Protoilludane sesquiterpenes: synthesis of (±)-cerapicol, formal synthesis of (±)-sterpurene, and synthesis and absolute configuration of (+)-cerapicol

New approaches to the protoilludane sesquiterpenes (±)-cerapicol and (±)-sterpurene via rearrangement routes are described. The absolute configuration of (+)-cerapicol has been determined and found in accord with a biosynthesis of the natural product via cyclization of humulene to the so-called protoilludyl cation and a subsequent 1,2-alkyl shift.