Toward a General Route to the Eunicellin Diterpenes: The Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Deacetoxyalcyonin Acetate

A novel approach to the hydroisobenzofuran core utilizing a TiCl4-mediated [4+3] annulation is reported. This [4+3] annulation protocol provides a short, general route to the hydroisobenzofuran core present in the eunicellin diterpenes. Using this annulation, a short synthesis (17 steps) of deacetoxyalcyonin acetate, a member of the eunicellin family, has been achieved.