Synthesis and absolute configuration of brevione B, an allelochemical isolated from Penicillium sp.

Breviones A–E (), allelochemicals isolated from Penicillium brevicompactum Dierckx, are structurally unique diterpenoid derivatives. The first synthesis of both enantiomers of brevione B () was accomplished by employing the double SN2′-type tandem reaction as a key step, and the absolute configuration of the naturally occurring was established.