An Efficient Synthesis of Epoxydiynes and a Key Fragment of Neocarzinostatin Chromophore

Oxidative [2 + 1 + 1 + 1] Annulation of Aldehydes and Methylene Nitriles: Synthesis of Diastereoselective Polysubstituted Cyclopentenes

Herein, we report a green cascade approach to prepare a variety of diastereoselective polysubstituted cyclopentene derivatives through metal-free oxidative [2 + 1 + 1 + 1] annulation of aldehydes and methylene nitriles. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the reaction underwent a four-step cascade reaction including air oxidation and Michael addition to obtain the final product. This reaction features readily available starting materials, transition metal-free, eco-friendly operations, gram-scale syntheses, and wide functional group tolerance. The methodology may be useful for the construction of polysubstituted cyano-cyclopentene heterocycles with potential biological activity.

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Processes Based on the Switchable Configurational Instability of Allenyl Copper Reagents

The configurational instability of allenyl copper reagents is unveiled. An experimental study highlights the crucial role of Li⁺ and of the reaction temperature in the control of the configurational stability of allenyl copper reagents. A judicious choice of the reaction conditions allows efficient dynamic kinetic resolution processes and gives a one-pot access to homopropargylic alcohols or amines bearing up to four contiguous defined stereogenic centers.

A convergent total synthesis of the kedarcidin chromophore: 20-years in the making

The kedarcidin chromophore is a formidible target for total synthesis. Herein, we describe a viable synthesis of this highly unstable natural product. This entailed the early introduction and gram-scale synthesis of 2-deoxysugar conjugates of both L-mycarose and L-kedarosamine. Key advances include: (1) stereoselective allenylzinc keto-addition to form an epoxyalkyne; (2) α-selective glycosylations with 2-deoxy thioglycosides (AgPF₆/DTBMP) and Schmidt donors (TiCl₄); (3) Mitsunobu aryl etherification to install a hindered 1,2-cis-configuration; (4) atropselective and convergent Sonogashira-Shiina cyclization sequence; (5) Ohfune-based amidation protocol for naphthoic acid; (6) Ce(III)-mediated nine-membered enediyne cyclization and ester/mesylate derivatisation; (7) SmI₂-based reductive olefination and global HF-deprotection end-game. The longest linear sequence from gram-scale intermediates is 17-steps, and HRMS data of the synthetic natural product was obtained for the first time.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Cyclopentene and Cyclopenta[ b]carbazole Analogues from Unsymmetrical 4-Arylidene-3,6-diarylhex-2-en-5-ynal and Indole Derivatives via an Iodine Mediated Electrocyclization Reaction

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted cyclopentene and cyclopenta[ b]carbazole derivatives through the iodine-promoted electrocyclization of substituted indoles and 4-arylidene-3,6-diarylhex-2-en-5-ynal derivatives is reported. Polysubstituted cyclopentene derivatives were produced through 4π electrocyclization reactions with indole, 7-methylindole, and 5-bromoindole as coupling partners, whereas cyclopenta[ b]carbazole derivatives were produced via 6π electrocyclization in the case of methoxy (-OMe)-substituted indoles. The methods reported herein diastereo- and regioselectively proceed under straightforward and mild conditions.

Use of N-methylformamide as a solvent in indium-promoted Barbier reactions en route to enediyne and epoxy diyne formation: comparison of rate and stereoselectivity in C-C bond-forming reactions with water

Indium-promoted coupling reactions between propargyl aldehydes (1) and α-chloropropargylphenyl sulfide are reported. Although water has been shown to accelerate indium metal promoted reactions, the reverse pattern was observed in this series. Use of N-methylformamide (NMF), which has not previously been a solvent known for use in indium-promoted reactions, afforded an acceleration of these Barbier-style reactions compared to water. Indium-promoted reactions in this study also showed excellent regiocontrol and good stereocontrol, allowing for easy entry into the formation of epoxydiyne and enediyne skeletal structures. This paper also describes use of the Barbier Coupled product (2) as a new, and easy, entry into the formation of enediyne and epoxydiyne skeletal structures.

Propargylic oxidations catalyzed by dirhodium caprolactamate in water: efficient access to alpha,beta-acetylenic ketones

Dirhodium(II) caprolactamate (1, Rh 2(cap) 4) with 70% w/w aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-HYDRO ) is a highly effective catalytic oxidation protocol for the selective C-H oxidation of alkynes to propargylic ketones. The oxidation occurs readily in aqueous solvent under mild conditions with an inexpensive and easily handled oxidant. Alpha,beta-acetylenic carbonyl compounds are formed in up to 80% isolated yield.