1. Lipids
1.1. Lipid Alcohols
C19 Lipid Diols
Diastereomeric
trans-oxylipids
1, and
cis-oxylipid
2 (
Figure 31), were isolated in 1980
[21][1] and 1998
[22][2], respectively, from the brown alga
Notheia anomala. Their structure and relative stereochemistry were assigned by 1D and 2D NMR spectral data and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Their absolute configuration was determined by the Horeau method in the case of compound
1, and by the advanced Mosher method for compound
2. Both of them display in vitro antihelmintic activity, inhibiting larval development in parasitic nematodes. The
trans-isomer
1 showed LD
50 values against
Haemonchus contortus (1.8 ppm) and
Trichostrongylus colubriformis (9.9 ppm), comparable to those of the commercial nematocides levamisole and closantel. Synthetic routes for these oxylipids were recently reviewed
[18][3].
Figure 31.
Structure of
trans
-oxylipid
1
and
cis
-oxylipid
2
.
An elegant example of the stereodivergent synthesis of both isomers was developed by Kim et al.
[23][4]. They developed an intramolecular amide enolate alkylation, where the C3-hydroxy protecting group selection permits the formation of the desired isomer (
Scheme 1). Thus, starting from PMB-protected bromoamide
3, reaction with LiHMDS afforded only the
cis-product
4. The preferent formation of the
cis-isomer was due to the chelating ability of the PMB group. Therefore, when using a nonchelating group such as TIPS (compound
5), the reaction with KHMDS predominantly yielded the
trans-THF
6. Further reaction of
4 and
6 with CH
2=CH(CH
2)
7MgBr and reduction with
L-selectride afforded
7 and
8 in good yields (76% and 53% over two steps, respectively). Deprotection of
7 with DDQ, and
8 with TBAF, respectively, gave
cis-oxylipid
2 in 82% yield and the
trans-isomer
1 in 94% yield.
Scheme 1.
Stereodivergent synthesis of
trans-
and
cis
-oxylipids
1
and
2
by Kim.
1.2. Fatty Acids
1.2.1. Petromyroxols
In 2015, Li reported the isolation of (+)- and (−)-petromyroxols (
9)
[24][5]. They are oxylipids isolated from water conditioned with larval sea lamprey
Petromyzon marinus L. Interestingly, these molecules are the first tetrahydrofuran acetogenindiols isolated from a vertebrate animal (
Figure 42). The absolute configuration of each enantiomer was determined by a combination of Mosher ester analysis and comparison with related natural and synthetic products. The
(+)-9 shows a potent olfactory response of 0.01 to 1 μM in the sea lamprey, while the (−)-isomer has a softer effect. Synthetic routes towards them were recently reviewed
[18][3].
Figure 4.
Structures of (+)-and (-)-petromyroxol
9
.
A recent example of the synthesis of
(+)-9, along with all possible diastereoisomers, was presented in 2020 by Ramana and coworkers
[25][6]. The synthetic route started from the commercial THF compound
10 (
Scheme 2). The alkyl chain was installed by reaction with the appropriate cuprate. Subsequent benzyl protection of
11 afforded
12, which after reaction with allyltrimethylsilane, yielded the desired diastereomer (7:2 ratio) of the allylated THF
13. After protection with a para-nitrobenzoate (PNB) group under Mitsunobu conditions, compound
14 was subjected to oxidative olefin cleavage with OsO
4/NaIO
4 and subsequent Wittig olefination to obtain a-b-unsaturated ester
15. Hydrogenation with Pearlman catalyst (20% Pd(OH)
2/C) afforded
16 in 89% yield, where the benzyl group, the double bond, and the nitro group were all reduced. Finally, hydrolysis of both ester groups with KOH in methanol afforded the desired (+)-petromyroxol in 77% yield.
Scheme 2.
Synthesis of (+)-petromyroxol by Ramana and coworkers.
1.2.2. PMA
Petromyric acids A and B (PMA and PMB) are dehydroxylated tetrahydrofuranyl fatty acids that were isolated from larval washing extracts from the sea lamprey
Petromyzon marinus in 2018
[26][7]. From the washing extract, four fatty acids related to the acetogenin family were identified: (+)-PMA (
(+)-17), (−)-PMA (
(−)-17), (+)-PMB (
(+)-18), and (−)-PMB (
(−)-18) (
Figure 5). Their chemical structure was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by chemical synthesis and X-ray crystallography.
Figure 53.
Structure of (+)-PMA (
(+)-17
), (−)-PMA (
(−)-17
), (+)-PMB (
(+)-18
), and (−)-PMB (
(−)-18
).
Sea lampreys are anadromous fishes that migrate, using their olfactory cues to orientate, from the ocean to freshwater to find a suitable spawning stream. When approaching river mouths, the decision of which stream is optimal to spawn in is taken using their olfactory system to detect a pheromone emitted from larval sea lampreys. When investigating larval washing extracts, four fatty acids were identified, but only (+)-17 has proven to be the pheromone that guides lamprey adults. However, its enantiomer, (−)-17, does not produce the same behavioral effect. Fatty acid analogues have been reported to be pheromones in insects, but this is the first identification in fish. The sea lamprey is a destructive invader in the Laurentian Great Lakes, while in Europe, its population has decreased precipitously, so (+)-17 can be used for the control and conservation of their populations.
Although they have a high potential for application, to the best of our knowledge, no total synthesis has been reported so far for these compounds.
1.2.3. Mutafurans
Mutafurans A–G (
19–
25) are brominated ene-ynetetrahydrofurans (
Figure 64) that were isolated by Molinski in 2007 from the marine sponge
Xextospongia muta [27][8]. Later, Liu reported the isolation of mutafuran H (
26), a brominated ene-tetrahydrofuran isolated from sponge
Xextospongia testudinaria within other sterols and brominated compounds
[28][9]. Their structure and absolute configuration were determined by 1D and 2D magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism.
Figure 64.
Structure of mutafurans A–G and the yne-lacking mutafuran H.
Mutafurans A–D showed moderate antifungal activity against the fungus
Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, but were inactive against
Candida albicans (ATCC14503 and 96–489) and
Candida glabrata [27][8]. Furthermore, mutafuran H showed biological activity against
Artemia salina larvae (LC
50 = 2.6 μM) and a significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC
50 = 0.64 μM)
[28][9]. No synthetic approach has been reported to date.
1.2.4. Aspericacids
Aspericacids A (
27) and B (
28) were isolated in 2020 by Ding and He from the sponge-associated
Aspergillus sp. LS78
[29][10]. Both compounds bear a 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran ring coupled with an unsaturated fatty acid (
Figure 75). Their structure was determined by HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, while their absolute configuration was established relying on electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Compound
27 presents a moderate inhibitory activity against
Candida albicans and
Cryptococcus neoformans with a MIC value of 50 μg/mL, although
28 has a weaker activity, MIC = 128 μg/mL. No synthetic approach has been reported to date.
Figure 75.
Structure of aspericacids A
27
and B
28
.
2. Terpenes
2.1. Monoterpenes
2.1.1. Pantofuranoids
Pantofuranoids A–F (
29–
34) are monoterpenes that were isolated in 1996 from the Antarctic red alga
Pantoneura plocamioides [30][11]. They are the first monoterpenes found to contain a tetrahydrofuran moiety, and their common framework (
Figure 86) suggests that they all come from the same terpene precursor.
Figure 86.
Proposed structure of pantofuranoids.
In 2006, Toste reported the enantioselective total synthesis of
(−)-33, in which the key step is a vanadium-catalyzed sequential resolution/oxidative cyclization
[31][12]. Using an in situ generated vanadium(V)–oxo complex with chiral tridentate Schiff base ligand
35 as catalyst, racemic homoallylic alcohol
36 was readily converted into 2,4-
cis-substituted THF
37 (
Scheme 3). The observed stereochemistry can be explained through a chair-like transition state in which coordination of the pseudo-equatorial ester group to the vanadium complex determines the selectivity of the
syn-epoxidation step. Then, compound
37 was further elaborated to
(−)-33 in 6 steps and 29% overall yield from
37.
Scheme 3.
Vanadium-catalyzed synthesis of the tetrahydrofuranyl core of (−)-pantofuranoid E by Toste.
2.1.2. Furoplocamioids
Furoplocamioids A–C
38–40 (
Figure 97) are monoterpenes that were isolated in 2001 from the red marine alga
Plocamium cartilagineum [32][13]. They bear an unusual polyhalogenated tetrahydrofuranyl ring. Their structural similarity to pantofuranoids suggests a close relationship between the species that produce them. This is an interesting fact, since
Plocamium cartilagineum and
Pantoneura plocamioides are classified in different orders, Gigartinales and Ceramiales. Therefore, a taxonomic revision could be required. Later, the Darias group determined the C7 relative stereochemistry by comparison with the NMR spectra of similar reported terpenes
[33][14]. González-Coloma and coworkers found that
38 and
40 show antifeedant effects against
Leptinotarsa decemlineata. It was shown that
40 was also an efficient aphid repellent (against
Mizuspersicae and
Ropalosiphumpadi) and selective insect cell toxicant. In addition, both compounds showed low mammalian toxicity and phytotoxic effects
[34][15].
