Biomimetic total synthesis of the rubiginosin meroterpenoids

Total synthesis of the Rhododendron meroterpenoids rubiginosins A and G, which both contain unusual 6-6-6-4 ring systems, has been achieved using a bioinspired cascade approach. Stepwise synthesis of these natural products, and the related 6-6-5-4 meroterpenoids fastinoid B and rhodonoid B, from naturally occurring chromene precursors is also reported.Laura Burchill, Aaron J. Day, Oussama Yahiaoui, and Jonathan H. Georg