Total Synthesis of Acanthodoral Using a Rearrangement Strategy

We present the second total synthesis of (±)-acanthodoral, a sesquiterpenoid derived from the marine nudibranch Acanthodoris nanaimoensis. Our approach involves a concise three-step transformation from a previously reported compound, resulting in the formation of a less strained precursor of the bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane core and both all-carbon quaternary stereocenters characteristic of the natural product. Notably, this synthetic route incorporates two pivotal steps: a Sm(II)-induced 1,2-rearrangement and a semipinacol rearrangement.