Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of rakicidin F.

Total synthesis of rakicidin F was accomplished in 20 linear steps (0.68% overall yield), which enabled the configural determination of its six stereogenic centers as 2, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 21. The macrolactonization of the rakicidin linear precursor was investigated and the unsuccessful results might be attributed to the steric hindrance near C16-OH.

Total Synthesis and Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Rakicidin C.

The absolute configuration of rakicidin C was predicted by comparison of optical rotation data and absolute configuration of APD-cyclic depsipeptides and further determined by total synthesis. The absolute configuration of five chiral centers was determined as 2, 15, 16, 17, and 19. Our efficient route involves 19 longest linear steps with an overall yield of 1.

Total Synthesis and Structure Revision of Boholamide A.

The 15-membered cyclic depsipeptide boholamide A and an epimer were prepared by total synthesis for the first time, thus leading to a revision of C6 stereochemistry in the originally proposed structure of natural boholamide A. This convergent route features achievement of a macro-lactamization step in a gram scale. The revised boholamide A was sythesized with 16 linear steps in 5.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of parthenolide derivatives as potential anti-triple negative breast cancer agents.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive cancers with a high recurrence rate and rapidly acquired drug resistance among various breast cancer subtypes. There is no specific drug for treatment of TNBC. Discovery of therapeutic agents with unique modes of actions is urgently needed.

Synthesis of Cucurbitacin B Derivatives as Potential Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Agents.

Cucurbitacin B shows potent activity against tumor cells, but its high toxicity limits its application in the clinic. A series of cucurbitacin B derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activities against the HepG-2 cell line. These compounds were also tested for their toxicity against the L-O2 normal cell line.