A Unified Route to Polycyclic Terpenes

ended

In this proposal we would like to demonstrate the strategic role that xanthates could play in providing a unified approach to a multitude of polycyclic terpenes and in shortening considerably the synthetic routes. By enabling the strategic intermolecular creation of new carbon-carbon bonds on unactivated alkenes and the formation of rings not readily accessible by other methods, the degenerative radical exchange of xanthates opens numerous synthetic avenues not hitherto available. Unusual retrosynthetic disconnections will now be envisaged, and it is hoped that a unified, short, and practical route to numerous classes of polycyclic terpenes and terpene alkaloids can be implemented. Demonstration of the advantage of using xanthate transfer to the synthesis of polycyclic terpenes will bring the academic’s attention to novel applications of radical reactions, promoting the development in the area.