Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of 13-Oxoverruculogen

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 Sep 6;145(35):19189-19194. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c07078. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

Abstract

Verruculogens are rare fumitremorgin alkaloids that contain a highly unusual eight-membered endoperoxide. In this paper, we report a concise chemoenzymatic synthesis of 13-oxoverruculogen using enzymatic C-H peroxidation and rhodium-catalyzed C-C bond activation reactions to install the eight-membered endoperoxide and the pentacyclic core of the natural product, respectively. Our strategy involves the use of 13-epi-fumitremorgin B as a substrate analog for endoperoxidation by verruculogen synthase, FtmOx1. The resulting product, 13-epi-verruculogen, is the first unnatural endoperoxide generated by FtmOx1 and is used in the first synthesis of 13-oxoverruculogen. This strategy enables a 10-step synthesis of this natural product from commercially available starting materials and illustrates a hybrid approach utilizing biocatalytic and transition-metal-catalyzed reactions to access challenging alkaloid architectures. Moreover, this work demonstrates the use of native enzyme promiscuity as a viable strategy for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of natural products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis
  • Biological Products*
  • Rhodium*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Rhodium