Modular synthesis of optically active lactones by Ru-catalyzed asymmetric allylic carboxylation and ring-closing metathesis reaction

Abstract

A new synthetic route to optically active unsaturated γ- and δ-lactones has been demonstrated via asymmetric allylic carboxylation with a planar-chiral Cp′Ru catalyst and ring-closing metathesis reaction with a Grubbs II catalyst, and successfully applied to the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-(−)-massoialactone.