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
ent-Halimic acid has been used in the synthesis of the quinone/hydroquinone sesquiterpenes (-)-aureol, (-)-smenoqualone, (-)-neomamanuthaquinone and in the formal synthesis of (-)-cyclosmenospongine. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.