First asymmetric total synthesis of novel and cytotoxic 2′-R-hydroxylanneaquinol

A novel cytotoxic alkylated hydroquinone 2′-R-hydroxylanneaquinol (1), isolated from the organic extract of the plant Lannea welwitschii, has been synthesized for the first time using commercially available 4-methoxyphenol. The key step of this process involves the kinetic resolution of epoxide 6 using Jacobsen’s reaction conditions.