Recent advances in abietane/icetexane synthesis

Developed synthetic strategies for abietane and icetexane diterpenoids during 2010-present are described in this review. To date, the [6–6–6]- and [6–7–6]-tricyclic skeletons of diterpenoids have been constructed by applying enzymatic synthesis, chemical synthesis, and semisynthesis. The ring expansion approach in semisynthesis has the advantage of generating a flexible skeleton of icetexane diterpenoid from abietane diterpenoid. Continuous research on the synthetic strategies of these diterpenoids is important for the development of new pharmaceutical and chemical industries.