Total Syntheses of (−)-Majucin and (−)-Jiadifenoxolane A, Complex Majucin-Type <i>Illicium</i> Sesquiterpenes

We report the first chemical syntheses of both (−)-majucin and (−)-jiadifenoxolane A via 10 net oxidations from the ubiquitous terpene (+)-cedrol. Additionally, this approach allows for access to other majucin-type sesquiterpenes, like (−)-jiadifenolide, (−)-jiadifenin, and (−)-(1R,10S)-2-oxo-3,4-dehydroxyneomajucin (ODNM) along the synthetic pathway. Site-selective aliphatic C­(sp3)-H bond oxidation reactions serve as the cornerstone of this work which offers access to highly oxidized natural products from an abundant and renewable terpene feedstock.