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Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Organic Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 17319

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Chemistry, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
Interests: total synthesis; natural products; synthetic methodology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my great honor to edit a Special Issue, named as “Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products”, for Molecules. Considering your great achievements in this important field, I sincerely invite you to contribute a research paper or review from your recent advances in this dynamic area. A completed synthesis or synthetic studies toward a challenging target is suitable for this Special Issue. The development of related synthetic methods and strategies is also welcome. We look forward to receiving your manuscripts.

Prof. Dr. Yu Peng
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • total synthesis
  • natural products
  • synthetic methods
  • synthetic strategies

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1873 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of 5,6-Dihydrophenanthridines via Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Coupling of Two Aryl C−H Bonds
by Meng-Yue Wang, Xue-Qing Zhu, Bao-Yin Zhao, Hong-Xia Zhang, Yong-Qiang Wang and Qiong Jia
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2498; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062498 - 09 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1213
Abstract
5,6-Dihydrophenanthridines are common aza heterocycle frameworks of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we reported the first palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C−H/C−H dehydrogenative coupling reaction of two simple arenes to generate 5,6-dihydrophenanthridines. The approach features a broad substrate scope and good tolerance of functional groups, offering [...] Read more.
5,6-Dihydrophenanthridines are common aza heterocycle frameworks of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we reported the first palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C−H/C−H dehydrogenative coupling reaction of two simple arenes to generate 5,6-dihydrophenanthridines. The approach features a broad substrate scope and good tolerance of functional groups, offering an efficient alternative synthesis route for important 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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12 pages, 1554 KiB  
Article
Total Synthesis of Lineaflavones A, C, D, and Analogues
by Rui Wang, Yu Fu, Ran Ma, Hongzhen Jin and Wei Zhao
Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2373; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052373 - 04 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1460
Abstract
The first total synthesis of lineaflavones A, C, D, and their analogues has been accomplished. The key synthetic steps include aldol/oxa-Michael/dehydration sequence reactions to assemble the tricyclic core, Claisen rearrangement and Schenck ene reaction to construct the key intermediate, and selective substitution or [...] Read more.
The first total synthesis of lineaflavones A, C, D, and their analogues has been accomplished. The key synthetic steps include aldol/oxa-Michael/dehydration sequence reactions to assemble the tricyclic core, Claisen rearrangement and Schenck ene reaction to construct the key intermediate, and selective substitution or elimination of tertiary allylic alcohol to obtain natural compounds. In addition, we also explored five new routes to synthesize fifty-three natural product analogues, which can contribute to a systematic structure–activity relationship during biological evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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11 pages, 925 KiB  
Article
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (R,R)-Blumenol B and d9-(R,R)-Blumenol B
by Shi Min Tan, Shaun W. P. Rees, Rebecca E. Jelley, Jin Wang, Bruno Fedrizzi and David Barker
Molecules 2022, 27(21), 7294; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217294 - 27 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1335
Abstract
C13-norisoprenoids are of particular importance to grapes and wines, as these molecules influence wine aroma and have been shown to significantly contribute to the distinct character of various wine varieties. Blumenol B is a putative precursor to a number of important [...] Read more.
C13-norisoprenoids are of particular importance to grapes and wines, as these molecules influence wine aroma and have been shown to significantly contribute to the distinct character of various wine varieties. Blumenol B is a putative precursor to a number of important wine aroma compounds, including the well-known compounds theaspirone and vitispirane. The enantioselective synthesis of (R,R)-blumenol B from commercially available 4-oxoisophorone was achieved using a short and easily scaleable route, which was then successfully applied to the synthesis of poly-deuterated d9-blumenol B. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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10 pages, 1085 KiB  
Article
Asymmetric Synthesis of Contact Sex Pheromone of Tetropium fuscum and Its Enantiomer
by Xueyang Wang, Jianan Wang, Fengbo Ma, Qinghua Bian, Min Wang and Jiangchun Zhong
Molecules 2022, 27(20), 6897; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206897 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1134
Abstract
Tetropium fuscum is a harmful forest pest and attacks spruces. The contact sex pheromone of this pest, (S)-11-methyl-heptacosane, and its enantiomer were synthesized via Evans’ chiral auxiliaries. The key steps of this approach included acylation of carboxylic acid, diastereoselective methylation of [...] Read more.
Tetropium fuscum is a harmful forest pest and attacks spruces. The contact sex pheromone of this pest, (S)-11-methyl-heptacosane, and its enantiomer were synthesized via Evans’ chiral auxiliaries. The key steps of this approach included acylation of carboxylic acid, diastereoselective methylation of oxazolidinone amide, and Wittig coupling of the aldehyde with chiral phosphonium salt. The synthetic pheromones would have potential utility in the control of this pest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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8 pages, 1018 KiB  
Article
A Concise Synthesis of Sacidumlignan B
by Zhiyuan Zhuang, Zhenbiao Luo, Sichen Yao, Yawen Wang and Yu Peng
Molecules 2022, 27(18), 5775; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27185775 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1148
Abstract
A short synthesis of racemic Sacidumlignan B was achieved for the first time. The key steps included a formal reductive coupling between the diaryl ketone and the crotyl bromide, and the subsequent Friedel–Crafts cyclization, which led to an efficient construction of dihydronaphthalene skeleton [...] Read more.
A short synthesis of racemic Sacidumlignan B was achieved for the first time. The key steps included a formal reductive coupling between the diaryl ketone and the crotyl bromide, and the subsequent Friedel–Crafts cyclization, which led to an efficient construction of dihydronaphthalene skeleton in this 2,7′-cyclolignan natural product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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8 pages, 2362 KiB  
Article
Tandem Transesterification–Esterification Reactions Using a Hydrophilic Sulfonated Silica Catalyst for the Synthesis of Wintergreen Oil from Acetylsalicylic Acid Promoted by Microwave Irradiation
by Sandro L. Barbosa, David Lee Nelson, Milton de S. Freitas, Wallans Torres Pio dos Santos, Stanlei I. Klein, Giuliano C. Clososki, Franco J. Caires and Alexandre P. Wentz
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4767; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154767 - 26 Jul 2022
Viewed by 2958
Abstract
SiO2–SO3H, with a surface area of 115 m2/g and pore volume of 0.38 cm3g−1, and 1.32 mmol H+/g was used as a 20% w/w catalyst for the preparation of [...] Read more.
SiO2–SO3H, with a surface area of 115 m2/g and pore volume of 0.38 cm3g−1, and 1.32 mmol H+/g was used as a 20% w/w catalyst for the preparation of methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil or MS) from acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). A 94% conversion was achieved in a microwave reactor over 40 min at 120 °C in MeOH. The resulting crude product was purified by flash chromatography. The catalyst could be reused three times. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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10 pages, 5997 KiB  
Article
Trityl Cation-Catalyzed Hosomi-Sakurai Reaction of Allylsilane with β,γ-Unsaturated α-Ketoester to Form γ,γ-Disubstituted α-Ketoesters
by Zubao Gan, Deyun Cui, Hongyun Zhang, Ying Feng, Liying Huang, Yingying Gui, Lu Gao and Zhenlei Song
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4730; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154730 - 24 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1474
Abstract
(Ph3C)[BPh(F)4]-catalyzed Hosomi-Sakurai allylation of allylsilanes with β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters has been developed to give γ,γ-disubstituted α-ketoesters in high yields with excellent chemoselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that trityl cation dominates the catalysis, while the silyl cation plays a minor role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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8 pages, 3257 KiB  
Article
Na2S-Mediated One-Pot Selective Deoxygenation of α-Hydroxyl Carbonyl Compounds including Natural Products
by Xiaobo Xu, Leyu Yan, Zhi-Kai Zhang, Bingqing Lu, Zhuangwen Guo, Mengyue Chen and Zhong-Yan Cao
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4675; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154675 - 22 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
A practical method for the deoxygenation of α-hydroxyl carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions is reported here. The use of cheap and easy-to-handle Na2S·9H2O as the reductant in the presence of PPh3 and N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) enables the [...] Read more.
A practical method for the deoxygenation of α-hydroxyl carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions is reported here. The use of cheap and easy-to-handle Na2S·9H2O as the reductant in the presence of PPh3 and N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) enables the selective dehydroxylation of α-hydroxyl carbonyl compounds, including ketones, esters, amides, imides and nitrile groups. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by the late-stage deoxygenation of bioactive molecule and complex natural products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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Review

