Confirmation of the stereochemistry of spiroviolene

• Yao Kong,
• Yuanning Liu,
• Kaibiao Wang,
• Tao Wang,
• Chen Wang,
• Ben Ai,
• Hongli Jia,
• Guohui Pan,
• Min Yin and
• Zhengren Xu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 852–858, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.77

• cyclization mechanism of spiroviolene. Keywords: boron migration; diterpene; spiroviolene; stereochemistry; Introduction Terpenes represent one of the most fascinating families of natural products due to their structural complexity and diversity, as well as their indispensable biological functions that

• would be potentially applied as fragrances, pharmaceuticals etc. Until now, more than 80,000 terpenoid structures have been reported, which are found in all domains of life [1][2][3]. Despite their remarkable chemodiversity, the biosynthetic logic of terpenes is straightforward [4]. All terpenes are

Discovery and biosynthesis of bacterial drimane-type sesquiterpenoids from Streptomyces clavuligerus

• Dongxu Zhang,
• Wenyu Du,
• Xingming Pan,
• Xiaoxu Lin,
• Fang-Ru Li,
• Qingling Wang,
• Qian Yang,
• Hui-Min Xu and
• Liao-Bin Dong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 815–822, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.73

• biocatalysts, capable of catalyzing a wide range of reactions and processing a variety of substrates [35][36]. They effectively recognize different structural types, including aromatic compounds, polyketides, terpenes, peptides, and carbohydrates [37][38][39][40]. To investigate the substrate spectrum of CavA

Chemical and biosynthetic potential of Penicillium shentong XL-F41

• Ran Zou,
• Xin Li,
• Xiaochen Chen,
• Yue-Wei Guo and
• Baofu Xu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 597–606, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.52

• fungal-RiPP-like/T1PKS, 1 betalactone, 1 PKS type I/NRPS/indole hybrid, 1 fungal-RiPP-like/T1PKS hybrid, 1 NRP-metallophore/NRPS hybrid, NRPS-like/terpene/phosphonate hybrids, 3 terpenes, and 1 indole-related cluster (Table 5). BGC 7.3, identified as an indole-type gene cluster, includes genes for

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

• Carlos R. Azpilcueta-Nicolas and
• Jean-Philip Lumb

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 346–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.35

• -rich (hetero)aryl halides was equally effective (Scheme 36). In addition, the preparation of unnatural amino acids in multigram scale [115], along with the syntheses of complex terpenes [116] and (+)-calcipotriol [117] have showcased the vast synthetic potential and broad applicability of NHPI esters

Functions of enzyme domains in 2-methylisoborneol biosynthesis and enzymatic synthesis of non-natural analogs

• Binbin Gu,
• Lin-Fu Liang and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1452–1459, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.104

• ; isotopes; substrate analogs; terpenes; Introduction The musty odorant 2-methylisoborneol (1, Scheme 1) has first been obtained through synthesis from camphor [1] and has subsequently been discovered as a natural product in streptomycetes [2][3]. The volatile compound was later also found in various other

Functional characterisation of twelve terpene synthases from actinobacteria

• Anuj K. Chhalodia,
• Houchao Xu,
• Georges B. Tabekoueng,
• Binbin Gu,
• Kizerbo A. Taizoumbe,
• Lukas Lauterbach and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1386–1398, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.100

• ; biosynthesis; enzymes; NMR spectroscopy; terpenes; Introduction Terpene synthases are remarkable enzymes that can convert acyclic and achiral oligoprenyl pyrophosphates into terpene hydrocarbons or alcohols of high structural complexity. These enzymatic reactions are initiated by ionisation of the substrate

• viridis [14][15][16]. Only few terpene synthases have been characterised from other organisms, including enzymes from insects [17], octocorals [18][19], red algae [20][21], and amobae [22][23]. Despite these previous efforts, for many known terpenes still no terpene synthases catalysing their formation

• are relevant arguments to continue the research on terpene synthases, despite the fact that already many enzymes of this class have been described. Terpenes produced by characterised terpene synthases. Phylogenetic tree constructed from the amino acid sequences of 4018 terpene synthase homologs. Blue

Strategies to access the [5-8] bicyclic core encountered in the sesquiterpene, diterpene and sesterterpene series

