Nature synthesizes many diverse polycyclic, stereodense natural products. Such molecules are also often the targets of laboratory syntheses. We are exploring the mechanisms of key cascade reactions used both in biosyntheses and biomimetic laboratory syntheses of many complex natural products - representative examples are shown above.
Gutta, P.; Tantillo, D. J. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 2719-2723: "Proton Sandwiches: Nonclassical Carbocations with 4-Coordinate Protons." This article was highlighted in the "Science Concentrates" section of the May 2, 2005 issue of C&EN.
Ho, G. A.; Nouri, D. Tantillo, D. J. J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 5139-5143: "The Cationic Cascade Route to Longifolene"
Nouri, D. H.; Tantillo, D. J., submitted: "They Came from the Deep: Syntheses, Applications, and Biology of Ladderanes"
