by Rian J. Meginley. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader. / The gorgonian Briareum asbestinum is widely studied because it possesses highly oxygenated novel structures, many of which exhibit useful biological activities. Recently, two new briarane diterpenoids, briareolate esters J and K, together with two known briareolate esters have been isolated from a specimen of Briareum asbestinum collected off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida. The method used was a 96-well plate real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) system to discover compounds that impact human embryonic stem cell growth. The compounds were isolated using reversed phase polystyrene divinylbenzene chromatographic support HP20ss followed by normal phased HPLC using a luna silica column. The structures of the compounds were established though the interpretation of spectroscopic data. Activity testing was conducted against hESCs (BG02) with briareolate ester J showing no inhibition activity and briareolate ester K showing mild activity with an EC50 value of 25 (So(BM. These results confirm that the exact confirmation and existence of the (E,Z)-dienone is related to the activity that was observed with the previously isolated briareolate esters L and M.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Monanchora arbuscula (DUCHASSAING & MICHELOTTI, 1864) (Crambeidae) à uma esponja incrustante, maciÃa ou ramificada com atà 15 cm de altura. Cor, variando de salmÃo a vermelho vivo ou rosa claro, provida de canais esbranquiÃados conspÃcuos. Estudos anteriores de M. arbuscula levaram a obtenÃÃo de alguns alcalÃides guanidÃnicos policÃclicos; ptilocaulina, 8b-hidroxiptilocaulina, dehidrobatzelladina C, crambescidina 800 e isoptilocaulina. Neste trabalho, o extrato hidroalcoÃlico da esponja M. arbuscula, coletada no Parque Estadual Marinho âPedra da Risca do Meioâ, na costa Fortalezense, foi particionado com CH2Cl2/H2O (3:1) fornecendo assim o extrato bruto, o qual foi submetido a uma partiÃÃo lÃquido-lÃquido utilizando os solventes Ãter de petrÃleo, diclorometano, acetato de etila e metanol. Sucessivas cromatografias em gel de sÃlica, SEPHADEX LH-20 e/ou HPLC das fraÃÃes diclorometano, acetato de etila e metanol levaram ao isolamento dos alcalÃides guanidÃnicos mirabilina B, 8b-hidroxiptilocaulina, ptilocaulina, 1,8a;8b,3a-desidro-8βâhidroxiptilocaulina, 1,8a;8b,3a-desidro-8α-hidroxiptilocaulina, 3,3a;8b,8a-desidro-8-hidroxiptilocaulina. Mirabilina B, 1,8a;8b,3aesidro- 8βâhidroxiptilocaulina e 1,8a;8b,3a-desidro-8α-hidroxiptilocaulina estÃo sendo citados pela primeira vez para a espÃcie e 3,3a;8b,8a-desidro-8-hidroxiptilocaulina, no melhor do nosso conhecimento, à inÃdito na literatura. Ensaios para a avaliaÃÃo da atividade citotÃxica frente as linhagens de cÃlulas tumorais cÃlon (HCT-8), melanona (MADMB-435), leucemia (HL-60) e glioblatoma (SF-295), indicaram atividade para o extrato bruto, fraÃÃes e os compostos isolados ptilocaulina e 8b-hidroxiptilocaulina. O alcalÃide 8b-hidroxiptilocaulina mostrou-se ativo aos fungos Microsporum canis e Trichophyton rubrum, enquanto ptilocaulina ao Microsporum canis. Mirabilina B mostrou atividade leishmanicida frente a Leishmania chagasi e amazonesis. As estruturas das substÃncias isoladas foram elucidadas atravÃs de mÃtodos espectroscÃpicos, principalmente RMN, incluindo seqÃÃncias de pulsos uni e bidimensionais e comparaÃÃo com dados da literatura. / Monanchora arbuscula (DUCHASSAING & MICHELOTTI, 1864) (Crambeidae) is an incrustant sponge, massive or branched with 15 cm high. Its color ranges from salmon to bright red or light pink with white conspicuous channels. Previous studies of M. arbuscula led to the isolation of some polycyclic guanidine alkaloids; ptilocaulin, 8bhydroxyptilocaulin, dehydrobatzelladine C, crambescidin 800 and isoptilocaulin. In this work, the hydroethanol extract from M. arbuscula collected at â Pedra da Risca do Meioâ Marine State Park, in Fortaleza coast zone was partitioned with CH2Cl2/H2O (3:1) affording the crude extract which was submitted to liquid-liquid partition using petroleumether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol as the solvents. Successive chromatograghy over silica gel, SEPHADEX LH-20 and/or HPLC of all solvent fractions led to the isolation of the guanidine alkaloids: mirabilin B, 8bβ-hydroxyptilocaulin, ptilocaulin, 1,8a;8b,3a-didehydro-8βâhydroxyptilocaulin, 1,8a;8b,3a-didehydro-8α-hydroxyptilocaulin, 3,3a;8b,8a-didehydro-8-hydroxyptilocaulin. Mirabilin B, 1,8a;8b,3adidehydro- 8βâhydroxyptilocaulin, 1,8a;8b,3a-didehydro-8α-hydroxyptilocaulin are reported for the first time for the species while 3,3a;8b,8a-didehydro-8-hydroxyptilocaulin has not being reported in the literature yet. Pharmacological assays revealed weak citotoxic activity against 4 cancer cell lines: HCT-8 (human colon carcinoma), MADMB-435 (melanoma), HL-60 (human leukemia) and SF-295 (glioblastoma). The assays indicated activity for the crude extract, several fractions and the isolated compounds ptilocaulin and 8bβ-hydroxyptilocaulin. The alkaloid 8b-hydroxyptilocaulin indicated antifungal activity against Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum, while ptilocaulin against Microsporum canis, Mirabilin B antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania chagasi and amazonesis. Structure elucidation of the isolated substances was performed through spectroscopic methods, mainly NMR, including uni and bidimensional pulses sequences, and comparison with data from literature.

