Polycyclic Frameworks Research Articles

A Modular Approach to Angularly Fused Polyquinanes via Ring-Rearrangement Metathesis: Synthetic Access to Cameroonanol Analogues and the Basic Core of Subergorgic Acid and Crinipellin.

We describe a modular approach to angularly fused polyquinanes that are core units of many natural products such as cameroonanol, subergorgic acid, and crinepellin, etc. in excellent yields by employing atom-economic ring-rearrangement metathesis as a key step. Our work highlights, the synthesis of cameroonanol analogues 1-6 and their ester derivatives by using the stereoselective reduction of the carbonyl group by using DIBAL-H- and DCC-mediated coupling as the key reactions. The subergorgic acid core 7 was produced by LDA-mediated kinetically controlled regio- and stereoselective ring-junction allylation as a critical step. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the present strategy relies on a less explored exo-dicyclopentadiene-1-one (8) and produces highly congested polycyclic frameworks containing up to seven contiguous stereogenic centers including quaternary carbons up to two. All of the new molecules were characterized by NMR data. The structure and relative stereochemistry of some compounds were confirmed by chemical methods and further supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The newly reported tri- and tetraquinane skeletons are present in many naturally occurring bioactive polyquinanes. Hence, this strategy is useful for designing various "druglike molecules" and expands the chemical space of cyclopentanoids that are useful in medicinal chemistry.

Concise stereoselective and stereodivergent syntheses of (±)-melicolones A and B

The first total syntheses of the epimeric (±)-melicolones A and B, which are bioactive constituents isolated as racemates from the leaves of Melicope ptelefolia, were achieved in 12.3% combined overall yield. The divergent approach to these unusual natural products is remarkably concise and required a longest linear sequence of only nine steps (11 total steps) from commercially available starting materials. The significant synthetic challenge posed by the unique and densely functionalized polycyclic framework characteristic of the melicolones was addressed by a novel and highly regioselective (16:1) and diastereoselective (15:1) dipolar cycloaddition to deliver the oxabicycloheptane core. This pivotal reaction featured an innovative combination of an unsaturated vinylogous ester dipolarophile with a carbonyl ylide that was generated by an unusual cyclization of the carbonyl oxygen atom of an aliphatic aldehyde with a rhodium carbenoid. Stereoselective prenylation of the ketone enolate derived from this bicyclic core gave an intermediate that was processed via a one-pot O-demethylation cycloaldolization sequence to give the penultimate intermediate. The synthesis was completed by a bioinspired tandem epoxidation of the prenyl substituent followed by a regioselective, acid-catalyzed cyclization to deliver (±)-melicolones A and B. This approach may be applicable to the syntheses of other melicolones having a tetracyclic core.

An Alternative Approach towards C-12 Functionalized Scalaranic Sesterterpenoids Synthesis of 17-Oxo-20-norscalaran-12α,19-O-lactone.

Scalarane sesterterpenoids emerged as interesting bioactive natural products which were isolated extensively from marine sponges and shell-less mollusks. Some representatives were also reported recently from superior plants. Many scalarane sesterterpenoids displayed a wide spectrum of valuable properties, such as antifeedant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitubercular, antitumor, anti-HIV properties, cytotoxicity and stimulation of nerve growth factor synthesis, as well as anti-inflammatory activity. Due to their important biological properties, many efforts have been undertaken towards the chemical synthesis of natural scalaranes. The main synthetic challenges are connected to their complex polycyclic framework, chiral centers and different functional groups, in particular the oxygenated functional groups at the C-12 position, which are prerequisites of the biological activity of many investigated scalaranes. The current work addresses this problem and the synthesis of 17-oxo-20-norscalaran-12α,19-O-lactone is described. It was performed via the 12α-hydroxy-ent-isocopal-13(14)-en-15-al obtained from (-)-sclareol as an accessible starting material. The tetracyclic lactone framework was built following an addition strategy, which includes the intramolecular Michael addition of a diterpenic acetoacetic ester and an intramolecular aldol condensation reaction as key synthetic steps. The structure and stereochemistry of the target compound have been proven by X-Ray diffraction method.

1,2-Aminofunctionalization Reactions of Pyridino-Alkynes via Carbophilic Activation.

