Synthesis of (-)-longithorone A: using organic synthesis to probe a proposed biosynthesis

Carl A Morales1, Mark E Layton, Matthew D Shair

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Related Concept Videos

Synthesis of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds: The Stork Enamine Reaction01:26

Synthesis of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds: The Stork Enamine Reaction

α-Substituted ketones or aldehydes can be synthesized from enamines by the Stork enamine reaction, named after its pioneer Gilbert Stork. Enamines are useful synthetic intermediates where the lone pair on nitrogen is in conjugation with the C=C bond. They resemble enolate ions, as the resonance forms of both species have a nucleophilic α carbon.
ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction02:27

Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction

Introduction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide02:44

Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide

Alkenes are converted to 1,2-diols or glycols through a process called dihydroxylation. It involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups across the double bond with two different stereochemical approaches, namely anti and syn. Dihydroxylation using osmium tetroxide progresses with syn stereochemistry.
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation02:47

Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation

Introduction
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Cyclohexenones via Michael Addition and Aldol Condensation: The Robinson Annulation01:27

Cyclohexenones via Michael Addition and Aldol Condensation: The Robinson Annulation

Robinson annulation is a base-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of 2-cyclohexenone derivatives from 1,3-dicarbonyl donors (such as cyclic diketones, β-ketoesters, or β-diketones) and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl acceptors. Named after Sir Robert Robinson, who discovered it, this reaction yields a six-membered ring with three new C–C bonds (two σ bonds and one π bond).