Stereocontrol of 5,5-Spiroketals in the Synthesis of Cephalosporolide H Epimers

The Alkyne Zipper Reaction: A Useful Tool in Synthetic Chemistry

The alkyne zipper reaction is an internal-to-terminal alkyne isomerization reaction with many interesting applications in synthetic chemistry, as it constitutes an efficient means of achieving acetylene functionalization. A review of its applications in synthesis processes is presented in this paper, with a brief overview of the mechanistic features of the alkyne zipper reaction, as well as a brief overview of its future potential.

A Mechanistically Inspired Halenium Ion Initiated Spiroketalization: Entry to Mono- and Dibromospiroketals

Employing halenium affinity (HalA) as a guiding tool, the weak nucleophilic character of alkyl ketones was modulated by the templating effect of a tethered 2-tetrahydropyranyl(THP)-protected alcohol towards realizing a bromenium ion initiated spiroketalization cascade. Addition of ethanol aided an early termination of the cascade by scavenging the THP group after the halofunctionalization stage, furnishing monobromospiroketals. Alternatively, exclusion of ethanol from the reaction mixture biased the transient oxocarbenium towards α-deprotonation that precedes a second bromofunctionalization event thus, furnishing dibrominated spiroketals. The regio- and stereoselectivity exploited in the current methodology provides a novel and rapid access to the dibrominated spiroketal motifs exhibited by several natural products.

Recent advances in Cu-catalyzed transformations of internal alkynes to alkenes and heterocycles

Numerous metal-catalyzed reactions involving internal alkynes and aimed towards synthetically and pharmacologically important alkenes and heterocycles have appeared in the literature. Among these, Cu-catalyzed reactions have a special place, which has prompted the investigation and development of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. These reactions possess wide scope, and during the paths of these reactions, either stable or in situ intermediates are formed via the addition of Cu as a core catalyst or synergistic catalyst. In this review, we aim to report different contributions relating to Cu-catalyzed reactions of internal alkynes for the synthesis of different valuable alkenes and heterocycles which have appeared in the literature in the last decade. We anticipate that this appraisal will deliver basic insights for the further advancement of Cu-catalyzed reactions in organic chemistry.

Emergence of 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran natural products and their synthesis

The emergence of various 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran natural products in the recent literature and their synthesis is the focus of this review. These molecules exhibit varied bioactivities and have garnered the interest of several synthetic chemists owing to their efficient synthesis. A few of them have been synthesized and their absolute stereo structure has been confirmed for the first time. These will be appealing candidates in future synthetic investigations along with the untouched molecules. Thus, this compilation will reveal these molecules for expansion of their diversity within the realm of both synthesis and bioactivity studies.

A.E.Favorskii’s scientific legacy in modern organic chemistry: prototropic acetylene – allene isomerization and the acetylene zipper reaction

Alexei Evgrafovich Favorskii was an outstanding organic chemist who left a great scientific legacy as a result of long time and fruitful work. Most of the theoretically and practically important discoveries of A.E.Favorskii were made in the chemistry of acetylene and its derivatives. Nowadays, the reactions discovered by him, which include acetylene – allene isomerization, the Favorskii and retro-Favorskii reactions, the Favorskii rearrangement and the vinylation reaction, are widely used in industry and in laboratory synthesis. This review summarizes the main scientific achievements of A.E.Favorskii, as well as their development in modern organic chemistry. Much consideration is given to acetylene – allene isomerization as a convenient method for the synthesis of methyl-substituted acetylenes and to the acetylene zipper reaction as a synthetic tool for obtaining terminal acetylenes. The review presents examples of the application of these reactions in modern organic synthesis of complex molecules, including natural compounds and their analogues.

The bibliography includes 266 references.

Alkynes as Synthetic Equivalents of Ketones and Aldehydes: A Hidden Entry into Carbonyl Chemistry

The high energy packed in alkyne functional group makes alkyne reactions highly thermodynamically favorable and generally irreversible. Furthermore, the presence of two orthogonal π-bonds that can be manipulated separately enables flexible synthetic cascades stemming from alkynes. Behind these "obvious" traits, there are other more subtle, often concealed aspects of this functional group's appeal. This review is focused on yet another interesting but underappreciated alkyne feature: the fact that the CC alkyne unit has the same oxidation state as the -CH2C(O)- unit of a typical carbonyl compound. Thus, "classic carbonyl chemistry" can be accessed through alkynes, and new transformations can be engineered by unmasking the hidden carbonyl nature of alkynes. The goal of this review is to illustrate the advantages of using alkynes as an entry point to carbonyl reactions while highlighting reports from the literature where, sometimes without full appreciation, the concept of using alkynes as a hidden entry into carbonyl chemistry has been applied.

Can an n(O) → π* Interaction Provide Thermodynamic Stability to Naturally Occurring Cephalosporolides?

