Synthesis and Biological Activities of Azalamellarins

The synthesis of azalamellarins, a new series of lactam analogues of biologically active lamellarins, was achieved using Cu^I‐mediated and microwave‐assisted C? N_amide bond formation. Seventeen azalamellarins, including N‐allylazalamellarins and N‐propylazalamellarins χ‐D, L ‐N, and J‐dehydro J, were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines HuCCA‐1, A‐549, HepG2, and MOLT‐3. The results showed that certain azalamellarins exhibited good activities in the micromolar IC₅₀ value range (IC₅₀=the drug concentration that causes 50 % of cell‐growth inhibition after 72 h of continuous exposure to the test molecule), comparable to their parent lamellarin analogue.     

Leader Peptide‐Free In Vitro Reconstitution of Microviridin Biosynthesis Enables Design of Synthetic Protease‐Targeted Libraries

Microviridins are a family of ribosomally synthesized and post‐translationally modified peptides with a highly unusual architecture featuring non‐canonical lactone as well as lactam rings. Individual variants specifically inhibit different types of serine proteases. Here we have established an efficient in vitro reconstitution approach based on two ATP‐grasp ligases that were constitutively activated using covalently attached leader peptides and a GNAT‐type N‐acetyltransferase. The method facilitates the efficient in vitro one‐pot transformation of microviridin core peptides to mature microviridins. The engineering potential of the chemo‐enzymatic technology was demonstrated for two synthetic peptide libraries that were used to screen and optimize microviridin variants targeting the serine proteases trypsin and subtilisin. Successive analysis of intermediates revealed distinct structure–activity relationships for respective target proteases.     

Alpha-phosphono lactone analogues of farnesyl pyrophosphate: an asymmetric synthesis via ring-closing metathesis

An alpha-phosphono lactone derivative of farnesol has been prepared, in both racemic and nonracemic forms, to provide a new type of farnesyl pyrophosphate analogue. Attempted preparation of the racemic alpha-phosphono lactone through rearrangement of a vinyl phosphate derived from the parent lactone resulted in both rearrangement and lactone ring opening, revealing that the farnesyl lactone was not stable to the excess of strong base required for the rearrangement. A procedure for C-P bond formation based on generation of the lactone enolate, reaction with a P(III) reagent, and oxidation was successful in providing the racemic alpha-phosphono lactone, in part, because only 1 equiv of strong base was required. The same strategy for phosphonate synthesis then was applied to the nonracemic farnesyl lactone, prepared through a sequence including allylation of farnesal with a nonracemic borane reagent, reaction of the product alcohol with acryloyl chloride, and formation of an unsaturated lactone through ring-closing metathesis. A similar strategy gave the corresponding racemic alpha-phosphono lactam through a six-step sequence from farnesal.     

Synthesis of New Furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐1(3H)‐one Scaffolds Derived from γ‐Lactone‐Fused Quinolin‐4(1H)‐ones

In the context of our aim of discovering new antitumor drugs among synthetic γ‐lactone‐ and γ‐lactam‐fused 1‐methylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones, we developed a rapid access to 5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinoline‐8,9(5H,6H)‐dione ( 9 ) exploiting the γ‐lactone‐fused chloroquinoline 10 previously synthesized in our laboratory (Scheme 1). We also elaborated efficient synthetic methods allowing for a rapid access to two nonclassical bioisosteres of 9 , i.e., a deoxy and a carba analogue. The deoxy analogue 11 was prepared in two steps from the γ‐lactone‐fused quinoline 13 which was also the synthetic precursor of 10 (Scheme 1). The carba analogue 6,9‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐9‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐8(5H)‐one ( 12 ) was easily prepared by HCl elimination from the 9‐(chloromethyl)dioxolofuroquinoline 15 , which was obtained via a three‐component one‐pot reaction from N‐methyl‐3,4‐(methylenedioxy)aniline (=N‐methyl‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐amine; 16 ), commercially available chloroacetaldehyde, and tetronic acid ( 17 ) (Scheme 2).     

