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Herein we describe a total synthesis of the heterodimeric securinega alkaloid (-)-flueggeacosine C ( 8 ). The convergent synthetic strategy is based on a Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction that combines a benzoquinolizidine fragment with a securinine-type alkaloid. An acyloxy nitroso ring-expansion was employed as the key step in accessing benzoquinolizidine 9 , and a novel intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of an allenic acid-containing pyridone expeditiously delivers the skeleton of the securinine-type fragment ( 16 ). Finally, a Cu-catalyzed hydroboration-oxidation sequence was employed to regio- and diastereoselectively introduce the secondary alcohol found in 8 .

Herein, an efficient, scalable, and concise approach to an advanced pyrroloiminoquinone synthetic intermediate ( 6b ) by way of a Larock indole synthesis is reported. The synthetic utility of this intermediate is demonstrated by its ready conversion to makaluvamines A ( 1 ) and K ( 4 ).

An enantioselective total synthesis of plagiochianin B is described that employs (+)-3-carene as its point of departure and delivers the enantiomer of the natural product. Key features of the synthesis include a palladium-mediated regioselective oxidative cleavage of an olefin residing on a pyridine derived from a 6π-azatriene electrocyclization.

The marine polyketide hippolachnin A (1) has attracted considerable attention from synthetic chemists due to both its intricate core structure and attractive biological activity against virulent fungi. Described herein are recent efforts to employ our recently developed synthesis in structure-activity relationship studies of 1. These studies have revealed that, in contrast to initial reports, 1 and several structural analogues lack activity against pathogenic fungi.

A method for chemoselective carbonyl ylide formation utilizing the Rh(II) catalyzed decomposition of electronically differentiated diazo malonates is disclosed. Treatment of ethyl, trifluoro ethyl diazo malonate with a Rh(II) catalyst selectively forms a carbonyl ylide from the relatively electron rich ethyl ester. This carbonyl ylide can be trapped by various alkynes giving highly functionalized oxabicyclic compounds in a chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective fashion.

The carbocyclic core of the phomoidrides has been synthesized efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and a late-stage Wharton fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.

Total syntheses of (±)-securinine and (±)-allosecurinine that employ a tandem rhodium carbenoid-initiated Claisen/α-ketol rearrangement sequence as a key step are described.

Epidithiodiketopiperazines (ETPs) are natural products (e.g., gliotoxin) with varied and important biological activity, which often is attributed to the redox properties of the disulfide moiety. As such, analogs with altered redox properties and similar structural characteristics would be of value to biological investigations. The use of an ETP as the point of departure in the first synthesis of an epidiselenodiketopiperazine (ESeP) and its activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is reported.

An efficient enantioselective total synthesis of the potent antibiotic GSK966587 was accomplished. Highlights of the synthesis include two innovative Heck reactions, a highly selective zincate base directed ortho-metalation, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and a fully convergent final step fragment coupling.

A novel annelation procedure has been developed for the conversion of gamma-hydoxy enones into alpha-alkylidene-gamma-butyrolactones. This one-pot method utilizes the Bestmann ylide (triphenylphosphoranylideneketene) and proceeds by way of acylation followed by an intramolecular conjugate addition/proton transfer/Wittig olefination sequence. The procedure is "base-free" and is useful for the preparation of a range of alpha-alkylidene-gamma-butyrolactones including alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone examples, which can be particularly base-sensitive.

This paper describes ongoing progress toward the synthesis of the novel indole alkaloid actinophyllic acid via a synthetic strategy that allows for the installation of all C-atoms (highlighted in red) requisite for completion of a total synthesis.

A general approach to the tetracyclic core of the neomangicol natural products via a late-stage indene alkylation reaction is presented. This strategy sets the stage for access to the neomangicol family and, in addition, provides a potential biogenetically inspired entry to the mangicol natural products.

