Construction of the 4-Azafluorenone Core in a Single Operation and Synthesis of Onychine.

This study describes the synthesis of the 4-azafluorenone core in a single operation using readily available starting materials. Condensation of an amidrazone with ninhydrin intercepts an intermediate 1,2,4-triazine derivative, which engages norbornadiene in a merged [4 + 2]/bis-retro[4 + 2] sequence to deliver the azafluorenone core. The tricyclic core established in this manner was elaborated to onychine, the simplest natural product in the 4-azafluorenone alkaloid family.

Synthesis of Guaipyridine Alkaloids Rupestine M and L by Cycloaddition/Cycloreversion of an Intermediate 1,4-Oxazinone.

A new method to prepare 1,4-oxazinone intermediates was developed based on aza-conjugate addition of ß-amino alcohols to electron-deficient alkyne precursors. A tandem intramolecular cycloaddition/cycloreversion reaction sequence was evaluated, leading to the synthesis of the guaipyridine alkaloid natural products rupestine M and L. Starting from (-)-citronellal and thus a known configuration of the C5 stereocenter, a revised absolute configuration of natural rupestine L is suggested based on optical rotation.

A Nonoxidative Sequence for the Preparation of 1,2-Diketone Derivatives Using Aldehyde and Organometallic Building Blocks.

This study investigates a synthetic sequence for the preparation of 1,2-diketone products. The sequence avoids oxidative conditions and instead employs reliable transformations including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and addition of Grignard reagents to N-methyl-N-methoxy (Weinreb) amide intermediates. The reaction sequence is suitable for the synthesis of nonsymmetric aliphatic and aryl substituted derivatives.

Application of 1,4-Oxazinone Precursors to the Construction of Pyridine Derivatives by Tandem Intermolecular Cycloaddition/Cycloreversion.

This study reveals a new method for the preparation of 1,4-oxazinone derivatives by Staudinger reductive cyclization of functionalized vinyl azide precursors. The resulting oxazinone derivatives prepared in this manner were intercepted with terminal alkyne substrates through an intermolecular cycloaddition/cycloreversion sequence to afford polysubstituted pyridine products. Alkyne substrates bearing propargyl oxygen substitution showed good regioselectivity in the cycloaddition operation selectively affording 2,4,6-substituted pyridines. Application of this chemistry to the synthesis of an ErbB4 receptor inhibitor is also described.

Synthesis and Spectrophotometric Analysis of 1-Azafluorenone Derivatives.

A new extension for the 'one pot' construction of diverse 1-azafluorene derivatives featuring a Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder cycloaddition is reported. Conditions were also determined for oxidation to the derived azafluorenones. The spectrophotometric analysis of five different azafluorenones were performed. Moderate fluorescence was observed with azafluorenone derivatives that bear an imbedded pyridone motif; whereas those bearing substituted pyridines do not fluoresce.

Synthesis of Pyrrolopyrazinones by Construction of the Pyrrole Ring onto an Intact Diketopiperazine.

This study reveals an alternative sequence for the synthesis of compounds that contain the pyrrolodiketopiperazine structural motif. Starting with a diketopiperazine precursor, a mild aldol condensation precedes pyrrole annulation and bicyclic ring fusion. The derived intermediate aldol condensation products, which bear either a protected carbonyl or a functionalized alkyne, can be cyclized to the pyrrolodiketopiperazine by protic or gold Lewis acid catalysis.

Spectroscopic Evidence for Lactam Formation in Terminal Ornithine b2+ and b3+ Fragment Ions.

