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DBU, which is normally regarded as a hindered and non-nucleophilic base, is in fact the optimum catalyst for the Baylis–Hillman reaction, providing adducts at much faster rates than using DABCO or 3HQD; the scope of the Baylis–Hillman reaction is enhanced using this catalyst and implications of this finding are discussed.

Bicyclic ester 2, a key intermediate in the first total synthesis of (+)-pyripyropene A 1, was synthesised from geraniol in 11 steps, utilising an epoxy-olefin biomimetic cyclisation as the key step.

Catalytic asymmetric cylopropanation of enones has been achieved using diazo compounds, catalytic quantities of a metal catalyst and a camphor-derived thioacetal; this sulfide shows exceptionally high levels of enantioselectivity.

CuII–bisoxazoline complexes catalyse the asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloaddition of α-thioacrylates with cyclopentadiene to give the cycloadducts in up to 92% yield, 88% de and >95% ee for the endo product; deprotection gives good yields of (1S,4S)-norbornenone with high enantioselectivity.