The increase and spread of Gram-negative bacteria that resistant are to almost all currently available β-lactam antibiotics is a major global health problem. The primary cause for drug resistance is the acquisition of metallo-β-lactamases such as metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1). The fungal natural product aspergillomarasmine A (AMA), a fungal natural product, is an inhibitor of NDM-1 and has shown promising in vivo therapeutic potential in a mouse model infected with NDM-1-expressing Gram-negative bacteria. The first total synthesis and stereochemical configuration reassignment of aspergillomarasmine A is reported. The synthesis highlights a flexible route and an effective strategy to achieve the required oxidation state at a late stage. This modular route is amenable to the efficient preparation of analogues for the development of metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors to potentiate β-lactam antibiotics.

Reported is the first scalable synthesis of rac-jungermannenones B and C starting from the commercially available and inexpensive geraniol in 10 and 9 steps, respectively. The unique jungermannenone framework is rapidly assembled by an unprecedented regioselective 1,6-dienyne reductive cyclization reaction which proceeds through a vinyl radical cyclization/allylic radical isomerization mechanism. DFT calculations explain the high regioselectivity observed in the 1,6-dienyne reductive radical cyclization.

Reported is the first scalable synthesis of rac-jungermannenones B and C starting from the commercially available and inexpensive geraniol in 10 and 9 steps, respectively. The unique jungermannenone framework is rapidly assembled by an unprecedented regioselective 1,6-dienyne reductive cyclization reaction which proceeds through a vinyl radical cyclization/allylic radical isomerization mechanism. DFT calculations explain the high regioselectivity observed in the 1,6-dienyne reductive radical cyclization.

The increase and spread of Gram-negative bacteria that resistant are to almost all currently available β-lactam antibiotics is a major global health problem. The primary cause for drug resistance is the acquisition of metallo-β-lactamases such as metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1). The fungal natural product aspergillomarasmine A (AMA), a fungal natural product, is an inhibitor of NDM-1 and has shown promising in vivo therapeutic potential in a mouse model infected with NDM-1-expressing Gram-negative bacteria. The first total synthesis and stereochemical configuration reassignment of aspergillomarasmine A is reported. The synthesis highlights a flexible route and an effective strategy to achieve the required oxidation state at a late stage. This modular route is amenable to the efficient preparation of analogues for the development of metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors to potentiate β-lactam antibiotics.

Utilizing a late-stage enamine bromofunctionalization strategy, the twelve-step total synthesis of (−)-huperzine Q was accomplished. Furthermore, the first total syntheses of (+)-lycopladines B and C are described. An unprecedented X-ray crystal structure of an unusual epoxyamine intermediate is also reported, and the synthetic application of this intermediate in natural product synthesis is demonstrated.

Steroid hormones play significant roles in both worms and mammalians. (25S)-Δ⁷-Dafachronic acid (Δ⁷-DA, 1) is a member of the dafachronic acid hormonal series that regulates both development and lifespan of C. elegans. Despite its importance, effective tools for the illumination of its mode of action are lacking. Herein, we report an efficient synthesis of trideuterated Δ⁷-DA, [5,24,25-D3]-(25S)-Δ⁷-dafachronic acid ([D₃]-Δ⁷-DA, 2), as a useful chemical tool for subsequent biological studies. Key steps for this bioinspired synthesis approach include site-selective aliphatic CH oxidation mediated by methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane (TFDO), and the iridium/phosphine-oxazoline-catalyzed late-stage asymmetric deuterium reduction.

Genetically programmed cell death is a universal and fundamental cellular process in multicellular organisms. Apoptosis and necroptosis, two common forms of programmed cell death, play vital roles in maintenance of homeostasis in metazoans. Dysfunction of the regulatory machinery of these processes can lead to carcinogenesis or autoimmune diseases. Inappropriate death of essential cells can lead to organ dysfunction or even death; ischemia–reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative disorders are examples of this. Recently, novel forms of non-apoptotic programmed cell death have been identified. Although these forms of cell death play significant roles in both physiological and pathological conditions, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying them are still poorly understood. Here, we discuss progress in using small molecules to dissect three forms of non-apoptotic programmed cell death: necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis.

Utilizing a late-stage enamine bromofunctionalization strategy, the twelve-step total synthesis of (−)-huperzine Q was accomplished. Furthermore, the first total syntheses of (+)-lycopladines B and C are described. An unprecedented X-ray crystal structure of an unusual epoxyamine intermediate is also reported, and the synthetic application of this intermediate in natural product synthesis is demonstrated.

The first enantioselective total syntheses of prenylflavonoid Diels–Alder natural products (−)-kuwanon I, (+)-kuwanon J, (−)-brosimone A, and (−)-brosimone B have been accomplished from a common intermediate based on a concise synthetic strategy. Key elements of the synthesis include a biosynthesis-inspired asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition mediated by a chiral ligand/boron Lewis acid, as well as a process involving regioselective Schenck ene reaction, reduction, and dehydration to realize a biomimetic dehydrogenation for generation of the required diene precursor. Furthermore, a remarkable tandem inter-/intramolecular asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition process was applied for the synthesis of (−)-brosimone A.

Herein, we report an efficient approach for exploring the novel anticancer mechanism of (−)-ainsliatrimer A, a structurally complex and unique trimeric sesquiterpenoid, through a combined strategy of diverted total synthesis (DTS) and bioorthogonal ligation (TQ ligation), which allowed us to visualize the subcellular localization of this natural product in live cells. Further biochemical studies facilitated by pretarget imaging revealed that PPARγ, a nucleus receptor, was a functional cellular target of ainsliatrimer A. We also confirmed that the anticancer activity of ainsliatrimer A was caused by the activation of PPARγ.

Herein, we report an efficient approach for exploring the novel anticancer mechanism of (−)-ainsliatrimer A, a structurally complex and unique trimeric sesquiterpenoid, through a combined strategy of diverted total synthesis (DTS) and bioorthogonal ligation (TQ ligation), which allowed us to visualize the subcellular localization of this natural product in live cells. Further biochemical studies facilitated by pretarget imaging revealed that PPARγ, a nucleus receptor, was a functional cellular target of ainsliatrimer A. We also confirmed that the anticancer activity of ainsliatrimer A was caused by the activation of PPARγ.