Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part of ciguatoxin CTX3C

Convergent synthesis of the IJKLM-ring part (2) of ciguatoxin CTX3C has been achieved from the I-ring and the L-ring parts (4 and 5) in total eight steps in 27% overall yield. The carbanion derived from 4, stabilized by a dimethyldithioacetal S-oxide group, was readily reacted with aldehyde 5 to give an adduct, which was facilely transformed into the corresponding α,ε-dihydroxy ketone 3. The JK-ring formation from 3 under reductive conditions followed by oxidative M-ring cyclization efficiently led to the pentacyclic ether 2. Improved synthesis of 6, a synthetic intermediate for 4, was also established.     

Convergent synthesis of the ABCDE-ring part of ciguatoxin CTX3C

Convergent synthesis of the ABCDE-ring part (2) of ciguatoxin CTX3C (1) has been achieved. A carbanion stabilized by a dimethyldithioacetal S-oxide group in the AB-ring part (4) readily reacted with an aldehyde group in the E-ring part (5). The resulting adduct was facilely converted to the corresponding β,γ-unsaturated α,ε-dihydroxy ketone (3). The subsequent reductive hydroxy-ketone-cyclization reactions constructed the CD-ring part efficiently. Thus, the ABCDE-ring part (2) was concisely synthesized in 10 steps in 11% overall yield from the AB-ring and the E-ring parts (4 and 5).     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of the ABCDE ring moiety of ciguatoxin CTX3C

The ABCDE ring moiety of ciguatoxin CTX3C, a major causative agent of ciguatera poisoning, was stereoselectively synthesized. The key transformations are a chiral auxiliary-based asymmetric alkylation and an asymmetric aldol condensation, which controlled the formation of the C11 and C21-stereocenters, respectively. A highly practical and efficient route to the ABCD ring fragment, a common precursor for the divergent synthesis of the left wings of ciguatoxins, was also established.     

Convergent synthesis of the A-E ring segment of ciguatoxin CTX3C

A convergent synthesis of the A-E ring segment of ciguatoxin CTX3C was achieved via the intramolecular allylation of an α-chloroacetoxy ether and subsequent ring-closing metathesis.     

Synthesis of the EF-ring segment of ciguatoxin CTX1B based on novel regioselective reduction of unsaturated cyanohydrins and ring-closing olefin metathesis

Aiming at a convergent total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX1B, its EF-ring segment has been synthesized. During the synthesis, a novel method for the construction of branched ethers, based on regioselective reduction of γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitriles with borontrifluoride etherate and trialkyl silane or tributyltin hydride, has been developed. Combination use of the method and ring-closing olefin metathesis successfully provided medium-sized cyclic ethers. Efficient site-selective reduction of vinyl epoxides into homoallyl alcohols has also been developed.     

Total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX3C: a venture into the problems of ciguatera seafood poisoning

After a twelve-year struggle, the total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX3C has been achieved. Annually, more than 20,000 people worldwide suffer from ciguatera seafood poisoning. The extremely small amounts of the causative neurotoxin, ciguatoxin, in fish hampered the isolation, structural elucidation, detailed biological study, and preparation of anti-ciguatoxin antibodies for detecting these toxins. The large (3 nanometers long) and complicated molecular structure of ciguatoxins hindered chemists from completing a total synthesis. The chemical synthesis of CTX3C, determination of the absolute configuration, and synthesis-based preparation of the monoclonal antibodies as well as the effect of synthetic CTX3C on voltage-sensitive sodium channels are outlined.     

Synthesis of the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of pectenotoxin 2

In this study, we synthesized the C8-C20 and C21-C30 segments of the diarrhetic shellfish toxin pectenotoxin 2. The C8-C20 segment was assembled from a phosphonate corresponding to the C8-C15 segment (prepared from l-malic acid in 19 steps) and an aldehyde corresponding to the C16-C20 segment (synthesized from 3-methyl-3-butenol in nine steps) by a twelve-step process including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, regio- and stereoselective reduction of the resulting enone, diastereoselective epoxidation, and 5-exo epoxide cleavage forming the C-ring. The C21-C30 segment was constructed in 13 steps from (S)-glycidol via a route involving E-ring formation by 5-exo epoxide cleavage and stereoselective methylation at C27 by the Evans method.     

Synthesis of C1-C20 and C21-C40 fragments of tetrafibricin

Efficient syntheses of suitably functionalized top and bottom fragments of tetrafibricin are described. The bottom fragment is prepared by two consecutive Kocienski-Julia couplings, while the top fragment synthesis features a dithiane alkylation and a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction.     

Synthesis of the common left-half part of pectenotoxins

The common left-half [C31-C33(OC1-C7)-C40] part of pectenotoxins has been synthesized convergently from the C31-C35, C36-C40, and C1-C7 parts. The C31-C35 part, prepared via a new route shorter than our previous route, was coupled with the C36-C40 part through reductive lithiation and addition reactions to give an adduct stereoselectively, which was converted to a cyclic acetal corresponding to the C31-C40 part. The left-half was synthesized by a three-step process including esterification of the C31-C40 part with the C1-C7 part.     

