Fusicoccane Derivatives and Methods

Fusicoccanes are a family of natural products containing a characteristic 5-8-5 carbocyclic nucleus. Certain of these natural products, namely fusicoccin (FC) and cotylenin (CN), have attracted considerable interest for their anticancer activity. These molecules cooperate with the cytokine interferon-alpha to induce apoptosis in cancer cells with negligible toxicity to healthy cells.

Professor Frederich and his team have developed a short and flexible photochemical process to prepare the core of these diterpenes and a range of non-natural variants. This synthetic chemistry provides direct access to functional structures with valuable applications in biomedical research and drug development.

In the news:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/four-step-route-to-carbotricycles/3009180.article

Breakthrough synthesis strategy could mean a wave of new medicinal compounds

Innovative synthetic technique opens door to a new world of cutting-edge medicinal compounds