Protecting Group-Free Total Synthesis of (-)-Boscartin H.

Herein, we report the first protecting group-free total synthesis of (-)-boscartin H, which features a 5-12-5-fused tricyclic structure. The key steps, which include a diastereoselective THF-ring-forming/aldol reaction sequence and ring-closing metathesis, afforded high stereoselectivity with (-)-boscartin H obtained in 3.6% overall yield using a 11-step long linear sequence. In addition, X-ray crystallography clearly confirmed the stereochemistry of boscartin H.

Total synthesis of 14-membered ring ß-resorcylic acid lactone (+)-monocillin II.

This study outlines the total synthesis of (+)-monocillin II, wherein a cis-isomer selectively produces a trans-isomer during the ring-closing metathesis. The Mitsunobu reaction conducted at -60 °C, facilitating the formation of an ester bond, was the key to completing the total synthesis, which was accomplished in the longest linear sequence of 10 steps with an overall yield of 9.3%.

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of (+)-Ganocin A and (-)-Cochlearol B.

Herein, we report the total syntheses of (+)-ganocin A and (-)-cochlearol B, featuring pentacyclic skeletons, in optically active forms. We utilized asymmetric Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reduction, phenolic oxidative cyclization, the intramolecular radical cyclization-benzylic oxidative cyclization sequence, and intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition. These key steps enabled enantioselective access with the longest linear sequence of 17 steps and 9% overall yield for (+)-ganocin A and with 16 steps and 9% overall yield for (-)-cohlearol B.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Lamellodysidine A via an Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction.

In this study, we achieved an eight-step enantioselective synthesis of (-)-lamellodysidine A, a structurally intriguing sesquiterpene natural product featuring a 5/5/6/6-fused tetracyclic skeleton that was obtained from the marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea. The key to the synthesis is a cascade reaction that includes an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. In addition, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of the synthetic (-)-lamellodysidine A clearly confirmed the proposed stereochemistry and absolute configuration.

Total Synthesis of Cochlearol†B via Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition.

Herein, we describe the first total synthesis of cochlearol B, a meroterpenoid natural product featuring a 4/5/6/6/6-fused pentacyclic structure. Key steps, oxidative cyclization and subsequent intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition, which constructed the pentacyclic structure in highly stereoselective manner, allowed efficient access to cochlearol B with the longest linear sequence of 16 steps, and in 9 % overall yield. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis clearly confirmed the stereochemistry of cochlearol B.

Convergent total synthesis of corallocin A.

The first total synthesis of corallocin A is described herein. The Suzuki coupling reaction as a key step proceeded with high stereoselectivity and in good yield. Robust transformations, including Vilsmeier-Haack formylation and Wittig reaction, allowed for effective access to corallocin A.

Further investigation of the rapid-onset and short-duration action of the G protein-biased µ-ligand oliceridine.

TRV130 (oliceridine), a G protein-biased ligand for µ-opioid receptor, has recently been synthesized. It is considered to have strong antinociceptive effects and only minor adverse effects. However, whether or not oliceridine actually exhibits an ideal pharmacological profile as an analgesic has not yet been fully clarified in animal studies. This study examined the pharmacological profile of oliceridine in cells and animals. Oliceridine (10 µM) did not produce any µ-opioid receptor internalization in cells even though it increased impedance, which reflects the activation of Gi protein using the CellKey™ system, and inhibited the formation of cAMP. In mice, oliceridine (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect with a rapid-onset and short-duration action in the hot-plate test, as well as antihyperalgesia after sciatic nerve ligation without the development of antinociceptive tolerance using the thermal hyperalgesia test. On the other hand, oliceridine inhibited gastrointestinal transit. Furthermore, oliceridine produced rapid-onset hyperlocomotion at antinociceptive doses; sensitization developed in mice and an emetic effect was observed in ferrets. These results indicate that, although oliceridine may produce dopamine-related behaviors even through selective stimulation of the G-protein-biased µ-opioid receptor pathway, it still offers advantages for breakthrough pain without antinociceptive tolerance with adequate doses.

Diastereoselective Total Syntheses of (±)-Caseabalansin A and (±)-18-Epicaseabalansin A via Intramolecular Robinson-type Annulation.

Highly diastereoselective total syntheses of (±)-caseabalansin A (1) and (±)-18-epicaseabalansin A (2) are described in this paper. We revealed that the intramolecular Robinson-type annulation of an alkynone was effective in the stereocontrolled construction of the bicyclic skeleton of 1 and 2. Further transformation of the resulting enone, including diastereoselective reduction by LiAlH(OtBu)3 , hydroxy-group-directed hydrogenation, cyclization to form the cyclic acetal moiety, and introduction of a side chain by a C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) Stille coupling reaction, resulted in the total syntheses of (±)-1 and (±)-2.

Facile Total Synthesis of (+)-Spinoxazine B.

Herein we describe a short total synthesis of (+)-spinoxazine B, which inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production in BV-2 microgrial cells. Spinoxazine B is the first example of a natural alkaloid containing an oxazinone-pyrrolidone nucleus, and it is expected to serve as a novel drug lead compound as well as a drug discovery scaffold.

