Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Bimagnolignan: A Natural Anti-Breast Cancer Agent

Org Lett. 2024 Mar 29;26(12):2376-2380. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00378. Epub 2024 Mar 14.

Abstract

A short scalable biomimetic route to bioactive natural product bimagnolignan (1) was accomplished. Compound 1 was successfully prepared through a three-step metal-free synthesis from honokiol (2). Alternatively, 1 was also synthesized by biomimetic transformations that mimic tyrosinase in four steps. The key reactions feature a regioselective acetylation, a highly efficient C(sp2)-H oxidation, a cascade aerobic oxidative cyclization/coupling, and a Cu-catalyzed direct oxidative coupling. In addition, cell-based assays validate that 1 is a promising natural lead for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Cyclization
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Coupling