Gold(I) as an artificial cyclase : short stereodivergent syntheses of (−)-epiglobulol and (−)-4β,7α- and (−)-4α,7α-aromadendranediols.

Three natural aromadendrane sesquiterpenes, (−)‐epiglobulol, (−)‐4β,7α‐aromadendranediol, and (−)‐4α,7α‐aromadendranediol, have been synthesized in only seven steps in 12, 15, and 17 % overall yields, respectively, from (E,E)‐farnesol by a stereodivergent gold(I)‐catalyzed cascade reaction which forms the tricyclic aromadendrane core in a single step. These are the shortest total syntheses of these natural compounds