A new synthesis of (.+-.)-agarospirol and (.+-.)-hinesol.

(±)-Agarospirol (8) and (±)-hinesol (9) were simultancously synthesized via a useful synthon in the synthesis of spirovetivane-type sesquiterpenes, i. e., (2S*, 5S*, 10R*)-2-hydroxy-6, 10-dimethylspiro [4.5] dec-6-en-8-one (1), which had previously been prepared from the corresponding phenolic α-diazoketone via the spiro-annelation reaction and subsequent stereo-controlled Birch reduction, both reported in our previous communications.