthesis of pyranopyrans.

     

Total Synthesis of Gelsedilam by Means of a Thiol‐Mediated Diastereoselective Conjugate Addition–Aldol Reaction

The total synthesis of gelsedilam, which features a highly diastereoselective thiol conjugate addition–intramolecular aldol reaction to install the strained and caged [3.2.2] bridged ring system and highly efficient NiCl₂/NaBH₄‐mediated four‐step transformation in one‐pot to construct its five‐membered lactam ring is reported. The synthesis requires only 18 linear steps from the known compounds, providing useful strategies for the construction of the intricate ring system in the synthesis of related gelsedine‐type alkaloids.