Total Synthesis of the Sesquiterpenoid Periconianone A Based on a Postulated Biogenesis : JACS 2017

Total Synthesis of the Sesquiterpenoid Periconianone A Based on a Postulated Biogenesis

The first enantioselective total synthesis of the complex tricarbocyclic sesquiterpenoid periconianone A based on a postulated biogenesis is reported. Key elements of the synthetic route include the use of an isopropenyl group as a removable directing group for stereoselective synthesis, a sequence featuring a Rh-mediated O–H insertion/[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement and subsequent α-ketol rearrangement, and a late stage aldol reaction to furnish the complex cage-like framework.

Article: DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b10053

Total Synthesis of (−)-Geissoschizol through Ir-Catalyzed Allylic Amidation as the Key Step: OL 2017

Total Synthesis of (−)-Geissoschizol through Ir-Catalyzed Allylic Amidation as the Key Step

The iridium-catalyzed, Zn(OTf)2 promoted asymmetric allylic amidation of a secondary alcohol derived from tryptamine has been utilized to forge a tetrahydro-β-carboline. Based on this key step, a novel, facile, and enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-geissoschizol was achieved in 10 steps.

More Information: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.orglett.7b03133

Synthesis of the ABC Substructure of Brevenal by Sequential exo-Mode Oxacyclizations of Acyclic Polyene Precursors: Org Lett 2017

Synthesis of the ABC Substructure of Brevenal by Sequential exo-Mode Oxacyclizations of Acyclic Polyene Precursors

Exploratory studies on the sequential exo-mode oxacyclizations of acyclic polyene precursors have provided a substantial substructure of brevenal, including the fused tricyclic polyether with stereochemical patterns consistent with the AB and BC ring fusions. The synthesis of acyclic substrates featured two variations of Cr(II)/Ni(II) couplings for preparing 1,1-disubstituted allylic alcohols. A sequence of iodine-promoted cycloetherification, base-promoted intramolecular conjugate addition, and mercury-promoted cycloetherification produced the tricyclic substructure.

Total Synthesis of Lycoricidine and Narciclasine by Chemical Dearomatization of Bromobenzene: ACIE 2017

Total Synthesis of Lycoricidine and Narciclasine by Chemical Dearomatization of Bromobenzene




The total synthesis of lycoricidine and narciclasine is enabled by an arenophile-mediated dearomative dihydroxylation of bromobenzene. Subsequent transpositive Suzuki coupling and cycloreversion deliver a key biaryl dihydrodiol intermediate, which is rapidly converted into lycoricidine through site-selective syn-1,4-hydroxyamination and deprotection. The total synthesis of narciclasine is accomplished by the late-stage, amide-directed C−H hydroxylation of a lycoricidine intermediate. Moreover, the general applicability of this strategy to access dihydroxylated biphenyls is demonstrated with several examples.

Cobalt versus Osmium: Control of Both trans and cis Selectivity in Construction of the EFG Rings of Pectenotoxin 4: ACIE 2017

Cobalt versus Osmium: Control of Both trans and cisSelectivity in Construction of the EFG Rings of Pectenotoxin 4

Catalytic oxidative cyclisation reactions have been employed for the synthesis of the E and F rings of the complex natural product target pectenotoxin 4. The choice of metal catalyst (cobalt- or osmium-based) allowed for the formation of THF rings with either trans or cis stereoselectivity. Fragment union using a modified Julia reaction then enabled the synthesis of an advanced synthetic intermediate containing the EF and G rings of the target.

Total synthesis of (+)-blennolide C and (+)-gonytolide C via spirochromanone: Tetrahydron Letters 2017

Total synthesis of (+)-blennolide C and (+)-gonytolide C via spirochromanone

We report the asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-blennolide C and (+)-gonytolide C isolated from endophytic fungi. The synthesis involved construction of a spirochromanone with a chiral quaternary carbon by the aldol reaction of o-hydroxyacetophenones and optically active α-oxygenated cyclohexenone, followed by cyclization under acidic conditions. Oxidative cleavage of the alkene moiety of the spirochromanone furnished the chromanone diester. Through treating the diester with a Lewis acid, the first total synthesis of (+)-blennolide C was achieved by deprotecting the oxygen functionality of the diester and simultaneous Dieckmann condensation. Total synthesis of (+)-gonytolide C was also achieved by lactone formation from the deprotected diester.

Total Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Penchinone A and Its Structural Analogues: JOC 2017

Total Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Penchinone A and Its Structural Analogues

The first total synthesis and biological evaluation of penchinone A and its structural analogues are described. The key steps for the preparation of penchinone A derivatives involve the oxime-directed palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative acylation, Claisen rearrangement, and base-mediated olefin migration. This transformation efficiently provides a range of allyl-substituted biaryl ketones with site-selectivity and functional group compatibility. In addition, all synthetic compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory activity against nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Generally, a range of penchinone A derivatives potently inhibited NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 productions, compared to dexamethasone as a positive control. Notably, penchinone A (8g) and its derivatives (8e and 8f) were found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity stronger than that of dexamethasone.

Total Synthesis of Longeracinphyllin A: JACS 2017

Total Synthesis of Longeracinphyllin A

The first and asymmetric total synthesis of longeracinphyllin A, a hexacyclic Daphniphyllumalkaloid, has been accomplished. A tetracyclic intermediate was prepared through silver-catalyzed alkyne cyclization and Luche radical cyclization. A phosphine-promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction was exploited to construct the sterically congested E ring bearing vicinal tertiary and quaternary centers. The cyclopentenone motif was assembled by using intramolecular Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination. Raney Ni reduction delivered the tertiary amine from a thioamide precursor at a late stage.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Pochonin D and (+)-Monocillin II via Chemo- and Regioselective Intramolecular Nitrile Oxide Cycloaddition : Organic Letters 2017

Total Synthesis of (+)-Pochonin D and (+)-Monocillin II via Chemo- and Regioselective Intramolecular Nitrile Oxide Cycloaddition

Asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-pochonin D (1) and (+)-monocillin II (2), Hsp90 inhibitors with potent anticancer activity, have been accomplished where the macrolactone 3 was constructed through a chemo- and regioselective intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition of diene 4.

Total Synthesis of Biselide E, a Marine Polyketide: Organic Letters 2017

Total Synthesis of Biselide E, a Marine Polyketide

The total synthesis of biselide E, a marine polyketide isolated from the Okinawan ascidian, has been accomplished. The highlight of this approach is the use of the β-elimination reaction of the chloroacetoxy group for the construction of an unstable six-membered α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated lactone portion at the late stage of the total synthesis.

Total Synthesis of Paralemnolide A: Organic Letters 2017

Total Synthesis of Paralemnolide A

The first total synthesis of tricyclic bisnorsesquiterpene paralemnolide A, isolated from the soft coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides, was achieved. This synthesis features the lactonization of the cyclohexene derivative having a tert-butyl ester via stereoselective epoxidation followed by treatment with a Brønsted acid and construction of the novel tricyclic skeleton by an intramolecular Reformatsky–Honda reaction.