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Marine polycyclic ether natural products have gained significant interest from the chemical community due to their impressively huge molecular architecture and diverse biological functions. The structure assignment of this class of extraordinarily complex natural products has mainly relied on NMR spectroscopic analysis. However, NMR spectroscopic analysis has its own limitations, including configurational assignment of stereogenic centers within conformationally flexible systems. Chemical shift deviation analysis of synthetic model compounds is a reliable means to assign the relative configuration of "difficult" stereogenic centers. The complete configurational assignment must be ultimately established through total synthesis. The aim of this review is to summarize the indispensable role of organic synthesis in stereochemical assignment of marine polycyclic ethers.

Synthesis of the fused polycyclic ether motif comprising the EFG rings of the marine ladder polyethers tamulamides A and B has been achieved via two different etherification strategies. Ultimately, a reductive etherification approach proved most successful due to tolerance of the G ring substitution and provided the EFG 6,7,6 ring system in 58% yield.

Synthesis of the fused tetrahydrofuran motif comprising the ABC rings of the marine ladder polyethers tamulamides A and B has been achieved via two different polyepoxide cascade strategies. Investigations into a triepoxide cascade under aqueous conditions revealed the importance of the electronic nature of the cascade end-group with this initial approach. Ultimately, a diepoxide cascade under basic conditions proved most successful, providing the ABC tetrahydropyran triad in 41% yield., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Marine natural products and biologically active compounds often contain cyclic ether units. Thus, regio- and stereoselective construction of these structures has long been a topic of interest in organic synthesis. This review summarizes new synthetic approaches to polycyclic ether natural products utilizing the features of chemical elements.

8-Membered cyclic ethers are found in a wide range of natural products; however, they are challenging synthetic targets due to enthalpic and entropic barriers. The gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrative alkoxylation of ω-hydroxy allylic alcohols was explored to stereoselectively construct α,α'-cis-oxocenes and further applied in a formal synthesis of (+)-laurencin. The gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrative alkoxylation may constitute an alternative method for the synthesis of molecular building blocks and natural products that contain highly functionalized 8-membered cyclic ethers., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This article reviews our studies on the oxiranyl anion-based, [X+2+Y]-type convergent strategy for the synthesis of polycyclic ether natural products. The strategy is noteworthy for its flexibility, which allows for the generation of different-sized fused ring systems based on a ring expansion reaction. For a precise understanding of this key ring expansion, we first focused on the reaction mechanism, in which an equatorial attack of TMS-diazomethane was determined to be the crucial step. In the later part of this review, the application of our oxiranyl anion-based strategy to large fused ring systems is described. The advantageous flexibility is highlighted in the divergent synthesis of five octacyclic ethers involving the CDEFGHIJ-ring skeleton of yessotoxin and its ring-modified analogs. Total synthesis of gymnocin-A was achieved using the oxiranyl anion convergent strategy, which furnished its large system of fourteen contiguous ether rings.

Yessotoxin and adriatoxin are members of the polycyclic ether family of marine natural products. Outlined in this article is our synthetic approach to two subunits of these targets. Central to our strategy is a coupling sequence that employs an olefinic-ester cyclization reaction. As outlined, this sequence was used in two coupling sequences. First, it was used to merge the A, B- and E, F-bicyclic precursors and in the process generate the C- and D-rings. Second, it was used to couple the F- and I-rings while building the eight-membered G-ring and subsequently the H-ring pyran.

Substituted oxocene derivatives have been synthesized by Lewis acid catalyzed reactions of ε-hydroxyalkene and substituted aromatic aldehydes. The Cu(OTf)2-bis-phosphine catalyzed reaction typically provides substituted dihydropyran derivatives through an olefin migration followed by a Prins cyclization. The corresponding reaction catalyzed by TMSOTf or BF3·OEt2 provided eight-membered cyclic ethers (oxocenes), selectively. This methodology provides convenient access to a variety of 2,4,8-trisubstituted oxocenes in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities.