Transition metal-catalyzed 1,2-difunctionalization reactions of alkynes have emerged as a powerful tool to forge carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds for the rapid synthesis of polyfunctionalized molecular scaffolds. In this regard, our group has persistently been developing transition metal-mediated 1,2-aminofunctionalization reactions of alkynes through a rationally designed pyridino-alkyne core by utilizing the carbophilic activation strategy. In this account, we present an array of such 1,2-aminofunctionalization reactions which have been successfully executed on this core to afford important polycyclic frameworks such as functionalized quinalizinones, pyridinium oxazole dyads (PODs), N-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-doped spiro-PAHs. Additionally, the synthesis of phosphine ligated gold complexes bearing pyrido-isoquinoline scaffold from the pyridino-alkynes will be discussed briefly.

Design, Synthesis and Hydrogen Bonding of B3 N6 -[4]Triangulene.

Replacement of the allylic C=C-C unit with a N-B-N unit at each of the three zigzag edges of [4]triangulene gives rise to B3 N6 -[4]triangulene, which is envisioned to represent a key structural unit of a new hypothetical boron carbon nitride (BC4 N). A tert-butylated B3 N6 -[4]triangulene has been successfully synthesized by three-fold nitrogen-directed borylation, and the X-ray crystallographic analysis indicates that its slightly bent triangular polycyclic framework can be viewed as a 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene connected by three 4π-electron N-B-N units. The HN-B-NH moiety provides a dual hydrogen-bond donor, which forms H-bonds with halide or carboxylate anions in solution, and form DD-AA hydrogen-bond arrays with 2,7-di(tert-butyl)-pyrene-4,5,9,10-tetraone in the co-crystal. Moreover, the blue fluorescence of B3 N6 -[4]triangulene in solution is responsive to binding p-nitrobenzoate anion through hydrogen bonds.

Design, Synthesis and Hydrogen Bonding of B3N6‐[4]Triangulene

AbstractReplacement of the allylic C=C−C unit with a N−B−N unit at each of the three zigzag edges of [4]triangulene gives rise to B3N6‐[4]triangulene, which is envisioned to represent a key structural unit of a new hypothetical boron carbon nitride (BC4N). A tert‐butylated B3N6‐[4]triangulene has been successfully synthesized by three‐fold nitrogen‐directed borylation, and the X‐ray crystallographic analysis indicates that its slightly bent triangular polycyclic framework can be viewed as a 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene connected by three 4π‐electron N−B−N units. The HN−B−NH moiety provides a dual hydrogen‐bond donor, which forms H‐bonds with halide or carboxylate anions in solution, and form DD‐AA hydrogen‐bond arrays with 2,7‐di(tert‐butyl)‐pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone in the co‐crystal. Moreover, the blue fluorescence of B3N6‐[4]triangulene in solution is responsive to binding p‐nitrobenzoate anion through hydrogen bonds.

Pivotal Reactions in the Creation of the Polycyclic Skeleton of Cryptotrione

AbstractThree pivotal reactions, namely, enyne cycloisomerization, polyene cyclization, and quinone methide formation, are applied to synthesize the complex polycyclic skeleton of cryptotrione. This review summarizes the most prominent applications of these three reactions to the total syntheses of natural products, covering results published in the literature between 2011 and 2020.1 Introduction2 Three Pivotal Reactions Applied to Create the Polycyclic Framework of Cryptotrione2.1 Enyne Cycloisomerization2.2 Polyene Cyclization2.3 Quinone Methide Formation3 Conclusion

A Unifying Bioinspired Synthesis of (-)-Asperaculin A and (-)-Penifulvin D.

The first syntheses of the isomeric dioxafenestrene natural products (−)-asperaculin A and (−)-penifulvin D are reported. Each target is formed selectively by choice of oxidant in a final divergent bioinspired Baeyer–Villiger (BV) reaction. Density functional theory calculations reveal that electrostatic interactions between the oxidant leaving group and the lactone motif accounts for a reversal of selectivity with H2O2/H3O+ compared to peracids. Synthetic features include forging the polycyclic carbon framework with a diastereoselective meta-photocycloaddition biased by an ether substituent at the aryl α-position. The encumbered tertiary alcohol was installed by cyanation of a ketone intermediate followed by nonaqueous hydrolysis of the resulting delicate cyanohydrin.

