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Despite having been recognized for many years, the mechanisms governing the male sexual refractory period (post-ejaculatory refractory period, post-ejaculatory interval) remain poorly understood. This review examines the brain and spinal areas putatively involved in this phenomenon to draw a coherent picture from the available data. It is hoped that this will reveal where further research will offer the potential for crucial insights on this topic., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Formal syntheses of tetracyclic terpenoids frondosin B and liphagal are described. Both synthetic routes rely on the use of platinum-catalyzed α,β-unsaturated carbene formation for the key C-C bond forming transformations. The successful route toward frondosin B utilizes a formal (4 + 3) cycloaddition, while the liphagal synthesis features the vinylogous addition of an enol nucleophile as a key step. Both synthetic routes are discussed, revealing insights into structural requirements in the catalytic α,β-unsaturated carbene reaction manifold.