Structure assignment, total synthesis, and antiviral evaluation of cycloviracin B1

The first total synthesis of the antivirally active glycolipid cycloviracin B(1) (1) is described. The approach is based on a two-directional synthesis strategy which constructs the C(2)()-symmetrical macrodiolide core of the target by an efficient template-directed macrodilactonization reaction promoted by 2-chloro-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium chloride 14 as the activating agent. Attachment of the lateral fatty acid chains to the lactide core thus formed features not only one of the most advanced ligand-controlled addition reactions of a functionalized dialkyl zinc reagent to a polyfunctional aldehyde, but also a highly demanding Julia-Kocienski olefination of a tetrazolyl sulfone bearing electrophilic and base-labile beta-hydroxy ester motifs. By virtue of the flexibility of this synthesis plan, it was possible to prepare a series of macrodiolide cores differing only in the absolute stereochemistry at the branching points as well as a host of model compounds for the fatty acid appendices of cycloviracin. Comparison of these derivatives with the natural product allowed us to establish the as yet unknown absolute stereochemistry of 6 chiral centers of 1 as (3R,19S,25R,3'R,17'S,23'R). Thereby, the (13)C NMR shifts of the anomeric position of the beta-glycosides residing at those positions turned out to be excellent probes for the absolute configuration of the attached aglycones. The concise set of data thus obtained also makes clear that the proposed structure of the fattiviracins, a seemingly closely related family of glycoconjugates, is not matched by the published data. Finally, the biological activity of synthetic 1 and some of the key intermediates obtained en route to this natural product was investigated, showing that the entire construct is necessary for appreciable and selective antiviral activity.     

A concise synthesis of the cortistatin core

We describe a concise and convergent route to the core matrix of the cortistatin steroidal alkaloids. The salient features of the synthesis are the Snieckus cascade methodology and the Masamune alkylative dearomatization. This chemistry lends itself to a total synthesis of the cortistatins and to the development of a SAR program based on diverted total synthesis.     

Total synthesis of the antiviral glycolipid cycloviracin B

The first total synthesis of the antiviral agent cycloviracin B1 (1) is described which provisionally establishes the hitherto unknown configuration of the chiral centers on the lateral fatty acid chains as (3R,19S,25R,3'R,17'S,23'R). Key steps en route to this glycolipid include a highly efficient template-directed macrodilactonization step for the formation of the lactide core followed by a two-directional synthesis strategy for the completion of the fatty acid annexes. The latter comprises a modified Julia-Kocienski olefination carried out in the presence of the base-labile beta-hydroxyester moieties of the macrodiolide, as well as a titanium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of the dialkylzinc reagent 11 controlled by cyclohexane-1,2-diamine bistriflate 12 for the formation of the chiral center at C-17' which is selectively glycosylated by taking recourse to the trichloroacetimidate method.     

A concise stereoselective synthesis of pterosin B

Pterosin B is a naturally occurring indanone found in bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) that displays a variety of interesting pharmacological properties, but for which few stereoselective syntheses exist. Herein we describe a 7-step stereoselective synthesis of (2R)-pterosin B via 6-bromo-5,7-dimethylindan-1-one whose structure was confirmed by NOE analysis and structure determination by X-ray crystallography. The hydroxyethyl chain was introduced via a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The 2-methyl group was introduced stereoselectively by methylation of a SAMP [(S)-1-amino-2-methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine] hydrazone and the chiral auxiliary was removed to produce (2R)-pterosin B. The structure of pterosin B was confirmed by specific rotation and structural determination by X-ray crystallography.     

A short access to the macrocyclic core of cycloviracin and glucolipsin

The macrocyclic core of cycloviracin and glucolipsin has been synthesised in ten steps from levoglucosan and (S)-(−)-dimethyl malate. The limited number of steps to obtain this macrolide makes it a valuable procedure for the synthesis of analogues of cycloviracin and glucolipsin.     

A concise stereoselective total synthesis of Botryolide B

The first total synthesis of Botryolide B is described from easily accessible starting materials. The synthetic strategy involves Jacobsen resolution, Sharpless epoxidation, Swern oxidation, Yamaguchi reaction, and ring closing metathesis (RCM).     

A concise enantioselective synthesis of a fully oxygen substituted ring A taxol precursor

A concise synthesis of the oxygen substituted ring A compound 2 found in Taxol^®1a and Taxotere^®1b starting from 2,2-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and proceeding via the key intermediates 8 and 11, is described. The absolute configuration of 2 was established from an X-ray crystal structure determination of a 4-bromophenylbenzoate derivative, viz. 15.     

