First total synthesis of tenuifolin via PIFA mediated oxidative biaryl coupling

The first total synthesis of a sesquiterpenoid, tenuifolin, was achieved in seven linear steps. Phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoacetate) (PIFA) mediated oxidative biaryl coupling was employed as a key step to construct the central seven-membered ring with a double bond. The double bond formation was also exploited.