First total synthesis of (±)-puyanin and (±)- 4′-O-methylbonannione

A facile approach for the first total synthesis of two naturally occurring geranylated flavonoids, (±)-puyanin 1 and (±)-4′-O-methylbonannione 2 have been obtained with total yield 27% and 21%, respectively. The key steps were regioselective cyclization of geranylated tetrahydroxychalcone and regioselective geranylation of 2, 4, 6-trihydroxy- acetophenone.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-α-vetispirene, (±)-hinesol, and (±)-β-vetivone based on a Claisen rearrangement

The stereoselective total syntheses of (±)-α-vetispirene, (±)-hinesol, and (±)-β-vetivone were accomplished based on a Claisen rearrangement in an alkenyl bicyclic dihydropyran system. The most striking feature of this approach is that the Claisen rearrangement of bicyclic dihydropyran proceeds stereoselectively to provide a multi-functionalized spiro[4.5]decane, which is an efficient precursor for the synthesis of the vetivane sesquiterpenes.     

Efficient formal synthesis of (±)-axamide-1 and (±)-axisonitrile-1 via an intramolecular Hosomi-Sakurai reaction

A formal synthesis of (±)-axamide-1 and (±)-axisonitrile-1 was achieved by using an intramolecular Hosomi-Sakurai reaction of the allylsilane derivative, as a key step, in which [(3-but-3-en-1-yl-3-methylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl](trimethyl)silane was transformed to a bicyclic compound possessing a core carbon framework under the oxidative dihydroxylation reaction conditions, in one step.     

Total synthesis of cyercene A and the biomimetic synthesis of (±)-9,10-deoxytridachione and (±)-ocellapyrone A

This paper summarises our detailed study towards the biomimetic synthesis of the complex polypropionate derived natural product (±)-9,10-deoxytridachione. A previous study based on the elaboration of functionalised γ-pyrones allowed us to synthesise cyercene A. The same efficient methodology has been applied for the elaboration of a more complex fully conjugated γ-pyrone polyene. Our approach centred on a key tandem Suzuki-coupling/electrocyclisation reaction, which supports a possible biosynthetic pathway for this class of natural products. A related compound was obtained during our studies, which we identified as the correct structure of ocellapyrone A.     

A new route to eremophilanes: synthesis of (±)-eremophilenolide, (±)-eremophiledinone, and (±)-deoxyeremopetasidione

A new and efficient route to the family of eremophilanes is reported. Key steps are the highly stereocontrolled Diels-Alder reaction and aldol condensation to furnish a cis-decalin system with the desired stereochemistry present in the eremophilane family of natural products. This approach is general and was utilized for the synthesis of (±)-eremophilenolide, (±)-eremophiledinone, and (±)-deoxyeremopetasidione.     

A new method of synthesising (±)-thalictroidine and (±)-hygrine

A new route to synthesise (±)-thalictroidine and (±)-hygrine by tandem S_N2-Micheal reaction is described.     

A formal total synthesis of (±)-9-isocyanoneopupukeanane

A formal total synthesis of the marine sesquiterpene (±)-9-isocyanoneopupukeanane starting from the readily available monoterpene carvone has been accomplished employing a combination of intermolecular Michael addition-intramolecular Michael addition reaction and an intramolecular rhodium carbenoid C-H insertion reaction as key steps, and identifying the isopropenyl group as a masked hydroxy group.     

Synthesis of alkylated indolizidine alkaloids via Pummerer mediated cyclization: synthesis of (±)-indolizidine 167B, (±)-5-butylindolizidine and (±)-monomorine I

The syntheses of indolizidine alkaloids, i.e., (±)-coniceine, (±)-indolizidine 167B, (±)-5-butylindolizidine and (±)-monomorine I via Pummerer cyclization are described. The key step is the transformation of lactam sulfoxide to bicyclic lactam via the Pummerer cyclization.     

Formal synthesis of (±)-brazilin and total synthesis of (±)-brazilane

A convergent synthesis towards (±)-brazilin and (±)-brazilane has been reported from 3,4-dimethoxy benzaldehyde in <15 reaction steps. Palladium(II)-catalysed intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclisation and Lewis acid supported intermolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions have been demonstrated. A tetracyclic substituted indane common key intermediate is employed to furnish the desired two molecules in good to excellent yield. Pd(OH)₂ has played a crucial role in the total synthesis of (±)-brazilane.     

Stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol and (±)-pisiferal

The stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-pisiferol (1) and (±)-pisiferal (2) has been successfully accomplished using the trans-octahydrophenanthrene derivative 20 as a key intermediate. Intramolecular cyclisation of the diazoketone 15 followed by catalytic hydrogenation provided, stereoselectively, the keto-ester 17 which was converted into the acetate 20 through the intermediates 18 and 19.     

Synthetic studies towards furosesquiterpenoids: total synthesis of (±) desmethylpallescensin-A, (±) isopallescensin-A and (±) isopallescensin-1

A new approach for a short and efficient synthesis of common cyclohexenone intermediate towards the total synthesis of some furosesquiterpenes and their analogues are described. Regioselective alkylation of Hagemann's ester with 2/3-furyl-2-ethyl bromide followed by hydrolysis cum in situ decarboxylation and 1,4-addition with Gilman's reagent produced the cyclohexanone derivatives which have been utilized for total synthesis of (±) isopallescensin-A, (±) 10-desmethylpallescensin-A, (±) 5-desmethyl-4,5-dehydromicrocionin-1 and (±) isopallescensin-1.     

