Divergent Synthesis of Antiviral Diterpenes Wickerols A and B

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 Mar 11;142(10):4690-4695. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b11838. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Abstract

Wickerols A and B are diterpene natural products that have a novel fused 6-5-6-6 ring framework and exhibit potent antiviral activity against the H1N1 type A influenza virus. Herein, we report a divergent synthesis of wickerols A and B in 16 and 15 steps, respectively, from commercial sitolactone. The key reactions of the synthesis are a SmI2-mediated intramolecular ketone-allylic acetate reductive cyclization, a Claisen rearrangement, and an intramolecular alkylation/aldol reaction that rapidly assembled the compact tetracyclic core framework in a stereocontrolled manner. The work described herein allowed us to confirm the absolute configurations of wickerols A and B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclization
  • Diterpenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Diterpenes
  • wickerol A