Total Synthesis of Brasilicardins A and C.

The first total synthesis of brasilicardins A and C, novel diterpenoid-saccharide-amino acid hybrid metabolites with unique immunosuppressive activity, is described. The key step is a Diels-Alder/reductive angular methylation sequence capitalizing on a trans-fused bicyclic α-cyano-α,β-enone as its precursor to construct the 8,10-dimethyl-trans/syn/trans-perhydrophenanthrene skeleton. Other notable features include an anti-selective aldol reaction, a stereocontrolled glycosylation of a C2 alcohol, and a one-pot, two-step global deprotection sequence that did not damage these sensitive molecules.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Englerin A through Catalytic Diastereo- and Enantioselective Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition.

An asymmetric total synthesis of the guaiane sesquiterpene (-)-englerin A, a potent and selective inhibitor of the growth of renal cancer cell lines, was accomplished. The basis of the approach is a highly diastereo- and enantioselective carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with an ethyl vinyl ether dipolarophile under catalysis by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], [Rh2 (S-TCPTTL)4 ], to construct the oxabicyclo[3.2.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the endo-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural product from Ligusticum chuanxing via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a formyl-derived carbonyl ylide using Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4.

The reaction of a six-membered cyclic formyl-carbonyl ylide derived from alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester with phenylacetylene derivatives under the catalysis of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh(2)(S-TCPTTL)(4), provides cycloadducts containing an 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system in up to 97% ee.