Total synthesis of maoecrystal V: early-stage C-H functionalization and lactone assembly by radical cyclization

Total synthesis of (-)-calyciphylline N

The total synthesis of the architecturally complex Daphniphyllum alkaloid (-)-calyciphylline N has been achieved. Highlights of the synthesis include a Et2AlCl-promoted, highly stereoselective, susbtrate-controlled intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, a transannular enolate alkylation, an effective Stille carbonylation/Nazarov cyclization sequence, and a high-risk diastereoselective hydrogenation of a fully substituted conjugated diene ester.

Organocatalytic asymmetric [4 + 2] formal cycloadditions of cyclohexenylidenemalononitriles and enals to construct chiral bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

A regio- and stereoselective [4 + 2] formal cycloaddition process of cyclohexenylidenemalononitriles and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was developed via cascade iminium–enamine catalysis, generating chiral bridged bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes with high molecular complexity.

Cross-coupling of remote meta-C-H bonds directed by a U-shaped template

meta-C-H arylation and methylation of 3-phenylpropanoic acid and phenolic derivatives were developed using an easily removable nitrile template. The combination of a weakly coordinating U-shaped template and mono-protected amino acid ligand was crucial for the cross-coupling of C-H bonds with organoborons.