title: The concerted nature of the cyclization of squalene oxide to the protosterol cation.
abstract: Concerted A-C ring formation: A concerted, but highly asynchronous, pathway was identified for the formation of rings A-C in the biosynthetic conversion of squalene oxide to the prosterol cation, with ring B being formed in the required boat conformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235 (USA). b.andes.hess@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: B Andes
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smentek
keywords: carbocations; density functional calculations; reaction mechanisms; squalene; terpenoids