First total synthesis of (+)-indicanone

Abstract

The first total synthesis of the guaiane-type sesquiterpene, (+)-indicanone (1), isolated from the root of Wikstroemia indica, was accomplished based on the rhodium(I)-catalyzed Pauson–Khand-type reaction of the allenyne derivative, which was derived from (+)-limonene. This total synthesis unambiguously confirmed the complete structure of (+)-indicanone involving its absolute stereochemistry.