An Efficient Synthesis of a Potential (−)‐Reserpine Intermediate from (−)‐Shikimic Acid of the Chiral Pool

A highly stereoselective route to the polysubstituted chiral octahydrobenzofuran 12 , a potential synthon for the E‐ring core in the (?)‐reserpine synthesis, is described. The α‐bromo acetal 11 was obtained from inexpensive (?)‐shikimic acid ( 3 ) through a series of highly stereoselective chemical reactions (Scheme). Et₃B/Bu₃SnH‐Mediated intramolecular radical cyclization of 11 led to compound 12 with the required configuration.     

An Alternative Regioselective Approach for the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Derivatives of Pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine Scaffold

A straightforward approach for the regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine from the annulation of 6‐bromo‐3‐cyano‐2‐(ethylthio)‐5‐methyl‐7‐oxo‐6,7‐dihydropyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine with thiourea as a bisnucleophilic reagent under reflux condition in CH₃CN in the presence of Et₃N has been developed. The N‐alkylation of the synthesis compound was also accomplished. The true regioisomer was determined by ²D‐NOESY NMR spectroscopy, as well.     

Highly Enantioselective Tandem Michael Addition of Tryptamine‐Derived Oxindoles to Alkynones: Concise Synthesis of Strychnos Alkaloids

A highly enantioselective tandem Michael addition of tryptamine‐derived oxindoles to alkynones was developed by taking advantage of a chiral N,N′‐dioxide Sc(OTf)₃ catalyst. The reaction enables the facile preparation of enantioenriched spiro[pyrrolidine‐3,3′‐oxindole] compounds, which provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. As a demonstration, the asymmetric synthesis of strychnos alkaloids [(?)‐tubifoline, (?)‐tubifolidine, (?)‐dehydrotubifoline] was achieved in 10–11 steps.     

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.     

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.     

Chiral Ammonium Betaine‐Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Aza‐Henry Reaction of α‐Aryl Nitromethanes with Aromatic N‐Boc Imines

A highly stereoselective aza‐Henry reaction of α‐aryl nitromethanes with aromatic N‐Boc imines was established by using C₁‐symmetric chiral ammonium betaine as a bifunctional organic base catalyst. Various substituted aryl groups for both imines and nitromethanes were tolerated in the reaction, and a series of precursors for the synthesis of unsymmetrical anti‐1,2‐diaryl ethylenediamines was provided.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Englerin A through Catalytic Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition

An asymmetric total synthesis of the guaiane sesquiterpene (?)‐englerin A, a potent and selective inhibitor of the growth of renal cancer cell lines, was accomplished. The basis of the approach is a highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with an ethyl vinyl ether dipolarophile under catalysis by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N‐tetrachlorophthaloyl‐(S)‐tert‐leucinate], [Rh₂(S‐TCPTTL)₄], to construct the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework with concomitant introduction of the oxygen substituent at C9 on the exo‐face. Another notable feature of the synthesis is ruthenium tetraoxide‐catalyzed chemoselective oxidative conversion of C9 ethyl ether to C9 acetate.     

Total Synthesis of Enantiopure Pyrrhoxanthin: Alternative Methods for the Stereoselective Preparation of 4‐Alkylidenebutenolides

A new stereocontrolled total synthesis of the configurationally labile C₃₇‐norcarotenoid pyrrhoxanthin in enantiopure form has been completed. A highly stereoselective Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) condensation of a C₁₇‐allylphosphonate and a C₂₀‐aldehyde was used as the last conjunctive step. Both a Sonogashira reaction to form the C₁₇‐phosphonate and the final HWE condensation proved to be compatible with the sensitive C7–C10 enyne E configuration. Regioselective (5‐exo‐dig) silver‐promoted lactonization reactions of three alternative pent‐2‐en‐4‐ynoic acid precursors with increased complexity, including a fully functionalized C₂₀‐fragment, were explored for the preparation of the γ‐alkylidenebutenolide fragment. This survey extends the existing methodologies for the preparation of oxygen‐containing carotenoids (xanthophylls) and streamlines the synthesis of additional members of the C₃₇‐norcarotenoid butenolide family of natural products.     

Total Synthesis of Astellatol

A nearly‐30‐year‐old unanswered synthetic puzzle, astellatol, has been solved in an enantiospecific manner. The highly congested pentacyclic skeleton of this rare sesterterpenoid, which possesses a unique bicyclo[4.1.1]octane motif, ten stereocenters, a cyclobutane that contains two quaternary centers, an exo‐methylene group, and a sterically encumbered isopropyl trans‐hydrindane motif, makes astellatol arguably one of the most challenging targets for sesterterpenoid synthesis. An intramolecular Pauson–Khand reaction was exploited to construct the right‐hand side scaffold of this sesterterpenoid. An unprecedented reductive radical 1,6‐addition, mediated by SmI₂, forged the cyclobutane motif. Last, a strategic oxidation/reduction step provided not only the decisive solution for the remarkably challenging late‐stage transformations, but also a highly valuable unravelling of the notorious issue of trans‐hydrindane synthesis. Importantly, the synthesis of astellatol showcases a rapid, scalable strategy to access diverse complex isopropyl trans‐hydrindane sesterterpenoids.     

