The role of natural products in drug discovery has undergone many changes over the past two decades, from a decline in participation by pharmaceutical companies in the 1990s, to a renaissance in recent years. In addition, the expectations from combinatorial libraries in drug screening have not been fulfilled and more than 60% of prescription drugs are of natural product origin. As a consequence, the natural product-inspired drug discovery and development has received renewed attention in recent years.

A large number of natural products, in particular from the marine environment, contain thiazole, oxazole, thiazolines or oxazolines heterocycles. In many cases, promising anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-malaria and anthelmintic activities have been identified for these compounds. This review focusses on the isolation and structural determination, biological activities and synthetic studies of these marine products covering literature from January 2007 to June 2010.

The known algaecide bacillamide A (1) and two new analogues, bacillamides B (2) and C (3), Figure 1, were isolated from Bacillus endophyticus obtained from a Bahamian hypersaline microbial mat [1]. The detection of these metabolites containing tryptamide thiazole motif, was performed using HPLC-UV-MS bioassay technique. Due to a lack of sufficient material and the appropriate test organisms, bacillamides B and C were not tested for algicidal activity. None of the purified bacillamides demonstrated antibiotic activity against target isolates of hypersaline pond Bacillus sp. at concentrations less than 500 μM.

A related compound, neobacillamide A (4), Figure 1, together with bacillamide C, was isolated from the bacterium Bacillus vallismortis C89 associated with the sponge Dysidea avara [2]. Neobacillamide A represents the first example of a thiazole-carboxamide bearing a 2-phenylethylamine moiety. Both compounds, Neobacillamide and Bacillamide C were inactive as cytotoxic against HL60 human leukemia cells and A549 human lung cancer cells.

A thiopeptide antibiotic, urukthapelstatin A (5), Figure 2, was isolated from a culture of Thermoactinomycetaceae bacterium Mechercharimyces asporophorigenens YM11-542 [3]. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation, and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. It is related to 24 membered cyclic compounds mechercharstatin and telomestatin. Urukthapelstatin A inhibited the growth of human lung cancer A549 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 12 nM and also showed potent cytotoxic activity against a human cancer cell line panel.

Two new cyclic hexapeptides, venturamides A (6) and B (7), Figure 3, were isolated from the anamanian marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. [4]. Venturamide A and B showed in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (8.2 and 5.6 μM respectively), with only mild cytotoxicity to mammalian Vero cells (86 and 56 μM respectively). They exhibited only mild activity against Trypanasoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani.

Four new modified hexacyclopeptides, aerucyclamides A (8), B (9), C (10) and D (11), Figure 4, were isolated from the toxic freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 [5,6]. These compounds encompass hexameric cyclopeptides alternating in hydrophobic aminoacids and oxazoline, thiazoline, thiazole or oxazole heterocycles derived from hydrophilic aminoacids (Ser, Thr, Cys). Aerucyclamide B displayed a submicromolar (0.7 μM) IC50 value against the chloroquine-resistant strain K1 of P. falciparum. In addition, this compound displays a large selectivity for the parasite with respect to the L6 rat myoblast cell line. Aerucyclamides A, C y D displayed low micromolar activity against P. falciparum. The most active compound against T. brucei rhodesiense, is aerucyclamide C (10), albeit with moderate activity.

A new hexapeptide, Hexamollamide (12), Figure 5, was isolated from an Okinawan ascidian Didemnum molle [7]. The relative stereostructure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Hexamollamide contains a thiazoline ring and a threonine amino acid, which is modified by attachment to a dimethylallyl ether. It is structurally similar to patellin 2 isolated from L. patella [8,9]. Hexamollamide showed moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa S3 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 17 μg/mL.

Two new cyclic hexapeptides, mollamides B (13) and C (14), Figure 6, were isolated from Didemnum molle collected from Manado Bay [10]. They contain threonine or serine amino acids, modified by attachment to a dimethylallyl ether. The relative configuration of mollamide B at the thiazoline moiety was determined using molecular modeling coupled with NMR-derived restraints. Their absolute configuration was determined using Marfey’s method. Mollamide B (13) exhibited moderate antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 clone and W2 clone), with IC₅₀ values of 2.0 and 2.1 μg/mL, respectively. Mollamide B also exhibited marginal activity against Leishmania donovani, with IC₅₀ and IC₉₀ values of 18 and 35 μg/mL and cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. It showed neither antimicrobial nor anti-inflammatory activities. Mollamide C has not shown antiinflamatory activity and it was not considered to be solid tumor selective.