• Cécile Alleman,
• Charlène Gadais,
• Laurent Legentil and
• François-Hugues Porée

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 245–281, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.23

• Terpene compounds probably represent the most diversified class of secondary metabolites. Some classes of terpenes, mainly diterpenes (C20) and sesterterpenes (C25) and to a lesser extent sesquiterpenes (C15), share a common bicyclo[3.6.0]undecane core which is characterized by the presence of a

• cyclooctane ring fused to a cyclopentane ring, i.e., a [5-8] bicyclic ring system. This review focuses on the different strategies elaborated to construct this [5-8] bicyclic ring system and their application in the total synthesis of terpenes over the last two decades. The overall approaches involve the

• . Keywords: 5-8 bicycle; cyclization strategies; terpenes; Introduction Terpene compounds represent the largest and most diversified class of secondary metabolites. They are present in all organisms and their structure can vary from simple terpenes (C10 skeleton) to polymers (example of rubber) thanks to

Germacrene B – a central intermediate in sesquiterpene biosynthesis

• Houchao Xu and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 186–203, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.18

• references. Keywords: biosynthesis; configuration determination; germacrene B; structure elucidation; terpenes; Introduction Terpenoids constitute the largest class of natural products with ca. 100,000 known compounds. Biosynthetically, all terpenoids are derived from only a few acyclic precursors

• ., by heating with sulphur, to the blue azulene derivative 62 (Scheme 16C) [121][122][124][125][126], but the structure elucidation of this compound was only completed in 1936 [127]. Based on a comparison of IR spectra of natural terpenes, their hydrogenation and dehydrogenation products, the correct

• compounds are only known as synthetic materials. Compared to the known compounds arising from germacrene A or hedycaryol through similar reactions as discussed here [12][13], however, the number of terpenes derived from germacrene B is much lower. In this article we have explained the rationale for the

Sequential hydrozirconation/Pd-catalyzed cross coupling of acyl chlorides towards conjugated (2E,4E)-dienones

• Benedikt Kolb,
• Daniela Silva dos Santos,
• Sanja Krause,
• Anna Zens and
• Sabine Laschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.17

• analogues, whereas the variation of the acyl chlorides did not affect the reaction significantly. The synthetic application is demonstrated by formation of non-natural and natural dienone-containing terpenes such as β-ionone which was available in 4 steps and 6% overall yield. Keywords: cross coupling

• ; hydrozirconation; palladium catalysis; Schwartz's reagent; terpenes; Introduction Conjugated dienones are recurring structural motifs in natural products. Several biologically relevant compounds carry (2Ε,4E)-unsaturated ketones or the corresponding esters or amides. Selected examples are clifednamide H (1) which

• the alkyne terminus significantly decreased the yield. Finally, non-natural and natural dienone-containing terpenes were synthesized such as β-ionone (3), which was available in 4 steps (6% overall yield). Thereby, the synthetic utility was demonstrated by a late-stage introduction of the dienone unit

Identification and determination of the absolute configuration of amorph-4-en-10β-ol, a cadinol-type sesquiterpene from the scent glands of the African reed frog Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris

• Angelique Ladwig,
• Markus Kroll and
• Stefan Schulz

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 167–175, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.16

• the arthropod diet also may be possible, but less likely. The diet is varying. In addition, some arthropods can produce terpenes but they are not regarded as prolific producers of sesquiterpenes. The analysis of several H. cinnamomeoventris individuals from different locations showed a consistent

Understanding the competing pathways leading to hydropyrene and isoelisabethatriene

• Shani Zev,
• Marion Ringel,
• Ronja Driller,
• Bernhard Loll,
• Thomas Brück and
• Dan T. Major

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 972–978, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.97

• Translational Neuroscience – DANDRITE, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark 10.3762/bjoc.18.97 Abstract Terpene synthases are responsible for the biosynthesis of terpenes, the largest family of natural products. Hydropyrene synthase generates hydropyrene and hydropyrenol as its main products along with

• kinetic control; Introduction Terpenes constitute a ubiquitous class of natural molecules that are synthesized by terpene synthases (TPS). TPS generate a plethora of terpenes employing rich carbocation chemistry from a very limited number of substrates, known as geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), farnesyl

