Synthesis of the bis-spiroacetal moiety of the shellfish toxins spirolides B and D using an iterative oxidative radical cyclization strategy

The enantioselective synthesis of the bis-spiroacetal fragment of the shellfish toxins, spirolides B 1 and D 2, is reported. The carbon framework was constructed via a Barbier reaction of dihydropyran 10 with aldehyde 11, followed by two oxidative radical cyclizations to construct the bis-spiroacetal ring system. A silyl-modified Prins cyclization and enantioselective crotylation successfully installed the stereocenters in the cyclization precursor 21. The initial unsaturated bis-spiroacetals 9a-d underwent equilibration during epoxidation to trans-epoxide 24 that was converted to tertiary alcohol 7.     

Synthesis of the C10-C22 bis-spiroacetal domain of spirolides B and D via iterative oxidative radical cyclization

[reaction: see text] A synthetic approach to the novel bis-spiroacetal moiety of spirolides B and D is reported. The strategy hinges upon successive formation of the spirocenters at C15 and C18 by radical oxidative cyclization, followed by base-induced rearrangement of a C19-20 alpha-epoxide to introduce the C19 hydroxyl group.     

Radical oxidative cyclization of spiroacetals to bis-spiroacetals: an overview

The use of iodobenzene diacetate and iodine under photolytic conditions provides and efficient method for the oxidative cyclization of spiroacetals bearing an hydroxyalkyl side chain to bis-spiroacetals. An overview is provided of the use of this reaction for the synthesis of several bis-spiroacetal containing natural products such as the polyether antibiotics salinomycin and CP44,161 and the shellfish toxins, the spirolides.     

Enantioselective carbonyl-ene-type cyclization of α-ketoester and 2-substituted vinylsilane catalyzed by a chiral Cu-BOX complex

We developed an enantioselective carbonyl-ene-type cyclization using 2-substituted vinylsilane as a nucleophilic ene moiety catalyzed by a chiral copper-BOX complex. This reaction is the first example of enantioselective carbonyl-ene cyclization using a 1,2-disubstituted olefin. This methodology gave chiral indenols with a tetrasubstituted carbon.     

Asymmetric synthesis of cis-1,2-dialkenyl-substituted cyclopentanes via (-)-sparteine-mediated lithiation and cycloalkylation of a 9-chloro-2,7-nonadienyl carbamate

Herein we report our comprehensive results in enantioselective cyclopentane synthesis via stereogenic allyllithium compounds. The described cycloalkylation reaction starts with a (-)-sparteine-mediated asymmetric deprotonation of the 2,7-alkadienyl carbamate 7e and leads to the enantioenriched (80% ee) and diastereomerically pure (dr = 99:1) cis-1,2-divinyl-cyclopentane 8, by a subsequent cyclization and elimination of lithium chloride. The reaction mechanism has been investigated by silylation and lithiodestannylation experiments and was found to represent a completely regioselective anti-S(N)'S(E)'-reaction. Trapping of the vinyllithium intermediate 12 with various electrophiles under retention of the configuration at the double bond extends the field of application for this cyclization. We also applied this reaction as the key step in the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-dihydromultifidene (17).     

A Three‐Component Enantioselective Cyclization Reaction Catalyzed by an Unnatural Amino Acid Derivative

A new diastereo‐ and enantioselective three‐component cyclization reaction is described. The reaction takes place between a ketone, a carboxylic acid, and a nitroalkene to yield a bicyclic octahydro‐2H‐indol‐2‐one scaffold possessing three chiral centers. This reaction involves a rearrangement of the nitro group under simple thermal conditions. A plausible mechanism is proposed for this new reaction based on DFT calculations and isotope‐labeling experiments. A new concise enantioselective synthesis of the alkaloid (+)‐pancracine is presented as an example of the potential of this novel organocatalytic cyclization reaction in the synthesis of natural products.     

Efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+)-sclareolide and (+)-tetrahydroactinidiolide: chiral LBA-induced biomimetic cyclization

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of the lactones (+)-sclareolide and (+)-tetrahydroactinidiolide has been achieved through Lewis acid-assisted chiral Brønsted acid-induced enantioselective cyclization of terpenic carboxylic acids. The reaction sequence involved the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of an allylic alcohol and biomimetic cyclization of terpenic acid in the presence of (R)-2-benzyloxy-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl and tin tetrachloride as key steps. The cyclization gave lactones in good yield and with high enantiomeric excess.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of guanacastepene N using an uncommon 7-endo Heck cyclization as a pivotal step

A convergent, enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-guanacastepene N was developed that features a 7-endo Heck cyclization as the key step. In the course of this synthesis, short syntheses of the enantiomerically pure cyclopentenone and cyclohexene building blocks 5 and 6, which constitute A and C ring fragments of guanacastepene N, were developed. These fragments were linked by a challenging conjugate addition reaction that also generated the C11 quaternary carbon stereocenter. Regioselective 7-endo Heck cyclization gave rise to a tricyclic intermediate, which was elaborated to complete the first total synthesis of guanacastepene N and the second enantioselective total synthesis of a guanacastepene natural product.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-zampanolide, a potent microtubule-stabilizing agent

An enantioselective total synthesis of zampanolide has been accomplished using a novel DDQ/Br?nsted acid promoted cyclization as the key reaction. The synthesis features cross-metathesis to construct the trisubstituted olefin and a ring-closing metathesis to form the macrolactone. The final N-acyl aminal formation was stereoselectively accomplished by an organocatalytic reaction.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cyclization of 1,6-Enynes through Intramolecular Chlorine Transfer as a Novel Strategy for Asymmetric Halopalladation

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective cyclization of enynes has contributed significantly to the construction of chiral cyclic molecules. In contrast, the catalytic asymmetric cyclization involving halopalladation remains an unresolved challenge with the inevitable disturbance of the halide ions. Herein, an intramolecular chlorine transfer strategy is used to accomplish the enantioselective chloropalladation cyclization of 1,6-enynes. This reaction provides a redox-neutral approach to a variety of chiral α-chloromethylene-γ-butyrolactones with excellent E selectivity and enantioselectivity. The precisely controlled coordination of palladium with both the in situ generated nucleophilic species and the monodentate phosphoramidite ligand is crucial for enantioselectivity.     

Divergent asymmetric synthesis of azaarene-functionalized cyclic alcohols through stereocontrolled Beckwith-Enholm cyclizations

The first enantioselective Beckwith-Enholm cyclization reaction is reported herein. Under cooperative photoredox and chiral hydrogen-bonding catalysis mediated by visible light, cyclization of carbonyls with azaarene-based olefins as a new reaction system offers a general and divergent synthetic pathway to furnish a variety of highly valuable enantioenriched azaarenefunctionalized carbocyclic and heterocyclic alcohols, which bear adjacent 1,2-or nonadjacent 1,3-stereocentres on distinct cyclic frameworks, in high yields and enantio-and diastereoselectivities. The good compatibility of various azaarenes and carbonyls as well as the diversity of cyclic structures of the products underscores the generality of the catalysis platform. In addition to the ability to precisely introduce deuterium into molecules in an enantioselective manner, the considerable synthetic value of this method includes the excellent antioxidant stress potential of the products. In particular, molecule 29 was determined to be a promising lead compound for antioxidant stress drug design.     

Copper-catalyzed methylenation reaction: total synthesis of (+)-desoxygaliellalactone

The enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-desoxygaliellalactone was achieved in six steps starting from 4-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxybutanal. This synthesis featured a one-pot copper-catalyzed methylenation-Diels-Alder cyclization. The challenging methylenation of aldehyde 4 was studied under various reaction conditions. Whereas Wittig reaction conditions led to byproducts resulting from decomposition of the sensitive butenolide moiety, the mild copper-catalyzed methylenation reaction produced the desired triene in good yield.     

