Studies towards the total synthesis of cruentaren A and B: Stereoselective synthesis of fragments C1-C11, C12-C22 and C23-C28

A convergent and stereoselective approach for the synthesis of C1-C11, C12-C22, and C23-C28 fragments of cytotoxic natural products cruentaren A and B are accomplished. Highlights of the strategy include a Sharpless epoxidation followed by a regioselective opening of epoxide to generate anti and syn-stereochemistry at C9-C10 and C15-C16, an Alder-Rickert reaction between a 1,5-dimethoxy-1,4-cyclohexadiene and dienophile to construct the aromatic ring, and a lithium-mediated aldol reaction to install the C17-C18 anti-stereochemistry. The synthesis of C1-C11 and C12-C22 fragments proceed with a longest linear sequence of 10 and 17 steps from commercially available 2-butyne-1,4-diol and cis-2-butene-1,4-diol respectively.     

Studies directed toward the synthesis of rhizopodin: stereoselective synthesis of the C1-C15 fragment

A stereoselective synthesis of the C1-C15 fragment of a G-actin binding natural macrodiolide, rhizopodin was achieved using, as key steps, highly stereoselective acetate aldol reactions to build the C1-C7 fragment, one pot oxazole synthesis and an asymmetric Keck allylation reaction to build the C8-C15 fragment and finally, a Stille reaction to couple both the fragments.     

A formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon

A highly convergent formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon was achieved. An indene-based thiazolidinethione chiral auxiliary was used for the construction of both the C1-C9 and C10-C17 fragments via acetate aldol reactions. A Meinwald reaction was utilized to install the stereocenter at C2, and a conjugated addition to an ynone was used to construct the C9-C11 enone.     

Synthesis and confirmation of the absolute stereochemistry of the (-)-aflastatin A C9-C27 degradation polyol

[reaction: see text]. The C(8)-C(18) ethyl ketone and C(19)-C(28) aldehyde aflastatin A fragments were synthesized and coupled using a diastereoselective anti aldol reaction. This adduct was successfully converted into the C(9)-C(27) polyol degradation product of (-)-aflastatin A to confirm the relative and absolute stereochemistry of this region of the natural product.     

Stereoselective formal total synthesis of (+)-methynolide

A highly stereoselective and convergent formal total synthesis of (+)-methynolide is described. The salient features of this synthesis have been the construction of the C1-C7 and C8-C11fragments via a desymmetrization approach, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of an allyl alcohol, respectively, and linkage of both the fragments by Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi reaction.     

Total synthesis of rutamycin B and oligomycin C

The asymmetric synthesis of the macrolide antibiotics (+)-rutamycin B (1) and (+)-oligomycin C (2) is described. The approach relied on the synthesis and coupling of the individual spiroketal fragments 3a and 3b with the C1-C17 polyproprionate fragment 4. The preparation of the spiroketal fragments was achieved using chiral (E)-crotylsilane bond construction methodology, which allowed the introduction of the stereogenic centers prior to spiroketalization. The present work details the synthesis of the C19-C28 and C29-C34 subunits as well as their convergent assembly through an alkylation reaction of the lithiated N,N-dimethylhydrazones 6 and 8 to afford the individual linear spiroketal intermediates 5a and 5b, respectively. After functional group adjustment, these advanced intermediates were cyclized to their respective spiroketal-coupling partners 40 and 41. The requisite polypropionate fragment was assembled in a convergent manner using asymmetric crotylation methodology for the introduction of six of the nine-stereogenic centers. The use of three consecutive crotylation reactions was used for the construction of the C3-C12 subunit 32. A Mukaiyama-type aldol reaction of 35 with the chiral alpha-methyl aldehyde 39 was used for the introduction of the C12-C13 stereocenters. This anti aldol finished the construction of the C3-C17 advanced intermediate 36. A two-carbon homologation completed the construction of the polypropionate fragment 38. The completion of the synthesis of the two macrolide antibiotics was accomplished by the union of two principal fragments that was achieved with an intermolecular palladium-(0) catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between the terminal vinylstannanes of the individual spiroketals 3a and 3b and the polypropionate fragment 4. The individual carboxylic acids 46 and 47 were cyclized to their respective macrocyclic lactones 48 and 49 under Yamaguchi reaction conditions. Deprotection of these macrolides completed the synthesis of the rutamycin B and oligomycin C.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (+)-concanamycin F: the strategic use of boron-mediated aldol reactions of chiral ketones

A highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of the 18-membered macrolide (+)-concanamycin F, a potent inhibitor of vacuolar ATPases, is described that proceeds in 5.8% yield over 26 steps. The three key fragments, C1-C13 vinyl iodide, C14-C22 vinyl stannane and C23-C28 aldehyde, were efficiently constructed using asymmetric boron-mediated aldol reactions of appropriate chiral ketone building blocks. The nature of the silyl protection of the C7/C9 hydroxyls proved to be critical for achieving macrocyclisation, with TES ethers being superior to a cyclic silylene derivative. Following a Liebeskind-Stille cross-coupling reaction between the C1-C13 vinyl iodide and C14-C22 vinyl stannane fragments to assemble the (12E,14E)-diene, a modified Yamaguchi macrolactonisation delivered the requisite 18-membered macrocyclic core. This advanced intermediate was also obtained by an alternative sequence using an esterification step to connect the C1-C13 and C14-C22 fragments followed by a Pd-catalysed intramolecular Stille reaction to install the (12E,14E)-diene. Conversion of the resulting macrocyclic intermediate into a methyl ketone then enabled a highly diastereoselective Mukaiyama aldol coupling of the derived silyl enol ether with the C13-C28 aldehyde fragment to install the fully elaborated side chain, whereby subsequent global deprotection of the resulting β-hydroxyketone under suitable conditions (TASF followed by p-TsOH) afforded (+)-concanamycin F.     

The stereocontrolled total synthesis of spirastrellolide A methyl ester. Expedient construction of the key fragments

Due to a combination of their promising anticancer properties, limited supply from the marine sponge source and their unprecedented molecular architecture, spirastrellolides represent attractive and challenging synthetic targets. A modular strategy for the synthesis of spirastrellolide A methyl ester, which allowed for the initial stereochemical uncertainties in the assigned structure was adopted, based on the envisaged sequential coupling of a series of suitably functionalised fragments; in this first paper, full details of the synthesis of these fragments are described. The pivotal C26-C40 DEF bis-spiroacetal was assembled by a double Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation/acetalisation cascade process on a linear diene intermediate, configuring the C31 and C35 acetal centres under suitably mild acidic conditions. A C1-C16 alkyne fragment was constructed by application of an oxy-Michael reaction to introduce the A-ring tetrahydropyran, a Sakurai allylation to install the C9 hydroxyl, and a 1,4-syn boron aldol/directed reduction sequence to establish the C11 and C13 stereocentres. Two different coupling strategies were investigated to elaborate the C26-C40 DEF fragment, involving either a C17-C25 sulfone or a C17-C24 vinyl iodide, each of which was prepared using an Evans glycolate aldol reaction. The remaining C43-C47 vinyl stannane fragment required for introduction of the unsaturated side chain was prepared from (R)-malic acid.     

Total synthesis of cruentaren B

A convergent total synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product cruentaren B is completed in 26 steps (longest linear sequence) with an overall yield of 7.1%. For the construction of the C1-C11 benzolactone fragment of the molecule, the key steps used were O-methylation, using a Mitsunobu reaction, a Stille coupling method to construct the C7-C8 bond, and a Brown's asymmetric crotylboration reaction for the direct enantioselective installation of the two chiral centers present in this fragment. For diastereoselective installation of the chiral centers in the C12-C20 polyketide fragment, an Evans syn aldol reaction on a chiral aldehyde, derived from methyl (R)-3-hydroxyl-2-methylpropionate, and subsequently a Mukaiyama aldol reaction were employed. For the construction of the C21-C28 tail, a "non-Evans" syn aldol reaction was used. The three fragments were coupled by an SN2 reaction and a Wittig olefination reaction followed by standard functional group manipulations to furnish the target molecule.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of spongistatins 1 and 2

The total synthesis of spongistatin 1 (1) and spongistatin 2 (2) has been achieved through an advanced-stage intermediate. The synthesis is highlighted by a highly convergent assembly of the four key fragments (the C1-C15 AB fragment 2, the C16-C28 CD fragment 3, the C29-C43 EF fragment 4, and the C44-C51 side chain 5) at a very advanced stage of the synthesis with minimal functional group interconversion. The CD fragment 3 functions as the central building block to which the other fragments are attached. The synthesis of the AB and CD spiroketal fragments is accomplished through the addition of a metalated gamma-pyrone to a beta-alkoxy aldehyde followed by spiroketalization. The EF subunit was assembled with high diastereoselectivity relying on asymmetric aldol reactions of chlorotitanium enolates of N-propionyl oxazolidinethiones and a double diastereoselective boron aldol to join the E and F fragments. Wittig coupling of the CD and EF fragments followed by a diastereoselective aldol reaction between the CDEF ketone and an AB aldehyde set the stage for attachment of the C44-C51 side chains and final macrolactonization and deprotection.     

Total synthesis of (+)-superstolide A

A convergent and highly stereocontrolled total synthesis of the cytotoxic macrolide (+)-superstolide A is described. Key features of this synthesis include the use of bimetallic linchpin 36b for uniting the C(1)-C(15) (43) and the C(20)-C(27) (38) fragments of the natural product, a late-stage Suzuki macrocyclization of 49, and a highly diastereoselective transannular Diels-Alder reaction of macrocyclic octaene 4. In contrast, the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of pentaenal 5 provided the desired cycloadduct with lower stereoselectivity (6:1:1).     

