Eight‐Step Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cycloclavine

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐cycloclavine was accomplished in 8 steps and 7.1 % overall yield. Key features include the first catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of allene, mediated by the dirhodium catalyst Rh₂(S‐TBPTTL)₄, and the enone 1,2‐addition of a new TEMPO carbamate methyl carbanion. An intramolecular strain‐promoted Diels–Alder methylenecyclopropane (IMDAMC) reaction provided a pivotal tricyclic enone intermediate with more than 99 % ee after crystallization. The synthesis of (−)‐ 1 was completed by a late‐stage intramolecular Diels–Alder furan (IMDAF) cycloaddition to install the indole.     

Divergent Biomimetic Total Syntheses of Ganocins A–C,Ganocochlearins C and D,and Cochlearol T

A divergent synthetic approach to six Ganoderma meroterpenoids, namely ganocins A–C, ganocochlearins C and D, and cochlearol T, has been developed for the first time. This synthetic route features a two‐phase strategy which includes early‐stage rapid construction of a common planar tricyclic intermediate followed by highly selective late‐stage transformations into various Ganoderma meroterpenoids. Key to the strategy are a bioinspired intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction and Stahl‐type oxidative aromatization, allowing efficient formation of the common tricyclic phenol intermediate. A nucleophilic dearomatization of the phenol unit, combined with a regioselective 1,4‐reduction of the resulting dienone, enabled rapid access to ganocins B and C. Additionally, site‐selective Mukaiyama hydration, followed by an intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition/triflation cascade, served as a key strategic element in the chemical synthesis of ganocin A.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Daphenylline

A concise and highly stereoselective total synthesis of the Daphniphyllum alkaloids (?)‐daphenylline has been accomplished. The synthesis was started from (S)‐carvone and proceeded via a stereoselective Mg(ClO₄)₂‐catalyzed intramolecular amide addition cyclization, an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to construct the ABCD tetracyclic core architecture, and a Robinson annulation coupled with an oxidative aromatization sequence. Finally, the DF ring system was installed through an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization. The total synthesis of (?)‐daphenylline is achieved in 19 steps in the longest reaction sequence and in 7.6 % overall yield.     

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)‐Homodimericin A

A biomimetic total synthesis of racemic homodimericin A was achieved in seven steps, including two cascade reactions. Aqueous buffer solutions are found to help both the oxidative dimerization cascade and the intramolecular Diels–Alder cascade. This synthetic sequence validates key steps in the biogenetic proposal of homodimericin A.     

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)-Homodimericin A

A biomimetic total synthesis of racemic homodimericin A was achieved in seven steps, including two cascade reactions. Aqueous buffer solutions are found to help both the oxidative dimerization cascade and the intramolecular Diels–Alder cascade. This synthetic sequence validates key steps in the biogenetic proposal of homodimericin A.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Hasubanan Alkaloids: Periglaucines A–C,N,O-Dimethyloxostephine and Oxostephabenine

We report herein the asymmetric total synthesis of periglaucines A–C, N,O-dimethyloxostephine and oxostephabenine. The key strategies used include: 1) a Rh^I-catalyzed regio- and diastereoselective Hayashi-Miyaura reaction to connect two necessary fragments; 2) an intramolecular photoenolization/Diels–Alder (PEDA) reaction to construct the highly functionalized tricyclic core skeleton bearing a quaternary center; 3) a bio-inspired intramolecular Michael addition and transannular acetalization to generate the aza[4.4.3]propellane and the tetrahydrofuran ring.     

A Concise Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Virosaine A

The total synthesis of (−)‐virosaine A ( 1 ) was achieved in ten steps starting from furan and 2‐bromoacrolein. A one‐pot Diels–Alder cycloaddition/organolithium addition initiated an efficient sequence to access a key oxime/epoxide intermediate. Heating this intermediate in acetic acid resulted in an intramolecular epoxide opening/nitrone [3+2] cycloaddition cascade to construct the caged core of 1 in a single step. Several methods of C−H functionalization were assessed on the cascade product, and ultimately, a directed lithiation/bromination effected selective C14 functionalization, enabling the synthesis of 1 .     

Construction of Chiral Bridged Tricyclic Benzopyrans: Enantioselective Catalytic Diels–Alder Reaction and a One‐Pot Reduction/Acid‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Cyclization

An asymmetric two‐step approach to chiral bridged tricyclic benzopyrans, core structures featured in various natural products, is described. In the synthesis, an unprecedented enantioselective catalytic decarboxylative Diels–Alder reaction is developed using readily available coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids and aldehydes as reactants under mild reaction conditions. Notably, the decarboxylation‐assisted release of the catalyst enables the process to proceed efficiently with high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, a one‐pot procedure for either a LiAlH₄‐ or NaBH₄‐mediated reduction with subsequent acid‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of the Diels–Alder adducts was identified for the efficient formation of the chiral bridged tricyclic benzopyrans.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Maoecrystal V

The asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐maoecrystal V, a novel cytotoxic pentacyclic ent‐kaurane diterpene, has been accomplished. Key steps of the current strategy involve an early‐stage semipinacol rearrangement reaction for the construction of the C10 quaternary stereocenter, a rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular O?H insertion reaction, and a sequential Wessely oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to forge the pentacyclic framework of maoecrystal V.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Hasubanan Alkaloids: Periglaucines A–C,N,O-Dimethyloxostephine and Oxostephabenine

We report herein the asymmetric total synthesis of periglaucines A–C, N,O-dimethyloxostephine and oxostephabenine. The key strategies used include: 1) a Rh^I-catalyzed regio- and diastereoselective Hayashi-Miyaura reaction to connect two necessary fragments; 2) an intramolecular photoenolization/Diels–Alder (PEDA) reaction to construct the highly functionalized tricyclic core skeleton bearing a quaternary center; 3) a bio-inspired intramolecular Michael addition and transannular acetalization to generate the aza[4.4.3]propellane and the tetrahydrofuran ring.     

