This review highlights structural and biosynthetic work on a group of nitrogen-functionalised terpenes that are almost exclusively found in marine invertebrates and the animals that feed on them. The chemical functionality reviewed includes isocyanides, isothiocyanates, formamides, thiocyanates, isocyanates, and dichloroimines. The literature through mid 2003 is reviewed and there are 143 citat...

Reaction of porphycene isothiocyanates with primary and secondary amines leads to the formation of thiazolo[4,5-c]porphycenes, with a substantial shift in the absorption and fluorescence spectra. The conjugates show fluorescence in the near-infrared and are capable of photosensitizing the production of the cytotoxic species singlet oxygen.

An efficient route to 5H-benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazines has been developed using the copper(i)-catalyzed tandem reaction of o-alkynylphenyl isothiocyanates with isocyanides in THF with Cs2CO3 as base. The present tandem process allows the assembly of a variety of 5H-benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b][1,3]thiazines in good to excellent yields.

Isocyanates, isothiocyanates, and carbodiimides are effective substrates in (3 + 2) cycloadditions with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes for the synthesis of five-membered heterocycles. These reactions exhibit a broad substrate scope, high yields, and well-defined chemoselectivity. Discussed herein are the implications of Lewis acid choice on the stereochemical outcome and the reaction mechanism.

The first total synthesis of N-methylwelwitindolinone B isothiocyanate is reported. The route features several key steps, including a regio- and diastereoselective chlorinative oxabicycle ring-opening reaction to introduce the challenging alkyl chloride motif.