Lamellarins as Inhibitors of P‐Glycoprotein‐Mediated Multidrug Resistance in a Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Chemical analysis of a Didemnum sp. (CMB‐01656) collected during scientific Scuba operations off Wasp Island, New South Wales, yielded five new lamellarins A1 ( 1 ), A2 ( 2 ), A3 ( 3 ), A4 ( 4 ) and A5 ( 5 ) and eight known lamellarins C ( 6 ), E ( 7 ), K ( 8 ), M ( 9 ), S ( 10 ), T ( 11 ), X ( 12 ) and χ ( 13 ). Analysis of a second Didemnum sp. (CMB‐02127) collected during scientific trawling operations along the Northern Rottnest Shelf, Western Australia, yielded the new lamellarin A6 ( 14 ) and two known lamellarins G ( 15 ) and Z ( 16 ). Structures were assigned to 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis with comparison to literature data and authentic samples. Access to this unique library of natural lamellarins ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ) provided a rare opportunity for structure–activity relationship (SAR) investigations, probing interactions between lamellarins and the ABC transporter efflux pump P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) with a view to reversing multidrug resistance in a human colon cancer cell line (SW620 Ad300). These SAR studies, which were expanded to include the permethylated lamellarin derivative ( 17 ) and a series of lamellarin‐inspired synthetic coumarins ( 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) and isoquinolines ( 25 , 26 ), successfully revealed 17 as a promising new non‐cytotoxic P‐gp inhibitor pharmacophore.     

The synthesis of functionalised chiral bicyclic lactam and lactone N-oxides using a tandem Cope elimination/reverse Cope elimination protocol

Functionalised hydroxylamine derivatives of (S)-proline and (R)-pipecolic acid have been prepared using a Cope elimination. These undergo reverse Cope elimination onto a pendant double bond to give bicyclic lactam and lactone N-oxides containing three contiguous chiral centres, this extends the scope and applicability of the reverse Cope elimination in the synthesis of heterocyclic systems by incorporation of the lactone and lactam structural motifs.     

Nitration versus nitrosation chemistry of menthofuran: remarkable fragmentation and dimerization pathways and expeditious entry into dehydromenthofurolactone

The reaction chemistry of menthofuran (1), a toxic furan terpenoid from various mint oils, with nitric acid and nitrous acid has been investigated. Treatment of 1 with nitric acid afforded a 1:1 mixture of the bisfuran derivatives 5 and 6, resulting from the unexpected cleavage of the furan into two carbonyl fragments (3-methylcyclohexanone and hydroxyacetone) and their subsequent trapping by unreacted 1. Under conditions of high dilution, the nitrofuran derivative 7 was formed instead as the major reaction product. During investigation of this chemistry, it was found that oxidation of 1 with DDQ led to the important fragrant monoterpenoid 4 [dehydromenthofurolactone (anhydro Woodward-Eastman lactone)] in 44% yield. Exposure of 1 to nitrite ions at pH 3 afforded a completely different type of products, encompassing the known lactone 14, the lactam 15, and the remarkable dimer 16, bearing a N-hydroxy-2-pyrrolinone moiety linked to a nitrooximinofuran unit by an oxygen bridge. By using a combined spectroscopic and DFT approach, the constitution and configuration of 16 could be determined. These results fill a gap in the chemistry of furan compounds and describe routes to menthofuran-derived scaffolds of potential synthetic and biomedical relevance.     

Two‐Step Synthesis of Multifunctional γ‐Lactams from γ‐Lactone

We present herein an efficient and rapid method for the synthesis of N,1‐dialkyl‐4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐oxopyrrolidine‐3‐carboxamides based on the conversion of γ‐lactone to γ‐lactam via the conjugate addition of primary amines to an ethyl α‐functionalized acrylate followed by intramolecular cyclization.     

Total Synthesis of the Spermidine Alkaloid 13‐Hydroxyisocyclocelabenzine

A convergent total synthesis of 13‐hydroxyisocyclocelabenzine was developed. (3S)‐Methyl 3‐amino‐3‐phenylpropanoate ( 4 ) was used as the chiral building block. The 3,4‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxyisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐one derivative ( 5 ), the key fragment for the total synthesis, was prepared by a novel base‐catalyzed lactone‐lactam ring enlargement (Scheme 3). The resulting target C(13) epimers 3a / 3b from macrocyclization (Scheme 4) were separated by repeated flash chromatography. The absolute configuration of the synthetic alkaloid was determined by an X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis, which enabled us to determine the absolute configuration (9S,13R) for natural 3a with positive [α]_D.     

Synthesis of Polyheterocyclic Nitrogen-Containing Marine Natural Products

The synthetic routes used for the preparation of marine alkaloids variolin B and lamellarins are described.     

