Empowering Organic Synthesis: From Unique Methods to Complex Natural Products

Our group is developing methods and strategies for the rapid and controlled formation of molecular complexity. Driven by identifying innovative disconnections using natural products, several case studies from our laboratory will be presented, ranging from aminoglycosides to terpenoids. For example, we will show how an enantioselective hydroamination of benzene enables the synthesis of ribostamycin. Moreover, we have been developing stereodivergent cycloisomerizations that can access all naturally occurring perhydrobenz[e]indenes, such as stelletin A. Finally, we will also present the application of an overlooked Ni-catalyzed annulation towards norcembranoids, as demonstrated with the synthesis of scabrolide A.

Speaker: David Sarlah, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign