Total Synthesis\nof (±)-Anigorootin

An 11-step synthesis of the octacyclic-fused dimeric\nphenylphenalenone\nanigorootin (phytoalexin in banana plants) is reported. The synthetic\nstrategy uses an electrochemical dimerization as the key step, which\nstereospecifically installs the four asymmetric centers. Mechanistic\naspects of the dimerization process are discussed.