Synthetic Approaches to Natural and Unnatural Tetraquinanes

In this article we have highlighted various synthetic methodologies related to tetraquinane frameworks present in crinipellin derivatives. Additionally, we have also included other synthetic strategies to unnatural tetraquinanes. These include photocycloaddition, tandem radical cyclization, Pd-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reactions (PKR), CH-insertion, metathesis and photo-thermal olefin metathesis etc. Emphasis has been put on overall strategies developed in the creation of core structure of tetraquinane, crinipellin. Synthetic strategies to various unnatural tetraquinanes which are useful precursors to complex molecules like dodecahedrane and peristylanes have also been presented.