N, C-Coupled naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids: a versatile new class of axially chiral natural products

Nat Prod Rep. 2021 Dec 15;38(12):2154-2186. doi: 10.1039/d1np00020a.

Abstract

Covering: up to April 2021During the past decades, a plethora of natural products with restricted rotation about a biaryl axis have been discovered, among them the naphthylisoquinoline (NIQ) alkaloids, mostly C,C-coupled and having remarkable bioactivities. Within this fascinating class of naturally occurring biaryl compounds, NIQ alkaloids bearing an N,C-heterobiaryl axis have attracted particular attention. They are structurally and biosynthetically unprecedented, with interesting stereochemical implications and biological activities. In contrast to existing articles and reviews about axially chiral - yet C,C-coupled - natural products, this is the first, comprehensive review on the new subclass of N,C-coupled NIQs, their isolation and structural elucidation, their N,C-axial chirality, their biosynthetic origin, their promising antiparasitic and antileukemic activities, and their total synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / chemical synthesis
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification*
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Caryophyllales / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / isolation & purification*
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Leukemia / drug therapy
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Biological Products
  • Isoquinolines