Title: Stereocontrolled Reactions for Complex Molecule Synthesis

Abstract: Bioactive polycyclic compounds are derived from both natural sources and from purely synthetic approaches. Non-natural polycyclic small molecules with novel scaffolds are sought after as potential leads in the drug discovery process. The development of reaction cascades for synthesizing complex natural and non-natural bioactive small molecules will be described. The strategies capitalize upon electrocyclic reactions, cationic rearrangements, and multistep cascades that occur with high levels of stereochemical control.