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A tandem Bischler–Napieralski/semipinacol rearrangement reaction has been developed for the purpose of assembling a bis(spirocyclic) indole framework, a privileged structural unit of aspidofractinine‐type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, and was used in combination with a subsequent Mannich reaction to expeditiously construct the central bridged bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring system of these molecules with contiguous quaternary centers. The development of this novel strategy culminated in the collective total synthesis of four aspidofractinine alkaloids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total syntheses of the biologically important and structurally unique tetracyclic diterpenes conidiogenone, conidiogenol, and conidiogenone B of the cyclopiane class are reported. The absolute configuration of naturally occurring conidiogenone B was also corrected. The key step of our strategy involved the highly efficient construction of both ring C and the quaternary carbon center shared by rings A and C through a one-step regioselective and diastereoselective cycloenlargement in the form of a semipinacol-type rearrangement. In particular, the desired regioselectivity was made possible by properly adjusting the migratory aptitude of the migrating carbon atom through the introduction of an electron-donating phenylthio group at this position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a chemical reaction for the synthesis of natural products such as tetracyclic cyclopiane diterpenes conidiogenone, conidiogenol, and conidiogenone B.