The Mizoroki-Heck reaction was applied to substrates derived from isocostic and ilicic acids, important sesquiterpene components of Dittrichia viscosa L. Greuter that were extracted directly from plant material collected in Morocco. After optimization of the metallo-catalysis conditions, various aryl-groups were successfully introduced on the exocyclic double bond with an exclusive E-configuration and without racemization.
Keywords: Dittrichia viscosa L. Greuter; Mizoroki-Heck reaction; eudesmane; isocostic and ilicic acids; sesquiterpenes.