There is a great interest in the total synthesis of the complex terpene Solanoeclepin A. It is a hatching agent of potato cyst nematodes which are a serious cause of losses in potato production in many countries. The natural product or simpler analogues thereof could serve as an environmentally benign nematocide.

Our synthetic approach toward solanoeclepin A includes an intramolecular photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition of an allene to access the most intricate cyclobutanone substructure (J. Dijkink; B.T. Buu Hue, PhD, 28 June 2005).