First synthesis of (+)-8-methoxygoniodiol and its analogue, 8-deoxygoniodiol, using a three component strategy

We have described the first total synthesis of the natural product. (+)-8-methoxygoniodiol, and its analogue, 8-deoxygomodiol using a catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder/allylboration sequence involving three partners. The cytotoxic activity of these final compounds and of two synthetic intermediates has been evaluated against human cancer cell lines (A375P and A375M), showing the importance of the lactone moiety. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.