In 2008, a new metabolite with novel chemical scaffold and nanomolar antiproliferative activity, largazole (15), Figure 7, was isolated from a sample of a cyanobacterium of the genus Symploca collected from Key Largo, Florida Keys, U.S. [11]. It potently inhibited the growth of highly invasive transformed human mammary epithelial cells (MDA-MB-231) (GI₅₀ = 7.7 nM). In contrast, nontransformed murine mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG) were less susceptible (GI₅₀ = 122 nM). The authors suggested that cancer cells are preferentially targeted by largazole. It possesses a combination of unusual structural features, including a substituted 4-methylthiazoline fused to a thiazole, a thioester moiety that has not been reported in metabolites from cyanobacteria and the unprecedented in marine natural products 3-hydroxy-7-mercaptohept-4-enoic acid unit.

From an environmental assemblage of the marine cyanobacteria Lyngbya majuscula and Phormidium gracile collected in Papua New Guinea, a novel bioactive cyclic depsipeptide, hoiamide A (16), Figure 8, was isolated [12]. The structure was then corrected by the authors in an erratum, showing R configuration at C24 (instead of the S configuration pictured in the original paper) [13]. This metabolite possesses an unusual structure derived from a mixed peptide-polyketide biogenetic origin, and includes three fragments: a triheterocycle bearing two methylated thiazolines and one thiazol, a peptide and an oxygenated and methylated C15-polyketide. Hoiamide A exhibited modest cytotoxicity to cancer cells, but potently inhibited [³H]batrachotoxin binding to voltage-gated sodium channels (IC₅₀ = 92.8 nM) and activated sodium influx (EC₅₀ = 2.31 μM) in mouse neocortical neurons.

Eight novel thiazole and oxazole containing cyclic peptides, microcyclamides, GL616 (17), GL582 (18), GL614A (19), GL614B (20), GL546A (21), GL546B (22), GL628 (23), GL614C (24), Figure 9, were isolated from the hydrophilic extract of a Mycrocystis sp. water-bloom collected in Gelbea reservoir, Valley of Armagedon, Israel [14]. It is the first example where acidic and modified aminoacids are incorporated in this group of ribosomally biosynthesized metabolites. The compounds were assayed against one solid tumor (A549-lung) and one leukemis (Molt-4) cell lines. Microcyclamides GL582 (18) displayed weak cytotoxicity (20% grow inhibition) against Molt-4 cell line at 10 μM/mL.

A collection of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides off Grassy Key in Florida, U.S., yielded grassypeptolide (25), Figure 10, a 31-membered macrocyclic depsipeptide with unusually high d-amino acid content, two thiazolines, and one β-amino acid [15]. The structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated in four cell lines derived from human osteosarcoma (U2OS), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29), and neuroblastoma (IMR-32). Grassypeptolide showed moderate broad-spectrum activity with IC₅₀ values of 2.2, 1.0, 1.5, and 4.2 μM, respectively.

A new thiazoline metabolite, bisebromoamide (26), Figure 11, was isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. [16]. Its planar structure was determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The absolute stereostructure was determined by chemical degradation followed by chiral HPLC analysis. It contains a significant number of d-amino acids and N-methylated amino acids along with several other modified amino acid residues. Bisebromoamide exhibited antiproliferative activity at nanomolar levels and potent kinase inhibition.

The synthesis of the C1-N15 fragment of the originally proposed scleritodermin A (27), Figure 12, has been reported in good overall yield through a short and stereocontrolled sequence [17]. Highlights of the route include the synthesis of the novel ACT fragment (28) and the formation of the α-ketoamide linkage by the use of a highly activated α,β-ketonitrile.

In 2008, the first total synthesis of the originally proposed scleritodermin A (27) along with two isomers (29) and (30) were achieved [18]. The application of a transamination reaction was used for the formation of α-ketoamide. The authors reported that ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of molecule 27 did not match those reported for natural scleritodermin. In contrast, the spectra of compound 29 and those reported for the isolated marine product were identical. Thus, compound 29 was proposed as the revised structure of scleritodermin A.

