A unified synthesis of (+)-rubrobramide, (+)-talaramide A, and (−)-berkeleyamide D was achieved from the vinylogous esters by a skeletal diversification strategy based on regioselective 5- exo or 6- endo cyclization.

This article reviews studies regarding the total synthesis of phaeosphaerides A and B, nitrogen-containing bicyclic natural products isolated from an endophytic fungus. Numerous synthetic efforts and an X-ray crystal structure analysis of phaeosphaeride A have enabled revision of its originally proposed structure. In addition, a successful protic acid-mediated transformation of phaeosphaeride A to phaeosphaeride B revealed the hypothetical biosynthesis of phaeosphaeride B from phaeosphaeride A. Structure–activity relationship studies of phaeosphaeride derivatives are also discussed.