Rapid synthesis of methoxyconidiol and conitriol stereoisomers

We describe the diastereoselective synthesis of the marine meroterpenes methoxyconidiol and conitriol in their trans form from the readily available 1-bromo-2,5-dimethoxybenzene in only three steps. The choice of the protective group strategy influenced not only the overall reaction yields but also the diastereoisomeric ratio. In addition, we describe the synthesis of natural conitriol (cis form) for the first time.