More Complex Cycle-Specific Cascade Catalysis

By merging a transition metal-catalyzed reaction with an organocatalytic cascade sequence into a cycle-specific cascade catalysis, Simmons et al. developed a new 

64% yield with 95% ee and 5 1 dr. Application of this powerful cascade reaction enabled the total synthesis of (-)-aromadendranediol 77 in just eight synthetic steps. This elegant approach realized the unprecedented combination of a transition metal-catalyzed reaction with an organocatalytic cascade sequence for the synthesis of a natural product. Amazingly, three compatible catalysts were used in this cascade reaction to produce a complex scaffold in a very efficient way. The strategy described here or similar concepts should find broad application in the future. 

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More complex cycle-specific cascade catalysis... 

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