Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Pinnaic Acid and Halichlorine

The enantioselective total synthesis of the bioactive marine natural products pinnaic acid and halichlorine is reported in detail. Our total synthesis features the construction of the five‐membered ring and C9 and C13 stereogenic centers through a palladium‐catalyzed trimethylenemethane [3+2] cyclization; the installation of the nitrogen atom through a regioselective Beckmann rearrangement of a poorly reactive ketone; the stereoselective cyclization of the spiro ring through a four‐step, one‐pot hydrogenation–cyclization; and efficient connection of the sterically hindered lower chain through a reduced‐pressure cross olefin metathesis reaction.     

Regioselective 6-endo cyclizations of 2-indolylacyl radicals: total synthesis of the pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole alkaloid guatambuine

A regioselective 6-endo reductive cyclization of 2-indolylacyl radicals constitutes the key step of a straightforward synthetic entry to the olivacine skeleton, illustrated by a total synthesis of the tetrahydropyridine alkaloid guatambuine.     

Scalable Total Synthesis of rac‐Jungermannenones B and C

Reported is the first scalable synthesis of rac‐jungermannenones B and C starting from the commercially available and inexpensive geraniol in 10 and 9 steps, respectively. The unique jungermannenone framework is rapidly assembled by an unprecedented regioselective 1,6‐dienyne reductive cyclization reaction which proceeds through a vinyl radical cyclization/allylic radical isomerization mechanism. DFT calculations explain the high regioselectivity observed in the 1,6‐dienyne reductive radical cyclization.     

Construction of Morphan Derivatives by Nitroso–Ene Cyclization: Mechanistic Insight and Total Synthesis of (±)‐Kopsone

A type II nitroso–ene cyclization was developed for the construction of morphan derivatives with good functional‐group tolerance. DFT calculations revealed that the nitroso–ene reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner involving diradical or zwitterionic intermediates. The rate‐determining step is C−N bond formation, followed by a rapid hydrogen‐transfer step with a chair‐conformation transition state. The current approach was also successfully applied in the first total synthesis of (±)‐kopsone, a highly strained yet simple morphan‐type alkaloid isolated from Kopsia macrophylla.     

Microwave assisted straightforward synthetic method for benzimidazole linked quinoxalinones on soluble polymer support

The simple and efficient method was developed for the synthesis of benzimidazole linked quinoxalinones on soluble polymer support using microwave conditions. The acid catalyzed condensation of 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid with polymer immobilized o-phenylenediamine, ipso-fluoro nucleophilic substitution with various primary amines and cyclization with acetyl chloride are the key steps involved in implemented linear synthesis. In key cyclization step, the regioselective N-acylation at secondary amine with chloroacetyl chloride followed by spontaneous intramolecular ring closure through ortho-amine functionality generate the quinoxaline skeleton under microwave irradiation. The removal of polymer support and exposure of quinoxalines for auto-oxidation finally produce the benzimidazole linked quinoxalinone derivatives with high purity and yields.     

Rhenium-Catalyzed Construction of Polycyclic Hydrocarbon Frameworks by a Unique Cyclization of 1,n-Diynes Initiated by 1,1-Difunctionalization with Carbon Nucleophiles

A regioselective cyclization of 1,n-diynes under rhenium catalysis was developed on the basis of a rare type of 1,1-difunctionalization of terminal alkynes with carbon nucleophiles, followed by sequential addition reactions of the resulting alkenylrhenium species. The reaction provides an efficient approach to the synthesis of complex cyclopentane-fused bi- and tricycles and spirocycles, which are useful building blocks for the construction of essential frameworks of biologically active compounds as well as functional materials, from simple starting materials by the formation of up to six new carbon–carbon bonds in a single step. The reaction proceeds under neutral conditions and does not require external ligands or additives. The key to this reactivity is the unique activation mode of the rhenium carbonyl complex, which prefers to interact with heteroatoms in polar carbon–heteroatom bonds as well as nonpolar carbon–carbon unsaturated π bonds.     

A Photoinduced Cyclization Cascade—Total Synthesis of (−)‐Leuconoxine

A protecting‐group‐free and enantioselective total synthesis of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (?)‐leuconoxine was accomplished. The key step comprises a novel photoinduced domino macrocyclization/transannular cyclization involving the Witkop cyclization, for which additional mechanistic evidence is provided. This process furnishes a diaza[5.5.6.6]fenestrane skeleton, which is a hitherto unprecedented structure element.     

