Total Synthesis of (−)-Rhodomollanol A

An asymmetric approach for the first total synthesis of (−)-rhodomollanol A, a highly oxidized diterpenoid, is described. The efficient synthetic strategy features three key transformations: (1) an oxidative dearomatization-induced (5 + 2) cycloaddition/pinacol-type 1,2-acyl migration cascade to build up the bicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton; (2) a retro-Dieckmann fragmentation/vinylogous Dieckmann cyclization cascade to assemble the bicyclo[3.3.0]octane subunit; and (3) a photo-Nazarov cyclization/intramolecular cycloetherification cascade to forge the 7-oxabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane core structure of the natural product.