We report a concise chemical synthesis of kalihinol C via a possible biosynthetic intermediate, “protokalihinol”, which was targeted as a scaffold en route to antiplasmodial analogs. High stereocontrol of the kalihinol framework relies on a heterodendralene cascade to establish the target stereotetrad. Common problems of regio- and chemoselectivity encountered in the kalihinol class are explained and solved.

11-O-Debenzoyltashironin (1) is a member of the neurotrophic sesquiterpenes, trace plant metabolites that enhance neurite outgrowth in cultured neurons. We report its synthesis in six steps from a butenolide heterodimer via its likely biosynthetic precursor, 3,6-dideoxy-10-hydroxypseudoanisatin, here identified as the chain tautomer of 1. Access to the tashironin chemotype fills a gap in a comparison set of convulsive and neurotrophic sesquiterpenes, which we hypothesized to share a common target. Here we show that both classes mutually hyperexcite rat cortical neurons, consistent with antagonism of inhibitory channels and a mechanism of depolarization-induced neurite outgrowth.

Salvinorin A (SalA) is a plant metabolite that agonizes the human kappa-opioid receptor (κ-OR) with high affinity and high selectivity over mu- and delta-opioid receptors. Its therapeutic potential has stimulated extensive semisynthetic studies and total synthesis campaigns. However, structural modification of SalA has been complicated by its instability, and efficient total synthesis has been frustrated by its dense, complex architecture. Treatment of strategic bonds in SalA as dynamic and dependent on structural perturbation enabled the identification of an efficient retrosynthetic pathway. Here we show that deletion of C20 simultaneously stabilizes the SalA skeleton, simplifies its synthesis, and retains its high affinity and selectivity for the κ-OR. The resulting 10-step synthesis now opens the SalA scaffold to deep-seated property modification. Finally, we describe a workflow to identify structural changes that retain molecular complexity, but reduce synthetic complexity—two related, but independent ways of looking at complexity.

Cofactor-mimetic aerobic oxidation has conceptually merged with catalysis of syngas reactions to form a wide range of Markovnikov-selective olefin radical hydrofunctionalizations. We cover the development of the field and review contributions to reaction invention, mechanism, and application to complex molecule synthesis. We also provide a mechanistic framework for understanding this compendium of radical reactions.

We report the discovery of an outstanding reductant for metal-catalyzed radical hydrofunctionalization reactions. Observations of unexpected silane solvolysis distributions in the HAT-initiated hydrogenation of alkenes reveal that phenylsilane is not the kinetically preferred reductant in many of these transformations. Instead, isopropoxy(phenyl)silane forms under the reaction conditions, suggesting that alcohols function as important silane ligands to promote the formation of metal hydrides. Study of its reactivity showed that isopropoxy(phenyl)silane is an exceptionally efficient stoichiometric reductant, and it is now possible to significantly decrease catalyst loadings, lower reaction temperatures, broaden functional group tolerance, and use diverse, aprotic solvents in iron- and manganese-catalyzed hydrofunctionalizations. As representative examples, we have improved the yields and rates of alkene reduction, hydration, hydroamination, and conjugate addition. Discovery of this broadly applicable, chemoselective, and solvent-versatile reagent should allow an easier interface with existing radical reactions. Finally, isotope-labeling experiments rule out the alternative hypothesis of hydrogen atom transfer from a redox-active β-diketonate ligand in the HAT step. Instead, initial HAT from a metal hydride to directly generate a carbon-centered radical appears to be the most reasonable hypothesis.

7,20-Diisocyanoadociane, a scarce marine metabolite with potent antimalarial activity, was synthesized as a single enantiomer in 13 steps from simple building blocks (17 linear steps). Chemical synthesis enabled identification of isocyanoterpene antiplasmodial activity against liver-stage parasites, which suggested that inhibition of heme detoxification does not exclusively underlie the mechanism of action of this class.

