Following the Lead from Nature: Divergent Pathways in Natural Product Synthesis and Diversity-Oriented Synthesis

Divergent, C-C Bond Forming Macrocyclizations Using Modular Sulfonylhydrazone and Derived Substrates

A divergent approach to C-C bond forming macrocycle construction is described. Modular sulfonylhydrazone and derived pyridotriazole substrates with three key building blocks have been constructed and cyclized to afford diverse macrocyclic frameworks. Broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance have been demonstrated. In addition, site-selective postfunctionalization allowed for further diversification of macrocyclic cores.

Transition Metal/Lewis Acid Catalyzed Reactions of Zerumbone for Diverse Molecular Motifs

Zerumbone is a naturally occurring humulene type sesquiterpene, isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith with excellent therapeutic potential and is recognized as a valuable synthon for the construction of diverse array of natural product motifs. In this review, we intended to highlight our achievements in utilizing abundant natural product zerumbone and its derivatives for the development of pharmacologically relevant molecular scaffolds. We provided an account of the transition-metal catalyzed 1,4-conjugate addition reactions of zerumbone and its derivatives along with palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings, transition metal-based Lewis acid promoted interrupted Nazarov cyclisation reaction with substituted indoles and transannular cyclizations, photo-induced transformations of zerumbone and its epoxide.

Divergent Gold Catalysis: Unlocking Molecular Diversity through Catalyst Control

The catalyst-directed divergent synthesis, commonly termed as "divergent catalysis", has emerged as a promising technique as it allows chartering of structurally distinct products from common substrates simply by modulating the catalyst system. In this regard, gold complexes emerged as powerful catalysts as they offer unique reactivity profiles as compared to various other transition metal catalysts, primarily due to their salient electronic and geometrical features. Owing to the tunable soft π-acidic nature, gold catalysts not only evolved as superior contenders for catalyzing the reactions of alkynes, alkenes, and allenes but also, more intriguingly, have been found to provide divergent reaction pathways over other π-acid catalysts such as Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh, Cu, In, Sc, Hg, Zn, etc. The recent past has witnessed a renaissance in such examples wherein, by choosing gold catalysts over other transition metal catalysts or by fine-tuning the ligands, counteranions or oxidation states of the gold catalyst itself, a complete reactivity switch was observed. However, reviews documenting such examples are sporadic; as a result, most of the reports of this kind remained scattered in the literature, thereby hampering further development of this burgeoning field. By conceptualizing the idea of "Divergent Gold Catalysis (DGC)", this review aims to consolidate all such reports and provide a unified approach necessary to pave the way for further advancement of this exciting area. Based on the factors governing the divergence in product formation, an explicit classification of DGC has been provided. To gain a fundamental understanding of the divergence in observed reactivities and selectivities, the review is accompanied by mechanistic insights at appropriate places.

Syntheses of Skeletally Diverse Tetracyclic Isodon Diterpenoid Scaffolds Guided by Dienyne Radical Cyclization Logic

We report herein the diversity-oriented synthesis of various tetracyclic Isodon diterpenoid scaffolds guided by radical cyclization logic. Our substrate-based dienyne radical cyclization approach is distinctive from reagent-based rearrangement approaches that are generally applied in biosynthesis or previous synthetic studies. An unprecedented cyclization at C₁₄ via 1,5-radical translocation/5-exo-trig cyclization is observed, which enriches our radical cyclization pattern. Furthermore, biological evaluations revealed that several new natural product-like compounds showed promising anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines.

Switchable solvent-controlled divergent synthesis: an efficient and regioselective approach to pyrimidine and dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine derivatives

An efficient solvent-controlled regioselective reaction has been developed. The reaction represents a novel protocol for the divergent one-pot synthesis of pyrimidine and dihydrodibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine derivatives.

Mechanism of nitrones and allenoates cascade reactions for the synthesis of dihydro[1,2-a]indoles

Quantum mechanical calculations (DLPNO-CCSD(T) and M06-2X) are employed to gain insights into the mechanism and selectivity in the catalytic synthesis of dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indoles from the cascade reaction between nitrones and allenes.

The dual reactivity of Weinreb amides applied to the late-stage divergent functionalisation of meso pyrrolidines

The dual reactivity of Weinreb amides was exploited to prepare diversified symmetrical and dissymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines from simple building blocks.

A distinctive transformation based diversity oriented synthesis of small ring carbocycles and heterocycles from biocatalytically derived enantiopure α-substituted-β-hydroxyesters

A series of structurally novel small ring carbocyclic and heterocyclic molecules were accessed in an enantiopure fashion.

(4+3) Cycloaddition Reactions of N-Alkyl Oxidopyridinium Ions

N-Methylation of methyl 5-hydroxynicotinate followed by reaction with a diene in the presence of triethylamine afforded (4+3) cycloadducts in good to excellent yields. High regioselectivity was observed with 1-substituted and 1,2-disubstituted butadienes. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the cycloaddition involves concerted addition of the diene onto the oxidopyridinium ion. The process provides rapid access to bicyclic nitrogenous structures resembling natural alkaloids.

Chemoselective room temperature E1cB N–N cleavage of oxazolidinone hydrazides from enantioselective aldehyde α-hydrazination: synthesis of (+)-1,4-dideoxyallonojirimycin

A room temperature method for hydrazide N–N cleavage is presented that completes enantioselective aldehyde α-hydrazination methodology.

