C-H Functionalization-Enabled 11-Step Semisynthesis of (−)-Veragranine A and Characterization of Synthetic Analogs in Osteoarthritis-related Pain Treatment

Donghui Ma, Paz Duran, Reem Al-Ahmad, Sara Hestehave, Margarita Joa, Omar Alsbiei, Erick J. Rodríguez-Palma, Yanrong Li, Shilin Wang, Rajesh Khanna, Mingji Dai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report an efficient semisynthesis of the cholestane steroidal alkaloid (−)-veragranine A with a 6/6/6/5/6/6 hexacyclic ring system, eight stereocenters, and a unique C12-C23 linkage. Our synthesis features a Schönecker-Baran C-H oxidation at C12, a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling to form the C12-C23 bond, and a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-initiated Minisci C-H cyclization to forge the C20-C22 bond with desired stereochemistry at C20. These enabling transformations significantly enhanced the overall synthetic efficiency and delivered (−)-veragranine A in 11 steps and over 200 mg from cheap and readily available dehydroepiandrosterone. In addition, this approach allowed flexible syntheses of novel synthetic analogs for biological evaluations in sensory neurons in vitro and in an in vivo model of arthritic pain, from which two novel lead compounds were identified for further development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)16698-16705
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume146
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 19 2024
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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