Four-Step Synthesis of (-)-4-epi-Presilphiperfolan-8α-ol by Intramolecular Iron Hydride Atom Transfer-Mediated Ketone-Alkene Coupling and Studies to Access trans-Hydrindanols with a Botryane Scaffold.

From an (R)-(+)-pulegone-derived building block that incorporates the stereo-defined tertiary carbon bearing a methyl group, as found in the targeted sesquiterpenoid, a four-step synthesis of (-)-4-epi-presilphiperfolan-8-α-ol was achieved. The key processes involved are a ring-closing metathesis leading to a bridged alkene-tethered ketone and its subsequent FeIII -mediated metal-hydride atom transfer (MHAT) transannular cyclization. This synthetic method, implying an irreversible addition of a carbon-centered radical upon a ketone by means of a hydrogen atom transfer upon the alkoxy radical intermediate, was also applied in the synthesis of trans-fused hydrindanols structurally related to botrydial compounds.

Radical Cyclization of Alkene-Tethered Ketones Initiated by Hydrogen-Atom Transfer.

An unprecedented C-C coupling reaction between alkenes and ketones by hydrogen-atom transfer, using Fe(acac)3 and PhSiH3 in EtOH, is described. This mild protocol features high site selectivity and allows the construction of sterically congested structures containing tertiary alcohols and quaternary centers. The overall process introduces a novel strategic bond disconnection for ring-closing reactions.

Formal Total Synthesis of Amphidinolide E.

A formal total synthesis of the cytotoxic macrolide amphidinolide E is reported. The strategic steps are three Julia-Kocienski reactions (J-K), for the formation of the C5-C6, C9-C10, and C17-C18 double bonds, a Suzuki-Molander C21-C22 bond formation reaction, and a Kita-Trost macrolactonization. The "instability" of the two dienic systems and of the stereocenter at C2 (allylic methine, α to the carboxy group) and the protecting groups at C17-OH and C18-OH have posed difficult challenges. Each Julia-Kocienski olefination has been systematically optimized to provide the highest possible E/Z ratios.

Iron-Catalyzed Radical Intermolecular Addition of Unbiased Alkenes to Aldehydes.

The intermolecular reductive radical coupling of aldehydes with nonactivated alkenes, employing metal hydride atom transfer (MHAT) catalysis with a combination of FeII and FeIII salts, is described. This constitutes the first use of aldehydes as viable acceptor groups in MHAT reactions. The insights gained in this study led to the reexamination of the previously reported intramolecular version of the reaction, and the addition of FeII salts allowed the development of a more efficient second-generation approach.

Iron Hydride Radical Reductive Alkylation of Unactivated Alkenes.

Iron-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer-mediated intermolecular C-C coupling reactions between alkenes and tosylhydrazones, followed by in situ cleavage of the tosylhydrazine intermediates using Et3N, are described. The process involves a new strategic bond disconnection resulting in the reductive alkylation of nonactivated alkenes. The reaction is operationally simple, proceeds under mild conditions, and has a wide substrate scope.