Synthesis of (+)-goniothalamin and its enantiomer by combination of lipase catalyzed resolution and alkene metathesis

(+)-Goniothalamin has been synthesized by lipase catalyzed resolution of (1E)-1-phenylhexa-1,5-dien-3-ol using vinyl acrylate as acyl donor followed by ring closing metathesis of the formed (1R)-1-[(E)-2-phenylvinyl]but-3-enyl acrylate. The unreacted alcohol from the resolution, (1E,3S)-1-phenylhexa-1,5-dien-3-ol, was esterified non-enzymatically, and used for synthesis of (−)-goniothalamin.