An Approach to (±)-ar-Turmerone

Abstract

In previous syntheses of ar-turmerone (1),¹ a monocyclic sesquiterpene isolated from the essential oil of turmeric rhizmes (Curcuma Longa L.), schemes involving formation of a specific side-chain C-C bond in order to establish the complete molecular framework have been thoroughly scrutinized, thus coupling has been effected at five of the seven possible sites in the various approaches. We now wish to report a new synthesis which formally incorporates a C₁₄+ C₁ grafting mode, an avenue hitherto unexplored.