Infrared multiple photon dissociation action spectroscopy was performed on the AlaOrn b2+ and AlaAlaOrn b3+ fragment ions from ornithine-containing tetrapeptides. Infrared spectra were obtained in the fingerprint region (1000-2000 cm-1) using the infrared free electron lasers at the Centre Laser Infrarouge d'Orsay (CLIO) facility in Orsay, France, and the free electron lasers for infrared experiments (FELIX) facility in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. A novel terminal ornithine lactam AO+ b2+ structure was synthesized for experimental comparison and spectroscopy confirms that the b2+ fragment ion from AOAA forms a lactam structure. Comparison of experimental spectra with scaled harmonic frequencies at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory shows that AO+ b2+ forms a terminal lactam protonated either on the lactam carbonyl oxygen or the N-terminal nitrogen atom. Several low-lying conformers of these isomers are likely populated following IRMPD dissociation. Similarly, a comparison of the experimental IRMPD spectrum with calculated spectra shows that AAO+ b3+-ions also adopt a lactam structure, again with multiple different protonation sites, during fragmentation. This study provides spectroscopic confirmation for the lactam cyclization proposed for the "ornithine effect" and represents an alternative bn+ structure to the oxazolone and diketopiperazine/macrocycle structures most often formed.

Domino Reaction Sequence for the Synthesis of [2.2.2]Diazabicycloalkenes and Base-Promoted Cycloreversion to 2-Pyridone Alkaloids.

A new domino reaction sequence for the construction of 2-pyridone structures is reported. The reaction sequence begins with diacetyldiketopiperazine and proceeds via aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The intermediate [2.2.2]diazabicycloalkene cycloadducts can be isolated or can engage in a base-accelerated extrusion of one lactam bridge to provide the 2-pyridone cycloreversion products. The operation leading to pyridone products can occur in one reaction vessel and proceeds at convenient temperatures.

Further Investigation of the Intermolecular Diels-Alder Cycloaddition for the Synthesis of Bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane Alkaloids.

The convergent synthesis of bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane structures using an intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition between a pyrazinone and commercially available fumarate or maleate precursors is reported. High reactivity and stereoselection is observed with both dienophile substrates. Structure validation was achieved by conversion of cycloadducts into known [2.2.2]diazabicyclic compounds or into crystalline derivatives suitable for X-ray analysis. The cycloadduct derived from reaction of pyrazinone and maleic anhydride underwent selective anhydride ring opening and intersected an established precursor in the synthesis of brevianamide B.

Synthesis of monoalkylidene diketopiperazines and application to the synthesis of barettin.

The synthesis of barettin, a selective serotonin receptor inhibitor and potent antibiofouling natural product, is described. The synthesis starts with the diketopiperazine nucleus intact and the side chains are installed using iterative aldol condensations. The route represents a general strategy for synthesis of a wide array of mono-alkylidene diketopiperazine structures, including those derived from non-canonical amino acid residues.

A Merged Aldol Condensation, Alkene Isomerization, Cycloaddition/Cycloreversion Sequence Employing Oxazinone Intermediates for the Synthesis of Substituted Pyridines.

A domino reaction sequence has been evaluated that begins with union of novel dihydrooxazinone precursors with 2-alkynyl-substituted benzaldehyde components through aldol condensation. Ensuing operations, including alkene isomerization, Diels-Alder, and retrograde Diels-Alder with loss of CO2 occurs in the same reaction vessel to provide polysubstituted tricyclic pyridine products.

Synthesis of Peramine, an Anti-insect Defensive Alkaloid Produced by Endophytic Fungi of Cool Season Grasses.

A seven-step synthesis of peramine, which required three chromatographic separations, is described. Key to the synthesis is an enolate alkylation of a pyrrole-fused diketopiperazine, reduction of the acyl pyrrole, and dehydration of the intermediate pyrrolyl carbinol to establish the pyrrolopyrazine core of peramine.

Intermolecular Diels-Alder Cycloaddition for the Construction of Bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane Structures: Formal Synthesis of Brevianamide B and Premalbrancheamide.

A stereoselective intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition of an intermediate pyrazinone with both achiral and chiral acrylate-derived dienophiles provides rapid access to the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane core shared among several prenylated indole alkaloids. The product derived from cycloaddition with 2-nitroacrylate required an additional five to six synthetic operations to intercept established precursors to premalbrancheamide and brevianamide B. The chemistry detailed in this manuscript constitutes a formal total synthesis (12 steps each) of these [2.2.2]diazabicyclic natural products from proline methyl ester.

