Expedient enantioselective synthesis of the δ4-oxocene cores of (+)-laurencin and (+)-prelaureatin (‡).

An expedient enantioselective synthesis of the Δ(4)-oxocene cores present in (+)-laurencin and (+)-prelaureatin was accomplished in eight steps via a novel one-pot regio- and stereoselective ring cyclization-fragmentation-expansion cascade from the tetrahydrofuran precursors which were prepared by stereocontrolled cyclization from vinylsilanes. This process is highlighted by an intramolecular oxo-carbenoid insertion and a β-silyl fragmentation sequence.

Design of annulated pyrazoles as inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are recommended components of preferred combination antiretroviral therapies used for the treatment of HIV. These regimens are extremely effective in suppressing virus replication. Structure-based optimization of diaryl ether inhibitors led to the discovery of a new series of pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazine NNRTIs that bind the reverse transcriptase enzyme of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-RT) in an expanded volume relative to most other inhibitors in this class.

Synthesis of (+)-didemniserinolipid B: application of a 2-allyl-4-fluorophenyl auxiliary for relay ring-closing metathesis.

The synthesis of didemniserinolipid B utilizing a ketalization/ring-closing metathesis (K/RCM) strategy is described. In the course of this work, a novel 2-allyl-4-fluorophenyl auxiliary for relay ring-closing metathesis (RRCM) was developed, which increased the yield of the RCM. The resulting 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.

Discovery of triazolinone non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase.

Novel non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-RT that contain pyridazinone isosteres were prepared, and a series of triazolinones were found to be potent inhibitors of HIV replication. These compounds were active against several NNRTI-resistant virus strains. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that inhibitor 7e has good bioavailability in rats.