Research Projects

The conidiogenones are a family of cyclopiane diterpenes containing a highly strained tetracyclic core, decorated with 6–8 consecutive stereocenters; four of which are quaternary carbon atoms. PIs have proposed two enantioselective routes to the total synthesis of Conidiogenone B, Conidiogenone, and Conidiogenol using Hajosh-Parrish ketone analogues as key intermediates. The key steps in this proposal features diastereoselective radical cyclization to get tetracyclic core via C6–C15 bond formation, Michael addition/Robinson annulation to construct Hajos–Parrish ketone analogues and three component reductive alkylation (TCRA) to couple both aldehyde fragments and 1,3-cyclopentanedione. The proposed two enantioselective strategies will lay the groundwork for accessing other members (C-F) of the cyclopiane diterpene family.