New routes to highly functionalised heterocycles

This study focuses mainly on the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran and pyrrolidine derivatives. The heterocyclic skeletons have a core structure of four carbons and one heteroatom and occur naturally and synthetically. [Illustration omitted.] The five membered monocyclic nitrogen and oxygen containing ring systems are constructed by reacting activated vinylcyclopropane intermediates with a range of carbon heteroatom double bond electrophiles. Such reactions are known as palladium (0)-mediated cycloadditions. [Illustration omitted.] Variables such as functional groups, solvent changes and catalysis, as well as the effect of Lewis acids on the yield and stereochemical outcome of the product was investigated. The final part of this study details the application of these cycloadditions towards the synthesis of the pyrrolizidine and indolizidine alkaloids. [Illustration omitted.]