Recently, the synthesis of key fragments and open analogs of scleritodermin A and their biological evaluation as cytotoxic and anthelmintic were reported. Open and simplified analogs (31), Figure 13, were obtained in very good yield using a convergent strategy [19]. The compound with the highest antihelminthic activity is the open analog of 27 (LC₅₀ = 9.6 μM). The presence, in some obtained compounds, of α,β-ketoamide function improves the cytotoxic activity on HCT-15 cells.

Pattellamide A (32), Figure 14, was synthesized from thiazole 33 and protected aminoacids using Burgess reagent to obtain the oxazolines rings. Macrocyclization was performed using PyBOP, DMAP, DIEA in CH₂Cl₂/DMF [20].

The first total synthesis of Largazole (15), Figure 7, was reported four months after the publication of its isolation [21]. The synthesis (eight steps, 19% overall yield), involved a macrocyclization reaction for formation of the strained 16-membered depsipeptide core followed by an olefin cross-metathesis reaction for installation of the thioester, Figure 15. The biological evaluation of largazole and key analogues, suggested that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are molecular targets of largazole. The authors concluded that the cell growth inhibition is a functional consequence of I HDAC inhibition. In addition, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed that the thiol group is indispensable for both activities.

During 2008 seven more syntheses of largazole were reported [22–28]. Some of the used methodologies differ in the formation of the macrocycle or in the precursor of the 3-hydroxy-7-mercaptohept-4-enoic acid. In addition, some structure activity relationships studies were performed. It was demonstrated that largazole is a pro-drug that is activated by removal of the octanoyl residue from the 3-hydroxy-7-mercaptohept-4-enoic acid moiety to generate the active metabolite 34, Figure 16, which is an extraordinarily potent Class I histone deacetylase inhibitor (K_i = 0.07 nM) [22].

During 2009, six reports related to the synthesis of largazole and/or analogs were published [29–34]. A significant increase in potency with a pyridine substitution of the thiazole was reported. In addition, it was demonstrated that the methyl substituent of the thiazoline ring is nonessential for the dramatic potency of the natural product. In contrast, substitution of the thiazoline by thiazol, diminishes the activity [30].

Recently, new analogs of largazole were synthesized [35,36]. Structure-activity relationship studies suggested that the geometry of the alkene in the side chain is critical. While the largazole’s analogues with trans-alkene are potent for the antiproliferative effect, those with cis-alkene are completely inactive. In addition, replacement of valine by tyrosine increased selectivity toward human cancer cells over human normal cells more than 100-fold [35].

Starting from d-alanine, bacillamide C (3), was obtained in 22% overall yield [37]. The key intermediate, thiazole 35, Figure 17, was synthesized using Hantzsch reaction.

A thiazole Ugi multicomponent reaction and an aminolisis reaction were used to obtain racemic Bacillamide C, Figure 18 [38]. Additionally, several analogs of this natural product and a fluoro derivative of neobacillamide (4), Figure 1, were synthesized.

Recently, the enantioselective total synthesis of trichloroleucine-derived marine natural product neodysidenin (36), Figure 19, was accomplished. The strategy involves a direct ruthenium-catalyzed radical chloroalkylation capitalizing on the valence tautomerism of titanium enolates [39].

The cytotoxic thiazoline, apratoxin A (37), Figure 20, was synthesized in 18 steps and 18% overall yield. In addition, an oxazoline analogue (38) and 34-epiapratoxin A (39) were obtained [40]. The synthetic strategy to obtain apratoxin A involves the preparation of fragment 40 through a stereoselective route based in three asymmetric reactions. Thiazoline formation was successfully accomplished from a Cys amide using Ph₃PO/Tf₂O and macrolactamization was performed between N-methylisoleucine and proline residues using HATU.

Recently, the first total synthesis and a revised configurational assignment of bisebromoamide were reported [41]. The authors synthesized the originally proposed structure (26), Figure 11, but, neither NMR spectra nor optical rotation for the obtained compound were identical with those of the natural product. The authors elected to synthesize the epimer with R-configuration of the stereogenic center at the thiazoline ring of the proposed structure (41), Figure 21, from different fragments as is shown in the retrosynthetic analysis. The spectral data and optical rotation for 41 were identical to those of the natural product leading to a revision of the reported stereochemistry of bisebromoamide.

