Chemical Synthesis of the Englerins

In the long lasting battle against cancer, Nature sometimes gives a helping hand to researchers to find new drugs for the treatment of diseases and improvement of patients′ well‐being. Englerin A has emerged as a promising anticancer candidate as well as being an exciting synthetic challenge for organic chemists. This focus review summarizes the total syntheses reported to date and the synthetic approaches toward analogues of this fascinating natural product.     

Total synthesis of potent antifungal marine bisoxazole natural products bengazoles A and B

The bengazoles are a family of marine natural products that display potent antifungal activity and a unique structure, containing two oxazole rings flanking a single carbon atom. Total syntheses of bengazole A and B are described, which contain a sensitive stereogenic centre at this position between the two oxazoles. Additionally, the synthesis of 10-epi-bengazole A is reported. Two parallel synthetic routes were investigated, relying on construction of the 2,4-disubstituted oxazole under mild conditions and a diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Our successful route is high yielding, provides rapid access to single stereoisomers of the complex natural products and allows the synthesis of analogues for biological evaluation.     

Total syntheses of polyketide-derived bioactive natural products

Recent progress of total syntheses in our laboratory has been described along with our background and methodologies. The target bioactive polyketides are classified into three categories according to their structures: (i) lactone-fused polycyclic compounds [(+)-cochleamycin A, (+)-tubelactomicin A, and (-)-tetrodecamycin], (ii) aromatic compounds [(-)-tetracycline, (-)-BE-54238B, lymphostin, and (-)-lagunamycin], and (iii) acyclic polyketides [xanthocillin X dimethylether, (+)-trichostatin D, and (+)-actinopyrone A]. Features of the total syntheses are described. Original methodologies have been developed and applied to construct the inherent structures of the target molecules. Most syntheses cited herein are the first total syntheses, and the absolute structures of the target molecules have been determined.     

Dearomatization strategies in the synthesis of complex natural products

Evolution in the field of the total synthesis of natural products has led to exciting developments over the last decade. Numerous chemoselective and enantioselective methodologies have emerged from total syntheses, resulting in efficient access to many important natural product targets. This Review highlights recent developments concerning dearomatization, a powerful strategy for the total synthesis of architecturally complex natural products wherein planar, aromatic scaffolds are converted to three-dimensional molecular architectures.     

Progress on the total synthesis of natural products in China: From 2006 to 2010

This paper summarizes the progress on the total syntheses of natural products accomplished in mainland China during the period from 2006 to 2010.The overview focuses on the first total synthesis of natural products of contemporary interest including alkaloids,cyclopeptides and cyclic depsipeptides,macrolides,terpenoids and steroids,saponins and glycosides.The development of novel synthetic strategies and methodologies,and application of new selective synthetic methods in the total syntheses of natural products are included as well.     

Applications of Mitsunobu Reaction in total synthesis of natural products

The Mitsunobu Reaction allows the conversion of primary and secondary alcohols to esters, phenyl ethers, thioethers and some other compounds. The nucleophile employed should be acidic, since one of the reagents, diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD) must be protonated during the course of the reaction, preventing from the formation of unwanted side products. In this review, we try to focus on the scope and preparative synthetic applications of Mitsunobu reaction as a key step in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products.     

Total synthesis of iso- and bongkrekic acids: natural antibiotics displaying potent antiapoptotic properties

For over five decades, owing to their antiapoptotic activities, bongkrekic and isobongkrekic acids have generated interest from the scientific community. Here, we disclose full details of our investigation into the synthesis of isobongkrekic acid, which culminated in its first preparation and features various palladium-catalysed cross-couplings and Takai olefination reactions. Access to bongkrekic acid is also reported by this route. These syntheses involve the preparation and use of new general building blocks which could find wider applications.     

Probing the biology of natural products: molecular editing by diverted total synthesis

The systematic modification of natural products through diverted total synthesis is a powerful concept for the systematic modification of natural products with the aim of studying mechanistic aspects of their biological activity. This concept offers far-reaching opportunities for discovery at the interface of biology and chemistry. It is underpinned by the power of chemical synthesis, which manifests itself in the ability to modify structure at will. Its implementation, when combined with innovative design, enables the preparation of unique mechanistic probes that can be decisive in differentiating and validating biological hypotheses at the molecular level. This Review assembles a collection of classic and current cases that illustrate and underscore the scientific possibilities for practitioners of chemical synthesis.