Exo-Selective Diels-Alder Reactions.

The Diels-Alder reaction stands as one of the most pivotal transformations in organic chemistry. Its efficiency, marked by the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and up to four new stereocenters in a single step, underscores its versatility and indispensability in synthesizing natural products and pharmaceuticals. The most significant stereoselectivity feature is the "endo rule". While this rule underpins the predictability of the stereochemical outcomes, it also underscores the challenges in achieving the opposite diastereoselectivity, making the exo-Diels-Alder reactions often considered outliers. This review delves into recent examples of exo-Diels-Alder reactions, shedding light on the factors inverting the intrinsic tendency. We explore the roles of steric, electrostatic, and orbital interactions, as well as thermodynamic equilibriums in influencing exo/endo selectivity. Furthermore, we illustrate strategies to manipulate these factors, employing approaches such as bulky substituents, s-cis conformations, transient structural constraints, and innovative control physics. Through these analyses, our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to predict and design exo-Diels-Alder reactions, paving the way for new diastereoselective catalyst systems and expanding the chemical scope of Diels-Alder reactions.

Highly Stereoselective Diels-Alder Reactions Catalyzed by Diboronate Complexes.

A highly enantioselective catalytic system for exo-Diels-Alder reactions was developed based on the newly discovered bispyrrolidine diboronates (BPDB). Activated by various Lewis or Brønsted acids, BPDB can catalyze highly stereoselective asymmetric exo-Diels-Alder reactions of monocarbonyl-based dienophiles. When 1,2-dicarbonyl-based dienophiles are used, the catalyst can sterically distinguish between the two binding sites, which leads to highly regioselective asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions. BPDB can be prepared as crystalline solids on a large scale and are stable under ambient condition. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the structure for acid-activated BPDB indicated that its activation involves cleavage of a labile B←N bond.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Spirochensilide A, Part 2: The Final Phase and Completion.

The final phase of the total synthesis of (-)-spirochensilide A is described. A tungsten-mediated cyclopropene-based Pauson-Khand reaction was developed to form the spiral CD ring system with desired stereochemistry at the C13 quaternary center. Other important steps enabling completion of this synthesis included an intermolecular aldol condensation to link the ABCD core with the EF fragment and a Cu-mediated 1,4-addition to stereoselectively install the C21 stereogenic center. The chemistry developed for this total synthesis of (-)-spirochensilide A (1) will aid the synthesis of polycyclic natural products bearing this unique spiral ring system.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Spirochensilide A, Part 1: Diastereoselective Synthesis of the ABCD Ring and Stereoselective Total Synthesis of 13(R)-Demethyl Spirochensilide A.

A concise and diastereoselective construction of the ABCD ring system of spirochensilide A is described. The key steps of this synthesis are a semipinacol rearrangement reaction to stereoselectively construct the AB ring system bearing two vicinal quaternary chiral centers and a Co-mediated Pauson-Khand reaction to form the spiro-based bicyclic CD ring system. This chemistry leads to the stereoselective synthesis of 13(R)-demethyl spirochensilide A, paving the way for the first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-spirochensilide A.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclohepta[b]indoles by Visible-Light-Induced [2+2]-Cycloaddition/retro-Mannich-type Reactions.

A novel method for the concise synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indoles in high yields was developed. The method involves a visible-light-induced, photocatalyzed [2+2]-cycloaddition/ retro-Mannich-type reaction of enaminones. Experimental and computational studies suggested that the reaction is a photoredox process initiated by single-electron oxidation of an enaminone moiety, which undergoes subsequent cyclobutane formation and rapidly fragmentation in a radical-cation state to form cyclohepta[b]indoles.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Lancifodilactone G Acetate. 2. Final Phase and Completion of the Total Synthesis.

The asymmetric total synthesis of lancifodilactone G acetate was accomplished in 28 steps. The key steps in this synthesis include (i) an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction for formation of the scaffold of the BC ring; (ii) an intramolecular ring-closing metathesis reaction for the formation of the trisubstituted cyclooctene using a Hoveyda-Grubbs II catalyst; (iii) an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction for construction of the sterically congested F ring; (iv) sequential cross-metathesis, hydrogenation, and lactonization reactions for installation of the anomerically stabilized bis-spiro ketal fragment of lancifodilactone G; and (v) a Dieckmann-type condensation reaction for installation of the A ring. The strategy and chemistry developed for the total synthesis will be useful in the synthesis of other natural products and complex molecules.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Pavidolide B.

The enantioselective synthesis of (-)-pavidolide B (1) was achieved in a linear sequence of 10 steps. The key steps are (a) an enantioselective organocatalytic cyclopropanation; (b) a radical-based cascade annulation for the regio- and diastereo-selective synthesis of the highly functionalized lactone 3 bearing the characteristic tricyclic core and seven contiguous stereocenters;

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Lancifodilactone G Acetate.

Asymmetric total synthesis of structurally intriguing and highly oxygenated lancifodilactone G acetate (7) has been achieved for the first time in 28 steps from a cheap commodity chemical, 2-(triisopropylsiloxy)-1,3-butadiene.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone G.

