The total synthesis of a number of representative natural products isolated from Leucetta and Clathrina sponges containing a polysubstituted 2-aminoimidazole are described. These syntheses take advantage of the site specific metallation reactions of 4,5-diiodoimidazoles resulting in the syntheses of three different classes of Leucetta derived natural products. The cytotoxicities of these natural products, along with several precursors in MCF7 cells were determined through an MTT growth assay. For comparative purposes a series of naphthimidazole-containing family members are included.
Graphical Abstract
The total syntheses of two alkaloids isolated from a marine sponge of the Leucetta sp. have been accomplished in 6 and 7 steps starting from a 4,5-diiodoimidazole derivative. Grignard mediated halogen-metal exchange was used to install the benzyl side chain. C2 substitution was accomplished via lithiation followed by quenching with trisyl azide which provided isonaamine C after hydrogenation. Isonaamidine E was then prepared from isonaamine C via introduction of the hydantoin ring by reaction with an activated parabanic acid.
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