Synthesis of the common left-half part of pectenotoxins

The common left-half [C31-C33(OC1-C7)-C40] part of pectenotoxins has been synthesized convergently from the C31-C35, C36-C40, and C1-C7 parts. The C31-C35 part, prepared via a new route shorter than our previous route, was coupled with the C36-C40 part through reductive lithiation and addition reactions to give an adduct stereoselectively, which was converted to a cyclic acetal corresponding to the C31-C40 part. The left-half was synthesized by a three-step process including esterification of the C31-C40 part with the C1-C7 part.     

Total synthesis of phorboxazole A. 2. Assembly of subunits and completion of the synthesis

[Structure: see text] Subunits of phorboxazole A containing C1-C2, C3-C8, C9-C19, C20-C32, C33-C41, and C42-C46 were connected in a sequence that first linked C32 with C33 and then C41 with C42. A C3-C8 fragment was joined to C9-C19, and the assembled unit was then joined with the left half of 1. Closure of the macrolide was accomplished by esterification of the C24 alcohol followed by intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation to set the (E)-C2-C3 alkene.     

Synthetic study of azaspiracid-1: synthesis of the EFGHI-ring fragment

Here, we report a synthesis of the lower half C21-C40 fragment of the shellfish toxin, azaspiracid-1. The C28-C40 fragment was synthesized by a coupling between the C28-C35 epoxide and the C36-C40 dithioacetal anion, followed by the HI-ring spiroaminal formation. An aldehyde corresponding to the C28-C40 fragment was then coupled with the C21-C27 allylic stannane by using InCl3. Finally, the FG-ring was constructed by HF.pyridine to accomplish the synthesis of the suitably protected C21-C40 fragment.     

Toward the synthesis of norzoanthamine: complete fragment assembly

The complex marine alkaloid norzoanthamine (2) was envisioned to be assembled from three key building blocks: the C1-C5 fragment A, the C6-C10 fragment B, and the C11-C24 fragment C. The synthesis of fragment A was achieved in 14 steps and 33% overall yield from (R)-gamma-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone. Fragment B was made in two steps from PMB-protected 4-pentynol in 76% yield. The C11-C24 fragment C was made from (S)-carvone via (R)-isocarvone in 18 steps (6% overall yield). The convergent stereoselective synthesis of the entire carbon framework (C1-C24) of the target molecule was achieved via the following assemblage. Alkenyl iodide 20 derived from the C11-C24 fragment C was coupled to fragment B (C6-C10) through a high-yielding Stille coupling reaction of these two sterically very demanding coupling partners, affording the key Diels-Alder precursor 24. The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction proceeded smoothly in excellent yield and diastereoselectivity, generating the tricyclic trans-anti-trans perhydrophenanthrene motif of norzoanthamine (C6-C24). The final fragment coupling between lithiated fragment A (C1-C5) and aldehyde 40 (C6-C24) has also been successfully accomplished affording the entire carbon framework of the natural product.     

Expedient access to the okadaic acid architecture: a novel synthesis of the C1-C27 domain.

A newly designed synthetic entry to the C1-C27 domain of okadaic acid has been developed. This incorporates substantial improvements in the preparations of the key okadaic acid building blocks representing the C3-C8, C9-C14, and C16-C27 portions. The synthesis of the C3-C8 lactone used (R)-glycidol as the origin of the C4 stereogenic center and featured a late-stage optional incorporation of the C7 hydroxyl group. The complementary C9-C14 fragment was synthesized in a concise route from (R)-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methylpropanal and propargyl bromide. Assembly of the C3-C14 spiroketal-containing intermediate from the constitutent fragments revealed a dramatic effect of C7 functionalization upon spiroketalization efficiency. In contrast, both (9E)- and (9Z)-enones converged readily to the C8 spiroketal upon treatment with acid. Modifications to the central C16-C27 fragment of okadaic acid included the early replacement of benzylic protecting groups by more suitable functionalities to facilitate both the generation of the C15-C27 intermediate and the deprotection of the final products. These modular building blocks were deployed for the synthesis of the C1-C27 scaffold of 7-deoxyokadaic acid. This work demonstrates improvements in the formation of versatile okadaic acid intermediates, as well as a reordering of fragment couplings. This alternative order of coupling was designed to promote the late stage incorporation of nonnatural lipophilic extensions from the C27 terminus.     

