Synthesis of (±)-kuwanon V and (±)-dorsterone methyl ethers via Diels-Alder reaction

The mulberry Diels-Alder adducts, the pentamethyl ethers of kuwanon V 1a and dorsterone 2a were synthesised via a biomimetic intermolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between a highly electron-rich dienophile and a Lewis acid sensitive diene derived from chalcone. Cycloaddition under thermal conditions afforded 1a and 2a (in 3:2 ratio). Cycloaddition catalysed by AgOTf/Bu₄NBH₄ gave higher yields of the adducts.     

Synthesis of (±)-cartorimine

Heating pyranulose 4 and cinnamate 2 in the presence of 2,6-di-t-butylpyridine in CH₃CN afforded the [5+2] cycloadduct, which was hydrolyzed to give 13% of cartorimine (1).     

Formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene and (±)-Pentalenene using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition

Efficient formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene, a natural product with a bicyclo[6.3.0]undecane skeleton, and (±)-Pentalenene, a natural product with a tricyclo[6.3.0.0^4,8]undecane skeleton, have been achieved by using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition. The [(5+2)+1] reaction provides an expeditious approach to reach the bicyclic cyclooctenone 4, which was quickly transformed (via hydroboration then oxidation) to diketone 14, a key advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene. Through further transformations, 14 was converted to diene 18, an advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Pentalenene.     

The total synthesis of (±)-arisugacin A

A 20-step total synthesis of (±)-arisugacin A with an overall yield of 2.1% is described here in detail. This synthesis features a formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of α,β-unsaturated iminium salts with 6-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-pyrones through a highly stereoselective 6π-electron electrocyclic ring-closure of 1-oxatriene. A strategic dihydroxylation-deoxygenation protocol leading to the desired angular C12a-OH was developed to serve as a critical step in leading to the final total syntheses of arisugacin A. This synthetic endeavor also led to an interesting and unexpected retro-aldol-aldol sequence in the AB-ring.     

Synthesis of vinca alkaloids and related compounds. Part 102: Simple synthesis and ring transformation of (±)-minovincine. First synthesis of (±)-vincaminine

A molecule with an indole skeleton, containing a latent acrylic ester function—acting as a diene—readily reacted with benzoic acid (4-bromomethylene-5-oxo)hexyl ester that had been built up from pentane-2,4-dione. Dehydration of the enamine and subsequent [4+2] cycloaddition supplied epimers having the d-secoaspidospermane skeleton. These compounds directly or after epimerization gave (±)-minovincine. Oxidative ring transformation of (±)-minovincine under different conditions led to (±)-16-acetyl-16-deethylapovincamine and (±)-vincaminine.     

Efficient syntheses of streptocarpone and (±)-α-dunnione

An efficient divergent synthesis of both streptocarpone and racemic α-dunnione from lawsone are described. A one-pot, formal [3+2] cyclization to form a furanonaphthoquinone directly provided a common intermediate.     

A New Route for the Synthesis of (±)-Seudenol

Seudenol (3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol) is an aggregation pheromone isolated from female hindguts of the Douglas fir beetle, ^{Dendroctonus pseudotsugae},by Vité^[l]. Sivlerstein reported that the natural seudenol is racemic^[2]. Racemic seudenols have been synthesized by various methods^[3-5], almost all of which have used 3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (4) as precursor or intermediate, followed by reduction. Among reduction of enone (4), most systems studied to date have focused on selective reduction of α, β-unsaturated ketone to the corrsponding allylic alcohol. But most of the reduction required special and expensive reagent^[3-5]. In this paper,a new convenient material route was reported to synthesize (±)-seudenol. The route is illustrated in the following scheme.     

Formal synthesis of (±)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin via a stepwise [3+3] annelation strategy

A formal synthesis of (±)-perhydrohistrionicotoxin is described that includes a highly diastereoselective modified Sharpless aziridination and a stepwise [3+3] annelation reaction for the stereoselective construction of the key spiropiperidine motif.     

