Total Syntheses of Sarcandrolide J and Shizukaol D: Lindenane Sesquiterpenoid [4+2] Dimers

The syntheses of members of a family of lindenane sesquiterpenoid [4+2] dimers led to the total syntheses of sarcandrolide J and shizukaol D. Inspired by a modified biosynthetic pathway, a cascade featuring furan formation/alkene isomerization/Diels–Alder cycloaddition was devised to construct the congested polycyclic architecture of the target molecules with the correct stereochemistry. This study presents a pioneering synthetic entry to this family of natural products and paves the way for fully exploring their biological functions.     

Short,Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Chatancin

An enantioselective total synthesis of the polycyclic diterpene (+)‐chatancin, a potent PAF antagonist, is reported. Proceeding in seven steps from dihydrofarnesal, this synthetic route was designed to circumvent macrocyclization‐based strategies to complex, cyclized cembranoids. The described synthesis requires only six chromatographic purifications, is high yielding, and avoids protecting‐group manipulations. An X‐ray crystal structure of this fragile marine natural product was obtained.     

Divergent Biomimetic Total Syntheses of Ganocins A–C,Ganocochlearins C and D,and Cochlearol T

A divergent synthetic approach to six Ganoderma meroterpenoids, namely ganocins A–C, ganocochlearins C and D, and cochlearol T, has been developed for the first time. This synthetic route features a two-phase strategy which includes early-stage rapid construction of a common planar tricyclic intermediate followed by highly selective late-stage transformations into various Ganoderma meroterpenoids. Key to the strategy are a bioinspired intramolecular hetero-Diels–Alder reaction and Stahl-type oxidative aromatization, allowing efficient formation of the common tricyclic phenol intermediate. A nucleophilic dearomatization of the phenol unit, combined with a regioselective 1,4-reduction of the resulting dienone, enabled rapid access to ganocins B and C. Additionally, site-selective Mukaiyama hydration, followed by an intramolecular oxa-Michael addition/triflation cascade, served as a key strategic element in the chemical synthesis of ganocin A.     

One‐Step Multigram‐Scale Biomimetic Synthesis of Psiguadial B

A gram‐scale synthesis of psiguadial B, a purported inhibitor of human hepatoma cell growth, has been achieved in one step by a biomimetic three‐component coupling of caryophyllene, benzaldehyde, and diformylphloroglucinol. This cascade reaction is catalyzed by N,N′‐dimethylethylenediamine, and proceeds at ambient temperature to generate four stereocenters, two rings, one C−O bond, and three C−C bonds. Combined computational and experimental investigations suggest the biosynthesis of the natural product is non‐enzyme mediated, and is the result of a Michael addition between caryophyllene and a reactive ortho‐quinone methide, followed by two sequential intramolecular cationic cyclization events.     

Total Syntheses of (+)‐Aquatolide and Related Humulanolides

The short, efficient total synthesis of (+)‐aquatolide was achieved by a biomimetic transannular [2+2] photocycloaddition, and provides the first example of constructing a 5/5/4/8‐ring system from asteriscunolides. Furthermore, the reaction leading to a 5/4/4/7‐ring system, the originally proposed structure of aquatolide, was also developed. This strategy achieved syntheses of five more humulanolides, (?)‐asteriscunolides A, C, D, and I, and (+)‐tetradehydroasteriscanolide.     

Total Syntheses of Juglorescein and Juglocombins A and B

Total syntheses of juglorescein and juglocombins A and B are reported. The highly oxygenated 6/6/5/6/6‐fused pentacyclic ring system of these natural products was constructed through a bioinspired dimerization of 1,4‐naphthoquinone. Notably, five new stereogenic centers were constructed in a single step by the dimerization reaction. The epoxide intermediate obtained from the dimerization was successfully converted into juglocombins A and B through photoinduced reduction of the epoxide, dehydration, and conversion of the resultant quinone into a hydroquinone derivative. The same epoxide intermediate was also converted into a dicarboxylic acid, which was transformed into juglorescein through intramolecular lactonization, hydrolysis of the resulting lactone, and removal of the protecting groups. Furthermore, the relative and absolute configurations of juglorescein and juglocombins A and B were determined.