Streamlined modular synthesis of saframycin substructure via copper-catalyzed three-component assembly and gold-promoted 6-endo cyclization

• Asahi Kanno,
• Ryo Tanifuji,
• Satoshi Yoshida,
• Sota Sato,
• Saori Maki-Yonekura,
• Kiyofumi Takaba,
• Jungmin Kang,
• Kensuke Tono,
• Koji Yonekura and
• Hiroki Oguri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 226–233, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.14

• of saframycin A (1) is assembled from two molecules of ʟ-tyrosine derivative 5 and peptidyl aldehyde 6 by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS, Scheme 1a) [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The pivotal NRPS module, SfmC, catalyzes iterative regio- and stereoselective Pictet–Spengler (PS)-type

• formation of the left isoquinoline ring and ultimately the substructure of THIQ alkaloids 14. This synthetic approach surpasses the limitations of Pictet–Spengler (PS)-type biomimetic reactions, offering greater flexibility for structural diversification at both the aromatic ends for future exploration. The

• , excited at 375 nm): 0.07 (c = 10 μM). Emission image was captured under UV light (365 nm, c = 100 μM in CHCl3). Strategies for the construction of the pentacyclic core scaffold of saframycin A (1). (a) Biosynthetic machinery catalyzed by an NRPS module SfmC. (b) Total syntheses utilizing the Pictet

Recent advances in organocatalytic atroposelective reactions

• Henrich Szabados and
• Radovan Šebesta

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 55–121, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.6

• enantioselectivities were achieved. The products showed no thermal racemization at 150 °C, what was supported by a calculated high rotational barrier of 49.9 kcal/mol. The usefulness of chiral phosphoric acids also shows in the atroposelective Pictet–Spengler reaction of N-arylindoles 104 with various aldehydes 105

• kinetic resolution through a Pictet–Spengler reaction, enabled the preparation of axially chiral 8-aryltetrahydroisoquinolines 108 starting from aminobiaryl scaffolds 107 and paraformaldehyde (Scheme 34) [59]. For most substrates, excellent enantioselectivities and moderate to excellent yields were

Catalysing (organo-)catalysis: Trends in the application of machine learning to enantioselective organocatalysis

• Stefan P. Schmid,
• Leon Schlosser,
• Frank Glorius and
• Kjell Jorner

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2280–2304, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.196

• complement and augment experimental chemistry. In addition to these methods, Corminboeuf and co-workers [134] proposed a genetic algorithm for the de novo design of general catalysts (Figure 14). Considering the Pictet–Spengler cyclization of tryptamine derivatives catalysed by hydrogen-bond donors, the

The Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction in its maturity: innovation and improvements since its 21st birthday (2019–2023)

• Cristina Martini,
• Muhammad Idham Darussalam Mardjan and
• Andrea Basso

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1839–1879, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.162

• corresponding GBB products 64. The authors proposed that adducts 64 were transformed into the intermediates 65 under atmospheric conditions which in turn underwent intramolecular Pictet–Spengler reaction through the addition of C-2 to the imine, to produce dihydropyridines 66. Further oxidation converted 66

• and the nitrogen atom in imidazoles 65. This interaction increased the steric hindrance around C-2 and allowed the Pictet–Spengler reaction to occur at position of C-4. Indole-4-carbaldehydes were also compatible with this transformation, while indole-2-carbaldehyde (70) surprisingly led to the

Syntheses and medicinal chemistry of spiro heterocyclic steroids

• Laura L. Romero-Hernández,
• Ana Isabel Ahuja-Casarín,
• Penélope Merino-Montiel,
• Sara Montiel-Smith,
• José Luis Vega-Báez and
• Jesús Sandoval-Ramírez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1713–1745, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.152

• steroids 124a–e, adducts 125a–d and 126a–e were easily obtained as single diastereomers via a Pictet–Spengler condensation with coumarins A and B (used as fluorophores) under acidic conditions (Scheme 35). Computational binding studies of compound 126c in the ligand-binding pocket of enzyme 17β-HSD5

Chemo-enzymatic total synthesis: current approaches toward the integration of chemical and enzymatic transformations

• Ryo Tanifuji and
• Hiroki Oguri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1693–1712, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.151

• . Iterative Pictet–Spengler cyclizations: saframycin A and jorunnamycin A Saframycin A (5) was isolated from Streptomyces lavendulae, and a number of related alkaloid families such as safracins and renieramycins have been identified from both soil and marine microorganisms [89][90]. These natural product

• ][98][99]. The reduction (Red) domain at the C-terminus of SfmC reduces the thioester 87 to release aldehyde 88 from SfmB, while the adenylation (A) domain activates 86 and loads it onto the PCP domain of SfmC. The Pictet–Spengler (PS) domain then catalyzes the first diastereoselective PS cyclization

