Transformation of Streptonigrin to Streptonigrone: Flavin Reductase-Mediated Flavin-Catalyzed Concomitant Oxidative Decarboxylation of Picolinic Acid Derivatives

In the flavin-reductase-catalyzed reducing condition, a mild and efficient alpha-hydroxylation and decarboxylation procedure using natural flavins as a catalyst and atmospheric oxygen as an external oxidizing agent has been successfully developed and applied to the synthesis of streptonigrone from streptonigrin. This reaction was achieved not only with streptonigrin analogues but also with structurally diverse electron-rich picolinic acid derivatives. The hydroxylation and decarboxylation may take place in a concerted manner.