Biology-Oriented Synthesis of Decahydro-4,8-epoxyazulene Scaffolds.

Guided by the principle of biology-oriented synthesis, a collection of compounds with decahydro-4,8-epoxyazulene scaffold occurring in bioactive natural products was synthesized by the rhodium(II)- catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of pentafulvenes and carbonyl ylides. The products can be obtained in moderate to high yields, with moderate enantioselectivity and excellent diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]