The C-H functionalization of N-alkoxycarbamoyl indoles by transition metal catalysis.

Indole and its congeners are ubiquitous nitrogen-containing organic scaffolds present in a plethora of natural products, marketed drugs, and other organic functional molecules. Recent years have witnessed tremendous advances in the diversification of this motif and its biological applications via transition-metal-catalyzed auxiliary assisted site-selective inert C-H functionalization. In this burgeoning field, N-methoxy/ethoxy/pivaloxy amide functionality has emerged as a most potent auxiliary/DG (directing group) for a wide range of C-C and C-heteroatom bond formations, providing a new advance for forging structurally fabricated polycyclic indole frameworks. This review aims to highlight evolved transformations, like arylation, alkylation, alkenylation, allylation, amidation, difluorovinylation, deuteration, hydroarylation, etc., and the applications of N-alkoxycarbamoyl indole derivatives made within the period of 2014-August 2021. Additionally, explicit mechanistic underpinnings have also been provided in the appropriate places.

Development of One-Shot/One-Pot Borylation Reactions toward Organoboron-Based Materials

AbstractThis account highlights the development of efficient borylation reactions of arenes toward organoboron-based materials. Upon the introduction of boron substituents, an intramolecular tandem bora-Friedel–Crafts reaction (tandem electrophilic C–H borylation of arenes) takes place with the appropriate choices of boron source, Lewis acid, Brønsted base, and reaction temperature to construct polycyclic frameworks with ring-junction boron atoms in a one-pot manner. Notably, electron-rich arenes, such as triarylamines, undergo one-shot multiple (up to quadruple) borylations with boron trihalides through successive inter- and intramolecular processes. The borylated compounds exhibit attractive optoelectronic properties and substantial stabilities in practical applications. These reactions are efficient, facile, scalable, and free from precious reagents, and will thus pave the way for the development of next-generation optoelectronic materials.

Synthesis of Three-Dimensionally Fascinating Diterpenoid Alkaloids and Related Diterpenes.

Three-dimensional cage-like natural products represent astounding and long-term challenges in the research endeavors of total synthesis. A central issue that synthetic chemists need to address lies in how to efficiently construct the polycyclic frameworks as well as to install the requisite substituent groups. The diterpenoid alkaloids that biogenetically originate from amination of diterpenes and diversify through late-stage skeletal reorganization belong to such a natural product category. As the characteristic components of the Aconitum and Delphinium species, these molecules display a rich array of biological activities, some of which are used as clinical drugs. More strikingly, their intricate and beautiful architectures have rendered the diterpenoid alkaloids elusive targets in the synthetic community. The successful preparation of these intriguing compounds relies on the development of innovative synthetic strategies.Our laboratory has explored the total synthesis of a variety of diterpenoid alkaloids and their biogenetically related diterpenes over the past decade. In doing so, we have accessed 6 different types of skeletons (atisine-, denudatine-, arcutane-, arcutine-, napelline-, and hetidine-type) and achieved the total synthesis of 6 natural products (isoazitine, dihydroajaconine, gymnandine, atropurpuran, arcutinine, and liangshanone). Strategically, an oxidative dearomatization/Diels-Alder (OD/DA) cycloaddition sequence was widely employed in our synthesis to form the ubiquitous [2.2.2]-bicyclic ring unit and its related ring-distorted derivatives in these complex target molecules. This protocol, in combination with additional bond-forming key steps, allowed us to prepare the corresponding polycyclic alkaloids and a biogenetically associated diterpene. For example, bioinspired C-H activation, aza-pinacol, and aza-Prins cyclizations were used toward a unified approach to the atisine-, denudatine-, and hetidine-type alkaloids via ajaconine intermediates in our first work. To pursue the synthesis of atropurpuran and related arcutine alkaloids, we harnessed a ketyl-olefin radical cyclization to assemble the carbocycle and an aza-Wacker cyclization to construct the unusual pyrrolidine ring. Furthermore, a one-pot alkene cleavage/Mannich cyclization tactic, sequential Robinson annulation, and intramolecular aldol addition were developed, which facilitated the formation of the napelline alkaloid scaffold and the first total synthesis of liangshanone. Finally, the utility of the Mannich cyclization and enyne cycloisomerization reactions allowed for access to the highly functionalized A/E and C/D ring fragments of aconitine (regarded as the "Holy Grail" of diterpenoid alkaloids). This Account provides insight into our synthetic designs and approaches used toward the synthesis of diterpenoid alkaloids and relevant diterpenes. These endeavors lay a foundation for uncovering the biological profiles of associated molecules and also serve as a reference for preparing other three-dimensionally fascinating natural products.

