Synthesis of Drimane-8,11-diol Using Terpene Cyclase from Bacillus Megaterium

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of drimane-8 & alpha;,11-diol from farnesol derivatives using a terpene cyclase from Bacillus megaterium was achieved. Farnesol was not suitable for enzymatic transformation. On the other hand, farnesol deriva-tives in which the hydroxy group is protected with a conven-tional protecting group underwent cyclization to give the corresponding drimane-8 & alpha;,11-diol derivatives. One of the cyclized products was transformed into 1 under mild conditions.