Total Synthesis of Kopsinitarine E

Kopsinitarines A–E are complex octacyclic caged Kopsia alkaloids with strained cage skeletons and a unique cyclic hemiaminal bridge that makes total synthesis challenging. Herein, we disclose the first total synthesis of kopsinitarine E. The key synthetic features include a SmI₂-mediated radical cascade cyclization and a subsequent semi-pinacol rearrangement to install the key carbocyclic skeleton, a chemoselective hydrosilyl amide reduction to construct the hemiaminal ether bridge, and an intramolecular Mannich reaction to establish the highly strained cage system.     

Single and Consecutive Cyclization Reactions of Alkynyl Carbene Complexes and 8‐Azaheptafulvenes: Direct Access to Polycyclic Pyrrole and Indole Derivatives

The reactivity of alkynyl and enynyl Fischer carbene complexes towards 8‐azaheptafulvenes is examined. Alkynyl carbenes 1 a – f undergo regioselective [8+2] heterocyclization with 8‐aryl‐8‐azaheptafulvenes 2 a , b providing cycloheptapyrroles 3 and 4 with metal carbene or ester functionality at C3. Moreover, consecutive cyclization reactions are involved when enynyl carbenes are used. Thus, the cyclopenta[b]pyrrole framework 7 is formed by the consecutive [8+2] cyclization and cyclopentannulation reactions. The initially formed cyclopentannulation adduct can be intercepted through a Diels–Alder reaction with classic dienophiles to afford increasing structural complexity (compounds 8 and 9 ). More importantly, the construction of the indole skeleton is accomplished with a high degree of substitution and functionalization (compounds 11 – 15 ) by a one‐pot sequence that involves [8+2] cyclization, R? NC or CO insertion, and ring closure.     

Formal synthesis of optically active ingenol via ring-closing olefin metathesis

The construction of strained carbon skeletons by ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) was investigated. With well-designed diene 4, RCM was found to be applicable to the formation of a highly strained inside-outside bicyclo[4.4.1]undecane skeleton of ingenol, a bioactive diterpenoid, and formal total synthesis of optically active ingenol (1) was achieved. The key features of this synthesis are construction of an A-ring by spirocyclization of the ketone with an allylic chloride unit, 26, and ring closure of a B-ring by olefin metathesis. Starting from Funk's keto ester 6, the key intermediate aldehyde 9 in Winkler's total synthesis was synthesized in eight steps in 12.5% overall yield. This strategy of direct cyclization of a strained inside-outside skeleton provided the first easy access to optically active ingenol.     

Total synthesis of diptoindonesin G via a highly efficient domino cyclodehydration/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation/regioselective demethylation sequence

A highly efficient total synthesis of diptoindonesin G is described employing a domino dehydrative cyclization/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation/regioselective demethylation reaction of aryloxyketone 7 by the action of BCl(3) wherein the tetracyclic 6H-anthra[1,9-bc]furan-6-one skeleton was constructed via the 3-arylbenzofuran in a one-pot manner. This is the first example of the strategic combination of these three reactions in a cascade fashion. The routes presented here allow for direct access to diptoindonesin G and its analogues.     

Catalyst‐Free Formal Thioboration to Synthesize Borylated Benzothiophenes and Dihydrothiophenes

The first ring‐forming thioboration reaction of C?C π bonds is reported. This catalyst‐free method proceeds in the presence of a commercially available external electrophilic boron source (B‐chlorocatecholborane) in good to high yields. The method is scalable and tolerates a variety of functional groups that are intolerant of other major borylation methods. The resulting borylated benzothiophenes participate in a variety of in situ derivatization reactions, showcasing that these borylated intermediates do not need to be isolated prior to downstream functionalization. This methodology has been extended to the synthesis of borylated dihydrothiophenes. Mechanistic experiments suggest that the operative mechanistic pathway is through boron‐induced activation of the alkyne followed by electrophilic cyclization, as opposed to S?B σ bond formation, providing a mechanistically distinct pathway to the thioboration of C?C π bonds.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐Flavisiamine F via Late‐Stage Visible‐Light‐Induced Photochemical Cyclization

The structural features Kopsia alkaloids, in particular multiple all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters in a caged and strained polycyclic skeleton, poses particular challenges for enantioselective total synthesis. Herein, we reported the first total synthesis of (+)‐flavisiamine F. The synthetic approach involved a room‐temperature Overman rearrangement for introducing the chiral amine at C21, a TMS‐promoted ketal Claisen rearrangement for constructing the all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter at C20, and a late‐stage visible‐light‐induced photochemical cyclization for establishing the all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter at C7.     