Mimicking oxidative radical cyclizations of lignan biosynthesis using redox-neutral photocatalysis.

Oxidative cyclizations create many unique chemical structures that are characteristic of biologically active natural products. Many of these reactions are catalysed by 'non-canonical' or 'thwarted' iron oxygenases and appear to involve long-lived radicals. Mimicking these biosynthetic transformations with chemical equivalents has been a long-standing goal of synthetic chemists but the fleeting nature of radicals, particularly under oxidizing conditions, makes this challenging. Here we use redox-neutral photocatalysis to generate radicals that are likely to be involved in the biosynthesis of lignan natural products. We present the total syntheses of highly oxidized dibenzocyclooctadienes, which feature densely fused, polycyclic frameworks that originate from a common radical progenitor. We show that multiple factors control the fate of the proposed biosynthetic radicals, as they select between 5- or 11-membered ring cyclizations and a number of different terminating events. Our syntheses create new opportunities to explore the medicinal properties of these natural products, while shedding light on their biosynthetic origin.

Multi‐Photocatalyst Cascades: Merging Singlet Oxygen Photooxygenations with Photoredox Catalysis for the Synthesis of Alkaloid Frameworks

AbstractThe development of photocascades that rapidly transform simple and readily accessible furan substrates into polycyclic alkaloid frameworks or erythrina natural products is described. Each of the sequences developed makes use of photocatalyzed energy transfer processes, which generate singlet oxygen, to set up the substrates for the second photocatalyzed reaction, wherein electron transfer generates carbon‐centered radicals for the cyclizations that give the final complex frameworks. A chemical switch has been developed that can “switch off” one photocatalyst; thus, allowing a second photocatalyst to take over control of the sequence. As a corollary, this strategy represents the first time it has been possible to use multiple photocatalysts in photocascades, and, as such, it expands significantly the reactions that can be included in such cascades and the order in which they can be initiated.

Multi-Photocatalyst Cascades: Merging Singlet Oxygen Photooxygenations with Photoredox Catalysis for the Synthesis of Alkaloid Frameworks.

The development of photocascades that rapidly transform simple and readily accessible furan substrates into polycyclic alkaloid frameworks or erythrina natural products is described. Each of the sequences developed makes use of photocatalyzed energy transfer processes, which generate singlet oxygen, to set up the substrates for the second photocatalyzed reaction, wherein electron transfer generates carbon-centered radicals for the cyclizations that give the final complex frameworks. A chemical switch has been developed that can "switch off" one photocatalyst; thus, allowing a second photocatalyst to take over control of the sequence. As a corollary, this strategy represents the first time it has been possible to use multiple photocatalysts in photocascades, and, as such, it expands significantly the reactions that can be included in such cascades and the order in which they can be initiated.

Reduction of π-Expanded Cyclooctatetraene with Lithium: Stabilization of the Tetra-Anion through Internal Li+ Coordination.

The chemical reduction of a π‐expanded polycyclic framework comprising a cyclooctatetraene moiety, octaphenyltetrabenzocyclooctatetraene, with lithium metal readily affords the corresponding tetra‐anion instead of the expected aromatic dianion. As revealed by X‐ray crystallography, the highly contorted tetra‐anion is stabilized by coordination of two internally bound Li+, while two external cations remain solvent separated. The variable‐temperature 7Li NMR spectra in THF confirm the presence of three types of Li+ ions and clearly differentiate internal binding, consistent with the crystal structure. Density‐functional theory calculations suggest that the formation of the highly charged tetra‐reduced carbanion is stabilized through Li+ coordination under the applied experimental conditions.

