An Efficient Synthesis of (±)-α-Spirovetivene and Related Compounds

A process for the synthesis of (±)-α-spirovetivene starting from I-oxo–2-carbethoxy-6, 10-dimethyl spiro[4.5]dec-6-ene(I)¹ is described. The oxo group of I was reduced by the process of Coates², and the resulting spiro ester (III) and spiro alcohol (IV) were transformed to (±)-α-spirovetivene by the process of Uijttewaal³ and by conventional methods.