Santonic acid: Zn–HCl–ether reduction and ceric ammonium nitrate oxidation

<div><p>Reduction of santonic acid using Zn–HCl–ether yielded succinic anhydride derivatives via pinacolisation followed by rearrangement, whereas oxidation of santonic acid using ceric ammonium nitrate afforded five oxidative decarboxylation products.</p><p>Dedicated to Prof. TBH McMurry.</p></div