A nucleophile-catalyzed cycloisomerization permits a concise synthesis of (+)-harziphilone.

Abstract

Substantial structural transformations of much use in complex chemical synthesis can be achieved by channeling the reactivity of highly unsaturated molecules. This report describes the direct conversion of an acyclic polyunsaturated diketone to the HIV-1 Rev/Rev-responsive element inhibitor harziphilone under mild reaction conditions.