Pure Appl. Chem., 2003, Vol. 75, No. 2-3, pp. 223-229
http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200375020223
Chemoenzymatic methods for the enantioselective preparation of sesquiterpenoid natural products from aromatic precursors
Abstract:
The enantiomerically pure cis-1,2-dihydrocatechols 2, which are generated by enzymatic dihydroxylation of the corresponding aromatic, engage in regio- and stereo-controlled Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions to give a range of synthetically useful bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes. Certain examples of the latter type of compound have been used as starting materials in the synthesis of the sesquiterpenoids (−)-patchoulenone and (−)-hirsutene.