A sequence of two titanium(III)-catalyzed reductive umpolung reactions is reported that allows the rapid construction of benzazo- and benzoxozine building blocks. The first step is a reductive cross-coupling of quinolones or chromones with Michael acceptors. This reaction proceeds with complete syn-selectivity for the quinolone functionalization while the anti-diastereomers are obtained as the major products from chromones. With different reaction conditions, the stereochemical outcome can be altered to afford the syn-chromanone products as well. A subsequent reductive ketyl radical cyclization forges the tricyclic title compounds in good yields. A stereochemical model explaining the observed stereoselectivities is provided and the product configurations were unambiguously verified by X-ray analyses and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Stereoselective synthesis of the C'D'E'F' ring system of maitotoxin was achieved starting from the E' ring through successive formation of the D' and C' rings based on SmI2-mediated reductive cyclization. Construction of the F' ring was accomplished via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with a side chain fragment and Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization of an allylic alcohol. The C'D'E'F' ring system inhibited maitotoxin-induced Ca(2+) influx in rat glioma C6 cells with an IC50 value of 59 μM.

10-Nornaltrexones (3-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4a,9-dihydroxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7(7aH)-one, 1) have been underexploited in the search for better opioid ligands, and their enantiomers have been unexplored. The synthesis of trans-isoquinolinone 2 (4-aH, 9-O-trans-9-methoxy-3-methyl-2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7(7aH)-one) was achieved through a nonchromatographic optimized synthesis of the intermediate pyridinyl compound 12. Optical resolution was carried out on 2, and each of the enantiomers were used in efficient syntheses of the "unnatural" 4aR,7aS,12bR-(+)-1) and its "natural" enantiomer (-)-1. Addition of a 14-hydroxy (the 4a-hydroxy) group in the enantiomeric isoquinolinones, (+)- and (-)-2), gave (+)- and (-)-10-nornaltrexones. A structurally unique tetracyclic enamine, (12bR)-7,9-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,7-tetrahydro-7,12b-methanobenzo[2,3]oxocino[5,4-c]pyridine, was found as a byproduct in the syntheses and offers a different opioid-like skeleton for future study.

A substrate-controlled asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-bermudenynol, a compact and synthetically challenging C15 Laurencia metabolite that contains several halogen atoms, is reported. The oxocene core, which contains a vinyl chloride, was constructed by an efficient and highly stereoselective intramolecular amide enolate alkylation (IAEA). This result showcases the broad utility of the IAEA methodology as a useful alternative for cases in which the ring-closing metathesis is inefficient., (Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The spectroscopic properties in water solution of the different prototropic forms of the strongly fluorescent hemiacetal 4,9-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-4,11a-methanooxocino[4,5-b]benzofuran-5(4H)-one (1a, monardine), the aza analogue 4,9-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-4,11a-methanobenzofuro[2,3-d]azocin-5(2H)-one (2a, azamonardine) and the respective 2-carboxyl derivatives (1b, 2b) have been studied by experimental and quantum-chemical methods. Monardine and carboxymonardine are the major products of new fluorogenic, room-temperature reactions of hydroxytyrosol or salvianic acid in aqueous solution, respectively, and present unique photophysical properties. Near neutral pH (pKa = 7.2) monardine switches from a weakly emitting, UV-absorbing (382 nm) neutral species to a VIS-absorbing (426 nm), blue emitting (464 nm) anion form, with a fluorescence quantum yield ϕF = 1 and single-exponential decay τF = 2.74 ns. This binary-like spectroscopic change from the neutral to the anionic form was interpreted based on time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations as due to (i) the reversal of (n,π*) and (π,π*) lowest-lying singlet excited states, and (ii) a change in the triplet-state distribution accompanying monardine ionization which may abolish de-excitation via intersystem crossing. A similar fluorogenic reaction takes place with catecholamines such as dopamine and DOPA, to yield fluorescent azocines 2a and 2b which, depending on pH, may be present as cationic, neutral or anionic species. TDDFT computations of these forms were also carried out to assign the corresponding excitation transitions and emission properties. Besides the analytical interest of the fluorogenic reactions, the photochemical stability and biocompatibility of the bright-dark pH-controlled molecular switches 1a and 1b may facilitate novel labels and probes to be developed for superresolution fluorescence microscopy.

