Nonenzymic polycyclisation of analogues of oxidosqualene with a preformed C-ring

Some nonenzymic epoxide-initiated polyolefin cyclisations are reported. The presented molecules are partially constrained analogues of (3S)-oxidosqualene, the natural substrate to many important cyclase enzymes. These model compounds feature a preformed C-ring with built-in stereochemical information. The experimental results allow for an instructive comparison with the enzymic processes, particularly those of the cyclases in steroid biosynthesis (i.e. lanosterol synthase).