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The Stemona alkaloids represent a large and structurally-diverse family of natural products. A selection of case studies are presented to showcase the key strategies and progress in the synthesis of these natural products since 2009.

The spirocyclic motif is abundant in natural products and provides an ideal three-dimensional template to interact with biological targets. With significant attention historically expended on the synthesis of flat-heterocyclic compound libraries, methods to access the less-explored three-dimensional medicinal-chemical space will continue to increase in demand. Herein, we highlight by reaction class the common strategies used to construct the spirocyclic centres embedded in a series of well-studied natural products.1 Introduction2 Cycloadditions3 Palladium-Catalysed Coupling Reactions4 Conjugate Additions5 Imines, Aminals, and Hemiaminal Ethers6 Mannich-Type Reactions7 Oxidative Dearomatisation8 Alkylation9 Organometallic Additions10 Conclusions

A second-generation enantiospecific synthesis of spiroleucettadine is described. The original reported antibacterial activity was not observed when the experiment was repeated on the synthetic samples; however, significant anti-proliferative activity was uncovered for both enantiomers of spiroleucettadine. Comparison of the optical rotational data and ORD-CD spectra of both enantiomers and the reported spectrum from the natural source have not provided a definitive answer regarding the absolute stereochemistry of naturally occurring spiroleucettadine. Efforts then focussed on alteration at the C-4 and C-5 positions of the slightly more active (-)-spiroleucettadine. Ten analogues were synthesised, with three analogues found to possess similar anti-proliferative profiles to spiroleucettadine against the H522 lung cancer cell line.

The mechanism of the reaction between cyclopropyl acid chlorides and imines to form 1,3-oxazin-4-enones was probed through physical and computational experiments. The data gathered strongly support the reaction proceeding through an N-acyl iminium intermediate mechanism rather than a ketene intermediate mechanism.

The cyclopropane functionality has been exploited in a myriad of settings that range from total synthesis and methodological chemistry, to medical and materials science. While it has been seen in such a breadth of settings, the typical view of the cyclopropane moiety is that its reactivity is derived primarily from the release of ring strain. While this simplified view is a useful shorthand, it ignores the specific nature of cyclopropyl molecular orbitals. This review aims to present the different facets of cyclopropane bonding by examining the main models that have been used to explain the reactivity of the functionality over the years. However, even with advanced theory, being able to precisely predict the reactivity of an exact system is nigh impossible. Specifically chosen, carbonyl-bearing cyclopropyl species act as so-called acceptor cyclopropanes and, if correctly derivatised, donor–acceptor cyclopropanes. By undertaking a case study of the history of carbonyl cyclopropanes in organic synthesis, this review highlights the relationship between the understanding of theory and pattern recognition in developing new synthetic methods and showcases those successful in balancing this critical junction.1 Cyclopropanes2 The Strain Model3 The Forster–Coulsin–Moffit Model4 The Walsh Model5 Acceptor, Donor, and Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes6 Reactions of Carbonyl Cyclopropanes

The problematic opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes a siderophore, pyoverdine. Pyoverdine scavenges iron needed by the bacteria for growth and for pathogenicity in a range of different infection models. PvdF, a hydroxyornithine transformylase enzyme, is essential for pyoverdine synthesis, catalysing synthesis of formylhydroxyornithine (fOHOrn) that forms part of the pyoverdine molecule and provides iron-chelating hydroxamate ligands. Using a mass spectrometry assay, we confirm that purified PvdF catalyses synthesis of fOHOrn from hydroxyornithine and formyltetrahydrofolate substrates. Site directed mutagenesis was carried out to investigate amino acid residues predicted to be required for enzymatic activity. Enzyme variants were assayed for activity in vitro and also in vivo, through measuring their ability to restore pyoverdine production to a pvdF mutant strain. Variants at two putative catalytic residues N168 and H170 greatly reduced enzymatic activity in vivo though did not abolish activity in vitro. Change of a third residue D229 abolished activity both in vivo and in vitro. A change predicted to block entry of N10-formyltetrahydrofolate (fTHF) to the active site also abolished activity both in vitro and in vivo. A co-purification assay showed that PvdF binds to an enzyme PvdA that catalyses synthesis of hydroxyornithine, with this interaction likely to increase the efficiency of fOHOrn synthesis. Our findings advance understanding of how P. aeruginosa synthesises pyoverdine, a key factor in host–pathogen interactions.