Access to Chiral Hydropyrimidines through Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic C−H Amination

A palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular allylic C−H amination controlled by a chiral phosphoramidite ligand was established for the preparation of various substituted chiral hydropyrimidinones, the precursors of hydropyrimidines, in high yields with high enantioselectivities. In particular, dienyl sodium N ‐sulfonyl amides bearing an arylethene‐1‐sulfonyl group underwent a sequential allylic C−H amination and intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) reaction to produce chiral fused tricyclic tetrahydropyrimidinone frameworks in high yields and with high levels of stereoselectivity. Significantly, this method was used as the key step in an asymmetric synthesis of letermovir.     

Enantioselective Biomimetic Total Syntheses of Kuwanons I and J and Brosimones A and B

The first enantioselective total syntheses of prenylflavonoid Diels–Alder natural products (?)‐kuwanon I, (+)‐kuwanon J, (?)‐brosimone A, and (?)‐brosimone B have been accomplished from a common intermediate based on a concise synthetic strategy. Key elements of the synthesis include a biosynthesis‐inspired asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition mediated by a chiral ligand/boron Lewis acid, as well as a process involving regioselective Schenck ene reaction, reduction, and dehydration to realize a biomimetic dehydrogenation for generation of the required diene precursor. Furthermore, a remarkable tandem inter‐/intramolecular asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition process was applied for the synthesis of (?)‐brosimone A.     

Total Synthesis of Liangshanone

The first total synthesis of liangshanone, a hexacyclic ent-kaurane diterpenoid alkaloid, has been completed. Its intricate cagelike framework was assembled through several key transformations, including an oxidative dearomatization/Diels–Alder (OD/DA) cycloaddition sequence, a tandem alkene cleavage/Mannich cyclization, a Robinson-type annulation, and an intramolecular aldol reaction. Notably, an organocatalytic enantioselective α-hydroxymethylation process allowed the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched tricyclic intermediate that should enable asymmetric access to the target natural product.     

Enantioselective and Collective Total Syntheses of Xanthanolides

An enantioselective synthesis of (+)‐8‐epi ‐xanthatin hinging on a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed tandem allylboration/lactonization reaction is reported. With (+)‐8‐epi ‐xanthatin as the precursor, the collective synthesis of a series of synthetically challenging xanthanolides was also accomplished. Among them, xanthipungolide, one of the most complex xanthanolide monomers, was accessed through a bioinspired tandem double‐bond isomerization/6π electronic cyclization/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction, and pungiolides A, B, D, E, and L–N, a group of xanthanolide dimers, were assembled through a bioinspired Diels–Alder dimerization followed by late‐stage diversification.     

A Chemoenzymatic and Fully Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of the Antibacterial Natural Product (−)‐Platencin

The natural product (?)‐platencin is a potent antibacterial agent that exerts its effects through a novel mode of action. As such, it is an important lead in the development of next‐generation antibacterials that are urgently needed because of the rapidly developing resistance to current therapies. The work reported here concerns the development of a convergent and chemoenzymatic total synthesis of (?)‐platencin by methods that should provide access to a range of biologically relevant analogues. The key step involves a thermally promoted and facially selective intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition reaction to give an adduct that embodies the tricarbocyclic core of (?)‐platencin. This adduct was elaborated over thirteen steps to the natural product. The substrate for the IMDA reaction was prepared by Stille cross‐coupling of a Z‐configured alkenylstannane with an iodinated diene obtained in an enantiomerically pure form through the whole‐cell biotransformation of iodobenzene.     

Selective Production of Renewable para‐Xylene by Tungsten Carbide Catalyzed Atom‐Economic Cascade Reactions

Tungsten carbide was employed as the catalyst in an atom‐economic and renewable synthesis of para‐xylene with excellent selectivity and yield from 4‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexene‐1‐carbonylaldehyde (4‐MCHCA). This intermediate is the product of the Diels–Alder reaction between the two readily available bio‐based building blocks acrolein and isoprene. Our results suggest that 4‐MCHCA undergoes a novel dehydroaromatization–hydrodeoxygenation cascade process by intramolecular hydrogen transfer that does not involve an external hydrogen source, and that the hydrodeoxygenation occurs through the direct dissociation of the C=O bond on the W₂C surface. Notably, this process is readily applicable to the synthesis of various (multi)methylated arenes from bio‐based building blocks, thus potentially providing a petroleum‐independent solution to valuable aromatic compounds.     

Construction of A/E/F ring systems of C19-diterpenoid alkaloids with both C-1 and C-6 oxygen functions

An tricyclic AEF fragment of C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloid bearing an angular methyl group and the oxygen function groups at C-1 and C-6 was successfully synthesized. The synthesis features a stereoselective intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction and a highly efficient intramolecular Mannich reaction as well as efficient functional groups transformations.     

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.     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Phomoidride D

Described herein is a synthetic strategy for the total synthesis of (±)‐phomoidride D. This highly efficient and stereoselective approach provides rapid assembly of the carbocyclic core by way of a tandem phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition. A subsequent SmI₂‐mediated cyclization cascade delivers an isotwistane intermediate poised for a Wharton fragmentation that unveils the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene skeleton and sets the stage for synthesis completion.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃‐mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (?)‐glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.