Detailed behind-the-scenes accounts of the total syntheses of calicheamicin γ(1)(I), Taxol(®), and brevetoxin A are discussed with particular emphasis placed on strategies and tactics employed in these campaigns., (Copyright © 2012 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A series of 3,6-epoxy [1,5]dioxocines were synthesized and evaluated for their antifilarial activity against adult parasites of human lymphatic filarial parasite Brugia malayi (sub-periodic strain) in vitro. Out of these, six compounds (4a-f) possessed improved in vitro anti-filarial activity and examples 4d and 4f were also found to be active in the in vivo experiments. These results demonstrate that 3,6-epoxy [1,5]dioxocines exhibits potent antifilarial activity and might be developed into a new class of antifilarial drug., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A devised biomimetic strategy toward the C'D'E'F' domain (6) of maitotoxin (1) led to hydroxy triepoxide 8 as a postulated polyepoxide precursor. However, all attempts to induce the desired cascade to form the targeted compound through a zip-type reaction under neutral or acidic conditions failed, prompting adoption of a linear stepwise approach to 6. The successful synthetic strategy for the synthesis of the C'D'E'F' domain of maitotoxin commenced from furfuryl alcohol (11), proceeded through F' ring building block 15, and involved two regio- and stereoselective intramolecular hydroxy epoxide openings and a stereoselective SmI(2)-mediated ring closure to forge rings C', E', and D', respectively. (13)C NMR spectroscopic analysis of the synthesized domain (6) and comparisons with previous results confirmed the original structural assignment of this region of maitotoxin. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 6 provided unambiguous proof of its structure.

A synthesis of the WXYZA' domain (7) of the marine neurotoxin maitotoxin (1) is reported. The convergent synthetic strategy involves construction of key building blocks 11 and 12, their coupling, and the elaboration of the resulting ester (10) to the target molecule through a ring-closing metathesis and a hydroxy dithioketal cyclization as the key steps. For the construction of fragment 11, the Noyori reduction/Achmatowicz rearrangement and hydroxy epoxide opening technologies were applied (starting from furfuryl alcohol (13)), whereas for the synthesis of fragment 12, a carbohydrate-based approach was adopted (starting from 2-deoxy-D-ribose (14)). The synthesized WXYZA' domain (7) of maitotoxin (1) exhibited the expected (13)C NMR chemical shifts, supporting the originally assigned structure of the corresponding region of the natural product.

An expedient enantioselective synthesis of the Δ(4)-oxocene cores present in (+)-laurencin and (+)-prelaureatin was accomplished in eight steps via a novel one-pot regio- and stereoselective ring cyclization-fragmentation-expansion cascade from the tetrahydrofuran precursors which were prepared by stereocontrolled cyclization from vinylsilanes. This process is highlighted by an intramolecular oxo-carbenoid insertion and a β-silyl fragmentation sequence.

A new approach to lauroxanes by a powerful and highly convergent methodology based on iterative use of Co(2)(CO)(6)-acetylenic complexes is described. The strategy employs an intermolecular Nicholas reaction to form unsaturated branched linear ethers, a ring closing metathesis to obtain the cobalt complex cyclic ethers, and an isomerization promoted by montmorillonite K-10. A short synthesis of cyclic ethers of seven-, eight-, and nine-membered rings is described. Additionally, the methodology is exemplified by the formal synthesis of (+)-laurencin, a red algae metabolite.