The dehalogenation of alkyl iodides, as well as the chemoselective deoxygenation of a secondary alcohol in the presence of various alkyl and aryl halides, can be accomplished employing a trialkylborane/air/water system.

A stereoselective synthesis of the bacchopetiolone (1) carbocyclic core using a tandem phenolic oxidation/Diels-Alder reaction is described. [reaction: see text].

[reaction: see text] Here we describe a miniature protein (1) that presents the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) recognition epitope found within the heat-stable Protein Kinase Inhibitor protein (PKI) and a miniature protein conjugate (1-K252a) in which 1 is joined covalently to the high-affinity but nonselective kinase inhibitor K252a. Miniature protein 1 recognizes PKA with an affinity that rivals that of PKI and, in the context of 1-K252a, leads to a dramatic increase in kinase specificity.

The total synthesis of kalihinol C, a bis-isonitrile marine diterpenoid isolated from Acanthella sp., is reported. The decalin framework was established via an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition and subsequently functionalized through a series of substrate-controlled diastereoselective transformations to install the tertiary isonitrile, beta-hydroxy isonitrile, and pendant tetrahydrofuranyl ring.

[reaction: see text] A highly convergent synthesis of the angiogenesis inhibitor luminacin D has been achieved in 13 linear steps (19 steps total, 5.3% overall yield) utilizing a samarium(II) iodide-mediated mixed tandem aldol/Evans-Tishchenko reaction to construct the carbohydrate precursor. The modular synthetic design will allow derivatization at key positions necessary for biochemical mode of action studies.

[reaction: see text] Treatment of 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acids with a hypervalent iodine reagent in the presence of a dienophile initiates a tandem intramolecular aromatic oxidation/Diels-Alder reaction. Herein we report (1) investigations on the scope and limitations of this novel reaction combination and (2) preliminary diastereoselectivity studies using alpha- and beta-substituted acids.

[reaction: see text] Assembly of the carbocyclic core of CP-263,114 has been accomplished efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and the late-stage fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.

[structure: see text] Three different approaches to the carbocyclic core of CP-263,114 are presented that illustrate a strategic evolution from an oxy-Cope rearrangement to variants of the Wharton fragmentation.

[see structure]. Studies toward the total synthesis of marine diterpenoids isolated from Acanthella sp., e.g., kalihinol A, are described. Efficient construction of the functionalized trans-decalin core (11) is achieved through intramolecular Diels-Alder cyclization followed by diastereoselective epoxidation and aziridination.

Recent efforts in our laboratories have resulted in a synthetic approach toward C2'-alkylated K252a analogues via extension of a K252a cyclofuranosylation strategy. The bis-indole-N-glycosidic coupling of 6-N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-staurosporinone (21) with a number of highly functionalized carbohydrates has given access to previously unattainable, biologically relevant analogues.

[reaction: see text] The complete carbocyclic skeleton of ingenol is assembled via a route that employs ring-closing metathesis (RCM) to close the strained "inside-outside" BC ring system (i.e., 24 --> 25).

[reaction: see text] Two complementary strategies for the synthesis of the diazonamide A bisaryl quaternary center are described. The first strategy relies upon an extremely facile tandem cyclopropanation/ring-opening sequence, which has proven amenable to chiral catalysis to provide enantioenriched material. The second strategy relies upon a more concise alkylation route ideal for material advancement.

[formula: see text] It has been shown that alpha-diazoketones react with allylic alcohols in the presence of Rh(II) catalysts to furnish intermediate enols which subsequently undergo Claisen rearrangement to alpha-hydroxyketones. Herein we report (1) studies into the mechanism of this transformation which establish that Claisen rearrangement is neither rhodium- nor acid-catalyzed but a reaction intrinsic to the intermediate enols that proceeds at a rate governed by enol substituents (R3, R4, R5) and (2) the reaction of alpha-diazoketones with propargylic alcohols and preliminary investigations into its scope and mechanism.