This thesis describes the chemical investigation of three marine sponges from Antarctica and the total syntheses of natural products erebusinone (12) and its derivative, erebusinonamine (52). Investigation of the yellow Antarctic marine sponge Isodictya setifera resulted in the isolation of two secondary metabolites, purine analog (32) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (24). Chemical investigation of Isodictya setifera led to the isolation of six secondary metabolites which included 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine (25), uridine (28), 2-deoxycytidine (31), homarine (37), hydroxyquinoline (33), 3-hydroxykynurenine (24). The latter two compounds were found to be intermediates of tryptophan catabolism in crustaceans. From the Antarctic marine sponge Isodictya antractica ceramide analog (39) was isolated and its chemical structure was assigned by a combination of spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Stereochemistry was determined by modified Mosher's method. Erebusinone (12), a yellow pigment isolated from the Antarctic marine sponge Isodictya erinacea has been implicated in molt inhibition and mortality against the Antarctic crustacean amphipod, Orchomene plebs, possibly serving as a precursor of a xanthurenic acid analog. Thought to act as a 3-hydroxykynurenine 24 mimic, erebusinone (12) may be involved chemical defense. This appears to be the first example in the marine realm of an organism utilizing tryptophan catabolism to modulate molting as a defensive mechanism. To further investigate the bioactivity and ecological role of erebusinone (12), the synthesis of this pigment was carried out in an overall yield of 44% involving seven steps which were economical and convenient. Erebusinonamine (52) was also similarly synthesized in eight steps with an overall yield of 45%.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The continued emergence of bacterial resistance to the antibiotics currently employed to treat several diseases has added to the urgency to discover and develop novel antibiotics. It is well established that natural products have been the source of the most effective antibiotics that are currently being used to treat infectious diseases and they remain a major source for drug production. Natural products derived from marine microorganisms have received much attention in recent years due to their applications in human health. One of the biggest bottlenecks in the drug discovery pipeline is the rediscovery of known compounds. Hence, dereplication strategies such as genome sequencing, genome mining and LCMS/MS among others, are essential for unlocking novel chemistry as it directs compound discovery away from previously described compounds. In this study, the genome of a marine microorganism, Thalassomonas viridans XOM25T was mined and its antimicrobial activity was assessed against a range of microorganisms. Genome sequencing data revealed that T. viridans is a novel bacterium with an average nucleotide identity of 81% to its closest relative T. actiniarum. Furthermore, genome mining data revealed that 20% of the genome was committed to secondary metabolisms and that the pathways were highly novel at a sequence level. To our knowledge, this species has not previously been exploited for its antimicrobial activity. Hence, the aim of this study was to screen for bioactivity and identify the biosynthetic gene/s responsible for the observed bioactivity in T. viridans using a bioassay-and-genome- guided isolation approach to assess the bioactive agent. The bioassay-guided fractionation approach coupled to LCMS/MS led to the identification of a novel antimicrobial protein, TVP1. Bioinformatic analyses showed that TVP1 is a novel antimicrobial protein that is found in the tail region of a prophage in the T. viridans genome. Phage-derived proteins have previously been shown to induce larval settlement in some marine invertebrates. Since the mechanism of action of TVP1 remains unknown, it remains a speculation whether it may offer a similar function. More research is required to determine the biotechnological application and the role of TVP1 in its host and natural environment.

