Divergent Synthesis of Antiviral Diterpenes Wickerols A and B

Wickerols A and B are diterpene natural products that have a novel fused 6–5–6–6 ring framework and exhibit potent antiviral activity against the H1N1 type A influenza virus. Herein, we report a divergent synthesis of wickerols A and B in 16 and 15 steps, respectively, from commercial sitolactone. The key reactions of the synthesis are a SmI2-mediated intramolecular ketone–allylic acetate reductive cyclization, a Claisen rearrangement, and an intramolecular alkylation/aldol reaction that rapidly assembled the compact tetracyclic core framework in a stereocontrolled manner. The work described herein allowed us to confirm the absolute configurations of wickerols A and B.