Total Synthesis of (−)‐Daphenylline

A concise and highly stereoselective total synthesis of the Daphniphyllum alkaloids (?)‐daphenylline has been accomplished. The synthesis was started from (S)‐carvone and proceeded via a stereoselective Mg(ClO₄)₂‐catalyzed intramolecular amide addition cyclization, an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to construct the ABCD tetracyclic core architecture, and a Robinson annulation coupled with an oxidative aromatization sequence. Finally, the DF ring system was installed through an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization. The total synthesis of (?)‐daphenylline is achieved in 19 steps in the longest reaction sequence and in 7.6 % overall yield.     

Concise and Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Mehranine, (−)‐Methylenebismehranine,and Related Aspidosperma Alkaloids

We report an efficient and highly stereoselective strategy for the synthesis of Aspidosperma alkaloids based on the transannular cyclization of a chiral lactam precursor. Three new stereocenters are formed in this key step with excellent diastereoselectivity due to the conformational bias of the cyclization precursor, leading to a versatile pentacyclic intermediate. A subsequent stereoselective epoxidation followed by a mild formamide reduction enabled the first total synthesis of the Aspidosperma alkaloids (?)‐mehranine and (+)‐(6S,7S)‐dihydroxy‐N‐methylaspidospermidine. A late‐stage dimerization of (?)‐mehranine mediated by scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate completed the first total synthesis of (?)‐methylenebismehranine.     

Concise Syntheses of bis‐Strychnos Alkaloids (−)‐Sungucine, (−)‐Isosungucine,and (−)‐Strychnogucine B from (−)‐Strychnine

The first chemical syntheses of complex, bis‐Strychnos alkaloids (?)‐sungucine ( 1 ), (?)‐isosungucine ( 2 ), and (?)‐strychnogucine B ( 3 ) from (?)‐strychnine ( 4 ) is reported. Key steps included (1) the Polonovski–Potier activation of strychnine N‐oxide; (2) a biomimetic Mannich coupling to forge the signature C23?C5′ bond that joins two monoterpene indole monomers; and (3) a sequential HBr/NaBH₃CN‐mediated reduction to fashion the ethylidene moieties in 1 – 3 . DFT calculations were employed to rationalize the regiochemical course of reactions involving strychnine congeners.     

Formal Synthesis of (−)‐Cephalotaxine

A formal synthesis of (?)‐cephalotaxine ( 1 ) by means of a highly stereoselective radical carboazidation process is reported. The synthesis begins with the protected (S)‐cyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐ol derivative 10 and uses the concept of self‐reproduction of a stereogenic center (Schemes 5 and 6). For this purpose, the double bond adjacent to the initial chiral center in 10 is converted into an acetonide after stereoselective dihydroxylation. The initial alcohol function is used to build an exocyclic methylene group suitable for the carboazidation process 8 → 7 (Scheme 7). Finally the protected diol moiety is converted back to an alkene ( 14 → 15 → 6 ) and used for the formation of ring B via a Heck reaction ( 6 →(?)‐ 16 ; Scheme 8).     

Total Synthesis of Marine Eicosanoid (−)‐Hybridalactone

(?)‐Hybridalactone ( 1 ) is a marine eicosanoid isolated from the red alga Laurencia hybrida. This natural product contains cyclopropane, cyclopentane, 13‐membered macrolactone and epoxide ring systems incorporating seven stereogenic centers. Moreover, this compound has an acid‐labile skipped Z,Z‐diene motif. In this paper, we report on the total synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ). The unique eicosanoid (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) was synthesized starting from optically active γ‐butyrolactone 2 in a linear sequence comprising 21 steps with an overall yield of 21.9 %. A key step in the synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) is the methyl phenylsulfonylacetate‐mediated one‐pot synthesis of the cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone derivative. This reaction provided an efficient and stereoselective access to cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone 12 . Further elaboration of the latter compounds through desulfonylation, epoxidation, oxidation, Wittig olefination and Shiina macrolactonization afforded (?)‐hybridalactone.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (−)‐Pinidinone

A simple and efficient stereoselective linear approach to the total synthesis of (?)‐pinidinone has been accomplished starting from propane‐1,3‐diol, and employing Maruoka asymmetric allylation and Grubbs' olefin cross‐metathesis as the key steps.     