This thesis describes the total synthesis of the polyketide derived marine natural product (-)-maurenone (14) and synthetic studies of a model system for the marine polyketides, the spiculoic acids (20, 22-24). A biomimetic approach involving cyclisation of linear polyketide precursors to install the complex chemical frameworks was employed. Maurenone is a polypropionate derived metabolite isolated from pulmonate molluscs collected off the coast of Costa Rica. While structural assignment following isolation revealed a relatively uncommon tetra-substituted dihydropyrone moiety the only stereochemical information deduced was the trans-relative relationship between the C8 and C9 protons. The total synthesis of a series of eight stereoisomeric putative structures was achieved in order to assign the stereochemistry of (-)-maurenone (14), as that depicted above. A time and cost efficient strategy was developed utilising common intermediates providing access to the eight stereoisomeric structures in a convergent manner. Six key fragments, four aldehydes (109) and two ketones (110), were synthesised using highly diastereoselective syn- and anti-boron aldol reactions and were coupled using a lithium-mediated aldol reaction. Trifluoroacetic acid-promoted cyclisation/dehydration enabled installation the ƒ×-dihydropyrone ring. All eight isomers of one enantiomeric series were synthesised by coupling two ketones with each of four aldehydes. By comparison of the NMR data for the eight isomers with that reported for the natural product, the relative stereochemistry was established as shown. The (-)-enantiomer of maurenone was synthesised in nine linear steps (13 % overall yield) from (R)-2-benzylpentan-3-one ((R)-40) and (R)-2-benzoyloxypentan-3-one ((R)-39). The spiculoic acid family of polyketide derived natural products, isolated from plakortis sponges, possess a unique [4.3.0]-bicyclic core which is proposed to be formed via an enzyme catalysed Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition reaction of linear polyene precursors 25. Model linear precursors (114), possessing various olefin geometries at C2 and both stereochemical orientations of the C5 stereocentre, were synthesised in order to examine stereoselectivity of the thermally induced IMDA cycloaddition reaction. The two alternative C4-C6 stereotriads of the linear precursors 114 were achieved by employing highly diastereoselective substrate-controlled aldol reactions; an anti-boron aldol reaction, controlled by the facial preference of (R)-2-benzoyloxypentan-3-one ((R)-39), and a syn-titanium aldol reaction, under the control of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethione ((R)-43a). The diene and dienophile moieties were installed using either standard Wittig, H.W.E. or ¡§modified¡¨ Julia olefination reactions. A thorough stereochemical assignment of the cycloadducts of the thermally induced IMDA reaction of each linear precursor was accomplished employing 2D NMR techniques. Comparison of the stereochemistry of each of the cycloadducts with the spiculoic acids revealed that the linear precursor (2E,5S)-114 produced a cycloadduct 232 with stereochemistry analogous to the natural products in 94 % diastereoselectivity. Thus, a synthetic approach to the spiculoic acids via synthesis of a linear precursor 285 possessing a TBS ether at C5 in the S configuration was proposed. Unfortunately, problems encountered in the synthesis of the proposed linear precursors to the spiculoic acids ultimately prevented the total synthesis from being achieved.

