Synthesis of (+)-(4S, 8R)hyphen;8hyphen;Epi- and (−)-(4R, 8S)-4-Epi-β-bisabolol

The first total enantioselective synthesis of (+)-(4S, 8R)-8-epi-β-bisabolol(+)- 1 and of (?)-(4R, 8 S )-4-epi-β-bisabolol ((?))? 1 ) is reported. The key step in the synthesis is the kinetic resolution of (±)? 5 by means of the Sharpless epoxidation yielding (?)- and (+}? 6 , respectively. Reduction of the epoxides with LiAlH₄ gave the diols (+)-and(?)? 7 which were transformed into (+)- and (?)? 8 , respectively, via the corresponding mesylate. Reaction of these epoxides with the Grignard reagent derived from homoprenylbromide, assisted by Li₂CuCl₄, finished the synthesis of the target compounds 1 with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.