Applications of Quantum Chemistry in Biomimetic Syntheses of Polycyclic Furanocembrane Derivatives

This account summarizes the guidance provided by quantum chemical calculations towards the biomimetic syntheses of polycyclic marine furanocembrane derivatives. Polycyclic furanocembrane derivatives are a group of structurally complex and biologically important marine natural products isolated from marine corals. Their syntheses are challenging due to their structural complexity. Biomimetic synthetic proposals are made and some are verified via chemical synthesis. Computational chemistry can support these biomimetic syntheses. Hence, we describe herein the synthetic and computational attempts that we have made on the biomimetic syntheses of polycyclic furanocembrane derivatives, including intricarene, bielschowskysin, providencin and plumarellide.