Toward the racemic total synthesis of hederacines A and B: construction of an advanced tricyclic intermediate.

Progress toward the total synthesis of hederacines A and B is described. Our approach involves an allylic cyanate-to-isocyanate rearrangement, eneyne ring-closing metathesis, and a transannular reaction between the C-5 amino group and the C-12 position of the perhydroazuleno[5,6-b]furanone intermediate.