Total synthesis of (+/-)-goniomitine via a formal nitrile/donor-acceptor cyclopropane [3 + 2] cyclization.

The total synthesis of (+/-)-goniomitine has been accomplished in 17 linear steps with 5.2% overall yield starting from commercially available delta-valerolactam. A synthetic highlight includes the first application of a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition between a highly functionalized nitrile and a donor-acceptor cyclopropane to prepare an indole nucleus. The use of a microwave reactor is shown to greatly improve the reaction times for two steps

Synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinocarbazoles via C-2 alkylation of indoles with 2-alkoxycyclopropanoate esters.

A concise method for the synthesis of several tetrahydroisoquinocarbazole derivatives is reported, where the core is prepared in six steps from tryptophol in 51% overall yield. The pentacyclic analogs are constructed via a dipolar C-2 alkylation of a 3-substituted indole with a 2-alkoxycyclopropanoate ester and a SmBr(2)-HMPA mediated ketyl-alkene ring closure

First total synthesis and structural reassignment of (-)-aplysiallene.

The first total synthesis of (-)-aplysiallene has been completed in 16 steps and features a key sequential Mukaiyama aerobic oxidative cyclization to prepare the fused bis-THF core. The original stereochemical assignment has been revised as shown

Gram scale synthesis of the C(1)-C(9) fragment of amphidinolide C

An allylic cis-epoxide prepared by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation was transformed in 9 steps and 41% overall yield to the cyclization precursor 4 via a key one carbon homologation. Cobalt catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of 4 gave the trans-THF in 94% yield at gram scale. Subsequent manipulations, including a Still-Gennari olefination, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Corey-Fuchs alkynylation and Kazmaier hydrostannylation provided the fully functionalized C(1)-C(9) fragment 2 suitable for cross coupling. The sequence is readily scalable and provides gram quantities of

Diels-Alder chemistry of siloles and their transformation into cyclohex-2-ene-1,4-cis-diols.

The synthesis of siloles with substitution patterns that are continuative toward natural product synthesis are described. Their reactivity in Diels-Alder chemistry was explored through thermal, Lewis acid, and high-pressure reactions. Furthermore, bicyclic adducts were oxidatively cleaved to reveal a highly functionalized cyclohexene core

Gram scale synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C.

The synthesis of the C(18)-C(34) fragment of amphidinolide C has been achieved via two routes, culminating in both the shortest (11 steps) and highest yielding (26% overall yield) approaches to this segment. The highly convergent approach will facilitate the synthesis of analogues, including the C(18)-C(29) fragment of amphidinolide F. Synthetic highlights include the selective methylation of a diyne, and the highly efficient use of a second generation cobalt catalyst in the Mukaiyama oxidative cyclization to form the trans-THF ring

Ytterbium triflate catalyzed synthesis of alkoxy-substituted donor-acceptor cyclobutanes and their formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition with imines: stereoselective synthesis of piperidines.

A new synthesis of 2-alkoxy-1,1-cyclobutane diesters and their first use in dipolar cycloadditions is reported. Both the formation of the donor-acceptor cyclobutanes and their subsequent annulation with in situ formed imines are catalyzed by Yb(OTf)(3). Cyclobutanes with carbon donor groups give piperidines with high trans stereoselectivity

The formal [4+3] cycloaddition between donor-acceptor cyclobutanes and nitrones.

The formal [4+3] cycloaddition of 2-alkoxy-1,1-dicarboxylate activated donor-acceptor cyclobutanes with nitrones is disclosed. The reaction forms structurally unique oxazepines in moderate to high yield with a wide scope of nitrones. In most cases either a diastereomeric mixture or a single diastereomer may be formed, depending on the reaction conditions

Synthesis of 5-azaindoles via a cycloaddition reaction between nitriles and donor-acceptor cyclopropanes.

A new method for the synthesis of 5-azaindole derivatives is reported. A [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition between nitriles and a 3,4-cyclopropanopiperidine followed by SeO(2) oxidation affords the target compounds in moderate to excellent yields. The divergent nature and cost effectiveness of this method makes it very suitable for combinatorial applications in the pharmaceutical industry

C-2/c-3 annulation and C-2 alkylation of indoles with 2-alkoxycyclopropanoate esters.

The annulation reaction between various indoles and 2-alkoxycyclopropanoate esters is reported. Both high efficiency and complete stereochemical control were observed in some cases with this annulation process. A single stereocenter on the cyclopropane controls the diastereoselective formation of up to four new stereocenters. A different reaction course was observed with 3-substituted indole substrates, and an intervening C-3 to C-2-migration process arose that gives synthetically useful C-2 alkylation indole products