Evolution of a Synthetic Strategy for Complex Polypyrrole Alkaloids: Total Syntheses of Curvulamine and Curindolizine

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyran-2-Ones Organocatalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

In recent years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) have gained recognition as versatile molecules capable of acting as organocatalysts in various reactions, particularly through the activation of aldehydes via Breslow-type adducts. This organocatalytic activation has enabled the production of numerous 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones and related derivatives. In this review, we provide an overview of the production of 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones and derivatives via organocatalytic processes involving NHCs over the past eight years. These processes involve the use of a diverse range of substrates, catalysts, and reaction conditions, which can be classified into [4+2]-and [3+3]-type cycloadditions, primarily aimed at synthesizing this skeleton due to its biological activity and multiple stereocenters. These processes are scaled up to the gram scale, and the resulting products are often directed towards epimerization and functionalization to produce more complex molecules with potential applications in the biological field. Finally, we provide a perspective and the future directions of this topic in organic synthesis.

Bioactive compounds of Curvularia species as a source of various biological activities and biotechnological applications

Many filamentous fungi are known to produce several secondary metabolites or bioactive compounds during their growth and reproduction with sort of various biological activities. Genus Curvularia (Pleosporaceae) is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus that exhibits a facultative pathogenic and endophytic lifestyle. It contains ~213 species among which Curvularia lunata, C. geniculata, C. clavata, C. pallescens, and C. andropogonis are well-known. Among them, C. lunata is a major pathogenic species of various economical important crops especially cereals of tropical regions while other species like C. geniculata is of endophytic nature with numerous bioactive compounds. Curvularia species contain several diverse groups of secondary metabolites including alkaloids, terpenes, polyketides, and quinones. Which possess various biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and phytotoxicity. Several genes and gene factors are involved to carry and regulate the expression of these activities which are influenced by environmental signals. Some species of Curvularia also show negative impacts on humans and animals. Apart from their negative effects, there are some beneficial implications like production of enzymes of industrial value, bioherbicides, and source of nanoparticles is reported. Many researchers are working on these aspects all over the world but there is no review in literature which provides significant understanding about these all aspects. Thus, this review will provide significant information about secondary metabolic diversity, their biological activities and biotechnological implications of Curvularia species.

Chemical Investigations of Differentially Oxidized Polycylic Pyrroles from Bipolaris Fungi: Synthetic Entry Into the Bipolamine Alkaloids

indolizidine alkaloids of unusual biosynthetic origin have recently been characterized from several species of fungi within the Pleosporaceae family. Possessing distinct polycyclic architectures with two embedded electron-rich pyrroles as well as reported antibacterial activity against gram positive and negative pathogens, these natural products represent attractive targets for total synthesis. Herein we survey the differential functionalization of a chemically sensitive bispyrrole framework resulting in the preparation of multiple bipolamine alkaloids, work which sheds light on their innate chemical reactivity and potential biosynthetic relationships.

Synthesis of Azepane Derivatives via Formal 1,3-Migration of Hydroxy and Acyloxy Groups and Selective Annulation

Formal 1,3-migration of hydroxy and acyloxy groups initiated by α-imino rhodium carbene was achieved, and the following selective annulations of the corresponding zwitterions could efficiently afford azepane derivatives. Benefiting from a time-saving procedure as well as a good functional group tolerance, this unique migration-annulation protocol could provide an efficient tool for synthesizing seven-membered N-heterocycles. The plausible mechanism is discussed.

Total Synthesis of Bipolamine I

Indolizidine alkaloids have been the target of chemical and biological studies for decades, most recently highlighted by the isolation of the curvulamine and bipolamine polypyrrole-containing subclass. Herein we report a stereoselective 15-step synthesis of bipolamine I, a distinct member of the broader family, and through this work develop an intermediate that will serve to access other polypyrrole natural products and key analogues going forward.

Synthesis of Dimeric Securinega Alkaloid Flueggeacosine B: From Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling to Cu-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling

We completed the synthesis of dimeric high-oxidation-state securinega alkaloid flueggeacosine B via two synthetic routes from allosecurinine. The first-generation synthesis (seven overall steps) involved a Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction for the union of two functionalized fragments, the organostannane and the thioester. As a means to further streamline the synthetic route, we have developed a visible-light-mediated Cu-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction between an aldehyde and an electron-deficient olefin. This enabled the second-generation synthesis of flueggeacosine B from allosecurinine in four overall steps. The newly developed CDC reaction paves a direct way to a conjugated dicarbonyl moiety, a ubiquitous structural moiety present in various natural products.

(±)-Usphenethylones A-C, three pairs of heterodimeric polyketide enantiomers from Aspergillus ustus 3.3904

Three pairs of new heterodimeric polyketide enantiomers, (±)-usphenethylones A-C (1-3), were isolated from the culture extract of Aspergillus ustus 3.3904. Compounds 1-3 present two heterodimerization patterns by a phenylethyl unit connected to an α-pyrone moiety, of which usphenethylones A-B (1-2) feature a 2,6,18-trioxa-tetracyclo-[8.8.0.03,8.011,16]octadecane core and usphenethylone C (3) possesses a 2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-pyrano[4,3-b]pyran-5-one scaffold. The structures of (±)-1-3 were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and ECD calculation. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1-3 were proposed. Compounds (+)-3 and (-)-3 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against ConA-induced T cell and LPS-induced B cell proliferation.

Marine Pyrrole Alkaloids

Nitrogen heterocycles are essential parts of the chemical machinery of life and often reveal intriguing structures. They are not only widespread in terrestrial habitats but can also frequently be found as natural products in the marine environment. This review highlights the important class of marine pyrrole alkaloids, well-known for their diverse biological activities. A broad overview of the marine pyrrole alkaloids with a focus on their isolation, biological activities, chemical synthesis, and derivatization covering the decade from 2010 to 2020 is provided. With relevant structural subclasses categorized, this review shall provide a clear and timely synopsis of this area.

Enantioselective synthesis of tetra-substituted tetralines and tetrahydro-indolizines by NHC-catalyzed azolium-enolate cascade

NHC-catalyzed cascade reaction of enals with suitably substituted β-(hetero)aryl enones allowing the enantioselective synthesis of tetra-substituted tetralines and tetrahydro indolizines is presented. The catalytically generated chiral α,β-unsaturated acylazoliums from enals under oxidative conditions reacted in a Michael-Michael-lactonization sequence to form the tricyclic δ-lactone products bearing four contiguous stereocentres.

One-Pot Synthesis of N-H-Free Pyrroles from Aldehydes and Alkynes

The first base-mediated intermolecular cyclization of arylaldehydes and terminal arylacetylenes for the synthesis of a wide range of pyrroles in a single step has been described. The developed methodology used commercially available starting materials and tolerated a broad range of functional groups affording 2,3,5-triaryl-substituted-1H-pyrroles with good yields (up to 92% yield) under mild conditions. The possible mechanism was also discussed.