Ben Bradshaw

Total Synthesis of (−)-Anominine

The first total synthesis of anominine has been achieved, and the absolute configuration of the product has been determined. The key features include the development of a new, highly efficient organocatalyzed method for the asymmetric synthesis of Wieland-Miescher ketone building blocks, an unusual selenoxide [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, and a ZrCl(4)-catalyzed indole coupling as well as several chemoselective transformations controlled by the structurally congested nature of the bicyclic core.

cis-Decahydroquinolines via Asymmetric Organocatalysis: Application to the Total Synthesis of Lycoposerramine Z

A concise synthesis of the Lycopodium alkaloid lycoposerramine Z is reported. Key to the strategy is a one-pot organocatalyzed Michael reaction followed by a domino Robinson annulation/intramolecular aza-Michael reaction promoted by LiOH, leading to enantiopure cis-decahydroquinolines.

Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Morphans

A general effective organocatalyzed synthesis of enantioenriched morphans with up to 92% ee was developed. The morphan scaffold was constructed in a one-pot tandem asymmetric organocatalyzed Michael addition followed by a domino Robinson annulation/aza-Michael intramolecular reaction sequence from easily available starting materials.

Synthetic and DFT Studies Towards a Unified Approach to Phlegmarine Alkaloids: Aza-Michael Intramolecular Processes Leading to 5-Oxodecahydroquinolines

A diastereoselective synthesis of cis-5-oxodecahydroquinolines is described in which three stereocenters are generated in a one-pot reaction. The reaction involves a lithium hydroxide-promoted Robinson annulation/intramolecular aza-Michael domino process from an achiral acyclic tosylamine-tethered β-keto ester. The development and scope of this reaction was facilitated through the use of DFT-based mechanistic studies, which enabled the observed diastereodivergent course of the azacyclization to be rationalized. The varying stereochemistry and stability of the resulting decahydroquinolines was found to depend on whether a β-keto ester or ketone were embedded in the substrates undergoing aminocyclization. This synthetic approach gave access not only to both diastereomeric cis-decahydroquinolines from the same precursor, but also to the corresponding trans isomers, through an epimerization processes of the corresponding N-unsubstituted cis-5-oxodecahydroquinolines. The described methodology provides advanced building-blocks with the three relative stereochemistries required for the total synthesis of phlegmarine alkaloids.

Approach to cis-Phlegmarine Alkaloids via Stereodivergent Reduction: Total Synthesis of (+)-Serratezomine E and Putative Structure of (−)-Huperzine N

A unified strategy for the synthesis of the cis-phlegmarine group of alkaloids is presented, leading to the first synthesis of serratezomine E (1) as well as the putative structure of huperzine N (2). A contrasteric hydrogenation method was developed based on the use of Wilkinsons catalyst, which allowed the facial selectivity of standard hydrogenation to be completely overturned. Calculations were performed to determine the mechanism, and structures for huperzines M and N are reassigned.

Total Synthesis of Aignopsanes, A Class of Sesquiterpenes: (+)‐Aignopsanoic Acid A, (−)‐Methyl Aignopsanoate A, and (−)‐Isoaignopsanoic A

A general strategy for the synthesis of aignopsanes, a new family of sesquiterpene natural products of marine origin, is presented. The total synthesis of (+)-aignopsanoic acid A (1), (-)-methyl aignopsanoate A (2), and (-)-isoaignopsanoic A (3) has been achieved and their absolute configuration confirmed. (+)-Microcionin-1 (4), a structurally related furanosesquiterpene isolated in both enantiomeric forms from marine sponges, was also synthesized and its absolute configuration established in an unambiguous way. Interestingly, we report that (+)-microcionin-1 (4), can be converted by a simple oxidation process to aignopsanoic acid A (1). This transformation supports the hypothesis that (+)-microcionin-1 (4) may be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of aignopsanes.

Synthesis of (±)-Serralongamine A and the Revised Structure of Huperzine N

A revised structure for the Lycopodium alkaloid huperzine N is proposed and confirmed by synthesis. The key synthetic steps involve an epimerization of a cis-5-oxodecahydroquinoline to the corresponding trans isomer and a coupling, followed by a diastereoselective hydrogenation using Wilkinsons catalyst to incorporate the pyridylmethyl moiety. This route allowed the alkaloid serralongamine A to be synthesized for the first time, and two additional steps led to the revised structure of huperzine N, both products bearing an unusual decahydroquinoline stereostructure.

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.

Synthesis of cis-hydrindan-2,4-diones bearing an all-carbon quaternary center by a Danheiser annulation

A straightforward synthetic entry to functionalized hydrindane compounds based on a rapid assembly of the core nucleus by a Danheiser cycloaddition is reported. Valuable bicyclic building blocks containing the fused five and six-membered carbocyclic ring system can be achieved in only four steps from a simple acyclic β-keto ester.