Total synthesis of (±)-hyrtiazepine

The total synthesis of the azepinoindole alkaloid, (±)-hyrtiazepine, was achieved. Construction of the azepinoindole core structure was carried out by C-4 selective α-hydroxyalkylation of 5-hydroxyindole, introduction of serine at C-3 of the indole moiety, and intramolecular imination.     

Total synthesis of (±)-hibiscone C

A total synthesis of (±)-hibiscone C, one member of the furanosteroid family of natural products that also includes viridin and wortmannin, is reported. Two new pathways for formation of the key diacyl furan subunit are described.     

Total synthesis of (±)-dysibetaine CPa

The cyclopropane-containing amino acid, dysibetaine CPa, isolated from Micronesian marine sponge, has been synthesized in 4.53% total yield over 12 steps starting from maleic anhydride to study the biological function in detail, by taking advantage of electron-withdrawing 4-nitrophenyl group.     

Total synthesis of (±)-debromoflustramine B and E and (±)-debromoflustramide B based on one-pot intramolecular Ullmann coupling and Claisen rearrangement

Total syntheses of (±)-debromoflustramine B and E and (±)-debromoflustramide B were accomplished using a common and versatile intermediate spirocyclic oxindole 14, which was concisely prepared through intramolecular Ullmann coupling and Claisen rearrangement from iodoindole 13 on a multigram scale.     

Total synthesis of nothapodytine B and (±)-mappicine

A novel, efficient total synthesis of the naturally occurring antiviral nothapodytine B (2, mappicine ketone) is reported. The approach is based on the successful implementation of the Johnson orthoester rearrangement of allylic alcohol 7 for assembly of a pyridone D ring precursor with the necessary functionalities. Nothapodytine B is converted into mappicine 3 by NaBH₄ reduction.     

Total synthesis of (±)-pseudopterosin A-F and K-L aglycone

A total synthesis of (±)-pseudopterosin A-F and K-L aglycone is described in which three aromatic alkylation reactions are used to construct the hexahydrophenalene ring system.     

Total synthesis of (±)-herbertenediol

A formal total synthesis of the sesquiterpene (±)-herbertenediol and its dimers mastigophorenes A-D has been accomplished, starting from vanillin via 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde. A combination of Claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis reactions were employed for the generation of the two vicinal quaternary carbons on a cyclopentane ring.     

Total synthesis of (±)-monomorine

An efficient, two-operation synthesis of the trail ant pheromone (±)-monomorine is reported. The synthesis features an aqueous Claisen-Schmidt condensation followed by the stereocontrolled installation of the three resident stereocenters in a single operation.     

Total synthesis and structural confirmation of (±)-cuevaene A

The total synthesis and structural reassignment of cuevaene A have been completed. The key synthetic steps in the total synthesis included a base-promoted double conjugate addition and further elaboration to generate the tricyclic core structure, followed by construction of the trienoic acid side chain. Detailed comparison of proton and carbon NMR data with published values enabled the connectivity of the natural product, which had been debated in earlier publications, to be confirmed.     

Total synthesis of (±)-antofine

An efficient preparation of (±)-antofine is described. The main steps involved in this synthesis are the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, the intramolecular Schmidt reaction of an azido aldehyde, and the one-pot deprotection of the N-formyl group, followed by Pictet–Spengler cyclization. The asymmetric hydrogenation of the trisubstituted α,β-unsaturated ester is also explored, however only moderate enantio-control (55% ee) is obtained. Finally, (±)-antofine is prepared in six steps from the phenanthryl aldehyde 5 with an overall yield of 35%.     

Total synthesis of (±)-protoemetinol

A new approach to the benzo[a]quinolizidine alkaloid was described. Total synthesis of (±)-protoemetinol (1) was reported.     

Total synthesis of (±)-pentenomycin

A concise stereoselective route to (±)-pentenomycin 1 in 33% overall yield starting from the readily accessible Diels-Alder adduct 4 is reported. The key reaction involves decarbonylation of β-methoxy-α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 8 obtained from β-hydroxy-dimethylketal 6.     

Total synthesis of cyercene A and the biomimetic synthesis of (±)-9,10-deoxytridachione and (±)-ocellapyrone A

This paper summarises our detailed study towards the biomimetic synthesis of the complex polypropionate derived natural product (±)-9,10-deoxytridachione. A previous study based on the elaboration of functionalised γ-pyrones allowed us to synthesise cyercene A. The same efficient methodology has been applied for the elaboration of a more complex fully conjugated γ-pyrone polyene. Our approach centred on a key tandem Suzuki-coupling/electrocyclisation reaction, which supports a possible biosynthetic pathway for this class of natural products. A related compound was obtained during our studies, which we identified as the correct structure of ocellapyrone A.     

Total synthesis of (±)-brazilin and formal synthesis of (±)-brazilein, (±)-brazilide A using m-CPBA

Total synthesis of (±)-brazilin has been accomplished. m-CPBA epoxidation of allyl alcohol 10 and epoxy opening reaction mediated by m-chlorobenzoic acid, formed in situ as a byproduct, gave advanced intermediate diol 14. O-alkylation and cyclization gave phenol 6 which enabled the formal synthesis of (±)-brazilein and (±)-brazilide A.     

Total synthesis of (±)-tangutorine and chiral HPLC separation of enantiomers

The first total synthesis of racemic tangutorine, a novel indole alkaloid, was performed in 7 steps. The key reactions, dithionite reduction and acidic cyclization provided easy access with good yields to the tangutorine skeleton. Comprehensive NMR spectroscopic data of new compounds are given. Chiral HPLC separation of enantiomers is reported.     

Total synthesis of (S)-(−)-cyclooroidin

The first total synthesis of enantiopure (S)-(−)-cyclooroidin is described. Absolute configuration of this natural product has been confirmed by comparison of the optical rotation value of our synthetic sample with the one measured on natural cyclooroidin.     

Total synthesis of (±)-megistophylline I

(±)-Megistophylline I (1), carrying a dienone residue in the acridone framework, was synthesized using the Claisen rearrangement to introduce a prenyl group as a key step.     

Total synthesis of (±)-manzacidin D

We report herein the first total synthesis of the alkaloid manzacidin D, in 11 steps and 16% overall yield from commercially available glycine tert-butyl ester hydrochloride. Our synthesis demonstrates for the first time in a total synthesis the utility of two different methodologies. A highly diastereoselective iodocyclization of an olefinic isothiourea is used to induce stereocontrol at the quaternary centre, and to form the heterocyclic core. Conversion of a thiourea to the requisite formamidine is achieved in good yield using our modified procedure.     

Total synthesis of (±)-gusanlung D

A new approach to the core structure of protoberberine alkaloid was described. Total synthesis of (±)-gusanlung D (2) was reported.