Total Synthesis of Astellatol

A nearly‐30‐year‐old unanswered synthetic puzzle, astellatol, has been solved in an enantiospecific manner. The highly congested pentacyclic skeleton of this rare sesterterpenoid, which possesses a unique bicyclo[4.1.1]octane motif, ten stereocenters, a cyclobutane that contains two quaternary centers, an exo‐methylene group, and a sterically encumbered isopropyl trans‐hydrindane motif, makes astellatol arguably one of the most challenging targets for sesterterpenoid synthesis. An intramolecular Pauson–Khand reaction was exploited to construct the right‐hand side scaffold of this sesterterpenoid. An unprecedented reductive radical 1,6‐addition, mediated by SmI₂, forged the cyclobutane motif. Last, a strategic oxidation/reduction step provided not only the decisive solution for the remarkably challenging late‐stage transformations, but also a highly valuable unravelling of the notorious issue of trans‐hydrindane synthesis. Importantly, the synthesis of astellatol showcases a rapid, scalable strategy to access diverse complex isopropyl trans‐hydrindane sesterterpenoids.     

Directed Remote Lateral Metalation: Highly Substituted 2‐Naphthols and BINOLs by In Situ Generation of a Directing Group

A general synthesis of highly substituted 2‐naphthols based on a new carbanionic reaction sequence is demonstrated. The reaction exploits the dual nature of lithium bases consisting of consecutive ring opening of readily available coumarins with either LiNEt₂ or LiNiPr₂ into Z‐cinnamamides, thus generating a directing group in situ and allowing, by conformational freedom, a lateral directed remote metalation for ring closure to give the aryl 2‐naphthols in good to excellent yields. These transformations can be combined to provide a more efficient one‐pot process. Mechanistic insight into the remote lateral metalation step, demonstrating the requirement of Z‐cinnamamide, is described. Application of this methodology to the synthesis of highly substituted 3,3′‐diaryl BINOL ligands is also reported.     

Concise Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Leiocarpin C

A simple and highly concise strategy has been developed for the stereoselective total synthesis of leiocarpin C starting from commercially available mandelic ester. The strategy utilizes the OsO₄‐catalyzed cis‐hydroxylation and selective reduction with K‐Selectride as key steps.     

Efficient Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines from the Reaction of Aldehyde,Aniline, and Alkene under the In Situ Redox of SnCl2 and FeCl3

A highly efficient three‐component Povarov reaction for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives was reported. The reaction of aldehyde, aniline, and alkene was carried out in the presence of Sn(IV), which was generated in situ from the redox reaction of SnCl₂ and FeCl₃, to afford tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields. This discovery showed a sharp difference from the direct use of unstable SnCl₄. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes could be applied for the synthesis of the heterocycle in the reaction. The structure of the product 6‐chloro‐4‐methyl‐4‐neopentyl‐2‐propyltetrahydroquinoline and 6‐bromo‐4‐methyl‐4‐neopentyl‐2‐propyltetrahydroquinoline was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of O‐Allylhydroxylamines through the Organocatalytic Oxidation of Tertiary Allylic Amines Followed by a [2,3]‐Meisenheimer Rearrangement

A cheap, green, and highly efficient one‐pot method for the synthesis of O‐protected allylic alcohols is described. By utilizing 2,2,2‐trifluoroacetophenone as the organocatalyst and H₂O₂ as the oxidant, a variety of allylic amine N‐oxides were synthesized, which upon heating are converted to the final products through a [2,3]‐Meisenheimer rearrangement.     

Addition of Electrophilic Radicals to 2‐Benzyloxyglycals: Synthesis and Functionalization of Fluorinated α‐C‐Glycosides and Derivatives

A new method for the synthesis of fluorinated α‐C‐glycosides is described. The reactions between highly electrophilic radicals (fluorinated or unfluorinated) and a 2‐benzyloxyglucal or galactal provide 2‐keto‐D ‐arabino‐ or 2‐keto‐D ‐lyxo‐hexopyranosides through an addition/fragmentation process. Sodium borohydride mediated or Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction of these compounds provides α‐C‐glycosides that feature appropriate anchoring groups for further synthetic elaboration. The presence of CF₂CO₂iPr or CF₂Br groups at the pseudo‐anomeric position allows efficient reduction/olefination or Br/Li‐exchange/nucleophilic‐addition sequences. These transformations open the way for the synthesis of fluorinated C‐glycosidic analogues of glycoconjugates.     

