January 2023

Lucidumone is a recently isolated meroterpenoid displaying interesting biological activity. This natural product possesses a complex structure, including a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane possessing 6 contiguous stereogenic centers. Herein, we discuss strategies to solve this synthetic challenge. In particular, we developed a new method for the inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder cycloaddition between 2-pyrones and acyclic enol ethers, as a mean to obtain a ‘masked’ cyclohexadiene. This method allowed an expeditious enantioselective synthesis of (+)-lucidumone through a retro-[4+2]/intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction cascade.1 Introduction2 Retrosynthetic Considerations on the Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane3 Development of a Methodology for Enantioselective IEDDA Cycloadditions4 Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Lucidumone5 Conclusion

When irradiated with visible light, various cyclic 2-alk-4-enyl-substituted 1,3-diketones undergo an intramolecular endo-addition (m = 1) onto the double bond resulting in spirocyclic products (11 examples, 62–92% yield). Both an organic (TXT: thioxanthone, 20 mol%) and an organometallic Ir-based photocatalyst (5 mol%) promote the reaction. Addition of triisopropylthiophenol is required to secure high yields. The spirocyclization of a 2-alk-5-enyl-substituted substrate (m = 2) delivers a mixture of the seven-membered endo- and the six-membered exo-cyclization products.