A concise total synthesis of (+)-propindilactone G, a nortriterpenoid isolated from the stems of Schisandra propinqua var. propinqua, has been achieved for the first time. The key steps of the synthesis include an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction, a Pauson-Khand reaction, a Pd-catalyzed reductive hydrogenolysis reaction, and an oxidative heterocoupling reaction. These reactions enabled the synthesis of (+)-propindilactone G in only 20 steps. As a consequence of our synthetic studies, the structure of (+)-propindilactone G has been revised.

Stereoselective Construction of the ABCDE Pentacyclic Motif of Phainanoids via Norrish-Yang Photocyclization Reaction.

A Norrish-Yang photocyclization reaction has been applied to regio- and stereoselective construction of the ABCDE pentacyclic motif of natural product phainanoids. The observed substrate conformation control implicates this powerful reaction could be applied to the construction of structurally diverse natural product scaffolds.

Synthesis towards Phainanoid F: Photo-induced 6π-Electrocyclization for Constructing Contiguous All-Carbon Quaternary Centers.

In this paper, we report an efficient strategy for synthesizing the DEFGH rings of phainanoid F. The key to the construction of the 13,30-cyclodammarane skeleton of the molecule was a photo-induced 6π-electrocyclization and a homoallylic elimination. Notably, this is a rare example of using electrocyclization reaction to simultaneously construct two vicinal quaternary carbons in total synthesis. The strategy outlined here forms the basis of our total synthesis of Phainanoid F, and it could also serve as a generally applicable approach for synthesizing other natural products containing similar 13,30-cyclodammarane skeletons.

Identification and semisynthesis of (-)-anisomelic acid as oral agent against SARS-CoV-2 in mice.

(-)-Anisomelic acid, isolated from Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze (Labiatae) leaves, is a macrocyclic cembranolide with a trans-fused α-methylene-γ-lactone motif. Anisomelic acid effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and viral-induced cytopathic effects with an EC50 of 1.1 and 4.3 µM, respectively. Challenge studies of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice showed that oral administration of anisomelic acid and subcutaneous dosing of remdesivir can both reduce the viral titers in the lung tissue at the same level. To facilitate drug discovery, we used a semisynthetic approach to shorten the project timelines. The enantioselective semisynthesis of anisomelic acid from the naturally enriched and commercially available starting material (+)-costunolide was achieved in five steps with a 27% overall yield. The developed chemistry provides opportunities for developing anisomelic-acid-based novel ligands for selectively targeting proteins involved in viral infections.

Total Syntheses of Vicinal Dichloride Monoterpenes Enabled by Aza-Bellus-Claisen Rearrangement.

Diastereoselective syntheses of syn- and anti-vicinal dihalides were achieved via an aza-Bellus-Claisen rearrangement, which involved the reaction of an α-chloro carboxylic acid chloride with halogen-substituted trans-allyl morpholines in the presence of Lewis acids. The developed method was used for the total synthesis of a group of monoterpene natural products bearing vicinal dichloride subunits.

Catalytic and Enantioselective Diels-Alder Reactions of (E)-4-Oxopent-2-enoates.

Novel oxazaborolidines activated by the strong acid triflimide or AlBr3 form cationic chiral catalysts. These are effective catalysts for highly regio- and enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions using substituted (E)-4-oxopent-2-enoates as dienophiles.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone†G, Part†3: The Final Phase and Completion of the Synthesis.

Two independent synthetic approaches were evaluated for the final phase of the asymmetric total synthesis of propindilactone G (1). The key steps that led to the completion of the asymmetric total synthesis included: 1) an intermolecular oxidative heterocoupling reaction of enolsilanes to link the core structure to the side chain; 2) an intermolecular Wittig reaction for the formation of the α,ß,γ,δ-unsaturated ester; and 3) a regio- and stereoselective OsO4 -catalyzed dihydroxylation of an α,ß,γ,δ-unsaturated enone, followed by an intramolecular lactonization reaction to afford the final product. These reactions enabled the synthesis of (+)-propindilactone G in only 20 steps. As a consequence of our synthetic studies, the structure of (+)-propindilactone G has been revised. Furthermore, the direct oxidative coupling strategy for ligation of the core of propindilactone G with its side chain may find application in the syntheses of other natural products and complex molecules.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone†G, Part†1: Initial Attempts towards the Synthesis of Schiartanes.

Our first-generation synthetic study towards the total synthesis of propindilactone G (1) and its analogues is reported. The key synthetic steps were an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) and a vinylogous Mukaiyama reaction (VMAR). The stereoselective synthesis of the CDE ring moiety with an all-carbon quaternary center through a PKR was difficult, whilst a VMAR afforded a product with the opposite stereochemistry at the C20 position on the side chain. These results led us to redesign our synthetic strategy for the total synthesis of compound 1.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Propindilactone†G, Part†2: Enantioselective Construction of the Fully Functionalized BCDE Ring System.

The enantioselective synthesis of the fully functionalized BCDE tetracyclic ring system of propindilactone G (A) is reported. Several synthetic methods were developed and applied to achieve this goal, including: 1) an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction in the presence of Hayashi's catalyst for the synthesis of optically pure key intermediate 3; 2) an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) for the stereoselective synthesis of the BCDE ring with an all-carbon chiral quaternary center at the C13 position by using the TMS-substituted acetylene as the substrate; and 3) Pd-catalyzed reductive hydrogenolysis for the stereoselective synthesis of the fully functionalized BCDE tetracyclic ring system. The chemistry developed herein provided a greater understanding of the total synthesis propindilactone G (A) and its analogues.