Four-Step Total Synthesis of Selaginpulvilin D

An extremely concise total synthesis of a potent phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitory natural product, selaginpulvilin D, is reported. The synthesis features a one-pot, 3-fold electrophilic aromatic substitution sequence to assemble a 9,9-diaryilluorene core. The approach allows access to useful quantities of a selaginpulvilin natural product for the first time.