Reduction of π‐Expanded Cyclooctatetraene with Lithium: Stabilization of the Tetra‐Anion through Internal Li+ Coordination

AbstractThe chemical reduction of a π‐expanded polycyclic framework comprising a cyclooctatetraene moiety, octaphenyltetrabenzocyclooctatetraene, with lithium metal readily affords the corresponding tetra‐anion instead of the expected aromatic dianion. As revealed by X‐ray crystallography, the highly contorted tetra‐anion is stabilized by coordination of two internally bound Li+, while two external cations remain solvent separated. The variable‐temperature 7Li NMR spectra in THF confirm the presence of three types of Li+ ions and clearly differentiate internal binding, consistent with the crystal structure. Density‐functional theory calculations suggest that the formation of the highly charged tetra‐reduced carbanion is stabilized through Li+ coordination under the applied experimental conditions.

The Formosalides: Structure Determination by Total Synthesis.

Total synthesis allowed the constitution of the cytotoxic marine macrolides of the formosalide family to be confirmed and their previously unknown stereostructure to be assigned with confidence. The underlying blueprint was inherently modular to ensure that each conceivable isomer could be reached. This flexibility derived from the use of strictly catalyst controlled transformations to set the stereocenters, except for the anomeric position, which is under thermodynamic control; as an extra safety measure, all stereogenic centers were set prior to ring closure to preclude any interference of the conformation adopted by the macrolactone rings of the different diastereomers. Late‐stage macrocyclization by ring‐closing alkyne metathesis was followed by a platinum‐catalyzed transannular 6‐exo‐dig hydroalkoxylation/ketalization to craft the polycyclic frame. The side chain featuring a very labile unsaturation pattern was finally attached to the core by Stille coupling.

Thiourea–Tertiary Amine Promoted Cascade Catalysis: A Tool for Complexity Generation

The bifunctional organocatalyst promoted, relay‐cascade catalysis (use of a single catalyst capable of promoting each catalytic cycle in the designed cascade process) has been the hot area of research in recent times, as it enables the green synthesis of complex molecular architectures in an atom, cost, and step‐economic fashion. In this context we summarized the recent developments in the area of the thiourea–tert‐amine based cascade catalysis in the current review article. The discussion was divided into three subsections. double‐, triple‐, and quadruple cascades depending on the number of individual steps involved in the cascade process. In each type there are various combinations of reactions like Michael addition, aldol reaction, Henry reaction, Knoevenagel reaction, cyclization, trans‐esterifications etc. Divergent polycyclic structural frameworks have been achieved employing this cascade catalytic strategy as evidenced in this review. We assume that the current review article would be a handle for the design and development as well as further growth of this potential greener approach.

Synthesis of 4- Desmethyl -Rippertenol and 7- Epi -Rippertenol via Photoinduced Cyclization of Dienones

The synthesis of cycloheptanoid-based fused polycyclic frameworks is a challenge for organic chemists due to unfavorable entropic factors and ring strains. Herein, a concise synthesis of 4-desmethy...

On-Surface Synthesis of Non-Benzenoid Nanographenes by Oxidative Ring-Closure and Ring-Rearrangement Reactions.

Nanographenes (NGs) have gained increasing attention due to their immense potential as tailor-made organic materials for nanoelectronics and spintronics. They exhibit a rich spectrum of physicochemical properties that can be tuned by controlling the size or the edge structure or by introducing structural defects in the honeycomb lattice. Here, we report the design and on-surface synthesis of NGs containing several odd-membered polycycles induced by a thermal procedure on Au(111). Our scanning tunneling microscopy, noncontact atomic force microscopy, and scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements, complemented by computational investigations, describe the formation of two nonbenzenoid NGs (2A,B) containing four embedded azulene units in the polycyclic framework, via on-surface oxidative ring-closure reactions. Interestingly, we observe surface-catalyzed skeletal ring rearrangement reactions in the NGs, which lead to the formation of additional heptagonal rings as well as pentalene and as-indacene units in 2A,B, respectively. 2A,B on Au(111) both exhibit narrow experimental frontier electronic gaps of 0.96 and 0.85 eV, respectively, and Fermi level pinning of their HOMOs together with considerable electron transfer to the substrate. Ab initio calculations estimate moderate open-shell biradical characters for the NGs in the gas phase.