Site of nucleophilic attack and ring opening of five-membered heterocyclic 2,3-diones: a density functional theory study

The site of nucleophilic addition to five-membered heterocyclic 2,3-diones (4-iminomethylfuran-2,3-dione A1 and 4-formyl-pyrrole-2,3-dione B1) is studied by density functional theory calculations (B3LYP/6-31G) with water as the nucleophile. Both uncatalyzed and water-assisted 1,2-addition to the lactone (lactam) and the keto carbonyl group, and conjugate addition to C5 of the heterocycle and the heteroatom of the 4-iminomethyl (formyl) moiety are considered. In addition, concerted and stepwise ring fission of the lactone (lactam) ring is also treated. The effect of solvation (aqueous solution) is taken into account by the polarizable continuum model (PCM) and the Poisson-Boltzmann SCRF method (PB-SCRF), as well as explicit water molecules. Only this latter approach yields meaningful activation free energies. Barriers for addition of H2O increase in the order 1,4-addition to C5 < addition to the lactone (lactam) carbonyl < hydration of the 3-keto group. No reaction path for concerted water-assisted ring opening could be found.     

Stereoselective Michael addition of 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl-2,4-pyrimidinedione to the exocyclic methylene of three sesquiterpene lactones. 1H and 13C NMR evidence of a new C-C bond and lactam formation

The Stereoselective addition of the pyrimidine derivative 1 to the exocyclic methylene of the α,β unsaturated dehydrocostus lactone 2, Ivalin acetate 3 and Zaluzanin A diacetate 4, was achieved resulting in a new C-C bond formation. In the cases of compounds 3 and 4, after the addition, the lactone was cleaved followed by reclosure into a lactam ring system.     

Total Synthesis of Diaporthichalasin by Using the Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reaction of an α,β‐Unsaturated γ‐Hydroxylactam in Aqueous Media

The first total synthesis of diaporthichalasin has been successfully achieved and complete structure elucidation, including the absolute configuration, was also accomplished. The intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) reaction between the diene side chain on the decalin skeleton and α,β‐unsaturated γ‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactam in aqueous media was effectively employed as the key step. From this synthetic study, we found that α,β‐unsaturated γ‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactam is an essential precursor for the construction of the diaporthichalasin‐type pentacyclic skeleton. This important finding strongly suggests that this route is involved in the biosynthetic pathway for diaporthichalasin.     

Antiparasite and antimycobacterial activity of passifloricin analogues

Several structural analogues of the polyketide passifloricin lactone were synthesized using asymmetric stereoselective allylations and ring-closing methateses as key reactions. These compounds were active in vitro against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania panamensis (strain UA140), trophozoites of Plasmodium falciparum (strain NF54), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (strain H₃₇Rv). However, in spite of the significative antiparasitic activity of some synthetic analogues a high cytotoxicity was also observed. Based on these results a lactam derivative was also synthesized. This compound maintained a good level of activity with less toxicity.     

Total synthesis of lamellarins D, H, and R and ningalin B

A concise total synthesis of lamellarins D (7 steps), H (7 steps), and R (5 steps) and ningalin B (5 steps) is achieved starting from the corresponding aldehydes and amines. The synthesis features three oxidative reactions as key steps in a biomimetic manner, involving an AgOAc-mediated oxidative coupling reaction to construct the pyrrole core, a Pb(OAc)(4)-induced oxidative cyclization to form the lactone, and Kita's oxidation reaction to form the pyrrole-arene C-C bond.     

