Synthesis of the taxane diterpenes: Construction of a bc ring intermediate for taxane synthesis

A general and practical route to a crucial BC ring intermediate for the preparation of simple taxanes is described.     

A synthetic approach to taxane diterpenes. A synthesis of the bicyclo[5.3.1]undecenone ring system

Bicyclo[5.3.1]undecenone 2 corresponding to A and B rings in taxane diterpenes was synthesized. The eight-membered ring was constructed by a base-induced intramolecular cyclization of twelve-membered lactam sulfoxides 15.     

Studies toward the total synthesis of nakiterpiosin: construction of the CDE ring system by a transannular Diels-Alder strategy

The transannular Diels-Alder (TADA) reaction was applied to the synthesis of the CDE ring system of nakiterpiosin (1). Tetracyclic compound 25 may be a key intermediate in the total synthesis of 1.     

Belting of the cyclooctatetraene ring across the transannular 1- and 5-positions

Four cyclooctatetraenes bridged in a previously unknown 1,5-manner have been prepared by a general route that also allows introduction of a C-3 methyl group to break the axial symmetry.     

A novel approach to the taxane ABC ring system through chemical conversion from C19-diterpenoid alkaloid deltaline

A novel approach to the highly functionalized taxane ABC ring system through chemical conversion of the C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloid deltaline (1) was achieved in six steps (1→17) in 18% overall yield mainly by Grob fragmentation, fission of the Δ⁹⁽¹⁴⁾ double bond, followed by aldol condensation, and Pelletier's cleavage process.     

Investigation of the [1,5]-hydride shift as a route to nitro-Mannich cyclisations

Conditions were found for the [1,5]-hydride shift nitro-Mannich reaction that led to the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted tetrahydroquinolines. Two simple cyclic amine substrates gave diastereomerically pure rearranged products in 65 and 90% yields by refluxing in HFIP. A more general procedure used Gd(OTf)3 as a catalyst and successfully rearranged other cyclic and acyclic amines in 42–84% yield with diastereomeric ratios of 75:25 to >95:5 in favour of the anti-diastereoisomer (9 examples). Two examples of sulphur containing heterocycles gave lower yields of 9 and 25%. Electron withdrawing substituents were shown to have a deleterious effect on the success of the reaction. The results indicated the limitation of the [1,5]-hydride shift nitro-Mannich reaction with respect to the stability of the intermediate iminium ion.     

Construction of a pentacyclic ring system of isoryanodane diterpenoids by SmI2-mediated transannular cyclization

Isoryanodane diterpenoids possess a densely oxygenated and intricately fused pentacycle (ABCDE-ring), although its unique ring system has not yet been assembled chemically. The 6/5/7-membered BCD-rings of isoryanodanes differ from the 5/6/6-membered rings of the structurally-related ryanodanes. We previously achieved the total synthesis of ryanodine and five other ryanodane diterpenoids by employing the common ABDE-tetracyclic intermediate 1. Herein, we report a new strategy for constructing isoryanodane ABCDE-ring structure 3 from 1 via a combination of the oxy-Cope rearrangement and SmI₂-mediated transannular cyclization.     

Piperidines from acid-catalysed cyclisations: Pitfalls,solutions and a new ring contraction to pyrrolidines

The success of acid-catalysed cyclisations of alka-4-enylamine derivatives to piperidines depends very much on the nature of the amine protecting group: while carbamates and related amides can usually be readily and cleanly transformed, the corresponding sulfonamides react further by ring contraction leading to pyrrolidines, especially when such substrates are sterically crowded.     

Enantioselective synthesis of condensed and transannular ring skeletons containing pyrrolidine moiety

A new approach toward condensed and transannular ring structures containing pyrrolidine unit has been developed, based on diastereoselective nucleophilic addition of lithium enolate of α-diazoacetoacetate to chiral N-sulfinyl imine and ring-closing metathesis.     