A convergent synthesis of the C31-C52 bis-tetrahydropyran core of the natural product amphidinol 3 is reported. A common intermediate was synthesized from d-tartaric acid utilizing an asymmetric glycolate alkylation/ring-closing metathesis sequence to construct the THP rings. Differential elaboration of the common intermediate allowed the synthesis of two distinct coupling partners which were joined through a modified Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to provide the bis-tetrahydropyran core.

A devised synthetic strategy toward the QRSTU ring system 4 of the marine-derived biotoxin maitotoxin (1) delivered, in addition to 4, its diastereoisomers 85-epi-QRSTU and 86-epi-QRSTU ring systems 5 and 6. The convergent route to these maitotoxin fragments involved coupling of UT and Q building blocks 9 (obtained from 2-deoxy-D-ribose) and 10 (obtained from D-ribose) followed by ring-closing metathesis to afford enol ether 8, whose elaboration to the targeted QRSTU ring system 4 required its conversion to hydroxy ketone 7. The latter compound (7) was transformed to the final product through a hydroxy dithioketal cyclization, followed by oxidation/methylation of the resulting O,S-mixed ketal to install the last of the five methyl groups contained within the target molecule (4). (13)C NMR spectroscopic analysis of synthesized fragments 4, 5, and 6 and comparisons with maitotoxin provided strong support for the originally assigned structure of the QRSTU domain of the natural product.

The formal syntheses of (+)-prelaureatin (1) and (+)-laurallene (2), halogenated eight-membered-ring ethers, are described. The key step of our strategy relies on diastereoselective construction of a trans-alpha,alpha'-disubstituted oxocene structure through a Brook rearrangement-mediated [3 + 4] annulation with acryloylsilane 9 and 6-oxa-2-cycloheptenone derivative 22'.

Since the isolation of brevetoxin-B, a red tide toxin, many bioactive marine natural products featuring synthetically challenging trans-fused polycyclic ether ring systems have been reported. We have developed SmI(2)-induced cyclization of beta-alkoxyacrylate with aldehyde, affording 2,6-syn-2,3-trans-tetrahydropyran (THP) or 2,7-syn-2,3-trans-oxepane with complete stereoselection, as a key reaction of efficient iterative and bi-directional strategies for the construction of these polycyclic ethers. This reaction is also applicable to the synthesis of 3-, 5-, and 6-methyl-THPs and 3,5-dimethyl-THP. The synthesis of 2-methyl- and 2,6-dimethyl-THPs was accomplished by means of a unique methyl insertion. Recently, the SmI(2)-induced cyclization was extended to similar reactions using beta-alkoxyvinyl sulfone and sulfoxide. Reaction of (E)- and (Z)-beta-alkoxyvinyl sulfone-aldehyde afforded 2,6-syn-2,3-trans- and 2,6-syn-2,3-cis- THPs, respectively. Reaction of (E)-beta-alkoxyvinyl (R)- and (S)-sulfoxides gave 2,6-anti-2,3-cis- and 2,6-syn-2,3-trans-THPs, respectively. Reaction of (Z)-beta-alkoxyvinyl (R)-sulfoxides gave 2,6-syn-2,3-cis-THP and an olefinic product, while that of (Z)-beta-alkoxyvinyl (S)-sulfoxide afforded a mixture of many products. These SmI(2)-induced cyclizations have been applied to the total syntheses of various natural products, including brevetoxin-B, mucocin, pyranicin, and pyragonicin. Synthetic studies on gambierol and maitotoxin are also introduced., (2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Maitotoxin (1) continues to fascinate scientists not only because of its size and potent neurotoxicity but also due to its molecular architecture. To provide further support for its structure and facilitate fragment-based biological studies, we developed an efficient chemical synthesis of the ABCDEFG segment 3 of maitotoxin. (13)C NMR chemical shift comparisons of synthetic 3 with the corresponding values for the same carbons of maitotoxin revealed a close match, providing compelling evidence for the correctness of the originally assigned structure to this polycyclic system of the natural product. The synthetic strategy for the synthesis of 3 relied heavily on our previously developed furan-based technology involving sequential Noyori asymmetric reduction and Achmatowicz rearrangement for the construction of the required tetrahydropyran building blocks, and employed a B-alkyl Suzuki coupling and a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to accomplish their assembly and elaboration to the final target molecule.

