Asymmetric hydrogen transfer protocol for a synthesis of (+)-frontalin and (−)-malyngolide

An insect aggregate pheromone (+)-frontalin and a marine antibiotic (−)-malyngolide, both bearing a quaternary stereogenic center in their molecules, have been synthesized in diastereocontrolled manner by employing a catalytic asymmetric hydrogen transfer reaction as the key step. An inversion protocol allowing enantioconvergent use of the other enantiomeric resolved product has also been devised.