Total synthesis of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogs modified at the side chain and D-ring.

Herein, we describe a synthetic strategy to access 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) analogs with natural or unnatural configuration at C20 and unsaturation at the D-ring. The synthetic approach is exemplified by the synthesis of two potent analogs, namely 1α,25-dihydroxy-16-en-23-yne-vitamin D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-24a-homo-26,27-dimethyl-vitamin D3. A key feature of the synthetic strategy is the generation of an unnatural configuration at C20 by a catalytic asymmetric reduction of an α,ß,γ,δ-unsaturated ester with the CuH species in a micellar system.

Total Synthesis Establishes the Biosynthetic Pathway to the Naphterpin and Marinone Natural Products.

The naphterpins and marinones are naphthoquinone meroterpenoids with an unusual aromatic oxidation pattern that is biosynthesized from 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (THN). We propose that cryptic halogenation of THN derivatives by vanadium-dependent chloroperoxidase (VCPO) enzymes is key to this biosynthetic pathway, despite the absence of chlorine in these natural products. This speculation inspired a total synthesis to mimic the naphterpin/marinone biosynthetic pathway. In validation of this biogenetic hypothesis, two VCPOs were discovered that interconvert several of the proposed biosynthetic intermediates.

Biosynthetically Guided Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Merochlorin†A, an Antibiotic Marine Natural Product.

The onset of new multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria demands continuous development of antibacterial agents with new chemical scaffolds and mechanisms of action. We present the first structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of 16 derivatives of a structurally novel antibiotic merochlorin A that were designed using a biosynthetic blueprint. Our lead compounds are active against several Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and Bacillus subtilis, inhibit intracellular growth of Mycobacterium bovis, and are relatively nontoxic to human cell lines. Furthermore, derivative 12 c {(±)-(3aR,4S,5R,10bS)-5-bromo-7,9-dimethoxy-4-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-2-(propan-2-ylidene)-1,2,3,3a,4,5-hexahydro-6H-5,10b-methanobenzo[e]azulene-6,11-dione} was found to inhibit the growth of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-infected cells at concentrations similar to rifampicin. These results outperform the natural product, underscoring the potential of merochlorin analogues as a new class of antibiotics.

Total synthesis of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) through a Si-assisted allylic substitution.

Herein, we describe a versatile and efficient total synthesis of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol). The synthetic strategy relies on an unprecedented Si-assisted SN2'-syn displacement of carbamates by cuprates to set the challenging pivotal quaternary methyl group at the fused-ring junction of the CD-trans-hydrindane core. Other key transformations involve the catalytic asymmetric reduction of an α,ß,γ,δ-unsaturated ester with CuH to generate the natural steroidal configuration at C20 and a Pauson-Khand cyclization to form the CD-ring skeleton. This strategy enables the syntheses of novel analogs for structure-function studies and drug development.