Conformationally selective transannular cyclizations of humulene 9,10-epoxide. Synthesis of the two skeletally different cyclohumulanoids: dl-bicyclohumulenone and dl-africanol

Two cyclohumulanoids, dl-bicyclohumulenone ($\text{4}$) and dl-africanol ($\text{7}$ were synthesized through newly developed conformationally selective transannular cyclization of humulene 9,10-epoxide ($\text{2}$). The epoxide $\text{2}$ was converted to a bicyclohumulenediol diacetate $\text{3a}$ in 70% yield by treatment with BF₃·OEt₂-Ac₂O, while treatment of $\text{2}$ with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethansulfonate gave an africen-10-ol ($\text{5}$a and $\text{5}$b) in 80% yield. The two intermediates $\text{3a}$ and $\text{5a}$ furnished the natural products $\text{4}$ and $\text{7}$ in 30 and 8 % yield from $\text{2}$ respectively.