Biomimetic total syntheses of cassiarins A and B

Total syntheses of cassiarins A and B have been efficiently accomplished using a common strategy with biomimetic considerations. Key reactions involved in this synthesis include a Negishi-type coupling, a Ag(I)-promoted formation of the tricyclic 8H-pyrano[2,3,4-de]chromen-8-one core, and a sequential amine-condensation and cyclization. Three new analogues of cassiarin A bearing different substituents at the C-11 position were synthesized in parallel from the same intermediate. In addition, two other transformations to the key tricyclic cores and cassiarins A and B were achieved from corresponding chemically equivalent precursors.