Stereoselective Sequence toward Biologically Active Fused Alkylidenecyclobutanes

Combining an efficient preparation of cyclobutenylmetal species, high-yielding cross-coupling reactions, and highly diastereoselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition led to opening a new route toward the synthesis of fused alkylidenecyclobutanes containing up to five consecutive stereocenters. New complex architectures, analogues to protoilludane skeletons, were obtained in a very efficient manner and with a minimum number of steps starting from commercial sources and were tested for their cytotoxicity against leukemia cell lines HL60.