Enantioselective, Protecting-Group-Free Total Synthesis of Boscartin F.

In this work, the protecting-group-free total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of (-)-boscartin F have been reported. The key steps, including Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, I2-mediated iodoetherification, aldol reaction, and ring-closing metathesis, allowed for rapid and highly stereoselective access to boscartin F. In addition, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of the semicarbazone derivative 22 confirmed the stereochemistry of boscartin F.

Usefulness for the combination of G-protein- and ß-arrestin-biased ligands of µ-opioid receptors: Prevention of antinociceptive tolerance.

Background: µ-Opioid receptor internalization is considered to be critically linked to antinociceptive tolerance. Although µ-opioid receptor agonists have been administered simultaneously with other drugs to control pain, little information is available regarding opioid­opioid interactions. Therefore, the present study was designed to further investigate the utility of a new G protein-biased ligand for µ-opioid receptors, TRV130, which has an antinociceptive effect without ß-arrestin-dependent µ-opioid receptor internalization, and its combination with fentanyl using µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells and mice. Results: In the present study, we confirmed that fentanyl produced a profound increase in ß-arrestin-2 recruitment accompanied by µ-opioid receptor internalization, whereas TRV130 did not induce either the recruitment of ß-arrestin-2 or µ-opioid receptor internalization in µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells. Under these conditions, ß-arrestin-2 recruitment accompanied by µ-opioid receptor internalization induced by fentanyl was abolished by TRV130, whereas TRV130 did not alter the reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation by fentanyl in µ-opioid receptor-expressing cells. In a behavioral assay, TRV130 exerted an antinociceptive effect in a hot-plate test in mice. In a combination test, the antinociceptive effect of TRV130 was synergistically increased by fentanyl. Fentanyl induced antihyperalgesia and development of its tolerance under a neuropathic pain-like state following sciatic nerve ligation. However, treatment of mice with an antinociceptive dose of TRV130 did not induce the rapid development of tolerance to its antihyperalgesic effect under a neuropathic pain-like state. Furthermore, the rapid development of tolerance to the antihyperalgesic effect induced by fentanyl plus TRV130 in mice with sciatic nerve ligation was not observed, unlike in the case of fentanyl alone. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that activation of the G protein-biased pathway through µ-opioid receptors can alter signaling in the ß-arrestin-2 pathway linked to the stimulation of µ-opioid receptors. Furthermore, the combination of G protein-biased and ß-arrestin-biased ligands of µ-opioid receptors exerts an ideal antinociceptive effect without the rapid development of antinociceptive tolerance.

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Addition of an α-CF3 Amide to Arylglyoxal Hydrates.

Direct asymmetric aldol addition of an α-CF3 amide to arylglyoxal hydrates was promoted by a chiral catalyst comprising a soft Lewis acidic Cu(I), a chiral bisphosphine ligand, and DBU. The 7-azaindoline moiety of the amide facilitates its enolization and stabilizes the thus-generated Cu enolate, furnishing enantioenriched aldol adducts.

Iodoalkyne-Based Catalyst-Mediated Activation of Thioamides through Halogen Bonding.

Halogen bonding catalysis has recently gained increasing attention as a powerful tool to activate organic molecules. However, the variety of the catalyst structure has been quite limited so far. Herein, we report the first example of the use of an iodoalkyne as a halogen bond donor catalyst. By using an iodoalkyne bearing a pentafluorophenyl group as a catalyst, thioamides were efficiently activated and reacted with 2-aminophenol to generate benzoxazoles in good yield. Mechanistic studies, including 13 C NMR spectroscopic analysis and several control experiments, provided concrete evidence that this catalytic activation is based on halogen bonding. Thus, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that iodoalkynes can serve as a new scaffold for future development of halogen bonding catalysis.

Direct aldol strategy in enantioselective total synthesis of thuggacin B.

An enantioselective total synthesis of thuggacin B, a natural product exhibiting antibiotic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is described. Asymmetric direct aldol reactions promoted by Cu and Zn catalysts play a pivotal role in constructing four stereogenic centers. The use of direct aldol reactions as the initial steps for the synthesis of two key fragments allowed the construction of the other stereogenic centers through chirality transfer.

Solvent-dependent self-discrimination of bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)diamides.

Solvent-dependent, self-discrimination of diamides is described. Mixing a solution of (R)-1a and (S)-1a, which are valine-derived, bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)diamide-bearing, multiple hydrogen-bonding modules, in dichloromethane immediately led to the formation of a thick suspension comprising a 1:1 heterochiral aggregate of 1a. The solubility of heterochiral 1a was substantially lower in halogenated solvents than in ethyl acetate. A perusal of racemic crystal structures obtained from chloroform and ethyl acetate revealed a significant difference in the crystal-packing pattern, which is likely to be the basis for the pronounced difference in solubility. Specific self-discrimination of 1 a in an ensemble of eight structurally related molecules showcased the specific aggregation through the hydrogen-bonding network of the bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)diamide framework. The low solubility of heterochiral 1a in halogenated solvent was exploited to achieve high stereoselectivity in a catalytic asymmetric reaction by using a low enantiomeric excess sample of 1a.