Enantioselective synthesis of the 4-hydroxy buteneolide terminus of mucocin and related annonaceous acetogenins

The 4-hydroxy buteneolide terminus 3, applicable to mucocin 1 and related annonaceous acetogenins, was prepared in an expeditious manner from the selenocarbonate 2 via an intramolecular acyl radical cyclization followed by an enantioselective Lewis-acid catalyzed Keck-allylation reaction.     

A Bulky Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Nickel Catalyst Enables Enantioselective C−H Functionalizations of Indoles and Pyrroles

An enantioselective nickel(0)‐catalyzed C?H functionalization of indoles and pyrroles that does not require the typical Lewis basic directing groups is disclosed. The reaction provides access to valuable tetrahydropyridoindoles and tetrahydroindolizines in high yields and enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The process is characterized by a clear endo‐cyclization preference to yield the sought‐after six‐membered‐ring products. Key for the success of the activation and selectivity in the cyclization was the development of a novel chiral SIPr carbene ligand analogue with very bulky flanking groups.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular Cyclization of N‐Allenamides for the Synthesis of Chiral Tetrahydrocarbolines

Highly enantioselective gold‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of N‐allenamides was implemented by utilizing a designed chiral sulfinamide phosphine ligand (PC‐Phos). This represents the first example of highly enantioselective intramolecular cyclization of N‐allenamides. The practicality of this reaction was validated in the total synthesis of (R )‐desbromoarborescidine A and formal synthesis of (R )‐desbromoarborescidine C and (R )‐deplancheine. Moreover, the catalyst system PC‐Phos/AuNTf₂ proved to be specifically efficient to promote the desymmetrization of N‐allenamides in excellent yields with satisfactory ee values.     

Enantioselective cyclization of 4-alkenoic acids via an oxidative allylic C-H esterification

An enantioselective intramolecular oxidative cyclization of 4-alkenoic acids was developed. The reaction proceeded via a π-allyl Pd intermediate generated by an allylic C-H activation to give γ-lactone derivatives with moderate to good enantioselectivity. Spiro bis(isoxazoline) ligand, SPRIX, was indispensable for this asymmetric transformation.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-testudinariol a using a new nickel-catalyzed allenyl aldehyde cyclization

An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-testudinariol A was completed. A new nickel-catalyzed allenyl aldehyde cyclization was developed in the approach. In addition, an asymmetric anti aldol reaction and a two-directional oxocarbenium ion/vinyl silane condensation were employed as key steps.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Cyclization of Enynes by Intramolecular Cleavage of the Rh−C Bond by a Tethered Hydroxy Group

Rhodium(I)‐catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular cyclization of enynes having a hydroxy group in the tether was investigated, and various cyclic compounds possessing a chiral quaternary carbon center were obtained in high yields with high ees. In this cyclization, a Rh?C(sp²) bond in the rhodacyclopentene intermediate, which was formed by enantioselective oxidative cycloaddition of enynes to a chiral rhodium(I) complex, was intramolecularly cleaved by σ‐bond metathesis of a tethered O?H bond in the substrate. Furthermore, it was found that the cyclic compounds were obtained with high ees even when the starting materials having a racemic secondary alcohol moiety were used in this reaction.     

Total synthesis of (-)-stemonine

[reaction: see text] An enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-stemonine (1) is reported via a convergent assembly of the acyclic precursor 2. Key transformations include a Staudinger-aza-Wittig reaction to form the central perhydroazepine ring system and an iodine-induced tandem cyclization to construct the pyrrolidino-butyrolactone framework.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of litseaverticillols A and B

[reaction: see text] The first enantioselective total synthesis of the (1R,5S)-stereoisomer of litseaverticillols A and B, anti-HIV monocyclic sesquiterpenoids isolated from a perennial shrub found in Vietnam, was accomplished in six steps from homogeranic acid by employing the Evans asymmetric aldol reaction and a microwave-promoted cyclization of a stannylated thiol ester intermediate as the C-C bond-forming steps.