Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Daucane-Type Sesquiterpenoids (+)-Ferutinin and (+)-Kuhistanicaol G.

Given the poor outcomes associated with current pancreatic cancer therapies, the "antiausterity" activity of ferutinin and kuhistanicaol G is particularly encouraging. The asymmetric syntheses of (+)-ferutinin and (+)-kuhistanicaol G are achieved through a sequence involving tandem radical addition/allylation, chelation-controlled nucleophilic addition, and Chugaev elimination. This synthetic strategy enables the efficient construction of appropriately functionalized 5,7-fused daucane skeletons. Our work paves the way for the development of new pancreatic cancer therapeutics and provides access to chemical probes for elucidating mechanisms of action.