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.     

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Hyperjapones A–E and Hyperjaponols A and C

Hyperjapones A–E and hyperjaponols A–C are complex natural products of mixed aromatic polyketide and terpene biosynthetic origin that have recently been isolated from Hypericum japonicum. We have synthesized hyperjapones A–E using a biomimetic, oxidative hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction to couple together dearomatized acylphloroglucinol and cyclic terpene natural products. Hyperjapone A is proposed to be the biosynthetic precursor of hyperjaponol C through a sequence of: 1) epoxidation; 2) acid‐catalyzed epoxide ring‐opening; and 3) a concerted, asynchronous alkene cyclization and 1,2‐alkyl shift of a tertiary carbocation. Chemical mimicry of this proposed biosynthetic sequence allowed a concise total synthesis of hyperjaponol C to be completed in which six carbon–carbon bonds, six stereocenters, and three rings were constructed in just four steps.     

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Santalin Y

A biomimetic total synthesis of santalin Y, a structurally complex but racemic natural product, is described. The key step is proposed to be a (3+2) cycloaddition of a benzylstyrene to a “vinylogous oxidopyrylium”, which is followed by an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction. This cascade generates the unique oxafenestrane framework of the target molecule and sets its five stereocenters in one operation. Our work provides rapid access to santalin Y and clarifies its biosynthetic relationship with other colorants isolated from red sandalwood.     

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)‐Pallavicinolide A

Piecing it together : The first total synthesis of naturally occurring diterpene pallavicinolide A was achieved. Notable features are highlighted by three key biomimetic transformations: a base‐promoted Grob fragmentation, a singlet oxygen oxidation, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition.

     

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Lyconadins A–E through a Palladium‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Reaction

A novel palladium‐catalyzed Heck‐type reaction of thiocarbamates has been designed to construct bridged seven‐membered‐ring systems that are otherwise challenging to prepare. Taking advantage of this newly developed method, enantioselective syntheses of lyconadins A–E ( 1 – 5 ), lycopecurine ( 6 ), and dehydrolycopecurine ( 7 ) have been realized in a divergent fashion. Our synthetic strategy also features an intramolecular cyclization of a N‐chloroamine to forge the C6?N bond, a transannular Mannich‐type reaction of a cyclic nitrone to stitch the C4 and C13 together, and a cyclocondensation to deliver the (dihydro‐)pyridone motif.     

The Plakotenins: Biomimetic Diels–Alder Reactions,Total Synthesis,Structural Investigations,and Chemical Biology

The total synthesis of plakotenin, a cytotoxic marine natural product, using a biomimetic Diels–Alder reaction is described in detail. Two approaches were used, whereby the Diels–Alder reaction occurs at different stages of the synthesis. Homo‐ and nor‐plakotenin, related natural products, were also prepared, as well as iso‐plakotenin, a diastereoisomer of plakotenin. The syntheses prove the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the latter. The chemical biology of the plakotenins was investigated on selected compounds.     

Total Synthesis of Ramonanins A–D

The first total synthesis of the ramonanin family of lignan natural products is described. The short synthesis involves a 2,5‐diaryl‐3,4‐dimethylene tetrahydrofuran intermediate, which participates in an unexpectedly facile Diels–Alder dimerization, generating all four natural products. Insights into the reactivity and stereoselectivity of the key dimerization are provided through computational studies employing B3LYP/6‐31G(d) and M06‐2X/6‐31G(d) model chemistries.     

Total Synthesis of Myceliothermophins C,D, and E

The total synthesis of cytotoxic polyketides myceliothermophins E ( 1 ), C ( 2 ), and D ( 3 ) through a cascade‐based cyclization to form the trans‐fused decalin system is described. The convergent synthesis delivered all three natural products through late‐stage divergence and facilitated unambiguous C21 structural assignments for 2 and 3 through X‐ray crystallographic analysis, which revealed an interesting dimeric structure between its enantiomeric forms.     

