Strain-Release as a Driving Force in the Synthesis of Novel Heterocyclic Scaffolds

A significant part of our work has been influenced by explorations of the synthetic, mechanistic, structural, and biological consequences of ring strain. Bond angle and bond length distortions, torsional interactions, and transannular and nonbonding steric clashes notably alter the chemical and physical properties of organic molecules. The exquisite ring strain in bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes and methylenecyclopropanes has been a rich source of a serendipity-driven discovery of novel reaction pathways and unique heterocyclic scaffolds. This presentation will focus on diverse aspects of strain-release in the development of new synthetic methods in our laboratory.