A tandem radical cyclization reaction towards the 6/6/5 fused tricyclic skeleton, which exists in numerous natural products, was developed in modest to good yields. In this transformation, two C–C bonds and two rings were formed successively via a tandem 5-exo-trig/6-endo-trig cyclization reaction. 5-epi-7-deoxy-Isoabietenin A was also synthesized efficiently via this strategy.

An efficient synthesis of complex tetracyclic compounds is developed which relies on a gold(I)-catalyzed tandem 1,2-acyloxy migration/[3 + 2] cycloaddition/Friedel–Crafts type cyclization reaction of linear enynyl esters. The reaction proceeds under extremely mild conditions in good to excellent yields (54%–88%) with a dr value of up to 20 : 1.

A visible-light-promoted, mild, and direct difunctionalization of alkynoates has been accomplished. This procedure provides a new strategy toward synthesis of the coumarin core structure by photoredox-mediated oxidation to generate the α-oxo radical, which supervenes a domino radical addition/cyclization reaction in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivity at ambient temperature.

The first enantioselective total synthesis of the structurally unique nortriterpenoid (−)-walsucochin B has been accomplished through the cationic polyolefin cyclization initiated by chiral epoxide. The core framework and the stereocenters in the natural product were all constructed in this step. A site-selective, late-stage free-radical halogenation and Seyferth–Gilbert homologation was adopted to install the acetylene moiety to synthesize the phenylacetylene. The absolute configuration of walsucochin B was confirmed through enantioselective total synthesis.

A concise construction of the 6/6/5 tricyclic core of Lycopodium alkaloid palhinine A (1) has been accomplished. The developed synthetic strategy featured a tandem oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction to construct C/D rings and an intramolecular 5-exo-trig radical cyclization to install the B ring of palhinine A (1). The developed approach paves the way for the total synthesis of palhinine A (1).