Formal Synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine Using a One-Pot Parham-Aldol Sequence.

A short formal synthesis of ent-Cephalotaxine is achieved. The approach features a new Lewis acid-mediated [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of N-allylated prolineamide to generate a key quaternary stereogenic center. Additionally, a one-pot Parham-aldol sequence was developed to rapidly assemble two of the four rings in the cephalotaxine core.

A Stereocontrolled Annulation of the Taccalonolide Epoxy Lactone onto the Molecular Framework of trans-Androsterone.

A robust and scalable route to the taccalonolide skeleton starting from trans-androsterone is presented. The synthesis features a cyclic hydroboration carbonylation reaction, which effectively establishes the trans-hydrindane DE ring junction in a remarkable annulation reaction, as well as a Claisen rearrangement and a catalytic Ullmann-type cyclization. This work is part of a larger effort to uncover new clinical candidates from the taccalonolide class of anticancer agents through advances in chemical synthesis.

Mukaiyama aldol addition to alpha-chloro-substituted aldehydes. Origin of the unexpected syn selectivity.

The addition of sterically demanding enolsilanes to alpha-chloro aldehydes results unexpectedly in preferential formation of the anti-PFA product (1,2-syn), while the addition of the corresponding boron enolate furnishes the expected polar Felkin-Anh product (1,2-anti). A stereoinduction model explaining these observations is proposed.