Synthesis of the C15-C35 northern hemisphere subunit of the chivosazoles

An advanced C15-C35 subunit of the chivosazole polyene macrolides was prepared in a convergent manner, exploiting boron-mediated aldol reactions for the stereocontrolled construction of the C15-C26 and C27-C35 segments, followed by their Pd/Cu-promoted Stille coupling to configure the signature (23E,25E,27Z)-triene motif. Correlation with a known C28-C35 degradation fragment of chivosazole A was also achieved.     

Crystal structures of n-alkanes with branches of different size in the middle

We synthesized four branched n-alkane samples C35-C1, C35-C4, C35-C6, and C35-C4Ph with the same number of carbons as the main chain, n = 35, to which the methyl, butyl, hexyl, and butyl phenyl groups were respectively attached at the middle, and also the corresponding linear homologue of C35, and studied their crystalline structures from DSC, IR, and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction measurement, and computer simulation. Solid-solid phase transitions characteristic of linear alkane C35 are not observed for any branched alkanes, and their melting temperatures Tm are lowered to 325.2, 318.5, 314.3, and 314.1K, respectively. Main chains of branched alkane molecules are not folded, irrespective of length and chemical structure of branches, but are extended to take the planar zigzag form in the solid state. The branches of C35-C4 and C35-C6 are also aligned inside the crystal in the extended form. Data analyses on solution-grown crystallized samples reveal that, with increasing the branch length, their crystal structures transform from polymorphic forms of the orthorhombic (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) and the triclinic (P) for C35-C1 and C35-C4 to the unique triclinic form for C35-C6 and C35-C4Ph, so as to minimize extra surface energy invoked by introduction of long branches.     

DFT study of the fragmentation mechanism of uracil RNA base

The fragmentation process of the uracil RNA base has been investigated via DFT calculations in order to assign fragments to the ionisation mass spectrum obtained after dissociation induced by collision experiments. The analysis of the electronic distribution and geometry parameters of the cation allows selection of several bonds that may be cleaved and lead to the formation of various fragments. Differences are observed in the electronic behaviour of the bond breaking as well as the energy required for the cleavage. It is reported that N(3)-C(4) and N(1)-C(2) bonds are more easily cleaved than the C(5)-C(6) bond, since the corresponding energy barriers amount to ΔG = +1.627, +1.710, +5.459 eV, respectively, which makes the C(5)-C(6) bond cleavage almost prohibited. Among all possible formed fragments, the formation of the OCN(+) fragment for the peak at m/z = 42 Da is excluded because of an intermediate that was not observed experimentally and too a large free energy barrier. Based on the required free energy, it is observed that two fragment derivatives: C(2)H(4)N(+) and C(2)H(2)O˙(+) may be formed, with a small preference for C(2)H(4)N(+). This latter product is not formed through a retro Diels Alder reaction in contrast to C(2)H(2)O˙(+). The following sequence is proposed for the peak at 42 Da: C(2)H(4)N(+) (from N(1)-C(2), C(4)-C(5) cleavages) > C(2)H(2)O˙(+) (from N(3)-C(4), N(1)-C(2) and C(5)-C(6) cleavages) > C(2)H(4)N(+) (from N(1)-C(2), N(3)-C(4) and C(4)-C(5)) > C(2)H(2)O˙(+) (from C(5)-C(6), N(1)-C(2) and N(3)-C(4) cleavages) > NCO(+) (from N(1)-C(2), C(4)-C(5) and N(3)-C(4) cleavages). Finally the peak at 28 Da is assigned to CNH(2)(+) derivatives that can be formed through two different paths, the easiest one requiring 5.4 eV.     

Synthesis of the C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments of aplyronine A

The synthesis of C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments of Aplyronine A is described. Oxidative cleavage of cyclic vinyl sulfones has been used to prepare key fragments of Aplyronine A. Key precursors are united by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Julia-Kociensky olefination for the respective elaboration of the C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments.     

