A versatile, non-biomimetic route to the preussomerins: syntheses of (±)-preussomerins F, K and L

The first total syntheses of the title fungal metabolites preussomerins F, K and L are described and their structures confirmed thereby. The syntheses were achieved following a versatile, unified, non-biomimetic approach, which is easily extendable to prepare other known and novel members of this family. Key steps include the functionalisation of a 2-arylacetal anion, tandem one-pot Friedel–Crafts cyclisation–deprotection, regioselective substrate-directable hydrogenation and reductive-opening of epoxides.