Pharmaceutical Institute, Tohoku University, Aobayama, Sendai 980, Japan
Abstract:
Beginning with trans-2-methyl-4-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid (9), a total synthesis of linear triquinane sesquiterpene (±)-hirsutene (1) has been accomplished. An acid catalyzed intramolecular conjugate addition (7→6a) and a Pd2+-promoted highly stereocontrolled cyclization (5→4) were utilized for the key step of the sequence. Interestingly, some synthetic intermediates exhibited cytotoxicity.