The total synthesis of racemic cyclozonarone ((±)-3) was achieved from E,E-farnesol (4) in an eight-step sequence in 6.6% overall yield. Albicanol ((±)-1) and its acetate ((±)-2) are intermediates. A similar sequence starting from natural (-)-drimenol (5) gave (+)-albicanol (1) and (+)-cyclozonarone (3) (42% and 11% yield, respectively). The cytotoxic activity of (+)-cyclozonarone was assayed and showed some selectivity towards MS-1 (mice endothelial cells).
albicanol; albicanyl acetate; cyclozonarone; total synthesis; chiral synthesis
