Short total syntheses of natural glycosides (ellagitannins) were performed through sequential and regioselective functionalization of the hydroxy groups of unprotected glucose. The key reactions are β-selective glycosidation of a gallic acid derivative by using unprotected glucose as a glycosyl donor and catalyst-controlled regioselective introduction of a galloyl group into the inherently less reactive hydroxy group of the glucoside.

The first total syntheses of multifidosides A–C have been achieved. The synthetic strategy is characterized by catalytic site-selective acylation of unprotected glycoside precursors in the final stage of the synthesis. High functional-group tolerance of the site-selective acylation, promoted by an organocatalyst, enabled the conventionally difficult molecular transformation in a predictable and reliable manner. An advantage of this strategy is to avoid the risks of undesired side reactions during the removal of the protecting groups at the final stage of the total synthesis.

The first total syntheses of multifidosides A–C have been achieved. The synthetic strategy is characterized by catalytic site-selective acylation of unprotected glycoside precursors in the final stage of the synthesis. High functional-group tolerance of the site-selective acylation, promoted by an organocatalyst, enabled the conventionally difficult molecular transformation in a predictable and reliable manner. An advantage of this strategy is to avoid the risks of undesired side reactions during the removal of the protecting groups at the final stage of the total synthesis.

Short total syntheses of natural glycosides (ellagitannins) were performed through sequential and regioselective functionalization of the hydroxy groups of unprotected glucose. The key reactions are β-selective glycosidation of a gallic acid derivative by using unprotected glucose as a glycosyl donor and catalyst-controlled regioselective introduction of a galloyl group into the inherently less reactive hydroxy group of the glucoside.

A highly geometry-selective organocatalytic acylation of tri- and tetra-substituted 2-alkylidene-1,3-propanediols has been developed. The highly E-selective acylation of various tetrasubstituted 2-alkylidene-1,3-propanediols was achieved in 96 to >99% selectivity for the first time by a non-enzymatic protocol.

β-Lactams with contiguous tetra- and trisubstituted carbon centers were prepared in a highly enantioselective manner through 4-exo-trig cyclization of axially chiral enolates generated from readily available α-amino acids. Use of a weak base (metal carbonate) in a protic solvent (EtOH) is the key to the smooth production of β-lactams. Use of the weak base is expected to generate the axially chiral enolates in a very low concentration, which undergo intramolecular conjugate addition without suffering intermolecular side reactions. Highly strained β-lactam enolates thus formed through reversible intramolecular conjugate addition (4-exo-trig cyclization) of axially chiral enolates undergo prompt protonation by EtOH in the reaction media (not during the work-up procedure) to give β-lactams in up to 97 % ee.

A perfectly regioselective and sequential method for the preparation of orthogonally protected glucopyranosides has been developed. An acyl group was introduced at C(4)-OH by organocatalysis with >99 % regioselectivity. TBDPS, Boc, and BOM groups were sequentially introduced into the 4-O-acyl-glucopyranoside at C(6)-OH, C(2)-OH, and C(3)-OH, respectively, with ca. 100 % regioselectivity in each step.