More Dead Ends and Detours: En Route to Successful Total Synthesis

Success comes in many forms and in synthesis it can be a failure that results in their ultimate successful solutions. This long-awaited sequel to "Dead Ends and Detours" retains the proven concept while featuring over 20 new case studies of failed strategies and their (successful) solutions in natural product total synthesis. Additionally, computational models are used to discuss the problem in much more detail and to provide readers with additional information not found in the primary literature. The topics range from classic synthetic reactions (e.g. Diels Alder reaction), metal-mediated coupling reactions, metathesis, and asymmetric catalysis to the importance of protecting and activating groups. This book will benefit not only graduate students in organic chemistry but also advanced researchers as they gain knowledge derived from the step-by-step analysis of mistakes made in the past and, thus be able to improve their own chemical reaction planning. With its coverage of the most commonly applied reaction types, the book perfectly complements its predecessor, which focuses on general aspects, such as reactivity and selectivity.

Table of Contents:
PREFACE INTRODUCTION Intermediate in the Total Synthesis of Brevetoxin A THE INERTIA OF CONVENTIONAL FUNCTIONAL GROUPS Welwitindolinone A Isonitrile 'Overprotecting-Maverick' Protecting Groups THE DIELS - ALDER REACTION (-)-Platensimycin 40 Stephacidins A and B 49 THE ALDOL CONDENSATION 61 The ABC Ring Moiety of (-)-Norzoanthamine (+)-TMC-151C 71 CYCLIZATIONS: CONCERTED, RADICAL, OR POLAR? (?)-Merrilactone A (-)-Pseudolaric Acid B Formal Synthesis of Platensimycin MACROCYCLES: FROM RELUCTANT RING CLOSURE TO RELUCTANT RING OPENING Ustiloxin D Largazole STEREOCHEMISTRY, CONTROLLED OR UNCONTROLLED? (-)-Samaderin Y (?)-Lyconadin A Vannusal B TRANSITION METAL-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATIONS VS 'CONVENTIONAL' REACTIONS Blumiolide C Arylomycin A2 (-)-Strychnine WHEN METATHESIS FAILS (+)-Saxitoxin Laulimalide Family OXIDATIONS IN C - C BOND BUILDING Cortistatins A and J Gambierol ABC Moiety THE FAILURE OF EPOXIDE RING OPENING AND THE LIMITS OF CASCADE REACTIONS C_D_E_F_ Domain of Maitotoxin

About the Author :
Miguel A. Sierra studied chemistry at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), receiving his PhD in 1987, after which he was appointed Assistant Professor. After a postdoctoral stay at Colorado State University under Louis Hegedus, he returned to Madrid where he became associate professor in 1990 and full professor in 2005. His research encompasses Organic Synthesis and mechanistic studies using transition metal compounds, bio-organometallic chemistry, the development of chelating agents for phyto-remediation and the design and synthesis of new energetic materials. Professor Sierra has been the secretary of Organic Division of the Spanish Chemical Society, a member of its board, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He has published around 170 scientific articles, 4 books and 5 patents. Maria C. de la Torre studied chemistry at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) where she received her PhD in 1986. After a postdoctoral stay at Imperial College under Steven Ley and Colorado State University under Albert Meyers, she returned to Madrid in 1989 as a scientific researcher at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. At present she is a staff member of the Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Organic Compounds Department, at the Instituto de Quimica Organica General (IQOG). Her current research interests focus on the chemistry of densely functionalized natural products, the preparation of natural product hybrids with mixed and/or complementary biological properties, and the development of synthetic strategies to the building of metal-based natural product macrocycles. Fernando P. Cossio studied Chemical Science at the University of Zaragoza and went on to receive a PhD in 1986 at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). He has spent post-doctoral fellowships at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique under Dr. Jean-Paul Picard in Talence (France) and at the University of California Los Angeles under Kendall N. Houk. He became an Associate Professor at the UPV/EHU Faculty of Chemistry in 1988 and a full Professor of this University in 2002. He has occupied a number of posts, such as the dean of the UPV/EHU Faculty of Chemistry, vice-chancellor of Research and International Relations at the UPV/EHU (2001-2004), and president of the Executive Committee of Ikerbasque, the Basque foundation for science (2009-). His current research interests focus on the study of pericyclic and C-C bond forming reactions by computational and experimental methods.

Review :
“Like its predecessor, this book will interest advanced, research-oriented students, their mentors, and organic synthesis practitioners.  Summing Up: Recommended.  Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.”  (Choice, 1 January 2014)