Enantioselective synthesis of the Prelog-Djerassi lactonic acid via group-selective aldolization/desymmetrization of a meso dialdehyde with a chiral N-propionylsultam.
The group-selective aldolization/desymmetrization of meso dialdehyde 5 with a borylenolate derived from N-propionylbornanesultam ent-a yields very efficiently lactols 6 with simultaneous generation of four stereogenic centers. Oxidation (6 --> 7) followed by saponification of the sultam moiety (7 --> 4) provided the Prelog-Djerassi lactonic acid 4 in a three step sequence in 61-71% overall yield. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.