[2+2] Cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to allenyl-sugar ethers

The direction and magnitude of asymmetric induction in the [2+2] cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to 3-O-allenyl-α-d-xylofuranoses was investigated. It is shown that gem terminal dimethylallenes react more readily than methyl free congeners. The configuration of adducts was established by X-ray and CD-spectroscopy of alkylidene cephams. A stereochemical model of the transition state for the [2+2] cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate and allenyl ethers is proposed, based on the lowest energy conformation of the cumulene.     

Stereoselective synthesis of substituted gamma-butyrolactones by the [3+2] annulation of allylic silanes with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate: enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-blastmycine

[structure: see text]. A stereoselective synthesis of gamma-butyrolactones by the [3 + 2] annulation of allylic silanes with N-chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) was developed. An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-blastmycinone was accomplished using this annulation as the key step.     

Formal synthesis of (+/-)-peduncularine: use of the

[reaction: see text] The formal synthesis of the alkaloid (+/-)-peduncularine (1) was accomplished through the use of a [3 + 2] allylic silane annulation. The annulation of cyclohexadienyl silane 6 with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate followed by an in situ reduction provided bicyclic lactam 7. Conversion of this intermediate to 2 in three steps completed the formal synthesis of (+/-)-peduncularine.     

The formal total synthesis of (+/-)-strychnine via a cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2]cycloaddition

A short, highly convergent total synthesis of racemic isostrychnine, and thus strychnine, has been completed. The route involves 14 steps in the longest linear sequence and is highlighted by a cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2]cycloaddition of an alkynylindole nucleus to acetylene.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly substituted gamma-lactams by the [3+2] annulation of alpha-siloxy allylic silanes with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate

[reaction: see text] A stereoselective synthesis of gamma-lactams by the [3+2] annulation of alpha-siloxy allylic silanes with N-chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (ClSO(2)NCO) was developed. The use of these allylic silanes allowed for further diastereoselective substitution of the resultant N,O-acetal to give highly substituted gamma-lactams. Oxidation of the silyl group afforded access to complex beta-hydroxy-gamma-lactams.     

An application of the phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation in indole alkaloid synthesis: formal syntheses of (+/-)-alstonerine and (+/-)-macroline

[reaction: see text] An application of the phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation in the formal synthesis of alstonerine and macroline is reported. A phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] reaction between imine 7a and allene 8 formed the D ring of the target indole alkaloids. A subsequent intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation provided the C ring of the bridged tetracycle. Deprotection, followed by methylation of the bridged nitrogen, deoxygenation of the C6 ketone, and reduction of the C16 carbethoxy group provided the previously known intermediate 3.     

Formal total synthesis of (+/-)-gamma-lycorane and (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine using the [4+2]-cycloaddition/rearrangement cascade of furanyl carbamates

The total syntheses of gamma-lycorane and (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine were accomplished using an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition of a furanyl carbamate as the key step. The initially formed [4+2]-cycloadduct undergoes nitrogen-assisted ring opening followed by deprotonation/reprotonation of the resulting zwitterion to give a rearranged hexahydroindolinone. The stereochemical outcome of the IMDAF cycloaddition has the side arm of the tethered alkenyl group oriented syn with respect to the oxygen bridge. The key intermediate used in both syntheses corresponds to hexahydroindolinone 20. Removal of the t-Boc group in 20 followed by reaction with 6-iodobenzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carbonyl chloride afforded enamide 22. Treatment of this compound with Pd(OAc)(2) employing the Jeffrey modification of the Heck reaction provided the galanthan tetracycle 24 in good yield. Compound 24 was subsequently converted into (+/-)-gamma-lycorane using a four-step procedure to establish the cis-B,C-ring junction. A radical-based cyclization of the related enamide 33 was used for the synthesis of 1-deoxylycorine. Heating a benzene solution of 33 with AIBN and n-Bu(3)SnH at reflux gave the tetracyclic compound 38 possessing the requisite trans fusion between rings B and C in good yield. After hydrolysis and oxidation of 38 to 40, an oxidative decarboxylation reaction was used to provide the C(2)(-)C(3)(-)C(12) allylic alcohol unit characteristic of the lycorine alkaloids. The resulting enone was eventually transformed into (+/-)-1-deoxylycorine via known synthetic intermediates.     

Intramolecular formal aza-[3 + 3] cycloaddition approach to indoloquinolizidine alkaloids. A stereoselective total synthesis of (+/-)-tangutorine

[reaction: see text] A 19-step stereoselective total synthesis of (+/-)-tangutorine is described here. The total synthesis features an intramolecular aza-[3 + 3] formal cycloaddition strategy and also a Heck coupling for constructing the C2-C3 bond. This work provides a novel approach toward the indoloquinolizidine family of alkaloids.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of polyfunctionalized cis-decalins from 2-methoxyphenols: total syntheses of (+/-)-eremopetasidione, (+/-)-3 beta-angeloyloxyfuranoeremophilane, and (+/-)-3 beta-methacryloyloxyfuranoeremophilane

A four-step stereocontrolled synthesis of polyfunctionalized cis-decalins is described, involving oxidation of 2-methoxyphenol, intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction, olefination, and Cope rearrangement. Application of this efficient strategy to the total syntheses of (+/-)-eremopetasidione, (+/-)-3 beta-angeloyloxyfuranoeremophilane, and (+/-)-3 beta-methacryloyloxyfuranoeremophilane was accomplished from creosol and ethyl vinyl ketone via a common intermediate 21.     

