Furanophane transannular Diels-Alder approach to (+)-chatancin: an asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-anhydrochatancin

(+)-anhydrochatancin was synthesized while attempting an enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-chatancin. The presented route constitutes the furanophane approach, one of the two ways of proposed biosynthesis which may involve transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction to link this diterpene biogenetically to the furanocembranoids. Highlights of the synthetic work include the assembly of chiral, acyclic, trisubstituted furan 28 via a coupling of aldehyde 10 and dilithiofuroic acid 11, a macrocyclization to furanophane 29E via ring-closing metathesis, a TADA reaction to reach tetracyclic intermediate 4, and a hydride shift mediated oxygen transposition as a final rearrangement to the target. Unfortunately, the strongly acidic condition required for the last step allows only the isolation of anhydrochatancin 30 due to the acid sensitivity of chatancin 1.     

Transannular Diels-Alder studies on the asymmetric total synthesis of chatancin: the pyranophane approach

[reaction: see text] A pathway is proposed for the biosynthesis of (+)-chatancin and (+)-sarcophytin linking these tetracycles to cembranoids by a pyranophane transannular Diels-Alder reaction. Preliminary synthetic results in this direction to reach macrocyclic dienedione 28 from farnesol are reported. Major synthetic steps include a Prins reaction, two enantioselective hydrogenations, and a macrocyclization via a beta-ketosulfoxide Michael-addition on an enone.     

First total synthesis of antimitotic compound, (+)-phomopsidin

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of (+)-phomopsidin has been achieved via a diastereoselective transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction. Key steps in the synthesis include diastereoselective ynone reduction with (-)-alpha-pinene and 9-BBN, macrocyclization by E-selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction, as well as carbometalation under Wipf's conditions, followed by HWE reaction at low temperature to selectively construct the (E)-1-methylpropenyl and (1E,2E)-4-carboxy-1,3-butadienyl substituents.     

Total synthesis of (+)-cassaine via transannular Diels-Alder reaction

A full account of the total synthesis of (+)-cassaine ( 1) using the transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction as the pivotal construction is described. The strategy began from Evans' oxazolidine 8, the only chiral source used for the total stereochemical outcome of the target molecule. The key intermediate 3 was obtained from 8 in 10 steps in 40% overall yield. Following extensive optimization, the coupling of 3 on both ends with another densely functional partner 2 followed by TADA reaction on macrocycle 4 cleanly furnished the tricycle 5. The stereochemical outcome in 5 was expected via a least-energetic transition state T4. A stereoselective reduction, hydroboration, and methyl cuprate 1,4-addition along with a few other functional interconversions transformed 5 into the key intermediate 37. Final tethering of dimethylaminoethyloxycarbonyl along with epimerization at C8 and alcohol deprotection at C3 yielded the natural product 1.     

Total Synthesis of Chatancin

As an antagonist of the platelet activating factor , chatancin ( 1 ), which is isolated from a soft coral, is of potential therapeutic use. The first total synthesis [Eq. (1)] of this structurally unusual diterpene in racemic form is described along with the formal total syntheses of natural (+)-chatancin as well as unnatural (−)-chatancin.     

Formal synthesis of tubelactomicins via a transannular Diels-Alder approach

A formal synthesis of the antimicrobial tricyclic macrolides, tubelactomicins A and E, featured by a transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) approach, has been explored. The key issue for the transannular cyclization was the synthesis of a 24-membered macrolactone equipped with all the requisite functionalities, which has been achieved using an intramolecular Hiyama cross-coupling strategy. The Hiyama coupling reaction spontaneously triggered off the TADA reaction. From the endo-TADA adduct, formal syntheses of tubelactomicins A and E were achieved. The 24-membered macrolactone formation was also achieved via an intramolecular ring-closing metathesis approach.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-azimine and (+)-carpaine

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective total syntheses of (+)-azimine and (+)-carpaine have been developed, starting with (S)-1,2,4-butanetriol as a single source of chirality. The key common feature in these syntheses involves stereoselective intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of an acylnitroso compound. The critical macrocyclic dilactonization of the N-Cbz derivatives of azimic acid and carpamic acid was efficiently achieved by using the Yamguchi macrocyclization conditions.     

A short and efficient stereoselective synthesis of the polyhydroxylated macrolactone (+)-aspicillin

[structures: see text] A short and efficient synthesis of the polyhydroxylated macrolactone (+)-aspicilin 1 using a stereoselective lithium perchlorate mediated addition of allyltributyltin to the equatorially disposed carboxaldehyde of 3 (derived from (R',R',R,S) butane diacetal protected butane tetrol 2) as the key step is described. Terminal group manipulation and Masamune-Roush olefination using phosphonate ester 4 followed by macrocyclization via ring closing metathesis afforded the natural product after partial hydrogenation and global deprotection.     

An optically active allene macrodiolide: A versatile key intermediate leading to (−)-pyrenophorin and (+)-dibenzomacrodiolides

The optically active allene macrodiolides via the macrocyclization of allenic ester provide a simple route to (−)-pyrenophorin and (+)-dibenzomacrodiolide, respectively.     

Total synthesis of (+)-phomactin a using a B-alkyl Suzuki macrocyclization

A total synthesis of (+)-phomactin A is described using a B-alkyl Suzuki macrocyclization to incorporate the isolated trisubstituted olefin. This macrocyclization was accomplished with the sensitive hydrated furan ring in place. (R)-(+)-pulegone was used to establish the highly substituted cyclohexene core of the molecule.     