The selective mono-allylation of 1,3-diketone containing compounds is described. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and in moderate to high yield (66-99 %). Using this procedure to access the key mono-allylated intermediate, the hitherto difficult to access 3-allyl chromones were synthesized in excellent yield (87-98 %). Finally, the utility of this newly developed procedure was showcased through the rapid synthesis of the scaffold of the xyloketal family of natural products.

We report the rapid synthesis of various cycloheptane-fused chromones and an oxepine fused flavone in 5 steps from the corresponding 2-hydroxy acetophenone. Furthermore, we describe the synthesis of xanthones, in moderate to good yield, from 2,3-disubstituted flavones using a Friedel Crafts alkylation strategy.

The interesting history of (–)-spiroleucettadine, a marine natural product, is discussed along with some of our original unsuccessful synthetic strategies. Finally, we briefly discuss our reported enantiospecific synthesis of spiroleucettadine, and how we plan to use this as a platform for further studies around this interesting class of molecules.

One of a number of intriguing new alkaloids isolated from the Leucetta sp. sponge in 2004, spiroleucettadine displayed unique structural features on a restricted scaffold: a trans-fused 5,5-bicyclic ring system together with an amino hemiketal moiety. Attempts to synthesize the initially proposed structure failed, raising questions as to its veracity, and structure revision ensued in 2008; no successful synthetic approach has been reported to date. Herein, we describe the enantiospecific total synthesis of (-)-spiroleucettadine by a highly efficient biomimetic approach starting from l-tyrosine. One of two key hypervalent-iodine-mediated oxidation reactions forged the spirocyclic center, and the other enabled the installation of the methylamine side chain in the penultimate step. Our approach provides synthetic access to a new class of spiroannulated natural products and will enable future studies of the structure-biological-activity relationships of these antibacterial compounds.

General routes for the synthesis of 1,3-oxazin-4-ones are discussed, with particular attention paid to recent developments in the field. The syntheses of amine functionalised cyclopropyl carbinols via a hydride-mediated reduction of various 5-chloroethyl-1,3-oxazin-4-enones in moderate to good yield are disclosed. This new method provides an opportunity to access greater structural diversity within these useful synthetic building blocks.

Strigolactones (SLs) are multifunctional plant hormones regulating essential physiological processes affecting growth and development. In vascular plants, SLs are recognized by α/β hydrolase-fold proteins from the D14/DAD2 (Dwarf14/Decreased Apical Dominance 2) family in the initial step of the signaling pathway. We have previously discovered that N-phenylanthranilic acid derivatives (e.g. tolfenamic acid) are potent antagonists of SL receptors, prompting us to design quinazolinone and quinazolinedione derivatives (QADs and QADDs, respectively) as second-generation antagonists. Initial in silico docking studies suggested that these compounds would bind to DAD2, the petunia SL receptor, with higher affinity than the first-generation compounds. However, only one of the QADs/QADDs tested in in vitro assays acted as a competitive antagonist of SL receptors, with reduced affinity and potency compared with its N-phenylanthranilic acid ‘parent’. X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed that the binding mode of the active QADD inside DAD2's cavity was not that predicted in silico, highlighting a novel inhibition mechanism for SL receptors. Despite a ∼10-fold difference in potency in vitro, the QADD and tolfenamic acid had comparable activity in planta, suggesting that the QADD compensates for lower potency with increased bioavailability. Altogether, our results establish this QADD as a novel lead compound towards the development of potent and bioavailable antagonists of SL receptors.

A rapid and facile synthesis of benzannulated 6,5-spiroketals from vinyl 1,1-diacylcyclopropanes is reported. The method utilizes mild reaction conditions with good to excellent yields and high diastereoselectivity. This methodology was then used to construct the core of berkelic acid.

A new method to access benzannulated spiroketals from 1,1-diacyl phenylcyclopropanes is described. The method provides rapid access to 5,5 and 5,6-benzannulated spiroketals in low to moderate yields and with moderate to good diastereoselectivity.

The first synthesis of clavatadine C was achieved in 5 steps and an overall yield of 38%. The key step in the synthesis features a highly efficient one-pot dibromination and oxidative spirocyclization sequence to forge the spiro-2,6-dibromocyclohexadienone isoxazoline scaffold. Clavatadine C was found to possess moderate cytotoxicity against both breast and colon cancer cell lines.