Flora and fauna from terrestrial and marine environments provide libraries of natural compounds for drug discovery. The last four decades have seen major advances in ocean exploration that have allowed chemists and biologists to explore previously inaccessible and rare marine organisms. The study of under-explored marine organisms can result in the discovery of structurally novel and unusual natural products with drug potential. Prior to 2005, no natural products had been reported from the Fijian red macroalgae Callophycus serratus or Neurymenia fraxinifolia. As a result of the work described in this thesis and others in the same research group, 33 unique brominated meroditerpenes have been isolated and elucidated alpha-pyrone natural products were discovered from N. fraxinifolia, enriching the natural product library for drug development. Several natural products isolated from C. serratus exhibited sub-micromolar inhibition against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, including a drug-resistant strain. Derivatization of the natural product bromophycolide A into fluorescent probes allowed the determination of a non-enzymatic mechanism of action against the human malaria parasite P. falciparum. Through a combination of detailed SAR mapping, molecular fluorescent imaging of live cells, UV-vis spectroscopic analyses, and protein affinity techniques, the mechanism of action of bromophycolide A against P. falciparum was determined to involve inhibition of heme crystallization. These studies identify a new class of natural products that target heme detoxification in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant P. falciparum and suggest an avenue to circumvent drug resistance.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-160) Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted by MARCELO MARUCCI PEREIRA TANGERINA null (marcelomptang@hotmail.com) on 2016-07-09T22:03:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese ABNT Marcelo Tangerina Wagner Vilegas CD.pdf: 3984472 bytes, checksum: 993744f837a77327c951b1988896f63c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-07-12T17:19:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tangerina_mmp_dr_araiq.pdf: 3984472 bytes, checksum: 993744f837a77327c951b1988896f63c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-12T17:19:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tangerina_mmp_dr_araiq.pdf: 3984472 bytes, checksum: 993744f837a77327c951b1988896f63c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A fauna acompanhante da pesca do camarão inclui uma série de invertebrados marinhos que são descartados por não ter valor comercial. A fim de tentar acrescentar algum valor a este material, foi analisada a composição química da estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis coletada na costa brasileira como consequência da aplicação da pesca de arrasto. A fim de avaliar sua composição química, foi utilizada uma combinação de extração em fase sólida (SPE) seguida de cromatografia líquida de ultra eficiência acoplada a espectrômetro de massas equipado com fonte de ionização por eletrosptray e analisador ion-trap linear (UPLCESI- IT-MSn). Luidia senegalensis contém asterosaponinas, que são esteroides glicosilados sulfatados contendo cinco e seis unidades de açúcar, além de poliidroxiesteroides. Este estudo mostrou a presença de compostos importantes e potencialmente bioativos em invertebrados associados à fauna acompanhante da pesca do camarão, usando um método rápido e eficiente. Normalmente descartada, a fauna acompanhante contém muitos invertebrados que podem hospedar uma grande variedade de gêneros de bactérias, algumas das quais com potencial de produzir produtos naturais bioativos com aplicações biotecnológicas. Assim, para utilizar um material normalmente descartado, foi explorado o potencial biotecnológico de bactérias cultiváveis de duas espécies de invertebrados abundantes na fauna acompanhante, o gastrópode Olivancillaria urceus e a estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis. Uma amostra de sedimento da mesma área de coleta também foi investigado. Utilizando múltiplas abordagens de isolamento 134 isolados foram obtidos a partir dos invertebrados e do sedimento. Sequenciamento parcial da subunidade de rRNA (16S) revelou que os isolados pertenciam aos filos Proteobacteria, Firmicutes e Actinobacteria, distribuídos em 28 gêneros. Vários gêneros conhecidos pela sua capacidade de produzir produtos naturais bioativos (Micromonospora, Streptomyces, Serinicoccus e Verrucosispora) foram obtidos a partir das amostras estudadas. Para avaliar as bactérias isoladas quanto à sua capacidade para produzir metabólitos bioativos todas as cepas foram fermentadas e os extratos