Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐Flavisiamine F via Late‐Stage Visible‐Light‐Induced Photochemical Cyclization

The structural features Kopsia alkaloids, in particular multiple all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters in a caged and strained polycyclic skeleton, poses particular challenges for enantioselective total synthesis. Herein, we reported the first total synthesis of (+)‐flavisiamine F. The synthetic approach involved a room‐temperature Overman rearrangement for introducing the chiral amine at C21, a TMS‐promoted ketal Claisen rearrangement for constructing the all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter at C20, and a late‐stage visible‐light‐induced photochemical cyclization for establishing the all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter at C7.     

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Eburnane‐Type Alkaloids Enabled by Conformation‐Directed Cyclization and Rearrangement

Controlling the cis C20/C21 relative stereochemistry remains an unsolved issue in the synthesis of eburnane‐type indole alkaloids. Provided herein is a simple solution to this problem by developing a unified and diastereoselective synthesis of four representative members of this class of natural products, namely, eburnamonine, larutensine, terengganensine B, and melokhanine E. The synthesis features the following key steps: a) an α‐iminol rearrangement transforming the 3‐hydroxyindolenine into spiroindolin‐3‐one, b) a highly diastereoselective conformation‐directed cyclization leading to the melokhanine skeleton with the desired C20/C21 cis stereochemistry, and c) either an aza‐pinacol or an unprecedented α‐aminoketone rearrangement converting spiroindolinone back into the indole skeleton.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Histrionicotoxin through a Stereoselective Radical Translocation–Cyclization Reaction

Stereoselective total syntheses of (−)‐histrionicotoxin and (−)‐histrionicotoxin 235A are described. The 1‐azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton was constructed diastereoselectively by a radical translocation–cyclization reaction involving a chiral cyclic acetal; the use of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane was crucial for the high diastereoselectivity. The cyclization product was converted into (−)‐histrionicotoxin 235A through a one‐pot partial‐reduction–allylation reaction of a derivative containing an unprotected lactam. Finally, two terminal alkenes were transformed into enynes with the 1,3‐amino alcohol protected as an oxathiazolidine oxide to complete the total synthesis of (−)‐histrionicotoxin.     

A Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic [1,3]‐Nitrogen Shift through Nitrogen‐Radical 4‐exo‐trig Cyclization

A novel radical [1,3]‐nitrogen shift catalyzed by copper diacetate under an oxygen atmosphere (1 atm) has been developed for the construction of a diverse range of indole derivatives from α,α‐disubstituted benzylamine. In this reaction, oxygen was used as a clean terminal oxidant, and water was produced as the only by‐product. Five inert bonds were cleaved, and two C−N bonds and one C−C double bond were constructed in one pot during this transformation. This unique method demonstrated broad application protential for the late‐stage modification of biologically active natural products and drugs. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a unique 4‐exo ‐trig cyclization of an aminyl radical onto a phenyl ring is involved in the catalytic cycle.     

Total Syntheses of Aurachins A and B

Aurachins A and B are alkaloids having 3‐hydroxyquinoline N‐oxide cores. An efficient method for the synthesis of 3‐hydroxyquinoline N‐oxides was established and is amenable to the total syntheses of aurachins A and B. Alkylation of 1‐(2‐nitrophenyl)butan‐2‐one with farnesyl bromide took place selectively at the benzylic position, and subsequent treatment of the alkylated product with sodium tert‐butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide gave aurachin B. Alkylation of 1‐(2‐nitrophenyl)butan‐2‐one with an epoxy iodide derived from farnesol was used to access aurachin A.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐N‐Methylwelwitindolinone B Isothiocyanate

The asymmetric synthesis of (−)‐N ‐methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate is reported. Critical challenges overcome through these studies include the stereoselective installation of the sterically congested C13 alkyl chloride and control of the wayward reactivity of the indole unit to standard oxidants. A Pt‐catalyzed hydrosilylation helped stymie unwanted rearrangements facilitated by vinyl group participation during the chloride installation step, and a new Fe^II‐catalyzed oxidation accomplished the problematic conversion of indole into 2‐indolinone.     

