Towards the total synthesis of colletofragarones: constructing the macrocyclic lactone by high pressure-mediated intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction

We report herein an intramolecular Diels–Alder approach towards the construction of the macrocyclic lactone ring and the perhydrobenzofuran system of the colletofragarones, novel metabolites produced by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum that are responsible for inhibition of germination of the conidia in these species.