The stereocontrolled synthesis of naturally occurring products containing a 5,5-spiroketal molecular structure represents a major synthetic problem. Moreover, in a previous work, the stereocontrolled synthesis of cephalosporolide E (ceph E), which presumably was obtained from its epimer congener (ceph F) through an acid-mediated equilibration process, was reported. Consequently, we performed a theoretical investigation to provide relevant information regarding the title question, and it was found that the higher thermodynamic stability of ceph E, relative to ceph F, is caused by an n → π* interaction between a lone electron pair of the oxygen atom of the spiroketal ring (n_O) and the antibonding orbital of the carbonyl group (π*_C=O). Although similar stereoelectronic interactions have been disclosed in other molecular structures, its presence in ceph E, and very likely in other related naturally occurring products, represents a novel nonanomeric stabilizing effect that should be introduced into the chemical literature.

Family-level stereoselective synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrrolomorpholine spiroketal natural product antioxidants

The pyranose spiroketal natural products pollenopyrroside A and shensongine A (also known as xylapyrroside A, ent-capparisine B) have been synthesized by stereoselective spirocyclizations of a common C1-functionalized glycal precursor. In conjunction with our previously reported syntheses of the corresponding furanose isomers, this provides a versatile family-level synthesis of the pyrrolomorpholine spiroketal natural products and analogues. In rat mesangial cells, hyperglycemia-induced production of reactive oxygen species, which is implicated in diabetic nephropathy, was inhibited by pollenopyrroside A and shensongine A with mid-μM IC50 values, while unnatural C2-hydroxy analogues exhibited more potent, sub-μM activity.

A NMR method for relative stereochemical assignments of the tricyclic core of cephalosporolides, penisporolides and related synthetic analogues

A new NMR method is developed to discriminate the four possible diastereomeric SAFLs, leading to revisions of 11 synthetic compounds.

Gold catalysis: synthesis of spiro, bridged, and fused ketal natural products

This review summarises the application of gold catalysis for the syntheses of spiro, bridged and fused ketal natural products.

De Novo Asymmetric Synthesis of Phoracantholide J

A de novo asymmetric total synthesis of the macrolide natural product (S)-phoracantholide J has been achieved in 10 steps from the commodity chemicals (1-pentyne, ethyl acrylate, acetaldehyde, and hydrogen). The asymmetry of the route was introduced by a Noyori reduction of a 3-yn-2-one, which makes the route equally amenable to the synthesis of either enantiomer. In addition, this route relies upon an alkyne zipper, a hydroalkynylation, and a macrolactonization to complete the synthesis.

Asymmetric Total Syntheses of ent-Ascospiroketals A and B

A new hypothetic biosynthesis of the tricyclic spiroketal core of ascospiroketals A and B is proposed, which guided the development of a novel synthetic strategy for the asymmetric total synthesis of ent-ascospiroketals A and B. The synthesis features an efficient ring contraction rearrangement of the 10-membered lactone to the tricyclic spiroketal cis-fused γ-lactone core, which served as the common intermediate for the synthesis of both ent-ascospiroketals A and B through the Stille coupling reaction at the final step. In addition, seven diastereomers were prepared to conclusively confirm the structure of ent-ascospiroketal B.

Synthesis of (−) cephalosporolide E and (+) cephalosporolide F utilizing the vinylogous Mukaiyama type reaction with an α-chloro sulfide

An asymmetric synthesis of (−)-cephalosporolide E and (+)-cephalosporolide F employing vinylogous Mukaiyama type reaction with an α-chloro sulfide, Noyori transfer hydrogenation and oxidative cyclization as the key steps is described.

Total Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of Ascospiroketal A

The total synthesis of the marine fungus-derived natural product ascospiroketal is described. This concise synthesis relies on a unique Ag(I) -promoted tandem cascade cyclization that provides direct access to the correctly configured tricyclic core of the natural product from a linear precursor. The synthesis of candidate stereostructures of ascospiroketal A allowed for the confident assignment of both the relative and absolute stereochemistry of this unusual octaketide.

Total synthesis of cephalosporolide E via a tandem radical/polar crossover reaction. The use of the radical cations under nonoxidative conditions in total synthesis

The present work reports the first example of the use of the chemistry of radical cations under nonoxidative conditions in total synthesis. Using a late-stage tandem radical/polar crossover reaction, a highly stereoselective total synthesis of cephalosporolide E (which is typically obtained admixed with cephalosporolide F) was accomplished. The reaction of a phthalimido derivative with triphenyltin radical in refluxing toluene engenders a contact ion-pair (radical cation) that leads, in the first instance, to the cephalosporolide F, which is transformed into the cephalosporolide E via a stereocontrolled spiroketal isomerization promoted by the diphenylphosphate acid that is formed during the tandem transformation.

