Search

The development of several unique strategies and tactics for the synthesis of α-pinene isotopologues that has culminated in access to all eight possible isomers with deuterium incorporated selectively at each available carbon atom is described. Access to this library of isotopologues provides new tools to more fully investigate the atmospheric autoxidation of α-pinene, a complex process that plays a major role in the formation of secondary organic aerosol in the Earth's atmosphere.

A copper-mediated conjugate addition of electron-rich aryl groups into a complex vinyl nitrile using arylmagnesium bromides is reported. The conjugate addition adducts were advanced toward the synthesis of designed aconitine-type analogues. The variation in oxygenation patterns on the arene coupling partner, introduced through the current conjugate addition approach, may ultimately provide insight into structure-activity relationships of the diterpenoid alkaloids.