Brefeldin A (BFA) is a fungal metabolite that displays a wide range of biological activities making it an attractive target for drug discovery. To explore the biological potential of the BFA scaffold an amine-macrocycle target 3 was proposed. To access, we dissembled BFA into smaller building blocks in preparation for regenerating the macro-lactone. These entities can then be used to synthesise new brefeldin analogues with various new structural features for biological testing. To overcome supply issues a scaled fermentation process of Penicillium camemberti was employed generating 4.5 kg of BFA. Novel N-BFA type derivatives were generated and herein we describe the synthesis of two new scaffolds 12 and 14 from BFA over six steps in 24% and 17% yield, respectively. A trans-fused bicyclic cyclopentanoid piperidine scaffold 16 can be generated from 12 that may serve as a valuable new scaffold for the synthesis of novel natural product-like compounds.

Various strategies toward the synthesis of the marine natural product (−)-spiroleucettadine are described. In the original strategy, a biomimetic inspired oxidation of a 2-imidazoline scaffold uncovered unexpected reactivity, where benzylic oxidation followed by a Baeyer–Villiger reaction was observed. The second generation approach examined oxidative dearomatization of the phenol ring system first, where a competing spirocyclization process was uncovered. Efforts to forge the scaffold via a carbocation mediated benzyl migration were unsuccessful. Highlights of the successful synthesis include two consecutive hypervalent iodine reactions: the first formed the spirocyclic center and the second facilitated installation of an acetate group at the C-5 position to allow for subsequent introduction of the methyl amine side chain.

A series of electronically diverse imines were found to readily react with various donor-acceptor cyclopropyl acid chlorides, with complete regioselectivity, to form 1,3-oxazin-4-ones in moderate yields (25-48% over two steps). Select oxazinones underwent a base induced rearrangement to afford the corresponding cycloheptene-fused oxazinones in good yields (up to 70%).

Cytotoxic amides have been isolated from the fruits of the endemic New Zealand medicinal plant kawakawa, Macropiper excelsum (Piperaceae). The main amide was piperchabamide A and this is the first report of this rare compound outside the genus Piper. Eleven other amides were purified including two new compounds with the unusual 3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-pyridinyl group. The new compounds were fully characterized by 2D NMR spectroscopy, which showed a slow exchange between two rotamers about the amide bond, and they were chemically synthesized. In view of the antitumor activity of the related piperlongumine, all of these amides plus four synthetic analogs were tested for cytotoxicity. The most active was the piperine homolog piperdardine, with an IC50 of 14 µM against HT 29 colon cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is initially sensitive to hormone therapy; however, over time the majority of patients progress to a hormone-insensitive form classified as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC is highly metastatic and patients have a poor prognosis. Thus, new drugs for the treatment of this disease are required. In this study, we therefore examined the cytotoxic effects and anticancer mechanism(s) of action of second generation curcumin analogs towards CRPC cells. For this purpose, PC3 and DU145 cells were treated with a series of curcumin analogs at 0-10 µM for 72 h and cytotoxicity was determined by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Two compounds, 1-isopropyl-3,5-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)-4-piperidone (RL118) and 1-methyl-3,5-[(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene]-4-piperidone (RL121), were found to have the most potent cytotoxic effect with EC50 values of 0.50 and 0.58 µM in the PC3 cells and EC50 values of 0.76 and 0.69 µM in the DU145 cells, respectively. Thus, further experiments were performed focusing on these two compounds. Flow cytometry was performed to determine their effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis. Both analogs increased the number of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Specifically, in the PC3 cells, RL121 increased the number of cells in the G2/M phase by 86% compared to the control, while RL118 increased the number of cells in the G2/M phase by 42% compared to the control after 24 h. Moreover, both RL118 and RL121 induced the apoptosis of both cell lines. In the DU145 cells, a 38-fold increase in the number of apoptotic cells was elicited by RL118 and a 78-fold increase by RL121 compared to the control. Furthermore, the effects of both analogs on the expression of key proteins involved in cell proliferation were also determined by western blot analysis. The results revealed that both analogs inhibited the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65/RelA), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), p-4E-BP1, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-mTOR, AKT and p-AKT. Thus, the findings of this study provide evidence that RL118 and RL121 have potent anticancer activity against CPRC cells, and both analogs warrant further investigation in vivo.