Brevetoxin A is a decacyclic ladder toxin that possesses 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered oxacycles, as well as 22 tetrahedral stereocenters. Herein, we describe a unified approach to the B, E, G, and J rings based upon a ring-closing metathesis strategy from the corresponding dienes. The enolate technologies developed in our laboratory allowed access to the precursor acyclic dienes for the B, E, and G medium-ring ethers. The strategies developed for the syntheses of these four monocycles ultimately provided multigram quantities of each of the rings, supporting our efforts toward the completion of a convergent synthesis of brevetoxin A.

A highly convergent, enantioselective total synthesis of brevetoxin A is reported. The development of a [X+2+X] Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons/cyclodehydration/reductive etherification convergent coupling strategy allowed a unified approach to the synthesis of two advanced tetracyclic fragments from four cyclic ether subunits. The Horner-Wittig coupling of the two tetracyclic fragments provided substrates that were explored for reductive etherification, the success of which delivered a late-stage tetraol intermediate. The tetraol was converted to the natural product through an expeditious selective oxidative process followed by methylenation.

Water is an effective promoter of the endo-selective opening of trisubstituted epoxides, enabling related cascades leading to a variety of substituted ladder polyether structures. When used in conjunction with a tetrahydropyran-templated nucleophile, water can overcome the powerful electronic directing effect of a methyl substituent at either site of the epoxide, making water a uniquely versatile medium and promoter of epoxide opening.

The last one hundred years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the power and reach of total synthesis. The pantheon of accomplishments in the field includes the total synthesis of molecules of unimaginable beauty and diversity such as the four discussed in this article: endiandric acids (1982), calicheamicin gamma(1)(I) (1992), Taxol (1994), and brevetoxin B (1995). Chosen from the collection of the molecules synthesized in the author's laboratories, these structures are but a small fraction of the myriad constructed in laboratories around the world over the last century. Their stories, and the background on which they were based, should serve to trace the evolution of the art of chemical synthesis to its present sharp condition, an emergence that occurred as a result of new theories and mechanistic insights, new reactions, new reagents and catalysts, and new synthetic technologies and strategies. Indeed, the advent of chemical synthesis as a whole must be considered as one of the most influential developments of the twentieth century in terms of its impact on society.

A total synthesis of brevetoxin A is reported. Two tetracyclic coupling partners, prepared from previously reported advanced fragments, were effectively united via a Horner-Wittig olefination. The resulting octacycle was progressed to substrates that were explored for reductive etherification, the success of which led to a penultimate tetraol intermediate. The tetraol was converted to the natural product through an expeditious selective oxidative process followed by methylenation.

The WXYZA'B'C' ring system ( 1) of maitotoxin (MTX) was synthesized in a convergent manner via successive coupling of the W, Z, and C' ring fragments through construction of the XY and A'B' ring systems. The synthetic segment 1 blocked the hemolytic activity elicited by MTX.

As the largest secondary metabolite to be discovered as of yet, the polyether marine neurotoxin maitotoxin constitutes a major structural and synthetic challenge. After its originally proposed structure ( 1) had been questioned on the basis of biosynthetic considerations, we provided computational and experimental support for structure 1. In an effort to provide stronger experimental evidence of the molecular architecture of maitotoxin, its GHIJKLMNO ring system 3 was synthesized. The (13)C NMR chemical shifts of synthetic 3 matched closely those corresponding to the same domain of the natural product providing strong evidence for the correctness of the originally proposed structure of maitotoxin ( 1).

