Total synthesis of a novel oxa-bowl natural product paracaseolide A via a ‘putative’ biomimetic pathway

A total synthesis of bioactive tetracyclic natural product paracaseolide A, embodying an architecturally unusual oxa-bowl framework, has been accomplished from commercially available 5-methyl-2-furfural. The key step involving a thermal [4+2]-dimerization of an appropriately crafted 5-methyl-3-alkenylbutenolide is shown to proceed in a stepwise manner.