Crotylsilane reagents in the synthesis of complex polyketide natural products: total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide

An efficient, highly convergent stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-discodermolide has been achieved with 2.1% overall yield (27 steps longest linear sequence). The absolute stereochemistry of the C1-C6 (12), C7-C14 (13), and C15-C24 (11) subunits was introduced using asymmetric crotylation methodology. Key elements of the synthesis include the use of hydrozirconation-cross-coupling methodology for the construction of C13-C14 (Z)-olefin, acetate aldol reaction to construct the C6-C7 bond and install the C7 stereocenter with high levels of 1,5-anti stereoinduction, and the use of palladium-mediated sp(2)-sp(3) cross-coupling reaction to join the advanced fragments, which assembled the carbon framework of discodermolide.     

A second-generation synthesis of the C1-C28 portion of the altohyrtins (spongistatins)

A practical second-generation synthesis of an advanced intermediate in our total synthesis of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2) has been developed. A new approach to the C1-C15 (AB) portion features a vinyllithium addition to an aldehyde followed by a palladium-catalyzed allylic reduction to install the troublesome C13-C15 segment. Our general approach to the C16-C28 (CD) spiroketal has been retained, but some improvements have been made. Most notably, the kinetically controlled CD-spiroketalization reaction now proceeds in high yield with excellent diastereoselection. This new strategy uses the anti-aldol coupling used in our first-generation synthesis to join AB and CD fragments. A total of 9.6 g of intermediate 57 has been produced using this improved route.     

Synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C and the C(18)-C(29) fragment of amphidinolide F

A convergent synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C and the C(18)-C(29) fragment of amphidinolide F is reported. The approach involves the synthesis of the common intermediate tetrahydrofuranyl-β-ketophosphonate via cross metathesis, Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization, and hydroboration-oxidation. The β-ketophosphonate was coupled to three side chain aldehydes using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) olefination reaction to give dienones, which were reduced with l-selectride to give the fragments of amphidinolide C and F.     

Studies directed toward the total synthesis of azaspiracid: stereoselective construction of C(1)-C(12), C(13)-C(19), and C(21)-C(25) fragments

[reaction: see text] The efficient entry to the C(1)-C(12), C(13)-C(19), and C(21)-C(25) fragments of azaspiracid is outlined. The C(1)-C(12) portion is constructed using a key asymmetric allenyl borane addition to the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde. The synthesis of the C(13)-C(19) portion utilizes an Evans asymmetric alkylation followed by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. In addition, a novel solution to the mismatched effects of a neighboring chiral oxazolidinone during a Sharpless dihydroxylation is detailed.     

Synthesis of the C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments of aplyronine A

The synthesis of C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments of Aplyronine A is described. Oxidative cleavage of cyclic vinyl sulfones has been used to prepare key fragments of Aplyronine A. Key precursors are united by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Julia-Kociensky olefination for the respective elaboration of the C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments.     

Stereoselective synthesis of C1-C9 and C9-C17 fragments of (+)-13-deoxytedanolide

An efficient and highly stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of C1-C9 and C9-C17 fragments of (+)-13-deoxytedanolide have been achieved. Utilization of desymmetrization technique to prepare the triol with five stereogenic centers, regioselective Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Evans' aldol reaction, chiral methylation, and Wittig olefination are highlights of the synthesis.     

Tetrafibricin: synthesis of the C1-C13, C15-C25, and C27-C40 fragments

[structure: see text] A sequence of chemoselective cross-metathesis reactions and enantioselective allyltitanations of aldehydes has been used to prepare the C1-C13, C15-C26, and C27-C40 fragments of tetrafibricin.     

Amphidinolide B: asymmetric synthesis of a C7-C20 synthon

[reaction: see text] An asymmetric synthesis of a C(7)-C(20) synthon of amphidinolide B is described. The synthesis entails the construction of C(7)-C(13) and C(14)-C(20) fragments and makes extensive use of catalytic asymmetric bond constructions to establish the requisite stereochemical relationships. Fragment coupling proceeds by Suzuki cross-coupling and installs the trisubstituted diene unit that is among amphidinolide B's defining structural features.     

Study of the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide

In this article, we disclose the various routes and strategies we had to explore before finally achieving the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide ((-)-1). Two first types of approaches were set, both relying on the Trost's domino ene-yne coupling/oxa-Michael reaction that we choose for its ability to control the geometry of the methylacrylate-bearing tetrahydropyrane ring B. In our first approach, we expected to assemble the two main fragments (C14-C21 and C1-C13) by creating the C13-C14 bond through a palladium(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling, but this step failed, unfortunately. In the second approach, which was more linear, we created the C16-C17 bond through condensation of a lithium acetylide on a Weinreb amide, and we assembled the C1-C5 and C6-C21 subunits through Trost's domino ene-yne coupling/oxa-Michael reaction. These two approaches served us to design an ameliorated third strategy, which finally led to the total synthesis of (-)-exiguolide.