Synthesis and biological evaluation of Argemone mexicana-inspired antimicrobials

• Jessica Villegas,
• Bryce C. Ball,
• Katelyn M. Shouse,
• Caleb W. VanArragon,
• Ashley N. Wasserman,
• Hannah E. Bhakta,
• Allen G. Oliver,
• Danielle A. Orozco-Nunnelly and
• Jeffrey M. Pruet

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1511–1524, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.108

• most streamlined method involves a copper-promoted Pictet–Spengler-type cyclization with glyoxal, with oxidative aromatization at the 8-position (Scheme 1) [30][35]. A recent report suggested a mechanistic role of Cu2+ involving C–H activation [36]; however, it is known that this reaction proceeds

Synthesis of tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines via Pictet–Spengler reaction

• Elena Y. Mendogralo and
• Maxim G. Uchuskin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 991–997, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.74

• Elena Y. Mendogralo Maxim G. Uchuskin Perm State University, Bukireva st. 15, Perm, 614990, Russian Federation 10.3762/bjoc.19.74 Abstract A semi-one-pot method for the synthesis of 4-substituted tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines by the Pictet–Spengler reaction was developed. The method is based on

• the condensation of easily accessibly 2-(5-methylfuran-2-yl)ethanamine with commercially available aromatic aldehydes followed by acid-catalyzed Pictet–Spengler cyclization. Using this approach, we synthesized a range of 4-substituted tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines in reasonable yields. The reactivity

• of some of the products was investigated and selected synthetic transformations of the obtained tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines were shown. Keywords: acid hydrolysis; 1,4-diketone; tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridines; Paal–Knorr reaction; Pictet–Spengler reaction; Introduction Hydrogenated furo[3,2-c

Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of 3-formyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indoles and fluorescence studies of the products

• Nisha Devi and
• Virender Singh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 926–934, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.92

• by evaluation of their fluorescence properties. Results and Discussion The current study began with the synthesis of substituted 3-formyl-9H-β-carbolines (6a–e), which was accomplished by modifying the previously disclosed process as presented in Scheme 1 [46][47][57]. Pictet–Spengler (P-S

• synthesis of various natural and synthetic products. MBH adducts itself display diverse biological activities like antifungal, antibacterial, herbicide, antiparasitic and antitumor as reviewed by Lima-Junior et al. (2012) [45]. It was envisaged that in comparison to the traditional methods like Pictet

• –Spengler (P-S) or Bischler–Napieralski (B-N) cyclisation, introduction of a formyl group at C-1 or C-3 position of the β-carboline frameworks may provide a new route for generating unlimited diversity at C-1 as well as at the C-3 position of β-carbolines. As depicted in Figure 2, 1-formyl-β-carbolines and

Regioselectivity of the S_EAr-based cyclizations and S_EAr-terminated annulations of 3,5-unsubstituted, 4-substituted indoles

• Jonali Das and
• Sajal Kumar Das

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 293–302, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.33

• and co-workers reported that the ring closure of the Pictet−Spengler reaction between 2-(1H-indol-4-yl)ethanamine (10) and secologanin (11) in potassium phosphate buffer (KPi) at 70 °C regioselectively took place at the indole C3 position, resulting in unstable 4β-(R)-1H-azepino[3,4,5-cd

• ]indolylvincoside 12 (de = 85%) [14]. In situ lactamization of 12 under basic conditions (10% Na2CO3) generated stable polycyclic compound 13 in 70% yield (Scheme 5A). In a separate report published in 2020, the same research group disclosed that water could act as both catalyst and solvent in the Pictet−Spengler

• tolerates a variety of substituents in both 22 and 23. From a mechanistic point of view, the reaction proceeds through a domino azomethine ylide formation/allylation/Pictet–Spengler reaction sequence. Recently, An and Xiao and co-workers disclosed high-yielding syntheses of a wide range of indole-3,4-fused

New efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolines and 4H-3,1-benzothiazines through a Passerini/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/nucleophilic substitution sequence

• Long Zhao,
• Mao-Lin Yang,
• Min Liu and
• Ming-Wu Ding

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 286–292, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.32

• of their derivatives [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. For example (Scheme 1), a one-pot Tf2O-mediated assembly of amides, amines, and ketones provided 3,4-dihydroquinazolines in good yields via successive triflic anhydride-mediated amide dehydration, ketimine addition, and Pictet

• –Spengler-like cyclization processes [12]. Some 4-substituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolines were prepared by copper-catalyzed oxidative cross coupling of hydroxy intermediates with various nucleophiles [13]. Other 3,4-dihydroquinazolines were also obtained efficiently by intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions [14

