Recent advances in total synthesis of illisimonin A

• Juan Huang and
• Ming Yang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2571–2583, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.199

• -catalyzed oxidative lactonization, yielding 76 with a newly established quaternary center at C1 and isomerization of the double bond to C2=C3. Photocatalyzed isomerization of the C2–C3 double bond in 76 to C3=C4 furnished 77 [39][40]. A Mukaiyama hydration introduced a hydroxy group at C4, accompanied by

Total syntheses of highly oxidative Ryania diterpenoids facilitated by innovations in synthetic strategies

• Zhi-Qi Cao,
• Jin-Bao Qiao and
• Yu-Ming Zhao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2553–2570, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.198

• adduct was subjected to AgOTf-catalyzed lactonization to successfully construct the D ring of target molecular framework. Next, a 1,4-addition reaction introduced a vinyl group to compound 68, affording compound 70. A Pauson–Khand cyclization of 70 under [RhCl(CO)2]2/CO conditions smoothly furnished the

• successfully accomplished via an epoxide ring-opening/tandem lactonization/olefin hydration sequence. In total, 12 consecutive redox manipulations (7 oxidations and 5 reductions) established all stereocenters, with subsequent functional group transformations completing the total synthesis of garajonone (8

Synthetic study toward vibralactone

• Liang Shi,
• Jiayi Song,
• Yiqing Li,
• Jia-Chen Li,
• Shuqi Li,
• Li Ren,
• Zhi-Yun Liu and
• Hong-Dong Hao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2376–2382, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.182

• late-stage lactonization as key steps [26] (Scheme 1). Subsequently, they achieved the asymmetric synthesis of vibralactone (6) based on the asymmetric Birch reduction–alkylation methodology developed by the Schultz group [27][28]. In 2016, Brown and co-workers described an efficient synthetic route

Recent advances in Norrish–Yang cyclization and dicarbonyl photoredox reactions for natural product synthesis

• Peng-Xi Luo,
• Jin-Xuan Yang,
• Shao-Min Fu and
• Bo Liu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2315–2333, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.177

• . This transformation proceeded via sequential regio- and stereoselective Norrish−Yang annulation, followed by intramolecular lactonization mediated by 12a. Notably, when the ethyl ester in 12 was replaced with a methyl group to form 14 with R = Et (Scheme 3), photoreaction of 14 led to 15 in 95% yield

• , enabling the total synthesis of 13 via in situ intramolecular lactonization as a key step. Computational and experimental studies reveal that the regio- and stereoselectivity of the Norrish−Yang cyclization are governed by the influence of the methyl group at C10: (1) In terms of regioselectivity, the 1,3

C2 to C6 biobased carbonyl platforms for fine chemistry

• Jingjing Jiang,
• Muhammad Noman Haider Tariq,
• Florence Popowycz,
• Yanlong Gu and
• Yves Queneau

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2103–2172, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.165

Catalytic asymmetric reactions of isocyanides for constructing non-central chirality

• Jia-Yu Liao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1648–1660, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.129

• eight-membered lactones 53 in 42–67% yield with excellent retention of enantiopurity via an overall lactonization process. In addition to C–C axial chirality, we have demonstrated that our Ag-catalyzed DKR protocol could be applied for the generation of C–N atropisomers by using N-arylindole lactams 54

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

• followed by lactonization to Int-21 and Int-22 (Scheme 11c). Chi and co-workers showed that desymmetrization of urazoles can lead to axially chiral derivatives [31]. The NHC-catalyzed (3 + 2) annulation between α,β-unsaturated aldehydes 36 and urazoles 37 generates atropoisomers 38 with a C–N stereogenic

Natural resorcylic lactones derived from alternariol

• Joachim Podlech

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2171–2207, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.187

• hydroxymethyl-substituted ring systems and opens the possibility of an alternative lactonization with formation of seven-membered lactone rings (Figure 11). Hydroxymethyl-substituted resorcylic lactone 38 was first found to be a product of alternariol metabolization in human, rat, and porcine livers [102], but

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

• ]oxazinan)-6'-one derivatives with two types of molecular diversity as part of their efforts to produce inhibitors of 17β-HSDs [61]. The first type of diversity was achieved by introducing different amino acids through the opening of the oxirane ring on compound 127. After lactonization of compounds 128

• compounds 132a–e. Spiro androstanemorpholinones 133a–e were synthesized through the lactonization of the amino esters by treatment with sodium methoxide. Intramolecular transesterification was favored by a high volume of solvent and a low quantity of base, which helped to avoid undesired intermolecular side

Oxidation of benzylic alcohols to carbonyls using N-heterocyclic stabilized λ³-iodanes

• Thomas J. Kuczmera,
• Pim Puylaert and
• Boris J. Nachtsheim

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1677–1683, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.149