Synthesis of the Spermidine Alkaloids (−)‐(2R,3R)‐ and (−)‐(2R,3S)‐3‐Hydroxycelacinnine: Macrocyclization with Oxirane‐Ring Opening and Inversion via Cyclic Sulfamidates

The two epimers (?)‐ 1a and (?)‐ 1b of the macrocyclic lactam alkaloid 3‐hydroxycelacinnine with the (2R,3R) and (2R,3S) absolute configurations, respectively, were synthesized by an alternative route involving macrocyclization with the regio‐ and stereoselective oxirane‐ring opening by the terminal amino group (Schemes 2 and 6). Properly N‐protected chiral trans‐oxirane precursors provided (2R,3R)‐macrocycles after a one‐pot deprotection‐macrocyclization step under moderate dilution (0.005–0.01M ). The best yields (65–85%) were achieved with trifluoroacetyl protection. Macrocyclization of the corresponding cis‐oxiranes was unsuccessful for steric reasons. Inversion at OH? C(3) via nucleophilic displacement of the cyclic sulfamidate derivative with NaNO₂ led to (2R,3S)‐macrocycles. The synthesized (?)‐(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxycelacinnine ((?)‐ 1b ) was identical to the natural alkaloid.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Salvinorin A

Salvinorin A ( 1 ) is natural hallucinogen that binds the human κ‐opioid receptor. A total synthesis has been developed that parlays the stereochemistry of l ‐(+)‐tartaric acid into that of (?)‐ 1 via an unprecedented allylic dithiane intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to obtain the trans‐decalin scaffold. Tsuji allylation set the C9 quaternary center and a late‐stage stereoselective chiral ligand‐assisted addition of a 3‐titanium furan upon a C12 aldehyde/C17 methyl ester established the furanyl lactone moiety. The tartrate diol was finally converted into the C1,C2 keto‐acetate.     

Total Syntheses of (−)‐Conidiogenone B, (−)‐Conidiogenone,and (−)‐Conidiogenol

Cyclopianes are novel diterpenes featuring a highly strained 6/5/5/5 tetracyclic core embedded with 6–8 consecutive stereocenters. The concise total syntheses of (?)‐conidiogenone B, (?)‐conidiogenone, and (?)‐conidiogenol have been accomplished in 14–17 steps. The present work features a HAT‐mediated alkene–nitrile cyclization to access the cis‐biquinane, a Nicholas/Pauson–Khand reaction to construct the linear triquinane, and a Danheiser annulation to afford the congested angular triquinane skeleton.     

Protecting‐Group‐Free Enantioselective Synthesis of (−)‐Pallavicinin and (+)‐Neopallavicinin

The first enantioselective synthesis of (?)‐pallavicinin and (+)‐neopallavicinin has been achieved in 15 steps. The described synthesis avoids protecting‐group manipulations by synthesis designs predicated on highly chemo‐ and stereoselective transformations. Highlights of the synthesis include a palladium‐catalyzed enantioselective decarboxylative allylation to form the chiral all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter, a palladium‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization to assemble the [3.2.1]‐bicyclic moiety, and an unprecedented LiBHEt₃‐induced fragmentation/protonation of an α‐hydroxy epoxide to form the α‐furan ketone with the desired configuration.     

Enantioselective Access to (−)‐Ambrox® Starting from β‐Farnesene

Starting from inexpensive (E)‐β‐farnesene ( 1 ), an eight‐step enantioselective synthesis of the olfactively precious Ambrox^® ((?)‐ 2a ) has been performed. The crucial step is the catalytic asymmetric isomerization of (2E,6E)‐N,N‐diethylfarnesylamine ( 3 ) to the corresponding enamine (?)‐(R,E)‐ 4a , applying Takasago's well‐known industrial methodology. The resulting dihydrofarnesal ((+)‐(R)‐ 5 ) (90% yield, 96% ee), obtained after in situ hydrolysis (AcOH, H₂O), was then cyclized under catalytic SnCl₄ conditions, via its corresponding unreported enol acetate (?)‐(R)‐ 4b , to afford trans‐decalenic aldehyde (+)‐ 6a . Subsequent transformations furnished bicyclic ketone (?)‐ 8a and unsaturated nitrile (+)‐ 11 , both reported as intermediates to access to (?)‐ 2a .     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Stenine and 9a‐epi‐Stenine

A route for the asymmetric synthesis of (?)‐stenine, a member of the Stemona alkaloid family used as folk medicine in Asian countries, is described. The key features of the sequence employed include stereoselective transformations on a cyclohexane ring controlled by a chiral auxiliary unit and an intramolecular Mitsunobu reaction to construct the perhydroindole ring system. By using an intermediate in the route to (?)‐stenine, an asymmetric synthesis of 9a‐epi‐stenine was also executed. The C(9a) stereocenter in 9a‐epi‐stenine was installed by using a Staudinger/aza‐Wittig reaction of a keto–azide precursor followed by reduction of the resulting imine. The results of this effort demonstrate the applicability of the chiral auxiliary based strategy to the preparation of naturally occurring alkaloids that contain highly functionalized cyclohexane cores.     

