Free radical chemistry: A new approach to synthesis

Introduction One of the long-term objectives of our research program is to contribute at strategic, tactical and theoretical levels with approaches leading to the creation of new stereogenic centers, notably on acyclic molecules, which as a class are among the most difficult chemical entities to transform stereoselectively due to their flexibility. Of particular interest to us is the use of free-radical intermediates that were completely overlooked in such approaches, until a decade ago. The synthesis of new biologically important molecules to be used in deciphering the mechanism of various biological processes or in interfering with a given pathology, is an equally important long-term objective of our laboratory, particularly we are interssested in the natural products derived from the polyketide biosynthesis pathway.