Biomimetic synthesis of (±)-aculeatin D

A practical, efficient and diastereoselective synthesis of the cytotoxic and antiprotozoal compound aculeatin D (1) is described, employing a biomimetic oxidative cyclisation cascade reaction to generate the tricyclic system of the natural product. The synthesis proceeds in ten steps from commercially available 1-tetradecanol.     

Total synthesis of (±)-lantalucratins A and B by CAN-mediated oxidative cyclization

The first total synthesis of (±)-lantalucratins A and B is described. Introduction of an alkyl side chain at the 6-position was proceeded by directed ortho-lithiation and subsequent alkylation reaction to afford 6-alkyl-5,7,8-trimethoxy-1-naphthol as a synthetically important intermediate for (±)-lantalucratins A and B in excellent yield with complete regioselectivity. The 1,2-naphthoquinone fused five-membered cyclic ether framework was constructed directly from 3-hydroxyalkyl-naphthalenes by oxidative intramolecular cyclization reaction with diammonium cerium(IV) nitrate. (±)-Lantalucratins A and B were obtained in 69% and 45% overall yields, respectively.     

Structural characterization of a copper(II) complex containing oxidative cyclization of N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea,new ligands of 4-picolylthiourea derivatives and the precursor molecular structure of oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea

Three new compounds of aryl thiourea derivatives, namely N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L1), N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L2) and N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourea (L3), and the new copper(II) complex [Cu(4PicTz4OMePh)(OAC)(EtOH)] (C1), as a result of oxidative cyclization of the ligand (L1), were synthesized. In addition, pure precursor (P1), as the product of the oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L4), was isolated and characterized. Ligands (L1) and (L2) were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and single crystal X-ray analysis. ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed strong hydrogen bonding interactions between N′H-functionalities and the pyridine nitrogen atoms as well as weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the thione sulfur and the NH hydrogen. Structural studies of complex (C1) showed that the copper ion is five-coordinated with a square-pyramidal environment. The oxidative cyclization of ligand (L1) results in an anionic bidentate ligand in complex (C1). Both ligand (L1) and precursor (P1) crystallize as centrosymmetric dimers.     

A novel biomimetic synthesis of (S)-(−)-zearalenone: via macrocyclization and transannular aromatization

On heating, a hydroxy-keto-dioxinone underwent retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation and the resultant α,γ-diketo-ketene was efficiently trapped intramolecularly by a secondary alcohol to provide a macrocyclic triketo-lactone. Following ketal hydrolysis, transannular aromatization gave the resorcylate natural product, (S)-(−)-zearalenone.     

An expedient total synthesis of ent-(−)-7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine

A short and efficient stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine, an ent-form of a highly potent antineoplastic agent constituent of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, is described. Starting from the enantiopure form of a known arylcyclohexylamine type precursor 6, which was synthesized enantioselectively utilizing a highly enantioselective nitromethane addition, the three hydroxy groups on the C-ring with the required stereochemistry were introduced by a chemo- and stereoselective enone reduction (NaBH₄/CaCl₂ system) followed by a Mitsunobu reaction and subsequent osmylation. The ring closure of the B-ring was accomplished by the Banwell modification of the Bischler-Napieralski reaction.     

Oxidative rearrangements of arylalkenes with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in 95% methanol: a general, regiospecific synthesis of α-aryl ketones

The treatment of arylalkenes with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in 95% methanol affords the corresponding α-aryl ketones. This oxidative rearrangement is general for acyclic and cyclic arylalkenes and permits regioselective syntheses of isomeric α-phenyl ketone pairs.     

Efficient synthesis of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole by palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization

An efficient method for the synthesis of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole has been developed by using palladium-mediated oxidative cyclization.     

A novel and direct synthesis of chroman derivatives using a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent

The direct aromatic carbon-oxygen bond-formation reaction was described and the novel and simple synthetic method for chroman derivatives involving aromatic cation radical intermediates was developed using the hypervalent iodine(III) reagent, phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA).     

Total synthesis of racemic,natural (+) and unnatural (−) scorzocreticin

The first total synthesis of racemic scorzocreticin and its pure enantiomers is described from readily available 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The key steps include Wittig olefination, asymmetric Me-CBS (Corey–Bakshi–Shibata) oxazaborolidine reduction, and improved Pd-catalyzed intramolecular lactonization reactions. Both the (S)-natural and (R)-unnatural enantiomers of scorzocreticin have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivities (>99% and 99% ee, respectively). In addition, 1,10-phenanthroline, a bidentate N-ligand was employed in palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carbonylation/lactonization reaction for the construction of 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin ring.     

