Discovery and Structure-Activity Relationships of 2,5-Dimethoxyphenylpiperidines as Selective Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists.

Classical psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are showing promising results in clinical trials for a range of psychiatric indications, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorder. These compounds are characterized by broad pharmacological activity profiles, and while the acute mind-altering effects can be ascribed to their shared agonist activity at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), their apparent persistent therapeutic effects are yet to be decidedly linked to activity at this receptor. We report herein the discovery of 2,5-dimethoxyphenylpiperidines as a novel class of selective 5-HT2AR agonists and detail the structure-activity investigations leading to the identification of LPH-5 [analogue (S)-11] as a selective 5-HT2AR agonist with desirable drug-like properties.

Concise access to C2-ethylidene pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine natural products.

A 3-step route toward pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) antitumor antibiotic class members oxo-prothracarcin and boseongazepine B has been developed. This methodology also enables preparing oxo-tomaymycin in only 4 linear steps representing the shortest total synthesis known to date. The synthesis features an olefination with sterically demanding Julia-Kocienski reagents as the key step.

Stereoselective Olefination with Sterically Demanding Julia-Kocienski Reagents: Total Synthesis of Oxo-prothracarcin, Oxo-tomaymycin, and Boseongazepine B.

Total syntheses of three pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine anticancer antibiotic family members oxo-prothracarcin, oxo-tomaymycin, and boseongazepine B are described. The total syntheses feature late-stage stereoselective olefination employing modified Julia-Kocienski reagents that can be conveniently prepared in only two steps and allows for a significant reduction in the number of linear steps. Detailed density functional theory (DFT) studies explain the stereochemical outcome of the key step.

Isolation, chemistry, and biology of pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine natural products.

The isolation of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin in the 1960s prompted extensive research into pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines (PBD) as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancers. Since then, nearly 60 PBD natural products have been isolated and evaluated with regard to their biological activity. Synthetic studies and total syntheses have enabled access to PBD analogues, culminating in the development of highly potent anticancer agents. This review provides a summary of the occurrence and biological activity of PBD natural products and covers the strategies employed for their total syntheses.

Total Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Uncarialin A.

The stereoselective total synthesis of the proposed structure of a potent serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist uncarialin A (1) is described. By employing the readily available meroquinene tert-butyl ester as the chiral synthon, the target structure has been prepared in a six-step linear sequence with a 17% overall yield. In comparison to the sample isolated from natural sources, the synthetic product shows significant spectral differences, strongly suggesting that the structure of the natural product should be revised.

Total synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H.

The total synthesis of both the double bond isomers of indolizine alkaloid 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H has been accomplished. Both the double bond isomers Z-4 and E-4 induced convulsions and inhibited neuro-muscular activity at a dose of 25 mg/kg after intraperitoneal injection in mice. The lethal dose of Z-4 and E-4 was 100 mg/kg, indicating that 8-deoxypumiliotoxin 193H is 10-times less toxic than the known pumiliotoxin (+)-251 D.

Stereoselective synthesis of an eleganine A core.

A synthetic approach towards the core of a structurally unique cytotoxic indole alkaloid eleganine A has been accomplished for the first time. The synthesis features a stereoselective Ireland-Claisen rearrangement as the key step, enabling the installation of 2 stereogenic centers and a stereodefined double bond in a single step. Furthermore, a SnCl4 promoted acylation of the indole C-2 position allows the coupling of a highly functionalized 4-ethylidene proline fragment with the indole part.

First Total Synthesis and in Vitro Cytotoxicities of Flavesines G and J.

The first total synthesis of flavesines G and J, natural products exhibiting antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus, is described. A robust, protecting-group-free route starting from commercially available natural product 9-azajulolidine allowed us to obtain the title compounds in a four- and five-step sequence accordingly. Flavesines G and J exhibit micromolar cytotoxicity in A549, MCF-7, HepG2, PANC-1, and HL-60 cancer cell lines.

Modified Julia-Kocienski Reagents for a Stereoselective Introduction of Trisubstituted Double Bonds: A Formal Total Synthesis of Limazepine E and Barmumycin.

A formal total synthesis of pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine anticancer antibiotic family member limazepine E is described. The synthesis features a stereoselective introduction of a trisubstituted double bond using novel sterically demanding Julia-Kocienski reagents, allowing the number of linear steps to be significantly reduced. The potential of the newly developed reagents has also been demonstrated by the formal total synthesis of barmumycin.

The exocyclic olefin geometry control via Ireland-Claisen rearrangement: stereoselective total syntheses of Barmumycin and Limazepine E.

Stereoselective total syntheses of Limazepine E and Barmumycin, potent, naturally occurring antitumor agents, are described. The total syntheses control the olefin geometry via a highly selective chelation-controlled Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of a seven-membered lactone-derived boron enolate for the synthesis of (E)-4-ethylidene proline, a crucial building block for a number of natural products.