A new marine-derived macrolide designated as neopeltolide (42), Figure 22, was isolated from a deep-water sponge of the family Neopeltidae. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Neopeltolide is a potent inhibitor of the in vitro proliferation of the A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma, the NCI-ADR-RES human ovarian sarcoma, and the P388 murine leukemia cell lines, with IC₅₀ of 1.2, 5.1, and 0.56 nM, respectively. 42 also inhibited the growth of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.62 μg/mL [42].

Ariakemicins A (43) and B (44), Figure 23, unusual linear hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptide antibiotics, were discovered from the fermentation extract of the marine gliding bacterium Rapidithrix sp. [43]. These metabolites were positional isomers with regard to a double bond and chromatographically inseparable, rendering the structure study on a mixture basis. The antibiotics selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of extract of the sponge Dorypleres splendens has led to the discovery of a new natural source of bengazole A (45), B (46), and E (47), Figure 24, together with bengamide A. It had been thought that these compounds were confined to Jaspis species. This is the first time that bengazoles were isolated from another genus. Those compounds showed growth inhibitory activity to seven murine and human cancer cell lines [44].

An oxazole lipodepsipeptide, taumycins A (49), Figure 25, were isolated from the Madagascar sponge Fascaplysinopsis sp. with other closely related no oxazole containing metabolite taumycine B. The two compounds have the same 12-membered oxodepsipeptide ring system in common. Both were toxic to brine shrimp larvae, and taumycin A (1 μM), but not taumycin B, inhibited growth of the human UT-7 leukemic cell line. The structure of the two compounds, likely to be derived from microorganisms, was established by MS and 1D and 2D NMR data [45].

A novel oxazole macrolide, salarin C (50), Figure 26, was isolated from the Madagascar sponge Fascaplysinopsis sp. The structure of the compound was elucidated by interpretation of MS and 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Salarin C (50) is closely related to salarin A and is considered to be the precursor of salarins A and B. Air oxidation was found to transform 50 to salarin A. 50 was found to inhibit cell proliferation of human leukeamic cell lines UT-7 and K562, and the murine pro-B cell line Ba/F3 at concentrations of 0.0005–0.5 μg/mL [46].

Recently, seven new nitrogenous macrolides, designated salarins D-J, closely related to salarins A-C, were isolated from the same source. Salarin F (51) and I (52), Figure 26, have the same oxazole macrolide that 50. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against K562 and UT-7 human leukemia cells. While salarins D, E, H, and J displayed dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation, 51 and 52 were not active in these assays [47].

Two new trisoxazole macrolides, 9-O-desmethylkabiramide B (53) and 33-methyltetrahydrohalichondramide (54), Figure 27, were isolated in submicromolar amounts together with two new thiazole-containing cyclic peptides from a single specimen of Hexabranchus sanguineus, a nudibranch from the Indo-Pacific. The structure elucidation of these very minor metabolites was preformed using a 1 mm ¹H NMR high-temperature superconducting microcryoprobe with unmatched sensitivity [48].

Three new macrocyclic peptides, diazonamides C–E (55–57), Figure 28, were isolated together with the previously reported diazonamides A and B from samples of the marine ascidian Diazona sp. collected in Indonesia. The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds and diazonamide A was evaluated against a panel of three human tumor cell lines, including lung (A549), colon (HT29), and breast (MDA-MB-231). Moderate cytotoxicity with GI₅₀ values in the micromolar range was found for the new compounds; whereas the potent activity previously reported for diazonamide A was confirmed with values in the low nanomolar range [49].

Enigmazole A (58), a novel phosphate-containing macrolide, was isolated from a Papua New Guinea collection of the marine sponge Cinachyrella enigmatica [50]. Compound 58 is comprised of an 18-membered phosphomacrolide that contains an embedded exomethylene-substituted tetrahydropyran ring and an acyclic portion that spans an oxazole moiety. Two additional analogues, 15-O-methylenigmazole A and 13-hydroxy-15-O-methylenigmazole A, were also isolated. The enigmazoles are the first phosphomacrolides from a marine source and 58 exhibited significant cytotoxicity in the NCI 60-cell line antitumor screen, with a mean GI₅₀ of 1.7 μM.