A short and concise asymmetric synthesis of hamigeran B

The interesting biological properties of the hamigerans wherein hamigeran B is a potent antiviral agent with low cytotoxicity to host cells make these deceptively simple looking structures challenging synthetic targets. A strategy to hamigeran B evolved wherein the three contiguous stereocenters are established ultimately from a Pd catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA). The latter involves an asymmetric allylation of a non-stabilized ketone enolate in 77 % yield and 93 % ee. By using this process, (S)-5-allyl-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxycyclopentene becomes available in four steps from 2-methylcyclopentanone. Introduction of the aryl unit by cross-coupling proceeded intermolecularly but failed intramolecularly. On the other hand, reductive removal of the triflate permitted a Heck reaction to effect intramolecular introduction of the aryl ring. The unusual conformational properties of this molecular architecture are revealed by the regioselectivity of the beta-hydrogen elimination in the Heck reaction and the diastereoselectivity of the reduction establishing the stereochemistry of the carbon bearing the isopropyl group. The successful route consists of 15 steps from 2-methylcyclopentanone and dimethylorcinol illustrating the efficiency of the route based upon the Pd AAA.     

Studies toward the total synthesis of garsubellin A: a concise synthesis of the 18-epi-tricyclic core

[reaction: see text] During studies directed toward the total synthesis of garsubellin A, a concise stereocontrolled synthesis of the 18-epi-tricyclic compound 3 was achieved. Key steps were a one-pot stereoselective construction of the bicyclic lactone 23 followed by a formal migration to the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-1,3,5-trione and an intramolecular Wacker-type tetrahydrofuran ring formation.     

A concise synthesis of topsentin A and nortopsentins B and D

[reaction: see text] A concise synthesis of topsentin A (R(1) = R(2) = H) and nortopsentins B (R(1) = Br, R(2) = H) and D (R(1) = R(2) = H) is described from oxotryptamine 5 via reduction of acyl cyanide 4. Regiospecific bromination of 3-cyanoindole afforded 6-bromo-3-cyanoindole (10) as the major product.     

A concise synthesis of the octalactins

The total synthesis of octalactins A and B has been achieved in 15 steps (longest linear sequence) and 10% overall yield from commercially available materials. Key steps include the Paterson-Aldol reaction for the rapid assembly of the carbonate 46, methylenation of 46 and subsequent Claisen rearrangement of the corresponding alkenyl-substituted cyclic ketene acetal to provide the core unsaturated medium-ring lactone 47, and the use of enzyme-mediated acetate deprotection in the presence of a medium-ring lactone.     

A concise construction of the chlorahololide heptacyclic core

A concise and efficient strategy for the construction of the heptacyclic core of the chloranthaceae family has been developed. The key strategy comprises an S(N)2-type intramolecular nucleophilic substitution and a biomimetic endo-Diels-Alder cycloaddition.     

Accessing the structural diversity of pyridone alkaloids: concise total synthesis of rac-citridone A

A unique route to the structural diversity of pyridone alkaloids is described based on the concept of a common synthetic strategy. Three different core structure analogues corresponding to akanthomycin, septoriamycin A, and citridone A have been prepared by using a highly selective and novel carbocyclization reaction.     

A concise total synthesis of lyngbic acid,hermitamides A and B

A concise total syntheses of lyngbic acid, hermitamides A and B have been accomplished in a highly enantioselective manner involving CBS asymmetric reduction, hydroboration, and stereospecific Julia–Lythgoe olefination.     

A concise total synthesis of arizonins B1 and C1

A concise and efficient total synthesis of arizonins B1 and C1 is reported. A key building block alkyne is synthesized from d-glucono-δ-lactone and used in the Dötz benzannulation reaction to construct the naphthalene unit. An oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction gave the pyran ring while an H₂SO₄ mediated isomerization set the correct stereochemistry of the target molecules. Alternatively, a direct anti-pyran stereochemistry was prepared in a TFA solvent. The synthesis is competitive to previous reports and marks the first enantioselective synthesis of arizonin B1.     

Synthesis of a pladienolide B analogue with the fully functionalized core structure

Starting from (R)-(-)-linalool (6), terminus differentiation and chain extension via aldol type reactions led to ketophosphonate 16 (C1-C8 building block). In a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, 16 reacted with aldehyde 22, which contained the vicinal anti-Me-OH pattern and a vinyl iodide function, to provide the C1-C13 part of pladienolide B. After Shiina macrolactonization, reduction of the enone 26 gave the core structure 27. A Stille cross-coupling of vinyl iodide 27 with tributylphenylstannane eventually furnished analogue 30.     

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of the brassinolide and related compounds’ side chains

A stereoselective synthesis of brassinolide, which involves construction of the side chain by highly stereoselective aldol reaction of 20S-6β-methoxy-3α,5-cyclo-5α-pregnane-20-carboxadehyde 5 with the anion of α-silyloxy ketone 6 is described.     

A concise synthesis of the aporhoeadane skeleton

A concise synthesis of the isoindolobenzazepine aporhoeadane core is achieved in four steps from homoveratrylamine and ninhydrin.