8) A new route to platencin via decarboxylative radical cyclization
Gamal A. I. Moustafa, Yuki Saku, Hiroshi Aoyama, Takehiko Yoshimitsu, Chem. Commun., 50, 15706-15709 (2014), DOI:10.1039/C4CC07316A
Abstract: A new approach to platencin, a potent antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces platensis, has been established. The highly congested tricyclic core of the natural product was successfully constructed by decarboxylative radical cyclization of an alkynyl silyl ester with Pb(OAc)4 in the presence of pyridine in refluxing 1,4-dioxane. The key decarboxylation, which likely takes place via lead(IV) esterification followed by carbon-centered radical generation and subsequent capture of the radical with a triple bond, allows the rapid construction of the twisted polycyclic system.
7) Concise Synthesis of Multisubstituted Isoquinolines from Pyridines by Regioselective Diels–Alder Reactions of 2-Silyl-3,4-Pyridynes
Takashi Ikawa, Hirohito Urata, Yutaka Fukumoto, Yuta Sumii, Tsuyoshi Nishiyama, Shuji Akai, Chem. Eur. J., 20, 16228-16232 (2014), DOI:10.1002/chem.201404633
Abstract: A four-step regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted isoquinoline derivatives from 3-bromopyridines was developed by the Diels–Alder (DA) reactions of 2-silyl-3,4-pyridynes with furans, followed by functional-group transformations. In particular, the silyl group at the C2-position of the 3,4-pyridynes played two important roles: firstly, it functioned as the directing group for the DA reaction, and secondly, it served to introduce diverse substituents at the C1-position of the isoquinolines by electrophilic ipso-substitution.
6) クロロスルホリピッド―全合成の新たな標的―
好光健彦, 化学工業 特集号 天然物化学とケミカルバイオロジーの挑戦, 65巻 45号, 249-255 (2014)
5) Real-time trafficking of PEGylated liposomes in the rodent focal brain ischemia analyzed by positron emission tomography
Tatsuya Fukuta, Takayuki Ishii, Tomohiro Asai, Genki Nakamura, Yoshihito Takeuchi, Akihiko Sato, Yurika Agato, Kosuke Shimizu, Shuji Akai, Dai Fukumoto, Norihiro Harada, Hideo Tsukada, Akira T. Kawaguchi, Naoto Oku, Artificial Organs, 38, 662-666 (2014), DOI:10.1111/aor.12350
Abstract: A liposomal drug delivery system was previously applied to ischemic brain model rats for the treatment of brain ischemia, and we observed that 100-nm-sized liposomes could extravasate and accumulate in the ischemic brain region even when cerebral blood flow was markedly reduced in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (p-MCAO) model rats. In the present study, we investigated the real-time cerebral distribution of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified liposomes (PEG-liposomes) labeled with 1-[18F]fluoro-3,6-dioxatetracosane in p-MCAO rats by positron emission tomography (PET). [18F]-Labeled PEG-liposomes were intravenously injected into p-MCAO rats 1 h after the onset of occlusion, and then a PET scan was performed for 2 h. The PET scan showed that the signal intensity of [18F] gradually increased in the ischemic region despite the drastic reduction in cerebral perfusion, suggesting that PEG-liposomes had accumulated in and around the ischemic region. Therefore, drug delivery to the ischemic region by use of liposomes would be possible under ischemic conditions, and a liposomal drug delivery system could be a promising strategy for protecting the ischemic brain from damage before recovery from ischemia.
4) Dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols via hydrolase-metal combo catalysis: An effective method for the synthesis of optically active compounds
S. Akai, Chem. Lett., 43, 746-754 (2014), DOI:10.1246/cl.140223
Abstract: This review focusses on the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic allylic alcohols to produce allylic esters in high chemical and optical yields, which was achieved by combining the hydrolase-catalyzed kinetic resolution and in-situ racemization of the remaining less reactive enantiomers. Two classes of racemization catalysts, e.g., Ru complexes and oxovanadium compounds, are mainly discussed. Typical examples of DKR are shown along with their application in the fewer-step syntheses of optically active compounds as valuable synthetic intermediates. The domino process integrating DKR with the active use of the installed acyl moiety for subsequent intramolecular cyclization is also discussed, which has great potential for the asymmetric syntheses of optically active fused cyclic molecules possessing multiple stereogenic centers.
3) 酵素と金属触媒の協同作業：ラセミ体アルコールを光学活性体に収率100％で変換する新手法
赤井周司, 生産と技術, 66, 57-62 (2014)
2) Enantiospecific Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Ligudentatol: A Programmed Aromatization Approach to 2,3,4-Trisubstituted Phenolic Motif via Visible-Light-Mediated Group Transfer Radical Cyclization
G. A. I. Moustafa, H. Suizu, H. Aoyama, M. Arai, S. Akai, T. Yoshimitsu, Chem. Asian J., 9, 1506-1510 (2014), DOI:10.1002/asia.201400110
Abstract: A facile enantiospecific approach to (+)-ligudentatol (1) and (−)-ligudentatol (ent-1) is reported. The approach features the construction of a trisubstituted phenolic motif fused to a chiral aliphatic ring by a sequence of visible-light-mediated radical seleno transfer cyclization, bromination, concomitant selenoxide elimination–dehydrobromination, and demethoxycarbonylation, namely, a programmed aromatization. Biological evaluation of the enantiomers of ligudentatol obtained by the present route revealed for the first time their cytotoxicity towards various cancer cell lines.
1) Endeavors to Access Molecular Complexity: Strategic Use of Free Radicals in Natural Product Synthesis
T. Yoshimitsu, Chem. Rec., 14, 268-279 (2014), DOI:10.1002/tcr.201300024
Abstract: Free radicals, which in the past were considered unruly chemical species, have become manageable and indispensable for synthetic organic chemistry. The unique nature of free radicals has allowed practitioners in organic synthesis to design flexible approaches to produce various materials ranging from small molecules to polymers. The present Personal Account describes the author’s endeavors to create molecular complexity by the strategic use of free radicals, with an emphasis on the synthesis of bioactive natural products.