The relative stereochemistry of the metabolite (+)-neopeltolide (42), Figure 22, was originally proposed based on 1D and 2D NOESY spectra, which ultimately led to the incorrect structural assignment. The enantioselective total synthesis, with reassigned stereochemical and absolute configuration for neopeltolide (59), Figure 30, and their diastereomers has been reported almost simultaneously by Panek [51] and Scheidt [52].

Retrosynthetic strategy by Panek, Figure 31, began with disconnection of the C19–C20 double bond to reveal the macrolide 60 and the oxazole side chain 61. Synthetic highlights of this route include a modified Evans-Tishchenko reduction to introduce the C11 stereocenter, [4 + 2] annulation to construct the pyran system, and a Still-Gennari olefination to install the oxazole side chain. Macrocyclization was performed through Yamaguchi esterification of the seco acid intermediate to form macrolide 60 in 44% yield. The longest linear sequence required 19 steps with an overall yield of 1.3%.

Scheidt and co-workers performed a macrocyclization of the linear precursor 62, Figure 32, constructed from dioxinone acid 63 and alcohol 64. In this key step, scandium-(III) triflate promoted the macrocyclization of 62 in a Prins type transformation. The synthetic neopeltolide inhibited proliferation of the murine leukemia line P388 with an IC₅₀ of 0.6 nM and the human breast adenocarcinoma line MCF-7 with an IC₅₀ value of 2.2 nM. Validating the revised structure as the correct one; diastereomer which corresponded to the originally proposed structure, was approximately 100-fold less active in both cell lines [53].

Five total syntheses of 59 have been reported in 2008 [54–58] and they were reviewed by Sasaki [59]. Since then, another four total syntheses were reported [60–64].

The first total synthesis of the cytotoxic marine macrolide enigmazole A (58), Figure 29, was completed in 22 steps (longest linear sequence). The sensitive, densely functionalized 2,4-disubstituted oxazole fragment (64), Figure 33, was constructed using a Negishi-type coupling of an oxazol-2-ylzinc reagent formed directly from the parent ethyl 2-iodooxazole-4-carboxylate by zinc insertion. Other key steps include a hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition to form the central embedded pyran ring, a Wittig reaction to unite the hemispheres, and a ring size-selective Keck macrolactonization [65].

Stereochemistry of (−)-ulapualide A (65), Figure 34, was revised by X-ray analysis of its complex with the protein actin. A new total synthesis of 65 was reported, the first to yield a product that corresponds with the natural product. The synthesis involved the macrolactamization of the intermediate 66, followed by elaboration of the central oxazole ring in 65 as a late step in the overall synthesis [66,67].

An enantioselective, convergent, total synthesis of the antiviral marine natural product (−)-hennoxazole A (67), Figure 35, was completed in 17 steps, longest linear sequence, from serine methyl ester and in nine steps from an achiral bis-oxazole intermediate. Elaboration of a thiazolidinethione allowed for rapid assembly of the pyran-based ring system. Key late-stage coupling was effected by deprotonation of the bisoxazole methyl group, followed by alkylation with an allylic bromide side chain segment [68,69].

Siphonazoles A (68) and B (69), Figure 36, are structurally novel natural products isolated from a Herpetosiphon species [70]. They are the first, and so far the only, naturally occurring substances known that incorporate oxazole subunits connected by a two-carbon tether.

The first synthesis of a siphonazole was performed by Moody and Linder [71,72]. Key aspects of this work are the assembly of oxazole units via the reaction of rhodium carbenes with an amide or a nitrile, and the construction of the central (2-oxazolyl)methyl ketone motif by acylation of an organozinc agent derived from 4-carbomethoxy-2-iodomethyl-5-methyloxazole.

Other synthesis of siphonazoles was performed by Ciufoloni and co-workers involving the iterative use of a conjunctive oxazole building block that acts as a carrier of synthon 70, Figure 36. Synthetic siphonazoles were devoid of antimicrobial activity, but they showed appreciable and selective cytotoxicity against human breast carcinoma HTB-129 (IC₅₀ of 20 μg/mL) and acute T-cell leukemia TIB-152 (IC₅₀ value equal to 16 μg/mL), with 68 being significantly more active than 69 [73].

