The synthesis of some novel bakkenolides and their epi-spiro analogues was achieved by a new approach. Photolysis of allyl 1-(phenylseleno)-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylates 7-9 afforded the corresponding spiro lactones 10-12 by radical cyclization via group transfer of the phenylseleno group. Selenoxide elimination of 11 and 12 produced the corresponding β- methylene lactones 14 and 15. Diels-Alder cycloaddition of lactone 11 with piperylene ...