Practical Electrochemical Anodic Oxidation of Polycyclic Lactams for Late Stage Functionalization

Electrochemistry provides a powerful tool for the late-stage functionalization of complex lactams. A two-stage protocol for converting lactams, many of which can be prepared through the intramolecular Schmidt reaction of keto azides, is presented. In the first step, anodic oxidation in MeOH using a repurposed power source provides a convenient route to lactams bearing a methoxy group adjacent to nitrogen. Treatment of these intermediates with a Lewis acid in dichloromethane permits the regeneration of a reactive acyliminium ion that is then reacted with a range of nucleophilic species.

Design and synthesis of analogues of natural products

In this article strategies for the design and synthesis of natural product analogues are summarized and illustrated with some selected examples. Proven strategies include diverted total synthesis (DTS), function-oriented synthesis (FOS), biology-oriented synthesis (BIOS), complexity to diversity (CtD), hybrid molecules, and biosynthesis inspired synthesis. The latter includes mutasynthesis, the synthesis of natural products encoded by silent genes, and propionate scanning. Most of the examples from our group fall in the quite general concept of DTS. Thus, in case an efficient strategy to a natural product is at hand, modifications are possible at almost any stage of a synthesis. However, even for compounds of moderate complexity, organic synthesis remains a bottle neck. Unless some method for predicting the biological activity of a designed molecule becomes available, the design and synthesis of natural product analogues will remain what it is now, namely it will largely rely on trial and error.

Biosynthetically Distinct Cytotoxic Polyketides from Setophoma terrestris

Sixteen polyketides belonging to diverse structural classes, including monomeric/dimeric tetrahydroxanthones and resorcylic acid lactones, were isolated from an organic extract of a fungal culture Setophoma terrestris (MSX45109) using bioactivity-directed fractionation as part of a search for anticancer leads from filamentous fungi. Of these, six were new: penicillixanthone B (5), blennolide H (6), 11-deoxy blennolide D (7), blennolide I (9), blennolide J (10), and pyrenomycin (16). The known compounds were: secalonic acid A (1), secalonic acid E (2), secalonic acid G (3), penicillixanthone A (4), paecilin B (8), aigialomycin A (11), hypothemycin (12), dihydrohypothemycin (13), pyrenochaetic acid C (14), and nidulalin B (15). The structures were elucidated using a set of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques; the absolute configurations of compounds 1-10 were determined using ECD spectroscopy combined with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations, while a modified Mosher's ester method was used for compound 16. The cytotoxic activities of compounds (1-15) were evaluated using the MDA-MB-435 (melanoma) and SW-620 (colon) cancer cell lines. Compounds 1, 4, and 12 were the most potent with IC50 values ranging from 0.16 to 2.14 μM. When tested against a panel of bacteria and fungi, compounds 3 and 5 showed promising activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Micrococcus luteus with MIC values of 5 and 15 μg/mL, respectively.

Switchable stereocontrolled divergent synthesis induced by aza-Michael addition of deactivated primary amines under acid catalysis

Switchable tandem intramolecular aza-Michael/Michael and double aza-Michael reactions allow the oriented synthesis of highly functionalised cyclic skeletons. Conjugate addition of deactivated anilines triggers chemo- and stereo-divergent ring-closure reaction pathways with a striking selectivity depending on reaction conditions.

Regio- and stereocontrol in the reactions of α-halo-β,γ-enoates and α-O-phosphono-β,γ-enenitriles with organocuprates

The reactions of (Z)- and (E)-ethyl 2-chloro-3-octenoate (4a and 17) and (E)- and (Z)-diethyl (1-cyano-2-heptenyl)phosphate (21a and 21b) with organocuprates were investigated as potential substrates for preparing γ-substituted α,β-enoates and enenitriles. In these copper-mediated allylic substitution reactions, the Z-isomer 4a displayed complete regio- and stereoselectivity (i.e., E:Z), while the regio- and stereoselectivity for E-isomer 17 varied as a function of solvent, cuprate reagent, transferable ligand, and cuprate counterion (e.g., Li(+) vs MgX(+)). Excellent selectivities could be achieved with 17 and (n)BuCuCNLi in Et2O. Conditions for improved selectivities in the reactions of allylic cyanophosphates over those previously reported were found. A series of relative rate and competition experiments was performed, and the degree of regio- and stereoselectivity for each system was rationalized in the light of the current mechanistic understanding of cuprate-mediated allylic substitution reactions.

Greensporones: resorcylic acid lactones from an aquatic Halenospora sp

Fourteen new resorcylic acid lactones (1-14) were isolated from an organic extract of a culture of a freshwater aquatic fungus Halenospora sp. originating from a stream in North Carolina. The structures were elucidated using a set of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The absolute configuration of one representative member of the compounds (7) was assigned using X-ray crystallography of an analogue that incorporated a heavy atom, whereas for compounds 8-11, a modified Mosher's ester method was utilized. The relative configurations of compounds 12-14 were determined on the basis of NOE data. Compounds 12-14 were proposed as artifacts produced by intramolecular cycloetherification of the ε-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated ketone moieties of the parent compounds during the purification processes. The isolated compounds, except for 8 and 12, were tested against the MDA-MB-435 (melanoma) and HT-29 (colon) cancer cell lines. Compound 5 was the most potent, with IC50 values of 2.9 and 7.5 μM, respectively. The compounds were evaluated as TAK1-TAB1 inhibitors but were found to be inactive.