Total Synthesis of (R)-(−)-β-Cuparenone

Abstract
(R)-(−)-β-Cuparenone has been synthesized from (S)-(+)-acid-2 obtained via resolution of the racemic acid. Two of the noteworthy steps are (a) repeated methylation of ester (+)-8 with LDA/MeI to furnish (+)-10 and (b) the reaction of 12, having two neopentyl units with NaCN.