Total Synthesis of Ripostatin B and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Ripostatin Analogs.

Described is the total synthesis of the myxobacterial natural product ripostatin B and of a small number of analogs. Ripostatin B is a polyketide-derived 14-membered macrolide that acts as an inhibitor of bacterial RNA-polymerase, but is mechanistically distinct from rifamycin-derived RNA-polymerase inhibitors that are in use for tuberculosis treatment. The macrolactone ring of ripostatin B features two stereocenters and a synthetically challenging doubly skipped triene motif, with one of the double bonds being in conjugation with the ester carbonyl.

RNA polymerase motions during promoter melting.

All cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs), from those of bacteria to those of man, possess a clamp that can open and close, and it has been assumed that the open RNAP separates promoter DNA strands and then closes to establish a tight grip on the DNA template. Here, we resolve successive motions of the initiating bacterial RNAP by studying real-time signatures of fluorescent reporters placed on RNAP and DNA in the presence of ligands locking the clamp in distinct conformations. We report evidence for an unexpected and obligatory step early in the initiation involving a transient clamp closure as a prerequisite for DNA melting.

Decarboxylative [4+2] Cycloaddition by Synergistic Palladium and Organocatalysis.

A novel reaction based on synergistic catalysis, combining palladium- and organocatalysis has been developed. The palladium catalyst activates vinyl benzoxazinanones via a decarboxylation to undergo a [4+2] cycloaddition with iminium-ion activated α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The reaction is demonstrated to proceed for a number of combinations of vinyl benzoxazinanones reacting with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, providing highly substituted vinyl tetrahydroquinolines in good to high yields, and excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities (>98 % ee and >20:1 d.

Organocatalytic Strategy for the Enantioselective Cycloaddition to Trisubstituted Nitroolefins to Create Spirocyclohexene-Oxetane Scaffolds.

The first catalytic enantioselective cycloaddition reaction to α,β,β-trisubstituted nitroolefins is reported. For this purpose, nitroolefin oxetanes were employed in the reaction with 2,4-dienals promoted by trienamine catalysis. This methodology provides a facile and efficient strategy for the synthesis of highly functionalized chiral spirocyclohexene-oxetanes with two adjacent tetrasubstituted carbon atoms in high yields and excellent selectivities.

Total synthesis of the tiacumicin B (lipiarmycin A3/fidaxomicin) aglycone.

Tiacumicin B (lipiarmycin A3, fidaxomicin) is an atypical macrolide antibiotic which is used for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections. Tiacumicin B is also a potent inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but due to its limited oral bioavailability is unsuitable for systemic therapy. To provide a basis for structure-activity studies that might eventually lead to improved variants of tiacumicin B, we have developed an efficient approach to the synthesis of the tiacumicin B aglycone.

Total synthesis of the myxobacterial macrolide ripostatin B.

This article describes the total synthesis of ripostatin B, which is a 14-membered macrolide of myxobacterial origin that inhibits E. coli RNA polymerase by a different mechanism of action than the first-line anti-tuberculosis drug rifampicin. Structurally, ripostatin B features a labile and synthetically challenging doubly skipped triene motif embedded in the macrolactone ring.

Total synthesis of (-)-zampanolide and structure-activity relationship studies on (-)-dactylolide derivatives.

A new total synthesis of the marine macrolide (-)-zampanolide (1) and the structurally and stereochemically related non-natural levorotatory enantiomer of (+)-dactylolide (2), that is, ent-2, has been developed. The synthesis features a high-yielding, selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction to close the 20-membered macrolactone ring of 1 and ent-2. The β-keto phosphonate/aldehyde precursor for the ring-closure reaction was obtained by esterification of a ω-diethylphosphono carboxylic acid fragment and a secondary alcohol fragment incorporating the THP ring that is embedded in the macrocyclic core structure of 1 and ent-2.

Total synthesis of the bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitor ripostatin B.

A modular and highly stereoselective synthesis of the title compound was developed. Key steps in the assembly of the carbon framework of ripostatin B were a stereoselective Paterson aldol reaction and a high-yielding ring-closing metathesis mediated by Grubbs first generation catalyst. The C15 hydroxy group was established through Tishchenko-Evans reduction in excellent yield and selectivity.