Concise total synthesis of hericerin natural product

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.02.027

A concise total synthesis of hericerin, a natural product, is described. The all-synthetic sequence comprises five steps and was accomplished in 34% overall yield starting from commercially available 2-hydroxy-4- methoxybenzaldehyde. The key steps were the introduction of the geranyl group using a ether-phenol rearrangement and the formation of isoindolinone through a Pd(OAc)₂-catalyzed carbonylative ring closure.