Navigating Excess Complexity: Total Synthesis of Daphenylline.

Retrosynthetic analysis is a framework for designing synthetic routes to complex molecules that generally prioritizes disconnections which reduce molecular complexity. However, strict adherence to this principle can overlook pathways involving highly complex intermediates that can be easily prepared through powerful bond-forming transformations. Herein, we demonstrate this tactic of generating excess complexity, followed by strategic bond-cleavage, as a highly effective approach for the 11-step total synthesis of the Daphniphyllum alkaloid daphenylline. To implement this strategy, we accessed a bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane core through a dearomative Buchner cycloaddition, which enabled construction of the seven-membered ring after C-C bond cleavage. Installation of the synthetically challenging quaternary stereocenter methyl group was achieved through a thia-Paternò-Büchi [2 + 2] photocycloaddition followed by stereospecific thietane reduction, further illustrating how building excess complexity can enable desired synthetic outcomes after strategic bond-breaking events. This strategy leveraging bond cleavage transformations should serve as a complement to traditional bond-forming, complexity-generating synthetic strategies.

Dibrominative Spirocyclization of 2-Butynolyl Anilides: Synthesis of gem-Dibromospirocyclic Benzo[d][1,3]oxazines and Their Application in the Synthesis of 4H-Furo[3,2-b]indoles.

The combination of catalytic aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) and N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) generated electrophilic bromine monochloride (BrCl), which readily induced spiroannulation of 2-alkynolyl anilides (n = 1-3) to form gem-dibromospirocyclic benzo[d][1,3]oxazines in up to 92% yield. The reaction occurred under mild and metal-free conditions using EtOAc as a green solvent. The resulted spirocyclic products contained benzo[d][1,3]oxazine, which was useful both as a pharmacophore and synthetic precursor. In addition, the current protocol allowed to effortlessly introduce the sp3-gem-dibromide carbon adjacent to the sterically demanding spiroketal center. These spiroheterocycles (n = 1) were shown to be synthetically versatile and conveniently maneuvered. Base-promoted debrominative aromatization of these spirocycles unmasked rare and synthetically useful 2-aryl-3-bromofurans in mostly excellent yields. These 3-bromofurans were well-suited substrates for intramolecular Ullmann C-N bond coupling to construct difficult-to-prepare 4H-furo[3,2-b]indoles. Additionally, the current protocol was flexible and adaptable to preparing the gem-dichloride variants.

Metal-Free Synthesis of 4-Chloroisocoumarins by TMSCl-Catalyzed NCS-Induced Chlorinative Annulation of 2-Alkynylaryloate Esters.

4-Chloroisocoumarins can be conveniently prepared from 2-alkynylaryloate esters via the activation of alkynes by electrophilic chlorine, generated in situ from N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) in the presence of 10 mol % trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl), which leads to 6-endo-dig-selective chlorinative annulation to give the desired products in moderate to quantitative yields. The procedure employs readily available reagents and can be conveniently carried out on a wide scope of substrates under mild conditions (0 °C to rt). Furthermore, the reaction is scalable for gram-scale preparation of 4-chloroisocoumarins. Additionally, 4-bromo- and 4-iodoisocoumarins can be prepared in moderate to good yields by replacing NCS with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and N-iodosuccinimide (NIS), respectively.

Chemoselective Synthesis of 1,1-Disubstituted Vinyl Triflates from Terminal Alkynes Using TfOH in the Presence of TMSN3.

1,1-Disubstituted vinyl triflates are synthesized by direct hydrotriflation of terminal alkynes employing a combination of TfOH and TMSN3 in DCM at room temperature. Interestingly, under these conditions, only terminal alkynes were selectively converted to the corresponding vinyl triflates, while internal alkynes were not reacted. A broad range of substrates were successfully converted to the corresponding 1,1-disubstituted vinyl triflates in good to excellent yields even those with internal alkyne moieties present in the molecules.

Rate Enhancement in CAN-Promoted Pd(PPh3)2Cl2-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization: Synthesis of 2-Ketofuran-4-carboxylate Esters.

Stoichiometric ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (5 mol %) can rapidly produce multisubstituted 2-ketofuran-4-carboxylate esters from 2-propargylic 1,3-ketoesters via oxidative O-cyclization reaction. Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 was found to be the crucial catalyst as its inclusion greatly enhanced the rate of the reaction and cleanly afforded the products within minutes. Over 30 substrates were successfully converted to the desired compounds in mostly moderate to good yields.