Abstract
The asymmetric total synthesis of both enantiomers of (+)- and (-)-vittatalactone has been achieved using a desymmetrization strategy to create three methyl chiral centers. The key steps in these total syntheses are Myers asymmetric alkylation, copper-catalyzed alkylation, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl-(diacetoxyiodo)benzene [TEMPO-PhI(OAc2)] promoted oxidation and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride mediated lactonization. The products are obtained in good overall yields employing linear synthetic sequences.