Lignans.19. Total synthesis of (-)-O-dimethylsugiresinol, involving asymmetric [4+2] heterocycloaddition of a styrene with a benzylidenepyruvic ester of an α-O-silyl derivative of (D)-erythronolactone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00646-7

α-O-t-Butyldiphenylsilyl-(D)-erythronolactone [(+)-25] (a new chiral vector) was esterified with 4-methoxybenzylidene pyruvic acid (19). Eu(fod)₃ catalyzed [4+2] heterocycloaddition of the latter 1-oxabutadiene with 4- methoxystyrene (as the dienophile), afforded high yields of the endo adduct 23c with 95/5 diastereofacial ratio. Five further steps led to enantiomerically pure natural (-)-O-dimethylsugiresinol (-)-2 in 12% overall yield from the acid 19.