Convergent assembly of the spiroacetal subunit of didemnaketal B

A highly convergent synthesis of the C9-C28 spiroacetal subunit of didemnaketal B has been accomplished. Assembly of the C9-C15 alkylborate and C16-C21 enol phosphate by means of Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and acid-catalyzed cyclization of the derived dihydroxy enol ether enabled a rapid and efficient construction of the spiroacetal subunit. The C22-C28 side chain was incorporated via Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling to complete the synthesis.     

Studies directed towards the synthesis of antascomicin A: stereoselective synthesis of the C1-C21 fragment of the molecule

A stereoselective synthesis of the C1-C21 fragment of the non-immunosuppressive immunophilin-binding natural product, antascomicin A was achieved using, as key steps, highly stereoselective Aldol reactions to build the C1-C17 fragment and a Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction to couple it with the remaining C18-C21 moiety.     

Synthetic studies toward the total synthesis of tedanolide: assembly of the C1-C23 carbon backbone

A stereoselective assembly of the C1-C23 fragment representing the carbon backbone of tedanolide was accomplished utilizing a chiral boron reagent to effect the aldol coupling of the C1-C12 diketoester fragment with the C13-C23 aldehyde fragment.     

Constraints of opsin structure on the ligand-binding site: studies with ring-fused retinals

Ring-fused retinal analogs were designed to examine the hula-twist mode of the photoisomerization of the 9-cis retinylidene chromophore. Two 9-cis retinal analogs, the C11-C13 five-membered ring-fused and the C12-C14 five-membered ring-fused retinal derivatives, formed the pigments with opsin. The C11-C13 ring-fused analog was isomerized to a relaxed all-trans chromophore (lambda(max) > 400 nm) at even -269 degrees C and the Schiff base was kept protonated at 0 degrees C. The C12-C14 ring-fused analog was converted photochemically to a bathorhodopsin-like chromophore (lambda(max) = 583 nm) at -196 degrees C, which was further converted to the deprotonated Schiff base at 0 degrees C. The model-building study suggested that the analogs do not form pigments in the retinal-binding site of rhodopsin but form pigments with opsin structures, which have larger binding space generated by the movement of transmembrane helices. The molecular dynamics simulation of the isomerization of the analog chromophores provided a twisted C11-C12 double bond for the C12-C14 ring-fused analog and all relaxed double bonds with a highly twisted C10-C11 bond for the C11-C13 ring-fused analog. The structural model of the C11-C13 ring-fused analog chromophore showed a characteristic flip of the cyclohexenyl moiety toward transmembrane segments 3 and 4. The structural models suggested that hula twist is a primary process for the photoisomerization of the analog chromophores.     

Multigram synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit and completion of the total synthesis of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2)

A multigram synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2) has been accomplished. Union of this intermediate with the C1-C28 fragment and further elaboration furnished the natural product. Completion of the C29-C51 subunit began with the aldol coupling of the boron enolate derived from methyl ketone 8 and aldehyde 9. Acid-catalyzed deprotection/cyclization of the resulting diastereomeric mixture of addition products was conducted in a single operation to afford the E-ring of altohyrtin C. The diastereomer obtained through cyclization of the unwanted aldol product was subjected to an oxidation/reduction sequence to rectify the C35 stereocenter. The C45-C48 segment of the eventual triene side chain was introduced by addition of a functionalized Grignard reagent derived from (R)-glycidol to a C44 aldehyde. Palladium-mediated deoxygenation of the resulting allylic alcohol was followed by adjustment of protecting groups to provide reactivity suitable for the later stages of the synthesis. The diene functionality comprising the remainder of the C44-C51 side chain was constructed by addition of an allylzinc reagent to the unmasked C48 aldehyde and subsequent dehydration of the resulting alcohol. Completion of the synthesis of the C29-C51 subunit was achieved through conversion of the protected C29 alcohol into a primary iodide. The synthesis of the C29-C51 iodide required 44 steps with a longest linear sequence of 33 steps. From commercially available tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal, the overall yield was 6.8%, and 2 g of the iodide was prepared. The C29-C51 primary iodide was amenable to phosphonium salt formation, and the ensuing Wittig coupling with a C1-C28 intermediate provided a fully functionalized, protected seco-acid. Selective deprotection of the required silicon groups afforded an intermediate appropriate for macrolactonization, and, finally, global deprotection furnished altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2). This synthetic approach required 113 steps with a longest linear sequence of 37 steps starting from either tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal or (S)-malic acid.     

