A series of 4,4'-ethynylenedibenzoic acids were synthesized and used in the construction of Zn-based, mixed-ligand metal-organic frameworks; through variation of functionality in the 3- and 3'-positions of these linkers, a collection of MOFs with differing connectivities and varying levels of interpenetration was obtained.

An enantioselective Pd-catalyzed 6-endo-trig reaction for the synthesis of 2-aryl-chromenes has been developed. A systematic optimization of a TADDOL-derived ligand set resulted in the identification of a novel monodentate phosphoramidite–palladium catalyst that accesses 2-aryl-2H-chromenes with high yield and enantioselectivity under mild conditions. The products obtained from this method can be transformed into biologically active compounds through functionalization of the chromene alkene.

Alstonine and serpentine are pentacyclic indoloquinolizidine alkaloids (referred to as "anhydronium bases") containing three contiguous stereocenters.E ach possesses interesting biological activity,w ith alstonine being the major component of ap lant-based remedy to treat psychosis and other nervous system disorders.T his work describes the enantioselective total syntheses of these natural products with ac ooperative hydrogen bonding/enamine-catalyzed Michael addition as the key step.