The first conversion of camptothecin to (S)-mappicine by an efficient chemoenzymatic method

meta-Chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA): a versatile reagent in organic synthesis

This review aims to collect and discuss the synthetic applications of meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) over the past few decades.

Camptothecins: Some Recent Chemical Studies

Camptothecin, a novel, naturally-occurring pyrrolo(3,4-b)-quinoline alkaloid, and its analogues (collectively known as camptothecins) possess interesting chemistry and important anticancer and antiviral properties. The isolation of various known and unknown camptothecins from the Indian plant Nothapodytes foetida (Wight) Sleumer (Icacinaceae) and our studies on their chemical and biochemical modifications are briefly reviewed.

2-pyridones from cyanoacetamides and enecarbonyl compounds: application to the synthesis of nothapodytine B

The condensation of an enone or enal with cyanoacetamide derivatives and t-BuOK furnishes either 3-cyano-2-pyridones or 3-unsubstituted-2-pyridones, depending on whether the reaction is carried out in the presence or in the absence of O(2). In the first case, in situ oxidation of Michael-type intermediates takes place; in the second case, the products result from "decyanidative aromatization" of such intermediates. A one-step synthesis of 3-alkyl-2-pyridones has been devised on the basis of decyanative union of an enone/enal and a 2-alkylcyanoacetamide. The new reaction forms the centerpiece of an unusually concise synthesis of nothapodytine B (mappicine ketone).