Fredrik Cederbaum

Total synthesis of (±)-rocaglamide and some aryl analogues

Abstract The insecticidal activity found for rocaglamide and its congeners, prompted us to establish a short and efficient synthesis of the natural product and some synthetic ‘halo-aryl’ analogues. Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reactions of the bromo analogue were then explored in order to gain a suitable access to a broad range of unnatural analogues. The key step of our approach is a keto-aldehyde acyloin ring-closure followed by a Stiles carboxylation.

Investigating the Structure–Activity Relationship of the Insecticidal Natural Product Rocaglamide

The natural product Rocaglamide (1), isolated from the tree Aglaia elliptifolia, is a compelling but also challenging lead structure for crop protection. In laboratory assays, the natural product shows highly interesting insecticidal activity against chewing pests and beetles, but also phytotoxicity on some crop plants. Multi-step syntheses with control of stereochemistry were required to probe the structure-activity relationship (SAR), and seek simplified analogues. After a significant research effort, just two areas of the molecule were identified which allow modification whilst maintaining activity, as will be highlighted in this paper.