Chemical synthesis generally requires labor-intensive, sometimes tedious trial-and-error optimization of reaction conditions. Here, we describe a plug-and-play, continuous-flow chemical synthesis system that mitigates this challenge with an integrated combination of hardware, software, and analytics. The system software controls the user-selected reagents and unit operations (reactors and separators), processes reaction analytics (high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, vibrational spectroscopy), and conducts automated optimizations. The capabilities of this system are demonstrated in high-yielding implementations of C-C and C-N cross-coupling, olefination, reductive amination, nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), photoredox catalysis, and a multistep sequence. The graphical user interface enables users to initiate optimizations, monitor progress remotely, and analyze results. Subsequent users of an optimized procedure need only download an electronic file, comparable to a smartphone application, to implement the protocol on their own apparatus.

Described herein is a synthetic strategy for the total synthesis of (±)-phomoidride D. This highly efficient and stereoselective approach provides rapid assembly of the carbocyclic core by way of a tandem phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. A subsequent SmI -mediated cyclization cascade delivers an isotwistane intermediate poised for a Wharton fragmentation that unveils the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene skeleton and sets the stage for synthesis completion.

An enantioselective synthesis of the ABD-ring of (−)-phomactin A is described here. The sequence features Rawal’s asymmetric Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The overall length is significantly reduced from our previous attempt.

An efficient and highly stereoselective approach toward the phomoidride family of natural products is described. The carbocyclic core structure was assembled using a tandem phenolic oxidation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition and a tandem 5-exo-trig/5-exo-trig radical cyclization to deliver an isotwistane intermediate that, upon a late-stage xanthate-initiated Grob fragmentation, furnishes the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene.