Chiral pool α-amino acids have been used as powerful tools for the total synthesis of structurally diverse natural products. Some common naturally occurring α-amino acids are readily available in both enantiomerically pure forms. The applications of the chiral pool in asymmetric synthesis can be categorized prudently as chiral sources, devices, and inducers. This review specifically examines recent advances in substrate-controlled asymmetric reactions induced by the chirality of α-amino acid templates in natural product synthesis research and related areas.

Recent syntheses of azetidines, pyrrolidines, piperidines and azepines through cycloaddition or sigmatropic rearrangements of vinylaziridines are described. Applications to natural product synthesis and mechanistic investigations are also summarized.

Abstract:The discovery of a more cytotoxic macrosphelide derivative, including its total synthesis and bioassay are described. Application of the Koide protocol to a readily available propagylic alcohol allowed the rapid and practical synthesis of a macrosphelide A skeleton. This strategy enabled the successful improvement of the cytotoxic activity of the macrosphelide derivative.

Reaction: Recent Developments and Applications -[29 refs.]. -(HEO, Y. M.; PAEK, S.-M.; Molecules 18 (2013) 9650-9662, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules18089650 ; Res. Inst. Pharm. Sci., Coll. Pharm., Gyeongsang Natl. Univ., Jinju 660-751, S. Korea; Eng.) -Koehler 52-262

No abstract