The first enantioselective total synthesis of the bisnorditerpene (+)-(5β,8α,10α)-8-hydroxy-13-methylpodocarpa-9(11),13-diene-3,12-dione (1) was accomplished in 7 steps with 18.5 % overall yield from known aldehyde and chiral epoxide. Key steps of the synthesis include a cationic domino cyclization used to construct the [6,6,6] fused framework, and an oxidative dearomatization reaction used to form the 1,4-quinoid moiety.

A sequential reaction combining N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalysis allowed for the upstream by-product NHPI, which was generated in the NHC-catalyzed cycloaddition reaction, to act as the catalyst for a downstream nitrogen-to-carbon sulfonyl migration reaction. Enantiomeric excess of the major product in the cycloaddition reaction remained intact in the follow-up sulfonyl migration reaction.

The first bioinspired total syntheses of (−) kravanhins A and C were accomplished from a labdane diterpenoid derivative. The key reactions involve a photooxidation and a one-pot sequential aldol cyclization and lactonization, which provide a new plausible biosynthetic pathway for the kravanhins and other symbiotic members.

The first asymmetric total synthesis of kravanhin B has been accomplished with a linear reaction sequence of 13 steps starting from (R)-(−)-carvone. The synthesis features an intramolecular aldol cyclization to construct the desired cis-fused decalin skeleton and an acid-catalyzed dehydration and olefin isomerization to install the γ-butenolide ring.

Daphenylline is a recently isolated Daphniphyllum alkaloid with an unprecedented novel hexacyclic scaffold. In this study, the synthesis of the fused all-carbon DEF tricyclic skeleton of daphenylline has been accomplished. Key steps of the reported sequence involve Evans asymmetric allylation, aldol condensation, Diels–Alder reaction, and oxidative aromatization reactions. The developed strategy might lead to the total synthesis of daphenylline.

A highly efficient strategy for the formation of medium-sized-ring ethers and amines based on a gold-catalyzed cascade reaction, involving enynyl ester isomerization and intramolecular [3+2] cyclization, has been developed. Various multisubstituted medium-sized-ring unsaturated ethers and amines were obtained through this transformation. This method represents one of the relatively few transition metal catalyzed intramolecular cycloaddition reactions for medium-sized ring synthesis.

A highly efficient strategy for the formation of medium-sized-ring ethers and amines based on a gold-catalyzed cascade reaction, involving enynyl ester isomerization and intramolecular [3+2] cyclization, has been developed. Various multisubstituted medium-sized-ring unsaturated ethers and amines were obtained through this transformation. This method represents one of the relatively few transition metal catalyzed intramolecular cycloaddition reactions for medium-sized ring synthesis.

A concise total synthesis of (±)-yaequinolone A2 (2), a 2-quinolone alkaloid, has been accomplished through 6 steps from anthranilic acid with an overall yield of 27.8%. The synthetic strategy exploits highly diastereoselective intramolecular aldol addition of the MOM protected α-hydroxyanilide 7 as the key step.

An enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-cladospolide B was described. The key steps in this synthesis include(a) a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation to elaborate syn diol at C-4 and C-5 positions; (b) a Mitsunobu esterification to reverse the configuration at C-11 from (S) to (R); and (c) a ring-closing metathesis to access the 12-membered macrocyclic ring.