A tandem deprotection–cyclization reaction of 1,1-diacylcyclopropanes is described which allows rapid access to structurally diverse 2,3-disubstituted chromones in good yields, and with straightforward purification. The utility of this reaction is showcased by the construction of the potent antibacterial marine natural product bromophycoic acid E scaffold.

1,3-Oxazinen-4-ones are medicinally important scaffolds which have traditionally been accessed using a hetero-Diels-Alder approach or more recently using a cobalt-catalyzed three-component cycloaddition. Herein we report a novel strategy to access this scaffold which allows for the rapid and high yielding synthesis of 1,3-oxazinen-4-ones under ambient temperature and pressures with improved substrate scope.

Rapid entry into the tricyclic ring system of the illudin family of natural products was achieved using a Diels–Alder cycloaddition of allylidenecyclopropane 7 and various cyclic and acyclic dienophiles. The reaction proceeds with complete regioselectivity and moderate to high stereoselectivity in good to excellent chemical yields.

The complex natural products silvestrol (1) and episilvestrol (2) are inhibitors of translation initiation through binding to the DEAD-box helicase eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A). Both compounds are potently cytotoxic to cancer cells in vitro, and 1 has demonstrated efficacy in vivo in several xenograft cancer models. Here we show that 2 has limited plasma membrane permeability and is metabolized in liver microsomes in a manner consistent with that reported for 1. In addition, we have prepared a series of analogues of these compounds where the complex pseudo-sugar at C6 has been replaced with chemically simpler moieties to improve drug-likeness. Selected compounds from this work possess excellent activity in biochemical and cellular translation assays with potent activity against leukemia cell lines.

Non-small cell lung cancer with ALK rearrangements can be targeted effectively with ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib. However, cancer progression typically occurs within a year as drug resistance develops. One strategy to overcome this drug resistance is to determine if novel cytotoxic agents retain the ability to kill lung cancer cells that have developed ALK inhibitor resistance. We therefore examined curcumin, a drug with anticancer properties, and 2 s-generation curcumin derivatives (1-methyl-3,5-bis[(E)-4-pyridyl) methylidene]-4-piperidone (RL66) and 1-isopropyl-3,5-bis[(pyridine-3-yl) methylene]piperidin-4-one (RL118)) in lung cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity of curcumin, RL66, and RL118 were tested in both ALK+ lung cancer cells (H3122), crizotinib resistant ALK+ cells (CR-H3122) and ALK− lung cancer cells (A549), both alone and in combination with crizotinib. ALK+ cells were 2-3x more sensitive to RL66 and RL118 than ALK− cells, with the drugs’ eliciting IC50 values in the range of 0.7–1 μM in H3122 cells. Retained cytotoxic potency of the curcumin derivatives in crizotinib resistant cells indicated that mechanisms of resistance to the two drug types are independent, with resistance to ALK inhibitors not necessarily causing cross-resistance to curcumin derivatives. This was further corroborated by drug combination analysis where the effect of the drugs in combination was consistent with Bliss additivity, consistent with independent targets for crizotinib and curcumin derivatives. Results from Western blotting showed that RL118 (2 μM) inhibited p-ALK/ALK by ~50%, which was not as potent as the 90% inhibition elicited by crizotinib (0.25 μM). Since this is the primary mechanism of crizotinib cytotoxicity this provides further evidence of independent mechanisms of toxicity.

Our group investigated combining the phytochemical curcumin and gemcitabine in a liposome, to improve gemcitabine's activity against pancreatic tumours. While optimising the curcumin: gemcitabine ratio for co-encapsulation, we found that increasing curcumin concentrations relative to gemcitabine resulted in antagonistic interactions. As curcumin is a promiscuous transporter inhibitor; we suspected that increased resistance occurred via inhibition of Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1)-mediated gemcitabine uptake. To test our hypothesis, we determined whether curcumin and a related analogue, 2,6-bis((3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene)-cyclohexanone (or A13), inhibited ENT1-mediated accumulation of [ 3 H]uridine and [ 3 H]gemcitabine into pancreatic cancer cells. We then confirmed the inhibition of gemcitabine accumulation by investigating whether curcumin/A13 could increase gemcitabine resistance in growth inhibition assays. We found that curcumin and A13 concentration-dependently inhibited the ENT1-mediated accumulation of both uridine and gemcitabine in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. We also found that non-toxic concentrations of curcumin and A13 significantly increased the resistance of both cell lines to gemcitabine. Increased resistance only occurred when curcumin/A13 was co-incubated with gemcitabine, and not with sequential exposure ( i.e. , curcumin first, followed by gemcitabine, or vice versa ). We also found that the curcumin analogue (3E,5E)−3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl)methylene]−4-piperidinone (or EF24) did not inhibit gemcitabine accumulation, making it more suitable in combinations than curcumin/A13. From these results, we concluded that curcumin and A13 are inhibitors of the ENT1 transporter, but only at high concentrations (2–20 µM). Curcumin is unlikely to inhibit gemcitabine uptake in tumours but may interfere with the oral absorption of ENT1 substrates due to high gut concentrations readily achievable from over-the-counter tablets/capsules.

