Synthesis of phosphatidic acids via cobalt(salen) catalyzed epoxide ring-opening with dibenzyl phosphate

With a CoIII(salen)OTs catalyst, dibenzyl phosphate ring-opens a variety of terminal epoxides with excellent regio-selectively and yields up to 85%. The reaction is used in a highly efficient synthesis of enantiopure mixed-diacyl phosphatidic acids, including a photoswitchable phosphatidic acid mimic.

A cobalt-catalyzed, phosphate-induced, ring-opening reaction is used in an efficient synthesis of enantiopure mixed-diacyl phosphatidic acids, including a photoswitchable phosphatidic acid mimic.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of the Archaeal Lipid Parallel GDGT-0 (Isocaldarchaeol)*

Archaeal glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGT) are some of the most unusual membrane lipids identified in nature. These amphiphiles are the major constituents of the membranes of numerous Archaea, some of which are extremophilic organisms. Due to their unique structures, there has been significant interest in studying both the biophysical properties and the biosynthesis of these molecules. However, these studies have thus far been hampered by limited access to chemically pure samples. Herein, we report a concise and stereoselective synthesis of the archaeal tetraether lipid parallel GDGT-0 and the synthesis and self-assembly of derivatives bearing different polar groups.

A Unified Approach for the Total Synthesis of cyclo-Archaeol, iso-Caldarchaeol, Caldarchaeol, and Mycoketide

Ir‐catalyzed asymmetric alkene hydrogenation is presented as the strategy par excellence to prepare saturated isoprenoids and mycoketides. This highly stereoselective synthesis approach is combined with an established ¹³C‐NMR method to determine the enantioselectivity of each methyl‐branched stereocenter. It is shown that this analysis is fit for purpose and the combination allows the synthesis of the title compounds with a significant increase in efficiency.

Chirality controlled responsive self-assembled nanotubes in water

The concept of using chirality to dictate dimensions and to store chiral information in self-assembled nanotubes in a fully controlled manner is presented. We report a photoresponsive amphiphile that co-assembles with its chiral counterpart to form nanotubes and demonstrate how chirality can be used to effect the formation of either micrometer long, achiral nanotubes or shorter (∼300 nm) chiral nanotubes that are bundled. The nature of these assemblies is studied using a variety of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and it is shown that the tubes can be disassembled with light, thereby allowing the chiral information to be erased.

Total synthesis of (R,R,R)-γ-tocopherol through Cu-catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-addition

Based on the asymmetric copper-catalyzed 1,2-addition of Grignard reagents to ketones, (R,R,R)-γ-tocopherol has been synthesized in 36 % yield over 12 steps (longest linear sequence). The chiral center in the chroman ring was constructed with 73 % ee by the 1,2-addition of a phytol-derived Grignard reagent to an α-bromo enone prepared from 2,3-dimethylquinone.

Catalytic synthesis of enantiopure mixed diacylglycerols – synthesis of a major M. tuberculosis phospholipid and platelet activating factor

An efficient catalytic one-pot synthesis of TBDMS-protected diacylglycerols has been developed, starting from enantiopure glycidol. Subsequent migration-free deprotection leads to stereo- and regiochemically pure diacylglycerols. This novel strategy has been applied to the synthesis of a major Mycobacterium tuberculosis phospholipid, its desmethyl analogue, and platelet activating factor.

A novel synthetic approach to the bicyclo[5.3.1]undecan-11-one framework of vinigrol

The first synthetic attempt commencing from an eight-membered ring to approach the [5.3.1] bicyclic core of vinigrol has demonstrated the feasibility of using the conformational bias of the cyclooctane-ring system to realize highly diastereoselective reactions. The synthetic potential of the newly disclosed access to in/out isomerism may stimulate broader interests.

Synthesis and analysis of the all-(S) side chain of phosphomycoketides: a test of NMR predictions for saturated oligoisoprenoid stereoisomers

(4S,8S,12S,16S,20S)-Pentamethylheptacosan-1-ol has been synthesized and analyzed by resolution-enhanced NMR spectroscopy with the aid of a recent set predicted spectra of all its stereoisomers. The configuration was confirmed, but isomer purity of the sample (~70%) was lower than expected. A truncated analogue, (2S,6S,10S,14S)-2,6,10,14-tetramethylhenicosan-1-ol TBDPS ether, was prepared from a late stage synthetic intermediate. Analysis of its spectra confirmed the configuration and showed that the sample was isomerically pure. The results suggest that a late-stage epimerization, not a failure of an asymmetric synthesis step, caused the formation of minor stereoisomers in the sample of pentamethylheptacosan-1-ol. The study shows the value of the predicted set of oligoisoprenoid spectra and further extends the predictive model to a new subclass of compounds.