Total synthesis of polyyne natural products

This account summarizes the work in the area of polyyne natural product synthesis both by us and by others. Three families of acetylenic natural products are included in the review. The first group involves the tetrayne-containing compounds of minquartynoic acid and its derivatives. This group of natural products is known to have highly potent anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties. The second group is known as the bidensyneosides and they are the glucosides of polyynes. The third group of natural products possesses a C2 symmetry in their molecular structure and has attracted widespread interest in their total synthesis.