The stereoselective synthesis of the WXYZA'-ring system of maitotoxin has been accomplished via a linear synthetic approach, in which key reactions were SmI 2-induced cyclization of beta-alkoxyacrylate for the construction of the A'-, Y-, and X-rings and 6- endo cyclization of hydroxy vinylepoxide for that of the Z- and W-rings.

The stereoselective synthesis of the BCDE-ring system of maitotoxin has been accomplished through a two-directional strategy for the construction of polycyclic ether. The key reactions involve SmI 2-induced double cyclization of a beta-alkoxyacrylate and a double dihydroxylation for construction of the B- and E-rings.

The stereoselective synthesis of the maitotoxin C'D'E'F'-ring system having a side chain has been accomplished through a convergent strategy. The key reactions include Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling of the C'D'E'-ring and the side chain and subsequent construction of the F'-ring by silane reduction of dihydropyran.

The unprecedented structure of the marine natural product brevetoxin B was elucidated by the research group of Nakanishi and Clardy in 1981. The ladderlike molecular architecture of this fused polyether molecule, its potent toxicity, and fascinating voltage-sensitive sodium channel based mechanism of action immediately captured the imagination of synthetic chemists. Synthetic endeavors resulted in numerous new methods and strategies for the construction of cyclic ethers, and culminated in several impressive total syntheses of this molecule and some of its equally challenging siblings. Of the marine polyethers, maitotoxin is not only the most complex and most toxic of the class, but is also the largest nonpolymeric natural product known to date. This Review begins with a brief history of the isolation of these biotoxins and highlights their biological properties and mechanism of action. Chemical syntheses are then described, with particular emphasis on new methods developed and applied to the total syntheses. The Review ends with a discussion of the, as yet unfinished, story of maitotoxin, and projects into the future of this area of research.

For more than twenty years, chemists and biologists have been fascinated by the highly complex molecular architectures and the diverse and potent biological activities of marine polycyclic ether natural products. Given the scarce availability of these intriguing substances from natural sources, total chemical synthesis is the only way to obtain sufficient quantities for biological investigation. This review describes recent synthetic advances in the field of marine polycyclic ether natural products and their successful implementation in total synthesis endeavors.

The first asymmetric total syntheses of the dihalogenated medium-sized dioxabicyclic marine natural products (+)-3-(Z)-isolaureatin (1) and (+)-3-(Z)-laureatin (2) have been accomplished. Notable features of the highly stereo-, regio-, and chemoselective syntheses of these alpha,alpha'-trans-oxocene natural products include an intramolecular amide enolate alkylation to construct the alpha,alpha'-cis-oxocene, novel "lone pair-lone pair interaction-controlled" epimerizations to the alpha,alpha'-trans-oxocenes, various strategies for stereoselective introduction of halogen atoms, and novel olefin cross-metatheses for construction of the (Z)-enyne systems.

A second-generation synthesis of the BCDE fragment of brevetoxin A is described. Novel reactions were developed that extend the utility of the asymmetric glycolate alkylation reaction and improve scale-up to provide gram quantities of the B and E subunits. Significant improvements to the convergent assembly of the tetracycle were also realized. In addition, formation of the A ring lactone was accomplished to complete the ABCDE pentacycle.

An efficient synthesis of the A-G ring segment 2, a key intermediate for the total synthesis of brevetoxin B (1), was achieved in 37 steps and 5.0% overall yield. The intramolecular allylation of the O,S-acetal 22, prepared from the ABC ring segment 15 and the FG ring segment 17, was carried out using AgOTf as a Lewis acid to give the desired compound 23, predominantly. Ring-closing metathesis of 23 with the Grubbs catalyst 12 afforded the heptacyclic ether 25. Selective hydrogenation of the E ring olefin of 25 was performed by diimide reduction to afford 2.

