An improved synthesis of a hydroxymethyl tricyclic ketone from cyclohexanone, the key processes for the synthesis of a highly potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent

An improved synthesis of hydroxymethyl tricyclic ketone, (±)-(4aS,8aS)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-1,1,4a-trimethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8,8a,9,10, 10a-decahydrophenanthren-2(1H)-one, in five steps (34% yield) from cyclohexanone has been successfully established. Accordingly, 10 grams of a highly potent anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent, (±)-(4bS,8aR,10aS)-10a- ethynyl-4b,8,8-trimethyl-3,7-dioxo-3,4b,7,8,8a,9,10,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-2, 6-dicarbonitrile (TBE-31), was obtained in 15 steps (9.2% overall yield) via the hydroxymethyl tricyclic ketone from 32 grams of cyclohexanone.