Cycloadditions in the Total Synthesis of Sporolide B

Closing rings: A recent total synthesis of sporolide B by the Nicolaou group is highlighted by two advantageous cycloadditions. Firstly, a regioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of highly elaborate substrates assembles the halogenated aromatic ring and subsequently an ortho‐quinone [4+2] cyclization closes stereoselectively the dioxane‐containing macrocycle. These approaches should be considered in complex target syntheses.

     

Total Syntheses of Hyperforin and Papuaforins A–C,and Formal Synthesis of Nemorosone through a Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carbocyclization

The remarkable biological activities of polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) combined with their highly decorated bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐2,4,9‐trione frameworks have inspired synthetic organic chemists over the last decade. The concise total syntheses of four natural products PPAPs; hyperforin and papuaforins A–C, and the formal synthesis of nemorosone are reported. Key to the realization of this strategy is the short and scalable synthesis of densely substituted PPAP scaffolds through a gold(I)‐catalyzed 6‐endo‐dig carbocyclization of cyclic enol ethers for late‐stage functionalization.     

Biomimetic Total Syntheses of (−)‐Leucoridines A and C through the Dimerization of (−)‐Dihydrovalparicine

Concise biomimetic syntheses of the Strychnos‐Strychnos‐type bis‐indole alkaloids (?)‐leucoridine A ( 1 ) and C ( 2 ) were accomplished through the biomimetic dimerization of (?)‐dihydrovalparicine ( 3 ). En route to 3 , the known alkaloids (+)‐geissoschizoline ( 8 ) and (?)‐dehydrogeissoschizoline ( 10 ) were also prepared. DFT calculations were employed to elucidate the mechanism, which favors a stepwise aza‐Michael/spirocyclization sequence over the alternate hetero‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction.     

Total Syntheses of Secalonic Acids A and D

Total syntheses of the dimeric tetrahydroxanthone natural products secalonic acids A and D are described. Key steps involve kinetic resolution of the tetrahydroxanthone core structure using homobenzotetramisole catalysis and late‐stage copper(I)‐mediated homodimerization of complex aryl stannane monomers.     

Concise Total Syntheses of Amphidinolides C and F

The marine natural products amphidinolide C ( 1 ) and F ( 4 ) differ in their side chains but share a common macrolide core with a signature 1,4‐diketone substructure. This particular motif inspired a synthesis plan predicating a late‐stage formation of this non‐consonant (“umpoled”) pattern by a platinum‐catalyzed transannular hydroalkoxylation of a cycloalkyne precursor. This key intermediate was assembled from three building blocks ( 29 , 41 and 47 (or 65 )) by Yamaguchi esterification, Stille cross‐coupling and a macrocyclization by ring‐closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM). This approach illustrates the exquisite alkynophilicity of the catalysts chosen for the RCAM and alkyne hydroalkoxylation steps, which activate triple bonds with remarkable ease but left up to five other π‐systems in the respective substrates intact. Interestingly, the inverse chemoselectivity pattern was exploited for the preparation of the tetrahydrofuran building blocks 47 and 65 carrying the different side chains of the two target macrolides. These fragments derive from a common aldehyde precursor 46 formed by an exquisitely alkene‐selective cobalt‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of the diunsaturated alcohol 44 , which left an adjacent acetylene group untouched. The northern sector 29 was prepared by a two‐directional Marshall propargylation strategy, whereas the highly adorned acid subunit 41 derives from D ‐glutamic acid by an intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition and a proline‐mediated hydroxyacetone aldol reaction as the key steps; the necessary Me₃Sn‐group on the terminus of 41 for use in the Stille coupling was installed via enol triflate 39 , which was obtained by selective deprotonation/triflation of the ketone site of the precursor 38 without competing enolization of the ester also present in this particular substrate.     

Divergent Total Syntheses of Lyconadins A and C

Divergent and concise total syntheses of two lycopodium alkaloids, lyconadins A and C have been developed. The synthesis of lyconadin A, having potent neurotrophic activity, features an efficient one‐pot ketal removal and formal aza‐[4+2] cyclization to form the cagelike core structure. A tandem ketal removal/Mannich reaction was developed to build the tricyclic structure of lyconadin C. Both lyconadins A and C were synthesized from a pivotal intermediate.