Ligand Type Guided Keto‐Arylation Enables Modular Total Synthesis of Polycyclic CBS Xanthones

J Jonas W. Meringdal (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany) V Vivienne Prangenberg (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany) T Tim Treiber (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany) A Andreas J. Schneider (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany) L Leon Honsdorf (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany) D Dirk Menche (Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany)

Abstract

Abstract The first total synthesis of the potent polycyclic xanthone antibiotics CBS72, CBS87 and CBS100 was accomplished by a modular strategy featuring a very demanding intermolecular aromatic keto‐arylation. Central to the solution was a recently‐developed ligand type approach, rather than brute force screening, demonstrating the usefulness of this novel concept in complex target synthesis. Additional key features include an asymmetric Davis hydroxylation proceeding with only catalytic amounts of base, thus enabling the conversion of a highly sensitive, elaborate substrate. Furthermore, a late‐stage aminolysis completed the polycyclic framework, circumventing laborious protective group chemistry. Together, this strategy provides a concise, high‐yielding access, confirming the full architecture of this most potent class of polyaromatic xanthones, and establishes ligand types as a powerful design tool for sophisticated cross‐couplings.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 37
Published September 08, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (6)

J

Jonas W. Meringdal

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany

V

Vivienne Prangenberg

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany

T

Tim Treiber

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany

A

Andreas J. Schneider

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany

L

Leon Honsdorf

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany

D

Dirk Menche

Kekulé‐Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Bonn Gerhard‐Domagk‐Str. 1 53121 Bonn Germany