de fermentação analisados por LC-HRMS e testados em ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana. Quatro cepas apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) e Staphylococcus warneri. A produção de metabólitos secundários por bactérias isoladas da fauna acompanhante também foi avaliada por uma abordagem metabolômica utilizando LC-HRMS, onde foi avaliado como as diferenças na composição dos meios de cultura podem alterar a produção de substâncias. Utilizou-se a metabolômica como uma ferramenta para investigar a produção de abyssomicinas, um agente anticâncer, e outros metabólitos secundários em três cepas do actinomiceto raro Verrucosispora maris, isoladas a partir de uma amostra de sedimento e associadas à estrela-do-mar Luidia senegalensis de Ubatuba - SP, Brasil. Nove composições diferentes de meios de cultura foram avaliadas e verificou-se que, dentre todas as cepas, somente RKMT_111 foi capaz de produzir abyssomicinas. O estudo da composição do meio de cultura revelou que a produção de abyssomicinas só foi possível em BFM-11m. Embora as três cepas pertençam à mesma espécie e são provenientes da mesma localização, é notável que cada isolado apresentou diferente capacidade de produção de metabólitos secundários. Os produtos de fermentação de Erythrobacter vulgaris foram avaliados utilizando técnicas de HPLC preparativo, LC-HRMS e RMN. A cepa foi isolada pelo método dry-stamp de uma amostra de sedimento marinho da costa de Ubatuba-SP, Brasil. Depois de sequenciamento completo do rRNA (16S) e identificação, o isolado foi fermentado em larga escala, seu caldo de fermentação extraído por solvente e os compostos purificados por HPLCMS. Análise de LC-HRMS e RMN dos compostos isolados levou à identificação de dois novos derivados do ácido cólico, ácido 3-acetil-glicocólico e o ácido 3-acetilglicodesoxicólico. As substâncias obtidas podem ter sido produzidas por biotransformação do ácido glicocólico e ácido desoxicólico, respectivamente, já presentes no meio de cultivo. Este é o primeiro relato de tais compostos e também a primeira observação de uma acilação realizada por um isolado marinho de Erythrobacter vulgaris. / The by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery includes a number of marine invertebrates that are discarded because they do not have commercial value. In order to try to add some value to these materials, we analyzed the chemical composition of the starfish Luidia senegalensis collected in the Brazilian coast as a consequence of the trawling fishery method. In order to access their chemical composition, we used a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-IT-MSn). Luidia senegalensis contains asterosaponins, which are sulphated glycosilated steroids, containing five and six sugar moieties, in addition to polyhydroxysteroids. This study helped us to support the presence of important and potentially bioactive compounds in invertebrates associated to the by-catch fauna of the shrimp fishery, using a fast and efficient method. Typically discarded, by-catch contains many invertebrates that may host a great variety of bacterial genera, some of which may produce bioactive natural products with biotechnological applications. Therefore, to utilize by-catch that is usually discarded we explored the biotechnological potential of culturable bacteria of two abundant by-catch invertebrate species, the snail Olivancillaria urceus and the sea star Luidia senegalensis. Sediment from the collection area was also investigated. Utilizing multiple isolation approaches 134 isolates were obtained from the invertebrates and sediment. Small subunit rRNA (16S) gene sequencing revealed that the isolates belonged to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla and were distributed among 28 genera. Several genera known for their capacity to produce bioactive natural products (Micromonospora, Streptomyces, Serinicoccus and Verrucosispora) were retrieved from the invertebrate samples. To query the bacterial isolates for their ability to produce bioactive metabolites all strains were fermented and fermentation extracts profiled by LC-HRMS and tested for antimicrobial activity. Four strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus warneri. The production of secondary metabolites was assessed using a LC-HRMS-based metabolomics approach, where it was evaluated how differences in media composition can alter the production of chemical compounds. We used metabolomics as a tool to investigate the production of abyssomicins, an anticancer agent, and other secondary metabolites in three strains of the rare actinomycete Verrucosispora maris, all marine isolates from a sediment sample and associated to a starfish from the species Luidia senegalensis of