Access to Conjugated Enynes via Allenyl Silver Formation/Cyclization/Decarboxylation Reaction Catalyzed by Silver Carbonate(I).

Herein, we develop a novel and straightforward access to cyclic conjugated enynes catalyzed by silver carbonate/DBU from readily available substrates with good yields. The reaction is easy to set up, broad in scope, and can also be conducted in a one-pot fashion from easily accessible substrates through a sequence Michael addition reaction/cyclization. Based on our previous works, the mechanism proposed would involve an allenyl silver intermediate and decarboxylation reaction.

Silver oxide(I) promoted Conia-ene/radical cyclization for a straightforward access to furan derivatives.

A novel access to fused furan cores using silver oxide(I) has been developed. Mechanistic investigations indicate the involvement of a Conia-ene reaction/radical cyclization for an expedient path to complex furan derivatives. The reaction is broad in scope with interesting atom economy and can also be conducted in a one-pot fashion from readily accessible α,ß-unsaturated ketones.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed 7-exo-dig Cyclization: A Key Step to Access the Bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane Skeleton of Vibsatin A, a Neurotrophic Diterpenoid.

Vibsatin A is a new neurotrophic vibsane-type diterpenoid comprising a bridged bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane skeleton. Inspired by Sawamura's works, we generated the bicyclic backbone through a Conia-ene-derived 7-exo-dig cyclization from an enantiomerically enriched TIPS-based silyl enol ether. The reaction, catalyzed by a sensitive gold(I) complex, was efficiently performed on a large scale by glovebox free techniques. Furthermore, the shape of this system was exploited for subsequent installation of all of the stereogenic centers.

Low-valent dialkoxytitanium(ii): a useful tool for the synthesis of functionalized seven-membered ring compounds.

Herein, we describe unprecedented access to all-carbon or heterocyclic seven-membered ring frameworks from 1,8-ene-ynes promoted by inexpensive low-valent titanium(ii) species, readily available from Ti(OiPr)4 and Grignard reagent. A broad range of cycloheptane, azepane or oxepane derivatives has been obtained (19 examples) with moderate to good yields and an excellent selectivity (up to 95/5 d.r.).

Ti(II) and Rh(I) Complexes as Reagents toward a Thapsigargin Core.

A novel approach toward the [5-7]fused bicyclic core of thapsigargin, a subnanomolar inhibitor of the endo/sarcoplasmic calcium ATPase (SERCA), is presented. The synthetic route includes an original Ti(II)-mediated hydroxy-directed reductive coupling of an enantiomerically enriched propargylic alcohol and an intramolecular Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction as key steps. Interestingly, through the first experiments of titanocene-mediated reductive cyclization of a 1,8-enyne, a seven-membered cycle was isolated as a unique product with a total diastereoselectivity.

Assembly of the Entire Carbon Backbone of a Stereoisomer of the Antitumor Marine Natural Product Hemicalide.

A strategy for the assembly of the entire carbon backbone of a stereoisomer of the antitumor marine natural product hemicalide has been investigated. The devised convergent approach relies on Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Julia-Kocienski olefination reactions for the construction of the C6=C7 and C34=C35 double bonds, respectively, an aldol reaction to create the C27-C28 bond, and a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling as the endgame to form the C15-C16 bond.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of an Advanced Intermediate of Thapsigargin and Other 6,12-Guaianolides Using a RCEYM Strategy.

A new and flexible approach toward the synthesis of 6,12-guaianolide anticancer drugs such as trilobolides or thapsigargin has been developed that could be applied to the preparation of analogues with a modified ring system. The synthesis starts from commercial 2-methylcyclopentane-1,3-dione, only relying on diastereoselective reactions for the construction of the stereogenic centers at C1, C3, C6, and C10 and features a high-yielding ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) step for the formation of the [5,7] bicyclic core.

Elaboration of Sterically Hindered δ-Lactones through Ring-Closing Metathesis: Application to the Synthesis of the C1-C27 Fragment of Hemicalide.

The synthesis of the C1-C27 fragment of hemicalide, a marine metabolite displaying a unique potent antiproliferative activity, has been accomplished. The synthetic approach highlights a remarkably efficient ring-closing metathesis reaction catalyzed by Nolan ruthenium indenylidene complexes to elaborate the highly substituted δ-lactone framework.

Alkoxyallene-ynes: Selective Preparation of Bicyclo[5.3.0] Ring Systems Including a δ-Alkoxy Cyclopentadienone.

The development of an intramolecular rhodium(I)-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction of alkoxyallene-ynes with a proximal alkoxy group is reported. This reaction, in the presence of a [Rh(cycloocta-1,5-diene)Cl]2/propane-1,3-diylbis(diphenylphosphane) system under a CO atmosphere, constitutes a powerful tool for selectively accessing carbo- and heterobicyclo[5.3.0] frameworks featuring an enol ether moiety. Through this procedure, a straightforward access to guaiane skeletons with a tertiary hydroxy group at the C10 position was achieved.

Synthetic Studies toward the C32-C46 Segment of Hemicalide. Assignment of the Relative Configuration of the C36-C42 Subunit.

The synthesis of five diastereomeric model compounds incorporating the C32-C46 segment of the antitumor marine natural product hemicalide has been achieved through a convergent approach relying on the 1,4-addition of an alkenyl boronate to an α,ß-unsaturated δ-lactone followed by α-hydroxylation of an enolate and a Julia-Kocienski olefination. Comparison of the (1)H and (13)C NMR data of the model compounds with those of hemicalide enabled the assignment of the relative configuration of the C36-C42 subunit.

Synthetic studies on hemicalide: development of a convergent approach toward the C1-C25 fragment.

