A concise total synthesis of arizonins B1 and C1

A concise and efficient total synthesis of arizonins B1 and C1 is reported. A key building block alkyne is synthesized from d-glucono-δ-lactone and used in the Dötz benzannulation reaction to construct the naphthalene unit. An oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction gave the pyran ring while an H₂SO₄ mediated isomerization set the correct stereochemistry of the target molecules. Alternatively, a direct anti-pyran stereochemistry was prepared in a TFA solvent. The synthesis is competitive to previous reports and marks the first enantioselective synthesis of arizonin B1.