Total synthesis of (±)-brazilin and formal synthesis of (±)-brazilein, (±)-brazilide A using m-CPBA

Total synthesis of (±)-brazilin has been accomplished. m-CPBA epoxidation of allyl alcohol 10 and epoxy opening reaction mediated by m-chlorobenzoic acid, formed in situ as a byproduct, gave advanced intermediate diol 14. O-alkylation and cyclization gave phenol 6 which enabled the formal synthesis of (±)-brazilein and (±)-brazilide A.     

Total syntheses of (±)-lentiginosine and (±)-1-epi-lentiginosine from hexahydro-1H-indol-3-one

Total syntheses of (±)-lentiginosine 1 and (±)-1-epi-lentiginosine 2 were achieved efficiently from hexahydro-1H-indol-3-one 7.     

Total synthesis of (±)-stemonamide, (±)-isostemonamide, (±)-stemonamine, and (±)-isostemonamine using a radical cascade

A total synthesis of (±)-stemonamide and (±)-isostemonamide has been achieved by using a radical cascade that involves two endo-selective cyclizations. (±)-Stemonamine and (±)-isostemonamine are synthesized by chemoselective reduction of (±)-stemonamide and (±)-isostemonamide, respectively.     

Enantio-complementary deracemization of (±)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid and (±)-3-phenyllactic acid using lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution combined with biocatalytic racemization

Deracemization of (±)-3-phenyllactic acid (1) and (±)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoic acid (2) was accomplished by lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution coupled to biocatalytic racemization of the non-reacting substrate enantiomers using Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 20008. Cyclic repetition of this sequence led to a single enantiomeric product from the racemate. Access to both enantiomers was achieved by switching between lipase-catalysed acyl-transfer and ester hydrolysis reactions. Both products constitute important building blocks for virus protease- and ACE-inhibitors, respectively.     

Total syntheses of (±)-cis- and (±)-trans-neocnidilides

Total syntheses of two antimicrobial natural products (±)-cis-neocnidilide and (±)-trans-neocnidilide starting from a readily preparable cyclohexa[b]-fused 5-oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane derivative are presented. The diastereomeric tetrahydrofuran tricarboxylate epimers obtained from a BF₃·OEt₂ promoted Grob-type fragmentation of the oxa-bicycle derivative were converted into title natural products by employing pyridinium dichromate/acetic anhydride mediated bis-oxidative cleavage reaction.     

Concise total syntheses of (±)isopaucifloral F, (±)quadrangularin A, and (±)pallidol

Concise total syntheses of (±)isopaucifloral F, (±)quadrangularin A, and (±)pallidol, starting from commercially available 3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid, have been achieved by a sequential process. The overall synthetic strategy involves Nazarov cyclization, Ramberg-Backlund olefination, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation.     

Total synthesis of (±)-lantalucratins A and B by CAN-mediated oxidative cyclization

The first total synthesis of (±)-lantalucratins A and B is described. Introduction of an alkyl side chain at the 6-position was proceeded by directed ortho-lithiation and subsequent alkylation reaction to afford 6-alkyl-5,7,8-trimethoxy-1-naphthol as a synthetically important intermediate for (±)-lantalucratins A and B in excellent yield with complete regioselectivity. The 1,2-naphthoquinone fused five-membered cyclic ether framework was constructed directly from 3-hydroxyalkyl-naphthalenes by oxidative intramolecular cyclization reaction with diammonium cerium(IV) nitrate. (±)-Lantalucratins A and B were obtained in 69% and 45% overall yields, respectively.     

Synthesis of the necine bases (±)-macronecine and (±)-supinidine via an aza-ene reaction and allylsilane induced ring closure

An aza-ene reaction has been used for the first time for the synthesis of two 5-membered lactam-hydrazides, each with a built-in allylsilane terminator for further elaboration. One of the lactam-hydrazides was transformed via an allylsilane-hydrazonium ion ring closure to a fused tetrahydropyrazole which may be considered as a mono-nitrogen analog of the biologically significant necine bases. A density functional theoretical study (B3LYP/6-21G*) was undertaken to provide insight into the factors that favor a synclinal transition structure of the hydrazonium ion intermediate leading to the tetrahydropyrazole. This stereocontrolled synthesis served as a model for the multi-step conversion of the other lactam-hydrazide, the substituted 2-pyrrolidinone, to necine bases (±)-supinidine and (±)-macronecine. An allylsilane-aldehyde ring closure formed the key step in the synthesis of these natural products.     

Formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene and (±)-Pentalenene using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition

Efficient formal syntheses of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene, a natural product with a bicyclo[6.3.0]undecane skeleton, and (±)-Pentalenene, a natural product with a tricyclo[6.3.0.0^4,8]undecane skeleton, have been achieved by using Rh(I)-catalyzed [(5+2)+1] cycloaddition. The [(5+2)+1] reaction provides an expeditious approach to reach the bicyclic cyclooctenone 4, which was quickly transformed (via hydroboration then oxidation) to diketone 14, a key advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Asterisca-3(15),6-diene. Through further transformations, 14 was converted to diene 18, an advanced intermediate for the total synthesis of (±)-Pentalenene.