Enantioselective Divergent Synthesis of (−)‐cis‐α‐ and (−)‐cis‐γ‐Irone by Using Wilkinson’s Catalyst

A simple, efficient synthesis is reported for (?)‐cis‐α‐ and (?)‐cis‐γ‐irone, two precious constituents of iris oils, in ≥99 % diastereomeric and enantioselective ratios. The two routes diverge from a common intermediate prepared from (?)‐epoxygeraniol. Of general interest in this approach is the installation of the enone moiety of irones through a NHC?Au^I‐catalyzed Meyer–Schuster‐like rearrangement of a propargylic benzoate and the use of Wilkinson’s catalyst for the stereoselective hydrogenation of a prostereogenic exocyclic double bond to secure the critical cis stereochemistry of the alkyl groups at C2 and C6 of the irones. The stereochemical aspects of this reaction are rationally supported by DFT calculation of the conformers of the substrates undergoing the hydrogenation and by a modeling study of the geometry of the rhodium η² complexes involved in the diastereodifferentiation of the double bond faces. Thus, computational investigation of the η² intermediates formed in the catalytic cycle of prostereogenic alkene hydrogenation by using Wilkinson’s catalyst could be highly predictive of the stereochemistry of the products.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Hosieine A

The first total synthesis of (?)‐hosieine A was accomplished and features an unprecedented nitroso–ene cyclization to construct the 2‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system. Phosphine‐enabled stereoselective bromohydrination provided interesting mechanistic insights into the anti‐Markovnikov process. Also noteworthy is the retention of stereochemistry at C9 in the facile radical debromination initiated by Et₃B/air.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Isoschizogamine

The total synthesis of (?)‐isoschizogamine was accomplished, featuring the construction of the quaternary carbon center by the modified Johnson–Claisen rearrangement in basic media and the facile assembly of the key tetracyclic quinolone intermediate through a cascade cyclization. The characteristic cyclic aminal was constructed by late‐stage C?H functionalization at the position adjacent to the lactam nitrogen using a combination of CrO₃ and nBu₄NIO₄ and subsequent Bi(OTf)₃‐mediated cyclization.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cladospolide B

An enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐cladospolide B was described. The key steps in this synthesis include(a) a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation to elaborate syn diol at C‐4 and C‐5 positions; (b) a Mitsunobu esterification to reverse the configuration at C‐11 from (S) to (R); and (c) a ring‐closing metathesis to access the 12‐membered macrocyclic ring.     

The Cobalt Way to Angucyclinones: Asymmetric Total Synthesis of the Antibiotics (+)‐Rubiginone B2, (−)‐Tetrangomycin,and (−)‐8‐O‐Methyltetrangomycin

A cobalt(I)‐mediated convergent and asymmetric total synthesis of angucyclinones with an aromatic B ring has been developed. In the course of our research, we synthesized three naturally occurring anguclinone derivatives, namely, (+)‐rubiginone B₂ ( 1 ), (?)‐8‐O‐methyltetrangomycin ( 2 ), and (?)‐tetrangomycin ( 3 ). By combining 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 3‐methoxybenzoic acid, citronellal, and geraniol as starting materials in a convergent way, we were able to synthesize chiral triyne chains, which were cyclized with [CpCo(C₂H₄)₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) by means of an intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition to their corresponding tetrahydrobenzo[a]anthracenes. Successive oxidation and deprotection steps led to the above‐mentioned natural products 1 – 3 .     

Catalytic Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Galanthamine and (−)‐Lycoramine

The catalytic asymmetric total syntheses of (?)‐galanthamine ( 1 ) and (?)‐lycoramine ( 2 ) have been achieved by using a conceptually new strategy featuring two metal‐catalyzed reactions as the key steps. A new method for the construction of 3,4‐fused benzofurans has been developed through a palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular Larock annulation reaction, which was successfully applied to the construction of the ABD tricyclic skeleton of 1 and 2 . To achieve the asymmetric synthesis of 1 and 2 , a Sc^III/N,N′‐dioxide complex was used to catalyze the enantioselective conjugate addition of 3‐alkyl‐substituted benzofuranone to methyl vinyl ketone for the construction of a chiral quaternary carbon center.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of (−)‐(R)‐Cordiachromene and (−)‐(R)‐Dictyochromenol Utilizing Intramolecular SNAr Reaction

A simple and efficient enantioselective synthesis of chromene, (?)‐(R)‐cordiachromene ( 1 ), and (?)‐(R)‐dictyochromenol ( 2 ) has been accomplished. This convergent synthesis utilizes intramolecular S_NAr reaction for the formation of chroman ring, and Seebach's method of ‘self‐reproduction of chirality’ should establish the (R)‐configuration of the C(2) side chain as key steps.     

Divergent Total Syntheses of (−)‐Daphnilongeranin B and (−)‐Daphenylline

(?)‐Daphnilongeranin B and (?)‐daphenylline are two hexacyclic Daphniphyllum alkaloids, each containing a complex cagelike backbone. Described herein are the first asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐daphnilongeranin B and a bioinspired synthesis of (?)‐daphenylline with an unusual E ring embedded in a cagelike framework. The key features include an intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition, a late‐stage aldol cyclization to install the F ring of daphnilongeranin B, and a bioinspired cationic rearrangement leading to the tetrasubstituted benzene ring of daphenylline.