Total synthesis of pederin, a potent insect toxin: the efficient synthesis of the right half, (+)-benzoylpedamide

A simple and efficient synthesis of (+)-benzoylpedamide, the right half of pederin, was achieved in 16 steps with a 35% overall yield from (S)-malic acid. The key steps include the SmI2-mediated intramolecular Reformatsky reaction, stereoselective allylation, the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and amidation. The total synthesis of pederin was accomplished via coupling of the left and right halves.