Two enantioselective total syntheses of the nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are described, which use palladium- or cobalt-catalyzed cyclizations to form the CDE rings, and converge on a late-stage synthetic intermediate. These key processes are set up through the convergent coupling of a common diyne component with appropriate AB-ring aldehydes, a strategy that sets the sta...

This short review article covers some useful applications of alkynyltungsten compounds to the syntheses of complex lactones. Two types of cyclizations will be emphasized: (1) cycloalkenylation of tungsten-alkynol compounds with aldehydes to give α-alkylidene oxacarbeniums, further leading to α-alkylidene lactones and (2) intramolecular [3+2]-cycloaddition of epoxides to give bicyclic lactones. ...

The synthesis of 2-tetralones through the cyclization of δ-aryl-β-dicarbonyl substrates by using CAN is described. Appropriately functionalized aromatic substrates undergo intramolecular cyclizations generating 2-tetralone derivatives in moderate to good yields. DFT computational studies indicate that successful formation of 2-tetralones from δ-aryl-β-dicarbonyl radicals is dependent on the sta...

Efficient one-pot Ugi-Smiles couplings are reported for the use of furyl-substituted aldehyde components. In the presence of these heterocyclic aldehydes, reactions tolerated variations in amine components and led to either isolated N-arylamide Ugi-Smiles adducts or N-arylepoxyisoindolines, products of tandem Ugi-Smiles Diels-Alder cyclizations, in moderate yields. A thienyl-substituted aldehyd...

Biologically and pharmaceutically active core structures containing a new class of 4-hydroxy-α-carbolines, dihydropyrido[2,3-b]indoles, pyrimido[4,5-b] and [5,4-b]indoles have been synthesized in good yields via Pd-catalyzed amidation and cyclizations. The keto-enol tautomerism in 4-hydroxy-α-carbolines has been investigated by DFT calculations and spectroscopic techniques. The fluorescence stu...

A theozyme is a theoretical enzyme constructed by computing the optimal geometry for transition-state stabilization by functional groups. It is created in order to permit quantitative assessment of catalytic function. Theozymes have been used to elucidate the role of transition-state stabilization in the mechanisms underlying enzyme- and antibody-catalyzed hydroxyepoxide cyclizations, eliminati...

A collection of smart multicomponent reactions (MCRs) with continuative post condensation cyclizations (PCCs) is presented to construct conventional three- to seven-membered heterocyclic compounds in diversity oriented syntheses (DOS). These will provide a high degree of applying economical and ecological advantages as well as of practicability. Water, ionic liquids, and solvent-less syntheses ...

A variety of functionalized 3,4-benzo-7-hydroxy-2,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-enes were prepared by one-pot cyclizations of 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) with quinazolines. The mechanism of the cyclization was studied by B3LYP/6-31G(d) density functional theory computations. The products could be functionalized by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The reaction of 1,3-bis(silyl enol ethers) with phth...

Meroterpenes are widely distributed among marine organisms; they are particularly abundant within brown algae, but other important sources include microorganisms and invertebrates. In the present review the structures and bioactivities of meroterpenes from marine invertebrates, mainly sponges and tunicates, are summarized. More than 300 molecules, often complex and with unique skeletons origina...