Biomimetic total synthesis of ent-penilactone A and penilactone B.

The total synthesis of ent-penilactone A and penilactone B has been achieved via biomimetic Michael reactions between tetronic acids and o-quinone methides. A five-component cascade reaction between a tetronic acid, formaldehyde, and a resorcinol derivative that generates four carbon-carbon bonds, one carbon-oxygen bond, and two stereocenters in a one-pot synthesis of penilactone A is also reported.