In the total synthesis areas, efforts are focused on several classes of biologically active natural products, including quassinoids, scytophycins, and saponins. Target molecules with which we are specifically involved include scytophycin C, tedanolide, and laulimalide.
Solvent effects have a profound influence on organic reactivity.
Through the agency of 5.0M lithium perchlorate in diethyl ether, one can exclusively add nucleophiles to the bridgehead position of oxabicyclic systems thus permitting the construction of functional motifs for use in organic synthesis. Construction of Carbocyclic Arrays Containing Nitrogen via Intramolecular Imino Diels-Alder Reactions in Polar Media. Dai, Y., J. Am.