3,4- and 3,5-Disubstituted 2-Pyridones Using an Intermolecular Cycloaddition / Cycloreversion Strategy: Toward the Synthesis of Aristopyridinone A.

The intermolecular cycloaddition of pyrazinone precursors with alkyne substrates was evaluated. The resulting regioisomeric [2.2.2]-diketopiperazine alkene cycloadducts were diverted into 2-pyridone products through cycloreversion of the [2.2.2]-bicyclic intermediates. New insights into the regioselectivity of pyrazinone azadiene Diels-Alder reactions as well as cycloreversion reactivity were revealed in this study. Synthetic sequences using this [4+2]/r[4+2] strategy were determined that can produce predominantly the 3,5-disubstituted 2-pyridone alkaloid structures; pyridones featuring the 3,4-substitution pattern are observed as the minor regioisomeric products.

Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-loline alkaloid skeleton.

The loline alkaloids present a compact polycyclic pyrrolizidine skeleton and contain a strained five-membered ethereal bridge, structural features that have proven challenging for synthetic chemists to incorporate since the discovery of this natural product family more than 100 years ago. These alkaloids are produced by mutualistic fungal symbionts (endophytes) living on certain species of pasture grasses and protect the host plant from insect herbivory. The asymmetric total synthesis of loline alkaloids is reported and extends our first-generation (racemic) synthesis of this alkaloid family. Key to the synthesis is a diastereoselective tethered aminohydroxylation of a homoallylic carbamate function and a Petasis Borono-Mannich addition.

Synthesis of 2-pyridones by cycloreversion of [2.2.2]- bicycloalkene diketopiperazines.

A general strategy for the conversion of [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic alkene structures to 2-pyridone aromatic heterocyclic products is reported. The reaction sequence starts from 2,5-diketopiperazine (DKP) derivatives, is compatible with both aromatic and aliphatic aldehyde components, and can intercept either intra- or intermolecular cycloaddition manifolds. Priming of one aza-bridging function in the intermediate [2.2.2]-DKP scaffold permits cycloreversion (microwave heating) and selective extrusion of cyanate derivatives leading to the formation of 2-pyridone structures. Progress toward the synthesis of louisianin A and B, antiproliferative 2-pyridone natural products, is also disclosed.

Enantioselective synthesis of (+)-malbrancheamide B.

The asymmetric total synthesis of the chlorinated [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic indole alkaloid (+)-malbrancheamide B is reported. Key to the synthesis is a domino reaction sequence that employs an aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Diastereofacial selection between the azadiene stereofaces is enforced with a chiral aminal auxiliary. A formal 7-step (longest linear route) synthesis of (±)-malbrancheamide B is also reported.

The stereochemical course of intramolecular Michael reactions.

We present a general model for understanding the stereochemical course of intramolecular Michael reactions. We show that the addition of ß-ketoester enolates to α,ß-unsaturated esters and imides bearing adjacent stereocenters (X, Y = H, Me, OR) leads to high levels of asymmetric induction. Reinforcing and nonreinforcing stereochemical relationships are evaluated from the syn and anti reactant diastereomers. On the basis of synthetic, spectroscopic, and computational studies, we propose that the outcomes of these reactions can be rationalized by a dipole-minimized chair transition-state model.

Analysis of the cercosporin polyketide synthase CTB1 reveals a new fungal thioesterase function.

The polyketide synthase CTB1 is demonstrated to catalyze pyrone formation thereby expanding the known biosynthetic repertoire of thioesterase domains in iterative, non-reducing polyketide synthases.

Efficient entry to the [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic ring system via diastereoselective domino reaction sequence.

A domino reaction sequence involving aldol condensation, alkene isomerization, and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition for the synthesis of [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic structures is reported. Excellent diastereofacial control during the cycloaddition is enforced with a removable chiral phenyl aminal diketopiperazine substituent. The reaction sequence rapidly generates molecular complexity and is competent with both enolizable and nonenolizable aldehyde substrates (nine examples total). Progress toward the synthesis of malbrancheamide B, a protypical member of the [2.2.2]-diazabicyclic natural product family, is also disclosed.