Total Synthesis of (-)-Ambrox from S-(+)-Carvone (part 6)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)89625-3

Conjugate addition of cyanide and allyl nucleophiles to S-(+)-carvone followed by annulation with methyl vinyl ketone gave the substituted decalones 2 and 3 stereoselectively.Both decalones were transformed into (-)-Ambrox via modification of the sidechain, methylation, conversion of the isopropenyl group and cyclization.