A new concise general methodology for the synthesis of different tetracyclic meroterpenoids is reported: (±)-aureol (1), the key intermediate of this general route. The synthesis of (±)-aureol (1) was achieved in seven steps (28% overall yield) from (±)-albicanol. The key steps of this route include a C-C bond-forming reaction between (±)-albicanal and a lithiated arene unit and a rearrangement involving 1,2-hydride and 1,2-methyl shifts promoted by BF3•Et2O as activator and water as initiator.
Keywords: aureol; natural products synthesis; tetracyclic meroterpenoids.