Synthesis of C-7 oxidized abietane diterpenes from racemic ferruginyl methyl ether

A series of naturally occurring C-7 oxidized abietane diterpenes have been synthesized from racemic ferruginyl methyl ether in high yields. 6-Hydroxyl-5,6-dehydrosugiol () can be converted into stable xanthoperol () using high temperature. Among the products, the structures of sugiyl methyl ether () and 6(-hydroxysugiyl methyl ether () were determined by X-ray analysis.