Synthesis of the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of pectenotoxin 2

In this study, we synthesized the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of the diarrhetic shellfish toxin pectenotoxin 2. The C8-C20 segment was assembled from a phosphonate corresponding to the C8-C15 segment (prepared from l-malic acid in 19 steps) and an aldehyde corresponding to the C16-C20 segment (synthesized from 3-methyl-3-butenol in nine steps) by a twelve-step process including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, regio- and stereoselective reduction of the resulting enone, diastereoselective epoxidation, and 5-exo epoxide cleavage forming the C-ring. The C21-C30 segment was constructed in 13 steps from (S)-glycidol via a route involving E-ring formation by 5-exo epoxide cleavage and stereoselective methylation at C27 by the Evans method.     

A formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon

A highly convergent formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon was achieved. An indene-based thiazolidinethione chiral auxiliary was used for the construction of both the C1-C9 and C10-C17 fragments via acetate aldol reactions. A Meinwald reaction was utilized to install the stereocenter at C2, and a conjugated addition to an ynone was used to construct the C9-C11 enone.     

Studies of the Total Synthesis of Epothilone B and D:A Facile Synthesis of C7-C14 and C15-C21 Fragments

A mild and highly efficient synthesis of C7-C14 and C15-C21 fragments of epothilone B and D is described in which racemic C7-C14 fragment is prepared from nerol through four steps and C15-C21 fragment is obtained from 1,3-dichloroacctone.thioacetamide and propionaldehyde.     

Studies towards the total synthesis of cruentaren A and B: Stereoselective synthesis of fragments C1-C11, C12-C22 and C23-C28

A convergent and stereoselective approach for the synthesis of C1-C11, C12-C22, and C23-C28 fragments of cytotoxic natural products cruentaren A and B are accomplished. Highlights of the strategy include a Sharpless epoxidation followed by a regioselective opening of epoxide to generate anti and syn-stereochemistry at C9-C10 and C15-C16, an Alder-Rickert reaction between a 1,5-dimethoxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene and dienophile to construct the aromatic ring, and a lithium-mediated aldol reaction to install the C17-C18 anti-stereochemistry. The synthesis of C1-C11 and C12-C22 fragments proceed with a longest linear sequence of 10 and 17 steps from commercially available 2-butyne-1,4-diol and cis-2-butene-1,4-diol respectively.     

Study of the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide

In this article, we disclose the various routes and strategies we had to explore before finally achieving the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide ((-)-1). Two first types of approaches were set, both relying on the Trost's domino ene-yne coupling/oxa-Michael reaction that we choose for its ability to control the geometry of the methylacrylate-bearing tetrahydropyrane ring B. In our first approach, we expected to assemble the two main fragments (C14-C21 and C1-C13) by creating the C13-C14 bond through a palladium(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling, but this step failed, unfortunately. In the second approach, which was more linear, we created the C16-C17 bond through condensation of a lithium acetylide on a Weinreb amide, and we assembled the C1-C5 and C6-C21 subunits through Trost's domino ene-yne coupling/oxa-Michael reaction. These two approaches served us to design an ameliorated third strategy, which finally led to the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide.     

Studies on the synthesis of myriaporones: stereoselective synthesis of the C5-C13 fragment starting from D-glucose via regioselective reductive opening of methoxybenzylidene acetal

A stereoselective synthesis is described of the C5-C13 fragment (4) of myriaporone 4 (1) starting from D-glucose by a coupling of the C5-C9 aldehyde (5), prepared using a regioselective reductive ring-opening of methoxybenzylidene acetal, with the C10-C13 iodoolefin (6).