Total syntheses of the sesquiterpenes β-corymbolol and corymbolone

The first total synthesis of racemic corymbolone, an eudesmane sesquiterpene isolated from Cyperus species used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases, is reported. In the developed sequence, the immediate precursor of corymbolone is the diol β-corymbolol, an epimer at C₁ of the natural α-corymbolol. Thus, starting from the readily available Wieland-Miescher Ketone, the title compounds were achieved in 11 and 12 steps, respectively, in ca. 3% overall yield.