Stereocontrolled total synthesis of natural products with characteristic molecular structures and biological activities.

Total synthetic studies on natural products with promising biological profiles, coupled with their intriguing structural features, are described. The target molecules dealt with in this article are five helianane-type sesquiterpenes (heliannuols A, D and K and heliespirones A and C) and three meroterpenes (breviones A, B and C) with allelopathic activity, as well as four cytotoxic polyketides (lasonolide A and aspergillides A, B and C) and two pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids (physostigmine and psychotrimine) with acetylcholine esterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities.