MERCURY(II) TRIFLATE—AMINE COMPLEX-INDUCED CYCLIZATION OF GERANYLGERANYL p-NITROBENZOATE: SYNTHESIS OF SPONDIAN AND LABDANE DITERPENOIDS

Abstract
Biomimetic cyclization of geranylgeranyl p-nitrobenzoate by the mercury(II) triflate—N,N-dimethylaniline complex and subsequent reductive demercuration provide a tricyclic and two bicyclic diterpenoids in moderate yields. This is the first example of the cyclization of geranylgeraniol to the tricyclic diterpene.