Pinacol Coupling Strategy for the Construction of the Bicyclo[6.4.1]tridecane Framework of Schiglautone A

The synthesis of the tricyclic carbon framework of schiglautone A (1) is reported herein. The generation of the bicyclo[6.4.1]­tridecane 19 was accomplished via a SmI2-mediated pinacol coupling of dialdehyde 18. The side chain in 18 was introduced using a selective 1,4-addition. A further key step of the synthesis was the homologation of a Wieland–Miescher ketone derivative to establish the 7-membered ring.