A combination of cobalt and nickel catalytic cycles enables a highly branch-selective (Markovnikov) olefin hydroarylation. Radical cyclization and ring scission experiments are consistent with hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) generation of a carbon-centered radical that leads to engagement of a nickel cycle.

Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) circumvents a disfavored Friedel–Crafts reaction in the derivatization of the inexpensive monoterpene isopulegol. A variety of readily prepared aryl and heteroaryl sulfonates undergo a formal hydroarylation to form 8-arylmenthols, privileged scaffolds for asymmetric synthesis, as typified by 8-phenylmenthol. High stereoselectivity is observed in related systems. This use of HAT significantly extends the chiral pool from the inexpensive monoterpene isopulegol.

We describe a general method to synthesize the iminium tetrahydrothiophene embedded in the dimeric Nuphar alkaloids. In contrast to prior studies, the sulfur atom of the thiaspirane pharmacophore is shown to be electrophilic. This α-thioether reacts with thiophenol or glutathione at ambient temperature to cleave the C–S bond and form a disulfide. Rates of conversion are proportional to the corresponding ammonium ion pKa and exhibit half-lives less than 5 h at a 5 mM concentration of thiol. A simple thiophane analogue of the Nuphar dimers causes apoptosis at single-digit micromolar concentration and labels reactive cysteines at similar levels as the unsaturated iminium “warhead”. Our experiments combined with prior observations suggest the sulfur of the Nuphar dimers can react as an electrophile in cellular environments and that sulfur-triggered retrodimerization can occur in the cell.

Covering up to 2014 Isocyanoterpenes (ICTs) are marine natural products biosynthesized through an unusual pathway that adorns terpene scaffolds with nitrogenous functionality derived from cyanide. The appendage of nitrogen functional groups – isonitriles in particular – onto stereochemically-rich carbocyclic ring systems provides enigmatic, bioactive molecules that have required innovative chemical syntheses. This review discusses the challenges inherent to the synthesis of this diverse family and details the development of the field. We also present recent progress in isolation and discuss key aspects of the remarkable biological activity of these compounds.

Dissection of lepadiformine by a double hydroamination transform affords a simple achiral amino diene. This reaction is accomplished in the forward sense by amine-directed hydroboration and an oxidative alkyl shift to nitrogen, both of which occur with high stereoselectivity to generate three stereogenic centers and the lepadiformine skeleton.

Few methods permit the hydrogenation of alkenes to a thermodynamically favored configuration when steric effects dictate the alternative trajectory of hydrogen delivery. Dissolving metal reduction achieves this control, but with extremely low functional group tolerance. Here we demonstrate a catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes that affords the thermodynamic alkane products with remarkably broad functional group compatibility and rapid reaction rates at standard temperature and pressure.

Catalytic amounts of Co(SaltBu,tBu)Cl and organosilane irreversibly isomerize terminal alkenes by one position. The same catalysts effect cycloisomerization of dienes and retrocycloisomerization of strained rings. Strong Lewis bases like amines and imidazoles, and labile functionalities like epoxides, are tolerated.

An eight step, asymmetric synthesis of a dimeric thiaspirane nuphar alkaloid from 3-methyl-2-cyclo-pentenone is reported. The brevity of the route relies on a useful procedure for tandem reductive allylation of cyclopentenones, as well as the minimization of redox manipulations and other functional group interconversions. The distribution of products that arise from spontaneous dimerization points to a more complex biosynthesis.

Stereoselective, intramolecular, formal hydroamination of dienamines via directed hydroboration is reported. Four stereocenters are set in the process. Natural and unnatural indolizidine alkaloids can be synthesized from simple unsaturated amines using the title process.

7-Isocyano-11(20),14-epiamphilectadiene, the most potent of antimalarial amphilectenes, is synthesized in seven steps from readily available materials. The synthesis is enabled by a new dendrimeric triene (Danishefsky [3]-dendralene) and a new method for stereo- and chemoselective isocyanation. This chemistry provides a useful entry into an underexplored yet promising family of antimalarial terpenoids.