Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-virosine a via sequential nucleophilic cyclizations onto an activated formamide

Abstract: The first synthesis of tetracyclic alkaloid virosine A is reported. The natural alkaloid was prepared in only 13 steps, in an enantioenriched form. The azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane core was efficiently assembled using a key Vilsmeier–Haack and Mannich cyclizations sequence performed in one pot

Nonlinear Metal/Dielectric Plasmonic Interfaces

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the optical nonlinearity of metal/dielectric interfaces, which provides a metric that predicts the scaling of self-action as well as a means to measure χ(3)of gold using surface plasmon polaritons

Stereospecific Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Secondary Alkylboron Nucleophiles and Aryl Chlorides

We report the development of a Pd-catalyzed process for the stereospecific cross-coupling of unactivated secondary alkylboron nucleophiles and aryl chlorides. This process tolerates the use of secondary alkylboronic acids and secondary alkyltrifluoroborates and occurs without significant isomerization of the alkyl nucelophile. Optically active secondary alkyltrifluoroborate reagents undergo cross-coupling reactions with stereospecific inversion of configuration using this method