Synthesis of the common FGHI-ring part of ciguatoxins

The common FGHI-ring part (2) of ciguatoxins has been synthesized from the F- and I-ring parts (6 and 5, respectively). The Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi coupling of 6 with 5 followed by regio- and stereoselective epoxidation at C29 and C30 afforded an epoxide (4), which was transformed into a tricyclic compound (3) corresponding to the F-HI-ring part by 6-exo-epoxide opening and the subsequent inversion of the C29 stereocenter. Reductive cyclization of 3 forming the C31-O26 bond of the G-ring successfully produced 2.     

Synthesis of the C12-C24 fragment of peloruside A by silyl-tethered diastereomer-discriminating RCM

The C12-C24 fragment of peloruside A has been synthesized using, as a key step, a silyl-tethered ring closing metathesis reaction to form the C16-C17 (Z)-alkene. The metathesis reaction discriminates between diastereoisomers of the starting material. A diphenylsilyl bis-ether provides simultaneous protection for the C15 and C24 hydroxyl groups, and is expected to lead to high 1,5-anti selectivity in subsequent aldol reactions of the methyl ketone, allowing for a convergent stereoselective synthesis of peloruside A.     

Synthesis of the cyclohexene segment of portimine

The synthesis of the cyclohexene segment of portimine, a marine cytotoxin from the dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum, was achieved. The route includes an acylation/aldol reaction from 3-ethoxycyclohex-2-enone to create the C3 center, the 1,4-addition of a vinyl group at C16, the diastereoselective dihydroxylation of the vinyl group to generate the C15 center, a vinylation/dehydration sequence to set up the diene moiety, and stepwise installation of the amino-group-substituted C1 unit.     

Synthesis of the C21-C28 segment of pectenotoxin-4

The synthesis of the C21-C28 segment of pectenotoxin-4 as the C21 Weinreb amide is described. Feasibility studies for the union of a related Weinreb amide and a functionalized alkyne are also reported.     

Rapid synthesis of the A-E fragment of ciguatoxin CTX3C

The A-E fragment of the marine natural product CTX3C has been prepared in an efficient manner by using a strategy in which two-directional and iterative ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions were employed for ring construction.     

Improved synthesis of C8-C20 segment of pectenotoxin-2

The C8-C20 segment of pectenotoxin-2 was efficiently synthesized in 16% overall yield in 22 steps from l-malic acid via an improved route.     

Convergent synthesis of the HIJKLM ring system of ciguatoxin CTX3C

The HIJKLM ring system of ciguatoxin CTX3C was synthesized in a convergent manner. The key steps were a conjugate addition/alkylation sequence, spiroacetalization, intramolecular allylation, ring-closing metathesis, and hydrogenation to form the 36-α-methyl substituent.     

A convergent synthesis of the right-hand fragment of ciguatoxin CTX3C

A convergent synthesis of the right-hand fragment of ciguatoxin CTX3C was investigated. The first and second generation stereocontrolled syntheses of the LM ring fragment were achieved via spiroacetalization as a key step, respectively. The polyether framework of the HIJKLM ring fragment was constructed in a convergent manner by using intramolecular allylation, ring-closing metathesis, and stereoselective hydrogenation to form the 36-methyl substituent as the key transformations.     

Synthesis of the C21-C34 fragment of antascomicin B

The C21-C34 fragment of the potent FKBP12-binding macrolide antascomicin B was prepared using Ireland-Claisen and allylic diazene rearrangements to establish the C26/C27 and the C23 stereocenters, respectively. Directed hydrogenation installed the C29 β-configuration. The fragment possesses 7 of the 11 fixed stereocenters contained in the natural product.     

Synthesis and structural determination of the C33-C42 fragment of symbiodinolide

Symbiodinolide (1) is a polyol macrolide with a molecular weight of 2859 mu. As one of the degradation reactions, cross-metathesis of 2, which is a methyl ester of 1, with ethylene was performed to give the C33-C42 degraded fragment 4. The absolute configuration of 4 was estimated to be (36S,40S) by Mosher method. Stereoselective synthesis of 4 was achieved in 14 steps from l-aspartic acid. Synthetic bis-(S)- and (R)-MTPA esters exhibited the spectroscopic data identical with those of bis-(S)- and (R)-MTPA esters derived from the degraded fragment 4. Thus, the absolute stereochemistry of 4 was elucidated to be (36S,40S).     

Practical enantioselective synthesis of (3S, 4R)-3-hydroxypiperidine-4-carboxylic acid

A practical enantioselective synthesis of (3S, 4R)-3-hydroxypiperidine-4-carboxylic acid was accomplished via an unconventional Evans anti-aldol reaction followed by a one-pot azide reduction/reductive cyclization.