Advances in the Total Synthesis of Xanthanolide‐Type Sesquiterpenoids

Xanthanolide‐type sesquiterpenoids are a diverse family of natural products isolated primarily from the genus Xanthium (Compositae). The intriguing molecular architectures and biological profiles of these natural products have rendered them attractive targets for total synthesis. This focus review aims to provide an up‐to‐date summary of progress in the chemical synthesis of xanthanolide‐type sesquiterpenoids. Different synthetic strategies to form 5/7‐cis‐ and 5/7‐trans‐bicyclic xanthanolides are presented in chronological order, with an emphasis on the key elements used to forge the characteristic 5/7‐bicyclic cores of the targets. Recent advances in the total syntheses of structurally more complicated polycyclic and dimeric xanthanolides are also discussed.