Brønsted acid promoted intramolecular cyclization of O-alkynyl benzoic acids: Concise total synthesis of exserolide F

Herein we report the stereoselective total synthesis of Exserolide F. The key step involves triflic acid catalyzed highly regioselective intramolecular cyclization of an O-alkynyl benzoic acid derivative to accomplish the core isocoumarin skeleton of the natural product via 6-endo-dig mode of cyclization. The other important steps are: Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, Barbier propargylation, Sonogashira coupling en route to access the O-alkynyl benzoic acid derivative.     

First highly stereocontrolled synthesis of the unusual 1-hydroxy endo,endo-2,6-diaryl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane lignan skeleton

This Letter describes a highly diastereoselective synthesis of the unique 1-hydroxy endo,endo-2,6-diaryl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane skeleton starting from a stereodefined 4-arylidenetetrahydrofuran obtained by a multicomponent reaction. The key step of this synthesis is a dealkylative cyclization reaction performed on the corresponding epoxide, generating four contiguous stereogenic centers with total stereocontrol.     

Synthesis of a Bicyclobutane Fatty Acid Identified from the Cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120

By design: A carbanion-mediated cyclization reaction cascade serves as the key final step in the total synthesis of a novel oxylipin, which features a strained bicyclo[1.1.0]butane conjugated to a labile vinyl epoxide.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (+)‐trans‐Dihydronarciclasine

A highly stereoselective and efficient total synthesis of trans‐dihydronarciclasine from a readily available chiral starting material was developed. The synthesis defines two of the five stereogenic centers of the natural product by an amino acid ester–enolate Claisen rearrangement. The other three stereogenic centers are created in a highly stereocontrolled fashion via a six‐ring vinylogous ester intermediate, which is generated from the γ,δ‐unsaturated ester functional group of the Claisen rearrangement product in an efficient three‐step sequence. This concise total synthesis exemplifies the use of a highly regioselective Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclization to form the B ring via an isocyanate intermediate derived from an N‐Boc group, which is superior to the conventional method using an imino triflate intermediate. This same N‐Boc group is employed to give high selectivity in the Claisen rearrangement earlier in the sequence.     

Total Syntheses of (−)‐Conidiogenone B, (−)‐Conidiogenone,and (−)‐Conidiogenol

Cyclopianes are novel diterpenes featuring a highly strained 6/5/5/5 tetracyclic core embedded with 6–8 consecutive stereocenters. The concise total syntheses of (?)‐conidiogenone B, (?)‐conidiogenone, and (?)‐conidiogenol have been accomplished in 14–17 steps. The present work features a HAT‐mediated alkene–nitrile cyclization to access the cis‐biquinane, a Nicholas/Pauson–Khand reaction to construct the linear triquinane, and a Danheiser annulation to afford the congested angular triquinane skeleton.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Histrionicotoxin through a Stereoselective Radical Translocation–Cyclization Reaction

Stereoselective total syntheses of (−)‐histrionicotoxin and (−)‐histrionicotoxin 235A are described. The 1‐azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton was constructed diastereoselectively by a radical translocation–cyclization reaction involving a chiral cyclic acetal; the use of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane was crucial for the high diastereoselectivity. The cyclization product was converted into (−)‐histrionicotoxin 235A through a one‐pot partial‐reduction–allylation reaction of a derivative containing an unprotected lactam. Finally, two terminal alkenes were transformed into enynes with the 1,3‐amino alcohol protected as an oxathiazolidine oxide to complete the total synthesis of (−)‐histrionicotoxin.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,3‐Diaminotruxillic Acid Derivatives: An Advantageous Combination of CH‐ortho‐Palladation and On‐Flow [2+2]‐Photocycloaddition in Microreactors

The stereoselective synthesis of ε‐isomers of dimethyl esters of 1,3‐diaminotruxillic acid in three steps is reported. The first step is the ortho‐palladation of (Z)‐2‐aryl‐4‐aryliden‐5(4H)‐oxazolones 1 to give dinuclear complexes 2 with bridging carboxylates. The reaction occurs through regioselective activation of the ortho‐C?H bond of the 4‐arylidene ring in carboxylic acids. The second step is the [2+2]‐photocycloaddition of the C?C exocyclic bonds of the oxazolone skeleton in 2 to afford the corresponding dinuclear ortho‐palladated cyclobutanes 3 . This key step was performed very efficiently by using LED light sources with different wavelengths (465, 525 or 625 nm) in flow microreactors. The final step involved the depalladation of 3 by hydrogenation in methanol to afford the ε‐1,3‐diaminotruxillic acid derivatives as single isomers.