Total synthesis of coriandrin and 7-demethylcoriandrin via a new synthesis of isocoumarins

Indenone epoxides 8, prepared from the corresponding indenones, have been shown to undergo clean thermal rearrangement to give isocoumarins 10 in high yields. This synthesis of isocoumarins, when applied to oxaindacenone 7, resulted in the total synthesis of coriandrin (1).