This thesis describes synthetic studies directed towards the total synthesis of the natural products TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin. Chapter One provides an overview, which details the role of antifungal natural products in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and describes the association between total synthesis and natural products. Three structurally related natural products TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin are introduced as synthetic targets and a strategy for their synthesis is proposed involving an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction, followed by addition-elimination chemistry. Investigations into the application of the IMDA reaction to the synthesis of the bicyclic core are described in Chapter Two. A Julia olefination reaction was used to install the diene moiety and allowed for the successful synthesis of a model triene precursor. The IMDA cyclisation of the triene was shown to proceed with high endo-selectivity. However, efforts to generate the diene-containing bicyclic core failed and, as a result, this approach to the natural products was abandoned. Chapter Three introduces the diene-regenerative Diels-Alder reaction as an alternative strategy for the direct installation of the diene moiety. The preparation of a model system is described, which established methodology for the efficient preparation of the pyrone-containing Diels-Alder substrate. Cyclisation of this material via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by extrusion of carbon dioxide, proved a viable method for generating the desired cyclohexadiene system. In Chapter Four, the previously established methodology is applied to the synthesis of the fully functionalised bicyclic core of TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin. The preparation of the racemic Diels-Alder substrate and its successful cyclisation to the bicyclic core is described. An investigation into the preparation of chiral material is also discussed, as well as the description of a model study for the installation of the various side-chains of the natural products. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the future studies required to complete the total synthesis of the TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin.

This thesis describes synthetic studies directed towards the total synthesis of the natural products TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin. Chapter One provides an overview, which details the role of antifungal natural products in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and describes the association between total synthesis and natural products. Three structurally related natural products TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin are introduced as synthetic targets and a strategy for their synthesis is proposed involving an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction, followed by addition-elimination chemistry. Investigations into the application of the IMDA reaction to the synthesis of the bicyclic core are described in Chapter Two. A Julia olefination reaction was used to install the diene moiety and allowed for the successful synthesis of a model triene precursor. The IMDA cyclisation of the triene was shown to proceed with high endo-selectivity. However, efforts to generate the diene-containing bicyclic core failed and, as a result, this approach to the natural products was abandoned. Chapter Three introduces the diene-regenerative Diels-Alder reaction as an alternative strategy for the direct installation of the diene moiety. The preparation of a model system is described, which established methodology for the efficient preparation of the pyrone-containing Diels-Alder substrate. Cyclisation of this material via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by extrusion of carbon dioxide, proved a viable method for generating the desired cyclohexadiene system. In Chapter Four, the previously established methodology is applied to the synthesis of the fully functionalised bicyclic core of TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin. The preparation of the racemic Diels-Alder substrate and its successful cyclisation to the bicyclic core is described. An investigation into the preparation of chiral material is also discussed, as well as the description of a model study for the installation of the various side-chains of the natural products. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the future studies required to complete the total synthesis of the TEO3.1, hamigerone and embellistatin.