A biosynthetically inspired synthesis of (-)-berkelic acid and analogs.

We describe a complete account of our total synthesis and biological evaluation of (-)-berkelic acid and analogs. We delineate a synthetic strategy inspired by a potentially biomimetic union between the natural products spicifernin and pulvilloric acid. After defining optimal parameters, we executed a one-pot silver-mediated in situ dehydration of an isochroman lactol to methyl pulvillorate, the cycloisomerization of a spicifernin-like alkynol to the corresponding exocyclic enol ether, and a subsequent cycloaddition to deliver the tetracyclic core of berkelic acid. Our studies confirm that the original assigned berkelic acid structure is not stable and equilibrates into a mixture of 4 diastereomers, fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. In addition to berkelic acid, C22-epi-berkelic acid, and nor-berkelic acids, we synthesized C26-oxoberkelic acid analogs that were evaluated against human cancer cell lines. In contrast to data reported for natural berkelic acid, our synthetic material and analogs were found to be devoid of activity.

Characterization of novel small-molecule NRF2 activators: Structural and biochemical validation of stereospecific KEAP1 binding.

BACKGROUND: Semi-synthetic oleanane triterpenoid antioxidant inflammation modulators (tpAIMs) are small molecules that interact with KEAP1 cysteine residue 151 (C151) and activate NRF2. Exploration of the structure-activity relationship between the tpAIMs and KEAP1 is limited by the predominantly hydrocarbon nature of the oleanane triterpenoid pentacyclic ring structure. Therefore, we used novel, chemically-tractable, synthetic antioxidant inflammation modulators (sAIMs) to probe the stereoselectivity of the ligand-protein interaction. METHODS: We measured several parameters of NRF2 activation to assess the potency of sAIM enantiomers with natural (tpAIM-like) 4(S),5(S),10(R) or unnatural 4(R),5(R),10(S) configurations. Additionally, we determined the crystal structure of the KEAP1 BTB domain in complex with two different sAIMs. RESULTS: We found that the potencies of sAIM enantiomers in the natural configuration were similar to those of the tpAIM, RTA 405. Strikingly, sAIM enantiomers in the unnatural configuration were 10- to 40-fold less potent than their natural counterparts. Crystallographic studies of sAIMs in complex with the KEAP1 BTB domain demonstrated that these ligands form a covalent bond with C151 and revealed the presence of additional hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals interactions, and pi-stacking interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Although KEAP1 C151 is required for NRF2 activation by tpAIMs and sAIMs, interactions with other KEAP1 residues are critical for the stereospecific recognition and potency of these ligands. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This work demonstrates that reversible cyanoenone Michael acceptors, such as the tpAIMs and sAIMs, can be specifically tuned to regulate redox sensitive cysteine residues on key signaling molecules, an approach with significant promise for innovative drug development.

A concise synthesis of berkelic acid inspired by combining the natural products spicifernin and pulvilloric acid.

We describe a concise synthesis of the structurally novel fungal extremophile metabolite berkelic acid, an effort leading to an unambiguous assignment of C22 stereochemistry. Our synthetic approach was inspired by the recognition that berkelic acid displays structural characteristics reminiscent of two other fungal metabolites, spicifernin and pulvilloric acid. Based on this notion, we executed a synthesis that features a Ag-catalyzed cascade dearomatization-cycloisomerization-cycloaddition sequence to couple two natural product inspired fragments. Notably, a spicifernin-like synthon was prepared with defined C22 stereochemistry in seven steps and three purifications (24-28% overall yield). A potentially useful anti-selective conjugate propargylation reaction was developed to introduce the vicinal stereodiad. An enantioconvergent synthesis of the other coupling partner, the aromatic precursor to pulvilloric acid methyl ester, was achieved in eight steps and 48% overall yield. The total synthesis of berkelic acid and its C22 epimer was thus completed in a 10 step linear sequence and 11-27% overall yield.

Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated C==C bonds with alkyl ammonium salts.

A mixture of (5)AuCl [ = PCy2[2-(2,6-C6H3(OMe)2)C6H4]] and AgOTf catalyzes the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated C==C bonds with primary and secondary ammonium salts.

Platinum-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with carbon, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles.

The transition metal-catalyzed addition of the X-H bond of a carbon, nitrogen or oxygen nucleophile across the C[double bond]C bond of an unactivated alkene (hydrofunctionalization) represents an attractive, atom-economical approach to the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic molecules and for the elaboration of ethylene and 1-alkenes. We have developed a family of Pt(II)-catalyzed protocols for the inter- and intramolecular hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with a range of H-X nucleophiles including beta-diketones, indoles, amines, carboxamides and alcohols. These transformations display good functional group compatibility, low moisture sensitivity, and often good generality.

Gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination of N-allenyl carbamates.

Treatment of the N-4,5-hexadienyl carbamate 2a with a catalytic 1:2 mixture of [(S)-1]Au2Cl2 [(S)-1 = (S)-3,5-t-Bu-4-MeO-MeOBIPHEP] and AgClO4 in m-xylene at -40 degrees C for 24 h led to isolation of 2-vinylpyrrolidine 3a in 97% yield with 81% ee. Gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination was effective for a number of carbamate groups and tolerated terminal disubstitutution of the allenyl moiety.

Room temperature hydroamination of N-alkenyl ureas catalyzed by a gold(i) N-heterocyclic carbene complex.

[Structure: see text] Treatment of an N-4-pentenyl or N-5-hexenyl urea with a catalytic 1:1 mixture of a gold(I) N,N-diaryl imidazol-2-ylidine complex and AgOTf at or near room temperature leads to intramolecular exo-hydroamination to form the corresponding nitrogen heterocycle in excellent yield.

Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with carboxamides.

N-Alkenyl carboxamides undergo gold-catalyzed intramolecular exo-hydroamination to form nitrogen heterocycles in excellent yield.

Platinum-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated olefins with secondary alkylamines.

Reaction of benzyl-2,2-diphenyl-4-pentenylamine with a catalytic 1:2 mixture of [PtCl2(H2C=CH2)]2 (2.5 mol %) and PPh3 in dioxane at 120 degrees C for 16 h led to isolation of 1-benzyl-2-methyl-4,4-diphenylpyrrolidine in 75% yield. A number of gamma- and delta-amino olefins underwent intramolecular hydroamination to form the corresponding pyrrolidine derivatives in moderate to good yield. The reaction displayed excellent functional group compatibility and low moisture sensitivity.