Enantiodivergent Synthesis of Benzoquinolizidinones from L-Glutamic Acid

Benzoquinolizidinone systems were synthesized in both enantiomeric forms from L-glutamic acid. The key chiral arylethylglutarimide intermediate was synthesized from dibenzylamino-glutamate and homoveratrylamine. Aldol reaction of the glutarimide afforded a mixture of syn and anti-aldol adducts. Subsequent regioselective hydride reduction of the glutarimide carbonyl followed by N-acyliminium ion cyclization afforded a product with opposite absolute configurations at C3 and C11b. Cope elimination of the dibenzylamino group then converted the two diastereomers into enantiomers.     

Formal synthesis of schulzeines B and C

A formal synthesis of schulzeines B and C, marine natural products with inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase, has been achieved. The key reactions of the synthesis are N-acyliminium ion cyclization, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, olefin cross metathesis, and asymmetric allylboration.     

Total synthesis of phorboxazole A. 2. Assembly of subunits and completion of the synthesis

[Structure: see text] Subunits of phorboxazole A containing C1-C2, C3-C8, C9-C19, C20-C32, C33-C41, and C42-C46 were connected in a sequence that first linked C32 with C33 and then C41 with C42. A C3-C8 fragment was joined to C9-C19, and the assembled unit was then joined with the left half of 1. Closure of the macrolide was accomplished by esterification of the C24 alcohol followed by intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensation to set the (E)-C2-C3 alkene.     

Total synthesis of phorboxazole a. 1. Preparation of four subunits

[Structure: see text] Four subunits of the potent antitumor agent phorboxazole A were constructed; fragments C20-C32 and C9-C19 containing tetrahydropyrans A and B, respectively, were assembled using palladium-catalyzed intramolecular alkoxycarbonylation.