Formal Radical Cyclization onto Benzene Rings:  A General Method and Its Use in the Synthesis of <i>e</i><i>nt</i>-Nocardione A

Abstract

An indirect method is described for effecting radical cyclization onto a benzene ring. Cross-conjugated dienones 6, which are readily prepared from phenols, undergo radical cyclization (6 --> 7 --> 8), and the products (8) are easily aromatized. The method has been applied to the synthesis of ent-nocardione A (21).