A Convenient Synthesis of Functionalized α‐Methylidenebutano‐4‐lactams

A concise synthetic approach to functionalized α‐methylidenebutanolactams has been developed. The synthetic strategy is based on the preliminary assembly of the lactam template equipped with appropriate functionalities. Subsequent installation of the methylidene by a metalation/alkylation/elimination sequence completed the elaboration of the racemic title compounds.     

Tandem oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction for construction of the tricyclic core of palhinine A

A concise construction of the 6/6/5 tricyclic core of Lycopodium alkaloid palhinine A (1) has been accomplished. The developed synthetic strategy featured a tandem oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to construct C/D rings and an intramolecular 5-exo-trig radical cyclization to install the B ring of palhinine A (1). The developed approach paves the way for the total synthesis of palhinine A (1).     

Enantioselective,Protecting‐Group‐Free Total Synthesis of Sarpagine Alkaloids—A Generalized Approach

A generalized synthetic access to sarpagine alkaloids through a joint synthetic sequence has been accomplished. Its applicability is showcased by the enantioselective total syntheses of vellosimine ( 1 ), N‐methylvellosimine ( 3 ), and 10‐methoxyvellosimine ( 8 ). The synthetic sequence is concise (eight steps) from known compound 13 , and requires no protecting groups. The indole heterocycle was introduced in the last step. This strategy allows access to sarpagine alkaloids through a shared synthetic route leading to precursor 10 , which we term “privileged intermediate”. Starting from this intermediate, all sarpagine alkaloids can be synthesized using phenylhydrazines with different substitution patterns ( 15 – 17 ). Our approach brings about the advantage, that synthesis optimization only needs to be performed once for many natural products. The key features of the synthesis are a [5+2]‐cycloaddition and a ring enlargement.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Cytotrienin A: Late-Stage Installation of C11 Side Chain onto the Macrolactam Scaffold

Cytotrienin A, an ansamycin-class antibiotic, exhibits potent apoptosis-inducing activity and has attracted much attention as a lead compound for anticancer drugs. Herein, we report a new asymmetric synthetic route to cytotrienin A, employing an unexplored approach involving the late-stage installation of a C11 side chain onto the macrolactam core. In this strategy, we utilized the redox properties of hydroquinone and installed a side chain on the sterically hindered C11 hydroxy group by the traceless Staudinger reaction. This study also demonstrated that the boron-Wittig/iterative Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling sequence was effective for the concise and selective construction of the (E,E,E)-conjugated triene moiety. The developed route opens new opportunities for the structure–activity relationship studies of the side chains of these ansamycin antibiotics and the preparation of other synthetic analogs and chemical probes for further biological studies.     

(±)-Yaequinolone A2的简洁全合成

由廉价的邻氨基苯甲酸为起始原料经6步反应以27.8%的总产率首次合成了2-喹啉酮类生物碱(±)-yaequinolone A2,关键步骤为MOM保护的α-羟基酰胺进行的高非对映选择性分子内aldol 反应。     

Facile Synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11-Hexadecadienal,the Major Sex Pheromone Component of the Sugarcane Borer Diatraea saccharalis: An Efficient Strategy for Synthesis of (Z,E)-Dienic Pheromones

Practical and improved procedures for the synthesis of 7-bromo-(Z,E)-4,6-heptadienal by Pd(II)-catalyzed coupling reaction were developed. Based on the improved method, an efficient and stereoselective synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11-hexadecadienal, the main pheromone component of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, was achieved in 38% overall yield, which more desirable then previously reported methods. The stereochemistry relied on cross-coupling between Grignard reagent and protected 7-bromo-(Z,E)-4,6-heptadienal. The concise and facile synthetic strategy described herein provided a generally synthetic approach to other (Z,E)-dienic compounds.     

A Novel and Facile Synthesis of 2‐(Benzofuran‐2‐yl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A simple and concise approach for the synthesis of a series of new heterocyclic systems of 2‐(benzofuran‐2‐yl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid derivatives ( 3a–3g ) is described. The synthetic strategy features the one‐pot reaction of ethyl 2‐(chloromethyl)benzo[h]quinoline‐3‐carboxylate ( 2 ) with various substituted salicylaldehydes as well as 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde as a key step. The substrate 2 was prepared in good yield by a mild, efficient and direct reaction of 1‐naphthylamine ( 1 ) with Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent. The structures of all the new compounds were identified by spectral data and elemental analysis.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Cyclopropane‐Fused Cyclic Amidines: An Oxidative Carbanion Cyclization

