Benzocyclobutenones as Synthons for the Synthesis of C-11 Oxygenated Diterpenoids. Application to the Total Synthesis of (+/-)-Taxodione

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00133a032

An efficient ten-step total synthesis of racemic taxodione is described.Key steps involve the regiospecific synthesis of benzocyclobutenone 8 via a <2+2> cycloaddition (6 to 8) and a regioselective base-catalysed opening of benzocyclobutenol 13 to afford