Asymmetric synthesis of a lignan lactone from a meso anhydride

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(95)00084-3

Reaction of the anhydride of a meso-2,3-dibenzylbutanedioic acid with (+)-α-methylbenzylamine proceeds diastereoselectively to give an acid-amide which can be converted into an enantiomerically enriched cis-2,3-dibenzylbutyrolactone.