A High-Yielding Synthesis of the Naturally Occurring Antitumour Agent Irisquinone

A short, high-yielding synthesis of the antitumour agent irisquinone (1) is described. The key steps are the palladium catalysed coupling reaction of dec-9-yn-1-ol with iodide (2) to form alkyne (3) and the Fremy’s salt oxidation of phenol (7).