• pyrophosphate (FPP), and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), to produce mono-, sesqui-, and diterpenes, respectively. The formation of terpenes relies on an assortment of carbocation steps like cyclization, methyl migrations, rearrangements, proton or hydride transfers, hydroxylations, and epoxidations. TPS

Anti-inflammatory aromadendrane- and cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids from the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa

• Shou-Mao Shen,
• Qing Yang,
• Yi Zang,
• Jia Li,
• Xueting Liu and
• Yue-Wei Guo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 916–925, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.91

• ). Different enantiomeric ratios could explain the properties of the active sites in the corresponding terpene synthases, which remain unclear for further investigations [22]. The diversified structures of terpenes were constructed by terpene synthase [26] along with the post-modification enzymes, such as P450

Efficient production of clerodane and ent-kaurane diterpenes through truncated artificial pathways in Escherichia coli

• Fang-Ru Li,
• Xiaoxu Lin,
• Qian Yang,
• Ning-Hua Tan and
• Liao-Bin Dong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 881–888, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.89

• and DMAPP. Given that the commercial DMAA is cheaper than ISO, our result in merely using DMAA should be helpful in decreasing the overall cost for the production of other terpenes using this two-step artificial pathway [22]. Optimizing the concentrations of glycerol and IPTG, and fermentation time

Synthesis of odorants in flow and their applications in perfumery

• Merlin Kleoff,
• Paul Kiler and
• Philipp Heretsch

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 754–768, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.76

• the main odor families “fruity”, “green”, “marine”, “floral”, “spicy”, “woody”, “ambery”, and “musky” and their use and importance for perfumery is briefly discussed. Keywords: flow chemistry; fragrances; odorants; scents; terpenes; Introduction The history of odorants goes back to ancient cultures

• found in natural spice oils are terpenes, which belong to the top notes. Some molecules get to the middle notes, and, very rarely, spice materials reach the base notes. Thyme is occasionally used in soapy perfumes and detergents “where its power and freshness can introduce a hint of medicinal notes” [10

Inductive heating and flow chemistry – a perfect synergy of emerging enabling technologies

• Conrad Kuhwald,
• Sibel Türkhan and
• Andreas Kirschning

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 688–706, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.70

• is the first example of a single ingredient sold as perfume in the fragrance industry. Structurally, it is related to natural terpenes. Starting from myrcene (85), an inductively heated process was developed, initiated with a Diels–Alder cycloaddition that furnished ambrelux (87) (Scheme 16). This

Tenacibactins K–M, cytotoxic siderophores from a coral-associated gliding bacterium of the genus Tenacibaculum

• Yasuhiro Igarashi,
• Yiwei Ge,
• Tao Zhou,
• Amit Raj Sharma,
• Enjuro Harunari,
• Naoya Oku and
• Agus Trianto

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 110–119, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.12

• from 2.5 to 7.9 Mbp, biosynthetic gene clusters for siderophores, terpenes, and non-ribosomal peptides were identified by genome mining [39], suggesting a high capability of secondary metabolism in this genus. Further investigation is underway to disclose the actual diversity of metabolites from the

The enzyme mechanism of patchoulol synthase

• Houchao Xu,
• Bernd Goldfuss,
• Gregor Schnakenburg and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 13–24, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.2

• calculations; enzyme mechanisms; isotopes; terpenes; Introduction Patchouli oil, the essential oil of the shrub Pogostemon cablin, has a pleasant woody odour and is of high economic value for the perfumery and cosmetics industries. It is mainly composed of sesquiterpenes with patchoulol as the main compound

Targeting active site residues and structural anchoring positions in terpene synthases

• Anwei Hou and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2441–2449, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.161

• mechanisms; isotopes; site-directed mutagenesis; terpenes; Introduction Terpenoids now span more than 90,000 known compounds, which makes them by far the largest class of natural products [1]. Despite this fact, all compounds are made from only two C5 building blocks, dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) and

Natural products in the predatory defence of the filamentous fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

• Jana M. Boysen,
• Nauman Saeed and
• Falk Hillmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1814–1827, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.124

• molecules like non-ribosomal peptides (NRP), polyketides (PK), terpenes or indole alkaloids [10][11]. The vast majority of fungal BGCs is found in the genomes of members of the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota including the genus Penicillium in which the first BGC was identified in 1990 [12][13][14