Synthetic studies on hemicalide, a recently isolated marine natural product displaying highly potent antiproliferative activity and a unique mode of action, have highlighted a reliable Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to create the C6-C7 alkene and a remarkable efficient Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to form the C15-C16 bond, resulting in the development of a convergent approach toward the C1-C25 fragment.

Large scale purification of the SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin from Thapsia garganica L. roots using centrifugal partition chromatography.

Thapsigargin (Tg) is a selective and irreversible inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA)-dependent pump at subnanomolecular concentrations. As such, it has become a powerful tool in the study of Ca(2+) signaling pathway. Purification of Tg from Thapsia species requires repeated chromatographic steps with normal-phase alumina or silica and reverse phase chromatography. We thus developed an innovative procedure coupling high pressure automatized extraction with centrifugal partition chromatography allowing a fast and safe large-scale isolation of highly pure Tg, in two steps from Thapsia garganica L. roots. Comparison of influence of extraction procedures, storage conditions and harvesting areas on Tg content in different Algerian specimens of Thapsia garganica L. roots has been precised by mean of HPLC quantification procedure. Highest Tg content were found in the fresh material of the sample from Setif area.

Relative stereochemical determination and synthesis of the C17-C25 δ-lactone fragment of hemicalide.

Hemicalide is a novel marine metabolite polyketide distinguished by a unique mechanism of action. Because of insufficient quantities of purified material, this natural product has evaded complete stereochemical assignments. Recently, we have determined the relative stereochemistry of the C8-C13 hexad by synthesizing the C1-C13 fragment. Presently, we report the assignment of the C17-C25 δ-lactone fragment. NMR analysis of authentic hemicalide along with a computational conformation study allowed us to reduce the number of putative relative isomers from 16 to 4. Concise syntheses of the four candidate diastereomers were achieved using a common strategy based on a Dias aldehyde allylation reaction, an intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination, and a dihydroxylation reaction. Finally, thorough NMR comparisons enabled us to deduce the relative stereochemistry of the C1-C17 fragment with high certainty.

Asymmetric synthesis of a highly functionalized enantioenriched system close to thapsigargin framework.

A straightforward approach to a highly functionalized enantioenriched bicyclo[5.3.0]decadienone system close to the thapsigargin framework has been achieved. The developed synthetic route involves two main stages: installation of the chains on either side of the quaternary center at C7 starting from a central enantiopure epoxide and formation of the bicyclic octahydroazulene through subsequent Pauson-Khand annelation.

Conception, synthesis, and biological evaluation of original discodermolide analogues.

Due to its intriguing biological activity profile and potential chemotherapeutic application discodermolide (DDM) proved to be an attractive target. Therefore, notable efforts have been carried out directed toward its total synthesis and toward the production and evaluation of synthetic analogues. Recently, we achieved the total synthesis of DDM. At the present, guided by the knowledge gained during our DDM total synthesis and by the requirement of keeping the bioactive "U" shape conformation, we report the convergent preparation of five original analogues. Three types of changes were realized through modification of the terminal (Z)-diene moiety, of the methyl group at the C14-position, and the lactone region. All analogues were active in the nanomolar range and two of them turned out to be equipotent to DDM.

Relative stereochemical determination and synthesis of the C1-C17 fragment of a new natural polyketide.

The challenging determination of the relative stereochemistry of a complex natural polyketide portion was achieved. After careful NMR analysis, a concise synthesis of a set of possible relative diastereomers (only 6 diastereomers out of the 32 initially envisioned) has been carried out using a common strategy based on enantioselective aldol reactions. With a high predictability, final NMR comparison established the relative stereochemistry of the C1-C17 fragment of this natural product.

Total synthesis of discodermolide: optimization of the effective synthetic route.

An efficient and modulable total synthesis of discodermolide (DDM), a unique marine anticancer polyketide is described including related alternative synthetic approaches. Particularly notable is the repeated application of a crotyltitanation reaction to yield homoallylic (Z)-O-ene-carbamate alcohols with excellent selectivity. Advantage was taken of this reaction not only for the stereocontrolled building of the syn-anti methyl-hydroxy-methyl triads of DDM, but also for the direct construction of the terminal (Z)-diene. Of particular interest is also the installation of the C13=C14 (Z)-double bond through a highly selective dyotropic rearrangement. The preparation of the middle C8-C14 fragment in two sequential stages and its coupling to the C1-C7 moiety was a real challenge and required careful optimization. Several synthetic routes were explored to allow high and reliable yields. Due to the flexibility and robust character of this approach, it might enable a systematic structural variation of DDM and, therefore, the elaboration and exploration of novel discodermolide structural analogues.

Approach toward the total synthesis of griseoviridin: formation of thioethynyl and thiovinyl ether-containing nine-membered lactones through a thioalkynylation-macrolactonization-hydrostannylation sequence.

Synthesis of the lactone core 17 of 8-epi-griseoviridin is reported. Thioethynyl derivative 11 was easily prepared via an anionic coupling reaction between acetylenic compound 9 and sulfone 10. After desilylation of 11, saponification of the resulting hydroxy ester 12 followed by a Mitsunobu macrolactonization furnished the unusual triple-bond-containing nine-membered lactone 13 in 50% yield for the last two steps (39% after recrystallization). Stannylation under Magriotis conditions led to the pure regio- and stereocontrolled vinyltin 14 (80% yield). After a Sn/I exchange, palladium-catalyzed carbonylation delivered either the ester lactone 16 in 67% yield or the propargyl amide 17 in 65% yield. Synthesis of propargyl amide 17 of the lactone core of 8-epi-griseoviridin was achieved in 11.9% overall yield from commercial L-cystin dimethyl ester (nine steps).