Novel coupling reactions for complex polycyclic ethers

Development of cascade RCM reactions, where two different approaches are proposed. The first route involves a ruthenium-catalysed enyne RCM reaction, followed by a metallotropic [1,3]-shift and a final alkene RCM. The second route incorporates an enyne RCM reaction followed by direct alkene metathesis. These methodologies provide access to common bicyclic and tricyclic polyether skeletons such as those present in tamulamide, prymnesin, gambierol and maitotoxin, respectively. The second project is concerned with the synthesis of the C-G ring fragment of gambieric acid and the development of novel methodology for the formation of the seven membered E ring