Total Synthesis of Biologically Active Natural Organic Compounds

Biologically active natural organic compounds that have potential as agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals such as phytohormones, insecticidal substances, antibiotics, and anticancer substances are being discovered daily from various biological resources. In many cases, however, the amounts obtained from natural sources are extremely small, and accordingly, such natural products are buried without detailed biological studies in spite of their beneficial biological effects. We are aiming to provide such rare and useful natural products by chemically synthesizing them based on the theory of organic chemistry and support researches directed toward their practical application. We also conduct basic studies on synthetic organic chemistry such as development of new chemical transformations and designing concise synthetic routes.

• Total Synthesis of the Antibiotic Amycolamicin

  We have achieved the total synthesis of amycolamicin exhibiting potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of drug-resistant bacteria. Its hybrid structure comprising five different ring systems are constructed in a convergent manner. In this synthetic approach, we added new findings to the Diels-Alder and N-glycosylation reactions. Future structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies are expected to lead to the development of new medicinal drugs.

• Unified Synthesis of Strophasterols, Fruiting Body Inducers in Mushrooms

  Synthesis of strophasterols A–F, abeo-ergostane-type steroids that endogenously induce fruiting body formation in mushrooms have been accomplished. Applied research is expected for factory production of mushrooms that are difficult to cultivate artificially.