Synthetic studies toward clavilactone A (1), using olefin metathesis as key steps, have been described. The ring-opening/ring-closing metathesis of 3bromo-2-[1-(1-cyclobutenyl) carboxyl-2-propenyl]-1, 4-dimethoxybenzene (9) constructed a-arylated butenoiide (11). The ring-opening/ring-closing/cross metathesis of 2-[1-(1-cyclobutenyl) carboxyl-2-propenyl-1, 4- dimethoxybenzene (19) in the presence of methallyl acetate (20) provided-2-(4-((E)-5- ...
