An entry to curcuphenol/elvirol core structures via a retro-Aldol reaction.

Analogs of curcuphenol/elvirol, naturally occurring bisabolane sesquiterpenes, were prepared in six steps from alkyl-α-tetralones employing an aromatization reaction of cyclic dienone precursors and olefination of the key aldehyde intermediates. The in vitro antifungal activities of 6a, 6b, 6d, and 6g are also reported.