Total Synthesis of (−)-Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃-mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (−)-glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃‐mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (?)‐glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.     

Enantioselective conjugate addition of oximes to trisubstituted β-nitroacrylates: an organocatalytic approach to β(2,2)-amino acid derivatives

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic intermolecular conjugate addition of oximes to β-nitroacrylates has been developed. The highly functionalized adducts obtained are valuable precursors for asymmetric synthesis, as demonstrated by the synthesis of β(2,2)-amino acids and oxazolidin-2-ones.     

Core structure of eremophilanes and bakkanes through niobium catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction: synthesis of (+/-)-bakkenolide A

A suitable intermediate for the synthesis of eremophilanes and bakkanes was prepared by a highly regioselective and stereoselective one-step synthesis through a niobium catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction. As a demonstration of the versatility of this intermediate, a total synthesis of (+/-)-bakkenolide A is described.     

A stereoselective synthesis of BMS-262084, an azetidinone-based tryptase inhibitor

A highly stereoselective synthesis of the novel tryptase inhibitor BMS-262084 was developed. Key to this synthesis was the discovery and development of a highly diastereoselective demethoxycarbonylation of diester 12 to form the trans-azetidinone 13. BMS-262084 was prepared in 10 steps from D-ornithine in 30% overall yield.     

Chemoenzymatic total synthesis of paecilocin A and 3-butyl-7-hydroxyphthalide

A highly enantioselective total synthesis of paecilocin A and 3-butyl-7-hydroxyphthalide is described. The key steps involved in this synthesis are enzymatic kinetic resolution and Alder–Rickert reaction.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of cytotoxic sporiolide A

A simple and highly efficient stereoselective total synthesis of cytotoxic agent sporiolide A has been achieved starting from d-mannitol; the strategy of synthesis utilizes stereoselective zinc-mediated allylation, aldol coupling and ring-closing metathesis as key steps.     

Total synthesis of the potent antitumor polyketide (-)-callystatin A

A highly convergent and efficient total synthesis of the potent antitumor polyketide (-)-callystatin A is described. The synthesis required 19 steps from N-propionyl oxazolidinone 23 and produced the desired product in 3.5% overall yield.     

Total synthesis of amphidinolide E

A convergent and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of amphidinolide E (1) has been accomplished. The synthesis features a highly diastereoselective (>20:1) BF3.Et2O promoted [3+2] annulation reaction between aldehyde 3 and allylsilane 4 to afford substituted tetrahydrofuran 2.     

A General Entry to Antifeedant Sesterterpenoids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐Norleucosceptroid B,and (−)‐Leucosceptroid K

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the antifeedant terpenoids (+)‐norleucosceptroid A, (?)‐norleucosceptroid B, and (?)‐leucosceptroid K has been accomplished. This highly concise synthetic route was guided by our efforts to develop a platform for the collective synthesis of a whole family of antifeedant natural products. The synthesis features a Hauser–Kraus‐type annulation followed by an unprecedented, highly efficient intramolecular dilactol aldol‐type condensation reaction to produce the 5,6,5 skeleton. The developed synthetic route proceeds for norleucosceptroid A and B in 16 steps (longest linear sequence) from known compounds.     

A General Entry to Antifeedant Sesterterpenoids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐Norleucosceptroid B,and (−)‐Leucosceptroid K

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the antifeedant terpenoids (+)‐norleucosceptroid A, (−)‐norleucosceptroid B, and (−)‐leucosceptroid K has been accomplished. This highly concise synthetic route was guided by our efforts to develop a platform for the collective synthesis of a whole family of antifeedant natural products. The synthesis features a Hauser–Kraus‐type annulation followed by an unprecedented, highly efficient intramolecular dilactol aldol‐type condensation reaction to produce the 5,6,5 skeleton. The developed synthetic route proceeds for norleucosceptroid A and B in 16 steps (longest linear sequence) from known compounds.     

Convergent synthesis of a fully lipidated glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor of Plasmodium falciparum

A highly convergent strategy for the synthesis of fully lipidated GPI anchors of malarial origin is reported. This strategy utilized three orthogonal protecting groups, which can be chemoselectively deprotected and functionalized in the late stage of the synthesis. Rapid access to the target GPIs in a highly efficient manner in sufficient quantities for the biological studies has been achieved.     

A concise formal total synthesis of TMC-95A/B proteasome inhibitors

[reaction: see text] A formal total synthesis of proteasome inhibitors TMC-95A/B is described. The synthesis features a stereoselective modified Julia olefination and a diastereoselective dihydroxylation to construct the highly oxidized tryptophan residue.     

Synthesis of bistramide A

We have developed an efficient and highly stereocontrolled synthesis of bistramide A, a selective activator of protein kinase C isotype delta. Our synthetic strategy featured a novel bidirectional approach for spiroketal construction based on the ring-opening/cross-metathesis sequence employing a highly strained cyclopropenone acetal. The synthesis afforded the final target with the longest linear sequence of 15 steps and provided unambiguous structural determination of bistramide A, including assignment of the previously unknown C(37) stereochemistry.     

Concise total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A: a combined beta-lactone/cross-metathesis-based strategy

[reaction: see text] A highly convergent total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A that relies on a diastereoselective, beta-lactone-based cyclopentane synthesis combined with complex cross-metathesis reactions is described. The utility of beta-lactones for natural product synthesis and the versatility of cross-metathesis in this context were demonstrated, including the tolerance of an epimerizable aldehyde and a beta-lactone.     

An expedient total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide and formal synthesis of (-)-zampanolide

[reaction: see text] A highly convergent and efficient total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide and formal synthesis of (-)-zampanolide is reported.     

Total synthesis of (−)-Englerin A

A novel and efficient total synthesis of Englerin A is reported. The synthesis featured an intramolecular olefin metathesis ring closure reaction and a highly stereoselective oxygen bridge formation induced by an iodonium ion. This strategy can be used for the synthesis of natural products Englerin A and Englerin B and can provide flexibility in the preparation of various 9-substituted analogues of Englerin A for further structure–activity relationship studies.     

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding-assisted cyclocondensation of α-diazoketones with various amines: a strategy for highly efficient Wolff 1,2,3-triazole synthesis

A catalytic and highly efficient Wolff's cyclocondensation of α-diazoketones with aromatic and aliphatic amines has been realized for the first time by utilizing the strategy of an intramolecular hydrogen bonding-activating carbonyl group. This approach successfully solved the challenging problem of poor condensation efficiency in Wolff 1,2,3-triazole synthesis, and constitutes a powerful method for the synthesis of highly functionalized 1,2,3-triazoles.     

Total synthesis of proposed amphidinolide A via a highly selective ring-closing metathesis

[structure: see text] A highly convergent synthesis of the proposed structure of amphidinolide A is reported. Instructive applications of several organometallic processes are illustrated, including a highly selective ring-closing metathesis reaction.     

Construction of Chiral Tetrahydro‐β‐Carbolines: Asymmetric Pictet–Spengler Reaction of Indolyl Dihydropyridines

A highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines was developed by using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed Pictet–Spengler reaction of indolyl dihydropyridines. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions to afford the desired chiral tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines in good to excellent yields (up to 96 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee ). With this method, a formal synthesis of tangutorine and a total synthesis of deplancheine were achieved in a highly efficient manner.