Synthesis of vinca alkaloids and related compounds. Part 105: Efficient convergent synthetic pathway to the ibophyllidine skeleton and synthesis of (±)-19-hydroxy-ibophyllidine and (±)-19-hydroxy-20-epiibophyllidine

Starting from methyl-5-oxohexanoate we produced the appropriately functionalized aldehyde, which, after having been allowed to react with the tryptamine derivative in a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction as the final step, yielded the molecule containing a D-seco-aspidospermane skeleton. From the latter we could successfully produce a 1:1 mixture of protected epimers, the desilylation reaction of the protected molecules gave the alkaloids (±)-19-hydroxy-ibophyllidine and (±)-19-hydroxy-20-epiibophyllidine in good yield.     

Convenient Synthetic Route to (±)-Frontaliu

Frontalin, the pheromone of Dendroctonus Bark Beetles, was first isolated by Kinzer^[1] from hindgut extracts of male western pine beetles. Its structure was determined as 1,5-dimethyl-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1] octane (1) by spectral analysis and was confirmed by the synthesis of its racemate^[1,2]. On account of its structural novelty and economic value, this compound has been studied extensively ^[3-5]. But most of its synthetic methods required relatively longer steps or suffered from the inaccessibility of starting materials or reagents. Now, we report a convenient synthetic method for (±)-frontalin starting from easily available material, natural unsaturated aliphatic aicd, oleic acid. The synthesis is shown in scheme.     

Cycloaddition of allylsilanes. Part 20: Organosilicon-mediated total synthesis of (±)-cameroonanol

We describe a seven-step total synthesis of the triquinane sesquiterpene (±)-cameroonanol using a Lewis acid-promoted [3+2] cycloaddition of an allylsilane and a modified Fleming-Tamao oxidation as key reactions.     

A novel synthetic route for the total synthesis of (±)-uleine

In this study, a new synthetic route for the total synthesis of (±)-uleine is described. The important step in the synthesis of this alkaloid consists of an intramolecular cyclization of the D ring of the azocino[4,3-b]indole skeleton. Reduction of (N-methyl){3-β-ethyl-4-oxo-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrospiro[1H-carbazole-1,2′(1,3)dithiolane]-2-yl}-2-acetamide with borane yielded the corresponding (N-methyl){3-β-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrospiro[1H-carbazole-1,2′(1,3)dithiolane]-2-yl}-2-acetamide, which underwent acid-catalyzed ring closure to produce azocino[4,3-b]indole core. Finally, the synthesis of (±)-uleine was completed through several steps from the azocino[4,3-b]indole core.     

Total syntheses of (±)-cis- and (±)-trans-neocnidilides

Total syntheses of two antimicrobial natural products (±)-cis-neocnidilide and (±)-trans-neocnidilide starting from a readily preparable cyclohexa[b]-fused 5-oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane derivative are presented. The diastereomeric tetrahydrofuran tricarboxylate epimers obtained from a BF₃·OEt₂ promoted Grob-type fragmentation of the oxa-bicycle derivative were converted into title natural products by employing pyridinium dichromate/acetic anhydride mediated bis-oxidative cleavage reaction.     

Proton-induced cis-trans conversion of a platinum(II) center coordinated by L-cysteinatocobalt(III) metalloligands

Treatment of LambdaL-[Co(L-cys-N,S)(en)2]+ (l-H2cys = L-cysteine) with [PtCl4]2- in water, followed by the addition of acid, gave an S-bridged CoIII2PtII trinuclear complex ([1]4+), which was reversibly converted to its deprotonated complex ([2]2+) in an aqueous solution. While [1]4+ formed only a trans isomer, [2]2+ existed as a mixture of trans and cis isomers. The selective formation of a cis isomer was achieved by treatment of [1]4+ or [2]2+ with phthalic acid in water, which afforded a unique CoIII4PtII2 hexanuclear complex ([3]4+). Complex [3]4+ was reverted back to [1]4+ by treatment with aqueous HCl, accompanied by the complete cis-to-trans conversion.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-α-vetispirene, (±)-hinesol, and (±)-β-vetivone based on a Claisen rearrangement

The stereoselective total syntheses of (±)-α-vetispirene, (±)-hinesol, and (±)-β-vetivone were accomplished based on a Claisen rearrangement in an alkenyl bicyclic dihydropyran system. The most striking feature of this approach is that the Claisen rearrangement of bicyclic dihydropyran proceeds stereoselectively to provide a multi-functionalized spiro[4.5]decane, which is an efficient precursor for the synthesis of the vetivane sesquiterpenes.     

