Total Synthesis and Structure Revision of Saniculamoid D

We present the first asymmetric total synthesis of the norsesquiterpenoid saniculamoid D, from a previously known pure chiral imide, with a longest linear sequence of seven steps. The key highlight of the synthesis is the formation of the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane moiety through the Julia-Kocienski olefination and Hodgson cyclopropanation. Notably, the NMR spectra and specific rotation value of the synthesized structure did not agree with those of the natural compound. However, a meticulous comparison of the data prompted the reassignment of the correct structure of saniculamoid D, which now corresponds to the structure initially proposed for chromolaevanedione.