The ethoxycarbonyl group as both activating and protective group in N-acyl-Pictet–Spengler reactions using methoxystyrenes. A short approach to racemic 1-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids

• Marco Keller,
• Karl Sauvageot-Witzku,
• Franz Geisslinger,
• Nicole Urban,
• Michael Schaefer,
• Karin Bartel and
• Franz Bracher

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2716–2725, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.183

• , Härtelstr. 16–18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.17.183 Abstract We present a systematic investigation on an improved variant of the N-acyl-Pictet–Spengler condensation for the synthesis of 1-benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines, based on our recently published synthesis of N-methylcoclaurine, exemplified by

• relationships in this chemotype. Keywords: acyl Pictet–Spengler reaction; alkaloids; antiproliferative activity; benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines; ion channels; protective group; total synthesis; Introduction The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids are a large and diverse class of plant secondary metabolites including

• approaches to the monomeric 1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids are typically inspired by their biosynthesis and comprise Bischler–Napieralski-type cyclizations of arylacetamides (followed by reduction of the resulting 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines) or Pictet–Spengler-type cyclizations of

Synthesis of new substituted 7,12-dihydro-6,12-methanodibenzo[c,f]azocine-5-carboxylic acids containing a tetracyclic tetrahydroisoquinoline core structure

• Agnieszka Grajewska,
• Maria Chrzanowska and
• Wiktoria Adamska

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2511–2519, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.168

• ]. Recently, a methodology for the synthesis of dihydromethanodibenzoazocines based on a combination of Friedel–Crafts and Pictet–Spengler reactions was proposed by Moshkin et al. [18]. We have developed a convenient method for the preparation of C-1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives by using the

Halides as versatile anions in asymmetric anion-binding organocatalysis

• Lukas Schifferer,
• Martin Stinglhamer,
• Kirandeep Kaur and
• Olga García Macheño

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2270–2286, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.145

• -workers reported in 2004 an asymmetric Pictet–Spengler reaction of tryptamine-derived imines 4 in the presence of acetyl chloride and 2,6-lutidine, where the chiral thiourea catalyst 6 was employed to enable good yields and enantioselectivities (Scheme 2a) [32]. The initial motivation of their first

• , right). However, based on the freshly coined concept of anion-binding activation [30][31] and as the exact interaction mode of the catalyst remained elusive, Jacobsen’s group focused their attention towards mechanistic studies of thiourea-catalyzed reactions. In 2007, they reported a Pictet–Spengler

• . Based on this concept, the applicability of N-acyliminium chlorides in thiourea-catalyzed anion-binding reactions was further explored. In 2008, an intramolecular asymmetric Pictet–Spengler-type cyclization reaction with pyrrole derivatives 13 was reported. The authors were not only able to control the

Synthesis of 1-indolyl-3,5,8-substituted γ-carbolines: one-pot solvent-free protocol and biological evaluation

• Premansh Dudhe,
• Mena Asha Krishnan,
• Kratika Yadav,
• Diptendu Roy,
• Krishnan Venkatasubbaiah,
• Biswarup Pathak and
• Venkatesh Chelvam

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1453–1463, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.101

• cycloisomerization/Pictet–Spengler cyclization of 2-(4-aminobut-1-yn-1-yl)aniline [16], the Ru and Rh-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of yne-ynamides [17], and the Pd-catalyzed tandem coupling-cyclization [18] are significant works in the area (Scheme 1). However, the use of toxic and expensive metal catalysts

• alkaloid ingenine B [20]. The iodine-catalyzed [3 + 3] cycloaddition of indolyl alcohol to enaminones [21] and the thiourea-catalyzed iso-Pictet–Spengler reaction of isotryptamine with aldehydes [22], are some noteworthy contributions to the field. A cascade or domino reaction is an interesting approach

N-tert-Butanesulfinyl imines in the asymmetric synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles

• Joseane A. Mendes,
• Paulo R. R. Costa,
• Miguel Yus,
• Francisco Foubelo and
• Camilla D. Buarque

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1096–1140, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.86

Synthetic approaches to bowl-shaped π-conjugated sumanene and its congeners

• Shakeel Alvi and
• Rashid Ali

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2212–2259, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.186

A review of asymmetric synthetic organic electrochemistry and electrocatalysis: concepts, applications, recent developments and future directions

• Munmun Ghosh,
• Valmik S. Shinde and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2710–2746, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.264

