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Until now, a myriad of effective approaches have emerged for the functionalization of N -heteroaryl C-H bonds. In contrast, dearomatization and construction of fused heterocycles from activated heteroarenes is still a subject to explore. In this work, we present a refined approach for both dearomatization of N -heteroarenes and the synthesis of fused heterocycles from activated heteroarenes ruthenium catalysis using paraformaldehyde along with additive and base. Notably, quinolinium salts with a hydrogen at the C-4 position yield a methoxymethyl-substituted fused cyclic product through the Thorpe Ingold effect. An innovative aspect of this research is the dual functionality of paraformaldehyde as both a hydride donor and electrophile, utilizing readily available feedstock chemicals. A broad range of electron withdrawing and donating substituents was tolerable under standardized reaction conditions.

A ruthenium-catalyzed C-H activation and a concomitant [4+2] annulation of sulfoxonium ylide with maleimide have been demonstrated. This tandem reaction results in the formation of fused benzo[ e ]isoindole-1,3,5-trione. The method employs mild conditions and is free of metal oxidants. The reaction pathway predominantly involves protodemetalation over β-hydride elimination due to the lack of syn β-hydrogens.

A ruthenium-catalyzed N-benzyltriflamide assisted C-H alkylation with maleimide followed by hydrolysis of in situ generated imine has been developed for the first time. This synthetic method results in the efficient synthesis of o-succinimide derivatives of benzaldehydes. This reaction involves less expensive and mild reaction conditions and shows excellent site selectivity and good functional group compatibility., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-sapinsigin H, (+)-agallochaol C, and (+)-16α, 17-dihydroxy-atisan-3-one has been accomplished starting from enantiopure Wieland-Miescher ketone. Key features of the syntheses include a benzannulation step to construct the tricyclic core, an oxidative dearomatization step to generate the diene, and a Diels-Alder reaction with ethylene gas to establish the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane framework. Efficient late-stage functionalisation of the A-ring by aerobic oxidation and Baeyer-Villiger oxidation completed the atisane target molecules.

The first and concise syntheses of the anticancer agent diplofuranone A and the fatty acid-derived metabolite diapolic acid A have been demonstrated using easily accessible and commercially available starting materials. The key feature of these syntheses is the efficient diversification of highly stereo- and chemoselectively constructed ( E , E )-1,6-dioxo-2,4-dienes using ruthenium catalytic conditions, which enabled straightforward access to diversely substituted bioactive molecules.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-verrubenzospirolactone ( 1 ), a distinctive highly fused benzosesquiterpenoid, characterized by a pentacyclic skeletal structure, is realized through a concise 10-step synthetic pathway with an impressive 22.8% overall yield. Notable highlights of this synthetic endeavor include (i) the introduction of a Ru-catalyzed ortho C-H activation step, (ii) the application of Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to establish a pivotal stereocenter at C-3 with an excellent enantiomeric excess, (iii) B -alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to construct a Diels-Alder precursor, and, ultimately, (iv) the successful deployment of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to complete the synthesis of (+)-verrubenzospirolactone without erosion of the enantiomeric excess.

An unprecedented Ru(II)-catalyzed deoxygenative, site-selective formal [3 + 1 + 2] benzannulation reaction for the efficient synthesis of highly substituted benzene molecules is reported. This reaction between allyl alcohols and acetylenedicarboxylate esters proceeds via cascade C-H activation, consecutive double migratory insertion with alkynes, and cycloaromatization followed by an unusual specific C-C triple bond cleavage.

Herein, we report the first palladium/MPAA catalyzed enantioselective C-H activation/[4 + 1] annulation of diarylmethyltriflamide and olefins to construct chiral cis -1,3-disubstituted isoindoline derivatives. The use of a readily accessible mono-N-protected amino acid as a chiral ligand improves the efficiency and enantioselectivity of the catalytic transformation. The developed method provides access to both enantiomers of a product using either d or l-phenylalanine derivative as a chiral ligand facilitating the synthesis of both optically active 1,3-disubstituted isoindoline derivatives., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A divergent formal synthesis of polyhydroxylated macrocyclic lactone (+)-aspicillin and polyene bioactive natural product β-parinaric acid and the total synthesis of non-terpenoid metabolite isolaurepan have been achieved using a ruthenium-catalyzed stereo- and chemoselective oxidative coupling reaction of easily accessible vinyl ketones and acrylates. The crucial transformation involves the efficient synthesis and functionalization of stereodefined ( E,E )-1,6-dioxo-2,4-dienes using simple reaction protocols, which enabled straightforward access to a diverse range of bioactive natural products.

