A total synthesis of 11-O-methyldebenzoyltashironin

A concise total synthesis of 11-O-methyldebenzoyltashironin is reported in which oxidative dearomatization-IMDA-RCM triad constitutes the key ring forming steps, while an unorthodox DIBAL-H mediated stereo- and regioselective reductive epoxide openings and implementation of the vinyl bromide-carbonyl equivalency concept were pivotal to the success of this endeavor.     

Model synthetic studies toward the central 7/8/5 tricarbocyclic core of complex Schisanartane-type nortriterpenoids

A short, flexible approach to a functionally embellished 7/8/5 fused tricyclic scaffold corresponding to the CDEF segment of Schisanartane nortriterpenoids, from commercially available 1,5-cyclooctadiene, is delineated.     

Synthesis of substituted butenolides by the ring closing metathesis of two electron deficient olefins: a general route to the natural products of paraconic acids class

A variety of allyl acrylates possessing electron-withdrawing groups undergo RCM using the second generation Grubbs’ catalyst in the presence of a Lewis acid resulting in diverse butenolides in high isolated yields. This methodology provides a general route to the natural products of paraconic acids class, exemplified by a total synthesis of (±)-phaseolinic acid.     

A tandem oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction: a short and efficient entry into tricyclic system of maoecrystal V

A short and efficient route to tricyclic ring system containing bridged bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone annulated with a lactone ring present in the maoecrystal is described. In-situ generation of spiroepoxycyclohexa-2,4-dienone and intramolecular cycloaddition are the key features of our approach.     

4,5-Didehydro-7-silyloxymethyl-2-oxepanone and formal total syntheses of Hagen’s gland lactones and trans-kumausynes

A concise and enantiospecific route to the 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one ring system from commercially available (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-glycidols is described. The key features involve ring closing metathesis to construct the 7-substituted-4,5-dehydro-2-oxepanone and its base-catalyzed single-step rearrangement into the 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-3-one skeleton. Using this strategy, formal total syntheses of (7R)-cis-Hagen’s gland lactones and (+)- and (−)-trans-kumausynes have been achieved.     

Efficient synthesis of the C/D rings of atisine-type C20-diterpenoid alkaloids

A bicyclo[2.2.2]octane C/D ring system,with a lactonic ring at C-8 and C-9,of the atisine-type C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloids,was successfully synthesized,using an oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction.     

A de novo Diels-Alder strategy toward the novel pentacyclic natural product fluostatin C: a concise synthesis of 6-deoxyfluostatin C

A conceptually new Diels-Alder approach, involving a diene moiety grafted on a preformed epoxyquinone platform and a 4-hydroxy-indenone as the dienophile, delivers the pentacyclic framework of fluostatin C in one key step.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-boronolide

A seteroselective total synthesis of (+)-boronolide is described. The key steps are Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Shibasaki's asymmetric Henry reaction, asymmetric allylation and ring closing metathesis.     

Synthesis of a spirocyclic amine related to the marine natural products halichlorine and pinnaic acid

The bis-ester 5 was elaborated into tricyclic lactam 8, which has previously been converted into the spirotricyclic amine 9, a compound that represents a large portion of the marine natural product halichlorine.     

Model synthetic studies toward jiadifenin and majucin type seco-prezizaane natural products via a stereo- and enantioselective approach

A concise stereo- and enantioselective approach to seco-prezizaane sesquiterpenoids, leading to the acquisition of two bicyclic fragments, is delineated.     

A general,flexible, ring closing metathesis (RCM) based strategy for accessing the fused furo[3,2-b]furanone moiety present in diverse bioactive natural products

A simple and straightforward methodology of general utility to construct sterically encumbered furo[3,2-b]furanone scaffolds present in a diverse range of bioactive natural products is delineated. The methodology emanates from readily available Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts and employs sequential ring closing metathesis and oxy-Michael addition cascade as the key steps.     