• involved the synthesis of precursor (+)-198 from phenylacetic acid and (−)-α-PEA via sequential amidation, reduction and Pictet–Spengler cyclization reactions. The key anodic oxidation in the presence of NaCN converted (+)-198 to α-amino nitrile (+)-199 with excellent diastereoselectivity. Upon further

Unprecedented nucleophile-promoted 1,7-S or Se shift reactions under Pummerer reaction conditions of 4-alkenyl-3-sulfinylmethylpyrroles

• Takashi Go,
• Akane Morimatsu,
• Hiroaki Wasada,
• Genzoh Tanabe,
• Osamu Muraoka,
• Yoshiharu Sawada and
• Mitsuhiro Yoshimatsu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2018, 14, 2722–2729, doi:10.3762/bjoc.14.250

• rearrangement of 6,7-dihydroindol-4(5H)-ones. However, after implementing this approach, an undesirable isomer was obtained [21]. Although a number of acid- [22][23] and metal-catalysed cascade processes [24][25] have been developed (for example, Pictet–Spengler [26] and Ugi-type reactions [27], the acyl

Oxidative dehydrogenation of C–C and C–N bonds: A convenient approach to access diverse (dihydro)heteroaromatic compounds

• Santanu Hati,
• Ulrike Holzgrabe and
• Subhabrata Sen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2017, 13, 1670–1692, doi:10.3762/bjoc.13.162

• oxidative dehydrogenation in the synthesis of β-carboline natural products norharmine (111), harmane (112) and eudistomin U (113) [101]. The general synthetic scheme involved the synthesis of the respective tetrahydro-β-carboline precursors of the said natural products by Pictet–Spengler reaction of

A practical and efficient approach to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-fused isoquinolines through the post-GBB transformation strategy

• Taofeng Shao,
• Zhiming Gong,
• Tianyi Su,
• Wei Hao and
• Chao Che

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2017, 13, 817–824, doi:10.3762/bjoc.13.82

• to structurally complex polycyclic ring systems [33]; an Ugi/aza-Wittig process allowed for the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles [34]; the Ugi/Pictet–Spengler sequence provided a rapid and efficient approach to polycyclic natural product-like alkaloids [35]. Accordingly, the

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of biologically important 3-hydroxyoxindoles: an update

• Bin Yu,
• Hui Xing,
• De-Quan Yu and
• Hong-Min Liu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2016, 12, 1000–1039, doi:10.3762/bjoc.12.98

• developed another CPA-catalyzed three-component cascade Michael/Pictet–Spengler reaction of 3-indolylmethanols and azomethine ylides, in which isatins were used in place of aldehydes (Scheme 55) [72]. Based on this method, they obtained structurally novel and complex bisspirooxindoles in excellent

Synthesis of constrained analogues of tryptophan

• Elisabetta Rossi,
• Valentina Pirovano,
• Marco Negrato,
• Giorgio Abbiati and
• Monica Dell’Acqua

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2015, 11, 1997–2006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.11.216

• from the biological evaluation to the chemistry of tryptophan analogues, the above described two categories were synthesized according to the Pictet–Spengler reaction or by Fischer indole synthesis [11][12][13][14]. However, Fischer indolization suffers from the lack of regioselectivity depending on

The Shono-type electroorganic oxidation of unfunctionalised amides. Carbon–carbon bond formation via electrogenerated N-acyliminium ions

• Alan M. Jones and
• Craig E. Banks

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2014, 10, 3056–3072, doi:10.3762/bjoc.10.323

• ] have a long and distinguished history in organic chemistry being important components in carbon–carbon bond forming reactions and in the generation of cyclic and heterocyclic ring systems through such classic named reactions as the Pictet–Spengler and Diels–Alder [3][4]. There have been many excellent

• analogues. The α-methoxy cyclic amines were treated with tryptamine (or analogues) and a camphorsulfonic acid (CSA)-mediated Pictet–Spengler reaction afforded the desired Nazlinine and structural variants in one pot. Conclusion In this review article we have highlighted the scope of the Shono-type

Application of cyclic phosphonamide reagents in the total synthesis of natural products and biologically active molecules

• Thilo Focken and
• Stephen Hanessian

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2014, 10, 1848–1877, doi:10.3762/bjoc.10.195

• oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction from 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 173 and ketal aldehyde 174 as key building blocks (Figure 10). The 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 173 is accessible by opening of epoxide 175 as chiron with a suitable nucleophile. The ketal aldehyde 174 would be derived from butenolide 176

• with DIBAL-H gave ketal aldehyde 181, which was then condensed with 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 173 in a oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction to form the tetracyclic core of berkelic acid. Treatment of the obtained tetracyclic salicylic acid with allyl bromide and desilyation with TBAF/AcOH provided 182. The