Enantioselective syntheses of (+)-xylarenal A and ent-xylarenal A

reaction: see text] The total synthesis of the sesquiterpenoid xylarenal A is reported. This first synthetic entry to an eremophilane terpenoid with an exocyclic vinyl aldehyde unit involves the use of the bicyclic enone (+)-3, which after a gamma-oxidation and alpha'-allylation leads to the formation of the ketone (+)-8. After its acylation, an oxidative cleavage of the allyl side chain followed by alpha-methylenation of the resulting aldehyde gives (+)-xylarenal A (1). The synthesis of (-)-xylarenal A from (-)-3 is also reported. Moreover, the first total synthesis of the trinoreremophilane (+)-1alpha-hydroxyisoondetianone (5) is described.