First asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-taiwaniaquinol D and (−)-taiwaniaquinone D by using intramolecular Heck reaction

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-taiwaniaquinol D and (−)-taiwaniaquinone D isolated from Taiwania cryptomerioides was attained by using the intramolecular asymmetric Heck reaction. The reaction provided a tricyclic intermediate that would be available for the asymmetric total synthesis of various abeo-abietane-type diterpenoids.