A Novel Synthesis of the Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐Dihydroperiphylline

A novel, short, and highly stereoselective synthesis of the macrocyclic spermidine alkaloid (+)‐(S)‐dihydroperiphylline ( 15 ) is described. The key synthetic steps were the stereoselective addition of the chiral amine 1 to the cinnamate 2 and cyclization of the bis[toluene‐4‐sulfonamide] precursor 12 in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as a template. Unambiguous assignments of the signals in both the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra of 15 were achieved by 2D NMR spectra.     

The Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (−)‐(S)‐Neoperiphylline: Revision of the Structure Based on the Total Synthesis

The total synthesis of the two isomeric macrocyclic enamides 2 and 17 is described. The precursor 14 was synthesized by means of template‐assisted macrocyclization (Scheme 2). Isomerization of 14 in the presence of [Fe(CO)₅] gave 2 and 17 (Scheme 4). Structure 2 was previously assigned to the alkaloid neoperiphylline. However, the synthetic 2 showed completely different properties compared to the earlier described data of the natural compound. Surprisingly, analytical data of the second synthetic product 17 were very close to those of the natural neoperiphylline. We conclude that the previously assigned structure of neoperiphylline is erroneous and should be corrected to that of (?)‐(4S,12Z)‐4‐phenyl‐9‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoyl]‐1,5,9‐triazacyclotridec‐12‐en‐2‐one ( 17 ).     

Total Synthesis of the Biphenyl Alkaloid (−)‐Lythranidine

A sequence comprising a ring‐closing alkyne metathesis of a propargyl alcohol derivative, followed by a ruthenium‐catalyzed redox isomerization of the derived cycloalkyne and a transannular aza‐Michael addition allowed the formation of the distinguishing piperidine‐metacyclophane framework of the Lythraceum alkaloid lythanidine in a few high‐yielding steps. This application attests to the excellent functional‐group tolerance of a molybdenum alkylidyne complex endowed with triphenylsilanolate ligands, which enabled the macrocyclization even in the presence of protic functionalities, and thus illustrates the power of contemporary catalytic acetylene chemistry for target‐oriented synthesis.     

Synthesis of the Macrocyclic Spermidine Alkaloid (±)‐(2R*,3R*)‐3‐Hydroxycelacinnine

The macrocyclic lactam alkaloid (±)‐(2R*,3R*)‐3‐hydroxycelacinnine ( 1 ) derived from spermidine was synthesized via stereoselective epoxide‐ring opening with magnesium azide and cesium carbonate promoted macrocyclization of the ditosylated diamino precursor 12 with 1,4‐dibromobutane in the two key steps (Scheme 2). ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR Signal assignments from COSY, HSQC, and HMBC 2D NMR data of the synthesized 1 were compared with the earlier‐described data of the natural 3‐hydroxycelacinnine. The similarity of their ¹³C‐NMR spectra point to the correctness of the proposed constitutional formula for natural 3‐hydroxycelacinnine; however, different ¹H‐NMR chemical shifts and coupling constants (J(2,3)=9.0 vs. 1.2 Hz, resp.) in the α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino lactam moiety suggest that natural 3‐hydroxycelacinnine is the 2,3‐cis‐epimer of one synthetic (±)‐ 1 .     

Total Synthesis of the Tetracyclic Antimalarial Alkaloid (±)‐Myrioneurinol

The first total synthesis of the tetracyclic antimalarial Myrioneuron alkaloid (±)‐myrioneurinol has been accomplished using three highly diastereoselective reactions as pivotal steps: 1) an intramolecular Michael addition of a benzyloxycarbonyl‐protected lactam titanium enolate to an α,β‐unsaturated ester for construction of the spirocyclic C5 quaternary center and the a/d rings, 2) a malonate anion conjugate addition to a transient nitrosoalkene to install the requisite functionality and configuration at the C7 position, and 3) an intramolecular sulfonyliminium aza‐Sakurai reaction to form the b ring and the attendant C9/C10 configuration of the natural product.     

Total Synthesis of the Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid (±)‐Aspidophylline A

Aspidophylline A belongs to the akuammiline alkaloid family, the members of which possess intriguing cagelike structures and diverse biological activities. Herein we report a 15‐step synthesis of this alkaloid from conveniently available starting materials. The key elements of the synthesis include an intramolecular oxidative coupling to create the tetracyclic furoindoline motif of the natural product and a [Ni(cod)₂]‐mediated cyclization to install its piperidine ring.     

Total Synthesis of a Pyrrolidin‐2‐one with the Structure Proposed for the Alkaloid Rigidiusculamide A

The total synthesis of the pyrrolidinone alkaloid rigidiusculamide A is reported starting from L ‐tyrosine, using amidation, ring‐closing metathesis, and dihydroxylation as the key reactions.     

Bioinspired Total Synthesis of the Dimeric Indole Alkaloid (+)‐Haplophytine by Direct Coupling and Late‐Stage Oxidative Rearrangement

A bioinspired convergent total synthesis of (+)‐haplophytine, a dimeric indole alkaloid with diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and hexacyclic aspidosperma segments, is described. This synthesis involves the direct coupling of the two segments in a AgNTf₂‐mediated Friedel–Crafts reaction and construction of the diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane skeleton through late‐stage chemoselective aerobic oxidation of the 1,2‐diaminoethene moiety and a sequential semipinacol‐type rearrangement.     

Total Synthesis of the Alkaloid (±)‐Aspidophytine Based on Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition Chemistry

The Rh^II‐catalyzed cycloaddition cascade of an indolyl‐substituted α‐diazo imide was used for the total synthesis of the complex pentacyclic alkaloid (±)‐aspidophytine. Treatment of the resulting dipolar cycloadduct with BF₃?OEt₂ induces a domino fragmentation cascade. The reaction proceeds by an initial cleavage of the oxabicyclic ring and formation of a transient N‐acyl iminium ion which reacts further with the adjacent tert‐butyl ester and sets the required lactone ring present in aspidophytine. A three‐step sequence was then used to remove both the ester and OH groups. Subsequent functional group manipulations allowed for the high‐yielding conversion to (±)‐aspidophytine.