Synthetic approaches to natural products

The total synthesis of natural products and their analogs is a very exciting and challenging area of organic chemistry. The biological activities of these natural products make this area of chemistry popular. Our synthetic approaches towards the biologically active molecules eburnamonine, MS-444, halenaquinone and their analogs represent a valuable contribution to the field of organic chemistry;We have devised a synthetic pathway that completes four of the five rings of eburnamonine. In addition this pathway can be used to synthesize a variety of indolo(2,3-a) quinolizines, demonstrating the wide versatility of our pathway;We have also devised a synthetic route to the core structure of MS-444. During this study, we developed some interesting methodology involving the synthesis of highly functionalized furans;Finally, we have developed a unique synthetic pathway to the core structure of halenaquinone. We have successfully completed three of the five rings present in halenaquinone and have designed intermediates which contain functional handles. These handles could eventually be used to complete the total synthesis of this biologically active molecule