The catecholic ketal core substructure of trichotomone, a dimeric abietane-type diterpenoid,
was constructed. Key elements of the synthesis include an Ullmann condensation between
a phenol and phenyl bromide, and the final 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone
(DDQ)-mediated oxidative dearomatization/ketalization reaction.
Key words
total synthesis - diterpenoid - abietane - Ullman condensation - oxidative dearomatization.