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15 pages, 2907 KiB  
Review
Deconstructive and Divergent Synthesis of Bioactive Natural Products
by Si-Hua Hou, Feng-Fan Zhou, Yi-Hang Sun and Quan-Zhe Li
Molecules 2023, 28(17), 6193; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176193 - 22 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1236
Abstract
Natural products play a key role in innovative drug discovery. To explore the potential application of natural products and their analogues in pharmacology, total synthesis is a key tool that provides natural product candidates and synthetic analogues for drug development and potential clinical [...] Read more.
Natural products play a key role in innovative drug discovery. To explore the potential application of natural products and their analogues in pharmacology, total synthesis is a key tool that provides natural product candidates and synthetic analogues for drug development and potential clinical trials. Deconstructive synthesis, namely building new, challenging structures through bond cleavage of easily accessible moieties, has emerged as a useful design principle in synthesizing bioactive natural products. Divergent synthesis, namely synthesizing many natural products from a common intermediate, can improve the efficiency of chemical synthesis and generate libraries of molecules with unprecedented structural diversity. In this review, we will firstly introduce five recent and excellent examples of deconstructive and divergent syntheses of natural products (2021–2023). Then, we will summarize our previous work on the deconstructive and divergent synthesis of natural products to demonstrate the high efficiency and simplicity of these two strategies in the field of total synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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20 pages, 5021 KiB  
Review
Potent Antibiotic Lemonomycin: A Glimpse of Its Discovery, Origin, and Chemical Synthesis
by Shunan Tao, Yang Wang, Ran Hong and Sha-Hua Huang
Molecules 2022, 27(13), 4324; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134324 - 05 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2272
Abstract
Lemonomycin (1) was first isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces candidus in 1964. The complete chemical structure was not elucidated until 2000 with extensive spectroscopic analysis. Lemonomycin is currently known as the only glycosylated tetrahydroisoquinoline antibiotic. Its potent antibacterial activity [...] Read more.
Lemonomycin (1) was first isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces candidus in 1964. The complete chemical structure was not elucidated until 2000 with extensive spectroscopic analysis. Lemonomycin is currently known as the only glycosylated tetrahydroisoquinoline antibiotic. Its potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and complex architecture make it an ideal target for total synthesis. In this short review, we summarize the research status of lemonomycin for biological activity, biosynthesis, and chemical synthesis. The unique deoxy aminosugar-lemonose was proposed to play a crucial role in biological activity, as shown in other antibiotics, such as arimetamycin A, nocathiacin I, glycothiohexide α, and thiazamycins. Given the self-resistance of the original bacterial host, the integration of biosynthesis and chemical synthesis to pursue efficient synthesis and further derivatization is in high demand for the development of novel antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Synthesis of Natural Products)
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