The cationic polyene cyclization reaction provides a method to make multiple rings in a single chemical step via the formation of multiple carbon-carbon bonds. Our group has been investigating the possibility of aromatic rings to terminate the cationic polyene cyclization reaction under acidic conditions. Cyclization precursors were synthesized primarily utilizing the Suzuki, Stille, and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions. Efforts were also made towards the synthesis of the carexane family of natural products involving a cationic polyene cyclization as the key step. The carexanes are isolated from the herbaceous plant Carex distachya (Mediterranean carix) that grows in the Mediterranean bush. Some of these compounds have antioxidant and phytotoxic properties.

Development of the polyene cyclization reaction

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.