A complex stereochemical relay approach to the antimalarial alkaloid ocimicide A(1). Evidence for a structural revision

Ocimicide A(1) (1) and the semisynthetic derivative ocimicide A(2) (2) are highly potent antimalarial agents efficacious against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains with IC(50) values in the nanomolar and picomolar range, respectively. Members of this family have demonstrated radical cure in rhesus monkeys, without detectable toxicity, but their structure–function relationships and mechanism of action are unknown. Herein we describe a twelve-step synthesis of an advanced N-acylated pentacyclic precursor to the proposed structure of 1 (11% overall yield). Instability and poor P. falciparum growth inhibition of the corresponding free donor–acceptor cyclopropylamine, and large discrepancies between reported and both experimental and DFT-calculated (13)C chemical shifts and coupling constants, suggest that substantial revision of the proposed structures may be necessary.