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<p>The total synthesis of principinol D, a rearranged kaurane diterpenoid, is reported. This grayanane natural product is constructed via a convergent fragment coupling approach, wherein the central 7-membered ring is synthesized at a late stage. The bicyclo[3.2.1]octane fragment is accessed by a Ni-catalyzed α-vinylation reaction. Strategic reductions include a diastereoselective SmI<sub>2</sub>-mediated ketone reduction with PhSH and a new protocol for selective ester reduction in the presence of ketones. The convergent strategy reported herein may be an entry point to the larger class of kaurane diterpenoids.</p>
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Kinetic and structural studies on ‘tethered’ Ru(ii) arene ketone reduction catalysts