A Concise Total Synthesis of Dictyodendrins F, H, and I Using Aryl Ynol Ethers as Key Building Blocks

Visible-Light-Induced [2 + 2] Cyclization of Alkynes with Bromodifluoroacetylsilanes: Facile Access to gem-Difluorocyclobutenones

Herein, we report a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of gem-difluorocyclobutenones from alkynes and bromodifluoroacetylsilanes, proceeding via a formal cyclization with in situ generated difluoroketene under visible-light-induced conditions. The reaction conditions are mild and exhibit a broad substrate scope, including both aromatic and aliphatic alkynes. Additionally, the reaction demonstrates good functional group tolerance, facile scalability, and the potential for diverse downstream transformations. Mechanistic studies suggest that bromodifluoroacetylsilanes act as photochemical precursors to difluoroketene.

Brønsted acid catalyzed Ficini [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with enones

Herein, we describe a novel metal-free Brønsted acid-catalyzed Ficini [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with enones under mild reaction conditions, leading to the formation of various cyclobutenamides in generally good to excellent yields within short reaction times. This work represents the first example of ynamides involved in a nonmetal-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition with enones.

[2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ynamides to Construct 3-Aminocyclobutenones

An efficient Tf₂NH-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides under mild conditions has been developed. Within short reaction times, various ynamides are transformed into the corresponding 3-aminocyclobutenones in good to excellent yields. This is the first example for the metal-free intermolecular [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of ynamides. Meanwhile, the desired cycloaddition products can be easily transformed into aminonaphthol derivatives.

Cu-catalyzed, Mn-mediated propargylation and allenylation of aldehydes with propargyl bromides

A simple, practical, and high chemo-selective method for the synthesis of propargyl alcohol and allenyl alcohols via Cu-catalyzed, Mn-mediated propargylation and allenylation of aldehydes with propargyl bromides has been established. When 3-bromo-1-propyne was conducted under the standard condition, the aldehydes were transformed to the corresponding propargylation products completely, while when 1-bromo-2-pentyne was used, allenic alcohol was the only product. Variety of homopropargyl alcohols and allenyl alcohols were obtained in high yields and the reaction is compatible with broad substrate scopes. In addition, the large-scale reaction could also be proceeded smoothly indicating the potential synthetic applications of this transformation.

Total Synthesis of Lamellarins G, J, L, and Z Using One-Pot Halogen Dance/Negishi Coupling

A bottom-up synthesis of lamellarins G, J, L, and Z was achieved via one-pot halogen dance/Negishi coupling of a lithiated dibromopyrrole derivative. The easily accessible dibromopyrrole bearing an ester moiety underwent halogen dance smoothly at -78 °C within 10 min. The resultant α-pyrrolyllithium was transmetalated to the corresponding organozinc species, which was then coupled with an aryl iodide in the presence of catalytic palladium to provide the fully substituted pyrrole. Subsequent halogen-lithium exchange was performed to incorporate a boronate group exclusively at the β position proximal to the ester moiety. This synthetic intermediate allowed stepwise diarylation for the total synthesis of lamellarins G, J, L, and Z.

Azido-Alkynes in Gold(I)-Catalyzed Indole Syntheses

The exploitation of nitrogen-functionalized reactive intermediates plays an important role in the synthesis of biologically relevant scaffolds in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Those based on gold carbenes carry a strong potential for the design of highly efficient cascade processes toward the synthesis of compounds containing a fused indole core structure. This personal account gives a detailed explanation of our contribution to this sector, and embraces the reaction development of efficient gold-catalyzed cascade processes based on diversely functionalized azido-alkynes. Challenging cyclizations and their subsequent application in the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant scaffolds and natural products conducted in an intra- or intermolecular fashion are key features of our research.

A synthetic guide to alkynyl sulfides

The relative stability and predictable reactivity of alkynyl sulfides make them ideal synthons for the development of new transformations. Classic methods for forming alkynyl sulfides relied on dehydrohalogenation approaches. However more recent methods have focused on employing umpolung strategies, as well as nucleophilic and electrophilic thiol alkynylation. In addition, the recent syntheses of Csp-S bonds have trended towards exploiting catalysis and expanding the reaction scope of the methods. A survey of existing methods to form alkynyl sulfides is presented as well as an evaluation with regards to the scope of each method, to provide the reader with an overview of advantages and limitations of current technology.

One-Pot Reaction of Carboxylic Acids, Ynol Ethers, and m-CPBA for Synthesis of α-Carbonyloxy Esters

A novel one-pot reaction of carboxylic acids, ynol ethers, and m-CPBA for the synthesis of α-carbonyloxy esters in the presence of Ag₂O is described. This process provides a direct approach to α-carbonyloxy esters with the achievement of formation of three C-O bonds. The protocol is featured with readily available starting materials and broad substrate scope. Control reactions and isotope-labeling reactions were conducted to elucidate a plausible mechanism.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Granatumine A and Related Bislactone Limonoid Alkaloids via a Pyran to Pyridine Interconversion

We report the first total synthesis of (+)-granatumine A, a limonoid alkaloid with PTP1B inhibitory activity, in ten steps. Over the course of this study, two key methodological advances were made: a cost-effective procedure for ketone α,β-dehydrogenation using allyl-Pd catalysis, and a Pd-catalyzed protocol to convert epoxyketones to 1,3-diketones. The central tetrasubstituted pyridine is formed by a convergent Knoevenagel condensation and carbonyl-selective electrocyclization cascade, which was followed by a direct transformation of a 2 H-pyran to a pyridine. These studies have led to the structural revision of two members of this family.

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective C–H alkynylation of indoles with bromoalkynes in water

A palladium-catalyzed regioselective C(sp²)–H alkynylation between indoles and bromoalkynes in water has been developed, affording diverse functionalized 2-alkynylindoles in good yields.

Rhodium-catalyzed, P-directed selective C7 arylation of indoles

The indole scaffold will continue to play a vital role in the future of drug discovery and agrochemical development. Regioselective direct arylation of indoles on the benzenoid moiety is a challenging task due to the inherent reactivity of the C2 and C3 positions. Here, we have developed an effective strategy for the regioselective direct arylation of indoles at the C7 position with (hetero)aryl bromides by the rational design of a directing group. The key to the high selectivity and reactivity of this method is the appropriate selection of a class of directing groups, N-PR2 (R = t Bu and c Hex), that are easily removed in the presence of the Wilkinson's catalyst. Using the present method as a key step, formal synthesis of marine alkaloid dictyodendrin B has also been demonstrated.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2016. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2017, 34, 235-294This review covers the literature published in 2016 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 757 citations (643 for the period January to December 2016) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1277 in 432 papers for 2016), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Thermally induced formal [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-aminocyclobutenones with electron-deficient alkynes: facile and efficient synthesis of 4-pyridones

A thermally induced novel formal [4+2] cycloaddition of cyclobutenones with electron-deficient alkynes under metal-free conditions has been developed. The reaction provides a straightforward and efficient method for the synthesis of 4-pyridone derivatives in a single step.

Regioselective direct arylation of indoles on the benzenoid moiety

Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed selective C–H functionalization of indoles have garnered tremendous attention.

Total synthesis of the dictyodendrins as an arena to highlight emerging synthetic technologies

The dictyodendrins are a family of alkaloids isolated from marine sponges, Dictyodendrilla verongiformis and Ianthella sp., which possess a highly substituted pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazole core at the phenol or quinone oxidation states. This review discusses the many diverse approaches used to synthesize these complex natural products.