Total synthesis of ascospiroketal a through a Ag(I) -promoted cyclization cascade

The total synthesis of four candidate stereostructures for the marine octaketide ascospiroketal A have been achieved. These concise and highly stereocontrolled syntheses feature a unique Ag(I) -promoted cyclization cascade involving an oxetanyl ketochlorohydrin to access the entire tricyclic core of the natural product in one step. These syntheses also establish the full stereochemistry for the ascospiroketal natural products.

Solvent-dependent divergent functions of Sc(OTf)₃ in stereoselective epoxide-opening spiroketalizations

A stereocontrolled synthesis of benzannulated spiroketals has been developed using solvent-dependent Sc(OTf)₃-mediated spirocyclizations of exo-glycal epoxides having alcohol side chains. In THF, the reaction proceeds via Lewis acid catalysis under kinetic control with inversion of configuration at the anomeric carbon. In contrast, in CH₂Cl₂, Brønsted acid catalysis under thermodynamic control leads to retention of configuration. The reactions accommodate a variety of aryl substituents and ring sizes and provide stereochemically diverse spiroketals.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2012 for marine natural products, with 1035 citations (673 for the period January to December 2012) 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 (1241 for 2012), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Strategic innovation in the total synthesis of complex natural products using gold catalysis

This review has been organized from the perspective of synthetic target families, with emphasis on the use of gold-catalyzed transformations and cascade reactions that significantly increase molecular complexity.

Anionic cascade reactions. One-pot assembly of (Z)-chloro-exo-methylenetetrahydrofurans from β-hydroxyketones

The assembly of (Z)-chloro-exo-methylenetetrahydrofurans by an original and connective anionic cascade sequence is reported. Base-catalysed condensation of β-hydroxyketones with 1,1-dichloroethylene generates, in moderate to good yields, the corresponding (Z)-chloro-exo-methylenetetrahydrofurans. Acidic treatment of this motif leads to several unexpected dimers, possessing unique structural features.

Gold catalysis: regio- and stereoselective total synthesis of xyloketals D and G and the related natural product alboatrin

A new and efficient one-pot desilylation-gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynes containing a silyl-protected phenolic -OH and a free alcoholic -OH unit leads selectively to the formation of tetrahydrofuranobenzopyran ring system. This approach has been used for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of xyloketal D, xyloketal G, and the related natural product alboatrin.

Enantioselective synthesis of spiroacetals via silver(I)-promoted alkylation of hemiacetals: total synthesis of cephalosporolides E and F

A silver(I)-promoted intramolecular hemiacetal alkylation has been developed that converts readily available keto-chlorodiols into functionalized spiroacetals containing 5,5-, 5,6-, and 5,7-membered ring systems. The efficiency of this process is demonstrated in a concise total synthesis of the fungal metabolites cephalosporolides E and F.

Stereoselective synthesis of acortatarins A and B

Acortatarins A and B have been synthesized via stereoselective spirocyclizations of glycals. Mercury-mediated spirocyclization of a pyrrole monoalcohol side chain leads to acortatarin A. Glycal epoxidation and reductive spirocyclization of a pyrrole dialdehyde side chain leads to acortatarin B. Acid equilibration and crystallographic analysis indicate that acortatarin B is a contrathermodynamic spiroketal with distinct ring conformations compared to acortatarin A.

On the proposed structures and stereocontrolled synthesis of the cephalosporolides

The synthesis of four candidate stereoisomers of cephalosporolide H is described, made possible by a zinc-chelation strategy for controlling the stereochemistry of oxygenated 5,5-spiroketals. The same strategy likewise enables the first stereocontrolled synthesis of cephalosporolide E, which is typically isolated and prepared admixed with its spiroketal epimer, cephalosporolide F.

Marine natural products

Covering: 2010. Previous review: Nat. Prod. Rep., 2011, 28, 196. This review covers the literature published in 2010 for marine natural products, with 895 citations (590 for the period January to December 2010) 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 (1003 for 2010), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Gold catalysis in total synthesis--an update

In this critical review, the strongly increasing amount of new applications of gold catalysis in total synthesis is summarised and, for the new developed methods, the mode of activation of the substrate by the gold catalyst is discussed (47 references).

Gold-catalyzed cyclizations of alkynol-based compounds: synthesis of natural products and derivatives

The last decade has witnessed dramatic growth in the number of reactions catalyzed by gold complexes because of their powerful soft Lewis acid nature. In particular, the gold-catalyzed activation of propargylic compounds has progressively emerged in recent years. Some of these gold-catalyzed reactions in alkynes have been optimized and show significant utility in organic synthesis. Thus, apart from significant methodology work, in the meantime gold-catalyzed cyclizations in alkynol derivatives have become an efficient tool in total synthesis. However, there is a lack of specific review articles covering the joined importance of both gold salts and alkynol-based compounds for the synthesis of natural products and derivatives. The aim of this Review is to survey the chemistry of alkynol derivatives under gold-catalyzed cyclization conditions and its utility in total synthesis, concentrating on the advances that have been made in the last decade, and in particular in the last quinquennium.