Synthesis of (+) dictyopterene a constituent of marine brown algae and (+) dictyopterene C′ by chirality transfer of optically active allylic benzoate with palladium (O) catalyst.

The first enantioselective syntheses of (+) dictyopterene A $\text{1}$ and (+)dictyopterene C′ were reported. The key reaction was based on palladium promoted cyclisation of chiral allylic benzoate $\text{5}$ with transfer of chirality (anti attack of the palladium with respect to the leaving group) to give optically active vinylcyclopropane $\text{7}$ with (R) configuration which contains proper functionality for further elaboration into $\text{1}$ and $\text{3}$