Synthesis of (+)-Artemisinin and (+)-Deoxoartemisinin from arteannuin B and arteannuic acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)10286-1

(+)-Artemisinin and (+)-Deoxoartemisinin were prepared for the first time from arteannuin B. The synthetic route is short and efficient, making use of the prior art for the final photo-oxygenation/cyclization reaction. A convergent route to each of the above-named products from arteannuic acid is also described. A novel oxidative lactonization reaction was developed for this sequence.