Evolution of a Synthetic Strategy for Garsubellin A

Abstract Garsubellin A is a thirty‐carbon meroterpenoid capable of enhancing the enzyme choline acetyltransferase whose decreased level is associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Due to the potentially useful biological activity along with the novel molecular architecture, this plant metabolite has remained a popular synthetic target. Herein we report a full account of our synthetic investigations that have led to the enantioselective total synthesis of garsubellin A, establishing its absolute stereostructure. The protecting group‐free, twelve‐step synthetic route has enabled the syntheses of the natural (−)‐garsubellin A and its unnatural (+)‐antipode.