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.     

Asymmetric Photocatalysis by Intramolecular Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer in Photoexcited Catalyst–Substrate Complex

3‐(2‐Formylphenyl)‐1‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐propenones undergo an asymmetric photorearrangement to benzo[d]cyclopropa[b]pyranones with up to >99 % ee, which is catalyzed by a bis‐cyclometalated rhodium catalyst in the presence of visible light. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations support a mechanism in which a photoexcited catalyst/substrate complex triggers an intramolecular hydrogen‐atom transfer followed by a highly stereocontrolled hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction. In this reaction scheme, the rhodium catalyst fulfills multiple functions by 1) enabling visible‐light π→π* excitation of the catalyst‐bound enone substrate, 2) facilitating the hydrogen‐atom transfer, and 3) providing the asymmetric induction for the hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Arene cis‐Dihydrodiols from 2‐Pyrones

An enantioselective chemical synthesis of arene cis‐dihydrodiols has been realized from 2‐pyrones through sequential ytterbium‐catalyzed asymmetric inverse‐electron‐demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reaction of 2‐pyrones and retro‐Diels–Alder extrusion of CO₂. By using this strategy, a series of substituted arene cis‐dihydrodiols can be obtained efficiently with high enantioselectivity (>99 % ee in many cases). Based on this strategy, efficient and concise asymmetric total syntheses of (+)‐MK7607 and 1‐epi‐(+)‐MK7607 were accomplished.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Sarcophytin

A total synthesis of the cembranoid (+)‐sarcophytin is presented, featuring a Diels–Alder cycloaddition of an enone as the dienophile with an ester‐derived dienoate. The study highlights a peculiar geometric preference for the Z dienoate to furnish the cycloadduct. The endgame involves a reaction cascade, including lactone opening, alcohol oxidation, and ketone epimerization to complete an efficient synthesis. A salient feature of the synthesis is the resulting reassignment of the absolute configuration, which corrects the previously reported nominal structure.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Glaucocalyxin A

A practically useful method for the formation of the highly oxygenated bicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system through Mn(OAc)₃‐mediated radical cyclization of alkynyl ketones was developed, which opens up a new avenue for the total synthesis of a number of highly oxidized diterpenoids. Application of this method enabled the first total synthesis of (?)‐glaucocalyxin A. Other salient features of the synthesis include a highly enantioselective conjugate addition/acylation cascade reaction, a Yamamoto aldol reaction, and an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to assemble the A/B ring system.     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Liquid‐Crystal Compounds Possessing a trans‐2,5‐Disubstituted Tetrahydropyran Ring with Negative Dielectric Anisotropy

Three stereoselective syntheses and the physicochemical properties of trans,trans‐5‐(4‐ethoxy‐2,3‐difluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐propylcyclohexyl)tetrahydropyran, which is an important liquid‐crystal compound with a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε=?7.3), are described. The key step in the construction of the trans‐2,5‐disubstituted tetrahydropyran ring in the first approach involved a benzylic cation mediated intramolecular olefin cyclization of a 2‐allyloxy‐1‐arylethanol derivative. The second method included the Et₂Zn‐induced 1,2‐aryl shift of a bromohydrin obtained from a hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction, followed by stereoselective bromination. The third approach utilized the hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of trans‐4‐propylcyclohexanecarboxaldehyde and a 2‐aryl‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)oxy‐1,3‐butadiene, followed by stereoselective protonation. From results obtained by using a quantum chemical calculation method, the reason why the target compound shows a large negative Δε value is discussed.     

Photochemistry of Tricyclo[5.2.2.02,6]undeca‐4,10‐dien‐8‐ones: An Efficient General Route to Substituted Linear Triquinanes from 2‐Methoxyphenols. Total Synthesis of (±)‐Δ9(12)‐Capnellene

An efficient and short entry to polyfunctionalized linear triquinanes from 2‐methoxyphenols is described by utilizing the following chemistry. The Diels–Alder reactions of masked o‐benzoquinones, derived from 2‐methoxyphenols, with cyclopentadiene afford tricyclo[5.2.2.0^2,6]undeca‐4,10‐dien‐8‐ones. Photochemical oxa‐di‐π‐methane (ODPM) rearrangements and 1,3‐acyl shifts of the Diels–Alder adducts are investigated. The ODPM‐rearranged products are further converted to linear triquinanes by using an O‐stannyl ketyl fragmentation. Application of this efficient strategy to the total synthesis of (±)‐Δ⁹⁽¹²⁾‐capnellene was accomplished from 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol in nine steps with 20 % overall yield.     

Hydroarylation of 2‐Aryloxybut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via Pd/Acid‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation: A Concise Synthesis of 2,3‐Bismethylene‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans

An intramolecular exo ‐hydroarylation of 2‐aryloxy‐1,4‐disilylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via ortho ‐C−H bond activation under palladium(0) and acid catalysis was found to give 2,3‐bis(silylmethylidene)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. The two silyl groups present probably promoted the reaction and played a key role in stabilizing the diene moiety in the product. The products readily led to functionalized condensed cycles by a Diels–Alder reaction.     

