Expanding Meroterpenoid Chemical Space Via Intermolecular Trapping of Cationic Cyclization Intermediates

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Natural Product Synthesis
• Biosynthesis

Background:

• Meroterpenoids are terpenes featuring a non-terpene component, often an aryl group.
• Typical biosynthesis involves aryl attachment followed by terpene cyclization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore an alternative synthetic route for meroterpenoids.
• To demonstrate a novel method for accessing meroterpenoid chemical space.

Main Methods:

• Terpene cyclization performed in the presence of arenes.
• Intermolecular trapping of key cationic intermediates.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of the novel synthetic approach.
• Achieved direct access to previously unreported meroterpenoid structures.
• Expanded the accessible meroterpenoid chemical space.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a new strategy for meroterpenoid synthesis.
• This approach enables the creation of novel meroterpenoid compounds.
• The findings open avenues for exploring new chemical entities within meroterpenoids.