A simple and efficient synthesis of (±)-mesembrine

A simple and efficient synthesis of (±)-mesembrine 1 is described employing double Michael addition and as the key step in 18% overall yield.     

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methylpodocarpate

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of methyl (±)-O-methyl podocarpate (4) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-fused diester 21 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular Michael reaction of the enone-diester 18 afforded the cis-fused keto-diester 19 in high yield which was stereoselectively converted into 21 via the enone 20.     

Synthetic studies towards furosesquiterpenoids: total synthesis of (±) desmethylpallescensin-A, (±) isopallescensin-A and (±) isopallescensin-1

A new approach for a short and efficient synthesis of common cyclohexenone intermediate towards the total synthesis of some furosesquiterpenes and their analogues are described. Regioselective alkylation of Hagemann's ester with 2/3-furyl-2-ethyl bromide followed by hydrolysis cum in situ decarboxylation and 1,4-addition with Gilman's reagent produced the cyclohexanone derivatives which have been utilized for total synthesis of (±) isopallescensin-A, (±) 10-desmethylpallescensin-A, (±) 5-desmethyl-4,5-dehydromicrocionin-1 and (±) isopallescensin-1.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol and (±)-pisiferal

The stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol (1) and (±)-pisiferal (2) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-octahydrophenanthrene derivative 20 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular cyclisation of the diazoketone 15 followed by catalytic hydrogenation provided, stereoselectively, the keto-ester 17 which was converted into the acetate 20 through the intermediates 18 and 19.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 5-methylidenedihydrouracils as potential anticancer agents

An efficient, versatile, enantioselective synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted and 1,3,6-trisubstituted 5-methylidenedihydrouracils applying Horner-Wadsworth Emmons methodology was developed. Starting 1,3-disubstituted 5-diethoxyphosphoryluracils were subjected to reduction of the double bond or addition of various Grignard reagents and obtained Horner-Wadsworth Emmons reagents were used for the olefination of formaldehyde. Enantioselective synthesis of 1,3,6-trisubstituted 5-methylidenedihydrouracils was accomplished by introducing (R,R)- or (S,S)-di(1-phenylethylamino)phosphoryl groups as chiral auxiliary. Additions of Grignard reagents in the presence of these groups were highly and complimentary diastereoselective (de?～?80%). Further separation of the diastereomeric mixtures by column chromatography enabled synthesis of (R)- and (S)-1,3,6-trisubstituted-5-methylidenedihydrouracils with ee?≥?98%. Furthermore, absolute configuration of the adducts and final products was established using single crystal X-ray analysis. Stereochemical course of the addition reactions is also discussed.     

A formal total synthesis of (±)-9-isocyanoneopupukeanane

A formal total synthesis of the marine sesquiterpene (±)-9-isocyanoneopupukeanane starting from the readily available monoterpene carvone has been accomplished employing a combination of intermolecular Michael addition-intramolecular Michael addition reaction and an intramolecular rhodium carbenoid C-H insertion reaction as key steps, and identifying the isopropenyl group as a masked hydroxy group.     

Total synthesis of (±)-antofine

An efficient preparation of (±)-antofine is described. The main steps involved in this synthesis are the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, the intramolecular Schmidt reaction of an azido aldehyde, and the one-pot deprotection of the N-formyl group, followed by Pictet–Spengler cyclization. The asymmetric hydrogenation of the trisubstituted α,β-unsaturated ester is also explored, however only moderate enantio-control (55% ee) is obtained. Finally, (±)-antofine is prepared in six steps from the phenanthryl aldehyde 5 with an overall yield of 35%.     

Syntheses of (±)-thuriferic acid ethyl ester, its analogues and (±)-picropodophyllone

(±)-Thuriferic acid ethyl ester, its analogues as well as (±)-picropodophyllone have been prepared. The synthetic strategy is based on the utility of vicinal dianions derived from α-aroylsuccinic esters.     

Efficient Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons intramolecular cyclisation of a N-substituted phthalimide promoted by KF-Alumina: a general tool for the synthesis of functionalised isoindolinones

An intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction promoted by KF-Alumina involving a N-substituted phthalimide, cleanly and efficiently furnishes an interesting α,β-unsaturated tricyclic enone which may undergo selective alkylations at the α′-position.     

A facile three-step synthesis of (±)-crispine A via an acyliminium ion cyclisation

A high yielding cyclisation of the readily available N-(4,4-diethoxybutyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide to 8,9-bis(methyloxy)-2,3,6,10b-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5(1H)-one is described. The latter can be reduced with either AlH₃ or BH₃ to (±)-crispine A in an overall yield of 55%.     

Total synthesis of (±)-herbertenediol

A formal total synthesis of the sesquiterpene (±)-herbertenediol and its dimers mastigophorenes A-D has been accomplished, starting from vanillin via 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde. A combination of Claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis reactions were employed for the generation of the two vicinal quaternary carbons on a cyclopentane ring.     

First total synthesis of(±)-sepicanin A

<正>A facile approach for the first total synthesis of naturally occurring geranylated flavanoids sepicanin A has been obtained with total yield 16%starting from 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone after four steps.The key step was the protic acids(HCl or p-TsOH)-catalyzed benzopyrone formation in a protic polar solvent by deprotection and cycUzation of chalcone in one step.     

First total synthesis of (±)-adunctin B

The first total synthesis of (±)-adunctin B (1), a natural product isolated from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) and having antibacterial activity, was achieved in 1.26% overall yield in 15 steps from 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin-3-carboxylate (8).     

A convenient synthesis of 2-hydrazinoethylphosphonic acid and derivatives

2-Hydrazinoethylphosphonic acid was prepared using a simple procedure involving Michael addition of hydrazine hydrate to diethyl ethenylphosphonate, followed by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid. The product was converted into five- and six-membered heterocycles.     

Formal synthesis of (±)-udoteatrial hydrate

The formal synthesis of antimicrobial diterpene udoteatrial hydrate (1) is described in nine steps. Diol 6 used as starting material. The key intermediate 4 was obtained from bicyclic ketone 5 via the key Norrish type I reaction.     

First total synthesis of (−)-diospongin B

The first total synthesis of (−)-diospongin B has been achieved starting from benzaldehyde using chiral allylation, a base catalyzed conjugate addition of an α,β-unsaturated ester and an intramolecular oxy-Michael reaction as the key steps in 16% overall yield.     

Formal total synthesis of (±)-magellanine

Formal total synthesis of magellanine is described. Key features in the synthesis were stereoselective Ireland-Claisen rearrangement and intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction of exo-cyclic enynes.     

Concise syntheses of (±)-protoemetinol and related alkaloids using radical cyclisation

Both (±)-protoemetinol, its 3-epi-isomer and (±)-3-desmethyl protoemetinol have been prepared in five linear steps from a dihydroisoquinoline using a 6-exo-trig cyclisation of a vinyl radical in the key step. This novel and particularly short route has potential application in the synthesis of Alangium and Mitragyna alkaloids.     

Total synthesis of (±)-megistophylline I

(±)-Megistophylline I (1), carrying a dienone residue in the acridone framework, was synthesized using the Claisen rearrangement to introduce a prenyl group as a key step.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-tormesol

A general strategy for the synthesis of both trans/syn- and trans/anti-sphenolobane diterpenes has been developed, which utilizes an intramolecular ester enolate alkylation (IEEA) as a key step. A stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-tormesol (1), an unusual trans/syn-sphenolobane diterpene, was accomplished in 18 steps in 4.1% overall yield from readily available aldehyde 16.