The first semisynthetic route toward
rumphellaones B (2) and C (3) and their
C-8 epimers as well as the shortest
synthesis of rumphellaone A (1) and its C-8 epimer from
the most accessible sesquiterpene, β-caryophyllene (4), is presented. Synthetic routes involved caryophyllonic acid as
a key intermediate, which was converted to rumphellaone A (and epimer)
via acid-catalyzed lactonization and rumphellaone C (and epimer) using
one-pot epoxidation–lactonization. Rumphellaone B (2) and its epimer were obtained from rumphellaone A (1) and its epimer, respectively, using Saegusa–Ito oxidation.
The absolute configuration at C-8 was confirmed by single-crystal
X-ray analysis of rumphellaone B (2) and an acylated
derivative of rumphellaone C.