Approach to Merosesquiterpenes via Lewis Acid Catalyzed Nazarov-Type Cyclization: Total Synthesis of Akaol A

A Lewis acid catalyzed Nazarov-type cyclization of arylvinylcarbinol has been developed for the asymmetric synthesis of carbotetracyclic core of merosesquiterpenes. The reaction works only in the presence of 2 mol % of Sn­(OTf)2 and Bi­(OTf)3 in dichloroethane under elevated temperature. The methodology offers the synthesis of a variety of enantioenriched arylvinylcarbinols from commercially available (3aR)-sclareolide 9 in six steps with an eventual concise total synthesis of marine sesquiterpene quinol, akaol A (1a).