An expedient synthesis of spiroketals: model studies for the calyculin C16–C25 fragment
Abstract A new short strategy to prepare the spiroketal fragment of calyculins is presented. A novel Seyferth–Gilbert type homologation of hindered lactols to the corresponding alkynes has been achieved for the first time. The spirocyclization was achieved efficiently via a DIHMA (double intramolecular hetero-Michael addition) process of this hindered ynone. The spirocyclization rate is not dependent on the stereochemistry of the alkoxy substituent in the oxolane ring.
Calyculins and Related Marine Natural Products as Serine-Threonine Protein Phosphatase PP1 and PP2A Inhibitors and Total Syntheses of Calyculin A, B, and C
Calyculins, highly cytotoxic polyketides, originally isolated from the marine sponge Discodermia calyx by Fusetani and co-workers, belong to the lithistid sponges group. These molecules have become interesting targets for cell biologists and synthetic organic chemists. The serine/threonine protein phosphatases play an essential role in the cellular signalling, metabolism, and cell cycle control. Calyculins express potent protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitory activity, and have therefore become valuable tools for cellular biologists studying intracellular processes and their control by reversible phosphorylation. Calyculins might also play an important role in the development of several diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2-diabetes mellitus. The fascinating structures of calyculins have inspired various groups of synthetic organic chemists to develop total syntheses of the most abundant calyculins A and C. However, with fifteen chiral centres, a cyano-capped tetraene unit, a phosphate-bearing spiroketal, an anti, anti, anti dipropionate segment, an α-chiral oxazole, and a trihydroxylated γ-amino acid, calyculins reach versatility that only few natural products can surpass, and truly challenge modern chemists’ asymmetric synthesis skills.
Synthesis of 2,4-dideoxy-.beta.-D-erythro-hexopyranosyl nucleosides
The synthesis of 1-(2,4-dideoxy-β-D-erythro-hexopyranosyl)thymine (12) 1 was accomplished using two different synthetic routes. It was obtained starting either from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose or from tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal. The other modified nucleosides, with either a cytosine, guanine, or adenine moiety, were synthesized using the second reaction scheme. Deoxygenation reactions were accomplished with the (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)thiocarbonyl derivatives generated in situ