Synthetic study of aquayamycin. Part 3: First total synthesis

Abstract The first total synthesis of aquayamycin ( 1 ) has been accomplished. The crucial steps include (1) the Hauser reaction between 3-(phenylsulfonyl)phthalide 3 and cyclohexenone 4 to make up the linear BCD tricycle, and (2) the intramolecular pinacol coupling of keto aldehyde 7 to the full tetracyclic framework.