A novel approach to the taxane BC ring system through formation of alpha-ketol by oxidative removal of the phenylsulfonyl group with subsequent in situ oxidation

Cis-fused bicyclo[6.4.0]dodecene 11 was converted into taxane BC ring system 21 in three steps; transformation of the phenylsulfonyl group to an alpha-hydroxy carbonyl group by the treatment with potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) and triethyl phosphite under oxygen atmosphere, followed by reductive elimination of the hydroxyl group of alpha-ketol moiety, and inversion of ring juncture. Epimerization of the sulfonyl group of 11 was indispensable for the first oxidation process (17 --> 18) and the second oxidation of 12 leading to hydroxylation at the alpha-position of the carbonyl group proceeded with high regio- and stereoselectivity to give 13. On the other hand, reaction of the cross-conjugated compound 5 with KHMDS at 0 degrees C brought about a complete reorganization of molecular framework to provide the compound 7 in which the five-membered ring and the conjugated seven-membered ring were connected through a single bond.     

Construction of bicyclic ring systems via a transannular SmI2-mediated ketone-olefin cyclization strategy

The development of novel methods and strategies for the formation of polycyclic ring structures is of utmost importance in organic synthesis. The present study describes the investigation of a transannular cyclization strategy for constructing bicyclic ring systems. To test the viability of the approach, the SmI2-mediated ketone-olefin coupling reaction, a method previously developed in this laboratory, was examined. Investigation of the transannular cyclization of cyclooctene, cyclodecene, and cycloundecene derivatives revealed that the process proceeds with high yield and diastereoselectivity, and in the case of larger ring-sized compounds, with excellent regioselectivity. The regioselectivity of the annulation process could be rationalized based on examining the low energy conformations of the keto alkene starting materials. These results demonstrate the efficiency and the potential of the transannular cyclization tactic for the creation of bicyclic ring systems.     

Access to the 1,3,4,6-tetraazapentalene ring system

An oxidative cyclization method is described for synthesizing molecules containing the 1,3,4,6-tetraazapentalene ring system.     

Enantioselective synthesis of the bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane ring system of the pinguisane-type sesquiterpenoids via a Brønsted acid promoted transannular enol alkylation

The bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane ring system of the pinguisane-type sesquiterpenoid natural products, including the vicinal quaternary stereocentres, has been synthesised as a single enantiomer via a novel Brønsted acid promoted transannular alkylation of an enol with an unactivated alkene.     

Selective transannular ring transformations in azirino-fused eight-membered O,N- or S,N-heterocycles

The first examples of transannular ring transformations in azirino-fused eight-membered O,N- or S,N-heterocycles involving selective aziridine ring opening and medium-sized ring contraction are described, which provide an access to functionalized 1,4-benzox(thi)azines or 1,3-benzox(thi)azoles.     

Exploration of a proposed biomimetic synthetic route to plumarellide. Development of a facile transannular Diels-Alder reaction from a macrocyclic enedione leading to a new 5,6,7-tricyclic ring system

A concise synthesis of the macrocyclic vinylbutenolide 19 is described, based on a facile RCM reaction of the substrates 16/18. Treatment of 19 with TFA containing water led to the 5,6,7-tricyclic compound 27, in a single step, in >90% yield, rather than to the alternative ring system 23 found in plumarellide (1). A rationale for the formation of 27 is presented, involving initial acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the furanmethanol intermediate 20 to the furanoxonium ion 21, which is next hydrolysed to the enol ether cyclic hemiketal 22. The intermediate 22 undergoes rapid tautomerisation and isomerisation producing enedione 24, which then takes part in a transannular Diels-Alder cyclisation to 26. Dehydration of 26 finally produces the tricyclic compound 27.     

A photochemical approach to the Galanthan ring system

A five-step, atom-efficient synthesis of the Galanthan tetracyclic skeleton has been developed. The key step is an unusual intramolecular de Mayo reaction using an isocarbostyril substrate with a functionalized tether on nitrogen. The target molecule is produced in 35% overall yield from isocarbostyril.     

A convergent approach to the mitomycin ring system

[structure: see text]. A novel stereoselective approach to the ring system of the mitomycins is described. The synthesis was based on a convergent strategy involving a stereocontrolled addition of a beta-phenyl silyl enol ether to a pyrroline N-acyliminium ion followed by an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl triflate amination to afford the (9R*,9aR*)-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]indole ring system.     

A new entry to the phenanthridine ring system

A new synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives having three-point diversity has been developed based on the sequential application of three-atom economic processes viz. aza-Claisen rearrangement, ring-closing enyne metathesis and Diels–Alder reaction as key steps. An unexpected isomerisation was observed during aza-Claisen rearrangement of N-allylanilines which may open up new opportunities in heterocyclic synthesis.