An efficient synthesis of the CD rings model for merrilactone A

A synthetic route to the CD rings of merrilactone A was explored by using the model system 9a, which was easily converted from 7,7-dibromohepta-2,6-dienoic acid ethyl ester (8) by the successive Stille-Mizoroki-Heck reaction. The D ring 14 was constructed by applying the intramolecular Tsuji-Trost reaction to the formation of a γ-lactone, whereas the formation of the C ring 18 was effectively accomplished in one step by methylation and conjugate addition toward 1,1-dibromo-1-alkene 17 using Miyashita’s protocol.     

Total synthesis and bioactivity of an unnatural enantiomer of merrilactone a: development of an enantioselective desymmetrization strategy

(-)-Merrilactone A [(-)-1], isolated from Illicium merrillianum in 2000, possesses neurite outgrowth activity in cultures of fetal rat cortical neurons, and, therefore, is expected to show therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Apart from its biological aspects, the caged pentacyclic skeleton of 1 poses interesting synthetic challenges. Here, we report the total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of merrilactone A [(+)-1], based on a novel desymmetrization strategy. The chiral lithium amide 16g promoted an enantioselective transannular aldol reaction of eight-membered meso-diketone 3d, establishing the absolute stereochemistries of four chiral centers of the cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane framework of 1 in a single step. The obtained compound 4d served as a platform for the subsequent functional group manipulations necessary for the construction of (+)-1. Surprisingly, both the natural and unnatural enantiomers of synthetic merrilactone A equally promoted neurite outgrowth in primary neuronal cultures.     

Synthetic studies toward merrilactone A: a short synthesis of AB ring motif

An efficient route to the AB ring motif of merrilactone A has been established by remarkable regioselective reduction of cyclic anhydrides 3 and 8 to the γ-lactone moiety, followed by the successive Stille and Heck reactions of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkene.     

Total synthesis of garsubellin A

A concise approach to the laboratory synthesis of garsubellin A is described. Garsubellin A, an effective inducer of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), has been shown to have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Starting from 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, the synthesis has provided garsubellin A in an 18-step sequence. Notable transformations include dearomative allylation, diastereoselective vinylogous lactonization, iodocarbocyclization, transannular Wurtz, and bridgehead functionalization reactions.     

Total synthesis of viridiofungin A

Viridiofungin A, a member of amino alkyl citrate antibiotics from Trichoderma viride, was enantioselectively synthesized in naturally occurring form for the first time, employing regio- and stereoselective opening of the chiral glycidate with vinylmagnesium bromide and alkene cross metathesis of the citric acid core and hexadec-15-en-8-one as key steps.     

Total synthesis of herbimycin A

[structure: see text] Herbimycin A (HA) belongs to a class of antibiotics known as the benzoquinoid ansamycins. Members of this class have shown promising biological activity as Hsp90 inhibitors. An enantioselective synthesis of HA is described, employing asymmetric syn-crotylation methodology to introduce the C10, C11, C14, and C15 stereocenters. The C6-C7 stereocenters were introduced using Brown's alpha-pinene-derived gamma-methoxy allylborane reagent. The C12 stereocenter was established by diastereoselective hydroboration.     

Total synthesis of apratoxin A

Apratoxin A, a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from cyanobacterial Lyngbya spp, has been synthesized. The total synthesis features stereocontrolled access to the novel polyketide and the late-stage installation of the sensitive 2,4-disubstituted thiazoline moiety using an intramolecular Staudinger reduction/aza-Wittig process.     

Total synthesis of salinosporamide A

The total synthesis of salinosporamide A has been achieved through enzymatic desymmetrization, diastereoselective aldol reaction, intramolecular aldol reaction, and intermolecular Reformatsky-type reaction followed by 1,4-reduction as key reactions.     

Total synthesis of unguisin A

The first synthesis of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing cyclic heptapeptide unguisin A is reported, confirming the structure of this natural product. Macrocyclization of a flexible GABA-containing linear precursor is found to proceed rapidly and in good yield.     

Total synthesis of bistramide A

An asymmetric synthesis of the marine metabolite bistramide A is reported. The synthesis relies on the utility of three different organosilane reagents to construct all principle fragments and 8 of the 11 stereogenic centers of the natural product. [structure: see text].     

Total synthesis of salinosporamide A

Total synthesis of potent proteasome inhibitor salinosporamide A (1) has been accomplished, which features strictly substrate-controlled operations starting with the only chiral center of (R)-pyroglutamic acid. The consecutive quaternary carbons within 1 have been efficiently constructed by manipulation of two intramolecular reactions: (1) carbonate-mediated internal acylation of imidate ester (4 --> 14) and (2) selenocyclization of aldehyde to exocyclic methylene group (5 --> 18).     

Total synthesis of apratoxin A

[reaction: see text]. We have achieved a total synthesis of apratoxin A in which thiazoline formation was accomplished from the moCys containing amide 4 using PPh3(O)/Tf2O. Deprotection of the Troc and allyl ester in 17, coupling with tripeptide 3, and deprotection of the allyl ester and the Fmoc, followed by macrolactamization provided apratoxin A (1).     

Total synthesis of clavosolide A

For the total synthesis of (−)-clavosolide A described herein, a Schmidt glycosidation reaction was used to attach the sugar moiety at an early stage in the synthesis to the 4-hydroxy group of the substituted tetrahydropyran unit of the molecule, which itself was built following a Ti(III)-mediated method developed by us earlier, and at the end, it was the Yamaguchi reaction that was successfully employed for the cyclodimerization of the two halves of the molecule leading to its total synthesis.     

Total synthesis of matlystatin A

Of the five congeners in the matlystatin series, matlystatin A (1) is the most potent inhibitor of type IV collagenases. The total synthesis of 1 was accomplished, and the absolute configuration was unambiguously determined as shown in figure I.     

Total synthesis of pyripyropene A

The total synthesis of pyripyropene A, a potent ACAT2 inhibitor with high isozyme selectivity, was completed. Key features of the synthetic strategy include Ti(III)-mediated radical cyclization and Peterson olefination for the construction of the AB ring segment and stereoselective dihydro-γ-pyrone formation (C-ring). The total synthesis provided pyripyropene A in 5.3% overall yield over 17 steps.