A bioinspired, catalytic approach to the enantioselective total syntheses of antibacterial callistrilones A, C-E and 13- epi -callistrilone E natural products containing an unprecedented, sterically compact [1]benzofuro-[2,3- a ]xanthene 6/6/6/5/6/3-fused hexacyclic skeleton is described. The key features of the synthesis include a highly regio- and diastereoselective double S N 2' cascade reaction, Lewis acid catalysed Michael addition and late stage diastereoselective epoxide formation from the sterically hindered β-face of the alkene as the key steps.

Herein, we report the asymmetric Ru/cinchonine dual catalysis that provides straightforward access to enantioselective synthesis of C-3 substituted phthalides via tandem C-H activation/Michael addition cascade. The use of readily accessible and less expensive [RuCl 2 (p-cym)] 2 and cinchonine catalyst for the one-pot assembly of chiral phthalides greatly overcomes the present trend of using highly sophisticated catalysts. The developed method provides access to both enantiomers of a product using pseudoenantiomeric cinchona alkaloids as catalysts streamlining the synthesis of phthalide in both the optically active forms.

A formal synthesis of FR252921, a potent macrocyclic immunosuppressive agent, and a six-step synthesis of vitamin A have been demonstrated. The application of a ruthenium-catalyzed step-economic and environmentally benign strategy for the highly stereo- and chemoselective construction of valuable polyene motifs of FR252921 and vitamin A highlights the syntheses. The key features for the synthesis FR252921 include preparation of the triene moiety followed by two consecutive peptide couplings of the three fragments.

The phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract of the stem bark of Scyphocephalium ochocoa , led to the isolation of one new dibenzofuran derivative, named scyphocephalione A ( 1 ), along with three other compounds, including epicatechin ( 2 ), gentisic acid ( 3 ) and myo-inositol ( 4 ). The structures of all the compounds were established with help of spectroscopic data including IR, UV, MS, 1 D- and 2 D-NMR, as well as by comparison with previously reported data in literature, and chemical modification. All the compounds were obtained from the genus Scyphocephalium for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity (using chemiluminescence technique) of the crude extract and compound 1 , together with NO inhibition (using ELISA), TNF-α (using ELISA) and MCF-7 cells cytotoxicity effects (using MTT assay) of compound 1 were assessed. From the results obtained, compound 1 could be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

A Ru-catalyzed direct oxidative coupling reaction of vinyl ketones was developed. It offers a straightforward and atom-economical protocol for the synthesis of functionalized ( E , E )-1,6-dioxo-2,4-diene derivatives in moderate to good yields with excellent stereo- and chemoselectivities. In addition, the synthetic utility of this method was further demonstrated by its application to the synthesis of bioactive natural products such as (7 E ,9 E )-henicosa-7,9-diene-6,11-dione (sex pheromone), ostopanic acid (plant anticancer agent), JA (anti-tumor agent) and the southern part (C1-C13) of the antibiotic macrolactin-T.

The enantioselective first total syntheses of marine pentacyclic indolosesquiterpenoids xiamycins D (4) and E (5) have been described for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The synthetic approach was designed to feature functionalization of enantiopure Wieland-Miescher ketone, Michael addition followed by Heck-type annulation/aromatization, regioselective sp 3 (C-H) activation, benzylic oxidation and diastereoselective reduction.

Benzyl alcohols have been employed as effective coupling partners in Ru-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions, and their annulation with maleimides then offers efficient synthesis of useful ortho substituted succinimide aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Detailed mechanistic studies have been demonstrated by performing preliminary reactions, deuterium studies, and competitive experiments.

An efficient and convergent first total syntheses of (±)-japonicol B and (-)-japonicol C have been completed. The notable points of the synthetic route are Lewis-acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction for one pot C-C and C-O bond formations resulting in construction of the tricyclic meroterpenoid skeleton, one pot Pd(OH) 2 /C-catalyzed isomerization/hydrogenation, and site selective sp 3 C-H oxidation.

An oxidative cross-coupling reaction between activated olefins and vinyl boronate derivatives has been developed for the highly stereoselective construction of synthetically useful ( E , E )-1,3-dienes. The highlight of this reaction is that exclusive stereoselectivity (only E , E -isomer) was achieved from a base-free, ligand-free, and mild catalytic condition with a less expensive [RuCl 2 ( p -cymene)] 2 catalyst.

Ru-catalysed oxidative coupling of allylsilanes and allyl esters with activated olefins has been developed via isomerization followed by C(allyl)-H activation providing efficient access to stereodefined 1,3-dienes in excellent yields. Mild reaction conditions, less expensive catalysts, and excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity ensure universality of the reaction. In addition, the unique power of this reaction was illustrated by performing the Diels-Alder reaction, and enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized cyclohexenone and piperidine and finally synthetic utility was further demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of norpyrenophorin, an antifungal agent., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Use of nitromethane as an electrophilic methylene source for the synthesis of symmetrical dithioacetals and bisarylmethanes has been showcased using Sc(OTf) 3 as a catalyst. The procedure allows straightforward access to the densely functionalized dithioacetals and bisarylmethanes under mild conditions. Additionally, the method has been applied for the synthesis of antimalarial tetramethyl mellotojaponin C and anticancer dimeric phloroglucinol derivative.

A weakly coordinating, carbonyl-assisted C-H activation of aromatic systems with α,β-unsaturated ketone and subsequent aldol condensation has been developed using a Cp*Co(CO)I 2 catalyst. The developed method is the first example of indene synthesis by cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation. In addition, the reaction requires mild reaction conditions and easily accessible starting materials, and it shows excellent functional group compatibility.

Ru-catalyzed oxidative coupling of allyl alcohols and activated olefins has been developed by C(allyl)-H activation of allyl alcohols providing efficient and direct access to synthetically useful α,β-unsaturated enone intermediates. Synthetic utility of this method was demonstrated by its application to synthesis of bioactive natural products such as Hydroxy-β-sanshool, ZP-amide I, Chondrillin, Plakorin, and (+)- cis -Solamin A.

A full account on the first total synthesis of a chroman meroterpenoid, (-)-phomoarcherin C, has been described. Key synthetic transformations include phenyl boronic acid-mediated 6π-electrocyclization reaction, a stereospecific hydrogenation driven by thermodynamic conformational stability of the product, and regioselective formylation. The strategy employed is considerably short, is atom-economical, and can open the doors to provide access to various other natural products of the same kind.

Bio-inspired enantioselective total syntheses of (-)-viminalins A, B, H, I, and N, isolated from the Myrtaceae family, were accomplished in a convergent fashion in 5, 5, 1, 1, and 3 steps, respectively. A highly regio- and diastereoselective oxidative [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of acylphloroglucinols with α-phellandrene, diastereoselective modified Friedel-Crafts reaction of acylphloroglucinols with piperetol, and stereoselective epoxidation of extremely hindered β-face were described as key reactions.

The first enantioselective total syntheses of highly complex hexacyclic meroterpenoids STR-2 and -9 (strongylophorine (STR)) are reported. Key elements of the synthetic route include the use of Robinson-type annulation reaction to construct the tricyclic terpenoid building block and a highly efficient PIDA-mediated 1,3-diaxial sp 3 C-H activation to incorporate the requisite δ-lactone moiety. This route also enables the determination of absolute configuration of the synthesized natural products.

An efficient synthesis of dimethyl tripartin as a synthetic precursor of natural product tripartin, the first natural specific inhibitor of histone H3 lysine 9 demethylase KDM4, is described. The synthesis of dimethyl tripartin was achieved in a six-step longest linear sequence starting from commercially available 3,5-dimethoxy benzaldehyde with 21% overall yield, using ClTi(O i Pr) 3 -mediated dichloromethine insertion as the key step., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

The first biomimetic total syntheses of chromane meroterpenoids, guadials B and C, guapsidial A and psiguajadial D have been completed. The key synthetic transformation involves an efficient and high yielding hetero-Diels-Alder reaction. The two structurally isomeric natural products, guadials B and C, were obtained from a common o-quinone methide in the separate reactions with α-pinene and β-pinene, respectively. The two regioisomeric natural products, guapsidial A and psiguajadial D, were achieved in a single chemical operation.