Figure 97.
Structure of furoplocamioids A–C (
38–40
).
2.2. Sesquiterpenes
2.2.1. Heronapyrrols
Heronapyrrols A–C are pyrroloterpenes that were isolated in 2010 from a marine
Streptomyces sp. CMB-M0423
[35][16]. They present bioactivity against Gram-positive bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144 and
Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 but no mammalian cytotoxicity. Heronapyrrol C (
41), apart from the characteristic and unusual 2-nitropyrrol moiety of this family, presents a
bis-tetrahydrofuran core. Later, Capon and Stark first synthesized and then isolated heronapyrrol D (
42) (
Figure 108) from the same marine-derived microbe
[36][17]. Heronapyrrol D displays bioactivity against Gram-positive bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (IC
50 = 1.8 μM),
Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 (IC
50 = 0.9 μM), and
Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 (IC
50 = 1.8 μM). However, it is inactive against the Gram-negative bacteria
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922.
Figure 108.
Structure of (+)-heronapyrrol C (
41
) and (+)-heronapyrrol D (
42
).
To determine the relative and absolute stereochemistry of
(+)-41, Stark and coworkers proposed and synthesized the most likely stereostructure of its enantiomer
(−)-41, based on a biomimetic polyepoxide cyclization
[37][18]. The same authors also reported the preparation of a bioisosteric carboxylate analog of
(−)-41 [38][19].
The first total synthesis of
(+)-41 was reported in 2014 by Brimble and coworkers, who used as key steps to introduce the five stereogenic centers a Julia–Kocienski coupling, a Shi epoxidation, and a catalytic epoxide-opening reaction
[39][20]. The same year, the first total synthesis of
(+)-42 was achieved by Capon and Stark using a similar approach
[36][17]. In 2016, Brimble and Furkert reviewed the isolation and synthesis of this family of compounds
[40][21].
Later on, the same authors reported another total synthesis for both
(+)-41 and
(+)-42 [41][22]. Shi epoxidation of diol
43, followed by CSA-catalyzed epoxide opening and cyclization, produces diastereomerically pure
44 in 75% yield over two steps. A further eight steps, with 31% yield over them, produces intermediate
45, which deprotection gives (+)-heronapyrrol D (
42). Epoxidation of
42 with a Shi ketone catalyst, followed by CSA-catalyzed epoxide opening, produced enantiomerically pure (+)-heronapyrrol C (
41) in 75% yield (
Scheme 4).
Scheme 4.
Synthesis of (+)-heronapyrrol C (
41
) and (+)-heronapyrrol D (
42
).
Other synthetic approaches towards the 2-nitropyrrole system have been investigated by Brimble and Furkert, finding that Sonogashira coupling of 4-iodo-2-nitropyrrole with the appropriate alkyne was more effective than an approach relying on Stille coupling
[42][23].
2.2.2. Kumausallene and Kumausyne
(−)-Kumausallene (
46) was isolated in 1983 from the marine red alga
Laurencia nipponica Yamada
[43][24]. This compound belongs to a family of non-isoprenoid sesquiterpenes that contain a 2,6-dioxa-bicyclo [3.3.0]octane core with an
exo-cyclic bromoallene (
Figure 119).
Figure 119.
Structure of kumausallene.
In 1993, the first total synthesis of
(±)-46 was reported by Overman, who chose a hexahydrobenzofuranone
47 (obtained by a Prins cyclization–pinacol rearrangement from
48) as the key intermediate for the construction of the
bis-tetrahydrofuran unit (
Scheme 5). Further transformation of
47 into bicyclic lactone
49 (within three further steps) and final methanolisis and tandem cyclization of the corresponding hydroxyester provided, in good yield, the desired dioxabicyclo [3.3.0]octane
50 [44][25].
Scheme 5.
Synthesis of the dioxabicyclo [3.3.0]octane unit of (±)-kumausallene (
46
) by Overman.
In 2011, a synthetic approach for
(−)-46 by Tang employed a desymmetrization strategy for the formation of the 2,5-
cis-substituted THF ring
[45][26].
C2-symmetric diol
51 is desymmetrized by a palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction to form lactone
52 in 87% yield (
Scheme 6). The total synthesis comprised just 12 steps from commercial acetylacetone. In 2015, Ramana et al. published a different formal total synthesis of
(−)-46 based on a chiral pool approach
[46][27].
