Total Syntheses of (±)-Rhodonoids A and B and C12-<i>epi</i>-Rhodonoid B

Total syntheses of (±)-rhodonoids A and B and C12-epi-rhodonoid B are described here. A unified strategy employed in these syntheses is an intramolecular oxa-[3 + 3] annulation for accessing the chromene unit. A Fe­(OTf)3-promoted diastereoselective cationic [2 + 2] cycloaddition and a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition were featured to construct the cyclobutane core of (±)-rhodonoids A and B and C12-epi-rhodonoid B, respectively. Fe­(OTf)3 also leads to an interesting bridged tetracycle, which was unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis.