When combined with an appropriate nucleophilic component, 1,2- and 1,3-cyclic sulfamidates function as versatile precursors to a range of substituted and enantiopure heterocyclic classes. Functionalised enolates provide a direct entry to C-3 functionalised lactams, as exemplified by total syntheses of (-)-aphanorphine, (+)-laccarin and (-)-paroxetine. Heteroatom nucleophiles, such as thiol esters, amino esters and bromo phenols, provide concise access to a range of enantiomerically pure thiomorpholine, piperazine and benzofused heterocyclic scaffolds. The latter methodology enables a facile synthesis of the antibacteriocidal agent levofloxacin.

Several chiral sulfonyl compounds were prepared using the iridium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reaction. Vinylic, allylic and homoallylic sulfone substitutions were investigated, and high enantioselectivity is maintained regardless of the location of the olefin with respect to the sulfone. Impressive stereoselectivity was obtained for dialkyl substitutions, which typically are challenging substrates in the hydrogenation. As expected, the more bulky Z-substrates were hydrogenated slower than the corresponding E isomers, and in slightly lower enantioselectivity.

Nucleophilic cleavage of enantiomerically pure 1,2-cyclic sulfamidates with phenol, aniline, and thiophenol nucleophiles, followed by a Mitsunobu reaction, including use of a o-quinomethide variant of this process, provides an entry to substituted 1,4-tetrahydrobenzoxazepines, benzothiazepines, and benzodiazepines. Application of this methodology to 1,3-cyclic sulfamidates affords a parallel entry to the analogous substituted 1,5-benzoxazocines and 1,5-benzodiazocines.

Poylcyclic tetrahydroxanthones comprise a large class of cytototoxic natural products. No mechanism of action has been described for any member of the family. We report the synthesis of kibdelone C and several simplified analogs. Both enantiomers of kibdeleone C show low nM cytotoxicity towards multiple human cancer cell lines. Moreover, several simplified derivatives with improved chemical stability display higher activity than the natural product itself. In vitro studies rule out interaction with DNA or inhibition of topoisomerase, both of which are common modes of action for polycyclic aromatic compounds. However, celluar studies reveal that kibdelone C and simplified derivatives disrupt the actin cytoseketon without directly binding actin or affecting its polymerization in vitro.