Ubatuba – SP, Brazil. Nine different media compositions were evaluated and it was found that, among all strains, only RKMT_111 was capable of producing abyssomicins. The media composition study revealed that the production of abyssomicins was only achievable in BFM-11m. Although the three strains belong to the same species and the same location, it is worthwhile noticing that each isolate showed different capability for production of secondary metabolites. The products of fermentation of Erythrobacter vulgaris were evaluated using preparative HPLC, LC-HRMS and NMR techniques. Bacterial strain was isolated by drystamp method from a marine sediment sample from the coast of Ubatuba-SP, Brazil. After fully 16S rDNA sequence and identification, the marine isolate was fermented in large-scale, extracted and the compounds purified through HPLC-MS. Analysis of LC-HRMS and NMR of the isolated compounds led to the identification of two new cholic acid derivatives, 3- acetyl-glycocholic acid and 3-acetyl-glycodeoxycholic acid. Both new compounds may have been produced by the biotransformation of glycocholic acid and deoxycholic acid, respectively, already present in the cultivation medium. This is the first report of such compounds and also the first time an acylation has been observed for an Erythrobacter vulgaris marine isolate. / FAPESP: 2011/23159-0

Orientador: Fernando Antonio Santos Coelho / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T03:08:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_BrunoRicardoVilacha_M.pdf: 1423792 bytes, checksum: 7de8ab5e57971637382e0a11e87dbdf0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Napalilactona e Patilactona A são dois sesquiterpenóides espirolactônicos isolados de fontes marinhas. Esses sesquiterpenos, biogeneticamente derivados de um esqueleto carbônico do tipo aristoleno, apresentam em suas estruturas quatro centros estereogênicos contínuos e diferem apenas na substituição do heteroátomo (Cl versus OH) vizinho à unidade espiro g-butirolactônica. Como parte de um programa de pesquisa direcionado à síntese de alguns produtos naturais, descrevemos, nesse trabalho, um estudo focado no desenvolvimento de um método direto, que permitiria a preparação de um alceno funcionalizado, opticamente ativo. Esse intermediário pode ser usado para a síntese assimétrica dos dois sesquiterpenos. Devido ao elevado custo da (S)-(-)-pulegona, iniciamos esse trabalho com a (R)-(+)-pulegona, como um sistema modelo. O nosso objetivo principal era estabelecer uma estratégia sintética que mais tarde pudesse ser extrapolada para a síntese dos sesquiterpenos citados. Baseado nos dados anteriormente descritos pelo nosso laboratório para a síntese racêmica da Patilactona A, realizamos uma seqüência de reações na tentativa de se formar esse alceno funcionalizado. De acordo com a rota sintética partindo da (R)-(+)-pulegona, o intermediário seleneto foi preparado em 9 etapas com um rendimento global de 12%. Em vista do sucesso na síntese de intermediários avançados a partir da (R)-(+)-pulegona, esta mesma sequência sintética pôde ser usada na síntese assimétrica da (+)-Napalilactona, usando como material de partida a (S)-(-)-pulegona / Abstract: Napalilactone and Pathylactone A are two sesquiterpenoids spirolactones isolated from marine corals. These sesquiterpenes, biogenetically derivable from an aristolene carbon skeleton, show in their structures four contiguous stereocenters and differ only in the nature of heteroatom substituent (Cl versus OH) adjacent to the spirolactone ring junction. As part of a research program directed toward the total synthesis of some marine natural products, we describe in this work a study focused on the development of a straightforward method, which would allow the preparation of an optically active functionalized alkene. This key intermediate could be used for the asymmetric synthesis of both sesquiterpenes. Owing to the high cost of (S)-pulegone, we began this work using (R)-pulegone as a model system. Our aim was to establish a synthetic strategy that later could be surpassed for the synthesis of the sesquiterpenes cited. Based on data previously described from our laboratory for the racemic synthesis of Pathylactone-A, we carried out a sequence of reactions in an attempt to form the functionalized alkene. According to the synthetic route from (R)-(+)-pulegone, the intermediate selenide was prepared in 9 steps with overall yield of 13%. In view of the success in the synthesis of advanced intermediates from (R)-pulegone, this same synthetic sequence could be used for the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-Napalilactone, using as starting material the (S)-(-)-pulegone / Mestrado / Quimica Organica / Mestre em Química