Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Hunterine A Enabled by a Desymmetrization/Rearrangement Strategy

J Am Chem Soc. 2024 Feb 21;146(7):4340-4345. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c13590. Epub 2024 Feb 12.

Abstract

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-hunterine A is disclosed. Our strategy employs a catalytic asymmetric desymmetrization of a symmetrical diketone and subsequent Beckmann rearrangement to construct a 5,6-α-aminoketone. A convergent 1,2-addition joins a vinyl dianion nucleophile and the enantioenriched ketone. The endgame of the synthesis features an aza-Cope/Mannich reaction and azide-olefin dipolar cycloaddition to complete the pentacyclic ring system. The synthesis is completed through a regioselective aziridine ring opening.