A novel and efficient one‐pot method has been developed for the synthesis of cyclopropane‐fused bicyclic amidines on the basis of a CuBr₂‐mediated oxidative cyclization of carbanions. The usefulness of this unique multicomponent strategy has been demonstrated by the use of a wide variety of substrates to furnish novel cyclopropane‐containing amidines with a quaternary center in very good yields. This ketenimine‐based approach provides straightforward access to biologically active and pharmaceutically important 3‐azabicyclo[n .1.0]alkane frameworks under mild conditions. The synthetic power of this methodology is exemplified in the concise synthesis of the pharmaceutically important antidepressant drug candidate GSK1360707 and key intermediates for the synthesis of amitifadine, bicifadine, and narlaprevir.     

Photocatalytic C−C Cleavage of Methylenecyclobutanes for γ,δ-Unsaturated Aldehydes by Strain Release

Radical additions onto olefins have surfaced as an increasingly powerful strategy for the synthesis of difunctionalized scaffolds. However, despite of major advances, known approaches continue to be largely limited to two manifolds, namely 1,2-difunctionalization of alkenes and remote difunctionalization via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Herein, we describe a mechanistically distinct approach by photoinduced carbon-carbon (C−C) activation/ring-opening to access γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes from methylenecyclobutanols and sulfonyl chlorides by strain release. Remarkably, the sulfonyl motif on the products was easily removed by another photocatalytic process, which enabled the concise assembly of the natural product alatanone A. The synthetic utility of our approach was reflected by versatile functional group tolerance, ample substrate scope, and scalability. The photocatalysis represents a conceptually distinct alternative to existing approaches for remote 1,4-diversifications, with a double bond remaining in the thus obtained products.     

Efficient synthetic access to the hetisine C20-diterpenoid alkaloids. A concise synthesis of nominine via oxidoisoquinolinium-1,3-dipolar and dienamine-Diels-Alder cycloadditions

A concise synthetic approach to the hetisine C20-diterpenoid alkaloids is reported. The total synthesis of (+/-)-nominine was accomplished in a 15-step sequence employing a dual cycloaddition strategy. Key features of the synthesis include a reversible intramolecular 4-oxidoisoquinolinium betaine dipolar cycloaddition in conjunction with a pyrrolidine-induced dienamine isomerization/Diels-Alder cascade.     

A carbohydrate based chiron approach to the lactone intermediate employed in the synthesis of BC-ring fragment of (+)-spirastrellolide A

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of the key intermediate used for constructing the BC-ring fragment of (+)-spirastrellolide A is described. The synthetic sequence represents a chiron approach that employs readily available and inexpensive l-arabinose and sets up the stereochemical triad at C20–C22 all from the sugar. This lactone can be used to assemble the spiroketal in the Southern Half through a cyclic acetal-tethered ring-closing metathesis strategy, and is poised for connecting with the Northern Half at C24–C25.     

Total Synthesis of Spiroalkaloids Lycibarbarines A–C

The concise and efficient synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline alkaloids lycibarbarines A−C has been accomplished in four steps from a common intermediate derived from commercially available 2-deoxy-D-ribose and 8-hydroxyquinoline. For the synthesis of the unique tetracyclic spiro-heterocycle skeleton we employed a synthetic strategy that features two key transformations: iodomethyllithium-based homologation of lactone / N-alkylation to access tetracyclic spiro-heterocycle skeleton in one step and one-pot acetonide deprotection, hemiacetal formation, and spirocyclization cascade process.     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Phyllantidine: Development and Mechanistic Evaluation of a Ring Expansion for Installation of Embedded Nitrogen‐Oxygen Bonds

The development of a concise total synthesis of (±)‐phyllantidine ( 1 ), a member of the securinega family of alkaloids containing an unusual oxazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core, is described. The synthesis employs a unique synthetic strategy featuring the ring expansion of a substituted cyclopentanone to a cyclic hydroxamic acid as a key step that allows facile installation of the embedded nitrogen‐oxygen (N?O) bond. The optimization of this sequence to effect the desired regiochemical outcome and its mechanistic underpinnings were assessed both computationally and experimentally. This synthetic approach also features an early‐stage diastereoselective aldol reaction to assemble the substituted cyclopentanone, a mild reduction of an amide intermediate without N?O bond cleavage, and the rapid assembly of the butenolide found in ( 1 ) via use of the Bestmann ylide.     