• them group transfer reactions [21] and as building blocks [22][23][24]. The synthetic potential of NHIs has been previously studied in model transformations such as thioanisole oxygenation, oxidative lactonization, or diacetoxylation of alkenes [25][26][27][28]. In this work, we want to apply NHIs in a

Domino reactions of chromones with activated carbonyl compounds

• Peter Langer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1256–1269, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.108

• the methylene carbon to the carbonyl group gave intermediate C which underwent lactonization to give the final product. 1,3-Bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes The reaction of chromones 9a–j with 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes 6a–h, carried out in the presence of Me3SiOTf, and subsequent treatment with

• crude form for the next step. Treatment of the latter with triethylamine in methanol resulted in ring-cleavage to give intermediate E. Subsequent base-mediated Knoevenagel reaction with extrusion of water gave intermediate F which underwent lactonization and resulted in the formation of the final

• adjacent to the phenol moiety resulted in formation of intermediate L and lactonization gave the final products. The regioselectivity of the cyclization can be explained by steric hindrance of the carbonyl group adjacent to the 2-nitrophenyl moiety containing an ortho-substituent. Interestingly, in case of

Aromatic C–H bond functionalization through organocatalyzed asymmetric intermolecular aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction: a recent update

• Anup Biswas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 956–981, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.72

• reaction proceeding through aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction and lactonization steps. Main focus of this article was to demonstrate a racemic process between α-naphthol or phenol derivatives and in situ-generated N-acetyl ketimine from methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate (18) in the course of preparing 3-NHAc

• ) [65]. In 2019, Piersanti and co-workers reported an organocatalyzed enantioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts/lactonization domino reaction sequence as the key step in the course of synthesizing (+)- and (−)-fumimycin. (−)-Fumimycin was first isolated from Aspergillus fumisynnematus and exhibits

• utilizing cyclic N-sulfimines as electrophiles. Aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction involving N-unprotected imino ester as electrophile. Aza-Friedel–Crafts and lactonization cascade. One-pot oxidation and aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction. C1 and C2-symmetric phosphoric acids as catalysts. Aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction

Transition-metal-catalyzed domino reactions of strained bicyclic alkenes

• Austin Pounder,
• Eric Neufeld,
• Peter Myler and
• William Tam

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 487–540, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.38

• undergoing reductive elimination to afford to [2 + 2] adduct, β-oxygen elimination followed by E/Z isomerization and intramolecular lactonization generates the annulated coumarin scaffold. In 2003, the Cheng lab extended on this Ni-catalyzed ring-opening strategy [31]. It was noted the addition of 1.5

• solely observed (Scheme 1). This unprecedented lactone is presumed to be generated through the expected reductive coupling to generate the ring-opened intermediate 5 which undergoes subsequent intramolecular lactonization with the distal ester group. In the same year, Cheng and co-workers observed the

Redox-active molecules as organocatalysts for selective oxidative transformations – an unperceived organocatalysis field

• Elena R. Lopat’eva,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Dmitry A. Lapshin and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1672–1695, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.179

• several cases, a good regioselectivity was achieved for complex molecules. Quinuclidine cation radicals were also involved in the generation of nucleophilic α-hydroxyalkyl radicals from alcohols for the addition to the electron-deficient C=C bond of methyl acrylate followed by lactonization [107] (Scheme

Vicinal ketoesters – key intermediates in the total synthesis of natural products

• Marc Paul Beller and
• Ulrich Koert

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1236–1248, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.129

• , Scheme 6) [15]. Through a series of finely tuned CH oxidations, cedrol (31) was converted to the lactone 32. In a single step, using Riley oxidation conditions, the methyl ketone moiety was transferred to the α-ketoester 33. Reduction, lactonization, and elimination gave the ketoesters-derived enol 34

Electroreductive coupling of 2-acylbenzoates with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: density functional theory study on product selectivity

• Naoki Kise and
• Toshihiko Sakurai

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 956–962, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.95

• treatment with 1 M HCl produces phthalide 4 through desilylation and following lactonization of F (path d). As can be seen from Scheme 5, the cyclization of D to E is the key step for the formation of compound 6. Therefore, we calculated the intermediates (D and E) and transition states (D–E TS) for this

Efficient and regioselective synthesis of dihydroxy-substituted 2-aminocyclooctane-1-carboxylic acid and its bicyclic derivatives

• İlknur Polat,
• Selçuk Eşsiz,
• Uğur Bozkaya and
• Emine Salamci

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 77–85, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.7

• H-7 and H-10 also showed weak correlation, which clearly supports the cis relation of the proton H-10. In this reaction, lactonization and hydrolysis of the Boc group to the corresponding amine were observed. The formation of lactone 8 as the major product can be explained by nucleophilic attack of

