10.1021/ol702518t
The research focuses on the construction of epidithiodioxopiperazines (ETPs), which are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, through a novel synthetic method. The purpose of the study was to develop a regioselective C-H bond oxidation process directed by a proximal (bromomethyl)silyl group, which is a key step in the synthesis of ETPs. The researchers successfully developed a method for constructing tricyclic epidithiodioxopiperazines from dioxopiperazines containing a hydroxyproline unit. The process involved the use of various chemicals, including 3-hydroxyproline derivatives, acetylglycolic acid, dioxopiperazine diacetate, and a (bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl-protecting/radical-translocating group. The conclusions of the research were that a selective oxidation of the angular methine carbon of hydroxyproline-derived dioxopiperazines was achieved, allowing the introduction of a dithio bridge into such heterocyclic frameworks. This protecting-group-directed C-H bond oxidation is likely to be useful for the regioselective oxidative elaboration of other polyfunctional organic molecules.