Novel synthetic approach to the potent germination stimulant strigol and its analogues

Strigol (1) is a natural product that triggers suicidal germination of parasitic Striga species. Here we present an improved annulation sequence for the synthesis of the tricyclic moieties of strigol and its analogues. Our approach makes use of the one‐pot cyclization of 5‐nitro‐2‐pentanone and cyclopent‐2‐enone diesters to afford 7‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐l‐oxo‐hydrindene derivatives. Functional group elaboration of these intermediates leads to a series of hydrindene‐2‐acetic and propionic acids.