A concise synthesis of tetrodotoxin

Science. 2022 Jul 22;377(6604):411-415. doi: 10.1126/science.abn0571. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Abstract

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a neurotoxic natural product that is an indispensable probe in neuroscience, a biosynthetic and ecological enigma, and a celebrated target of synthetic chemistry. Here, we present a stereoselective synthesis of TTX that proceeds in 22 steps from a glucose derivative. The central cyclohexane ring of TTX and its α-tertiary amine moiety were established by the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrile oxide, followed by alkynyl addition to the resultant isoxazoline. A ruthenium-catalyzed hydroxylactonization set the stage for the formation of the dioxa-adamantane core. Installation of the guanidine, oxidation of a primary alcohol, and a late-stage epimerization gave a mixture of TTX and anhydro-TTX. This synthetic approach could give ready access to biologically active derivatives.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Guanidine / chemistry
  • Ruthenium / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Tetrodotoxin* / chemical synthesis
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers* / chemical synthesis

Substances

  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Ruthenium
  • Guanidine