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This paper presents an overview of our research project on digital preservation of cultural heritage objects and digital restoration of the original appearance of these objects. As an example of these objects, this project focuses on the preservation and restoration of the Great Buddhas. These are relatively large objects existing outdoors and providing various technical challenges. Geometric models of the great Buddhas are digitally achieved through a pipeline, consisting of acquiring data, aligning multiple range images, and merging these images. We have developed two alignment algorithms: a rapid simultaneous algorithm, based on graphics hardware, for quick data checking on site, and a parallel alignment algorithm, based on a PC cluster, for precise adjustment at the university. We have also designed a parallel voxel-based merging algorithm for connecting all aligned range images. On the geometric models created, we aligned texture images acquired from color cameras. We also developed two texture mapping methods. In an attempt to restore the original appearance of historical objects, we have synthesized several buildings and statues using scanned data and a literature survey with advice from experts.

A unified total synthesis of stemoamide-type alkaloids is reported. Our synthetic approach features the chemoselective convergent assembly of five-membered building blocks via stemoamide as the common precursor to tetracyclic natural products. The synthesis consists of two successive coupling reactions of the three five-membered building blocks. The first coupling reaction is the vinylogous Michael addition/reduction sequence, which enables the gram-scale synthesis of stemoamide. The second coupling reaction is a chemoselective nucleophilic addition to stemoamide. While the lactone-selective nucleophilic addition to stemoamide affords saxorumamide and isosaxorumamide, the lactam-selective reductive nucleophilic addition leads to the formation of stemonine. Both chemoselective nucleophilic additions enable direct modification of stemoamide, resulting in highly concise and efficient total syntheses of the stemoamide-type alkaloids.

A formal synthesis of the antitumor diterpenoid paclitaxel (Taxol) is described. The ABC ring of paclitaxel, synthesized starting from 1,3-cyclohexanedione and tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal by SmI2-mediated cyclization as the key transformation, was successfully converted to Takahashi's tetracyclic oxetane intermediate. A double Chugaev reaction was employed for introduction of the strained bridgehead olefin, and stereoselective formation of the oxetane ring afforded the known synthetic intermediate, completing the formal synthesis of paclitaxel.

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