3beta-hydroxy-4,4,10beta-trimethyl-9-decalone and its dehydroxy analogue are useful intermediates whose Baeyer-Villiger oxidation and subsequent two-carbon homologation provides a quick entry into the monocyclofarnesyl skeleton. The synthetic approaches to a variety of sesquiterpenes are discussed.
Baeyer-Villiger reaction; monocyclofarnesyl; sesquiterpenes; aplysistatin; ambilol; 7-hydroxy-6,11-cyclofarnes-3(15)-en-2-one; ancistrofuran; synthesis
