Brett D. Schwartz

Asymmetric [4 + 3] Cycloadditions between Vinylcarbenoids and Dienes: Application to the Total Synthesis of the Natural Product (−)-5-epi-Vibsanin E

The total synthesis of (-)-5-epi-vibsanin E (2) has been achieved in 18 steps. The synthesis combines the rhodium-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition between a vinylcarbenoid and a diene to rapidly generate the tricyclic core with an effective end game strategy to introduce the remaining side-chains. The [4 + 3] cycloaddition occurs by a cyclopropanation to form a divinylcyclopropane followed by a Cope rearrangement to form a cycloheptadiene. The quaternary stereogenic center generated in the process can be obtained with high asymmetric induction when the reaction is catalyzed by the chiral dirhodium complex, Rh(2)(S-PTAD)(4).

A chemoenzymatic total synthesis of (+)-Clividine

The title compound, ent-1, the non-natural enantiomeric form of the lycorenine-type alkaloid (-)-clividine (1), has been prepared using the enantiomerically pure (ee >99.8%) cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 3 as starting material. A key feature associated with the closing stages of the synthesis involved the diastereoselective addition of a nitrogen-centered radical onto a pendant cyclohexene to establish the cis-fused D-ring and the required stereochemistry at C11b in the final product ent-1.

Synthesis of the enantiomer of the structure assigned to the natural product nobilisitine A

The synthesis of the enantiomer of the structure, 1, assigned to the natural product nobilisitine A has been accomplished using the enantiomerically pure cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 4 as starting material. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data derived from compound ent-1 do not match those reported for the natural product, thus suggesting its structure has been incorrectly assigned.

Rapid and enantioselective assembly of the lycorine framework using chemoenzymatic techniques.

The pentacyclic framework associated with the alkaloid (-)-lycorine (1) can be assembled in as few as six steps from the enantiomerically pure cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 3 which is itself readily available on a large scale through the whole-cell biotransformation of bromobenzene. The methodology has been used in developing the first synthesis of compound 2, a derivative of lycorine.

A Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis of the Protoilludane Aryl Ester (+)-Armillarivin

The title natural product, 1, has been synthesized in 20 steps from the enantiomerically pure cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 2, itself obtained through the whole-cell biotransformation of toluene. The pivotal steps in the reaction sequence involve a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between diene 2 and cyclopentenone (3) and the photochemically promoted 1,3-acyl rearrangement of the bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-4-en-1-one 20 derived from the cycloadduct 4.

Synthetic Studies on Amaryllidaceae and Other Terrestrially Derived Alkaloids

The total syntheses of a wide range of terrestrially derived alkaloids, especially ones isolated from members of the Amaryllidaceae family, are described. Two recurring themes associated with these syntheses are the use of two types of building blocks, namely ring-fused cyclopropanes, especially geminally-dihalogenated ones, and enzymatically derived cis-1,2-dihydrocatechols. These have often served as precursors to 2- or 3-halogenated 2-cyclohexen-1-ols that are themselves engaged in cross-coupling reactions, radical addition-elimination processes and/or Claisen- or Overman-type rearrangements so as to construct the highly functionalized six-membered rings associated with the target alkaloids.

Structure of the lycorinine alkaloid nobilisitine A.

The structure 3 recently proposed, on the basis of computed NMR chemical shifts, for the natural product nobilisitine A has been synthesized from its C5-epimer (+)-clividine (4). The spectral data derived from compound 3 match those reported for the natural product.

gem-Dibromocyclopropanes and enzymatically derived cis-1,2-dihydrocatechols as building blocks in alkaloid synthesis*

The application of the title building blocks, the 6,6-dibromobicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and the cis-1,2-dihydrocatechols, to the total synthesis of crinine and lycorinine alkaloids is described.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Vibsanin E

Vibsanin E (1), a structurally rare complex diterpene, consisting of a compact 3-oxatricyclo[6.3.2.05,10] tridecane core and an unprecedented 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol ester functional group, formulate a considerable synthetic challenge. Williams and Davies failed to independently synthesize this nemesis, however, a ‘two heads are better than one’ approach delivered the first total synthesis of the molecule, since its diamond aniversary isolation.

End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A

Summary End game synthetic strategy studies towards the total synthesis of the vibsanin type diterpenes, vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A are discussed, with focus on construction of the side chain and peripheral functionality associated with this group of natural products is the current focus of this report.