A new approach to the bicyclo[4.3.0] ring system of natural products from the liverwort: total synthesis of (±)-chiloscyphone and (±)-isochiloscyphone

Construction of the tricyclic derivative 5, a common intermediate for the synthesis of sesquiterpenoids 1-4, was accomplished by using the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. Availability of 5 was demonstrated by effective total synthesis of chiloscyphone 1 and isochiloscyphone 2.     

Oxidative dearomatization and retro-Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder cascade: Synthesis and photoreactions of azepane annulated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone

Synthesis of azepane annulated bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone via oxidative dearomatization and intramolecular π⁴s?+?π²s cycloaddition has been described. Manipulation of the adduct led to tricyclic compounds having a β,γ-enone chromophore whose photoreaction upon triplet and singlet excitation furnished polycyclic systems having azepane ring systems.     

The first stereoselective total synthesis of the Z-isomer of cytospolide E

A convergent and highly stereoselective total synthesis of the Z-isomer of cytospolide E has been achieved via Evan’s aldol reaction, Sharpless kinetic resolution and RCM cyclisation.     

An approach to total synthesis of the cylindricine B pyridoquinoline subclass of tricyclic marine ascidian alkaloids

Employing an intramolecular N-acylketiminium ion/olefin hetero Diels-Alder reaction, and a ring closing metathesis of a vinyl chloride as pivotal steps, it is possible to directly access the pyridoquinoline tricyclic ring system of the marine alkaloids cylindrines B and J.     

Towards the total synthesis of tangutorine by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

The syntheses of 3,5-disubstituted-2-sulfolenes, and their participation in Pictet-Spengler reactions to give precursors of tangutorine, are described.     

Studies towards the synthesis of the bicyclic 3,8-secotaxane diterpenoid system using a ring closing metathesis strategy

Molecular modelling studies on the interations between taxanes and tubulins, developed by us, revealed that modified Taxuspines U and X could adopt a conformation similar to that of the bioactive conformation of paclitaxel and could be well accommodated within the proposed model. Accordingly, simplified Taxuspine U and X analogues have been rationally designed and their bicyclic 3,8-secotaxane diterpenoids intermediates have been synthesized through an approach that involves ring closing metathesis (RCM) as the key step for the macrocycle formation. Extensive studies on RCM have been performed using chemically diverse substrates, outlining the influence in the macrocyclization of the presence and position of functionalities, the molecular constraints and the importance of the site of ring closure.     

Macrocyclization by ring-closing metathesis in the total synthesis of natural products: reaction conditions and limitations

The construction of macrocycles by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is often used as the key step in the synthesis of natural products containing large rings. This reaction is attractive because of its high functional group compatibility and the possibility for further transformations. The finding of suitable reaction conditions is critical for the success of the synthesis. In this Minireview we summarize the efforts of many research groups to develop efficient RCM reactions on their way towards the total synthesis of natural macrocyclic products. Their findings should help in future synthesis to reduce the time-consuming phase of the optimization of the reaction conditions.     

Studies towards the total synthesis of Sch 56036; isoquinolinone synthesis and the synthesis of phenanthrenes

The isoquinolinone hemisphere of Sch 56036 has been prepared using a modified Pomeranz-Fritsch reaction and the synthesis of the phenanthrene core has been modelled via a Suzuki coupling and subsequent ring closing metathesis.     

RCM as a tool to freeze conformation of monosaccharides: synthesis of a β-mannopyranoside mimic adopting a conformation close to the biologically relevant B2,5 boat

The synthesis of a β-d-mannopyranoside analog, fully identical to the naturally occurring d-mannopyranose in terms of hydroxyl pattern, and displaying a skew-boat conformation close to a B_2,5 boat strongly believed to be adopted by the oxycarbenium transition state during glycosidic bond cleavage of β-mannane by family 26 β-mannanase, is described. The conformationally locked analog has been obtained by tethering the C-2 and C-5 carbon atoms of the sugar ring with a three carbon bridge using RCM methodology. Conformation of the mannose analog has been confirmed by NMR and molecular modelling.