Organic Chemistry (2009)

We discovered recently the first example of highly stereoselective oxidative dimerizations of enolates of carbonyl compounds. This unexpected and exciting result should be generalized and applied with this project. The fundamental factors that determine the reaction course such as enolate geometry, aggregation, applicable oxidants will be investigated in detail. The results will be applied in studies to the shortest total synthesis of the tricyclic ring system of lignan natural products such as the Kadangustins, Angustifolins or Rubrisandrins, whose stereochemistry and biological activity has so far not elucidated in detail.