Intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction as a strategy for the construction of tricyclic sesquiterpene cores.

Starting from a common polyfunctionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-6,8-dione intermediate, a concise synthetic route to tricyclic cores found in quadrane, suberosane, cedrane and related sesquiterpenes was developed using a Morita-Baylis-Hillman intramolecular reaction as a key step.

Concise Approach to (ent)-14 ß-Hydroxysteroids through Highly Diastereo-/Enantioselective Diels-Alder Reactions.

14ß-Hydroxysteroids, especially 14ß-hydroxyandrostane derivatives are closely related to the cardenolide skeletons. The latter were readily available through highly diastero/enantioselective Diels-Alder (DA) reactions requiring high pressure or Lewis acid activation. Moreover, in the presence of (R)- or (S)-carvone as a chiral dienophile, the DA-reaction takes place under chemodivergent parallel kinetic resolution control affording highly enantiomerically enriched 14ß-hydroxysteroid derivatives or the corresponding (ent)-14ß-hydroxysteroid derivatives.