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)‐Maoecrystal V

The asymmetric total synthesis of (?)‐maoecrystal V, a novel cytotoxic pentacyclic ent‐kaurane diterpene, has been accomplished. Key steps of the current strategy involve an early‐stage semipinacol rearrangement reaction for the construction of the C10 quaternary stereocenter, a rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular O?H insertion reaction, and a sequential Wessely oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to forge the pentacyclic framework of maoecrystal V.     

A Concise Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Virosaine A

The total synthesis of (−)‐virosaine A ( 1 ) was achieved in ten steps starting from furan and 2‐bromoacrolein. A one‐pot Diels–Alder cycloaddition/organolithium addition initiated an efficient sequence to access a key oxime/epoxide intermediate. Heating this intermediate in acetic acid resulted in an intramolecular epoxide opening/nitrone [3+2] cycloaddition cascade to construct the caged core of 1 in a single step. Several methods of C−H functionalization were assessed on the cascade product, and ultimately, a directed lithiation/bromination effected selective C14 functionalization, enabling the synthesis of 1 .     

Asymmetric Diels–Alder and Inverse‐Electron‐Demand Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reactions of β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Ketoesters with Cyclopentadiene Catalyzed by N,N′‐Dioxide Copper(II) Complex

Highly enantioselective Diels–Alder (DA) and inverse‐electron‐demand hetero‐Diels–Alder (HDA) reactions of β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters with cyclopentadiene catalyzed by chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Cu(OTf)₂ (Tf=triflate) complexes have been developed. Quantitative conversion of β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee) were observed for a broad range of substrates. Both aromatic and aliphatic β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters were found to be suitable substrates for the reactions. Moreover, the chemoselectivity of the DA and HDA adducts were improved by regulating the reaction temperature. Good to high chemoselectivity (up to 94 %) of the DA adducts were obtained at room temperature, and moderate chemoselectivity (up to 65 %) of the HDA adducts were achieved at low temperature. The reaction also featured mild reaction conditions, a simple procedure, and remarkably low catalyst loading (0.1–1.5 mol %). A strong positive nonlinear effect was observed.     

Collective Total Syntheses of Atisane‐Type Diterpenes and Atisine‐Type Diterpenoid Alkaloids: (±)‐Spiramilactone B, (±)‐Spiraminol, (±)‐Dihydroajaconine,and (±)‐Spiramines C and D

The first total syntheses of the architecturally complex atisane‐type diterpenes and biogenetically related atisine‐type diterpenoid alkaloids (±)‐spiramilactone B, (±)‐spiraminol, (±)‐dihydroajaconine, and (±)‐spiramines C and D are reported. Highlights of the synthesis include a late‐stage biomimetic transformation of spiramilactone B, a facile formal lactone migration from the pentacyclic skeleton of spiramilactone E, a highly efficient and diastereoselective 1,7‐enyne cycloisomerization to construct the functionalized tetracyclic atisane skeleton, and a tandem retro‐Diels–Alder/intramolecular Diels–Alder sequence to achieve the tricyclo[6.2.2.0] ring system.     

Collective Total Syntheses of Atisane‐Type Diterpenes and Atisine‐Type Diterpenoid Alkaloids: (±)‐Spiramilactone B, (±)‐Spiraminol, (±)‐Dihydroajaconine,and (±)‐Spiramines C and D

The first total syntheses of the architecturally complex atisane‐type diterpenes and biogenetically related atisine‐type diterpenoid alkaloids (±)‐spiramilactone B, (±)‐spiraminol, (±)‐dihydroajaconine, and (±)‐spiramines C and D are reported. Highlights of the synthesis include a late‐stage biomimetic transformation of spiramilactone B, a facile formal lactone migration from the pentacyclic skeleton of spiramilactone E, a highly efficient and diastereoselective 1,7‐enyne cycloisomerization to construct the functionalized tetracyclic atisane skeleton, and a tandem retro‐Diels–Alder/intramolecular Diels–Alder sequence to achieve the tricyclo[6.2.2.0] ring system.     

Access to Indoles via Diels–Alder Reactions of 5‐Methylthio‐2‐vinylpyrroles with Maleimides

Diels–Alder reactions of 5‐methylthio‐2‐vinyl‐1H‐pyrroles with maleimides followed by isomerization gave tetrahydroindoles in moderate to good yield. Aromatization using activated MnO₂ in refluxing toluene gave the corresponding 2‐methylthioindoles in good yields, and demethylthioation using Raney nickel gave the 2‐H indoles in excellent yields. The protection of the adducts produced aromatization in improved yield, demonstrating the effectiveness of the methylthio group as a protecting group for pyrroles; however, 5‐methylthio‐2‐vinylpyrrole was shown to perform with slightly less efficiency than 2‐vinylpyrrole in Diels–Alder reactions, indicating the protective group was more deactivating than desired. This route toward indoles offers high convergency and conveniently available starting materials that are easily purified. Bis‐methylthioated vinylpyrroles were shown to have potential as highly activated Diels–Alder dienes.     

