A stereocontrolled synthesis of (${pm}$)-isocomene (1) via selective monoketalization of tricyclo[6.3.0.$0^{1.5}$]undeca-4,7-dione(13) was reported. Grignard reaction of bicyclic enone 10, which was prepared from 2-methyl-1,3-cyclopentadione, gave the 1,4-addition product 11. The subsequent aldol condensation product 12 was converted to mesyl derivative 13. Transformation from 13 to the desired product 19 was achieved by a series of reactions, i.e., the selective monoketalization at C-4 carbonyl group, the elimination of a mesyl group, Birch alkylation, methylation at C-6, the reduction of carbonyl group, the dehydration of alcohol 18, and hydrolysis of the ketal group.
