Synthesis of triazole analogues of the nanaomycin antibiotics using ‘click chemistry’

A series of triazole analogues of the nanaomycin family of antibiotics have been prepared using a ‘click’ dipolar cycloaddition of a naphthalene azide to various alkynes, followed by oxidation to the desired pyranonaphthoquinones.     

De novo asymmetric synthesis of (−)-nanaomycin A

The de novo asymmetric total synthesis of (?)-nanaomycin A is described. The entirely linear route required only 13 steps from commercially available starting materials (3% overall yield). Key transformations include a Claisen rearrangement, an asymmetric dihydroxylation, a regioselective tosylation, a diastereoselective intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation and a nitrile hydrolysis. As the route relies on a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation it is equally amenable for the synthesis of (+)-nanaomycin A.     

Addition of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene to activated quinones: an approach to thia analogues of kalafungin

The uncatalyzed reaction of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 with 1,4-quinones bearing either an electron withdrawing acetyl or a carbomethoxy group at C-2, was investigated. No reaction was observed using 1,4-quinones 8 and 9 bearing an ester group at C-2 whereas use of 1,4-quinones 10 and 11 bearing an acetyl group at C-2 only provided low yields of the silyloxythiophenes 15 and 16 resulting from electrophilic substitution of the silyloxythiophene by the 1,4-quinone. Use of the Lewis acids InCl₃, Cu(OTf)₂ and BF₃·Et₂O were investigated in an effort to improve the yield of the desired annulation reaction. BF₃·Et₂O proved to be the optimum catalyst for the synthesis of thiolactone naphthofuran adducts 14 and 18 from 1,4-naphthoquinones 9 and 11, respectively. Reaction of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 with 1,4-benzoquinones 8 and 10 bearing a carbomethoxy or an acetyl group at C-2, respectively, afforded thiolactone benzofuran adducts 13 and 17, respectively, catalyzed by either InCl₃ or Cu(OTf)₂. Addition of 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxythiophene 2 to 3-acetyl-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 12 afforded adduct 19 that underwent oxidative rearrangement to thiolactone pyranonaphthoquinone 20 using ceric ammonium nitrate in acetonitrile, thus providing a novel approach for the synthesis of a thia analogue of the pyranonaphthoquinone antibiotic kalafungin.     

Synthesis of novel pyranoquinones using an acyl radical cyclization strategy

The thiol-catalysed cyclization of acyl radicals generated directly from benzaldehyde precursors has been investigated. Hindered β-benzyloxyacrylates cyclize efficiently providing a tin-free radical cyclization approach to the serine/threonine kinase AKT inhibitor frenolicin B, whilst γ-aryloxy crotonates give good yields of benzopyran-4-ones. This method is applied to the synthesis of a novel tetracyclic analogue of the pyranonaphthoquinone antibiotics.     

Synthesis of (±)-pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives, a Cdc25A phosphatase inhibitor

The novel pyranonaphthoquinone 2, carrying Cdc25A phosphatase inhibitory activity, has been successfully synthesized through tricyclic compound 16, which was obtained from 15 by using the intramolecular Michael addition. The precursor 9 was derived from 5-bromoveratraldehyde.     

Regioselective iridium(I)-catalysed remote borylation of oxygenated naphthalenes

We present our investigations into the regioselective borylation and halogenation of polyoxygenated naphthalene systems that are key precursors to dimeric pyranonaphthoquinone natural products. A variety of oxygenated naphthalenes were successfully borylated with pinacolborane in high yield and excellent regioselectivity using [Ir(COD)OMe]₂ and di-tert-butylbipyridine (dtbpy). The boronates were also readily transformed into the corresponding halides, opening new avenues for the preparation of advanced Suzuki coupling substrates useful for the synthesis of natural products.     

Synthesis of a C8 oxygenated pyranonaphthoquinone: a useful precursor to dimeric pyranonaphthoquinones

The synthesis of a pyranonaphthoquinone bearing an oxygenated substituent at C8 is reported. The oxygen substituent at C8 provides a key functionality for use as a homocoupling precursor for the synthesis of a dimeric pyranonaphthoquinone.     

Synthesis of chloroquinocin, a pyranonaphthoquinone antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria

Chloroquinocin 1 is an antimicrobial agent against Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). A successful synthesis of 1 was attained through a unique chlorination of the corresponding naphthoquinone derivative 12 as a key step.     

An approach to an enantioselective synthesis of crisamicin A via a novel double Hauser-Kraus annulation strategy

A double Hauser-Kraus annulation between biscyanophthalide 4 and the d-mannose derived enone 39 provides access to an advanced intermediate 54 that is an excellent scaffold to effect an enantioselective total synthesis of crisamicin A 1.     

The behaviour of the natural pyranonaphthoquinone pentalongin in alcoholic solvents

Pentalongin, the major constituent of the roots of the East African medicinal plant Pentas longiflora Oliv., undergoes degradation reactions when dissolved in alcoholic solvents. Although these reactions were thought initially to be of a photochemical nature, it is proven that degradation occurs also in the dark. These degradation reactions result in four new derivatives of pentalongin, which were elucidated as 3,4-dihydro-3-methoxypentalongin 4, 3,4-dihydro-trans-3,4-dimethoxypentalongin 5, 10b-hydroxy-3-methoxy-2a,3,6,10b-tetrahydro-2H,5H-furo[2,3,4-ed]naphtho-[2,3-c]pyran-6-one 6 and 3,4-dihydro-trans-3,4-diethoxypentalongin 7.