| A novel method for catalytic electron transfer initiated cyclization reaction for the formation of cyclic acyl aminals through a unique method of carbon-carbon sigma-bond activation has been developed. This new cyclization strategy employs a potent electrophile, generated by a photoinitiated single electron oxidation of a homobenzylic amide or t-butyl carbamate, which reacts with an appended nucleophile allowing for the formation of cyclic acyl aminals.*; The Lewis acid-surfactant-combined catalyst (LASC) was employed in a novel method for effecting intramolecular Prins cyclization reactions in water. Acetals of 1,2 and 1,3 di- and tri-substituted alcohols with a tethered allyl silane have been converted to 2,6-syn-tetratahydropyrans. The LASCs are generated in situ by the addition of cerium nitrate to a solution of sodium dodecylsulfate and acetal in water. A heterogeneous reaction environment is created in which the acetal is trapped within the hydrophobic core of the immediately generated micelle. Intramolecular Prins cyclization is catalyzed upon interaction of the acetal with Lewis acidic cerium cations located at the surface of the micelle. LASC mediated intramolecular Prins cyclization reactions are efficient, high yielding, and an environmentally benign method of generating 2,6- cis-tetrahydropyrans.*; A highly convergent route towards the total synthesis of the marine macrolide (+)-dactylolide is currently being pursued. The route involves the condensation of two highly functionalized segments of the molecule, an alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde and a 1,3-syn-diol, to form a cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated acetal. Both enantiopure segments arise from vinylogous aldol reactions, providing the three necessary stereocenters. The key synthetic transformation involves intramolecular Prins cyclization of a cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated acetal with a pendent allylsilane to provide the 2,6-cis-disubstituted-4-methylenetetrahydropyran core of the molecule efficiently and stereoselectively. Other key transformations include a completely trans selective selenoxide-selenate [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement and the selective oxidation of a primary allylic alcohol in the presence of a secondary alcohol with Dess-Martin periodinane.*; *Please refer to dissertation for diagrams. |