Enantiospecific total syntheses of (+)-hapalindole H and (-)-12-epi-hapalindole U as well as the formal syntheses of (+)-hapalindole Q and (+)-12-epi-fischerindole U isothiocyanate have been described. Key steps of our approach feature expedient, highly regio- and diastereoselective Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of indole with cyclic allylic alcohols and intramolecular reductive Heck reaction. Efficiency of the synthetic route also relies on an alkynyl aluminate complex driven regioselective nucleophilic epoxide opening from a sterically hindered site., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-taondiol, a pentacyclic marine meroterpenoid, has been achieved, which in addition to confirming the structure also established the absolute configuration of the natural product. The notable points in the synthetic route are synthesis of a highly functionalized tricyclic diterpenoid moiety starting from an enantiopure Wieland-Miescher ketone derivative in concise manner via Robinson-type annulation and an elegant hydrogen atom transfer olefin reduction followed by Lewis acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction for one-pot C-C and C-O bond formations resulting in construction of the pentacyclic meroterpenoid skeleton.

Total synthesis of (±)-adunctin B, a natural product isolated from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae), has been achieved using two different strategies, in seven and three steps. The efficient approach features highly atom economical and diastereoselective Friedel-Crafts acylation, alkylation reaction and palladium catalyzed Wacker type oxidative cyclization.

A biomimetic total syntheses of antibacterial natural products (±)-callistrilones A, B, and D, the first triketone-phloroglucinol-monoterpene hybrids with an unprecedented [1]benzofuro[2,3-a]xanthene and [1]benzofuro[3,2-b]xanthene pentacyclic ring system along with the postulated biosynthetic intermediate, isolated from the leaves of Callistemon rigidus, were achieved. The total synthesis features highly regio- and diastereoselective catalytic Friedel-Crafts alkylation, palladium-catalyzed Wacker-type oxidative cyclization, Michael addition, and late-stage diastereoselective epoxide formation from the extremely hindered β face as key steps.

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-petromindole, an architecturally distinct congener of indole diterpene family, has been achieved. Key features of this synthetic route include the scalable and concise synthesis of tricyclic allylic alcohol from enantiopure Wieland-Mischer ketone derivative, and TMSOTf-mediated, highly efficient biomimetic C-4 cyclization of indole derivative for the rapid construction of a hexacyclic skeleton of petromindole.

In the present work, structural and spectroscopic investigations were carried out on a borreverine derivative. Borreverine is a class of alkaloid as well a natural antimalarial drug extracted from Borreria verticillata. With the aim of finding possible conformers, a detailed conformational analysis of a borreverine derivative was conducted utilizing density functional theory employing the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method. The crystallographic geometry was used for full geometry optimization, followed by a conformational analysis. The conformational investigation predicted the most stable conformer (conformer I), which was further compared with the initial crystallographic geometry (conformer V). The geometry optimization, vibrational frequency, and intensity of these two conformers (I and V) were calculated in the ground state using density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The spectroscopic investigation was conducted using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) techniques. Tentative vibrational assignments of some selective modes were presented utilizing the observed FT-IR, FT-Raman, and calculated spectra. The scaled and observed wavenumbers were found to be in good agreement. The molecular electrostatic potential was computed and plotted so as to elucidate the reactive sites of the molecule. Natural bond orbital studies were performed to investigate the intramolecular charge transfer that results in molecular stability.

Enantiospecific total syntheses of spiromeroterpenoid natural products (-)-F1839-I and (-)-corallidictyals B and D were achieved using the environmentally benign and highly atom economical Lewis acid catalysed Friedel-Crafts reaction and a highly regio- and stereoselective spirocyclic C-O bond formation reaction.

Biomimetic total synthesis of (-)-mycoleptodiscin A (1) was achieved starting from the enantiopure key intermediate, which was prepared by Friedel-Crafts reaction between 7-methoxyindole and chiral primary allylic alcohol. The crucial step in this synthesis was an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction at C-4 of the indole derivative driven by the EDG/EWG within a compound that was rationally designed to prevent the cyclization reaction at the C-2 positon of indole, thereby successfully providing the complete carbon framework of 1. This intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction at C-4 of indole derivative could be applied for the synthesis of other C-4-substituted indole alkaloid natural products.

Cu(OTf)2 catalyzed [6 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of indolyl-2-carbinols with various dienophiles such as indole derived α,β-unsaturated esters, ketones, nitriles and cinnamates is described. The strategy was further applied for the synthesis of optically active pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in >97% de using the chiral auxiliary based approach.