Synthetic strategies toward 1,3-oxathiolane nucleoside analogues

• Umesh P. Aher,
• Dhananjai Srivastava,
• Girij P. Singh and
• Jayashree B. S

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2680–2715, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.182

• process that reached 96.5% ee through the combination of the reversible hemithioacetal transformation and the enantioselective lactonization catalyzed by the immobilized lipase from Trichosporon laibachii (Scheme 24). As a result, the desired stereochemistry of 1,3-oxathiolane precursors 71 and 72 was

Asymmetric organocatalyzed synthesis of coumarin derivatives

• Natália M. Moreira,
• Lorena S. R. Martelli and
• Arlene G. Corrêa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1952–1980, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.128

• reaction between 3-cyano-4-methylcoumarins 39 and MBH carbonates 40. Enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropa[c]coumarins 45. NHC-catalyzed lactonization of 2-bromoenals 46 with 4-hydroxycoumarin (1). NHC-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of dihydrocoumarins 51. Domino reaction of enals 2 with

On the application of 3d metals for C–H activation toward bioactive compounds: The key step for the synthesis of silver bullets

• Renato L. Carvalho,
• Amanda S. de Miranda,
• Mateus P. Nunes,
• Roberto S. Gomes,
• Guilherme A. M. Jardim and
• Eufrânio N. da Silva Júnior

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1849–1938, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.126

• action of Meerwein’s salt (Me3OBF4) and a mild base (proton sponge) to afford a methoxy cedrene derivative. Next, oxidative cleavage of the double bond using NaIO4/RuCl3·xH2O enabled a ring opening, followed by lactonization promoted by CuBr2 via an intramolecular acyloxylation. The 5,5-fused ring system

• was then converted to a 5,6-fused seco-prezizaane scaffold through an α-ketol rearrangement promoted by a strong base and after secondary alcohol protection with TBSCl, a Fe-catalyzed C–H activation reaction promoted a second lactonization to afford (+)-pseudoanisatin (Scheme 28B). In 2016, Chirik and

Methodologies for the synthesis of quaternary carbon centers via hydroalkylation of unactivated olefins: twenty years of advances

• Thiago S. Silva and
• Fernando Coelho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1565–1590, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.112

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

Application of the Meerwein reaction of 1,4-benzoquinone to a metal-free synthesis of benzofuropyridine analogues

• Rashmi Singh,
• Tomas Horsten,
• Rashmi Prakash,
• Swapan Dey and
• Wim Dehaen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 977–982, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.79

• presence of a catalytic amount of piperidine afforded pyridopsoralen 22 in 46% yield. Analogously, pyridopsoralen 23 was prepared from 16 by Knoevenagel condensation with diethyl malonate and subsequent lactonization with 62% yield (Scheme 4) [13]. To the best of our understanding, the scaffolds 21–23 are

Bifurcated synthesis of methylene-lactone- and methylene-lactam-fused spirolactams via electrophilic amide allylation of γ-phenylthio-functionalized γ-lactams

• Tetsuya Sengoku,
• Koki Makino,
• Ayumi Iijima,
• Toshiyasu Inuzuka and
• Hidemi Yoda

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2769–2775, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.227

• yields. On the other hand, methylene-lactone-fused spirolactams could be delivered from the allyl adducts in high yields through a sequential N-Boc protection/desulfinative lactonization. Keywords: bifurcated synthesis; electrophilic amide allylation; α-methylene-γ-butyrolactam; α-methylene-γ

• the construction of the spiro skeleton of 4 and 5. For this purpose, we initially attempted to transform 3b to 5a through the reaction sequence consisting of copper-mediated hydroxylation and acid-mediated lactonization based on our previous reports [10][11][14][21]. Substitution of the phenylthio

• equivalents of n-butyllithium and 1.1 equivalents of Boc2O in THF at −78 °C, 5a was obtained as a mixture including unreacted starting material (<11% yield), indicating that installation of an N-Boc group on the terminus amide should trigger the desired lactonization. Therefore, we next examined the

Synthesis of novel fluorinated building blocks via halofluorination and related reactions

• Attila Márió Remete,
• Tamás T. Novák,
• Melinda Nonn,
• Matti Haukka,
• Ferenc Fülöp and
• Loránd Kiss

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2562–2575, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.208

• )-10 and the bicyclic lactam (rac)-14, the formation of fluoroselenated products in low amounts could be detected, but the isolation in a pure form failed. The treatment of the diester 16 with PhSeBr caused lactonization regardless of the presence or absence of Deoxo-Fluor®. The yield was better when

• )-1 and 4. PhSe+-induced lactonization of the diester 16. Relevant NOESY interactions are marked with two-headed arrows. Oxidation of the fluoroselenide (rac)-30 under acidic and basic conditions. Oxidation of the fluoroselenide mixture (rac)-31 under acidic and basic conditions. Supporting