A series of electronically diverse imines were found to readily react with various donor–acceptor cyclopropyl acid chlorides, with complete regioselectivity, to form 1,3-oxazin-4-ones in moderate yields (25–48% over two steps). Select oxazinones underwent a base induced rearrangement to afford the corresponding cycloheptene-fused oxazinones in good yields (up to 70%).

In the first phytochemical investigation of Trichuriella monsoniae, three known flavonoidal C-glycosides, isoswertisin 1, 2″-O-β-d-galactosyl isoswertisin 2 and 2″-O-β-d-xylosyl isoswertisin 3 were isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic studies including 2D NMR and HRMS, and the structure of 2 was supported by single crystal X-ray data studies. Further, NMR assignments for 3 are being reported for the first time.

The total synthesis of the proposed structure for the minor myxobacterial metabolite 8-deshydroxyajudazol A (3) is described. The isochromanone moiety present in the eastern fragment was constructed by an intramolecular-Diels-Alder (IMDA). Difficulties were encountered with the formation of the 2,4-disubstituted oxazole, so this was synthesized via a modified approach. This involved selective acylation of the diol 7 with acid 8, azide displacement of the secondary alcohol, and subsequent azide reduction in the presence of base which induced an O,N shift to give the hydroxyamide 23. Cyclodehydration then gave the desired oxazole 24 and deprotection followed by mesylation and elimination produced the C15 alkene 5. Sonogashira coupling with the eastern fragment vinyl iodide 6 and partial reduction yielded 8-deshydroxyajudazol A (3).

Total synthesis of the anticancer 1,4-dioxane containing natural products silvestrol (1) and episilvestrol (2) is described by an approach based on the proposed biosynthesis of these novel compounds. The key steps included an oxidative rearrangement of the protected d-glucose derivative 11 to afford the 1,4-dioxane 12, which could be elaborated to the coupling partner 5 and a photochemical [3 + 2]-cycloadditon between the 3-hydroxyflavone 27 and methyl cinnamate followed by base-induced alpha-ketol rearrangement and reduction to give the cyclopentabenzofuran core 33. The core (-)-6 and 1,4-dioxane fragment 5 were united by a highly stereoselective Mitsunobu coupling with the modified azodicarboxylate DMEAD to afford the axial coupled product 36. Deprotection then gave episilvestrol (2). Silvestrol (1) was synthesized by a coupling between core (-)-6 and the dioxane 44 followed by deprotection. Compound 1 was also synthesized from episilvestrol (2) by a Mitsunobu inversion. In addition, the analogue 4'-desmethoxyepisilvestrol (46) was synthesized via the same route. It was found that 46 and episilvestrol 2 displayed an unexpected concentration-dependent chemical shift variation for the nonexchangeable dioxane protons. Synthetic compounds 1, 2, 38, 46, and 54 were tested against cancer cells lines, and it was found that the stereochemistry of the core was critical for activity. Synthetic analogue 4'-desmethoxyepisilvestrol (46) was also active against lung and colon cancer cell lines.

The reductive ring opening reaction conditions for the simple [60]fullerenyldihydropyrrole 1 have been optimized to include acetic acid in the reaction mixture to rapidly protonate the anionic intermediate. Under these conditions, the ring opened dihydrofullerene 2 was obtained in 68% yield. Under slightly modified conditions and at −78 °C, the reductive bis-ring opening of the tethered trans -4 isomer 3 provided the novel racemic bis-dihydrofullerenyl derivative 7 .

Starting from 1-benzoyl or 1-acetylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and a range of imines, the title compounds are synthesized in a high-yielding operationally simple and rapid manner.

