Catalytic asymmetric assembly of stereodefined propionate units: an enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-pironetin

Double diastereoselection in alkaloid-catalyzed acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensation (AAC) reactions provides a strategy for realizing syn- or anti-selective propionate aldol additions from a common reaction manifold. Matched AAC homologation of enantioenriched aldehydes afford cis-disubstituted beta-lactones as surrogates for syn aldols; the mismatched AAC reactions provide anti-selective aldols in the form of trans-disubstituted 2-oxetanones. The utility of this reaction technology in synthesis activities is exemplified in a catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-pironetin.