[reaction: see text] A stereoselective synthesis of the GHIJ fragment of brevetoxin A utilizing a convergent assembly strategy is described. Glycolate alkylation, ring-closing metathesis, and Hosomi-Sakurai reactions were central operations in the construction of the G ring and J ring subunits, which were united through a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling. Subsequent dehydrative cyclization produced an endocyclic enol ether that was further elaborated to the tetracyclic GHIJ fragment of brevetoxin A.

A stereoselective synthesis of the BCDE fragment of brevetoxin A has been completed. anti-Glycolate aldol, glycolate alkylation, and ring-closing metathesis reactions were employed as key bond-forming events. A convergent assembly strategy was employed that relied on a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons union of two complex fragments. Subsequent cyclization and dehydration led to efficient generation of an intermediate endocyclic enol ether, which was advanced to a tetracyclic fragment. [reaction: see text]

The convergent total synthesis of brevetoxin B (1) has been achieved. The intramolecular allylation of the O,S-acetal 20, prepared from the alpha-chlorosulfide 17 and the alcohol 5, was carried out using AgOTf as a Lewis acid to give the diene 21, predominantly. Ring-closing metathesis of 21 with the Grubbs catalyst 23 afforded the hexacyclic ether 25 which was converted to the A-G ring segment 2 through several steps. The intramolecular allylation of the alpha-acetoxy ether 42, prepared from 2 and the J-K ring segment 3, followed by ring-closing metathesis provided the polycyclic ether framework 44. A series of reactions of 44, including oxidation of the A ring, deprotection of the silyl ethers, and selective oxidation of the resulting allylic alcohol, furnished 1.

A highly stereoselective and efficient asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-laurencin (1) has been accomplished from the known oxazolidinone 5 in 15 steps. The route features an efficient internal alkylation to form oxocene 3 from 4 and a novel use of acetonitrile anion as a two-carbon acetaldehyde equivalent for direct synthesis of ketone 2 from alpha-alkoxy amide 3.

Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerization and oxidative cyclization of bis-homopropargylic alcohols provide a rapid iterative approach to structural units of the ladder toxins.

Brevetoxin-B (BTX-B), produced by the red tide organism, Gymnodium breve Davis, is the first member of marine polycyclic ethers to be structurally elucidated and one of the most potent neurotoxins. The structural feature is a trans-fused polycyclic ether ring system with 23 stereocenters. Its unique, complex structure and potent biological activity have attracted the attention of synthetic organic chemists. Total synthesis of BTX-B has been accomplished via the coupling of the ABCDEFG and IJK-ring segments, each ether ring of which was stereoselectively and efficiently constructed on the basis of SmI2-induced intramolecular cyclization, 6-endo-cyclization of hydroxy epoxide, ring-closing olefin metathesis, and SmI2-induced intramolecular Reformatsky-type reaction. Several kinds of double reactions at the left and right sides were efficiently used through the synthesis.

Convergent synthesis of the ABCDEF-ring system of yessotoxin and adriatoxin, marine polycyclic ether toxins causative of diarrheic shellfish poisoning, has been accomplished. The A-ring fragment was constructed by coupling of an appropriately functionalized sulfonyl-stabilized oxiranyl anion and a triflate prepared from an erythritol derivative. An iterative protocol of the oxiranyl anion strategy was also applied for the construction of the DEF-ring fragment. The triflate derivatives of the A-ring and the DEF-ring fragments were connected with lithium acetylide. The resulting acetylene derivative was further transformed into the hexacyclic ABCDEF fragment via oxidation of the acetylene unit to 1,2-diketone, double methyl acetal formation, and reductive etherification.

[reaction: see text] A new general method for the construction of medium ring ethers has been developed. This involves the ring expansion of halo-O,S-acetals followed by a Ramburg-Bäcklund ring contraction reaction with concomitant extrusion of the sulfur atom. This methodology has been utilized for the synthesis of cis- and trans-lauthisan.