[摘要]：A tandem ketene-trapping/Diels-Alder cyclization sequence was the pivotal transformation in an efficient, asym. synthesis of a decahydrofluorene tricyclic structure I possessing eight stereogenic centers and key features of the hirsutellone class of antitubercular natural products. The hirsutellone-like b-keto ester that was fashioned by this sequence (13 steps; 6% overall yield) demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The mechanism of action of this antitubercular compd. is not yet known.