Volatile emission and biosynthesis in endophytic fungi colonizing black poplar leaves

• Christin Walther,
• Pamela Baumann,
• Katrin Luck,
• Beate Rothe,
• Peter H. W. Biedermann,
• Jonathan Gershenzon,
• Tobias G. Köllner and
• Sybille B. Unsicker

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1698–1711, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.118

• culture and showed that both species are able to produce sesquiterpenes like (E)-β-farnesene (2), α- and β-chamigrene (4), and germacrene D [41]. In general, terpenes are derived from the five-carbon intermediates dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) and isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), which are both produced

• that an endophytic fungus (Acremonium strictum) alters the volatile composition of the tomato plant Solanum lycopersicum and attracts Helicoverpa armigera moth for oviposition [80]. The endophytic fungus Beauveria bassiana also increased the emission of some terpenes from tomato plants resulting in a

Methodologies for the synthesis of quaternary carbon centers via hydroalkylation of unactivated olefins: twenty years of advances

• Thiago S. Silva and
• Fernando Coelho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1565–1590, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.112

• of a double bond by increasing the Fsp3 with the concomitant formation of carbon quaternary centers. Olefins are desirable starting materials, as they are usually low-cost and stable chemicals that are readily available from natural sources (e.g., terpenes [3][4][5]) or from industrial processes (e.g

Recent advances in palladium-catalysed asymmetric 1,4–additions of arylboronic acids to conjugated enones and chromones

• Jan Bartáček,
• Jan Svoboda,
• Martin Kocúrik,
• Jaroslav Pochobradský,
• Alexander Čegan,
• Miloš Sedlák and
• Jiří Váňa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1048–1085, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.84

• organoboron reagents to enones [3][26][35]. Enantioselective β-arylation of cyclohexanone [38]. Application of L2/Pd(OAc)2 in the total synthesis of terpenes [8]. Plausible catalytic cycle for the addition of phenylboronic acid to 2-cyclohexenone catalysed by L3/Pd(dba)2 [40]. Microwave-assisted addition of

On the mass spectrometric fragmentations of the bacterial sesterterpenes sestermobaraenes A–C

• Anwei Hou and
• Jeroen S. Dickschat

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2807–2819, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.231

• initiate a cationic cyclisation cascade, leading to structurally highly complex and usually polycyclic terpenes in just one enzymatic transformation. The initially formed products are non-functionalised terpene hydrocarbons or, if the terminal cationic intermediate of the cyclisation cascade is trapped by

• related techniques the volatiles from many bacteria, fungi, and plants have been investigated [8][9][10], which provides rapid information about the production of volatile terpenes. This information is particularly useful in the combination with the genome sequences of the producing organism, because it

• allows to identify interesting candidate genes coding for terpene synthases for further studies by genome mining. A major difficulty in the GC–MS-based identification of terpenes is associated with the high similarity of the mass spectra of structurally related terpenes. For this reason, the unambiguous

Heterogeneous photocatalysis in flow chemical reactors

• Christopher G. Thomson,
• Ai-Lan Lee and
• Filipe Vilela

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1495–1549, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.125

• immobilisation is common with transition metal complexes as they are often inherently cationic species. Amara and co-workers recently showed that [Ru(bpy)3]2+ could be immobilised on silica particles with a dramatic increase in the efficiency of the photooxidation of terpenes [137]. Polymer networks containing

Understanding the role of active site residues in CotB2 catalysis using a cluster model

• Keren Raz,
• Ronja Driller,
• Thomas Brück,
• Bernhard Loll and
• Dan T. Major

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 50–59, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.7

• , Dept. of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748 Garching, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.16.7 Abstract Terpene cyclases are responsible for the initial cyclization cascade in the multistep synthesis of a large number of terpenes. CotB2 is a diterpene cyclase from Streptomyces

• comprise the largest and structurally most diverse family of natural products, currently representing over 80,000 reported structures from all kingdoms of life [3]. The largest diversity of terpenoids is reported for the plant kingdom where higher terpenes represent secondary metabolic products, which are

• ]. Theoretical quantum mechanical (QM) investigations on the chemistry of terpenes in the gas phase have provided a detailed understanding of the carbocation mechanisms underlying terpene synthase function [25][26][27]. Further, we have used multiscale modeling tools to study the effects of the enzyme