Efficient One‐pot Synthesis,Antimicrobial and Docking Studies of Some Newer Tetrahydro‐4H‐benzo [1,3‐e]oxazines and Related β‐Acylamino Ketone Derivatives

A concise one‐step procedure was developed for the synthesis of some newer tetrahydro‐4H‐benzo[1,3‐e ]oxazines and β‐acylamino ketone derivatives via condensation of cyclohexanone derivative with different aromatic aldehydes and nitriles in the presence of tetrachlorosilane/zinc chloride (TCS/ZnCl₂) reagent mixture under ambient conditions. Docking studies for the synthesized benzo‐oxazine derivatives were designed and a model of highly active derivatives was mapped for the antimicrobial screening.     

trans‐3‐Ethyl‐cis‐2,6,6‐trimethyl‐4‐oxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid: an intermediate in the synthesis of a highly potent estrogen

The title compound, C₁₂H₂₀O₃, (IV), the ethyl ester of which is an intermediate in the synthesis of a compound reported to be highly estrogenic, has been prepared. After the initial steps reported for the synthesis of this ester intermediate were followed, it was converted into the crystalline acid, (IV), for X‐ray analysis. It was verified that (IV) was racemic when prepared. X‐ray analysis showed that anti‐hydrogenation of the double bond had occurred in the synthesis, making the orientation of the carboxyl group cis to the 2‐methyl group and trans to the 3‐ethyl group. NMR spectroscopy showed that the stereochemistry of (IV) was identical with that of its ester precursor. While the earlier report did not note the stereochemistry of this ester, it pointed out that the estrogenic product derived from it possessed the opposite carboxyl‐2‐methyl orientation, i.e.trans, although no X‐ray analysis was performed. In the light of these results and the importance of correlating biological activity with compound structure, the unequivocal characterization of the highly estrogenic compound is warranted.     

Well‐defined NHC?Pd complex‐mediated intermolecular direct annulations for synthesis of functionalized indoles (NHC = N‐hetero‐cyclic carbene)

As alternatives to the common tertiary phosphine/Pd systems, well‐defined N‐heterocyclic carbene–Pd complexes have been proven to be highly efficient precatalysts for intermolecular direct annalution of o‐haloanilines and ketones at lower catalyst loadings. A highly efficient and practical protocol for synthesis of functionalized indoles was developed using (IPr)Pd(acac)Cl as catalyst. Both o‐bromoanilines and o‐chloroanilines gave rise to efficient coupling under the reaction conditions. Related to acyclic ones, cyclic ketones coupled more effectively with o‐haloanilines. With [Pd(IPr)₂] as catalyst, the base‐sensitive groups including OH and CO₂H groups could be tolerated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic Michael/Ring‐Closure Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated Pyrazoleamides with Amidomalonates: Asymmetric Synthesis of (−)‐Paroxetine

A highly enantioselective tandem Michael/ring‐closure reaction of α,β‐unsaturated pyrazoleamides and amidomalonates has been accomplished in the presence of a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Yb(OTf)₃ complex (Tf: trifluoromethanesulfonyl) to give various substituted chiral glutarimides with high yields and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Moreover, this methodology could be used for gram‐scale manipulation and was successfully applied to the synthesis of (?)‐paroxetine. Further nonlinear and HRMS studies revealed that the real catalytically active species was a monomeric L ‐PMe₂ –Yb³⁺ complex. A plausible transition state was proposed to explain the origin of the asymmetric induction.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Apratoxin A, 34‐Epimer,and Its Oxazoline Analogue

A concise and convergent total synthesis of the highly cytotoxic marine natural product apratoxin A is accomplished by an 18‐step linear sequence. The high sensitivity of the thiazoline, bearing an adjacent β‐hydroxyl group at the C35‐position, results in the assembly process requiring the inclusion of appropriate protecting groups and the careful optimization of all individual transformations. In the synthesis of 3,7‐dihydroxy‐2,5,8,8‐tetramethylnonanoic acid (Dtena), the three reagent‐controlled asymmetric reactions enables us to introduce four chiral carbon centers in a dihydroxylated fatty acid moiety. Formation of the hindered ester and sterically‐unfavorable N‐methylamide bonds were successfully demonstrated. The thiazoline in apratoxin A was constructed by Tf₂O and Ph₃PO‐mediated dehydrative cyclization, and final macrocyclization was achieved between N‐methylisoleucine and proline residues. Moreover, an oxazoline analogue and a C34 epimer of apratoxin A have also been elaborated in a similar approach. This synthetic route would enable assembly of other analogues differing in stereocenters of Dtena and their amino acids.