Oxa-Michael-initiated cascade reactions of levoglucosenone.

The reactions of aromatic aldehydes and levoglucosenone promoted by methoxide gives bridged α,β-unsaturated ketones, formed by a series of oxa-Michael-initiated cascade reactions in yields of up to 91% (14 examples). A complex series of equilibria operate during the reaction, and the formation of the bridged species is thermodynamically favored, except in the case of 5-methylfurfural and pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde. This is the first report detailing this type of aldol/Michael cascade involving oxa-Michael initiation.

The Diversity of Volatile Compounds in Australia's Semi-Desert Genus (Scrophulariaceae).

Australia's endemic desert shrubs are commonly aromatic, with chemically diverse terpenes and phenylpropanoids in their headspace profiles. Species from the genus (Scrophulariaceae ex. Myoporaceae) are the most common, with 215 recognised taxa and many more that have not yet been described, widely spread across the arid parts of the Australian continent.

Biomimetic Synthesis of Mitchellenes B-H from the Abundant Biological Precursor 14-Hydroxy-6,12-muuroloadien-15-oic Acid.

A step-economic biomimetic synthesis of mitchellenes B-H found in has been achieved. Starting from the putative muurolane biological precursor, redox isomerization of the allylic alcohol gave an epimeric mixture of aldehydes, which could be used as a handle for cyclization onto the C6 position, using BuSnH-mediated radical cyclization or NHC-catalyzed Stetter reaction. The NHC-mediated approach was superior as the epimeric mixture underwent a dynamic kinetic resolution during the reaction, and reduction of the mixture with NaBH selectively formed the mitchellene ring system in 56% yield for the three steps.

Revision of the Phytochemistry of Eremophila sturtii and E. mitchellii.

Eremophila sturtii and E. mitchellii are found in the arid and temperate regions of Australia and, because of their similar appearances, are often confused. Previous phytochemical investigations have described mitchellene sesquiterpenes (1-5) reported from E.

The Iridoid Myodesert-1-ene and Elemol/Eudesmol are found in Distinct Chemotypes of the Australian Aboriginal Medicinal Plant Eremophila dalyana (Scrophulariaceae).

The strongly aromatic Australian desert species Eremophila dalyana is an Aboriginal medicinal plant that continues to be used today in Central Australia in the treatment of respiratory complaints and Sarcoptes scabiei infestation. Using hydrodistillation of aerial parts of the plant, the new natural product myodesert-l- ene was isolated in two disjunct populations at up to 98% of the volatiles present in the hydrodistilled oils. Weak antimicrobial activities were observed for whole oils and myodesert-l-ene.