A connective synthesis of substituted hydrindanones and decalones can be accomplished based upon a novel approach involving two key-steps: a Morita-Baylis-Hillman condensation and an intramolecular reductive cyclisation using lithium in ammonia. Decalones, akin to the middle core of the clerodane family of natural products and bearing a quaternary carbon centre, can be readily assembled via this protocol. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Wasnaire, P., Wiaux, M., Touillaux, R., & Marko, I. (2006). Reductive cyclisation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts. A simple approach towards substituted hydrindanones and decalones. Tetrahedron Letters, 47(6), 985-989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2005.11.143 (Original work published 2006)