Stereocontrolled access to isoprostanes via a bicyclo[3.3.0]octene framework

We report a simple and highly stereocontrolled strategy toward the total synthesis of isoprostanes based on a bicyclic alpha,beta-epoxy ketone intermediate 6. Bicyclo[3.3.0]octene scaffold permitted stereodirection of reagents allowing stereoselective epoxidation, diastereoselective ketone reduction, and regioselective epoxide opening otherwise not accessible with a simple cyclopentene framework.