Synthesis and Oxidation of N‐Aminoglyconolactams: A Synthesis of Mannostatin A

The N‐amino‐ribono‐1,5‐lactam 4 was prepared in two high‐yielding steps from the known methanesulfonate 2 . Oxidation of 4 with t‐BuOCl in the presence of 2,6‐lutidine afforded the tetrazene 6 (63%). Oxidation with MnO₂ gave the deaminated lactam 7 (40%), which was also obtained, together with the lactone 8 , upon oxidation of 4 with PhSeO₂H. Oxidation with Mn(OAc)₃/Cu(OAc)₂ provided the lactam 7 as the major and the dimer 9 as the minor product. Oxidation of 4 with 3 equiv. of Pb(OAc)₄ in toluene at room temperature gave two cyclopentanes, viz. the acetoxy epoxide 10 and the diazo ketone 11 in a combined yield of 78%. Oxidation with Pb(OBz)₄ provided 11 and the crystalline benzoyloxy epoxide 12 . The crystal structure of 12 was established by X‐ray analysis. The N‐amino‐glyconolactams 41, 46 , and 51 were prepared similarly to 4 . Their oxidation with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the diazo ketones 56, 57 , and 58 as the only isolable products. Oxidation of the N‐amino‐mannono‐1,5‐lactam 55 with Pb(OAc)₄ in the presence of DMSO gave the sulfoximine 59 . Mannostatin A, a strong α‐mannosidase inhibitor, was synthesized from the acetoxy epoxide 10 (obtained in 48% from 4 ) in seven steps and in an overall yield of 45%.     

Total Syntheses of the Spermine Alkaloids (−)‐(R,R)‐Hopromine and (±)‐Homaline

The diastereoselective synthesis of the spermine alkaloid (R,R)‐hopromine ( 2 ) is described. The as yet unknown absolute configuration of naturally occurring (−)‐hopromine ( 2 ) is (R,R) and was established by comparison of the reported specific rotation of the natural product with that of the synthetic one. Preparation of the characteristic bis‐8‐membered lactam scaffold was carried out by convergent build‐up of basic chiral azalactam units 21a and 21b and subsequent iterative linking (Schemes 5 and 6). Key steps in the analogous syntheses of 4‐alkyl‐hexahydro‐1,5‐diazocin‐2(1H)‐ones 21a and 21b were the introduction of the unbranched alkyl side chains into their common precursor 14 via cuprate reaction and the Sb(OEt)₃‐assisted cyclization of the open‐chain intermediates 20a and 20b , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). The chiral iodoester 14 was prepared from commercially available (+)‐L ‐aspartic acid ( 12 ). Based on the synthetic strategy developed for (R,R)‐hopromine ( 2 ), a rapid access to the parent alkaloid homaline ( 1 ) in its (±)‐form is given.     

Total synthesis of natural and unnatural lamellarins with saturated and unsaturated D-rings

Twenty-eight natural and unnatural lamellarins with either a saturated or an unsaturated D-ring were synthesized according to our developed synthetic route. The key step involved the Michael addition/ring closure (Mi-RC) of the benzyldihydroisoquinoline and alpha-nitrocinnamate derivatives, which provided the 2-carboethoxypyrrole intermediates in moderate to good yields (up to 78% yield). Subsequent hydrogenolysis/lactonization furnished lamellarins with a saturated D-ring in excellent yields (up to 93% yield). DDQ oxidation of the saturated lamellarin acetates led directly to the corresponding unsaturated analogues in 54-95% yield. In addition, only two steps in our developed strategy require column chromatography.     

Recent Developments in Total Syntheses of Cephalosporolides,Penisporolides, and Ascospiroketals

The possible biogenetic connection of the 10‐membered lactone (decanolide) and the tricyclic [5,5]‐spiroacetal‐cis‐fused‐γ‐lactone (SAFL) natural products was proposed by Hanson in 1985. Mimicking such biosynthetic hypothesis led us to develop a general synthetic strategy for the total syntheses of both decanolide‐type cephalosporolides and SAFL‐type natural products. This biomimetic strategy features two key transformations: i) oxidative ring expansion of bicyclic β‐hydroxy tetrahydropyrans to the decanolides and ii) ring contraction rearrangement of the decanolides to the tricyclic SAFLs. In particular, the phenol derivatives are exploited as the starting materials for the decanolides and then the SAFLs. The successful biomimetic total synthesis allows us to revise the structures and biosynthetic hypothesis of several natural products, along with development of an NMR analysis method for determination of the relative stereochemistry of SAFL‐type compounds. In addition, this account will summarize recent synthetic work by other research groups.     

Lactam analogues of galiellalactone

A synthetic route to lactam analogues of the fungal STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone is presented. The synthesis involves a one-pot tosylamide amide coupling/intramolecular Michael addition and an introduction of an α,β-unsaturation, regioselectively directed by the tosyl functionality. An iodolactonization of the octahydroindolizine 9 and a re-opening of the lactone were employed for introducing an iodo substituent, facilitating the preparation of 8-substituted analogues (e.g., 4) using a Suzuki cross-coupling.