First experimental and theoretical evidence of a deactivating enone dienophile in the transannular Diels-Alder reaction

A thorough study of the transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction of trans-trans-trans macrocyclic trienes was carried out. It led to a better understanding of various parameters that govern the TADA reaction in particular and the Diels-Alder reaction in general. Thus, carbonyl activation of the dienophile is thoroughly discussed in light of new experimental and theoretical data. An enone dienophile is found to deactivate the reaction, although it remains planar at the transition state. This unusual result was discussed in terms of tether substituents that provoke destabilization of the transition state.     

Comparative effects of conjugated and deconjugated isomeric enones on the transannular Diels-Alder reaction

Two isomeric cyclic trienones 2 and 3 (with four methyl esters at positions 3 and 10) underwent transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction at very different temperatures. This drastic difference could be traced to the capacity of the enone dienophile to be conjugated or unconjugated at the transition state. Molecular modeling could confirm this explanation. The calculated enone proved to be very distorted in transition state ts2, and the TADA reaction temperature was accordingly much higher than the one corresponding to ts3 in which the enone was flat. [reaction: see text]     

Theoretical and experimental determination of the effects governing the transannular Diels-Alder reaction of trans-trans-cis systems with or without activation of the dienophile

A thorough study of the transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction of trans-trans-cis macrocyclic trienes was carried out. It led to a better understanding of various parameters that govern the TADA reaction in particular and the Diels-Alder reaction in general. Thus, carbonyl activation of the dienophile and substitution of the diene are discussed, as well as the presence of substituents on the macrocycle and their respective effects at the transition-state level.     

First and second generation total synthesis of the teicoplanin aglycon.

Full details of studies leading to the total synthesis of the teicoplanin aglycon are provided. Key elements of the first generation approach (26 steps from constituent amino acids, 1% overall) include the coupling of an EFG tripeptide precursor to the common vancomycin/teicoplanin ABCD ring system and sequential DE macrocyclization of the 16-membered ring with formation of the diaryl ether via a phenoxide nucleophilic aromatic substitution of an o-fluoronitroaromatic (80%, 3:1 atropisomer diastereoselection) followed by 14-membered FG ring closure by macrolactamization (66%). Subsequent studies have provided a second generation total synthesis which is shorter, more convergent, and highly diastereoselective (22 steps, 2% overall). This was accomplished by altering the order of ring closures such that FG macrolactamization (95%) preceded coupling of the EFG tripeptide to the ABCD ring system and subsequent DE ring closure. Notably, DE macrocyclization via diaryl ether formation on substrate 57, the key intermediate in the latter approach incorporating the intact FG ring system, occurred with exceptional diastereoselection for formation of the natural atropisomer (>10:1, 76%) without problematic C(2)(3) epimerization provided the basicity of the reaction is minimized.     

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H/O2 Dual Activation and Macrocyclization: Synthesis and Evaluation of Pyrido[2,1-a]isoindole Grafted Macrocyclic Inhibitors for Influenza H1N1

The development of environment-friendly, step economic couplings to generate structurally diverse macrocyclic compounds is highly desirable but poses a marked challenge. Inspired by the C−H oxidation mechanism of cytochromes P450, an unprecedented and practical Rh^III-catalyzed acylmethylation macrocyclization via C−H/O₂ dual activation has been developed by us. The process of macrocyclization is facilitated by a synergic coordination from pyridine and ester group. Interestingly, the reaction mode derives from a three-component coupling which differs from established olefination and alkylation paths. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and control experiments revealed the mechanism of this unique C−H/O₂ dual activation. The newly achieved acylmethylation macrocyclic products and their derivatives showed a potent anti-H1N1 bioactivity, which may provide an opportunity for the discovery of novel anti-H1N1 macrocyclic leading compounds.     

New strategy for the total synthesis of macrosphelides a and B based on ring-closing metathesis

[reaction: see text] A new total synthesis of macrosphelides A and B using ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as a macrocyclization step is described. The substrate of the RCM could be synthesized from readily available chiral materials, methyl (S)-(+)-3-hydroxybutyrate and methyl (S)-(-)-lactate, with a high efficiency. The RCM proceeded in the presence of Grubbs' Ru-complex, providing a new effective synthetic route to these natural products.     

Asymmetric total synthesis and absolute stereochemistry of the neuroactive marine macrolide palmyrolide A

The first asymmetric total synthesis and determination of the absolute configuration for the neuroactive marine macrolide palmyrolide A is described. The highlight of the synthesis is macrocyclization via trans-enamide formation catalyzed by copper(I) iodide and cesium carbonate. Comparison with the authentic spectral data confirms the synthesis of (+)-ent-palmyrolide A.     

Total synthesis of (-)-microcarpalide, a novel microfilament disrupting metabolite

The stereoselective total synthesis of (-)-microcarpalide, a recently discovered 10-membered lactone of fungal origin displaying a remarkable disrupting action on actin microfilaments, was accomplished by using ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as the key step for the formation of the medium-sized ring. The diene ester required for the macrocyclization reaction was assembled via DCC-mediated esterification of two suitable partners, each bearing a terminal alkene group. The alcohol fragment was synthesized from n-bromohexane through a seven-step sequence entailing two consecutive stereoselective homologations of chiral boronic esters as strategic transformations for the sequential insertion of the two stereocentres with the final S absolute configuration, using (+)-pinanediol as the chiral director; final elaboration to the desired C(11) framework envisaged treatment with an allyl Grignard reagent and oxidative cleavage of the boronic scaffold. In contrast, the acidic fragment was prepared in ten steps from d-tartaric acid, whose C(4) backbone was elongated to the required C(7) skeleton by means of two distinct Swern-Wittig oxidation-homologation sequences.