Toyoharu Kobayashi

Total synthesis of (-)-hippodamine by stereocontrolled construction of azaphenalene skeleton based on extended one-pot asymmetric azaelectrocyclization.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-hippodamine has been accomplished via the concise construction of its azaphenalene core, which is featured by the 2,4,6-chiral piperidine synthesis based on one-pot asymmetric azaelectrocyclization in the partially activated substituent system and the subsequent intramolecular Mannich reaction.

Concise total synthesis of spirocurcasone.

A concise total synthesis of spirocurcasone was accomplished. Key features of the synthesis involved a vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, a Carroll rearrangement of β-keto allyl ester derivative, an intramolecular aldol condensation, and a spiro ring formation by ring-closing metathesis of the pentaene compound. This synthetic work was complete in nine steps from (S)- or (R)-perillaldehyde without the use of protecting groups. Interestingly, the optical rotation of the synthetic spirocurcasone was different from the reported value of the natural product.

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Substituted Chiral Piperidines viaOne-Pot Asymmetric 6π-Azaelectrocyclization: Asymmetric Syntheses of(−)-Dendroprimine, (+)-7-Epidendroprimine, (+)-5-Epidendroprimine, and (+)-5,7-Epidendroprimine

The asymmetric one-pot 6π-azaelectrocyclization of alkenyl vinyl stannane, ethyl (Z)-2-iodo-4-oxobutenoate, and (-)-7-isopropyl-cis-aminoindanol in the presence of a Pd(0) catalyst stereoselectively produced the tetracyclic aminoacetal compounds, resulting from the four-bond formation accompanying by controlling the stereochemistry at the two asymmetric centers. The produced cyclic aminoacetals can be regarded as synthetic precursors of substituted chiral piperidines, and the syntheses of 2,4- and 2,4,6-substituted piperidines were realized from the obtained aminoacetals by the stereoselective hydrogenation of the double bond conjugated with the C-4 ester group and alkylation at the aminoacetal moiety. In addition, the stereoselective synthesis of an indolizidine alkaloid, (-)-dendroprimine, and its three stereoisomers, (+)-7-epidendroprimine, (+)-5-epidendroprimine, and (+)-5,7-epidendroprimine, were achieved.

The Total Synthesis of (±)-Naupliolide: A Tetracyclic Sesquiterpene Lactone

The first total synthesis of (±)-naupliolide has been achieved. The synthetic method includes a Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation of an allyl alcohol, diastereoselective cleavage of a benzylidene acetal group, radical cyclization of an aldehyde with a cyclopropane ring, and construction of an eight-membered ring by ring-closing metathesis.

Concise total synthesis of albaflavenone utilizing sequential intramolecular aldol condensation: determination of absolute configuration.

The first total synthesis of albaflavenone, a novel antibiotic sesquiterpene, has been accomplished via the concise construction of its zizaene skeleton utilizing sequential intramolecular aldol condensation followed by chemo- and diastereoselective reduction of the conjugated carbon-carbon double bond. This synthetic work was completed in nine steps from 2-cyclopenten-1-one as a starting material without the use of protecting groups and with high stereocontrol. In addition, the absolute configuration of naturally occurring albaflavenone was determined to be 1R,2S and 8S.

Concise asymmetric total synthesis of catunaregin

The asymmetric total synthesis of catunaregin isolated from the Chinese mangrove is described. The synthesis involves an asymmetric syn-selective aldol reaction and the successive ketalization of a furan diol derivative under acidic conditions. This methodology is very concise and highly stereoselective. The asymmetric total synthesis of the optically pure catunaregin was accomplished in 7 steps from a known methyl ester.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Furan-Containing Polyketide

Enantioselective total synthesis of the proposed structure of furan-containing polyketide was accomplished. The key features include a chemo- and enantioselective epoxidation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene by Shi asymmetric epoxidation, a regioselective epoxide ring opening, chemo- and diastereoselective dihydroxylation of the conjugated dienone derivative, and vinylation of the lactone accompanied by formation of the furan ring.

Total synthesis of (±)-chondrosterin I using desymmetric aldol reaction

The first total synthesis of racemic chondrosterin I was accomplished. The synthetic features include a Michael addition to incorporate a nitro alkane moiety, an oxidative Nef reaction, intramolecular cyclization of the γ-ketoester derivative, and a desymmetric intramolecular aldol reaction of the meso diketoester compound. The present strategy will be applicable to the synthesis of an optically active form by asymmetric desymmetrization.

Total Synthesis of Paralemnolide A

The first total synthesis of tricyclic bisnorsesquiterpene paralemnolide A, isolated from the soft coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides, was achieved. This synthesis features the lactonization of the cyclohexene derivative having a tert-butyl ester via stereoselective epoxidation followed by treatment with a Brønsted acid and construction of the novel tricyclic skeleton by an intramolecular Reformatsky-Honda reaction.