A modular and concise total synthesis of (+/-)-daurichromenic acid and analogues.

A modular and concise total synthesis of (+/-)-daurichromenic acid has been accomplished in four steps from ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl crotonate, and trans,trans-farnesal. A series of analogues of this natural product, which has potent anti-HIV activity, were also prepared from ethyl or methyl acetoacetate and a series of readily available alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and aldehydes.