A highly efficient total synthesis of (R)-(+)-muscopyridine by intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of bisketene

A highly efficient total synthesis of (R)-(+)-muscopyridine 1 has been accomplished in 12 steps with 40% overall yield. A highlight of the synthesis is the intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of bisketene to afford a bridged pyrone and ring transformation of the pyrone to afford pyridine derivatives.