Construction of Morphan Derivatives by Nitroso–Ene Cyclization: Mechanistic Insight and Total Synthesis of (±)‐Kopsone

A type II nitroso–ene cyclization was developed for the construction of morphan derivatives with good functional‐group tolerance. DFT calculations revealed that the nitroso–ene reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner involving diradical or zwitterionic intermediates. The rate‐determining step is C−N bond formation, followed by a rapid hydrogen‐transfer step with a chair‐conformation transition state. The current approach was also successfully applied in the first total synthesis of (±)‐kopsone, a highly strained yet simple morphan‐type alkaloid isolated from Kopsia macrophylla.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Vindorosine

Outlined herein is a novel and scalable synthesis of (−)‐vindorosine based on two key transformations. A highly diastereoselective vinylogous Mannich addition of dioxinone‐derived lithium dienolates with indolyl N ‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines has been developed. In addition, an intramolecular Heathcock/aza‐Prins cyclization was introduced to construct both the C, and the highly substituted E rings for the synthesis of (−)‐vindorosine and related alkaloids.     

Total Synthesis of Notoamides F,I, and R and Sclerotiamide

The total synthesis of the natural indole alkaloids (+)‐notoamide F, I, and R and (−)‐sclerotiamide is described. The four heptacyclic compounds were synthesized in 10–12 steps in a convergent and highly stereoselective manner from the readily available Seebach acetal. Key steps of the synthesis include a stereoselective oxidative aza‐Prins cyclization to construct the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane, and a cobalt‐catalyzed radical cycloisomerization to create the cyclohexenyl ring.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroboration/Cyclization of 1,7‐Enynes: Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Quinolinones Containing Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

An asymmetric cobalt‐catalyzed hydroboration/cyclization of 1,7‐enynes to synthesize chiral six‐membered N‐heterocyclic compounds was developed. A variety of aniline‐tethered 1,7‐enynes react with pinacolborane to afford the corresponding chiral boryl‐functionalized quinoline derivatives in high yields with high enantioselectivity. This cobalt‐catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of 1,7‐enyens provides a general approach to access a series of chiral quinoline derivatives containing quaternary stereocenters.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Mannich Cyclization of Hydroxylactams with Acetals: Total Syntheses of (−)‐Epilupinine, (−)‐Tashiromine,and (−)‐Trachelanthamidine

An asymmetric, organocatalytic, one‐pot Mannich cyclization between a hydroxylactam and acetal is described to provide fused, bicyclic alkaloids bearing a bridgehead N atom. Both aliphatic and aromatic substrates were used in this transformation to furnish chiral pyrrolizidinone, indolizidinone, and quinolizidinone derivatives in up to 89 % yield and 97 % ee. The total syntheses of (−)‐epilupinine, (−)‐tashiromine, and (−)‐trachelanthamidine also achieved to demonstrate the generality of the process.     

Reaction of Nitrogen‐Radicals with Organometallics Under Ni‐Catalysis: N‐Arylations and Amino‐Functionalization Cascades

Herein, we report a strategy for the generation of nitrogen‐radicals by ground‐state single electron transfer with organyl–Ni^I species. Depending on the philicity of the N‐radical, two types of processes have been developed. In the case of nucleophilic aminyl radicals direct N‐arylation with aryl organozinc, organoboron, and organosilicon reagents was achieved. In the case of electrophilic amidyl radicals, cascade processes involving intramolecular cyclization, followed by reaction with both aryl and alkyl organometallics have been developed. The N‐cyclization–alkylation cascade introduces a novel retrosynthetic disconnection for the assembly of substituted lactams and pyrrolidines with its potential demonstrated in the short total synthesis of four venom alkaloids.