Divergent Biomimetic Total Syntheses of Ganocins A–C,Ganocochlearins C and D,and Cochlearol T

A divergent synthetic approach to six Ganoderma meroterpenoids, namely ganocins A–C, ganocochlearins C and D, and cochlearol T, has been developed for the first time. This synthetic route features a two‐phase strategy which includes early‐stage rapid construction of a common planar tricyclic intermediate followed by highly selective late‐stage transformations into various Ganoderma meroterpenoids. Key to the strategy are a bioinspired intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction and Stahl‐type oxidative aromatization, allowing efficient formation of the common tricyclic phenol intermediate. A nucleophilic dearomatization of the phenol unit, combined with a regioselective 1,4‐reduction of the resulting dienone, enabled rapid access to ganocins B and C. Additionally, site‐selective Mukaiyama hydration, followed by an intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition/triflation cascade, served as a key strategic element in the chemical synthesis of ganocin A.     

Synthesis of coumestan derivatives via FeCl3-mediated oxidative ring closure of 4-hydroxy coumarins

A concise and efficient approach to the syntheses of coumestan analogues has been developed. The underpinning strategy involves a FeCl(3)-mediated direct intramolecular oxidative annellation of 4-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2H-chromen-2-one derivatives. Utilizing this synthetic protocol, a variety of coumestan derivatives were conveniently obtained from readily available reagents.     

Divergent Biomimetic Total Syntheses of Ganocins A–C,Ganocochlearins C and D,and Cochlearol T

A divergent synthetic approach to six Ganoderma meroterpenoids, namely ganocins A–C, ganocochlearins C and D, and cochlearol T, has been developed for the first time. This synthetic route features a two-phase strategy which includes early-stage rapid construction of a common planar tricyclic intermediate followed by highly selective late-stage transformations into various Ganoderma meroterpenoids. Key to the strategy are a bioinspired intramolecular hetero-Diels–Alder reaction and Stahl-type oxidative aromatization, allowing efficient formation of the common tricyclic phenol intermediate. A nucleophilic dearomatization of the phenol unit, combined with a regioselective 1,4-reduction of the resulting dienone, enabled rapid access to ganocins B and C. Additionally, site-selective Mukaiyama hydration, followed by an intramolecular oxa-Michael addition/triflation cascade, served as a key strategic element in the chemical synthesis of ganocin A.     

An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-aigialospirol

A concise and enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-aigialospirol is described here, featuring the first complex natural product synthesis that employs a cyclic ketal-tethered ring-closing metathesis strategy and an unexpected stereoselective epimerization of a benzylic hydroxyl group. The 15-step synthetic sequence illustrates the proof-of-concept that such an approach can be competitive with the classical spiroketal formation in the natural product synthesis.     

Total Synthesis of (±)-Phyllantidine: Development and Mechanistic Evaluation of a Ring Expansion for Installation of Embedded Nitrogen-Oxygen Bonds

The development of a concise total synthesis of (±)-phyllantidine ( 1 ), a member of the securinega family of alkaloids containing an unusual oxazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core, is described. The synthesis employs a unique synthetic strategy featuring the ring expansion of a substituted cyclopentanone to a cyclic hydroxamic acid as a key step that allows facile installation of the embedded nitrogen-oxygen (N−O) bond. The optimization of this sequence to effect the desired regiochemical outcome and its mechanistic underpinnings were assessed both computationally and experimentally. This synthetic approach also features an early-stage diastereoselective aldol reaction to assemble the substituted cyclopentanone, a mild reduction of an amide intermediate without N−O bond cleavage, and the rapid assembly of the butenolide found in ( 1 ) via use of the Bestmann ylide.     

Cp2TiCl-catalyzed,concise synthetic approach to marine natural product (±)-cyclozonarone

A concise synthetic approach to the bioactive marine natural product (±)-cyclozonarone has been reported from readily available epoxy-farnesol acetate. Key steps of this protocol include Cp₂TiCl-catalyzed radical cascade cyclization of an epoxy-farnesol derivative and a Diels–Alder reaction between a 1,3-diene and p-benzoquinone.     

Total Synthesis of Indole Alkaloid Alsmaphorazine D

A concise total synthesis of rac‐alsmaphorazine D has been described for the first time. The efficient synthetic strategy features four key transformations: 1) a catalytic intramolecular oxidative cyclization for the δ‐lactamindole backbone; 2) an oxidative cyclic aminal formation for the hexahydropyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyrrole framework; 3) a transannular radical cyclization for the construction of the diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane structure; and 4) a one‐pot desilylation/double epimerization reaction that affirms the relative stereochemistry.