This review examines the addition of iminoglycine derivatives to C60, yielding protected fullerenyl pyrroline derivatives. Subsequent reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride produces ring-opened adducts which are protected fullerenyl α-amino acids. Pyrroline bisadducts can be produced using tethers to link two iminoglycine units together, and variations include combining with malonate reactive groups this giving rise to interesting observations as to the regioselectivity of such reactions. All derivatives are fully characterised by NMR spectroscopy, and in the case of bisadducts, the regioselectivity is determined from 1H/13C and 13C/13C connectivity patterns using HMBC and INADEQUATE experiments, respectively, thus eliminating the need for comparative techniques or X-ray crystallography to determine the structures. To cite this article: P.A. Keller et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).

Treatment of a tethered N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate-malonate derivative with [60]fullerene under Bingel conditions yielded an e-edge-[60]fullerenylmethanodihydropyrrole adduct in a regioselective manner. The regiochemical outcome was independent of the order of addition of either the N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate or the malonate moieties. This new bis-adduct was also prepared in 13C-enriched form allowing for its unequivocal structural characterization by 2D INADEQUATE NMR experiments. Ring opening of the dihydropyrrole functionality of the bis-adducts under reductive conditions gave exclusively novel dihydromethano[60]fullerene derivatives. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)

Hoveyda—Grubbs catalyzed enyne ring-closing metathesis produces the diene (II) in good yields.

Curcumin (CUR) is a phytochemical that inhibits the xenobiotic ABC efflux transporters implicated in cancer multidrug resistance (MDR), such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins 1 and 5 (MRP1 and MRP5). The use of CUR in the clinic however, is complicated by its instability and poor pharmacokinetic profile. Monocarbonyl analogs of CUR (MACs) are compounds without CUR's unstable β-diketone moiety and were reported to have improved stability and in vivo disposition. Whether the MACs can be used as MDR reversal agents is less clear, as the absence of a β-diketone may negatively impact transporter inhibition. In this study, we investigated 23 heterocyclic cyclohexanone MACs for inhibitory effects against P-gp, BCRP, MRP1 and MRP5. Using flow cytometry and resistance reversal assays, we found that many of these compounds inhibited the transport activity of the ABC transporters investigated, often with much greater potency than CUR. Overall the analogs were most effective at inhibiting BCRP and we identified three compounds, A12 (2,6-bis((E)-2,5-dimethoxy-benzylidene)cyclohexanone), A13 (2,6-bis((E)-4-hydroxyl-3-methoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone) and B11 (3,5-bis((E)-2-fluoro-4,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1-methylpiperidin-4-one), as the most promising BCRP inhibitors. These compounds inhibited BCRP activity in a non-cell line, non-substrate-specific manner. Their inhibition occurred by direct transporter interaction rather than modulating protein or cell surface expression. From these results, we concluded that MACs, such as the heterocyclic cyclohexanone analogs in this study, also have potential as MDR reversal agents and may be superior alternatives to the unstable parent compound, CUR.

The reductive ring-opening of fullerenyldihydropyrrole yields ethyl N-benzhydryl fullerenyl[60]glycinate, which is deprotected to give ethyl fullerenylglycinate. The free amine is able to react with a variety of aldehydes and ketones in a Mannich-type process to produce 5-substituted and 5,5-disubstituted fulleroprolines and represents a versatile and general strategy to this class of compounds.

The polycyclic, polyoxygenated picrotoxane tutin was subjected to various glycosylation reaction conditions in an effort to synthesise β-linked tutin glycosides, recently found in toxic honeys. Cationic palladium-mediated glycosylation of tutin was successful; however, the α-linked tutin tetrabenzyl glucoside was obtained as the major product (5 : 1, α : β). Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ether protecting groups resulted in concomitant tutin double-bond migration. Epoxide opening and rearrangement were observed upon acetylation of the tutin glucoside.

The synthesis of unsaturated and doubly unsaturated esters in only 2 steps is possible by the application of a radical xanthate transfer process from easily accessible and commercially available starting materials.

International audience; Unsaturated and doubly unsaturated esters have been synthesized in two steps by the application of a radical xanthate transfer process of a simple methylsulfoxide starting material to a range of terminal alkenes. syn-Elimination of the sulfoxide gives α,β-unsaturated esters, which coupled with a xanthate elimination yields α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated esters. © 2012 American Chemical Society.