Scheme 6.
Synthesis of the tetrahydrofuranyl ring of
(−)-46
through desymmetrization by Tang.
(+)-
Trans-Kumausyne (
53) (
Figure 12) is a halogenated non-isoprenoid sesquiterpene isolated in 1983 from red alga
Laurencia nipponica Yamada
[47][28]. Its first total synthesis was achieved in 1991 by Overman and coworkers
[48][29]. A review covering the synthetic approaches towards kumausallene and kumausyne, and other natural products containing a 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran moiety, was published by Fernandes in 2020
[18][3].
Figure 12.
Structure of (+)-
trans
-Kumausyne (
53
).
2.3. Diterpenes
2.3.1. Darwinolide
(+)-Darwinolide (
54) (
Figure 13) is a diterpene isolated in 2016 by Baker from the Antarctic Dendroceratid sponge
Dendrilla membranosa [49][30]. It presents fourfold selectivity against a biofilm phase of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (IC
50 of 33.2μM), compared to the planktonic phase (with the higher MIC of 132.9 μM). This interesting property and its low mammalian cytotoxicity (IC
50 of 73.4 mM) against a J774 macrophage cell line turn darwinolide into a possible scaffold for antibiofilm-specific antibiotics. Additionally, it was found to have modest activity (11.2 μM) against
L. donovani-infected macrophages
[50][31].
Figure 13.
Structure of (+)-darwinolide (
(+)-54
).
Its total synthesis was reported in 2019 by Christmann
[51][32]. The required tetrahydrofuranyl ring is installed starting from the commercially available anhydride
55, which is converted to the 2,5-dimethoxylated tetrahydrofuran
56 in four steps. A sequence of oxidation (with o-iodoxybenzoic acid), saponification, and Criegee oxidation with Pb(OAc)
4 is then used to convert
56 into
57 in 61% yield over three steps (
Scheme 7). A further 14 linear steps are needed to complete the total synthesis of
54, with an overall yield of 1.4%.
Scheme 7.
Synthesis of the key THF-containing intermediate in Christmann’s total synthesis of darwinolide.
2.3.2. Uprolides
Cembranolides are a family of compounds related to cembrene, which is a 14-membered macrocyclic diterpene with multiple (
E)-double bonds. Among them, uprolides are a subfamily of compounds named after the University of Puerto Rico. Uprolides A–G were isolated in 1995 by Rodríguez and coworkers from the Caribbean gorgonian
Eunicea Mammosa and their structure was assigned by spectroscopic methods and chemical interconversion
[52,53][33][34]. They are the first natural cembranolides from a Caribbean gorgonian that bear a double bond at C6 or C8. While uprolides A–C show an epoxy moiety, uprolides D–G seemed to contain a tetrahydrofuran moiety instead. Uprolides D (
58), D acetate (
59), D diacetate (
60), and E acetate (
61) (
Figure 14) present a moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa cells ((IC
50 = 2.5 to 5.1 µg/ ml). Moreover,
59 shows cytotoxicity against the following human tumor cell lines: CCRF-CEM T-cell leukemia (IC
50 = 7.0 μg/mL), HCT-116 colon cancer (IC
50 = 7.0 μg/mL), and MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma (IC
50 = 0.6 μg/mL).
Figure 14.
Structure of tetrahydrofuran-containing members of the uprolide family.
Later structural revisions determined the presence of a tetrahydropyran ring, instead of the previously proposed tetrahydrofuran, in uprolides F diacetate and G acetate, hypotheses that were confirmed by asymmetric total synthesis of these natural products
[54,55,56,57][35][36][37][38].
In 2007, a synthetic approach to obtain the macrocyclic core of
58 was proposed by Ramana
[58][39]. The formation of the macrocyclic core is produced by ring-closing metathesis (RCAM) using a Grubbs’ first-generation catalyst. The RCAM of acetate
62 produces 13-membered macrocyclic
63 in 67% yield (
Scheme 8). The macrocyclic core of uprolide E could not be synthesized using the same methodology.
Scheme 8.
Synthesis of macrocyclic core of uprolide D by Ramana.
Marshall developed a synthetic route for C1/C14
bis-epimer of
58 in which the macrocyclization is produced by an intramolecuar Barbier reaction
[59][40]. Some years later, other members of the uprolide family, which lack the tetrahydrofuran ring, have been isolated from the gorgonian octocoral
Eunicea succinea [60][41].