Bioinspired Total Synthesis of Bussealin E

The first total synthesis of bussealin E, a natural product with a unique cycloheptadibenzofuran scaffold, is reported. A strategy inspired by a proposed biosynthesis was employed whereby a diphenylpropane derivative underwent an oxidative phenolic coupling to forge the tetracyclic ring system. The synthesis of the diphenylpropane featured a key sp2–sp3 Hiyama coupling between a vinyldisiloxane and a benzylic bromide.