Total syntheses of proposed (±)-trichodermatides B and C

Total syntheses of putative (±)-trichodermatides B and C are described. These efficient syntheses feature the oxa-[3+3] annulation strategy, leading to B and C along with their respective C2-epimers. However, these synthetic samples are spectroscopically very different from the natural products. DFT calculations of C13 chemical shifts are conducted and the predicted values are in good agreement with those of synthetic samples, thereby questioning the accuracy of structural assignments of trichodermatides B and C.     

EXAFS study of aqueous Zr(IV) and Th(IV) complexes in alkaline CaCl(2) solutions: Ca(3)[Zr(OH)(6)](4+) and Ca(4)[Th(OH)(8)](4+)

A hitherto unknown type of aqueous complex, ternary Ca-MIV-OH complexes (M = Zr and Th), causes unexpectedly high solubilities of zirconium(IV) and thorium(IV) hydrous oxides in alkaline CaCl2 solutions (pHc = 10-12, [CaCl2] > 0.05 mol.L(-1), and pHc = 11-12, [CaCl2] > 0.5 mol.L(-1), respectively). The dominant aqueous species are identified as Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ and characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The number of OH- ligands in the first coordination sphere detected by EXAFS, NO = 6 (6.6 +/- 1.2) for Zr and NO = 8 (8.6 +/- 1.2) for Th, are consistent with the observed slopes of 2 and 4 in the solubility curves log [M]tot vs pHc. The presence of polynuclear hydrolysis species and the formation of chloride complexes can be excluded. EXAFS spectra clearly show a second coordination shell of calcium ions. The [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- complexes with an unusually large number of OH- ligands are stabilized by the formation of associates or ion pairs with Ca2+ ions. The number of neighboring Ca2+ ions around the [Zr(OH)6]2- and [Th(OH)8]4- units is determined to be NCa = 3 (2.7 +/- 0.6) at a distance of RZr-Ca = 3.38 +/- 0.02 A and NCa = 4 (3.8 +/- 0.5) at a distance of RTh-Ca = 3.98 +/- 0.02 A. The Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+ and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+ complexes have first (M-O) and second (M-Ca) coordination spheres with the Ca2+ ions bound to coordination polyhedra edges.     

Total synthesis of (±)-bruguierol A via an intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of cyclopropane 1,1-diester

Total synthesis of natural product (±)-bruguierol A was accomplished in 10-steps and with an overall 16.8% yield. The embedded unique 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core skeleton in this natural product was constructed via a novel Sc(OTf)₃-catalyzed intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of cyclopropane, which was developed recently in this laboratory. This general synthetic strategy can be potentially applied to the synthesis of a broad range of structurally related natural products.     

Syntheses of (±)-9-epi-hederacine A and (±)-9-epi-hederacine B

Racemic syntheses of 9-epi-hederacine A and 9-epi-hederacine B have been achieved. Key transformations include a transannular hemiaminal formation for construction of the azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core fused to a cyclopentane ring.     

3D H-bonding networks self-assembly from pyridinium derivatives and bis(maleonitriledithiolato)zincate(II)

The two ion-pair complexes, [pyH]₂[Zn(mnt)₂] (1) and [4,4′-bipyH₂]-[Zn(mnt)₂] (2), were synthesized, where mnt²⁻ denotes maleonitriledithiolate, and [pyH]⁺, [4,4′-bipyH₂]²⁺ represent pyridinium and diprotonated 4,4′-bipyridinium, respectively. Their single crystal structures show that there are strong bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the cations of the pyridinium derivative and the [Zn(mnt)₂]²⁻ anions in both 1 and 2. The bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the N–H of the pyridiniums and the CN groups of the mnt²⁻ ligands give rise to a 2D layered H-bonding network, the adjacent layers come together in such way as mutual embrace to give a tight pack, thus 2D hydrogen-bonding sheets further develop into 3D H-bonding networks through weak C–HS and ππ stacking interactions in 1. As for 2, the cations and anions connect into several types of H-bonding macrorings ([2+2], [3+3] and [4+4]), these H-bonding macrorings fuse to extend into 2D layered structure, the interpenetration between [3+3] and [4+4] type H-bonding macrorings in the adjacent layers give further rise to novel 3D extended H-bonding networks, in which there are clearly parallel stacks of cations and the chelate rings of anions.