Copper-mediated synthesis of coumestans via C(sp 2 )-H functionalization: Protective group free route to coumestrol and 4′- O -methylcoumestrol

Total synthesis of isoflavonoids

Covering: 2012 to 2024Isoflavonoids are phenolic compounds with wide structural diversity and a plethora of biological activities. Owing to their structural variation and potential health-promoting and other benefits, they have been targeted for synthesis. Herein, we review the synthesis of natural isoflavonoids belonging to different classes that include isoflavones, isoflavanones, isoflavans, isoflavenes, pterocarpans, rotenoids, coumaronochromones, and coumestans. The synthetic methodologies employed and advancements in synthetic strategies are highlighted.

Discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 secondary metabolites from the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus using multi-informative molecular networking

A pigment-depleted extract from the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. (PS-DE) showed promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC₅₀ of 29.9 μg/mL in Caco-2-F03 cells. To determine the potential active constituents within the extract prior to isolation, multi-informative molecular network (MN) was applied. Therefore, the extract was separated by high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) into 11 fractions which were subsequently tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and analysed by UPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (MS²). The resulting MN combines the bioactivity data of the fractions with the MS² data. The MN analysis led to the targeted isolation of seven compounds including one pterocarpan (7) reported for the first time as constituent of P. santalinus and four so far undescribed natural products (NPs) that belong to the compound classes of arylpropanes (9), isoflavanones (10) coumestans (16) and 3-arylcoumarins (17), respectively. In total, 15 constituents from the heartwood of P. santalinus and one synthetic isoflavonoid that is structurally related to the natural metabolites were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Thereby, the two pterocarpans (-)-homopterocarpin (5) and (-)-medicarpin (2), the stilbene (E)-pterostilbene (1) and the isoflavonoid 7-O-methylgenistein (11) showed a distinct antiviral activity with IC₅₀ values of 17.2, 33.4, 34.7, and 37.9 µM, respectively, and no cytotoxic effects against Caco-2-F03 cells (CC₅₀ > 100 µM). In addition, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) was proposed indicating structural requirements of pterocarpans for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The herein presented results support the implementation of multi-informative molecular networks as powerful tool for dereplication and targeted isolation of bioactive NPs.

Synthesis of Phenolic Coumestans via a Sequential Dehydrogenation/Oxa-Michael Addition Reaction of 2',4'-Dihydroxyl-3-arylcoumarins

A facile and practical approach for the synthesis of natural coumestans and derivatives starting from 2',4'-dihydroxyl-3-arylcoumarins has been developed. The process involved a seqential intramolecular dehydrogenation/oxa-Micheal reaction efficiently promoted by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene at 40 °C under metal- and ligand-free conditions with good functional group compatibility.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Coumarins. A Mini-Review

Coumarin (2H-chromen-2-one) derivatives have important uses in medicinal and synthetic chemistry, for example, as fluorescent probes. These properties have prompted chemists to develop efficient synthetic methods to synthesize the coumarin core and/or to functionalize it. In this context, many metal-catalyzed syntheses of coumarins have been introduced; among them, copper-catalyzed reactions appear to be very promising owing to the non-toxicity and cheapness of copper complexes. In this mini-review, the results in this field are summarized. We hope to stimulate other applications of these complexes in the preparation of coumarin derivatives.

Palladium-Catalyzed Weakly Coordinating Lactone-Directed C-H Bond Functionalization of 3-Arylcoumarins: Synthesis of Bioactive Coumestan Derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective ortho-selective C-H functionalization of 3-arylcoumarins has been developed. The method utilizes the weakly coordinating lactone as a directing group. The versatility of the strategy is highlighted by developing methodologies for alkenylation, halogenation, fluoroalkoxylation, and hydroxylation. Different functional groups were well tolerated, and functionalized coumarins were obtained in moderate to high yields. The method also showed good selectivity for monofunctionalization versus difunctionalization. The generated ortho-hydroxy derivatives were cyclized in the presence of DDQ, thus developing a simple and fast method for the synthesis of bioactive coumestan from 3-arylcoumarins.

Copper-catalyzed intramolecular cross dehydrogenative coupling approach to coumestans from 2'-hydroxyl-3-arylcoumarins

A copper-catalyzed intramolecular cross dehydrogenative C-O coupling reaction of 2'-hydroxyl-3-arylcoumarins was developed. This protocol provided a facile and efficient strategy for the construction of natural coumestans and derivatives in moderate to high yields. This transformation exhibited good functional group compatibility and was amenable to substrates with free phenolic hydroxyl groups.

Copper-catalyzed C–H acyloxylation of 2-phenylpyridine using oxygen as the oxidant

An efficient copper-catalyzed direct o-acyloxylation of 2-phenylpyridine with carboxylic acids using oxygen as the oxidant has been developed. Various acids including aromatic acids, cinnamic acids and aliphatic acids are effective acyloxylation reagents and provide the desired products in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds well under an oxygen atmosphere, making this method potentially practical.

A copper catalyzed direct o-acyloxylation of 2-phenylpyridine with various carboxylic acids using oxygen as oxidant has been developed.