Total Synthesis of (−)-Oridonin: An Interrupted Nazarov Approach

An enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-oridonin is accomplished based on a key interrupted Nazarov reaction. The stereochemistry of the Nazarov/Hosomi–Sakurai cascade was first explored to forge a tetracyclic skeleton with challenging quaternary carbons. A delicate sequence of two ring-rearrangements and late-stage redox manipulations was carried out to achieve the de novo synthesis of this highly oxidized ent -kauranoid.