An efficient synthesis of pterosin C and other pterosins

A versatile synthetic route to pterosins, sesquiterpenoid indanones present in bracken, Pteridiumaquilinum, has been developed. The route is exemplified by the synthesis of (2S,3S)-pterosin C by Friedel–Crafts bisacylation of the methyl ether of 2-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)ethanol with methylmalonyl chloride. Demethylation of the resulting 1,3-indandione and reduction with zinc and acetic acid in the presence of acetic anhydride and sodium acetate afforded a mixture of racemic cis and trans isomers of pterosin C diacetate, which was hydrolysed to the corresponding pterosins. Separation and resolution via the S-(+)-α-phenylbutyric esters gave (2S,3S)-pterosin C and (2R,3R)-pterosin C. Other pterosins were prepared as racemates from the 1,3-indandione.