Pd-catalysed annulation reactions between indole derivatives and internal alkyne esters leading to various pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines have been developed. The strategy involves an intermolecular addition of the indole nitrogen on to the internal alkyne ester followed by an intramolecular insertion of a vinyl-palladium complex into the carbonyl group. This method offers a facile and practical approach to pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A multicomponent reaction between imines, terminal alkynes, and isothiocyanates in the presence of a catalytic chiral copper-pybox complex proceeds enantioselectively to give enantiopure thiazolidine-2-imines (60-99% ee) via a highly regioselective intramolecular 5-exo-dig hydrothiolation reaction.

An intramolecular FeCl3-catalyzed Michael addition reaction of styrene, a poor nucleophile, onto α,β-unsaturated ketones was developed for the synthesis of highly substituted indene derivatives. The method was further applied to the total synthesis of the sesquiterpene natural products (±)-jungianol and 1-epi-jungianol.

A novel FeCl3 mediated formal [2+2] cycloaddition/ring opening cascade of o-keto-cinnamates was developed for the synthesis of indenones. The reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups, including bromide, chloride, amide, acid and ester groups.

First enantiospecific total syntheses of the cannabinol-skeletal carbazole alkaloids murrayamines-O and -P isolated from root barks of Murraya euchrestifoli, have been accomplished by highly diastereoselective, Lewis acid catalyzed coupling reactions of commercially available monoterpenes with carbazole derivative, which in addition to confirming the structure also established the absolute configuration of the natural products. Synthesis of both natural products and their enantiomers was achieved with high atom economy, in a protecting-group free manner and in six steps longest linear sequence from commercially available aniline derivative and verbenol., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A one-step protocol has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of hexahydrodibenzofuran derivatives using a modified Friedel-Crafts reaction. The developed method was applied to the synthesis of a series of natural products including (+)-hostmanin A, (+)-methyllinderatin, and (-)-linderol A. The synthetic and spectroscopic data investigations led to the structural reassignment of natural product adunctin E, which was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.

A simple, highly diastereoselective, Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts coupling of a cyclic allylic alcohol with resorcinol derivatives has been developed. The method was applied for the enantiospecific total syntheses of structurally diverse natural products such as machaeriol-D, Δ(8)-THC, Δ(9)-THC, epi-perrottetinene and their analogues. Synthesis of both natural products and their enantiomers has been achieved with high atom economy, in a protecting group free manner and in less than 6 steps, the longest linear sequence, in a very good overall yield starting from R-(+) and S-(-)-limonene.

An intramolecular transition-metal-free base-mediated hydroamination of propargylamine with isothiocyanates has been achieved. This atom-economical, regioselective intramolecular 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization was utilized for the one-pot synthesis of diversely substituted imidazole-2-thione and spiro-cyclic imidazolidine-2-thione. The reaction goes to completion at room temperature via propargylthiourea and 65-97% isolated yields were obtained.

Switchable reaction patterns of dimerization of indole substituted butadienes via a Lewis acid and thermal activation are reported. While under acidic conditions dimerization occurred around the internal double bond of the dienophile, a complete switch of regioselectivity was observed under thermal conditions, where dimerization occurred around the terminal double bond of the dienophile. This switch of regioselectivity was further exploited for the divergent total synthesis of structurally diverse indole alkaloid natural products.

Dimeric indole alkaloids represent a structurally unique class of natural products having interesting biological activities. Recently, we reported the first total synthesis of flinderoles B and C, structurally unique and potent antimalarial natural products. Central to the design of the approach and by virtue of a one-pot, acid-catalyzed dimerization reaction, the route also provided total synthesis of the borreverine class of natural products. This full account details the progress of efforts that culminated in the protecting-group-free, six-step total synthesis of all of the flindersia alkaloids: dimethylisoborreverine, isoborreverine, flinderoles A-C, and their analogues. A biomimetic approach featuring a scalable and catalytic formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition and Diels-Alder reaction is outlined in detail. On the basis of the experimental observations, a detailed mechanism has been proposed for the dimerization of tertiary alcohol 28.

Highly substituted indene derivatives were readily prepared in excellent yields with high regioselectivity under very mild reaction conditions by the FeCl3 mediated intramolecular olefin-cationic cyclization of cinnamates.

Lewis acid catalysed [6+2] cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles generating three contiguous stereocenters in a highly regio- and diastereoselective manner has been developed and further applied for the construction of the fully functionalized tricyclic core of yuremamine.

A novel approach was developed for the synthesis of highly substituted indene derivatives, using an FeCl(3) catalyzed Prins-type cyclization reaction which was further applied in the total synthesis of jungianol and epi-jungianol.