Enantioselective Synthesis of Euonyminol

Abstract

We describe an enantioselective total synthesis of the nonahydroxylated sesquiterpenoid euonyminol, the dihydro-β-agarofuran nucleus of the macrocyclic terpenoid alkaloids known as the cathedulins. Key features of the synthetic sequence include a highly diastereoselective intramolecular alkene oxyalkylation to establish the C10 quaternary center, an intramolecular aldol–dehydration to access the tricyclic scaffold of the target, a tandem lactonization–epoxide opening to form the trans-C2–C3 vicinal diol residue, and a late-stage diastereoselective α-ketol rearrangement. The synthesis provides the first synthetic access to enantioenriched euonyminol and establishes a platform to synthesize the cathedulins.