Total Synthesis of Pinnatoxin A

New perspectives on biotoxin detection in Rangaunu Harbour, New Zealand arising from the discovery of pinnatoxins

“…As the pinnatoxin profile varies greatly between oysters and Pinna bicolor , it is also possible that other pinnatoxins are more toxic to humans than the pinnatoxins E, F and G we found in the oysters from Rangaunu Harbour. However, the mouse LD 50 values for pinnatoxins E and F, which were abundant in Rangaunu Harbour oysters, are 45 and 16 mg/kg, respectively , while the LD 99 for pinnatoxins A and D, which were abundant in P. bicolor, are 180 and 400 mg/kg, respectively (Chou et al, 1996a;McCauley et al, 1998); thus, we do not believe this is the case. At this time there is no immediate or pressing need for any extension of the existing food safety regulations arising from the present investigation.…”

Computational Studies of the Reactivity, Regio-Selectivity and Stereo-Selectivity of Pericyclic Diels-Alder Reactions of Substituted Cyclobutenones

“…With myriad applications of this magnificent pericyclic reaction, often as a crucial element in elegant and programmed cascade sequences facilitating complex molecule construction, the Diels-Alder cycloaddition has afforded numerous and unparalleled solutions to a diverse range of synthetic puzzles provided by nature in the form of natural products, and has proved a reliable method for forming six-membered systems with good control over regio and stereo-chemical properties [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

Synthetic studies toward the spiroimine unit of the spirolides

“…In 1995, spirolides A-D (1)(2)(3)(4) were first isolated from the digestive glands of mussels (Mytilus edulis) and scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) from the east coast of Nova Scotia in Canada [2]. To date, 14 members (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) of the spirolide family have been isolated world-wide ( Fig. 1) [3].…”