Total Synthesis of (±)‐Phomoidride D

Described herein is a synthetic strategy for the total synthesis of (±)‐phomoidride D. This highly efficient and stereoselective approach provides rapid assembly of the carbocyclic core by way of a tandem phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition. A subsequent SmI₂‐mediated cyclization cascade delivers an isotwistane intermediate poised for a Wharton fragmentation that unveils the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene skeleton and sets the stage for synthesis completion.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Neomarinone

The first total synthesis of (+)‐neomarinone has been achieved by following a concise and convergent route using methyl (R)‐lactate and (R)‐3‐methylcyclohexanone as chiral building blocks. Key steps of the synthesis are the stereocontrolled formation of the two quaternary stereocenters by diastereoselective 1,4‐conjugate addition and enolate alkylation reactions, and the construction of the furanonaphthoquinone skeleton by regioselective Diels–Alder reaction between a 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyloxy)‐1,3‐diene and a bromoquinone. The synthesis proves the relative and absolute stereochemistry of natural neomarinone.     

Gas‐Phase Synthesis of 1‐Silacyclopenta‐2,4‐diene

Silole (1‐silacyclopenta‐2,4‐diene) was synthesized for the first time by the bimolecular reaction of the simplest silicon‐bearing radical, silylidyne (SiH), with 1,3‐butadiene (C₄H₆) in the gas phase under single‐collision conditions. The absence of consecutive collisions of the primary reaction product prevents successive reactions of the silole by Diels–Alder dimerization, thus enabling the clean gas‐phase synthesis of this hitherto elusive cyclic species from acyclic precursors in a single‐collision event. Our method opens up a versatile and unconventional path to access a previously rather obscure class of organosilicon molecules (substituted siloles), which have been difficult to access through classical synthetic methods.     

Diels–Alder modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐anthracene‐2,6‐carboxylate) with N‐substituted maleimides

Dimethyl 2,6‐anthracene dicarboxylate is used as a comonomer in the synthesis of functional copolymers that are subject to modification with Diels–Alder reactions. The formation of poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐2,6‐anthracenate), containing less than 20 mol % of the anthracene‐2,6‐dicarboxylate structural units, provides materials that are tractable and soluble. The anthracene units of the copolymers undergo Diels–Alder reactions with N‐substituted maleimides. The grafting of N‐alkylmaleimides affords soluble, hydrophobic polymers, whereas grafting with maleimide‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) affords hydrophilic polymers. Because this reaction proceeds below the melting point of the copolymers, the procedure can be applied to thin films, whereby the surface properties are modified. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3256–3263, 2002     

Biomimetic Synthesis of Equisetin and (+)‐Fusarisetin A

(+)‐Fusarisetin A belongs to a group of acyl tetramic acid natural products that show potential anticancer activity. Equisetin, a biogenetically related acyl tetramic acid, contains the basic skeleton of (+)‐fusarisetin A. We proposed that equisetin and (+)‐fusarisetin A share a biosynthetic pathway that starts with naturally occurring (S)‐serine and an unsaturated fatty acid. In support of this hypothesis, we have demonstrated that a cyclization sequence involving an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction followed by a Dieckmann cyclization of polyenoylamino acid yielded equisetin. The aerobic oxidation of equisetin, promoted by either Mn^III/O₂ or a reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by visible‐light chemistry, gave peroxyfusarisetin, which could be easily reduced to (+)‐fusarisetin A. We report herein detailed information on the biogenetic synthesis of equisetin and (+)‐fusarisetin A.     

Synthesis of α‐maleimide‐ω‐dienyl heterotelechelic poly(methyl methacrylate) and its cyclization by the intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction

The synthesis of heterotelechelic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) containing α‐maleimide‐ω‐dienyl end‐groups and its subsequent intramolecular cyclization are described. The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out with 3‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxypropyl‐1‐lithium and 5‐bromo‐1,3‐pentadiene as the initiator and terminator, respectively, to synthesize α‐hydroxy‐ω‐dienyl‐PMMA. The introduction of the maleimide group to the α chain end by the reaction of the sodium salt of the polymer with N‐(3‐chloromethylphenyl)‐maleimide or N‐(3‐bromomethylphenyl)‐maleimide was not successful because of the nucleophilic addition of alkoxide to the carbon carbon double bond of the maleimide group. When 4,4′‐bismaleimidediphenylether was allowed to react with the alkoxide, the aimed α‐maleimide‐ω‐dienyl‐PMMA was obtained in a good yield. Ring closure by the intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction was carried out by the heating of the dilute polymer solution in tetrahydrofuran. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 237–246, 2000