A synthesis of α-cuparenone based on symmetry considerations

Article abstract of DOI:10.1139/v97-074

A ring expansion approach to α-cuparenone was accomplished in 5 or 6 steps. The key intermediate is 3-methyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)cyclobutanone, which was derived from a [2-t-2]cycloaddition of dichloroketene on a styrene derivative, followed by dechlorinati