Total Syntheses of (+)-Aquatolide and Related Humulanolides

Abstract

AbstractHerein, the total syntheses of (+)-aquatolide, a humulane-derived sesquiterpenoid lactone, and five other related humulanolides are described. The key reactions in these syntheses are a cascade metathesis reaction of cyclobutenecarboxylate to construct a γ-butenolide with an unsaturated aldehyde side chain, an intramolecular Nozaki–Hiyama–Takai–Kishi reaction to form an all-trans-humulene lactone skeleton, and a biosynthesis-inspired [2 + 2] photocycloaddition to provide a bridged 5/5/4/8-ring system. A cycloaddition giving a 5/4/4/7-ring system was also found. In addition, biological studies were conducted using the synthesized samples.