Convergent Total Synthesis of (-)-Cyclopamine.

A concise and enantioselective total synthesis of the Veratrum alkaloid cyclopamine is disclosed. This highly convergent synthesis with a 16-step longest linear sequence (LLS) was enabled by a de novo synthesis of the trans-6,5-heterobicycle via a strain-inducing halocyclization process, a key Tsuji-Trost cyclization to construct the fully substituted, spirocyclic THF motif with exquisite diastereocontrol, and a late-stage ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction to forge the central tetrasubstituted olefin.

Access to high value sp3-rich frameworks using photocatalyzed [2 + 2]-cycloadditions of γ-alkylidene-γ-lactams.

By harnessing an energy transfer process, new photocatalyzed [2 + 2]-cycloadditions occurring between γ-alkylidene-γ-lactams and unsaturated substrates have been developed. The reaction mode is particularly powerful because it leads to the formation of different high value sp3-rich frameworks and further diversity can be introduced through cascade sequences wherein strain releasing opening of the cyclobutane intermediates gives access to complex polycyclic alkaloid frameworks.

Merging singlet-oxygen induced furan oxidations with organocatalysis: synthesis of enantiopure cyclopentanones and hydrindanes.

A new methodology is described herein which converts simple and readily accesible furan substrates into complex enantio-enriched carbocyclic skeletons through the implementation of a simple one-pot procedure. Singlet oxygen furan photoxygenation affords an enedione which then participates in an organocatalysed double-Michael reaction with an enal to furnish a cyclopentanone structure with up to four new contiguous stereogenic centres. The enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of this process are both excellent. If desired, further aldol-annulation steps can be appended to the cascade reaction sequence to afford key enantiopure hydrindane motifs.

The reticent tautomer: exploiting the interesting multisite and multitype reactivity of 4-pyrrolin-2-ones.

4-Pyrrolin-2-ones are a lesser known tautomeric relative of the 3-pyrrolin-2-ones. Despite their infrequent appearance in the literature, they are very interesting and useful compounds. They have highly controllable, multisite and multitype reactivities which are covered in this review. The applications of these transformations show how the 4-pyrrolin-2-ones make excellent intermediates en-route to a range of key alkaloids. Innovative, fast and adaptable syntheses of the 4-pyrrolin-2-ones and their onward use via cascade reaction sequences are also presented to complete the case for commending these compounds as highly versatile and valuable synthetic building blocks.

Singlet-Oxygen-Mediated Synthesis of Pandanusine A and Pandalizine C and Structural Revision of Pandanusine B.

The first synthesis of racemic pandanusines A and B and pandalizine C, isolated from Pandanus amaryllifolius, is reported. The key synthetic step is an efficient tandem reaction sequence initiated by the photooxidation of an easily prepared furylalkylamine precursor. In this reaction sequence, methylene blue plays a dual catalytic role of photosensitizer and redox catalyst, first in generating singlet oxygen and second in facilitating a triplet oxygen reaction. Through the synthesis of pandanusine B, the proposed structure has been revised.

Vinylogous Reactivity of Cyclic 2-Enones: Organocatalysed Asymmetric Addition to 2-Enals to Synthesize Fused Carbocycles.

A method for asymmetric and site selective annulations at the γ and γ' positions of cyclic 2-enones with α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organocatalysed [3+3]-annulations proceed with high levels of regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity, affording a series of high value fused carbocycles. Further elaboration gave key lactones (both bridged and fused).

Asymmetric and Site-Selective [3 + 2]-Annulations for the Synthesis of High-Value Bicyclic Lactams.

Asymmetric and site-selective formal [3 + 2]-annulations of γ-alkyl-ß,γ-unsaturated γ-lactams with α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes have been developed. These organocatalysed transformations yield high value enantioenriched bicyclic γ-lactams with up to four new stereocenters (sometimes including a quarternary carbon). The overall transformation starts from simple and readily accessible furans and oversees a rapid, controlled, and dramatic enhancement in 3D complexity.

Photooxygenation of Furylalkylamines: Easy Access to Pyrrolizidine and Indolizidine Scaffolds.

A highly adaptable method targeting the ubiquitous and very important pyrrolizidine and indolizidine scaffolds is presented. The general synthetic utility of the method is underscored by its application to the rapid and easy synthesis of five natural products starting from readily accessible alkylfuran precursors. These unprotected primary furylalkylamines are subjected to photooxygenation conditions, which initiate a complex cascade reaction sequence concluding with the production of high value motifs. This sequence can be tailored to need by varying the choice of both photosensitizer and base additive.

One-pot transformation of simple furans into 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenones in water.

A highly efficient one-pot transformation of readily accessible furans into 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenones in H2O, using singlet oxygen as oxidant, has been developed.