Synthetic studies towards furosesquiterpenes: Construction of linearly-fused A/B trans- and A/B cis-furo[3,2-b]-and furo[3,2-b]- and furo[2,3-b] decalins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00053-7

Linearly fused furo[2,3-b] and furo[3,2-b]decalin systems with cis/trans ring junctions are present in several furosesquiterpenes obtained from marine sponges. A short and efficient synthesis of this ring system is described starting from Hageman's ester (1). The method has been extended for the synthesis of compound 8 and 14 via the diketones 5,6 and 12 respectively.