Total synthesis of (+/-) -phenserine via [4+1] cyclization of a bis(alkylthio)carbene and an indole isocyanate

[structure: see text]. A total synthesis of acetylcholine blocking agent, phenserine, has been achieved by employing a [4+1] cyclization between an appropriately substituted indole isocyanate and a bis(alkylthio)carbene.     

Phosphine-catalyzed annulations of azomethine imines: allene-dependent [3 + 2], [3 + 3], [4 + 3], and [3 + 2 + 3] pathways

In this paper we describe the phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2], [3 + 3], [4 + 3], and [3 + 2 + 3] annulations of azomethine imines and allenoates. These processes mark the first use of azomethine imines in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis, producing dinitrogen-fused heterocycles, including tetrahydropyrazolo-pyrazolones, -pyridazinones, -diazepinones, and -diazocinones. Counting the two different reaction modes in the [3 + 3] cyclizations, there are five distinct reaction pathways-the choice of which depends on the structure and chemical properties of the allenoate. All reactions are operationally simple and proceed smoothly under mild reaction conditions, affording a broad range of 1,2-dinitrogen-containing heterocycles in moderate to excellent yields. A zwitterionic intermediate formed from a phosphine and two molecules of ethyl 2,3-butadienoate acted as a 1,5-dipole in the annulations of azomethine imines, leading to the [3 + 2 + 3] tetrahydropyrazolo-diazocinone products. The incorporation of two molecules of an allenoate into an eight-membered-ring product represents a new application of this versatile class of molecules in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis. The salient features of this protocol--the facile access to a diverse range of nitrogen-containing heterocycles and the simple preparation of azomethine imine substrates--suggest that it might find extensive applications in heterocycle synthesis.     

Approaches to the synthesis of (+/-)-strychnine via the cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition: rapid assembly of a classic framework

Five synthetic approaches to racemic strychnine (1), with the cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alkynes to indoles as the key step, are described. These include the generation and attempted cyclization of macrocycle 8 and the synthesis of dihydrocarbazoles 15, 22, and 26 and their elaboration to pentacyclic structures via a conjugate addition, dipolar cycloaddition, and propellane-to-spirofused skeletal rearrangement, respectively. Finally, the successful total synthesis of 1 is discussed. The development of a short, highly convergent route (14 steps in the longest linear sequence) is highlighted by the cyclization of enynoylindole 40 with acetylene and the formal intramolecular 1,8-conjugate addition of amine 49 to form pentacycle 50. Numerous attempts toward the formation of the piperidine ring of 1 from vinyl iodide 56 were made and its successful formation via palladium-, nickel-, and radical-mediated processes is described.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-goniomitine via a formal nitrile/donor-acceptor cyclopropane [3 + 2] cyclization

The total synthesis of (+/-)-goniomitine has been accomplished in 17 linear steps with 5.2% overall yield starting from commercially available delta-valerolactam. A synthetic highlight includes the first application of a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition between a highly functionalized nitrile and a donor-acceptor cyclopropane to prepare an indole nucleus. The use of a microwave reactor is shown to greatly improve the reaction times for two steps.     

A phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition strategy leading to the first total synthesis of (-)-hinesol

In one step, the skeleton of cis-spirovetivanes was constructed with high stereoselectivity by the phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of tert-butyl 2,3-butadienoate or 2-butynoate with 3-methyl-2-methylenecyclohexanone (5). This method was exemplified by the first highly efficient total synthesis of natural product (-)-hinesol, which is an active ingredient of cerebral circulation and metabolism improvers.     

Formal [3 + 3] cycloaddition approach to chromenes and chromanes. Concise total syntheses of (+/-)-rhododaurichromanic acids A and B and methyl (+/-)-daurichromenic ester

[reaction: see text] Total syntheses of (+/-)-rhododaurichromanic acids A and B and methyl (+/-)-daurichromenic ester are described here. Despite the complex appearances of these compounds, their syntheses are completed in six steps with a 15% overall yield as a mixture by featuring our formal oxa-[3 + 3] cycloaddition methodology.     

First total synthesis of (+/-)-stemonamide and (+/-)-isostemonamide

[structure: see text] The total synthesis of the tetracyclic alkaloids stemonamide (1) and isostemonamide (2) is presented. The key step is the reaction between a silyloxyfuran and an N-acyliminium ion. The second quaternary center is created by an intramolecular aldol spirocyclization. After 1,4-addition of an appropriate side chain, the methyl and double bond are installed by Mannich reaction. The seven-membered ring is closed by intramolecular nucleophilic displacement.     

Hypervalent iodine-mediated vicinal syn diazidation: application to the total synthesis of (+/-)-dibromophakellstatin

[reaction: see text] The total synthesis of (+/-)-dibromophakellstatin is described. The molecule is constructed from a key syn-diazide, formed by a hypervalent iodine-mediated diazidation of a dihydrodipyrrolopyrazinone ring structure.     

Phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] annulations of 2,3-butadienoates with imines

The first systematic screening of chiral phosphines in the cycloaddition reaction between 2,3-butadienoates and arylimines has led to the identification of fairly efficient catalysts. 2-Aryl-3-pyrrolines have been obtained with enantiomeric excesses up to 64%. In one instance, the enantiomeric excess could be increased to 91% ee by combining the enantioselective cyclization reaction with a crystallization step.     

First total synthesis of (+/-)-taxifolial a and (+/-)-iso-caulerpenyne

The first synthesis of (+/-)-taxifolial A and iso-caulerpenyne was accomplished. The key steps in the sequence are (1) the stereoselective assembly of a vinyltin derived from butynediol and a functionalized aldehyde and (2) the construction of the dienyne moiety via a Stille cross-coupling.