A highly efficient synthesis of the FGH ring of micrandilactone A. Application of thioureas as ligands in the Co-catalyzed Pauson-Khand reaction and Pd-catalyzed carbonylative annulation.

The functionalized FGH ring system of micrandilactone A was successfully constructed in high selectivity and good yields. The key reactions in our strategy are the Co-thiourea-catalyzed stereoselective, intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction and Pd-thiourea-catalyzed stereoselective, intramolecular annulation. [structure: see text]