UCLA

Chapter 1 presents an overview and classification of furan-containing natural products based on skeletal structures, characteristic functional group or by the number of carbons. It also contains a summary of traditional as well as frequently encountered modern synthetic methodologies developed for the preparation of the furan nucleus.

Chapter 2 presents the development and applications of the Michael–Heck methodology for the synthesis of polyalkyl furans and polyalkyl furan-containing natural products, including furanoterpenes, furan fatty acids (F-acids) and their derivatives. Mechanistic investigations are also discussed in this chapter.

Chapter 3 presents attempts to apply the vinylogous Michael–Heck reaction to the total synthesis of furanosesquiterpenes agassizin, pallescensin G and F as well as various furanoeremophilanes using both intramolecular and intermolecular routes.