ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 47, Number 4
JKCSEZ 47(4)
August 20, 2003 

A strategy for synthesis of the furan-fused tetracyclic system of xestoquinone was explored through a model study. Using 3-butyn-1-ol as a starting material, 5-iodo-1-methoxymethoxy pentyne (5) was prepared in 5 steps. Reaction of ethyl 2-phenylpropanoate with 5 gave ethyl 7-methoxymethoxy-2-methyl-2-phenyl-5-heptynoate (6) in 88% yield, and then methyl 9-oxo-4-methyl-4-phenyl-2,7-nonadiynoate (13), the key intermediate, was synthesized in 6 steps from the ester 6. Intramolecular cycloaddition reaction of 13 afforded isobenzofuran 14 in 5% yield, which was converted to the tetracyclic structure 15 in the presence of Lewis acid.