Polycyclizations of Ketoesters: Synthesis of Complex Tricycles with up to Five Stereogenic Centers from Available Starting Materials

Here we present a polycyclization of oxotriphenylhex-anoates. The polycyclization is governed by electronic effects, and three major synthetic paths have been established leading to stereochemically complex tricyclic frameworks with up to five stereogenic centers. The method is compatible with an array of functional groups, allowing pharmacophoric elements to be introduced post cyclization.