Many of the early examples of homogeneous gold-catalysis focused on the ability of cationic gold complexes to activate π-bonds towards attack of nucleophiles. This reactivity platform, examples of which can be found in this Thematic Series, continues to provide a fruitful basis for the discovery of important new transformations. This includes the development of a tandem or domino process that c...

In this review, we analyze and illustrate the variation of the two main lead-like descriptors [molecular weight (MW) and the partition coefficient (logP)] in the generation of libraries in which a natural product (NP) is used as the guiding structure. Despite the different approaches used to create NP-like libraries, controlling these descriptors during the synthetic process is important to gen...

The concise and enantioselective total syntheses of (-)-trigonoliimines A, B, and C are described. Our unified strategy to all three natural products is based on asymmetric oxidation and reorganization of a single bistryptamine, a sequence of transformations with possible biogenetic relevance. We revise the absolute stereochemistry of (-)-trigonoliimines A, B, and C.

The study of Pd-catalysed cyclisation reactions of alkenols using different catalytic systems is reported. These transformations affect the stereoselective construction of mono- and/or bicyclic oxaheterocyclic derivatives depending on a starting alkenol. The substrate scope and proposed mechanism of Pd-catalysed cyclisation reactions are also discussed. Moreover, the diastereoselective Pd-catal...

The Brønsted acidic ionic liquid ([BMIm]HSO4) catalyzed three-component synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-trione derivatives at room temperature. The integrity of the ionic liquid remains reasonably unchanged when it is separated from the reaction mixture by water extraction, as it can be recycled several times without any loss of activity in each of the title syntheses. The products a...