Synthesis of the tetracyclic core of Illicium sesquiterpenes using an organocatalyzed asymmetric Robinson annulation

• Lynnie Trzoss,
• Jing Xu,
• Michelle H. Lacoske and
• Emmanuel A. Theodorakis

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2013, 9, 1135–1140, doi:10.3762/bjoc.9.126

• . Keywords: natural products; neurodegenerative diseases; neurotrophic small molecule; organocatalysis; total synthesis; Introduction Neurotrophins are a family of endogenous proteins that are vital for neuron function, survival, and regeneration [1][2][3]. As such, they have prompted intense studies toward