Total Synthesis of (+)-Viridianol, a Marine-Derived Sesquiterpene Embodying the Decahydrocyclobuta[<i>d</i>]indene Framework

A total synthesis of the title sesquiterpene 4 is described that starts with the chiral, non-racemic cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 10 obtained through the whole-cell biotransformation of p-iodotoluene. Compound 10 is elaborated over seven steps, including Negishi cross-coupling and intramolecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition reactions, to ketone 7 that engages in a photochemically promoted 1,3-acyl migration and so affording cyclobutanone 6. Compound 6 was converted over further steps into the title compound 4.