Total synthesis of (−)-muricatacin

A total synthesis of (−)-muricatacin has been achieved using a commercially available starting material and our furan approach to oxacyclic systems, the proven scope of which is thus broadened.     

Synthesis of 6,6-dimethyltricyclo[5.4.0.02,8]undecane-2,9-diol for (ent-)longipinane-type sesquiterpenoids using two types of radical cyclization reactions

A synthetic route to 6,6-dimethyltricyclo[5.4.0.0^2,8]undecane-2,9-diol, a key precursor to (ent-)longipinane-type sesquiterpenoids, is described. This unique core common to (ent-)longipinanes was constructed using two types of intramolecular radical cyclization reactions, namely, intramolecular coupling of an acid chloride and an alkyl iodide mediated by SmI₂, TBAI and HMPA, and the coupling of a ketone and an epoxide mediated by Cp₂TiI₂ and SmI₂.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-tetrahydrolipstatin via a radical cyclization based strategy

An efficient and flexible approach for the total synthesis of (−)-tetrahydrolipstatin is described. The main features of the synthetic strategy are a stereocontrolled radical cyclization and the successful utilization of commercially available S-malic acid.     

Total synthesis of (−)-petrosiol E

(−)-Petrosiol E, a metabolite of sponge Petrosia strongylata, has been synthesized in 32% overall yield from cheap natural d-xylose in 10 steps. Our strategy provides an efficient way for the total synthesis of other petrosiol members, featuring the three contiguous stereogenic centers are easily constructed from d-xylose chiral template.     

Phosphonium-mediated cyclization of N-(2-aminophenyl)thioureas: efficient synthesis of 2-aminobenzimidazoles

BOP efficiently promoted the phosphonium-mediated cyclization of thioureas, leading to a convenient synthesis of 2-aminobenzimidazoles. Compared to conventional methods, the reactions were complete at room temperature with times ranging from a few minutes to 1 h in near quantitative yields. This method is also applicable to the synthesis of more challenging structures such as 2-akylaminobenzimidazoles and 2-(N-acyl)-aminobenzimidazoles. The methodology described herein represents a mild and efficient route to a variety of 2-aminobenzimidazoles.     

Total synthesis of (−)-Englerin A

A novel and efficient total synthesis of Englerin A is reported. The synthesis featured an intramolecular olefin metathesis ring closure reaction and a highly stereoselective oxygen bridge formation induced by an iodonium ion. This strategy can be used for the synthesis of natural products Englerin A and Englerin B and can provide flexibility in the preparation of various 9-substituted analogues of Englerin A for further structure–activity relationship studies.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-strychnine: development of a highly practical catalytic asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation and domino cyclization

An enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-strychnine was accomplished through the use of the highly practical catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction (0.1 mol% of (R)-ALB, greater than kilogram scale, without chromatography, 91% yield and >99% ee), and a domino cyclization that simultaneously constructed the B- and D- rings of strychnine (>77% yield). Newly-developed reaction conditions for thionium ion cyclization, NaBH₃CN reduction of the imine moiety in the presence of a Lewis acid to prevent the ring-opening reaction, and chemoselective reduction of the thioether (desulfurization) in the presence of exocyclic olefin were pivotal to complete the synthesis. The described chemistry paves the way for the synthesis of more advanced Strychnos alkaloids.     

A sequential synthesis of substituted furans from aryl alkynes and ketones involving a cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)-mediated oxidative cyclization

A convenient, two-step synthesis of substituted furans from readily available aryl alkynes and ketones is reported. The furan-forming oxidative cyclization is mediated by the combination of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate and potassium bromide and can be carried out in an open flask.     

Total synthesis of (+)-epiepoformin and (−)-phyllostine

An efficient asymmetric total synthesis of naturally occurring cyclohexeneoxides, (+)-epiepoformin and (−)-phyllostine has been achieved using the chiral building block available from the base-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone. Since (−)-theobroxide was derived from the same precursor of (+)-epiepoformin, the formal total synthesis of (−)-theobroxide has also been achieved.