New Concise and Efficient Synthesis of Rubrolides C and E via Intramolecular Wittig Reaction

A short total synthesis of rubrolides C and E has been achieved in four steps, using readily available 4‐methoxyacetophenone, 2‐bromoacetic acid, and the appropriate aromatic aldehyde, in 46 and 45% yield, respectively. Key reactions involved are α‐tosyloxylation of the aryl methyl ketone, intramolecular Wittig reaction, Knoevenagel condensation, and demethylation.     

Efficient,collective synthesis and nitric oxide inhibitory activity of rubrolides E,F, R,S and their derivatives

An efficient first synthesis of biologically significant natural butenolides, rubrolides F (1f), R (1r), S (1s) & its 7″,8″-didehydro derivative (1sa), and 3″-bromo rubrolide (1fa) along with the synthesis of rubrolide E (1e) and its di-O-methyl derivative (1ea) is accomplished in a collective fashion from commercially available and inexpensive precursors in overall yields of 14–48.5%. Key features are Wittig-Horner reaction, SeO₂-induced tandem allylic hydroxylation/intramolecular cyclization and Knoevenagel condensation. Next, in their inhibitory activity towards nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages as an indicator of anti-inflammatory activity, all compounds displayed good inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner. None of the compound exhibited notable cytotoxicity at the highest concentration (10 μM) and IC₅₀ values are found in the range from 8.53 to 17.85 μM.     

Palladium-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation of butenolides: An efficient and sustainable access to β-arylbutenolides

Several α-unsubstituted β-arylbutenolides have been prepared in 69–92% yield by reductive dehalogenation of α-halo-β-arylbutenolides. The latter were assembled in a single-step from α,β-dihalobutenolides, which are accessible on a large-scale from biomass-derived furfural. Our dehalogenation protocol is illustrated by a new synthesis of the marine antibiotics rubrolide E and F, and 3″-bromorubrolide F.