Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Dysoxylum Alkaloids

J Org Chem. 2019 Dec 6;84(23):15294-15308. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02093. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Abstract

A five-step total synthesis of Dysoxylum alkaloids has been achieved using a biomimetic approach from zanthoxylamide protoalkaloids. The synthesis featured a direct amidation and a Bischler-Napieralski reaction to form the dihydroisoquinoline ring, which was then subjected to a Noyori asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to establish the stereogenic center at C-1. Our synthetic sequence provides an important perspective on the biosynthetic origin of Dysoxylum alkaloids, since 6 natural alkaloids and 12 synthetic analogues were obtained with high enantioselectivity and in overall yields up to 68%. In addition, we describe the acute toxicity toward zebrafish embryos of Dysoxylum alkaloids, comparing their toxicity with that of their corresponding zanthoxylamide protoalkaloids and establishing an enantioselectivity-toxicity relationship.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects
  • Meliaceae / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Zebrafish / embryology

Substances

  • Alkaloids