The bengazoles are a family of metabolites isolated from a Jaspis sponge that display potent antifungal and anthelmintic activity, and have a unique structure containing two oxazole rings flanking a single carbon atom. Three new total synthesis of bengazoles [74–76] and analogs [77–79] were reported.

The marine alkaloid almazole C (71), Figure 37, isolated from the red seaweed Haraldiophylum sp. was synthesized in four steps. The key step, construction of the central 2,5-disubstituted oxazole ring, was based on the aza-Wittig reaction of the iminophosphorane derived from the α-azidoacetyl indole and (S)-N-phthaloylphenylalanyl chloride [80].

The structure of Almazole D (72), Figure 37, antibacterial metabolite isolated from a red seaweed from the Dakar coast [81], was revised by Horne and co-workers to 73. Synthesis of 73 was performed by coupling the oxotryptophan methyl ester with N,N-dimethyl-L-phenylalanine and subsequent treatment with POCl₃ [82].

The complex structure of phorboxazoles and their unique biological activity is a driving force for continued interest from the synthetic community. The phorboxazoles are among the most potent discovered cytostatic agents, exhibiting a mean GI₅₀ < 1.58 × 10⁻⁹ M against the NCI panel of 60 tumor cell lines. Phorboxazole B (74), Figure 38, was prepared in 55 steps (longest linear sequence 28 steps) using a stereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction to construct the key C33–C39 segment. The stereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of (R)-2,3-dibenzyloxypropanal and the Brassard diene EtO(Me₃SiO)C:CHC(OMe):CH₂ in presence of Eu(fod)₃ provided dihydropyranone I, enabling the synthesis of the C18–C46 fragment of phorboxazole B. Coupling of the C18–C46 fragment with a suitable C3–C17 partner, followed by the late-stage formation of the C16–C18 oxazole unit and stereoselective macrocyclization and deprotection, rendered synthetic phorboxazole B [83].

Highly convergent syntheses of eight phorboxazole congeners and their evaluation against a diverse panel of human solid tumor cancer cell lines have been achieved. Specifically, the C(45–46) alkyne, alkene, and alkane phorboxazole A analogs were constructed and found to display single digit nanomolar cell growth inhibitory activities in a series of human cancer cell lines. The structurally simplified C(11–15)-acetal congener also proved potent, albeit reduced, when evaluated against the same cell line panel. Importantly, (+)-C(46)-chlorophorboxazole A displayed picomolar (pM) inhibitory activity in several cell lines [84].

A highly convergent second-generation synthesis of (+)-phorboxazole A (75), Figure 38, was achieved. Highlights of the synthetic strategy include improved Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement conditions on a scale to assemble multigram quantities of the C(11–15) and C(22–26) cis-tetrahydropyrans inscribed with the phorboxazole architecture, a convenient method to prepare E and Z-vinyl bromides from TMS-protected alkynes utilizing radical isomerization of Z-vinylsilanes, and a convergent late-stage Stille union to couple a fully elaborated C(1–28) macrocyclic iodide with a C(29–46) oxazole stannane side chain, to establish the complete phorboxazole skeleton. The synthesis, achieved with a longest linear sequence of 24 steps, resulted in 4.6% overall yield [85].

The synthesis of westiellamide analogues of type 76, Figure 39, wherein the oxazoline units were replaced by oxazole or thiazole units, was reported [86]. The strategy involved a one-pot macrocyclization of the monomer building blocks using diphenyl phosphorazidate (DPPA) in the presence of an excess of Hünig’s base under high dilution conditions at room temperature. The trimers 76 where X = O or S were obtained in 35% and 25% yield, respectively. The structures of these analogues, and also of an imidazole-based analogue, were investigated using X-ray diffraction and DFT-based molecular modeling calculations. The flexibility of the systems essentially depends on the type of the azole building block. The oxazole-based peptide is almost coplanar, whereas in the case of the thiazole and the imidazole cyclicpeptides the azole moieties form cone-like structures. Then, the copper(II) coordination chemistry of westiellamide, as well as of the three synthetic analogues (76) with an [18]azacrown-6 macrocyclic structure was reported [87]. The authors emphasized that, as in the larger patellamide rings, the N-heterocycle-N-peptide-N-heterocycle binding site is highly preorganized for copper(II) coordination. The macrocyclic peptides have been found to form stable mono- and dinuclear copper(II) complexes.