Synthesis of (±)‐Merrilactone A and (±)‐Anislactone A

A concise synthesis of each of the sesquiterpenoids merrilactone A and anislactone A is described using a common route. Reductive cleavage of an epoxide using TiIII and radical cyclization is used to install the C9 quaternary center at the heart of the BC bicycle (see scheme). Selective lactonization sequences then define regiodivergent pathways to both merrilactone A (formal synthesis) and anislactone A (total synthesis).