Total Synthesis of Elmenols A and B and Related Rearranged Angucyclinones

Abstract A synthetic approach towards rearranged angucyclinones related to Elmenols A and B and their synthetic derivatives has been developed. Carbon skeleton is constructed in a straightforward manner by directed o‐lithiation of m‐anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal and its further nucleophilic addition to properly substituted naphthalene carbaldehydes. The latter can be achieved via several alternative synthetic schemes, the most efficient of them are discussed herein.