Synthesis of binzindene prostaglandins: a novel potent class of stable prostacyclin analogs

The phenols $\text{13}$, $\text{16}$, and $\text{21}$, produced with remarkable regioselectivity by the cyclization of compounds $\text{10}$ and $\text{12}$, have been converted to the benzindene prostaglandin analogs $\text{25}$, $\text{20}$, and $\text{24}$, respectively. Compounds $\text{24}$ and $\text{25}$ are potent prostacyclin mimics.