Synthetic and Theoretical Investigations on the Construction of Oxanorbornenes by a Michael Addition and Intramolecular Diels-Alder Furan Reaction

Photoassisted diversity-oriented synthesis: accessing 2,6-epoxyazocane (oxamorphan) cores

The modular synthesis of photoprecursors and their photoinduced cyclization into substituted 1-benzazocanes of two distinct topologies is described. The key step producing an extended polyheterocyclic system involves the photogeneration of azaxylylenes and their subsequent intramolecular cycloaddition with furan-containing pendants tethered either via the aniline nitrogen or through the carbonyl group containing arm. The primary photoproducts-secondary or tertiary anilines which are not acylated at the nitrogen atom-undergo facile acid-catalyzed or spontaneous ring-opening-ring-closing rearrangement to yield fused polyheterocyclic structures possessing a 2,6-epoxyazocane (or oxamorphan) core.

Dearomatization strategies in the synthesis of complex natural products

Evolution in the field of the total synthesis of natural products has led to exciting developments over the last decade. Numerous chemoselective and enantioselective methodologies have emerged from total syntheses, resulting in efficient access to many important natural product targets. This Review highlights recent developments concerning dearomatization, a powerful strategy for the total synthesis of architecturally complex natural products wherein planar, aromatic scaffolds are converted to three-dimensional molecular architectures.

Synthesis of hydronaphthalenes through coupling of enyne carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkene groups with Fischer carbene complexes

The coupling of enyne carbonyl compounds that contain pendant alkene groups with Fischer carbene complexes to afford furans that contain pendant alkene groups is described. Subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions are effective in select cases, resulting in hydronaphthalene systems after dehydration. Although the Diels-Alder event is thermodynamically unfavorable, the overall transformation of alkene-furans to dihydronaphthalenes is a favorable process.