Rapid formation of hindered cores using an oxidative Prins process.

An unprecedented oxidative Prins transformation on phenol derivatives mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent has been developed. This method allows a rapid access to highly substituted compact systems present in several natural products via a carbon-based addition on an aromatic core. Substitution at each ring position has been demonstrated, enabling synthesis of molecules with up to two contiguous quaternary carbon centers in good yield.