10.1021/acs.joc.7b00920
This research details the efficient and concise total syntheses of three bioactive natural products: isohericerin, isohericenone, and erinacerin A. The study's purpose was to develop straightforward synthetic routes for these compounds, which exhibit significant inhibitory activity against the proliferation of SK-MEL-2 cells, making them potential candidates for anti-cancer drug discovery. The key reactions in the synthesis process included a Mannich reaction with commercially available hydroxybenzoate, a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction to connect geranyl side chains to the isoindolinone core, and a highly regioselective and efficient method for the Cu-catalyzed methylboronation of functionalized terminal alkynes to synthesize the C5’-oxidized geranyl side unit of isohericenone. The researchers successfully synthesized the common isoindolinone core in three steps and developed a mild and selective methylboronation reaction of terminal alkynes with B2(pin)2 and methyl iodide promoted by an NHC-Cu catalyst. The synthesis involved a variety of chemicals, including hydroxybenzoate, phenethylamine, formaldehyde, various terminal alkynes, bis(pinacolato)diboron, methyl iodide, and several NHC-Cu complexes. The conclusions of the research emphasized the successful synthesis of the target compounds with improved yields and efficiency, and the potential for future evaluation of their biological activities.