文摘
A formal synthesis of merrilactone A has been completed using a domino 1,4-addition鈥揳ldol process as the key step. Both iodo- and cyano-1,4-addition鈥揳ldol cyclizations were productive in forming the highly hindered C1鈥揅9 bond linking vic-quaternary and tertiary stereocenters. The latter method was used to complete a formal total synthesis of the natural product.