Toshihiro Kiho

Protic-solvent-mediated cycloisomerization of quinoline and isoquinoline propargylic alcohols: syntheses of (±)-3-demethoxyerythratidinone and (±)-cocculidine.

Putting the benz in indolizinones: A cycloisomerization approach to benz[g]indolizinones and benz[e]indolizinones provides the first general route to these unique azacycles (see example). The utility of the benzindolizinone products was demonstrated by the application of this method to the total synthesis of the Erythrina alkaloids 3-demethoxyerythratidinone and cocculidine.

Total synthesis and NMR conformational study of signal peptidase II inhibitors, globomycin and SF-1902 A5

Abstract A stereoselective total synthesis of an antibiotic, globomycin ( 1a ), and its congener, SF-1902 A5 ( 1b ), was achieved. Two convergent macrocyclization routes via macrolactamization or macrolactonization to form 1a are described. A conformational study by means of NMR spectroscopy was performed in several solvents. The 1H NMR spectrum of 1a indicated that the amide proton of only the l -allo-Thr residue was involved in the hydrogen bonding. The structure in solution phase was different from the X-ray structure.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel globomycin analogues.

Globomycin, a signal peptidase II inhibitor, and its derivatives show potent antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel globomycin analogues are reported. One of the analogues showed a more potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria than globomycin and also exhibited antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

A Benzyne Insertion Approach to Hetisine-Type Diterpenoid Alkaloids: Synthesis of Cossonidine (Davisine)

The hetisine-type natural products exhibit one of the most complex carbon skeletons within the diterpenoid alkaloid family. The use of network analysis has enabled a synthesis strategy to access alkaloids in this class with hydroxylation on the A-ring. Key transformations include a benzyne acyl-alkylation to construct a key fused 6-7-6 tricycle, a chemoselective nitrile reduction, and sequential C-N bond formations using a reductive cyclization and a photochemical hydroamination to construct an embedded azabicycle. Our strategy should enable access to myriad natural and unnatural products within the hetisine-type.

Conformational Analysis of Globomycin With a Signal Peptidase II Inhibitory Activity Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Globomycin (1), a 19-membered cyclic depsipeptide, exhibited an antibiotic activity against gram-negative bacteria by inhibiting signal peptidase II in the cytoplasmic membrane. Although only one conformation of 1 was observed for the crystal structure, it was revealed by 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis that 1 exists as a mixture of two rotational isomers in solution (CDCl3 and CD3OD). A conformational analysis of 1 was, therefore, performed by high-temperature molecular dynamics simulation in combination with 1H NMR analysis to elucidate the conformations in solution. The relative ratio of the major and minor isomers present, which differs depending on the solvent, was then derived from their relative energy differences obtained in the conformational analysis. The difference in the relative ratios corresponded with that calculated from the 1H NMR analysis. Finally, the predicted conformations in solution were compared with that of the X-ray crystal structure to find local and global differences that characterize these conformations.