Preussochromone Puzzle: Structural Revision of Preussochromones E and F by Total Synthesis.

A stereoselective synthesis of the proposed and actual structures of the natural products preussochromones E and F is reported. The key step is a ring-closing metathesis to close the five-membered ring and install the trans configuration of the annulated five-six ring system. The analysis of the 3 J NMR couplings of the isolated natural product with the synthesized compound revealed its real structure with a cis annulation, which could also be synthesized using an intramolecular aldol reaction of a vic -tricarbonyl compound.